YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY Purchased from the income of the bequest of WILLIAM ROBERTSON COE Honorary M.A. 1949, for. material in the field of American Studies -gst# 1812. HISTORY ll OHIO WITH PORTRAITS AND BIOGRAPHIES PROMINENT CITIZENS AND PIONEERS. The world's history is a divine poem, of which the history of every nation is a canto and every man a word. Its strains have been pealing along down the centuries, and, though there have been mingled the discords of warring cannon and dying men, yet to the Christian philosopher and historian — the humble listener — there has been a divine melody running through the song which speaks ot hope and halcyon days to come. — James A. Garfield. • CLEVELAND, OHIO: H. Z. WILLIAMS & BRO. 1882. :^fe^- PREFACE, THE publishers place this volume be fore the public believing that they have fulfilled every promise made at the begin ning of the enterprise and every reason able expectation. That there are faults of omission they, are aware, but this has arisen from inability to obtain the required in formation. That a volume of upwards of eight hundred quarto pages, containing ten thousand names, should be free from error, no one will expect. A large part of the writing has been done by a citizen of the county — Homer Everett, Esq., — whose personal knowl edge of leading events reaches back almost to the first white settlement. This important service, could have been en trusted- to no better hands. The first five chapters and those relating to the Moral and Material Development of the county, and Civil History, have been prepared by a writer in the employ of the publishers. With these exceptions all of the general history is from the pen of Mr. Everett. The same gentleman also prepared the church history of Fremont and several biographical sketches. One biography and the commercial history of Fremont are the contributions of Wilbur G. Zeigler. It is impossible to make special ac knowledgments to all to whom we are in debted for assistance. The people of the county have received the writers and col lectors of information with uniform court esy, and given them every facility for the prosecution of their work. Instead of being bound in cloth with leather backs, as were the samples shown to subscribers, the volume is bound in full leather, while the form of the book renders it much more convenient for use, and better adapted to the shelves of a library. CONTENTS HISTORICAL.- GENERAL HISTORY. CHAPTER. PAGE. CHAPTER. PAGE. XXI.— The Press . 228 I. — Aboriginal Occupation 9 XXII.— Military History 241 II. — Ownership of the Northwest 19 XXIII.— Court and Bar of Sandusky III. — Advent of the White Man 24' County . XXIV.— Fremont . 368397 IV. — Lower Sandusky before Fort Stephenson . 37 XXV. — Fremont Continued 413 V.— Early Ohio S3 XXVI. — " Business Progress 419 VI. — Pre-historic Races 66 XXVII.— " Medical 44° VII. — The Indians 72 XXVIII. — " Improvements 463 VIII. — County Organization 94 XXIX.— " Public Schools . 473 VIlI(a).— Fort Stephenson . 98 XXX.— Religious History 48S IX.— Civil History . 121 XXXI.— Social Societies . 507 X. — Development, Material, Moral, TOWNSHIPS. Social "5 Sandusky SS9 XI. — -Improvements . "39 Rice . . . . • 568 XII.— The Ohio Railroad '54 Ballville .... 578 XIII.— Plank Road 159 Green Creek .... 604 XIV.— Railroad 164 York °s3 XV.' — The Fremont and Indiana Rail- • Townsend 703 road . 172 Riley . 726 XVI. — County Roads 177 Jackson 741 XVII. — County Buildings and Institutions 181 Washington 761 XVIII. — Topography and Geology 194 Woodville 780 XIX. — Iron Bridges and Drainage 200 Madison 793 XX. — Sandusky County Agricultural Scott . 807 Society 208 Appendix .... 833 ILLUSTR .ATIONS, a . i PAGE. jp PAGE. Map of Sandusky county facing 9 Portrait of J. S. Van Ness, with biog Fort Stephenson . facing 101 raphy facing 553 Portrait of Colonel Croghan . facing i°5 " " Mrs. H. Seager . facing 584 McPherson Monument facing 241 " " Rev. M. Long facing 601 Portrait of General C. G. Eaton facing 348 1 " Mrs. .Cynthia McPherson facing 633 " " Major General James B. " " Alfred Hutchinson ' facing 639 McPherson facing 359 " " Hon. 0. Mclntyre facing 640 Portrait of Dr. L. Q. Rawson facing 446 " " James Cleveland . facing 641 ' " Mrs. Dr. L. Q. Rawson . facing 449 " " Rev. N. Young facing 643 ' ' ' Rutherford B. Hayes . facing 513 " S. Baker . facing 646 ' " Mrs. Lucy W. Hayes facing 5=1 " " S. W. Chapin . facing 647 " General R. P. Buckland facing 522 " " J. L. Brown facing 649 " Mrs. R. P. Buckland facing S24 Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Charles " Sardis Birchard facing 528 Clapp facing 650 " " Homer Everett facing S44 Portrait of Nathan Birdseye between 684 and 685 CONTENTS. ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE. PAGE. Portrait of Mrs. Nathan Birdseye Portrait of Joseph Birdseye between 696 and 697 between 684 and 685 " " H. R. Adams facing 697 " T. G. Amsden facing 686 " " Amy R. Adams facing 699 Portraits .of Frederick Smith and wife facing 688 " " Gurdon Woodward facing 701 " Mr. and Mrs. John Mc- " " Mrs. Mary Woodward facing 702 Cauley facing 690 " " C. G. Sanford between 714 and 715 Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. John Rife facing 691 1 ' ' Lydia Sanford between 714 and 715 " " Mr. and Mrs. James " William Fuller . facing 717 Chapman facing 692 " J. L. Levisee . facing 719 Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. Seneca D. • Portraits of Mr. and Mrs1. F. Richards facing 722 Hitt facing 693 Portrait of Alonzo Thorp facing 724 Portraits of Mr. and Mrs. John S. " C. Schultz facing 737 Gardner facing 694 " "J. Zeigler facing 739 Portrait of Jeremiah Smith between 694 and 695 Portraits of Casper Hirt and wife facing 740 " " Mrs. DeLora Smith between 694 and 695 " " Mr. and Mrs. Charles Ro- "Mrs. Amanda Birds- zell . facing 759 eye between 696 and 697 Portrait of Samuel Skinner . facing 776 BIOGRAPHICAL, Aunesly, William • 39i Ainger, William W. 39i Amsden, Thomas G. . 686 Adams,, H. R. 697 Adams, Amy R. 699 Buckland, Chester Averill 35° Buckland, Ralph P. 380-522 Baldwin, Marcus D. 387 Buckland, Horace S. ¦ 393 Bell, Charles F. 395 Bartlett, Joseph R. 395 Bartlett, Brice J. . 396 Brainard, Dr. Daniel 444 Beaugrand, Dr. Peter 4Si Brown & Anderson, Drs. 45i Brinkerhoff, Dr. David H. 461 Baker, Dr. H. F. 461 Bemis, Dr. J. D. 461 Birchard, Sardis 5#8 Bell, General John 532 Bushnell, Ebenezer, D.D. 534 Bauer, Seraphine 536 Burgner, Jacob 555 Buckland, Stephen and family 557 Brown, Dr. J. L. • 649 Birdseye, Nathan P. and Mary A. 684 Birdseye, Joseph and Amanda B. . 696 Beaugrand, Captain John B. 828 Canfield, Lieutenant Colonel Herman ¦ 354 Cummings, J. W. 384 Corey, Dr. John M. • 459 Caldwell, Dr. W. 462 Caldwell, William 537 Creager, Frank , 539 Cleveland, James 641 Chapin Family Clapp, Charles and family Chapman, James Carver, Amos R. Curtis, T. V. Drake, Benjamin F. Dickinson, Rodolphus, Dewey, Thomas P. Dudrow, Byron R. Dickinson, Edward F. Deal, David Eaton, General Charles Grant Eddy, Nathaniel B. Ecki, Dr. S. P. Everett, Jeremiah and family Everett, Homer Finefrock, Henry R. Fronizer, F. R. Finefrock, Thomas P. Fowler, James H. Failing, Dr. J. W. Fabing, John Fuller, William Graves, Increase Greene, John L., Sr. Garver, John T. Glick, George W. and C. S. Garver, Samuel C. Greene, John L., Jr. Gessner, Dr. Louis Gessner, Dr. L. S. J. Groat, John W. Gallagher, David Giebel, Francis J. W. . Gardner, John S. and Ann 647 650692829 830 378 379388388392558348 384 4625405443853«7389390459538 717 379382 39o39i 395396 452458461 547548 694 CONTENTS. BIOGRAPHICAL. PAGE. PAGE. Griswold, Stephen • 830 Pettibone, Hiram R. 380 Goodin, Dr. 443 Putnam, Alpheus P. . 392 Harmon, Harvey J. 378 ' Rawson, Major Eugene Allen 354 Heffner, D. A. . 39° Rhodes, John H. • 38S Haynes, George R. • 39i Richards, S. S. 39o Hord, John K. • 392 Remsburg, Hezekiah . ¦ 394 Hastings, Dr. 444 Rawson, Dr. L. Q. 446 Holloway, Dr. 444 Rice, Dr. Robeit S. • 4SO Hammer, Dr. A. J. 462 Rice, Dr. John B. . 458 Hayes, Rutherford B. 513 Rice, Dr. Robert H. . • 459 Hayes, Lucy Webb 521. Rife family 691 Howland, Elisha W. SSi Richards, Franklin 722 Hutchinson, Alfred , 639 Rozell, Charles, and family 759 Hitt, Seneca'D. and Mahala E. 693 Rice, Alfred H. 825 Hirt, Casper 74P Snyder, Merritt L. 394 Johnson, John A. 383 Stilwell, Dr. Thomas • 454 Justice, James and family 552 Smith, Dr. George E. 460 Johnson, J. C. . 831 Sharp, Isaac B. • 538 Kessler and Belding 358 Smith, Frederick, and family 688 Keeler, Isaac M. • 53° Smith, Jeremiah • 695 Kridler, W. B. 539 Sanford, Carmi G., and Lydia 715 Lemon, M. B. 386 Schultz, Christian ¦ 737 Loveland, John B. 388 Skinner, Samuel 776 Lemon, John M. 392 Tyler, Morris E. • 393 Lee, Dr. George 461 Taylor, Dr. Sardis B. 460 Long, Rev. Michael 601 Tyler, John S. • 535 Levisee family 719 Taylor, Austin B. 535 McPherson, Major General James B. • 359 Thorp, Alonzo 724 Meek, Basil 389 Wegstein, Michael 353 Moore, John P. 547 Watson , Cooper K. ¦ 383 Mjllious, Jacob 552 Williams, Ernest B. 39i Mclntyre, Hon. O. 640 Winslow, Hiram W. 392 McCauley family 690 Williams, Dr. B. F. 45 1 McCulloch, C. R. 827 Wilson, Dr. James W. • 452 Norton, Faulkner I. 535 White, Dr. C. B. . 462 Newman, John • 538 Woodward, Gurdon . 701 Nyce, Jacob 825 Wood, Bourdett, and family between 702 and 703 Otis, Lucius B. 381 Young, Noah 643 O'Farrell, P. 387 Zeigler, Wilbur G. 386 Olmsted, Jesse S. 549 Zeigler, John ¦¦ 739 HISTORY O F Sandusky County, Ohio, CHAPTER I. ABORIGINAL OCCUPATION. The Sandusky Valley in Aboriginal History — The Ancient Eries— General Indian War— The Wyandots Driven from their Ancient Seats — The Eries Perish— Extent of the Conquest of the Six Nations — The Neutral Nation — Two Forts at Lower Sandusky— Origin and Destruction of the Neutral Nation — Ohio Indians — Return of the Wyandots — Character of the Wyandots — Brant Visits Lower Sandusky, and Forms a Confederacy — Upper Sandusky Becomes their Seat of Government — The Wyandots are Given a Reservation in 1817 — Their Final Removal from Ohio in 1842 — Other Tribes and Reservations. THE Sandusky country, in aboriginal history, possesses a peculiar charm and fascinating interest. During that period of years which fills western annals with the story of intrigue and bloody conflict, the plains and prairies of the lower Sandusky valley were the home of the most power ful and most generous of the savage na tions. The border country of Pennsyl vania, Virginia, and Kentucky, and the first settlements of Ohio, saw the Indian at war, and too often his character has been estimated by his conduct when in spired to cruelty by a natural desire for revenge. Here we see him at home, far remof ed from his enemy, and perceive the softer side of his untamed nature. The field brings us to a nation's capital, ac quaints us with the manners and customs of primitive life, and by affording a more accurate knowledge of the treatment of white prisoners, softens harsh prejudices. Less than a century ago these plains, now covered by a thriving city, presented all that interesting variety of scenes of Indian life, — primitive agriculture, rude cabins, canoe-building, amusements, and the coun cil fire, around which painted warriors planned campaigns and expeditions having for their ultimate object the pre servation of the vast, beautiful forest, and the beloved hunting grounds — the return and welcome of war parties and the terri fying and not always harmless treatment of prisoners. Tradition goes back a century farther, and makes the locality of this city the seat of a still more interesting people, a people who for a time preserved existence by neutrality, while war, which raged with shocking ferocity, effected the extinction of the neighboring tribes. It will be necessary in these preliminary chapters, in which are traced the occupa tion and ownership of the territory included in Sandusky county, in order to an under standing of historical events common to a wide range of country, to frequently go beyond the small field of which this volume, by its title, professes to treat. At the risk of being tedious, we begin with the primitive events of Western history. Nothing is known of the aboriginal oc cupation of Ohio previous to 1650, and HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. many statements of events during the succeeding century rest upon traditional authority. At the opening of the his torical era, the territory now constituting the State was a forest wilderness, inhabited mainly by the powerful but doomed Eries. Most of their villages were located along ¦ the south shore of the Lake which bears their name. Good Indian authority sup ports the theory that one of the strongholds of the tribe was the archipelago lying north of Sandusky Bay.* Brant, the dis- tininguished Mohawk chief, speaks of them as a powerful nation. But the doors of extermination awaited them. The Indians of Northeastern North America have been classed in two generic divisions, the Iroquois and the Algonquin. The Iroquois family, consist ing of the Wyandots, Eries, Andastes and the five Confederate tribes, were confined to the region south of Lakes Erie and Ontario and the peninsula east of Lake Huron. They formed as it were an island in the vast expanse of Algonquin popula tion extending from Hudson's Bay on the north to the Carolinas on the south; from. the Atlantic on the east to the Mississippi on the west. The Delawares were the leading tribe, and, according to tradition, the parent stem of the Algonquinsf. The Wyandots lived on the eastern shore of Lake Huron and were in consequence named by the early French explorers, "Hurons. " The western tribes of the Iro quois family were more powerful than the eastern until the great Confederacy of Five Nations, afterwards Six by the addi tion of the Tuscarawas, was formed early in the seventeenth century. The Six Na tions had the rude elements of a confeder ated republic, and were the only power in this part of the continent, deserving the *SGhoolcraft. •(¦Parkman's Conspiracy of Pontiac, name of Government.* About the middle of the seventeenth century began a war which desolated the western forest of its inhabitants and changed the whole face of aboriginal geography. The confederated tribes, grown arrogant by fifty years of power, made war upon their western neighbors. The country of the Wyandots was first invaded. This war had already commenced where Champlain entered the St. Lawrence, and that enterprising officer accompanied one of the hostile parties against their enemies. t The Wyandots suffered disastrously in that war. Driven from their ancient home, they were pursued by the victorious Iroquois to the northern shores of Lake Huron. Distance was no security against the relentless fury of their foes, who were encouraged by. victory and maddened by resistance. Famine and disease assisted war's devastation. The account of the suffering, told by mission aries, who witnessed and shared their fate, excites our pity. Driven from their hiding places, they fled farther westward until at last a feeble remnant found protection in the dominion of the Sioux. This helpless remnant of the most proud and haughty of the Indian tribes in little more than a century, again became the most power ful of the Indian nations. During this fearful war the Eries re mained neutral, or, rather, were at the head of a confederation of neutral tribes, whose dominion extended into Canada, and was crossed" by the Iroquois confed eracy in their campaign against- the Wyan dots. J The proud Iroquois next began that cruel war which resulted in the ex tinction of the whole Neutral Nation. The Canada tribe fell first, and then the Eries of Ohio became victims of savage butch ery. Using their canoes as scaling ladders, *James Albach's Annals. fNorth American Review, 1827. {Schoolcraft. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. it the warriors of the eastern confederacy stormed the Erie strongholds, leaped down like tigers upon the defenders, and mur dered them without mercy. This general massacre was carried to the entire extinc tion of the powerful nation which once held dominion over the whole southern shore of Lake Erie. The Andastes next perished. The date of this event is placed, upon good authority, at 1672. About the same time the Shawnees were driven from their ancient home far into the South. The proud Iroquois now pretentiously claimed to be the conquerors of the whole country from sea to sea, and indeed they may have been masters of the vast expanse between^he lakes and the Ohio as far west as the Mississippi. The Miamis, however, have no tradition of ever having suffered defeat. Well accredited Indian writers think, therefore, that the Miami River was the western boundary of the Iroquois con quest. The territory now embraced in the State of Ohio, in consequence of this fatal war, became a land sparsely inhabited. The upper Ohio Valley was without human habitation when explored by the early French navigators. The western post of the Six Nations on the lake was a Seneca village on the Sandusky. River, at the loca tion of the present village bearing the same name. But in the general narrative an item of local interest has been passed over. Gen eral Lewis Cass has preserved the tradi tion of the Wyandots that, during the long and bloody wars between the eastern and western tribes, there lived upon the San dusky a neutral tribe of Wyandots called the Neutral Nation. They occupied two villages which were cities of refuge, where those who sought safety never failed to find it. These villages stood near the lower rapids. "During the long and dis astrous contests which preceded and fol lowed the arrival of the Europeans; in which the Iroquois contended for victory, and their enemies for existence,'' says General Cass, "this little band preserved the integrity of their tribe and the sacred character of peacemakers. All who met upon their threshold met as friends, for the ground on which they stood was holy. It was a beautiful institution, a calm and peaceful island, looking out upon the world of waves and tempests." P'ather Segard says this Neutral Nation was in ex istence when the French missionaries first reached the Upper Lakes. The details of their history and of their character and privileges are meagre and unsatisfactory. "And this," continues General Cass, "is the more to be regretted, as such a sanc tuary among the barbarous tribes is not only a singular institution, but altogether at variance with the reckless spirit of cru elty with which their wars are usually pros ecuted. The Wyandot tradition repre sents them as having separated from the parent stock during the bloody wars with their own tribe and the Iroquois, and hav ing fled to the Sandusky River for safety.'' The tradition runs, that at the lower rap ids two forts were erected, one for the Iro quois or Six Nations, the other for their enemies. In these, war parties might find security and hospitality when they entered the country. Tradition does not tell why so unusual a proposition should be made or acceded to. General Cass thinks it probable that superstition lent its aid- to the institution, and that it may have been indebted for its origin to the feasts and charms and juggling ceremonies which constituted the religion of the natives. "No other motive was sufficient to restrain the hand of violence and to counteract the threat of vengeance.'' Major B. F. Stickney, for many years an Indian Agent in this part of Ohio, said in a. lecture delivered in Toledo in 1845: HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The remains of extensive works of defence are now to be seen near Lower Sandusky. The Wyandots have given me this account of them: At a period of two centuries and a-half ago * all the Indians west of this point were at war with those east. Two walled towns were built near each other and each were in habited by those of Wyandot origin. They assumed a neutral character and all the Indians at war recog nized that character. They might be called two neutral cities. All of the west might enter the west ern city and all of the east the eastern. The inhabit ants of one city might inform those of the other that war parties were there or had been there; but who they were, or whence they came, or anything more must not be mentioned. The war parties might remain there in security, taking their own time for departure. At the western town they suffered warriors to burn their prisoners near it, but the east ern would not. (An old Wyandot informed me that he recollected seeing, when a boy, the remains of a cedar post or stake at which they used to burn prisoners). The French historians tell us that when they first came here these neutral cities were in habited and their neutral character preserved. At length a. quarrel arose between these two cities and one destroyed the inhabitants of the other. This put an end to neutrality. These traditions, handed down along the generations for nearly two centuries, are probably inaccurate in detail, but the general fact of the existence of two such cities, located near the headwaters, of navigation on the Sandusky River, is entitled to as much consideration as any yother fact of early Indian history. In view of the general historical events of the period the tradition is reasonable. A fierce and relentless attack was made upon the Wyandot Nation by the Confederated Iroquois. In the bloody contest which followed, the Wyandots were defeated and driven from their native soil. While the body of the defeated nation sought refuge in the high latitudes above Lake Huron, it is not improbable that a tribe or com pany crossed Lake Erie towards the south, found their way into Sandusky Bay and thence ascended the river to where rapids and shallow water prevented further pro gress. Here, at the head of navigation, "This tradition places the time too early by more than half a century. would be a natural place to settle, and ex perience would dictate the propriety of building works of defence. Experience, too, would dictate the propriety of nutral- ity, when the Eries, among whom they had settled, were compelled, at a later period, to take up the weapons of war in defence of their country. These refugee Wyandots, if we suppose the tradition to be true, had seen the Neutral Nation of the northern side of the lake escape the cruel invaders, on account of neutrality. A similar policy of neutrality shielded them during the equally savage contest which resulted in the extinction of the Eries. History and tradition authorize the belief that a neutral tribe once dwelt near the present city of Fremont, and also that they were de stroyed ; either in an internal dissension or by the hand of the invading warriors of the Iroquois Confederacy. Gist found, in 1750, on White-woman creek, a Wyandot vil lage containing about one hundred fami lies, named "Muskingum." This is sup posed to have been an isolated govern ment. There can be no doubt but that the Wyandot Nation was greatly scattered by the general war of 1655. We have now given the most trust worthy information, so far as our knowl edge of aboriginal history goes, of the Indian occupation of the region in which Sandusky county is included, prior to the period which historians have termed the second Indian occupation, of Ohio. Pre vious to 1650, nothing is known. The succeeding century may be called the first period of Indian history. At the opening of this period the Eries were un doubtedly masters of the Sandusky River region. Accepting tradition as authority, a detached band of refugee Wyandots established themselves at the lower rapids, and probably became masters of the soil. Then followed the conquest of the Six Nations, and a half century of quiet, per- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 13 haps undisturbed, preceded the second Wyandot occupation. The first authentic and accurate knowl edge of Ohio Indians may be said to have had its beginning about 1750. About that time French and. English traders sought out the denizens of the Ohio for ests, and from their accounts some knowl edge of the strength and character of the Indian tribes and their location, can be gleaned. The most trustworthy and valuable accounts are to be found in the narrative of the captivity of Colonel James Smith, who, as a prisoner, tramped the forest from the lakes to the river, having been a captive from 1755 to 1759, and in the reports made in 1764 by Colonel Boquet, as the result of his observations while making a military expedition west of the Ohio. According to Boquet's report, the prin cipal Indian tribes in Ohio about the middle of the last century were the Wyan dots, the Delawares, the Shawnees, the Mingos, the Chippewas and the Tawas (or Ottawas). The Delawares occupied the valleys of the Muskingum and Tus carawas ; the Shawnees, the Scioto Valley ; the Miamis, the valleys of the two rivers which bear their name; the Wyandots occupied the country about the Sandusky River; the Ottawas were located on the valleys of the Sandusky and Maumee, or Miami of the Lake; the Chippewas in habited the south shore of Lake Erie; and the Mingos, an off-shoot of the six Nations, were in greatest strength on the Ohio, below the present city of Steuben- ville. All the tribes,however, frequented the country outside their ascribed limits of ter ritory, and at different periods, from the time when the first definite knowledge con cerning them was obtained, down to the era of white settlement, occupied different lo- actions. Thus the Delawares, whom Boquet found in 1764 in greatest numbers in the Tuscarawas Valley, thirty years later mainly occupied the county which bears their name; and the Shawnees, who were found strongest on the Scioto, had, by the time of St. Clair and Wayne's wars, con centrated upon the Little Miami. As the natives saw white settlements encroaching upon their hunting grounds, a bond of sympathy and common danger united the nations. Tribal differences and jealousies were forgotten when they foresaw the des truction of their loved domain by the white man's axe. The Delawares had their densest popu lation on the Upper Muskingum and Tus carawas. They were in possession of the greater part of the eastern half of the present territory of Ohio, their domain extending from the Ohio to Lake Erie. This tribe, which claimed to be the elder branch of the Lenni-Lenape, has, in tra dition, in history, and in fiction, been ac corded a high rank among the Indians of North America. The best accredited Indian historians have testified to the su periority of the Delawares, and James Fennimore Cooper, in his charming ro mances, has popularized the fame of the tribe. Long before the advent of Euro peans upon the continent, according to tradition, the Delawares lived in the West, but separating from the rest of the Lenni- Lenape, they migrated slowly eastward. In alliance with the Iroquois they con quered a race of giants, the Allegewi, and finally settled on the Delaware River, where European navigators found ih3m. After the Atlantic coast became settled by whites the Delawares again came West. A portion of the tribe having obtained permission from the Wyandots, then set tled on the Muskingum. They called the Wyandots their uncles, thus acknowledg ing the superiority of that Nation. They settled on the Muskingum about 1745, and the fact that permission was obtained H HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. from the Wyandots is an evidence that that Nation succeeded the Iroquois to the do main of the conquered Eries. The most successful labors of the Moravian mis sionaries were among the Delawares. The Shawnees are interesting to us, chiefly because of the nativity of the great war chief, Tecumseh, through whose influence the tribes of Ohio were drawn into an alliance with the British armies in 1812. The Shawnees were the only In^ dians who had a tradition of foreign origin, and for some time after the whites became acquainted with them they celebrated the arrival of their remote ancestors. Little is known of the early history of this tribe. It is generally conceded, however, that at an early period they were overcome and scattered, some being carried by their conquerors into Pennsylvania, and others driven South into the Creek country. En couraged by the Wyandots and French they returned, about 1740, and settled in the fertile valley of the Scioto. It is said that Tecumseh's mother was a Creek wo man whom his father took for a wife dur ing the southern residence of the tribe. The chief himself, who commanded the Indian forces during the attack on Fort Stephenson, was born in the Mad River Valley after the return of his tribe. Shawnee war parties frequently visited Lower Sandusky while this place was oc cupied by the Wyandots. Their captives were brought here on the way to Detroit, and their friendly alliance with the Wyan dots made the Indian power most formid able during the early settlement of the Northwest. The four tribes of the Shaw nees were the Piqua, Kiskapocke, Me- quachuke, and Chillicothe. They were a highly imaginative people as is shown by the abundance of fanciful traditions. Their account of the origin of the Piqua is a good example. According to the le gend, the tribe began in a perfect man, who burst into being from fire and ashes. The Shawnees said to the first whites who mingled with them, that once, when the wise men and chiefs were sitting around the smouldering embers of a council fire, they were all startled with a great puffing of fire and smoke, and suddenly from the ashes and dying coals there arose before them a man of splendid form and mien. He was named Piqua to signify the manner of his coming into the world, — that he was born of fire and ashes. This legend of the origin of the tribe, beautiful in its simplicity, has been made the subject of much comment by several writers, as showing, in a marked degree, the roman tic susceptibility of the Indian character. The Shawnees have been designated "the Bedouins of the American wilderness " by some writers, and "the Spartan of the race" by others. They are justly entitled to the former title by their extensive and constant wanderings ; the latter title more properly belongs to the Wyandots. The Shawnees were vigorous warriors. They made frequent incursions into the white settlements; were the active allies of the French, and afterwards of the British dur ing the Revolution; made constant war upon the frontier settlements of Ohio and Kentucky, and participated actively in the war against St. Clair and Wayne ; in the War of 1 81 2 a part of the Nation followed the celebrated Tecumseh. It was during this long period of war that they frequent ly visited Lower Sandusky with captives or for council. The Ottawas existed in the territory constituting the State of Ohio, in small numbers. They seem to have been infe rior in almost every respect to the other great Indian nations of Ohio. The name of Pontiac alone renders them conspicu ous in history. The Miamis, so far as is known, were the original inhabitants of the valleys HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. iS bearing their name, and claimed to have been created in it. The Mingos had a few small villages along the Ohio River and the Lake basin. Drake mentions a Mingo village near Lower Sandusky. Logan has made the name Mingo famil iar to every reader of western adventure. In our sketch of the first period of aboriginal history, we left the main stem of the Wyandot Nation, a weak band of refugees, under the protection of the Sioux, in the country west of Lake Supe rior, where they enjoyed safety and tran quility. But defeat and overthrow did not kill the proud spirit native to the tribe. A domain lost, left dominion to be gained. In a few-years the power of the Iroquois Confederacy was crippled by their wars with the French. The Wyandots de scended Lake Superior and occupied the lands about old Michilimackinac. When the French fort at Detroit was established they were invited to settle in its vicinity and their services were important in resist ing the hostile operations which the Foxes continued against the infant colony. Their final migration was to the plains of Sandusky. Just when they came to San dusky is not known. Colonel James Smith in the narrative of his captivity, claims to have visited, in 1757, a town on the "Little Lake" (which was the name given Sandusky Bay) named Sunyendeand, which was prob ably located near the mouth of Cold creek,* in Erie county. This is spoken of as a village of considerable size, but, although he ascended the river, no mention is made of a village at the falls. "When we came to the fall of Sandusky," says the narrative, "we buried our birch bark ca noes as usual, at a large burying place for that purpose, a little below the falls. At this place the river falls about eight feet over a rock, but not perpendicularly; with much difficulty we pushed up our wooden *Firelands Pioneer. canoes ; some of us went up the river and others by land on horses, until we came to the great meadows or prairies that lie between the Sandusky and Scioto." Colonel Smith describes the country from the mouth of the Sandusky to the falls as chiefly first-rate land, lying flat or level, intermixed with large bodies of clear mead ows,, where the grass is exceeding rank and in many places three or four feet high. " The timber is oak, hickory, walnut, cher ry, black ash, elm, sugar-tree, buckeye, lo cust, and beech. In some places there is wet timber land — the timber in these places is chiefly water-ash, sycamore, and button-wood. From the falls to the prai rie the land lies well to the sun; it is nei ther too flat or too hilly, but is chiefly first- rate; the timber nearly the same as below the falls, excepting the water-ash." Colonel Smith's narrative gives negative evidence that the seat of government of the Wyandots was yet at Dertoit, and that there were no villages on Sandusky River above the bay and below the prairies. The Nation, however, was acknowledged to be at the head of the great Indian family.* How this pre-eminence was acquired none now can tell. They were the guardians of the great council fire, and they alone had the privilege of sending their messengers with the well-known cre dentials, wampum and tobacco, to sum mon other tribes to meet their uncle, the Wyandot, when any important subject re quired deliberation. In the calamities occasioned by the victories of the Iro quois, the site of the council fire had often changed, but always with prescribed ceremonial and with due notice to all. -f This fire was extinguished in blood at Brownstown, at the mouth of the Detroit river in 181 2. The Wyandots were the * Lewis Cass, in North American Review, 1827. ¦(¦General Lewis Cass. i6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. keepers of the grand calumet and per formed that office in the unequal contest with General Wayne in which the allied tribes were hopelessly defeated. Lower Sandusky probably became the principal war seat of the Wyandots, al though Upper Sandusky was the chief seat of government. Half King, the great chief, lived at Upper Sandusky, but Tarhe, the Crane, the principal war chief, lived at Lower Sandusky, at least until Wayne's victory and the treaty of Greenville, after which the office of Half King was abol ished, and Crane, the great war chief and chief of the Porcupine tribe, became the head chief of the Nation. Crane led his war riors from Lower Sandusky against Wayne, and he, himself, carried the grand calu met. He was made custodian of the treaty of Greenville.* The first mention of an Indian village at Lower Sandusky is made by Boquet, in his report, made in 1764, where he speaks of the Wyandot village Junqueindundeh, near the falls of Sandusky. When mis sionaries first visited this county the plains along the river were planted in corn and the Wyandots of Upper Sandusky fre quently sent down for supplies. An event of unusual consequence is hinted at by Captain Brant, the famous half-breed chief of the Mohawks and war chief of the Six Nations. In a council held at Buffalo Creek, in 1794, Brant, ad dressing General Chapin, the United States Commissioner, said: "This idea (exerting ourselves to hold our territory,) we all entertained at our council at Lower Sandusky, for the purpose of forming our confederacy and to adopt measures for the general good of our Indian nations and people of our color." On another occasion Brant said: "For several years we were engaged in getting a confederacy formed, and the unanimity occasioned * History of Fort Wayne. by these endeavors among our Western brethren enabled them to defeat two American armies." In 1785, after the formation of the confederacy, Brant went to England.* These fragments indicate that the present site of the city of Fre mont is the ground on which the grand confederacy was formed, of which Brant was chief, and which enabled the Western tribes to defeat two American armies. The government of the Wyandots was reposed in a council of seven chiefs, and the Nation was divided into seven tribes, over each of which a chief presided. These were the three Turtle tribes, — the Little Turtle, the Water Turtle, and the Large Land Turtle; the Porcupine tribe, the Deer tribe, the Bear tribe,"' and the Snake tribe. The office of chief was he reditary in the female line. A chief was succeeded by , his sister's son or by the nearest m'ale relative in that line. After the office of Half King was abolished, the chief of the Porcupine tribe was the ac knowledged head of the Nation. This honor belonged to Tarhe, or the Crane, as he was generally known. We cannot dismiss this subject without speaking of the character of this Nation, which but little more than half a century ago possessed and inhabited our soil, but is now well nigh extinct. General Harrison gives to the Wyandots unquestioned pref erence among the Western Indians on the score of bravery. With other tribes, flight in battle, when occasioned by unex pected resistance and obstacles, brought with it no disgrace, and was rather a part of their strategy, but otherwise with the Wyandots. In the battle of the Maumee Rapids, in which the confederated tribes were broken by General Wayne, of. the thirteen Wyandot chiefs engaged, but one escaped, and he badly wounded. When General Wayne assumed his * Perkins's Annals of the West. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. i7 position at Greenville, in 1795, he sent for Captain Wells, who commanded a company of scouts, and told him that he wished him to go to Sandusky, and take a prisoner for the purpose of obtaining in formation. Wells (who, having been taken from Kentucky when a boy and brought up by the Indians, was perfectly acquainted with Indian character,) an swered that "'he could take a prisoner, but not from Sandusky." "And why not from Sandusky?" said the General. "Because," answered Captain Wells, "there are only Wyandots living at Sandusky." "Well, why will not Wyandots do?" "For the best of reasons," answered' Wells ; "because Wyandots will not be taken alive." Upper Sandusky had been the main station of the Wyandots, and probably after the treaty of Greenville was their only seat of government in Ohio. By the treaty of the Maumee Rapids, in 18 17, they relinquished all claim to the Sandusky Valley, except a reservation twelve miles square in the county, which bears their name. The center of this reservation was Fort Ferree, now the town of Upper Sandusky. An additional reservation, one mile square, was granted them for hunting purposes, on Broken Sword Creek. By the same treaty the Delawares re ceived a reservation, three miles square, in Wyandot county. The Delawares ceded their reservation to the United States in 1829, the Wyandots in 1842, they being at that time the. only Indians remaining in the State. They departed for the West in' July, 1843, their number at that time being seven hundred souls. Colonel John Johnson, the Indian Com missioner at that time, says many of the old chiefs cried, and all regretted to leave their native land. During the later years of their residence in Ohio, William Walker was a leader among the Wyandots. He had been clerk on an Ohio river steamboat, but came among the Indians for purposes of specu lation. He married a half-blood squaw at Upper Sandusky, who was one of the most intelligent women on the reservation. Walker became quite wealthy. He had several boys and girls whom he educated. One of the sons was William H. Walker, for some time Government interpreter. He had considerable poetical genius, as is. shown by the following lines composed while at college : Oh, give me back my bended bow, My cap and feather, give them back, To chase o'er hill the mountain roe, Or follow in the otter's track. You took me from my native wild. Where all was bright, and free and blest; You said the Indian hunter's child In classic halls and bowers should rest. Long have I dwelt within these walls And pored o'er ancient pages long. I hate these antiquated halls; I hate the Grecian poet's song. Just before departing for the West, young Walker wrote the following song in the Wyandot tongue, but translated it into English : THE WYANDOT'S FAREWELL.- Farewell, ye tall oaks, in whose pleasant green shade I've sported in childhood, in innocence played, My dog and my hatchet, my arrow and bow, Are still in remembrance, alas ! I must go. Adieu, ye dear scenes which bound me like chains, As on my gay pony I pranced o'er the plains; The deer and the turkey I tracked in thesnow, O'er the great Mississippi, alas ! I must go. Sandusky, Tyamochtee, and Broken Sword streams, No more shall I see you except in my dreams. Farewell to the marshes where cranberries grow, O'er the great Mississippi, alas ! I must go. Dear scenes of my childhood, in. memory blest, I must bid you farewell for the far distant West. My heart swells with sorrow, my eyes overflow, O'er the great Mississippi, alas! I must go. Let me go to the wildwood, my own native home. Where the wild deer and elk and buffalo roam, Where the tall cedars are and the bright waters flow, Far away from the pale-face, oh, there let me go. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. There were along the Sandusky River scattered bands of other tribes — Mingos, Mohawks, Onondagas, Tuscarawas and Oneidas. Good Hunter, a leading Mingo chief, said his band was a remnant of Logan's tribe. By the treaty of Maumee Rapids in 1817, these scattered fragments of tribes, with a few Wyandots, were grouped together upon a reservation con sisting of thirty thousand acres of land, which was increased to forty thousand the following year. This reservation extended two miles and an eighth northward of the south county line, and from the Sandusky River to Green Spring. The name Senecas of Sandusky was applied, because of the old Indian village of that name. Most of the inhabitants of this reservation were descendants of the six tribes composing the Iroquois confederacy of Six Nations. It should be remembered that the territory included within the limits of this reserva tion was, before the treaty of 181 7, em braced in the country of the Wyandots. By a treaty concluded at Washington in 183 1, these Indians relinquished their land, and removed to the Neosho River. Like the Wyandots of Upper Sandusky, they came to Lower Sandusky to trade, Judge Olmstead being their favorite mer chant. The principal chiefs of the Senecas were Coonstick, Small Cloud Spicer, Seneca Steel, Hard Hickory, Tall Chief, and Good Hunter. Many interesting episodes in their history are narrated in the chapters relating to Ballville and Green Creek townships. The Ottawas were a nation of hunters and trappers, and were always subjects of shame among their warlike neighbors. This last residence in Ohio was on the Maumee River. They never laid claim to any part of Sandusky county, but often followed both the Portage and Sandusky Rivers on hunting expeditions. The Delawares, after being forced from their seats on the Muskingum, occu pied the western and central part of the State. The Muncies, the most warlike of the tribes of this Nation, established a village on the Sandusky River, about three miles below the Wyandot village at the rap ids. Here Tecumseh visited them in 1809. CHAPTER II. OWNERSHIP OF THE NORTHWEST. The Claims of France, Founded on Discovery and Occupation — England's Claim Based Upon Discovery and Settlement of the Atlantic Coast and Treaties of Purchase— Treaty of Paris in 1763 — Ohio as a Part of France and Canada — The "Quebec Bill" — Title Vested in the Confederated States by Treaty in 1783 — Conflicting Claims of States — Virginia's Exercise of Civil Authority — The Northwest Territory Erected as Botetourt County — Illinois County — New York Withdraws Claim — Virginia's Deed of Cession — Massachusetts Cedes Her Claim Without Reservation — "The Tardy and Reluctant Sacrifice of State Pretensions to the Public Good," Made by Connecticut — A Serious Evil Averted — The States Urged to their Action by New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland— Extinguishment of the Indian Title — Difficulty of Making Satisfactory Provisions — A Harsh and Unjust Policy — Washington's Influence Causes More Humane Treatment of the Indians — Treaty of Fort Stanwix — Treaty of Fort Mcintosh — George Rogers Clarke, General Butler, and S. H. Parsons Confer with Several Tribes at the Mouth of the Miami — Measures of the Treaty Ineffectual to Preserve Peace — Great Improvement in the Atti tude of the Government — Indian Tribes Recognized as Rightful Owners — Appropriations Made to Purchase Title from Them. FRANCE, resting her claim upon the dis covery and explorations of Robert Ca valier de la Salle and Marquette, upon the occupation of the country, and later, upon the provisions of several European treaties (those of Utrecht, Ryswick, Aix-la-Chap- elle), was the first nation to formally lay claim to the soil of the territory now in cluded within the boundaries of the State of Ohio as an integral portion of the valley of the Mississippi and of the Northwest. Ohio wae thus a part of New France. After the treaty of Utrecht, in 17 13, it was a part of the French province of Louisiana, which extended from the gulf to the nor thern lakes. The English claims were based on the priority of their occupation of the Atlantic coast, in latitude corres ponding to the territory claimed; upon an opposite construction of the same treaties above named; and last but not least, upon the alleged cession of the rights of the In dians. England's charters to all of the. original colonies expressly extended their grants from sea to sea. The principal ground of claim by the English was by the treaties of purchase from the Six Na tions, who, claiming to be conquerors of the whole country and therefore its posses sors, asserted their right to dispose of it. A portion of the land was obtained through grants from the Six Nations and by actual purchase made at Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1744. France successfully resisted the claims of England, and maintained control of the territory, between the Ohio and the takes by force of arms until the Treaty of Paris was consummated, in 1763. By the provisions of this treaty Great Britain came into possession of the disputed lands, and retained it until ownership was vested in the United States by the treaty of peace made just twenty years later. We have seen that Ohio was once a part of France and of the French province of Louisiana, and as a curiosity it may be of interest to refer to an act of the British Parliament, which made it an integral part of Canada. This was what has been known in history as the "Quebec Bill," passed in 1774. By the provisions of this bill the Ohio River was made the southwestern, and the Missis- 20 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY sippi River the western boundary of Can ada, thus placing the territory now consti tuting the States of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin under the local jurisdiction of the Province of Quebec. Virginia had asserted claims to the whole territory northwest of the Ohio, and New York had claimed title to portions of the same. These claims had been for the most part held in abeyance during the period when the general ownership was vested in Great Britain, but were after wards the cause of much embarrassment to the United States. Virginia, however, had not only claimed ownership of the soil, but attempted the exercise of civil authority in the disputed territory as early as 1769. In that year the Colonial House of Burgesses passed an act establishing the county of Botetourt, including a large part of what is now West Virginia and the whole territory northwest of the Ohio, and having, of course, as its western boundary, the Mississippi River. This was a county of vast proportions — a fact of which the august authorities who ordered its establishment seem to have been fully aware, for they inserted the following among other provisions of the act, viz: Whereas, The people situated upon the Missis sippi in the said county of Botetourt will be very re mote from the court-house, and must necessarily become a separate county as soon as their numbers are sufficient, which will probably happen in a short time, be it therefore enacted by the authority afore said that the inhabitants of that part of the said county of Botetourt, which lies on the said waters, shall be exempted from the payment of any levies to be laid by the said county for the purpose of building a court-house and prison for said county. It was more in name than in fact, how ever, that Virginia had jurisdiction over this great county of Botetourt through the act of 1769. In 1778, after the splen did achievements of General George Rogers Clarke — his subjugation of the British posts in the far West, and conquest of the whole country from the Ohio to the Mississippi — this territory was organized by the Virginia Legislature as the county of Illinois. Then, and not until then, did government have more than a nom inal existence in this far extending but undeveloped country, containing a few towns and scattered population. The act, which was passed in October, contained the following provisions: All the citizens of the Commonwealth of Virginia who are already settled, or shall hereafter settle on the western side of the Ohio, shall be included in a distinct county which shall be called Illinois; and the Governor of this Commonwealth, with the advice of the council, may appoint a County Lieutenant or Commandant-in-Chief, during pleasure, who shall appoint and commission so many Deputy-Com mandants, Militia officers and Commissaries, as he shall think proper, in the different districts, during pleasure, all of whom, before they enter into office, shall take the oath of fidelity to this Commonwealth, and the oath of office, according to the form of their own religion. And all officers to whom the inhabit ants have been accustomed, necessary to the preser vation of peace and the. administration of justice, shall be chosen by a majority of citizens, in their re spective districts, to be convened for that purpose by the County Lieutenant or Commandant, or his deputy, and shall be commissioned by the said County Lieutenant or Commandant-in-Chief. John Todd was appointed as County Lieutenant and Civil Commandant of Illinois county, and served until his death (he was killed in the battle of Blue Lick, August 18, 1782), being succeeded by Timothy de Montbrun. New York was the first of the several States claiming right and title in Western lands to withdraw the same in favor of the United States. Her charter, obtained March 2, 1664, from Charles II., em braced territory which had formerly been granted to Massachusetts and Connecti cut. The cession of claim was made by James Duane, William Floyd, and Alex ander McDougall, on behalf of the State, March 1, 1781. Virginia, with a far more valid claim than New York, was the next State to fol low New York's example. Her claim was HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. founded upon certain charters granted to the colony by James I., and bearing date respectively, April 10, 1606, May 23, 1609, and March 12, 161 1; upon the con quest of the country by General George Rogers Clarke; and upon the fact that she had also exercised civil authority over the territory. The General Assembly of Virginia, at its session" beginning Octo ber 20, 1783, passed an act authorizing its delegates in Congress to convey to the United States in Congress assembled, all the right of that Commonwealth to the ter ritory northwest of the Ohio River. The act was consummated on March 17, 1784. By one of the provisory clauses of this act was reserved the Virginia Military District, lying between the waters of the Scioto and Little Miami Rivers. Massachusetts ceded her claims with out reservation, the same year that Vir ginia did hers (1784), though the action was not formally consummated until the 1 8th of April, 1785. The right of her title had been rested upon her charter, granted less than a quarter of a century from the arrival of the Mayflower, and embracing territory extending from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Connecticut made what has been char acterized as " the last tardy and reluctant sacrifice of State pretensions to the com mon good"* on the 14th of September, 1786. She ceded to Congress all her "right, title, interest, jurisdiction, and claim to the lands northwest of the Ohio, excepting the Connecticut Western Re serve," and of this tract jurisdictional claim was not ceded to the United States until May 30, 1801. The happy, and, considering all com plications, speedy adjustment of the con flicting claims of the States, and consolida tion of all rights of title in the United * Statutes of Ohio; Chief Justice Chase. States, was productive of the best results both at home and abroad. The young Nation, born in the terrible throes of the Revolution, went through a trying ordeal, and one of which the full peril was not realized until it had been safely passed. Serious troubles threatened to arise from the disputed ownership of the Western lands, and there were many who had grave fears that the well-being of the coun try would be impaired or at least its prog ress impeded. The infant Republic was at that time closely and jealously watched by all the governments of Europe, and nearly all of them would have rejoiced to witness the failure of the Ameri can experiment, but they were not des tined to be gratified at the expense of the United States. As it was, the most pal pable harm, caused by delay, was the re tarding of settlement. The movement towards the complete cession of State claims was accelerated as much as possi ble by Congress. The National Legislature strenuously urged the several States, in 1784, to cede their lands to the Confeder acy to aid the payment of the debts in curred during the Revolution, and to pro mote the harmony of the Union.* The States of New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland had taken the initiative action and been largely instrumental in bringing about the cession of State claims. The fact that they had no foun dation for pretensions of ownership save that they had equally, in proportion to their ability with the other States, assisted in wresting these lands from Great Britain, led them to protest against an unfair division of the territory — New Jersey had memorialized Congress in 1778, and Del aware followed in the same spirit in Jan uary, 1779. Later in the same year Maryland virtually reiterated the principles * Albach's Annals of the West. 22 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. advanced by New Jersey and Maryland, though more positively. Her represent atives in Congress emphatically and elo quently expressed their views and those of their constituents, in the form of instruc tions upon the matter of confirming the articles of Confederation. The extinguishment of the Indian claims to the soil of the Northwest was another delicate and difficult duty which devolved upon the Government. In the treaty of peace, ratified by Congress in 1784, no provision was made by Great Britain in behalf of the Indians — even their most faithful allies, the Six Nations. Their lands were included in the boundaries se cured to the United States. They had suffered greatly during the war, and the Mohawks had been dispossessed of the whole of their beautiful valley. The only remuneration they received was a tract of country in Canada, and all of the sover eignty which great. Britain had exercised over them was transferred to the United States. The relation of the new Govern ment to these Indians was peculiar. In 1782 the British principle, in brief that "might makes right" — that discovery was equivalent to conquest, and that therefore the nations retained only a pdssessory claim to their lands, and could only abdi cate it to the government claiming sover eignty — was introduced into the general policy of the United States. The Legisla ture of New York was determined to expel the Six Nations entirely, in retaliation for their hostility during the war. Through the just and humane counsels of Washing ton and Schuyler, however, a change was wrought in the Indian policy, and the Continental Congress sought henceforward in its action to condone the hostilities of the past and gradually to dispossess the Indians of their lands by purchase, as the growth of the settlements might render it necessary to do so. It was in pursuance of this policy that the treaty of Fort Stan- wix was made, October 22, 1784. By this treaty were extinguished the vague claims which the confederated tribes, the Mohawks, Onondagas, Senecas, Cayugas, Tuscarawas, and Oneidas had for more than a century maintained to the Ohio Val ley. The commissioners of Congress in this transaction were Oliver Wolcott, Richard Butler, and Arthur Lee. The Six Nations were represented by two of their ablest chiefs, Cornplanter and Red Jacket, the former for peace and the latter for war. La Fayette was present at this treaty and importuned the Indians to pre serve peace with the Americans. By the treaty of .Fort Mcintosh, ne gotiated on the 21st of January, 1785, by George Rogers Clarke, Richard Butler and Arthur Lee, was secured the- relinquish ment of all claims to the Ohio Valley held by the Delawares, Ottawas, Wyan dots, and Chippewas. The provisions of this treaty were as follows : Article 1st — Three chiefs, one from the Wyan dot and two from the Delaware Nations, shall be de livered up to the Commissioners of the United States, to be by them retained till all the prisoners taken by the said Nations or any of them shall be restored. Article 2d — The said Indian Nations and all of their tribes do acknowledge themselves to be under the protection of the United States and of no other sovereign whatever. Article 3d — The boundary line between the United States and the Wyandot and Delaware Na tions shall begin at the mouth of the river Cuyahoga and run thence up the said river to the portage be tween that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Mus kingum ; then down the said branch to the forks at the crossing-place above Fort Laurens; then west- wardly to the portage of the Big Miami, which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French in the year one thousand seven hundred and fifty-two ; then along the said portage to the Great Miami or Owl River, and down the southeast side of the same to its mouth; thence down the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cuyhoga where it began. Article 4th— The United States allot all the lands contained within the said lines to the Wyan dot and Delaware Nations, to live and to hunt on, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 23 and to such of the Ottawa Nation as now live there on; saving and reserving for the establishment of trading posts six miles square at the mouth of the Miami or Owl River and the same at the portage of that branch of the Miami which runs into the Ohio, and the same on the Cape of Sandusky, where the fort formerly stood, and also two miles square on the lower rapids of Sandusky River; which posts and the land annexed to them, shall be for the use and under the Government of the United States. Article 5th — If any citizen of the United States, or other person not being an Indian, shall attempt to settle on any of the lands allotted to the Wyan dot and Delaware Nations in this treaty, except on the lands reserved to the United States, in the pre ceding article, such person shall forfeit the protection of the United States, and the Indians may punish him as they please. Article 6th — The Indians who sign this treaty, as well in behalf of all their tribes as of themselves, do acknowledge the lands east, south and west of the lands described in the third article, so far as the said Indians claimed the same, to belong to the United States, and none, of the tribes shall presume to settle upon the same or any part of it. Article 7th — The post of Detroit, with » dis trict beginning at the mouth of the River Rosine on the west side of Lake Erie and running west six miles up the southern bank of the said river; thence northerly, and always six miles west of the strait, till it strikes Lake St. Clair, shall also be reserved to the sole use of the United States. Article 8th — In the same manner the post of Michilimackinac with its dependencies, and twelve miles square about the same, shall be reserved to the use of the United States. Article 9th — If any Indian or Indians shall com mit a robbery or murder on any citizen of the United States, the tribe to which such offenders may belong shall be bound to deliver them up at the nearest post, to be punished according to the ordinance of the United States. Article 10th — The Commissioners of the United States, in pursuance of the humane and liberal views of Congress, upon the treaty's being signed, will di rect goods to be distributed among the different tribes for their use and comfort. The treaty of Fort Finney, at the mouth of the Great 'Miami, January 31, 1786, secured the cession of whatever claim to the Ohio Valley was held by the Shawnees. George Rogers Clarke, Richard Butler, and Samuel H. Parsons* were the * 1 General Samuel H. Parsons, an eminent Revo lutionary character, was one of the first band of Ma rietta pioneers, and was appointed first as Associate Commissioners of the United States. James Monroe, then a Member of Con gress from Virginia and afterwards Presi dent of the United States, accompanied General Butler, in the month of October preceding the treaty, as far as Limestone! (now Maysville, Kentucky). The party, it is related, stopped at the mouth of the Muskingum and (in the words of General Butler's journal,) "left fixed in a locust tree" a letter recommending the building of a fort on the Ohio side. By the terms of this treaty the Shawnees were confined to the lands west of the Great Miami. Hostages were demanded from the In dians, to remain in the possession of the United States until all prisoners should be returned, and the Shawnees were com pelled to acknowledge the United States as the sole and absolute sovereign of all the teritory ceded to them, in the treaty of peace, by Great Britain. The clause em bodying the latter condition excited the jealousy of the Shawnees. They went away dissatisfied with the treaty, though as senting to it. This fact, and the difficulty that was experienced even while the treaty was making, of preventing depredations by white borderers, argued unfavorably for th&Juture. The treaty was productive of no good results whatever. Hostilities were resumed in the spring of 1786, and serious and wide-spread war was threat- .ened. Congress had been acting upon the policy that the treaty of peace with Great Britain had invested the United States with the fee simple of all the Indian lands, but urged now by the stress of cir cumstances the Government radically and then as Chief Judge of the Northwest Territory He was drowned in the Big Beaver River, November 17, 1789, while returning to his home in Marietta from the North, where he had been making the treaty which secured the aboriginal title to the soil of the Connecticut Western Reserve. + 2 General Butler's Journal in Craig's "Olden Time," October, 1847. 24 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. changed its policy, fully recognizing the Indians as the rightful proprietors of the soil, and on the 2d of July, 1787, appro priated the sum of twenty-six thousand dollars for the purpose of extinguishing Indian claims to lands already ceded to the United States, and for extending a purchase beyond the limits heretofore fixed by treaty. Under this policy other relinquishments of Ohio territory were effected through the treaties of Fort Harmar, held by General Arthur St. Clair, January 9, 1789, the treaty ofGreenville, negotiated by General Anthony Wayne, August 3, 1795, an^ vari ous other treaties made at divers times from 1796 to 1818.* But of these it is be yond our province to speak in this chapter. * It is a fact worthy of note, and one of which we may well be proud, .that the title to every foot of Ohio soil was honorably acquired from the Indians.' CHAPTER III. ADVENT OF THE WHITE MAN. La Salle Upon the Ohio Two Hundred Years Ago — Possibility of His Having Explored the Muskingum — The Griffin on Lake Erie — French Trading Stations — Routes Through the Wilderness — The San dusky River — The English Supersede the French — Interest in the West Exhibited by Governor Spots- wood, of Virginia, in 1710 — TheTransmontane Order Founded — Licenses Issued for Trading with the In dians, by the Governor of Pennsylvania, in 1740 — Systematic Exploration of the Ohio Valley by Celeron de Bienville — Fort Sandusky Built by the French — Pickawillamy, the First Building Erected by the En glish in Ohio — Organization of the Colonial Ohio Land Company, in Virginia, in 1748 — Preparation Made to Establish a Colony — French Resistance — War of Britain Against the French and Indians — Its Results — Franklin's Plans for Western Settlements — Pontiac's War — Fort Sandusky Destroyed— Proba ble Effect of this Event Upon Lower Sandusky— Immense Schemes for Western Colonization — Colonel Boquet Wins a Bloodless Victory on the Upper Muskingum — Hostility of the Shawnees — Logan — Lord Dunmore's War— The Battle of Point Pleasant— An Event of Immeasurable Importance in the West- General George Roger Clarke's Conquest of the Northwest— Value of His Foresight and Decisive Ac tion—His Services Unappreciated — Miscellaneous Military Invasions — The Establishment of the Mora vian Missions on the Muskingum — The Massacre— Crawford's Campaign Against Sandusky. THE adventurous La Salle, there is every reason to believe, was the first white man who trod the soil of the destined State of Ohio, and the first whose eyes beheld the beautiful river. With a few followers and led by Indian guides he penetrated the vast country of the power ful Iroquois until, as Parkman says, he reached "at a point six or seven leagues from Lake Erie, a branch of the Ohio, which he descended to the main stream," and so went onward as far as the "falls," or the site of Louisville. His men abandoning him there, he retraced his way alone This, according to the best authorities, was in the winter of 1669-70, over two hun dred years ago. Indeed, there is some reason to believe that he made his way from Lake Erie to the Ohio by the Cuya hoga, the Tuscarawas and Muskingum, though the preponderance of evidence points to the Alleghany as the route fol lowed. Ten years later La Salle unfurled the first sail ever set to the breeze upon Lake Erie, and upon the Griffin, a schooner of forty-five tons burden, made HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 25 the voyage to Lake Huron. In 1682 he reached the Mississippi, descended to its mouth, and there solemnly proclaimed possession of the vast valley in the name of his king. It is known that the Sandusky was a water route of travel for the early French traders and explorers from Canada to the Mississippi. They ascended the stream from the bay to the mouth of Little San dusky, thence up that creek four miles to a portage, thence across the portage, about a quarter of a league to the Little Scioto, thence to the Scioto and the Ohio. "As cending the Sandusky," writes William Walter to Mr. Butterfield, " to the mouth of the west branch, known as Little San dusky, with a bark or light wooden canoe, you could in a good stage of water ascend that tributary four or five miles further; thence east across to the Little Scioto is about four miles further. This was the portage." Colonel James Smith estimates the distance, when he crossed, to be one- half mile. This was in the spring of 1757. The Sandusky and Scioto was the path of travel of the northern Indians, when on excursions southin to Kentucky, and also the highways of the Shawnees to Detroit. In early history the term San dusky is applied to the whole region which casts its waters into the bay. The origin of the name is given in another chapter. Governor Alexander Spotswood, of Vir ginia, became interested in the Western country early in the eighteenth century; engaged in exploring the Alleghanies in 17 10; discovered a passage through them in 1 7 14, and entered with great ardor upon the scheme of taking practical pos session of the Ohio Valley. He founded the Transmontane order, whose knights were decorated with a golden horseshoe bear ing the legend "Sic jurat transcendere monies," and urged upon the British Sove reign the importance of securing a foot hold in the West before the French had gained too powerful an ascendancy. His suggestions were not regarded, and many years later the British Government had cause to remember with regret the wise policy they had neglected to act upon. Although no systematic plan of exploration or settlement was followed, in dividuals from time to time passed the great barrier and visited the valley of the la belle riviere. There have been handed down certain vague traditions that the English had trading posts on the Ohio as early as 1730, and it is known positively that they had soon after that time. In 1744 the Governor of Pennsylvania issued licenses for trading with the Indians as far west as the Father of Waters. John Howard had descended the Ohio in 1742 and been captured on the Mississippi by the French ; and six years later Conrad Weiser, acting in behalf of the English, visited the Shawnees at Logstown (below the site of Pittsburgh,) bearing gifts with which to win their favor. About the same time George Crogan and Andrew Montour, the half-breed son of a Seneca chief, bore liberal presents to the Miamis, in return for which the Indians allowed the whites to establish a trading post and build a stock ade at the mouth of Loramie Creek on the Great Miami (within the present county of Shelby). The fort, built in 1 75 1, which was called Pickawillamy, has been cited by some writers as the first English settlement in Ohio. The building, which was undoubtedly the first erected by the British on the soil of the State, was destroyed in June, 1752, by a force of French and Indians. Prior to the middle of the century the French strenuously reasserted their owner ship of the Northwest, and did actually take possession of what is now the north ern part of Ohio, building a fort and. es- 26 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tablishing a trading station at Sandusky. This was probably the first trading sta tion east of the Maumee (Miami of the lake). The French looked upon the English traders with jealousy and made reprisals at every opportunity. The In dians of the Lake basin were loyal to the French while those of the South accepted the friendship of the English. These events forecasted serious trouble and made the establishment of a military post on the lake a measure of expediency. Gist's Diary fixes the time under date of Decem ber 17, 1750. At the village of Muskingum, on the Tuscarawas, he makes the follow ing entry : Two traders belonging to Mr. Croghan came into town and informed us that two of his people had heen taken by forty Frenchmen and twenty Indians who carried them, with seven horse-loads of skins, to anew fort the French were building on one of the branches of Lake Erie.* The location of Fort Sandusky has been a subject of much dispute. Taylor, in his excellent history of Ohio, concludes that the exact locality cannot be ascer tained, but the probability is that the site was about three miles west of the city of Sandusky, near the village Of Venice, on Sandusky Bay. The old trail from Fort Duquesne (Pittsburgh) to Detroit, struck the bay near this point and the fort was probably near the trail. All the Revolu tionary treaties with the Indians, and the treaties of Fort Harmar and Greenville, reserve to the United States "six miles square upon Sandusky Lake, where the fort formerly stood." On a map of Ohio, published in 1803, this tract is delineated as extending from the south shore of the bay, and includes the locality Taylor sup poses to have been the location of the fort. In this opinion Parkman, in his "Chart of Forts and Settlements of Amer ica, A. D. 1763," agrees; but Evans' map * Bancroft. quotes Gist as saying the captives were taken ' to a new French fort at Sandusky." of the British Colonies, 1755, places the fort on the peninsula, between the bay and lake, and marks Fort Juandat (prob ably a corruption of Wyandot) near the mouth of the Sandusky River, on the south side of the bay. This latter place is the same as the Indian village of Sunyendeand, visited by Colonel James Smith in 1757. This village was at the mouth of a small creek, but what creek is not known. Evans' Chai t would locate it in the terri tory now included in this county, but the weight of evidence is against, that conclu sion. There was another Wyandot village at the source of Cold Creek. Celeron de Bienville made a systematic exploration of the Ohio Valley and formally declared by process verbal the ownership of the soiL On the 1 6th of August, 1749, he was at the mouth of the Muskingum. This fact was revealed in 1798 by the discovery of a leaden plate which had been buried by him and which set forth that the explorer sent out by the Marquis de la Gallissoniere, Captain General of New France, agreeably to the wishes of His Majesty, Louis XV, had deposited the plate as a monument of the renewal of possession of la riviere Oyo, otherwise la belle riviere, and all those which empty into it, and of all the lands of both sides even to the sources of the said rivers, and which had been obtained by force of arms and by treaties, especially those of Ryswick, Utrecht, and Aix-la- Chapelle. A similar plate was found in 1846 at the mouth of the Kanawha. They were doubtless deposited at the mouths of all the principal tributaries of the Ohio. The French had a very just claim to the Ohio Valley, but it was destined that they should not hold it, and already events were shaping which eventually led to the over throw of their authority and the vesture of title and possession in the English crown. The Colonial Ohio Land Company was organized in Virginia in 1748, by twelve HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 27 associates, among whom were Thomas Lee, and Lawrence and Augustine, brothers of George Washington. Under their auspices Christopher Gist explored the Ohio as far as the falls, travelling a portion of the time with Croghan and Montour. The company secured a royal grant of half a million acres of land in the Ohio Valley. In 1763 preparations were made to establish a colony. The French ex hibited an intention of resistance, and the royal Governor of Virginia sent George Washington, then a young man, to the commander of the French forces to de mand their reason for invasion of British territory. Washington received an answer that was both haughty and defiant. Re turning to Virginia he made known the failure of his mission. The project of making a settlement was abandoned, and preparations were immediately made for the maintenance of the British claim to the western valley by force of arms. The result was the union of the colonies, the ultimate involvement of England in the war that ensued, the defeat of the French, and the vesture in the British crown of the right and title to Canada and of all the territory east of the Mississippi and south to the Spanish possessions, excepting New- Orleans and a small body of land sur rounding it. Benjamin Franklin had previously tried to effect a union of the colonies and had been unsuccessful. He had proposed a plan of settlement in 1754, and suggested that two colonies should be located in the West — one upon the Cuya hoga and the other upon the Scioto, "on which/' he said, "for forty miles each side of it and quite up to its head is a body of all rich land, the finest spot of its big ness in all North America, and has the peculiar advantage of sea coal in plenty (even above ground in two places) for fuel when the wood shall have been de stroyed." The peace concluded by the treaty of Paris in February, 1763, was only a fan cied settlement of difficulties in the North west. For a few months war clouds shift ed from the zenith and left a clear sky just long enough for the frontier farmer to plant his crop in the hope of harvest ing in security; and for the industrious trader to begin his journey from village to village. But a storm of terrible fury was gathering on the horizon all around. The Northwestern Indians submitted sullenly to the British arms. They re mained jealous of encroachments, and having been accustomed to receiving splendid presents from the French, they soon began to cherish those bitter feelings of resentment which neglect always in spires. The organization of the Ohio Land Company,the multiplication of grants to settlers by the Government of Vir ginia, the outrages of the English soldiery which displaced the gay French garrisons in the Northwestern forts, all contributed to bring on the war which is known in his tory as "Pontiac's Conspiracy." The Ot tawa chief, Pontiac, was the soul of a for midable conspiracy which exploded in the spring of 1763, spreading desolation and death throughout the whole Northwest He was a chief of great genius and pos sessing qualities unsurpassed by the most distinguished of his race.* There is something lofty in the proud speech ad dressed to the English traders who came to his camp for purposes of business: Englishmen ! Although you have conquered 4he French, you have not yet conquered us. We are not your slaves. These lakes, these woods, these mountains were left to us by our ancestors. They are our inheritance, and we will part with them to none. Your Nation supposes that we, like the white people, cannot live without bread, pork and beef, But you ought to know that the Great Spirit and Master of Life has provided food for us on these lakes and in these mountains. •)¦ *Taylor's History of Ohio. •("Writings of Perkins. 28 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Bancroft styles Pontiac the colossal chief, whose "name still hovers over the Northwest, as the hero who devised and conducted a great but unavailing struggle with destiny for the independence of his race." He had taken a conspicuous part in the French war, having been in com mand of the Indian forces in the defence of Fort Duquesne and at Braddock's de feat. By some historians he is given the title of emperor. Like Tecumseh, a half century later, Pontiac appealed to super stition to reach the Indian heart. He aroused the tribes from the Carolinas to Lake Michigan by interpreting the voice of the Great Spirit as saying to them: "Why do you suffer these dogs in the red clothing to enter your country and take the land I have given you? Drive them out ! Drive them ! When you are in dis tress I will help you." By incessant work and unsurpassed genius, Pontiac secretly formed a league which was to environ and enfeeble the garrisons, and by stratagem and force sim ultaneously to destroy them. The fron tiers were then to be swept by a general massacre. "At last the day came; traders every where were seized, their goods taken from them, and more than one hundred put to death. Nine British forts yielded instant ly,, and the savages drank, — ' scooped up in the hollow of joined hands ' — the blood of many a Briton. The border streams of Pennsylvania and Virginia ran red again. ' We hear,' says a letter from Fort Pitt, ' of scalpings every hour.' In western Vir ginia more than twenty thousand people were driven from their homes. Detroit was besieged by Pontiac himself, after a vain effort to take it by stratagem, and for many months that siege was continued in a manner and with a perseverance un exampled among the Indians. It was the 8th of May when Detroit was t first at tacked, and on the 3d of the following November it was still in danger. As late as March of the next year the inhabitants were still sleeping in their clothes, expect ing an alarm every night."* The destruction of Fort Sandusky and the consequent destruction of the neigh boring Wyandot village, come within our legitimate field, for although the fort was beyond the east line of this county, and the village probably was, the burning of both had the effect of giving Lower San dusky greater importance in Indian affairs. The destruction of the fort left no foreign military station nearer than Detroit, which gave to the Indians here confidence of greater security, for although in after years they received at the British headquarters pay for furs, bounty for scalps, and ran som for prisoners, they never ceased to entertain a lurking suspicion of the white men. The destruction of the village on the bay had the effect of concentra ting the population about the headwaters of navigation, a place more difficult for white expeditions to approach, superior for agriculture, nearer the centre of tribal dominion, and in almost every respectt bet ter adapted for an Indian stronghold than any other point in the lake basin. Col onel Smith's narrative speaks of visiting the "Little Lake," giving that locality considerable importance. After its de struction it was never rebuilt, and Lower Sandusky is next described* as the home of the great war chief Tarhe, the Crane. From the report of Ensign Paully of the garrison, there has been compiled by Parkman and Bancroft detailed accounts of the siege of the fort. On the 16th of May (1763), Fort Sandusky was approached by n party of Indians, principally from the Wyandot village. Ensign Paully was informed that seven Indians were waiting at the gate to speak with him. They proved to be four Hurons or Wyan- * Perkins's Annals of the West. *By Heckewelder in 1782, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 29 dots, and three Chippewas, and as several of them were known to him he ordered them to be admitted without hesitation. Arrived at his quarters two of the tteacherous visitors seated themselves on each side of the commandant, while the rest were dis posed in various parts of the room. The pipes were lighted and conversation began, when an Indian who stood in the door, made a signal by suddenly raising his head. Upon this the astonished officer was seized, dis armed, and tied by those near him, while at the same moment a confused noise of shrieks and yells, firing of guns, and the hurried tramp of feet sounded from the area without. It soon ceased, however, and as Paully was led from the room he saw the dead body of his sentry, and the parade ground was strewn with the corpses of the murdered garrison. The body of his sergeant lay in the garden where he was planting at the time of the massacre. Some traders who were stationed within or near the pickets we're also killed and their stores plundered. At nightfall Paully was conducted to the margin of the lake, where several birch canoes lay in readiness, and as amid thick darkness the party pushed out from shore, the captive saw the fort, lately under his command, bursting on all sides into sheets of flame. The tragedy at Sandusky did not remain un avenged. On the 26th of July a detachment of two hundred and sixty men, under command of Captain Dalzell, arrived at Sandusky on their coastwise route to Detroit. Thence they marched inland to the Wy andot village, which they burned to the ground, at the same time destroying the adjacent fields of stand ing corn. After inflicting this inadequate retribution of the scene of May 16, Dalzell steered norchward, and under cover of night effected a junction with the Detroit garrison. George Washington made a journey down the Ohio in 1770. He was accom panied by Dr. Craik, Captain (afterwards Colonel) William Crawford (who was burned to death at the stake within the present limits of Wyandot county in 1782), and several other white men, also by a party of Indians. Largely through Washington was the interest in the West revived. Immense schemes for settlement and land specula tion were projected. A huge company was organized which included the Old Ohio Company and tli£ Walpole scheme as well as recognizing the bounties of the Virginia volunteers in the French war. Doubtless some of these plans for the de velopment of the West would have suc ceeded had it not been for Indian hostili ties upon the border settlements already established, and the probability of a long continuance of the perturbed condition of affairs generally. Colonel Henry Bo quet, who had the year before rescued the garrison of Fort Duquesne and dispersed Pontiac's warriors, made a military expe dition into the Ohio country in 1764, his purpose being to punish and awe the In dians and recover from them the captives they had taken during the previous years on the Pennsylvania and Virginia borders. He was successful in the accomplishment of each one of his objects. The expedi tion was directed against the Delawares upon the Muskingum and Tuscarawas. No blood was shed, the Indians assenting to the terms of a treaty prepared by Colo nel Boquet, and delivering to him over two hundred prisoners. Upon the 28th of November the army of about fifteen hun dred returned to Fort Pitt, which point they had left on October 3d. This ex pedition for a time tranquilized the Indi ans of the Ohio country, and the next ten years passed peacefully and without the occurrence of any important event. But returning to the period from which we retrograded to speak of the Boquet expedition, we find in 1774 that the Shaw nees have become bitterly hostile, princi pally on account of the prospect of losing their land and because of the murder of the kindred of Logan, the famous Mingo, who was now dwelling with them at the Old Chillicothe town on the Scioto (where was afterward the village of Westfall, Picka way county). Logan had "fully glutted his vengeance" upon the white settlements of the Monongahela country, and numerous atrocities had been committed all along the border. To quell the turbulence that prevailed Lord Dunmore, the then royal Governor of Virginia, organized an army of invasion of the Indian country. He 3° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. had a desire for military renown and de cided to assume personal command of the large division, while he entrusted the other, consisting of about eleven hundred men raised west of the Blue Ridge, to General Andrew Lewis. The forces of the latter were attacked by the Indians on the roth of October, south of the Ohio, and the ensuing combat, known as the battle of Point Pleasant, was one of the most desperate and bloody in the annals of the West. The contending forces were very nearly equal, it is claimed by most writers, but there is strong probability that the Indians were much weaker in numbers than the army which they assailed. The whites lost half of their officers and fifty- two men killed, while the Indian loss was estimated at two hundred and thirty-three. Lord Dunmore's division passed through a bloodless campaign. They descended the Ohio to the mouth of the Hocking River, and there built Fort Gower. The Governor was here at the time of the bat tle of Point Pleasant, and had sent mes sengers to Lewis ordering him to march toward the Scioto towns. Dunmore marched through the territory includ ed in Athens county and onward to the Pickaway (originally Piqua) plains, be low the site of Circleville. There he was met by Lewis' decimated division, whom he could hardly keep from falling upon the Indians to avenge the death of their comrades at Point Pleasant. A treaty was held at Camp Charlotte, which was attended and acquiesced in by all of the leading chiefs of the villages except Lo gan. Lord Dunmore dispatched John Gibson to confer with the haughty Mingo, and his visit elicited the famous speech, which Jefferson pronounced equal in elo quence to any ever made by the great ora tors of civilized nations. Already the premonitory signs of that discontent which developed into the Rev olution and American independence were exhibiting themselves, and soon the con flict was begun which riveted the atten tion of the world upon the colonies. The Revolutionary period was almost barren of events in the West. There was one event, however, of immeasurable importance. The time had come when the destiny of the Great West — of the Northwestern Ter ritory — was to be decided. The man who was to shape its destiny was, in 1774, an officer in Lord Dunmore's army, and in 1776 a pioneer settler in Kentucky — George Rogers Clarke. He was a realiza tion of the ideal soldier — cool, courage ous, and sagacious, and at once the most powerful man and the most picturesque character in the whole West. It was his foresight and prompt, efficient action which at the close of the war made the Northwest Territory a portion of the United States instead of leaving it in pos session of the British.* He foresaw that even if the colonies should be victorious in the War for Independence they would be confined to the eastern side of the Alle- ghanies, unless the West was a special field of conquest. After failing to inter est the House of Burgesses he made an appeal to Patrick Henry, the Governor of Virginia, and from him he succeeded in obtaining the authority which he needed, viz. : commissions that empowered him to raise seven companies of soldiers, and to seize the British posts in the Northwest. In January, 1778, he was at Pittsburg se curing provisions and ammunition; in June he was marching through the unbroken forest at the head of a small but valiant army, principally composed of his fellow *" The cession of that great territory, under the treaty of 1773, was due mainly to the foresight, the courage and endurance of one man, who never re ceived from his country' an adequate recognition of his great service." — Hon. James A. Garfield: Ad dress, rSfc. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3i pioneers from Kentucky. His march was directed towards the Illinois country. His able generalship and courage soon placed the garrisons of Cahokia, Kaskaskia, and St. Vincent in his possession, and his equally great tact enabled him to win over the French inhabitants to the American cause and make of them warm allies. Two other expeditions were made by General Clarke — both against the Indians upon the Miamis — one in 1780 and the other in 1782. Other expeditions into or through Ohio territory were made as fol lows: by Colonel Bradstreet (simultane ously with Boquet's expedition— 1764) along Lake Erie to Detroit, accompanied by Major Israel Putnam (the Major-General of the Revolution); by Colonel Angus Mc Donald (just prior to Dunmore's invasion); by General Lachlin Mcintosh in 1778 (to the Tuscarawas, where he built the first English fort, with a parapet and stockade, intended as a permanent work, in Ohio); by Colonel John Bowman in 1779; by General Daniel Broadhead in 1781; by Colonel Archibald Lochry in the same year; by Colonel Williamson in 1782; by Colonel' Benjamin Logan in 1786; and still others of less importance by Daniel Boone, Simon Kenton, Colonel Edwards, and Colonel Todd, at various times dur ing the decade preceding the settlement of the territory. Another topic to be touched upon briefly in this chapter is of painful and peculiar-interest. We have in mind the Moravian missions on the Muskingum, and use the word painful, as the horrible massacre perpetrated there — the blackest stain on Ohio history — comes to mind. We say also a peculiar interest, and that phrase is suggested by the fact that the Moravians had better claims to be con sidered as settlers than any other dwellers north of the Ohio, prior to the arrival of the New England colony, and however inadequate such claims may appear it must at least be admitted that these " monks of Protestantism "* presented to the Western world a phase of civilization and religion which was both picturesque and inspiring. As early as 1761 the Delaware Indians on the Tuscarawas branch of the Mus kingum were visited by a Moravian mis sionary, the Rev. Christian Frederick Post. In March of the following year John Heckewelder became his companion and assistant. Only a few months, how ever, were spent in missionary labor, for in the fall the Indians who had first wel comed them, became suspicious that their sojourn there was only a ruse through which a foothold was to be gained leading to settlement, and Post and Heckewelder were obliged to leave the country to save their lives. Not until ten years had passed by was another attempt made by the zeal ous religionists to plant a mission among the savages. In 1772 Rev. David Zeis- berger founded Schoenbrunn (Beautiful Spring) on the west side of the river and near the site of New Philadelphia, TuSr carawas county, and twenty-eight persons located there. Gnadenhutten (Tents of Grace) was established the same year seven miles below Schoenbrunn. The Rev. George Jungman, Eev John Roth and Rev. John Etwin, came out as mis sionaries from Pennsylvania the same year; and with the last named, immigrated to Zeisberger's Station a large company of converted Indians, bringing with them the implements of industry. Good log huts were built in the regularly laid out village, a large chapel reared in which to hold re ligious services, the ground tilled, and every measure taken that was considered needful in the formation of a permanent settlement. The simple, quiet life went on very pleasantly, and all was peace and * Madame de Stael, 32 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY prosperity. Much did the Delaware chiefs and the few traders who visited Schoen brunn marvel to see so many Indians living together after the manner of the whites, and devoting themselves to agri culture rather than the chase. They had abjured war and all savage customs. New converts were made almost daily, and the pious missionaries felt well rewarde'd for their patient toil, and gave praise to Him whom they regarded as the prime author of their success. So many accessions were made by the Moravians that in 1776 Zeisberger formed another colony, village or station, near the present town of Cos hocton, and gave it the name Lichtenan. In 1780 Salem was founded five miles be low Gnadenhutten, and the Rev. John Heckewelder became its regular preacher. All went well with the mission stations until the British, fearing or pretending to fear, that they were performing various services for the Americans, forcibly re moved them in September, 1781, to Up per Sandusky. They were sorely distress ed by lack of provisions, and in the latter part of the following winter obtained per mission to return to their old stations and gather the corn which they had planted the summer before, and to secure if pos sible any of the valuables they had been obliged to leave behind them when they were hurried away. They came down from Sandusky in February, and March 1 found them busily engaged in plucking the corn which had been left standing during the winter, and packing it for transportation to their famishing brethren. "The weather during the greater part of February," says Doddridge, "had been uncommonly fine, so that the war parties from Sandusky visited the settlements and began depredations earlier than usual. One of the parties fell upon a family named Wallace and murdered all of its members, exhibiting even greater brutality than usually characterized their atrocities. The early period at which the fatal visita tion was made led to the conclusion that the murderers were either Moravians or that the warriors had their winter quarters at their towns on the Muskingum. In either case the Moravians being at fault, the safety of the pioneer settlements re quired the destruction of their establish ments at that place.* A force of eighty or ninety men was immediately organized, and led by Colonel David Williamson set out for the Muskingum. On their arrival at Gnadenhutten they found the Indians in the fields gathering their corn and with their arms by them as was the common custom, for the purpose of shooting game, and also to guard against attack. The unsus pecting Indians hearing the whites' pro testations of peace and good will, and be ing informed that they had come to re move them to Fort Pitt and place them under the protection of the -Americans, gave up their arms and began with all speed to prepare food for the white men and themselves for the proposed journey. A party of men sent out for the purpose soon brought in the Indians from Salem, and with the Gnadenhutten Indians they were placed in block-houses and confined under an armed guard. Colonel William son then coolly put the question to his men, should the prisoners be taken to Pittsburg or dispatched. Sixteen or eighteen men only out of the eighty or ninety men leaned toward the side of mercy. The majority were for murdering them and were impatient to begin their hellish work. The Moravians had foreseen their fate as soon as they had been placed in confine ment, and in the hour of extremity exhib ited the steadfastness of their simple faith by singing the hymns and breathing the *Notes on the Early Settlement and Indian Wars in Western Virginia and Pennsylvania by Joseph Doddridge. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 33 prayers that Heckewelder and Zeisberger had taught them. Some of them appeal ed for mercy when the murderers came among them to begin their work, but the greater number, sustained by their acquir ed religious faith or natural stoicism, met death with majestic composure. The ex ecutioners, with tomahawks, war-clubs, and knives, entering the crowded slaugh ter-pens struck down the defenceless and innocent captives until their arms grew tired, and then their places were taken by others of those white savages who thirsted for blood; and the dreadful carnage went on until ninety-six lives had been taken. Of these sixty-two were grown persons, of whom one-third were women, and the remaining thirty-four were children of various ages, from those just entering manhood or womanhood down to babes on their mothers' breasts. Neither the gray hairs of old age nor the mute, ap pealing innocence of childhood were pro tection from the fury and the brutality of these fiends in the form of men. Of all these Indians gathered in the block-houses only two escaped. Those at Schoenbrunn fled before the approach of Williamson's men and none of them were taken. This massacre occurred on the 7th of March, 1782, just six years and one month before the landing of the pioneer colony of Ohio at the mouth of the Muskingum. The wanton butchery of these inoffen sive Moravians, more than any other event in Western history, had the effect of mak ing the Indians hostile to the Americans, and, therefore, naturally inclining them to amity with the British. This was an end which the latter people constantly sought to effect by every method of intrigue. There is some reason, too, for the belief that Williamson's men were led to the Moravian towns and incited to the com mission of the stupendous massacre through the shrewd wiles of the British. It seems to be authoritatively established that the murderers of the Wallace family retreated by way of Gnadenhutten, and that one of them bartered with an un suspecting young woman there for food, and in payment gave her a garment which he had stripped from Mrs, Wallace or one of the other victims, and that this garment was seen and recognized by some of the pursuing party as one which had been familiar to them at their homes. This fact may partly explain, but cannot in the slightest measure justify, the murder of ninety-six persons. It is sufficient, at any rate, to suggest the suspicion that to a dark stratagem of the English emissaries in the West, was attributed the foulest deed in the history of the border. The Indians, wrought into frenzied passion, began that malignant, remorseless, and un. ceasing raiding of the borders which ter rorized the frontiers from Fort Pitt to the falls of the Ohio. Their evil deeds were more numerous than ever before, and their treatment of prisoners more severe. One of the first acts of retaliation upon the Americans, strangely enough, was visited upon Colonel William Crawford, an in timate friend and companion at arms of Colonel Williamson. But the diabolical cruelty that was practiced upon him was only one of the many horrible deeds which were the outgrowth of the white man's crime. Of Crawford's campaign we shall speak at greater length, because of its rela tion to the legitimate field of this history. The object of this fated expedition was to destroy the Wyandot and Delaware towns on the Upper Sandusky plains, and to punish these Indians for border depre dations. The border had suffered seri ously, and when the object was announced volunteers were not found wanting to en gage in a work of punishment and revenge. The War Department encouraged the 34 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. movement in the hope of being able to strike a blow which would silence hostility from this • quarter. On the 20th of May, 1782, the volun teers- assembled at a deserted Mingo vil lage on the west bank of the Ohio, seven ty-five miles below Pittsburgh, their number being about four hundred and fifty. Here occurred the election of officers. The two candidates for colonel were William Craw ford and David Williamson. The latter's recommendation was the murder of the Christian Indians two months before; the former was chosen because of his experi ence as an Indian fighter in the French war and his activity as a Revolutionary patriot. He was a friend of General Washington, whose acquaintance he made in the French war. It was unfortunate for Crawford, as the sequel shows, that Wil liamson, whom the Indians hated more than any other white man, was chosen to the position of second in command. On May 25 the army commenced the march in high spirits and sanguine of complete success. The Indians during this time were not inactive. Williamson' had taught them the necessity of wakefulness, and spies daily visited the border hills along the Ohio. Before the organization of the volunteers on the Ohio side was complete, the whole Indian country, from the falls of the San dusky far into the Scioto and Miami Val leys was making hurried preparations for war. The objective point of the expedi tion the Indians did not know, but the warriors of every tribe were in readiness, and swift spies promptly reported the on ward march of the mounted volunteers. They read on the trees the inscription left by loungers of the advancing army, "No quarter is to be given to any Indian, whether man, woman, or child." They saw prominently in command the hated Williamson and had no reason to doubt the terrible and inhuman threat. Every patriotic, more than that, every generous feeling of the red man's heart was aroused. More than their beautiful valley and loved hunting ground was now at stake; upon the issue of the battle hung -the lives of their women and innocent children. We do not mean to imply that this threat was authorized by Colonel Crawford, or that in the event of success he would have permitted indiscriminate murder without mercy, as Williamson had at Gnadenhutten, but the Indians had both precedent and threat on which to base premonitions of the terrors of defeat, and their resolve to fight as long as a drop of blood remained to give them strength, is an evidence of real nobility of character. The northward course of the volunteers after crossing the Muskingum left no doubt as to the destination of the expedi tion. The Shawnees of the Upper Scioto, the Delawares, and the Wyandots of the whole Sandusky Valley began to concen trate their forces on the plains. Mean while the mounted borderers were rapidly approaching, anxious for the fray. The sixth day the old Moravian village on one of the . upper branches of the Sandusky was reached, but, as will be seen in a suc ceeding chapter, the missionary band had been removed in March preceding, and the congregation dispersed by order of Governor DePeyster, commandant at De troit. This was a fortunate circumstance, for it was the purpose of the invaders to destroy and plunder this village first. In place of meeting with Indians and plun der they found nothing but vestiges of desolation. The army next moved to where the town of Sandusky formerly stood, but from which the Indians had lately moved to their new town eighteen miles below. Again disappointed at finding no Indi ans or plunder, the volunteers became HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 35 anxious to return, giving as a reason that only five days' rations remained and that the horses were jaded ; so a council was held and the officers decided to con tinue the march one day longer; but just as the council was breaking up a scout re ported that the advance guard had met the Indians in considerable numbers. The main line resolutely advanced over the plain covered with high grass, while the advance guard slowly retired before the enemy. The red warriors began to take shelter in an island of wood in the vast expanse of grassy plain. Crawford, seeing the advantage thus being gained by his enemy, ordered his men to dismount, tie their horses and force the Indians from their position, which they did. The Indi ans continued their fire from the high grass in the prairie. From 4 o'clock until dark the contest was animated. Some of the volunteers ascended into the thick tops of the trees, and from these aimed mes sengers of death at the enemy sheltering in the grass, while others from behind trees and logs fired at the red warriors when they raised to shoot. The presence of Girty, the white savage, was noticed among the Indians, and Elliott, a runa way Tory of Pennsylvania, who was given a captain's commission in the British army, was seen directing the battle. At night the enemy withdrew, and Crawford's soldiers slept on their arms expecting to resume battle the next morning. The at tack was not resumed as was expected, as the Indians seemed to be awaiting rein forcements. In large bodies they travers ed the plains in every direction, apparently carrying off their dead. It was evident to the volunteers that the Indian forces were increasing rapidly and that their position was one of great danger. At nightfall a council was held and a retreat decided upon. The outposts were silently withdrawn, and the troops arranged in three parallel lines with the wounded in the centre. At 9 o'clock the retreat began in good order. Scarcely a . hundred paces had been traversed, when the report of several shots in the rear had the effect of a lightning shock upon the lines. The ¦shrill voice of a man in front crying out that the design was discovered, and the "savages" would soon be upon them, precipitated a panic. .Uproar and con fusion made the command unmanageable. The wounded were abandoned, and strag gling parties hurried in every direction. The Indians, abandoning the main body, pursued the stragglers, and few of them escaped. Less than three hundred reached the Ohio, thus making the number killed and captured more than one hundred and fifty, among whom was the commandant. The remnant of the army was conducted back to the frontier by Colonel Williamson. Colonel Crawford, when flight com menced, tried to seek out from the panic- stricken soldiers his son, son-in-law and two nephews, and for this purpose remained till the last straggler had passed. He met the surgeon, Dr. Knight, but no trace of those for whom he was searching was found. Presently a heavy fire was heard in the distance, accompanied by yells, which in dicated a fierce attack. Crawford, out of heart and anticipating the worst, set off with Dr. Knight and two others in a north ward direction. After travelling about an hour they turned east, thus avoiding the enemy. They entered the forest and pushed their course eastward as fast as their horses could travel until morning, when the ex hausted animals were abandoned, and the refugees hurried along on foot. Their company was increased to six in the course of the day, by casually meeting Captain Biggs and Lieutenant Ashley, to whom he had given his horse, Ashley being wounded. On the second day they came to the path 36 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. which the expedition had followed on their advance. Here Crawford insisted on re tracing the trail, and the other members of the party reluctantly followed. They had not travelled more than an hour, when a party of Delaware Indians sprang up within twenty yards of Crawford and Knight, who were one hundred and fifty - yards in advance of their comrades. The Indians presented their guns, and in good English ordered the fugitives to stop. Crawford and Knight surrendered; the other members of the party escaped, but two of them, Biggs and Ashley, were cap tured and killed the next day. It was an unfortunate circumstance for Crawford that he was captured by Dela wares, for the disposal of his case thereby fell to Captain Pipe, at whose hands little mercy could be' expected. He was taken to Sandusky, where he was permitted an interview with Simon Girty, whom 'he had known. Girty promised to do all he could to procure his ransom, and it is sup posed offered Captain Pipe three hun dred and fifty dollars to release the pris oner. The proud Delaware treated the proposition as an insult and threatened Girty with torture should it be renewed. On the morning of June n, 1782, Crawford was taken to the old town, where he joined his companions in cap tivity, whose faces had been painted black by Captain Pipe. Pipe, upon Crawford's arrival, painted him also, but was respect ful and dignified in his manner. The party now -proceeded toward Tymochtee, Crawford and Knight in charge of Win- gemand and Pipe, the other nine prisoners being sent on ahead. The two in the rear had the horror of seeing the bodies of four of the prisoners in the path, and of witnessing the slaughter of the other five. Now anticipating the worst, Crawford took advantage of an opportunity to make an appeal to Wingemand, whom he had long known and frequently drank punch with. The chief told him that nothing could save him ; that he had come with the cowardly Williamson to destroy the defenceless Christian Indians. Craw ford tried to convince the chief that he was not responsible for the murder of jhe Mo ravians, and would have prevented a repeti tion of that atrocity. We quote the chief's reply, which shows the intense feeling of the Indian nature: Had Williamson been taken with you, I and some of my friends, by making use of what you have said, might, perhaps, have saved you; but as the matter now stands no man would dare interfere in your behalf. The King of England himself, were he to come to this spot, with all his wealth and treasure, could not effect this purpose. The blood of the in nocent Moravians, more than half of them women and children, cruelly and wantonly murdered, calls for revenge. The relatives of the slain who are among us, cry out and stand ready for revenge. The na tion to which they belonged will have revenge. The Shawnees, our grandchildren, have asked for your fellow prisoner (Dr. Knight). On him they will take revenge. All nations connected with us cry out, re venge, revenge. The Moravians whom they came to destroy, having fled instead of avenging their breth ren, the offence is become national, and the nation itself is bound to take revenge. The chief then tried to reconcile Craw ford to his fate. When the crowd came to the pile he took an affectionate farewell of his old friend, and hid in the bushes. The fire was lighted, and no words can ex press the three hours of excruciating tor ture and pain which ended the ill-fated life. In vain the sufferer appealed to Girty for the mercy of a well aimed bullet, but that monster exulted at his writhing, and told Knight, the other prisoner, that a pre. cisely similar fate awaited him. After the last breath of life had passed away in the ascending smoke, Knight was placed in charge of a guide and hurried toward the Shawnee towns on Mad River. He made his escape, however, on the way, and re turned to Virginia. Thus ended the doomed expedition of Crawford. The Wyandots returned to HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 37 their homes on the Sandusky with greater confidence in their own power and ability to resist invasion. The failure of the ex pedition also preserved to the territory of the Wyandots of Sandusky a superstition that it was to be the inviolable seat of the nation. CHAPTER IV. LOWER SANDUSKY BEFORE FORT STEPHENSON. Sources of Information — Lower Sandusky Becomes a Trading Post — Geographical Features of Ohio, Give the Place Its Importance in Indian History — Captain Brady's Adventure— The Moravian Missionaries Prisoners at Lower Sandusky — Description of Running the Gauntlet — Location of the Gauntlet Course — General Treatment of Prisoners — Daniel Boone and Simon Kenton, Captives — A Sentence to Torture Revoked— James Whittaker and Elizabeth Fulk, Captives; A Romantic Incident — Negro Captives — First Appearance of Bees in the Indian Country — Captivity of Major Goodale and Daniel Convers — Sarah Vincent Made a Captive — Her Marriage to Isaac Williams — The Williams Family — Tecumseh Visits Muncietown — His Plans of War Are Overheard — Expedition of Five Hundred Warriors from Muncietown — Tecumseh Visits Isaac Williams — The Ottawas and Death of Captain Pumpkin — Agricul ture Along the Sandusky. IN 1764 the village of Junquiindundeh (Lower Sandusky), located at the falls of the river, was on an Indian trail leading from Fort Pitt in a northwesterly direc tion.* This part of the State was then lit tle known to the whites, till a score of years later, afid then the information was derived from ransomed Indian captives. Upon these same narratives we are com pelled to rely for the greater part of our information relating to Lower Sandusky, and, by repeating a variety of incidents, we hope to be able to present an intelli gible picture of life in the fertile Sandusky Valley, before the advent of white soldiers, in 1813. We have no satisfactory knowledge of the Indian village which occupied the hill rising toward the east from the head waters of navigation, until about 1780, when the well-known borderer, Samuel Brady, at the instance of Washington, * Hutchins's History of Boquet 's Expedition came here as a spy. About this time be gan the general border war, which con tinued until 1795, and in which the Wy andots took a conspicuous part. This period was productive of the scenes which it is the object of this chapter to delineate. In 1795 the Wyandot Nation passed the summit of its power and glory. For more than a century the warriors of the tribes had gratified the vanity and avarice of the nation, but one defeat turned the tide of fortune, and twenty-two years more grouped the survivors of a haughty do minion within the confines of a tract twelves miles square. The disaster of Fallen Timbers extinguished the council fire at Lower Sandusky. Crane, the great war chief, became the head of the nation, and only peace councils called the wise men together until the close of the period ¦ to which we have allotted this chapter.shall frequently have occasion to mention, 38 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The time of the advent of traders is not known. Arundel and Robbins, whom we were here in 1782. . The Wyandot village, although it had lost its importance, main tained its existence until troops formally took possession of the two miles square reserved for trading purposes by the treaty of Fort Mcintosh, and uncondition ally reserved by the treaty of Greenville. The language of the former treaty, which is given in a preceding chapter, indicates that the commercial advantage of the place was fully appreciated as early as 1785; the next ten years gave the author of the treaty of Greenville a knowledge of its military importance. The treaty of Greenville also had the effect of concentrating into the Northwest ern Indian Reservation, of which this county was a part, representatives of all the tribes of Ohio. The Delawares, whose relations with the Wyandots had always been of the most cordial character, came into the Sandusky country in considera ble numbers. They established a village about three miles below Lower Sandusky, . on the east side of the river. The white traders named this village > Muncietown, most of its inhabitants being of the Muncie tribe of Delawares. Detroit, from the time the French estab lished themselves at that point, was the leading, trading post* of all the tribes of the Northwest Territory. After the outbreak of the Revolution and during the whole period of border war, the British Govern ment at that point encouraged hostility by paying a liberal bounty for scalps and ran som for prisoners. The northwestern part of the State being almost an impene trable swamp, the Sandusky River became the common thoroughfare of all the Ohio tribes. The favorite canoe of the Indians was made of birch bark. These were only used in water free from obstructions. Streams abounding in ripples and with dangerous bottoms were, however, avenues of travel but only with wooden canoes which were made by hollowing out the half of a log. A short distance below the falls at the side of the river; was a place for burying the bark canoes.* This was done, probably, for the purpose of keeping them from cracking. War parties usually came to this point on foot or on horses captured in the white settlements, and when captives were taken further, as most of them were, ca noes were used for transportation. Horses were considered great prizes, and horse- racing indulged in without mercy to the poor animals. An interesting race is described by Captain Samuel Brady, a man well known in the border history of Northern Ohio. He is celebrated chiefly for his wonderful leap across Cuyahoga River. In 1780, Captain Brady was dis patched, by direction .of General Wash ington, to Sandusky, to learn if possible the strength of the Indians in this quarter and the geography of the country. Bra dy, with a few choice soldiers and four Chickasaw Indians, set out from Fort Pitt and made a forced march through the wilderness. Soon after entering the Wy andot country, the Chickasaw guides de serted, and it was feared by the brave scout had gone over to the enemy. Knowing the penalty of detection, Brady proceeded with the greatest caution. He approached the village adjacent to the rapids' under cover of night, and fording the river, secreted himself on the island just below the falls. When morning dawned a fog rested over the valley, which completely cut off from view the shore on either side. About n o'clock a bright sun quickly dispelled'" the mist, and the celebrated borderer became the witness of an unusu ally interesting event. A war party had just returned from Kentucky with a num- * Colonel James Smith's Narrative, 1757. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY! 39 ber of fine horses, a trial of whose speed was the feature of the day's amusement. The -horses were all drawn up in line on the west side of the river a short distance above the head of the island. One heat after another always brought a white Ken tucky mare out ahead. At first the In dians cheered heartily when! the favorite pony reached the goal in advance of all competitors; but no amusement can last long without variety. The victorious mare was weighted down with two riders Dut even under this burden distanced her competitors. Another rider was added to the load, which accomplished the purpose of defeating. her, and seemed to give the congregated warriors, children and squaws, great pleasure. All this time Brady was concealed on the island, disturbed only by the fear of being seen and made the subject of an evening's barbarous sport, around a stake of torture. That night he escaped and hastened rapidly toward the fort, which he reached after a perilous tramp of several days. In the preceding chapter; the history of the Moravian missions is reverted to : the labor of the converts, their perse cution, and the final murder of more than ninety persons. Simultaneously with this event, in consequence of the misrepresentations of the dishonest Brit ish agent Elliott and the white despe rado Simon Girty, Captain Pipe and Half King applied persecution with such severity that in March, 1782, Governor De Peyster, fearing for the safety of the teachers, directed Girty and Half King to remove them and their families as pris oners to Detroit; but as these two had just planned- an expedition to the Ohio, a Canadian Frenchman, Francis Levallie, was directed to accompany them.- The company consisted of four families, two single men, "with a number of brethren and sisters," children, and a number of Moravian Indians. Levallie was kind- hearted and well-disposed tovfrard his pris oners, giving Zeisberger his own horse to ride, insisting that the age and station, of the missionary alike prompted the act. Heckewelder, in his narrative, says that after several days' travel through the wiU derness and swampy grounds they arrived at Lower Sandusky, where they were hos pitably received by two' English traders — Arundel and Robbins. Arundel having a spacious house took in those who. had families, and Robbins took in the single men and the guide. Boats were sent for at Detroit, and before they arrived- two events took place, which are described by Heckewelder in such a way as to throw much light on the character of Indian life here at that time. The houses of Arundel and Robbins were about a mile apart, and were located upon high elevations; between them was the Indian village. During his stay, Heckewelder went to the house of Rob bins to visit the brethren, and while there the yelling of two parties of Indians re turning from expeditions against the whites, was heard. One of the parties had been in the neighborhood 'of Fort Mcintosh, at the' mouth of Beaver, and was bringing with therri three white pris oners; the other party came from the opposite direction and had scalps. From the elevation of Robbins' house both par ties could be seen, but from the village, which lay between one of the parties and the house, but one party could be seen. The people of the village ran to meet the one band of returning warriors.' Hecke welder, at the advice of Robbins, took ad vantage of the occasion and returned to Arundel's house through the village, w"hile it was thus deserted. He reached Arun del's house before the people and the war party, with their prisoners, reached the place for running the gauntlet. Hecke- 40 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY welder and his party saw this favorite treatment of prisoners and has given a faithful account of it. A certain class of writers who depend upon a vivid imagination to supply defi ciencies of information, have made the In dian gauntlet an institution of the most shocking cruelty. If is true, severe tor tures were often* inflicted upon prisoners, the degree depending much upon their fortitude and presence of mind, for no people admired bravery as the Indians did. But the gauntlet was rather a place of amusement than punishment, unless the offence has been one worthy of particular revenge. On entering the village, the prisoner is shown a painted post at a dis tance of from twenty to forty yards, and told to run to it and catch hold of it as quickly as possible. On each side of the course stand men, women, and chil dren, with axes, sticks, and other offensive weapons, ready to strike him as he passes. If he should be so unlucky as to fall or so frightened as to stop on the way, he is in danger of being dispatched by some one anxious to avenge the death of a relative or friend slain in battle; but if he reaches the goal safely, he is protected from fur ther insult until his fate has been deter mined by the war council.* Heckewelder goes on to state that if a prisoner in such a situation shows deter mined courage, and when bid to run for the painted post, starts with all his might, and exerts all his strength and agility un til he reaches it, he will most commonly escape without much harm, and some times without any injury whatever; and on reaching the designated point will have the satisfaction of hearing his courage and bravery applauded. The coward who hesitates or shows symptoms of fear does well if he escapes with his life. A brave youth who has succeeded in reaching the *Heckewelder's Indian Nations. goal is almost certain to be adopted into one of the families of the tribe and treated with the greatest kindness. In many in stances youths left their adopted parents with regret, when peace procured them ransom, and we have in our own county two notable instances of permanent adop tion into the tribe, as we shall see further along. But we have been digressing from the course of our narrative. The missionaries saw from Arun lei's' house the party of fourteen warriors, with their prisoners, ap proach from the east, having come from Fort Mcintosh. As soon as they had crossed the Sandusky River, to which the village lay adjacent, they were told by the captain of the party to run as hard as they could to a painted post, which was shown them. The youngest of the three imme diately started without a moment's hesita tion, and reached the post without a single blow; the second hesitated for a moment, but recollecting himself, he also ran as fast as he could and reached the post unhurt; but the third, frightened at seeing so many men, women, and children, with weapons in their hands ready to strike him, kept begging the captain to spare his life, say ing that he was a mason and would build him a large stone house or do any other work he should choose. "Run for your life," cried the chief to him, "and don't talk now of building houses." But the poor fellow still insisted, begging and praying to the captain, who, at last, fearing the consequences, and finding his exhor tations vain, turned his back upon him and would not hear him any longer. Our mason now began to run, but received many a hard blow, one of which nearly brought him to the ground, and which, if he had fallen, would have decided his fate. He, however, reached the goal, not with out being sadly bruised, and besides he was bitterly scoffed at and reproached as HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 4i a vile coward, while the others were hailed as brave men, and received tokens of uni versal approbation. Hon. Isaac Knapp, a pioneer of the county, and for many years an honored citizen, has related an incident in this con nection which locates the gauntlet track, and contrary to the impression given by Heckewelder, indicates that having passed the savage lines and reached the goal did not insure to the prisoner absolute safety from injury until the disposition of his case by the council. Some time before Wayne's campaign, three sisters and two brothers named Da vidson were captured by a war party in Kentucky and brought to Lower Sandusky as prisoners. All were ordered to run the gauntlet. The brothers were stout, active men, and both succeeded in getting through without a scratch. John, the elder brother, seemed to be a mark of particular hatred. When he had reached the post exhausted and breathless, he sat down upon a log, hav ing passed, as he supposed, the ordeal of his captivity. But an old squaw, dissatisfied with his easy escape, walked up behind, struck a tomahawk into his shoulder, and left him. The sisters were then ordered to run, but they refused, begging to be tomahawked where they sat. This conduct on their part probably made the sentence upon the whole family more severe. At a consultation of the chiefs and warriors it was decided to hold the prisoners as slaves. They were taken to Canada, where a Brit ish trader paid their ransom. Mr. Knapp afterwards became acquainted with these persons and knew them well. They set tled in northern Kentucky. He obtained from them a minute description of the bends of the river, the lay of the ground, and the surrounding hills, from which he was enabled to locate the gauntlet track. According to the description, the lines of the savages extended from the site of the block now occupied by Wagner's store, to the Kessler House corner. The council was probably held on the site of the Buck- land block. In general the treatment of prisoners by the Indians was not so severe as is popularly supposed. There were, of course, exceptions, among which the melancholy fate of Colonel Crawford is prominent. But few were burned, and nearly all who acted bravely were treated with kindness. We should not forget that the events which are grouped together in this chapter oc curred during a state of active war, in which the Indians were fighting for the maintenance of the forest, and were en couraged by British agents with British gold. Affairs at Lower Sandusky, during the long period of border war, extending from the opening of the Revolution to the celebrated victory of Wayne, possess a peculiar interest. This was an important military centre, and every narrative relating to the place is a glimpse into the enemy's camp. For many years before the first settlement of Ohio, a war both offensive and defensive was waged between the Ohio tribes and the frontiersmen of Pennsyl vania and Virginia, and the Kentucky borders. When humanity is made an element of comparative consideration in the conduct of that war, the burden of shame hangs over the graves of our own countrymen. The contest itself could but be one of most barbarous cruelty on both sides, for the Indians were fully persuaded that it was the design of the whites to destroy their hunting grounds and ultimately exterminate them, while the borderers looked upon the Indian as little better than a wild beast, and a pest to be exterminated by any means what ever. They attributed to him no rights which civilization was bound to respect. Some of the earlier outrages perpetrated against the Indian race by the white, were 42 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. of the most perfidious character. While we are reading that cruel page of Ohio his tory describing the tortures inflicted upon Colonel Crawford at Upper Sandusky, let us not forget the treacherous blows by which, previously, the kindred of Logan's tribe fell at Yellow Creek, or the expedition of Captain Williamson, which culminated in the cold-blooded murder of the Mora vian Christians and the burning of their hodies. The whites took few prisoners, but the rifle industriously, often treacher ously used, dispatched many brave war riors on both sides of the Ohio. Revenge is a part of the Indian nature, and the tribes were not slow to retaliate every wrong, and full-measured retaliation it was. It is estimated that on the frontiers, south and west of the Ohio River, during the seven years preceding the outbreak of the war on the Ohio colony at the mouth of the Muskingum, the Indians killed and took prisoners fifteen hundred people, stole two thousand horses and other property to the value of fifty thousand dollars*. After the general war began in 1 79 1, the annual destruction of life and property was much greater, until its close in 1795. Probably more captives were brought to Lower Sandusky than to any other place in Ohio. This was a retreat where prisoners were brought and dis posed of, many being sent to Detroit and Canada. So far as is known, not a soli tary prisoner was tortured here at the stake, and in a majority of cases captives who had passed the gauntlet safely and bravely were treated kindly. It should be remembered that this was in the heart of the Indian country, and a point which had never been visited by a military expedi tion of whites. Under these circum stances the events which we have narrated and are about to narrate can have no other effect than to create charitable ideas *Colonel Barker's Reminiscences, of Indian character, cruel as some of these occurrences might seem, did we not know the subjects were prisoners of bloody and relentless war. Among the notable characters who were brought to Lower Sandusky as captives were Simon Kenton and Daniel Boone. The former having been captured in 1778, was taken first to Piqua, where he ran the gauntlet; from there he was taken to Old Chillicothe, where he spent several days with Logan. He was sentenced to the stake at Wa'pitomika, but Logan, assisted by Girty and a Canadian Frenchman, suc ceeded in having the decision of the coun cil reversed. Kenton was then sent to Lower Sandusky and from here taken by water to Detroit.* The fact that Daniel Boone was brought through Lower Sandusky while in cap tivity, is a fact worthy of mention because of the celebrity of that unequalled hero of border annals. The name of Boone is familiar and dear to every boy, and his heroic adventures interest, even in the years of more prosy manhood. In the proud old Commonwealth of Kentucky the name of Boone and the story of his life is more familiar than any other char acter in American history. In the winter of 1778 Captain Boone, while with a party of salt-makers on the Licking River, was captured by Shawnee warriors who took him to Chillicothe and from there to Lower Sandusky on the way to Detroit, where Governor Hamilton, the British com mander, was encouraging Indian depreda tions by paying liberal premiums for scalps and prisoners. The Governor took a great fancy to Boone, and offered liberally for his ransom; he was an object of par ticular interest among the officers at the garrison. But the Shawnees had also taken a special liking to the old hunter and said he must become one of them, * McDonald's Western Sketches. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 43 and be a great chief. He returned with the Indians to Chillicothe, and remained with the tribe several months. It will be seen from these incidents that the Shawnees and other tribes made the Sandusky River a highway to Detroit, but probably none but the Wyandots brought their prisoners to Lower Sandusky for sen tence and the infliction of penalties. Those of the captives whom the Indians took a liking to, on account of bravery or other qualities which they par ticularly admired, were the only ones adopted into the tribe; other prisoners were either made slaves, as in the instance of the Davidson family above noted, or taken to Detroit. It should be noted to the credit of the Wyandots that they rare ly burned prisoners at the stake. Colonel Crawford was captured by the Delawares and sentenced by a Delaware council, so that the Indians in whom we are especially interested are free from the odium of that savage sentence. But Wyat|4ot captives were not secure against the liability of torture, as is shown by the following incident, which also proves the kind-heartedness of Arundel and Robbins, the two English traders, and the susceptibility of Crane, the great war chief, to flattery. In the spring of 1782, a young man was brought captive from Fort Mcintosh to Lower Sandusky, where he heroically passed the gauntlet ordeal. Crane ad mired his bravery and sent him to Half King at Upper Sandusky, to be adopted into his family in place of a son who had been killed the preceding year while at war on the Ohio. The pris oner having arrived at Upper Sandusky, was presented to Half King's wife, who refused to receive him, which, accord ing to the unwritten law of the Wyandots, was a sentence of death. The prisoner was returned for the purpose of being tor tured and burned. Preparations for the dreadful event were made near the village; warriors, squaws, and children gathered from all directions to witness the terrible execution. It fortunately happened that the two traders, Arundel and Robbins, were present, and, shocked with the hor ror of the act about to be perpetrated, re solved to make an effort to prevent it. They offered the war chief a liberal . ran som for the prisoner's life, which" he ~re-~~ fused, saying that it was an established custom among them that when a prisoner had been offered as a present and was re fused, he was irrevocably doomed to the stake, and no one could save him. Besides, the chief further declared the numerous war captains who were on the spot had it in charge to carry out the execution. Fail ing to move the great war chief by offers of money, they appealed to his vanity, which proved the vulnerable point of his character. "But," answered the generous but wily traders, "among all these chiefs you have mentioned, there is none equals you in greatness; you are considered not only the greatest and bravest, but at the same time the best man in the nation." The chief looked up with an expression of pride and gratification. "Do you really believe what you say ?" he queried. "In deed we do," answered the traders. The object was accomplished. Without an other word the great war chief blackened himself, and, taking knife and tomahawk in hand, forced his way through the crowd to the unhappy victim at the post. Crying with a loud voice, " What have you to do with my prisoner?" he cut the cords with which the prisoner was tied. The chief took him to his house, which was near Mr. Arundel's,. and from there sent him with a safeguard to the commander at Detroit, who gave him his liberty.* This incident * Heckewelder's Indian Nations. 44 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY clearly shows the supremacy of Crane among the Wyandot chiefs. We have spoken more than once in the preceding pages of the custom among the Indians of adopting into their families young men to whom they took particular liking. An instance of this kind is re corded by Finley as having occurred in 1786. Robert Armstrong, a young lad of four years, was captured near Pittsburgh, and brought here through the wilderness. He was adopted into an Indian family and grew up a perfect Wyandot.* But the most notable instances of this kind were the capture and adoption of the heads of two families, some of whose descendants are yet living in the county, and to whom were granted reservations in the treaty of Maumee Rapids, spoken of in a succeed ing chapter. The narrative of fhe Whittakersf is a story possessing the elements of ideal ro mance. We give the outline, to which our imaginative reader can supply fic titious coloring to suit his own taste, and thus complete the picture. In about the year 1780, two brothers, Quill Whit- taker and James Whittaker, in company with another young man, left Fort Pitt one morning on a hunting expedition. They wandered a considerable distance from the fort, intent upon securing game with which to gratify their friends, but at an unexpected moment a volley of rifle balls rattled among the trees. One took mortal effect in the body of the young man; another passed through the hat of Quill Whittaker, who saved himself by flight; a third ball shattered the arm of James, the younger brother, and in a few minutes he was the prisoner of a band of painted Wyandot warriors. After several days' hard travelling, the Indians, with their * History of Moravian Missions. •fFrom an interview of Hon. Homer Everett with Mrs. Scranton, daughter of ] ames Whittaker. captive, reached a village within the pres ent boundaries of Richland county, Ohio. Here the lines were formed and Whit- taker's bravery and activity tested on fhe gauntlet course. The boy, wounded as he was, deported himself with true heroism. The first half of the course was passed without a single scratch, but as he was speeding on toward the painted goal, an old squaw, who cherished a feeling of deep revenge, mortified by the captive's suc cessful progress, sprang forward and caught his arm near the shoulder, hoping to de tain him long enough for the weapon of the next savage to take effect. The pris oner instantly halted, and with a violent kick sent the vicious squaw and the next Indian tumbling from the lines. His bold gallantry received wild shouts of applause along the lines. Attention being thus di. verted, he sprang forward with quickened speed and reached the post without ma terial injury. Not satisfied that this favorite amusement should be so quickly ended, it was decided that the prisoner should run again. The lines for the second trial were already formed when an elderly and dignified squaw walked forward and took from her own shoulders a blanket which she cast over the panting young prisoner, saying, "This is my son; he is one of us; you must not kill him." Thus adopted, he was treated with all that kindness and affection which the savage heart is capable of cherishing. It is a saying as old as the institution of voluntary marriage itself, that "those who are" born to go together will marry under any circumstances," which is but a particular- ization of the general doctrine "that to live is but to follow the path made by fate." Those philosophers who entertain this belief might find in the second part of this narrative an applicable illustration in support of their theory. About two years after the capture of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 45 Whittaker, another party of warriors made an incursion into Pennsylvania and cap tured at Cross Roads, Elizabeth Fulks, a girl eleven years old, whom they carried into captivity and adopted into a family of the tribe. Both captives lived contentedly and happily, having adopted the manners and customs of their wards. A few years after, somewhere in the vast expanse of the Northwestern wilderness, probably here on the Sandusky River, at a general council of their tribes, these two adopted children of the forest made each other's acquaintance. The brave boy who ran the gauntlet had become a well proportioned man, and the sweet, timid captive girl was now a bloom ing maiden whose native beauty had never been destroyed by the torturing artifices of society dress. Perhaps this meeting occurred in the full light of an encourag ing moon, while savage warriors were de liberating cruel expeditions around a bright council fire in the distance. Who can think of the meeting being formal and re served, or of a fashionable courtship? A marriage according to the customs of civil ized life was at once arranged, and the couple, ardent in their love and happy in their expectations, set off for Detroit, where the Christian ritual was pronounced which made them man and wife. The Indians seemed well pleased by this conduct of their pale-face children. They gave them a choice tract of farming land in the river bottom, and here Rev. Joseph Badger visited the family in 1806, where he found them living in perfect harmony with their Indian neighbors, but practicing the forms of civil ized life.* Mr. and Mrs. Whittaker reared a large family, for whose education they *Whittaker's thorough adoption into the Wyan dot tribe is shown by the fact that he joined their war parties. He was present at St. Clair's defeat and at the battle of Fallen Timbers.— McClung's Western Adventures. expended considerable sums of money. In 1808 a teacher was secured who came to the residence, which was a short dis tance below the falls on the west side of the river, and instructed the older children. The oldest daughter was subsequently sent to school in Pittsburgh, at an expense of eight hundred dollars a year, and there qualified to teach the younger children. Mr. Whittaker entered into mercantile business, for which he was well fitted. He established a store at his residence, one at Tymochtee, and one at Upper Sandusky. He accumulated wealth rapidly, having at the time of his death his goods all paid for and two thousand pounds on deposit with the Canada house where he made his pur chases. At Upper Sandusky he had a partner, Hugh Patterson, with whom, in the year 18 16, he drank a glass of wine and died in a short time afterwards, his death being attributed to poison in the wine. Pat terson was largely indebted to him, and, it was discovered afterwards, had forged an .order on McDonald, proprietor of the Canada house,for the two thousand pounds on deposit. Mrs. Whittaker,. to whom a res ervation was granted in thetreaty of 181 7, survived her husband many years, but as to the time and place of her death we are not informed.* A few prominent acts of -kind-hearted benevolence on the part of Mr. Whitta ker can not be omitted. A short time be fore the war of 18 12, he went to the Mau mee on business, and found among the Indians a young white woman who bore a strong resemblance to his own daughters. She was engaged at carrying wood and piling it up. Mr. Whittaker, after talking with her a short time, became, convinced that she was preparing her own funeral pile, though herself ignorant of the fact. * Later events relating to this family are narrated in the sketch of Sandusky township. 46 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. He engaged to procure her freedom on condition she would never expose him in a lie. Having been informed of the probable fate which awaited her she readi ly assented. At the dictation of her res cuer she sat upon a log while he went to the assembled Indians and asked them what they were doing with that young woman, to which they replied that prepa rations were being made for a dance that night, and that she was to be burned. He then told them that she was his daughter, and the strong resemblance between her and his family, with whom the Indians were slightly acquainted, convinced them that the statement was true, and out of re spect they gave her up. Whittaker brought her home and gave a guide sixty dollars to conduct her to her friends, who lived down the Ohio river. Near the time of the capture of Whit taker, and probably later, a party of negroes were captured -in Virginia and brought to the Sandusky River, where they were held as slaves. They were placed in charge of, a peninsular tract several miles below the falls, which they cultivated for the Indians, no doubt to the great satisfaction of the squaws, upon whom devolved all menial labor. The peninsula became known as Negro Point, a name which it has retained ever since — a period of about a century. There is a singular tradition relating to the first appearance of the honey-bee in the Northwest, which places that event within the field of our history. The late Mrs. Rachel Scranton, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Whittaker, is au thority for the following statement, which was first published in i860: Previous to* the time of Mrs. Whittaker's captivity the honey-bee and the plantain were unknown to the Indians. While she and her brother George who was also a captive, were yet children, and me nial servants to the Wyandot tribe, they were hoeing corn in an Indian field, when they discovered a swarm of bees in a tree near by. They remembered some thing of bees at home and conjectured what they were. The idea of white people was instantly sug gested , and they talked with one another as to whether " this might not be a sign that white people would come soon. Their discovery was communicated, to the Indians, who flocked to the tree in great numbers to see the wonderful insects. The suggestion was made by George and Elizabeth, that bees belonged to white people and stayed with them, and that prob ably this was-a sign that the pale-faces were coming, and would bye-and-bye have the country. None of the tribes had ever seen the insect before, and their superstitious minds were affected to such a degree that, with the Wyandots especially, it became a settled conviction that the Indians would be driven out and the1 whites would take their country. The account continues: Henceforth this tribe, yielding to what they con sidered inevitable fate, felt and said it was useless to contend against the pale-faces, and became a peace ful people. It is true they joined the other tribes to fight Wayne, but they refused to join the expedition until a confederation of all the other tribes of the Northwest plainly told them that if they did not send out warriors to fight Wayne, they unitedly would ex terminate the- Wyandots. There was no other way to save themselves, and they did send the best of their men to be slaughtered by "Mad" Anthony at the battle of Fallen Timbers. This latter statement is probably incor rect in fact, although there may have been such a local sentiment. In the open war, which was commenced on the Ohio Com pany's settlement in 1791, and terminated with Wayne's victory, the Wyandots took an active and conspicuous part, a part which justifies assigning to them leader ship from the beginning to the end of that cruel contest. The first attack on the Ohio settlers at Big Bottom, in 1791, was made by the allied warriors of the Dela wares and Wyandots. The Whittaker cabin and trading-house, which stood just above the head of the bay, was a usual stopping poin{ for war parties when on their way from Lower Sandusky to Detroit with prisoners. The family always treated captives with the greatest kindness consistent with their sit uation. Major Nathan Goodale, a promi nent and valuable citizen of Belpre, the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 47 second settlement in the Ohio Company's purchase, was captured by a band of Wy andot warriors in T793, while at work on his farm a short distance from the fort. They sprang out from the forest and seized him before he was aware of their presence, or could make any defence, threatening him with death if he made a noise or re sisted. After securing him with thongs they made a hasty retreat, intending to take him to Detroit and get a large ransom. They got along as far as Whittaker's house, when he could go no further, in consequence of sickness. Mrs. Whittaker, in relating the account afterwards, testified that he had received no ill treatment while in cap tivity, and that he died at her house in a few days after he had been left there, of a disease like pleurisy.* The narrative of the captivity of Daniel Convers*in 1793, throws considerable light on affairs here at that time. Convers was a boy sixteen years old, who lived at the Waterford garrison on the Muskingum River, twenty miles above Marietta. He afterwards became a wealthy merchant of Zanesville, Ohio. He was captured by a party of Indians lurking about the garri son, most of them being Wyandots. They travelled singly through the woods so as to leave no trail behind, until they struck the old Indian path leading from Lower Sandusky through Upper Sandusky to Fort Harmar. This was a plain, beaten track, used by the Indians for many years when going to Marietta to sell their pel try. The evening was rainy and the night very dark, but they did not stop until late, fearing that the whites might be in pursuit. For the same reason, no fire was kifidled. Before going to sleep they tied leather thongs around their prisoner's wrist, stretching out ¦ the ends upon the ground and passing them under the Indians who lay on each side of him, so as to * Pioneer History of Ohio. The Indians did not sleep much, but talked until almost morning. At day break the journey was resumed. An old Ottawa was in the party, who complained of being sick and gave his pack to the prisoner to carry, which greatly wearied him. After he had borne the burden about three miles they came to- a creek where all stopped to drink. The brave lad threw the pack on the ground saying, "Me sick too." The Ottawa picked it up without saying a word, and his master, or at least the Indian who claimed him by right of capture, patted his young prison er on the back exclaiming "Ho yee," a token of approval'of the fearless act. The second evening, being more than fifty miles from any white settlement, they halted before night, killed a deer for sup per and kindled a fire. They seasoned their venison with wild onions. That night they trimmed their bright young captive's hair in the Indian fashion, leav ing a long lockton top which they braided into a queue. They also painted one of his eyelids. On the third day a place of considera ble interest was reached, where two frails leading toward the north came together. A hieroglyphic tree stood at the junction, on which was painted, in a rude manner, a war party, indicating their number and the direction of their course. The war riors painted on the same tree their own number, indicating the capture of one boy . prisoner by placing behind the warriors who bore arms a smaller figure without arms. From here they hurried on rapidly to Upper Sandusky, where the prisoner saw, for the first time, in a cabin, a number of scalps hung up to dry. This was the cabin of a crabbed old Indian, who wel comed the lad with a cuff on the head. From Upper Sandusky the party pro- awaken them if he attempted to escape. 48 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ceeded down the river, and in the course of the afternoon met a white trader and a negro. The white man paid little atten tion to them, but the negro took the pris oner kindly by the hand, and with evident interest inquired if any of his friends had been killed, and where he came from. This negro was probably one of the slaves from Negro Point, and hoped to find out something about his old friends in Vir ginia. That night they had nothing for supper except a woodchuck, which, was divided among eight persons. Here the Indians gave their prisoner a blanket and moccasin's, he having been barefoot and thinly clad at the time of the capture. The next night they passed in a vacant hut by the river. Here Convers saw a cow which belonged to his mother, and had been stolen three months before. The narrative declares: "She directly knew her old friend Daniel; came up to him, and looked as if she felt sorry for his un happy condition." The prisoner on this occasion was a lad whose appearance commanded admiration and excited sympathy, as is shown by the conduct of two boys at a village on the prairie. They caught him, one by each hand, and hurried through the town, thus shielding him from the ordeal of running the gauntlet. "On the tenth day of his captivity," says the narrative, "the party arrived at Lower Sandusky, where there was a large Indian village. Here they crossed the Sandusky River in a canoe. As soon as they had landed, an Indian came up, took Daniel by the hand and bid him go with him. He hesitated for a mo ment, when one of the warriors motioned him to go. He ran with him up the river bank about twenty rods and stopped, ap pearing very friendly, and no doubt took this course to keep the prisoner out of the sight of the other Indians living in the town. While waiting there for his party to join him, a large Indian who was drunk, came to him and struck him over the eye, knocking him down. The eye in stantly swelled so that he could not see with it. As he repeated the blow, another Indian, who was much smaller, ran to the rescue, and, seizing the drunken one by the hair, jerked him to the ground and beat him severely. He then, in a very kind manner, took young Convers by the hand, calling him, in broken English, his friend. At the same time two squaws came up and expressed their pity for the young prisoner. "They went away, but directly returned, bringing him some hom iny and meat to eat, thus showing that the female heart in the savage, as well as in the civilized races, is readily moved at the sight of distress, and ever open to com passion and kindness. The party to which he belonged encamped near this spot, and during the night some of the party who had been present at the attack on the garrison at Waterford, hearing from their countrymen an account of this foray at the same place, and the ill-treat ment of their prisoner by the drunken In dian, came into the camp and passed the night to protect him from any further abuse." The next day the party, with their prisoners, proceeded on down the river on their way to Detroit. They stopped at Whittaker's cabin and there received from that kind-riearted man a loaf of sugar which the Indians divided, giving their prisoner a share. The Indians were very fond of sugar, and the present was highly appreciated by them, as well as by the captive. Whittaker dared say little to the prisoner, however, lest he should excite the jealousy of the Indians. At Detroit the prisoner was ransomed and sent with a party of horsemen to his friends in Connecticut. Colonel Convers in after years testified to the uniform humanity HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 49 of his treatment. " His treatment was not only humane, but kind andgentlemanly." We have presented this incident to con siderable length, because it is the most faithfully detailed account of Indian cap tivity within our knowledge. Let those who have believed the Indian a beast in human form, whose only human element of character was treachery, follow Con vers from the scene of his captivity to the place of ransom, and compare his treat ment with that of the war prisoners of any Christian nation. The treatment of prisoners was very much similar in all cases, except when special weakness of character was betrayed, or the magnitude of a crime demanded severe punishment. We have chosen a variety of such incidents as are best cal culated to give an idea of aboriginal life at Lower Sandusky, which was, during the period covered, the military centre of the most warlike of the Indian nations. An other event more far reaching in its histor ical consequences next demands our at tention. The frontier posts of Kentucky suf fered more from Indian incursions than the settlements of any other locality. There were two reasons for this : being the most western settlements they were re garded as the most dangerous intruders on the red man's domain; and second, nowhere did the "Long-knives," as the Indians called the whites, treat the savages with so much cruelty. During one of these incursions, led by Simon Girty against Boonesborough. Sarah Vincent, a little girl seven years old, was made captive and settled on the Sandusky River, where she became a Wyandot. Several years afterwards Isaac Williams, a trader at Upper Sandusky, made her acquaintance, and they were married. They settled at Upper Sandusky, and reared one son, Isaac Williams, who mar ried Sarah Loveler near Pittsburgh, Penn sylvania. They settled on the tract which his mother had occupied while a captive, located on the river, at the Chestnut grove, on the present estate of Sidney For- guson. It was to the widow of this Isaac Williams that a reservation of one hun dred and sixty acres, on Negro Point, was granted. She died about 1830, leaving a family of five children — Alexander, George, Joseph, Rachel, and James. George married a Tawa (Ottawa) squaw, and never claimed any share in the estate. This woman, in 1809, overheard an in terview between the Shawnee, Tecum- . seh, and a Muncie, or Delaware chief, which, had it been properly communicated to the Federal authorities, would have fur nished important information concerning the strange, mysterious movements of the wily chief who organized the Indian rebel lion of 181 r, and consummated the British alliance of 181 2. Tecumseh was neither a peace chief, nor a war chief in his tribe, but he was a man of pre-eminent intellect, and attained to an influence, throughout the whole Indian country, which was well nigh imperial. He commenced the great work which he had . long contemplated, in 1805. His first ob- ; ject was to unite the several nations, many of which were hostile to each other, and had often been at war. He sought to re form their prejudices, and to reestablish original manners and customs. To this end all intercourse with the whites was to be suspended, and the use of ardent spirits abandoned. Professing to the American Government no other object than moral reform, he was unceasing in his toil. Hav ing a wide reputation as a sagacious coun sellor and warrior, he everywhere received considerate attention. His general plan of union being matured, he brought su perstition to his aid. His brother, the Prophet, now began to 5° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. dream dreams and see visions. The fame of his divine commission spread from the frozen North to the gulf on the South. While believing pilgrims were coming to' the shrine of the Prophet, Tecumseh's activity was simply wonder ful. He was pleading loyalty to the Amer- cans at Governor Harrison's office at Vincennes, and the same week arranging war plans on the Wabash and on the plains of Sandusky. His canoe crossed the Mississippi, and before any were aware, he was addressing Cherokee coun cils in Georgia and Alabama. The whole West was thus aroused to war, which begun openly at Tippecanoe in 1811. Until shortly before that time the Government was ignorant of the real designs of Te cumseh and the power of the league which he had formed. In view of the consequences of the chieftain's move ments, the tradition of his visit to Lower Sandusky will be of general interest. This brings us back again to the Williams family.* One afternoon in the autumn of 1809, the wife of George Williams, who lived on Negro Point, made a visit to the Wyandot village, which was on the hill northeast of the present Fremont bridge. Her way home was through Muncietown, which she reached about dark in the evening. By a light in a wigwam she saw Tecumseh in consultation with an Ottawa chief. Her path passed close the wigwam, in which she heard a conversation in the Ottawa language. Being herself an Otta wa, she understood what was said; and the theme being war, curiosity induced her to listen. Mrs. Williams, on returning home, told her husband that Tecumseh said, the next year when corn was knee high, a war would commence by the killing of all white people living on Indian terri- * This tradition is written from the recollections of Lorenzo Dow Williams, grandson of Isaac Williams. tory and along the river (the Ohio river), and that the British would join them in the war. This was the first information obtained by any white settler that the roving Shawnees contemplated war. Alex ander Williams,* a brother ot George Williams, who lived in Virginia, was at that time visiting his parents on Negro Point. He started home the following morning, going by way of Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, where he announced what had been heard in the Indian country con cerning Tecumseh's intentions. At Sweet Springs, Virginia, his fellow-townsmen pre pared for the conflict. The following summer five hundred warriors gathered in Muncietown, whence they started on an expedition to plunder the frontiers of Virginia. After they had been gone two days, Mrs. Williams, who had heard the prediction of Tecumseh and knew the meaning of these hostile preparations, called two white prisoners, who had been at Muncietown for a long time, to her house, painted them as war riors, and sent them on the trail of the war party with instructions to travel night and day and to pass around the warriors, if possible, before they reached the settle ments, in order that the white people might prepare for an attack. The two young men, rejoiced to escape captivity, arrayed in the costume of the savages, with rifle, ammunition, tomahawk and scalping knife, hurried in the path as fast as possi ble. At a place called Walker's Meadow, three miles from the village of Union, the two brave messengers entered the Indian camp. Carelessly they passed through, unnoticed by the redskins, who supposed them a couple of their own number, en gaged in the enterprise. About three miles from the encampment they came to the house of a settler, where they re mained quiet until morning. The first •Father of our informant. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Si person seen was a man who came out of the house, mounted a horse and rode away without seeing the messengers. A negro next came out and went to the barn. The two young men now entered the house where they found a woman and several children. The woman screamed terribly, supposing Indians with the war paint on their faces were in possession of her house, and that quick murder was sure to follow. The boys spoke to her in good English, explaining who they were and what they had come for. The woman's husband was Judge Donelly, who was hold ing court two miles distant. They in formed him of the danger to which the settlement was exposed. Judge Donelly was also colonel of militia, and on receiv ing the information he adjourned court and collected the people of the settlement into the block-house, upon which an un successful attack was made; and the war riors left with one prisoner. This was one of the first acts of Indian hostility. Very few Wyandots participated in it, their na tion being averse to war. Tecumseh's visits were mostly to the villages of other tribes. The Wyandots generally enter tained the opinions expressed by Crane's confidential advisor, Walk-in-the-Water, in a council held at Brownstown in 1 8 1 2. He said: "No, we will not take up the hatchet against our father the Long-knife. Our two fathers are about to fight, but we have no concern in their quarrel; it is best for us to sit stilland remain neutral." The Wyandots on the American side of the lakes were not drawn into the war in any considerable numbers, although the British Government exhausted intrigue to effect an alliance. Tarhe, the Crane, ex erted his powerful influence in favor of neutrality, and those of the tribe who had taken hold of the British hatchet deserted Proctor at the first opportunity* *North American Review, 1827. Tecumseh, at one time, while endeavor ing to effect a union of the tribes, visited the house of Isaac Williams, on Negro Point. The visit, from Mr. Williams' standpoint, has an amusing feature, though, on part of the great Indian statesman and general, it was probably no more than an accident. We give the incident, as it has become traditional in the Williams family. The Wyandots had cornfields all along the river bottoms, which were cultivated by the squaws and boys, each family hav ing a- small patch, and no fences between them. Isaac Williams owned a large number of hogs, and tried to enclose his premises with a brush fence, but they fre quently found a way out and destroyed the corn, which greatly provoked the squaws. They urged their dogs upon the hogs, and killed several of them. One day Williams, hearing the dogs barking and the hogs squealing, grasped his gun, and, despite the importunities of his wife, rushed to the corn field, where two dogs were tearing to pieces one of the favorites of the herd, while an old squaw and her boy were looking on with amusement. Williams, still more enraged by this, aimed so as to bring both within the range of the shot, but the gun snapped and the squaw dis covered her danger. She implored for giveness, and- promised that the injury should never be repeated. The family were, however, greatly annoyed by the fear that the event had excited the wrath of the Indians, who would seek revenge. This explains the uneasiness of Williams when, the next day, Tecumseh appeared at his door. This was during that chiefs earlier visits to the towns along the river. The magnitude of the indignity of the day before increased in Williams' mind a hun dred-fold, and his first thought was that the great Tecumseh had come to revenge the insult. Suppressing all appearances of fear, the old trader asked his unwelcome Sz HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. guest to come in and be seated, himself, with seeming carelessness, taking a chair in that corner of the cabin in which the gun was standing. Both sat for some time without a word passing between them. The chief at length took his tomahawk from his belt and filled the end of it with tobacco. Stepping to the fire, he took a coal from the ashes, lighted his pipe and began smoking, continuing silent. Wil liams also sat quiet, every moment ex pecting to be reproved, or, perhaps, pun ished, for attempting to shoot the squaw. The latter finally broke the spell by saying : "Tecumseh, what are you doing? I see the wampum is being carried from place to place and secret councils are being held. What is this for? Are you organ izing war against the white people ?" Te cumseh could speak and understand English well. He answered: "May be war with the white man. He is too saucy." Williams then informed the chief, who was afterwards termed monarch of the North American Indians, that he had bet ter not go to war; that he had travelled through the white man's country, and they were too numerous for the Indians; that they would exterminate all the Indians in the country if a war should occur, and more such advice, to which the chief paid no attention. He sat moody for a long time, then knocked the ashes from his pipe and retired. Williams was agreeably surprised at there having been no allusion made to the attempt to shoot the squaw. The Ottawas are characterized by Indian writers as the hunters -and trappers of the forest. They followed the Portage and Sandusky Rivers and came to Lower San dusky to trade as late as 1833, Judge Jesse Olmstead being the favorite mer chant. The story of the execution of an Ottawa- warrior was given in a lecture by Hon. Homer Everett, delivered in i860, Wild, unlearned, and in many things repulsive as the Indians were, still, amongst them were found many noble specimens of men and women, who cherished and displayed the cardinal virtues of hur manity: modesty, chastity, truth, sincerity, . honesty and courage. In that stoic courage which coolly meets death without even the appearance of fear, the North American Indian never had a superior in any race of men on the earth. In illustration of this wonderful characteristic, two instances, well known to my informants, may be given. Among the Ottawas who f.equently visited our town to trade, was a warrior named Captain Pun- kin. He was by nature, as well as practice, a vi cious, treacherous, cruel Indian; he was one of the company who captured the Snow family, on Cold Creek, somewhere near Castalia; and the identical individual who took away Mrs. Snow's infant be cause it hindered her march. In spite of all her entreaties, cries and resistance, he seized it by the feet and dashed its brains out against a tree before the mother's eyes. Long years after this event, Punkin was found guilty of violating the laws of his tribe, and sen tenced to die, by a council. This decision was com municated to him, and he was asked when and where he would die. He informed them of the time and place at which he would choose to die and be buried; he went unguarded and at liberty for some time alone in the forest. No human eye watched him ; he was at liberty to flee if he chose. The time fixed came, and his executioneis repaired to the spot he had selected, and where his burial place had already been prepared. They found him ready, sitting at the verge of his own grave. Raising his bowed head as they approached, he said: "You have come; I am ready. Strike sure! " Instantly the tomahawk described a glittering circle and descended deep into his brain. He expired without a groan, and was buried there. The extent of the cornfields along the river remains to be spoken of. The prai ries bordering the bay were cultivated when Colonel James Smith visited the country as a captive, in 1757, but he mentions nothing about agriculture along the river. But at a later period the river prairies supplied the whole Wyandot country. This was, no doubt, owing to the exhaust- less fertility of the soil and the ease with which it was cultivated. The plains now covered by the lower part of the city of Fremont were cleared land when first seen by white men, and except the tract used for councils, gaming, racing, and the vil- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 53 lage, bore corn season after season. The squaws and boys attended to agriculture, and all other menial duties. To handle a hoe would have disgraced the strong In dian, whose only business was war. That Lower Sandusky was celebrated among the Indians for the fertility of soil, is proved by an incident which, in 1807, occurred at Ogontz place, now Sandusky. The Indian title to the Firelands was ex tinguished in 1805, but the Indians about the neck of the bay were slow to leave in obedience to the terms of the treaty. Complaint was made to Ogontz, to whom the commissioner put the question : " Why do you not raise your corn at Lower San dusky ?" "Ugh!" retorted Ogontz, "Big corn grow at Lower Sandusky, but no papoose grow there." CHAPTER V. EARLY OHIO. Five Characteristic Centres of Settlement — First Measures After the Revolution for Selling Western Lands- Ordinance of 1785 — Revolutionary Bounties— Organization of the Ohio Company— Ordinance of 1787 — The Ohio Company Land at the Mouth of the Muskingum — Formal Inauguration of Government — Growth of the Massachusetts Colony — Settlement Between the Miamis— John Cleves Symmes' Pur chase — Founding of Cincinnati — French Settlement at Gallipolis — The Virginia Military District — Settle ment of Manchester — Founding of Chillicothe — Character of Population — The Western Reserve — • Sale to the Connecticut Land Company — Surveyed into Townships — Cleveland Founded — Slow Growth at First — Subsequent Rapid Growth — The Northwestern Indian Reservation — Frontier Line of Settlements in 1812 — Population in 1812 — Erection of Counties — Formation of State Government— Origin of the Northwest Boundary Difficulty — Open Conflict Between Ohio and the Territory of Michigan — Opening Wedge to Settlement in Northwestern Ohio — Causes of the War of 1812 — Attitude of the Wyandots Results of the War Forecasted — Hull's Surrender — Ohio Exposed to the Enemy — Militia Volunteers — Victories Follow Defeat and Disaster — Ohio's Part in the War. THE fading picture of Wyandot Lower Sandusky calls to mind a more stir ring scene, Lower Sandusky of Fort Steph enson fame. This period, brief but crowded with tragic events, dates the be ginning of white settlement in Sandusky county. What was Ohio then? is a ques tion which naturally suggests itself, and one which this chapter is intended to answer. Historically Ohio is carved into seven distinct divisions, bearing five characteris tic civilizations transplanted from different Eastern colonies, and tracing their an cestry to antagonistic races or social castes. Out of these five elements has grown the Ohio of to-day — justly proud and suffi ciently honored. The centres of early settlement, widely separated from each other by bridgeless streams and long reaches of untraversed forests, impressed the instincts and train ing brought from Eastern homes upon their localities. That impress is still dis cernible in the politics, religion, arid cult ure of the native population. The clash ing of opinion which has been a necessary result of grouping five discordant ele ments into one State, has been potent in developing native intellect and producing occasions for its exercise. It is further a proposition, proved by the inevitable logic of history, that the mingling and fusion of people of different races, temperaments and training, is productive of physical and mental strength. To these facts may be 54 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. attributed in great measure the high po sition which Ohio has taken in affairs. When the Revolution closed, the Con gress of the Confederation found itself in possession of a vast Western domain of boundless fertility. Plans of emigration and colonization again revived. Congress, in May, 1785, passed "an ordinance for ascertaining the mode of disposing of the Western lands, and Thomas Hutchins, the United States geographer, was in structed to lay off the territory into town ships of six miles square, and each town ship into thirty-six lots, containing six hundred and forty acres each. Congress had, in 1776, and by several succeeding •acts, pledged bounties to the Continental soldiers. One-seventh of the land was to be reserved for this purpose. Lots eight, eleven, twenty-six, and twenty-nine were to be reserved for future sale; the remainder was to be divided among the several States and sold by them at not less than one dollar per acre, with the additional cost of the survey and sale. This system operated against the colonization plan, for the townships were to be drawn by the several States, making it impossible for a company to purchase a large tract in one body. This ordinance excepted an un defined tract between the Scioto and the Little Miami, which had been reserved by Virginia in her act of cession, for the use of her own troops. Indian hostilities prevented individual settlement, and it was evident that Congress had placed too high an estimate on the value of the un broken forest. From time to time, as circumstances suggested, this original ordinance was amended. The bounty claims of Revo lutionary soldiers were the strongest agency in the settlement of the Northwest. A major-general were entitled to eleven hun dred acres, a brigadier-general to eight hundred and- fifty acres, colonel to five hundred acres, lieutenant-colonel to. four hundred and -fifty acres, major to four hundred acres, captain to three hundred acres, lieutenant to two hundred acres, ensign one hundred and fifty acres, non commissioned officers and privates one hundred acres each. As early as 1783 General Rufus Putnam, of Massachusetts, transmitted to Washington a memorial asking for an appropriation of Western lands to supply these claims. The meas ure was placed before Congress, but the question of ownership not being settled action was postponed. In 1775 Colonel Benjamin Tupper came West as a sur veyor, but the survey being interrupted by Indian troubles he returned to the East the following winter with such favorable impressions of the country beyond the Ohio that he united with Putnam in form ing a plan of association and settlement. They prepared a publication setting forth the project, and inviting all who desired to promote the scheme to send delegates to a general convention to be held in Bos ton, March 1, 1786. An opportunity now seemed open to the hardy and resolute soldiers who had carried the war to a successful issue, to re trieve their ruined estates. The conven tion which met in pursuance to this call, represented the best elements of New England society. Articles of association were agreed upon, which made the capi tal of the company one million dollars. Three directors — Samuel H. Parsons, General Rufus Putnam, and Dr. Manas- seh Cutler, were elected, with instructions to purchase a private grant of lands. Ma jor Winthrop Sargent (second Territorial Governor) was elected secretary. About the time of the organization of the Ohio Company another land company was organized in New York, with William Duer at its head. Dr. Cutler, to whom was delegated the responsible office of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 55 making a contract with Congress, found that body averse to the New England scheme, but by combining with the New York company, in which several members of Congress were interested, there was hope of success. It had been the hope of the Massachusetts company to have General Parsons, one of their own number, placed at the head of the new territorial govern ment which colonization would make it necessary to establish; but his plan of purchase could not succeed without the support of General St. Clair, who was a representative from Pennsylvania and President of Congress. Cutler was a good lobbyist and yielded the choice of his associates in favor of St. Clair for the governorship. A contract was finally agreed upon in July, 1787, and confirmed the following October. The first ordinance directing the estab lishment of a government for the Western territory, was submitted by Mr. Jefferson in 1784, and contained a clause against slavery. It also contemplated the divis ion of the Territory into seventeen States. This ordinance, with the important omis sion of the proviso against slaver)', was passed by Congress in April, 1784. This act, owing to the divisions it contemplated, was thought inexpedient, and another act, applying only to the territory acquired by the cession to the United States by Mas sachusetts, New York, Virginia, and Con necticut, — all the territory at that time owned by the United States — was submit ted, which resulted in the passage on July 13, of the celebrated ordinance of 1787, which is in fact the fundamental law of the States whose territory was com prehended, — Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wis consin, and Michigan. This enactment organized a single ter ritory northwest of the Ohio and eastward of the Mississippi, subject to future divis ion, if deemed expedient by Congress, in-- to two districts. This fundamental law, enacted before a solitary freeholder raised his cabin on the territory it was intended to govern, has been characferized as a fit consummation of the glorious labors of the Congress of the old Confederation. It es tablished in the Northwest, the important principles of the equal inheritance of in testine estates, and the freedom of alinea- tion by deed or will. After prescribing a system of territorial civil government, it concludes with six articles of compact be tween the original States and the people of the States in the Territory, which should forever remain unalterable unless by com mon consent. The first declared that no person demeaning himself in a peacable and orderly manner, should ever be molest ed on account of his mode of worship or religious sentiments. The second pro hibited legislative interference with private contracts, and secured to the inhabitants trial by jury, the writ of habeas corpus, a proportionate representation of the peo ple in the Legislature, judicial proceedings according to the course of common law, and those guarantees of personal freedom and property which are enumerated in the bill of rights of most of the States. The third provided for the encouragement of schools and for good faith, justice, and humanity toward the Indian. The fourth secured to the new States to be erected out of the Territory the same privileges with the old ones; imposed upon them the same burdens, including responsibility for the Federal debt, prohibited the States from interfering with the primary disposal of the soil of the United States, or taxing the public lands; from taxing the lands of non-residents higher than residents ; and established the navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence, and the portages between them, common high ways for the use of all the citizens of all the 56 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY United States. The fifth article related to the formation of new States within the Territory, the divisions to be not less than three nor more than five. By this article the west boundary of Ohio became a line running northward from the mouth of the Great Miami, until it intersected a line running eastward from the southern bend of Lake Michigan, the northern boundary. The sixth article provided that, There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the Territory, otherwise than in the punishment of crime whereof the party shall have been convicted. This ordinance gave the greatest en couragement to immigration, and offered the fullest protection to those who be came settlers, for "when they came in to the wilderness they found the law already there. It was impressed upon the soil while yet it bore up nothing but the forest." * The Ohio Company, before the close of the summer, was rapidly formulating regu lations for the government of their affairs, and the associates making hasty prepara tions for the anticipated removal to the beautiful country of which they had formed most extravagant ideas. In October Congress ordered seven hundred troops for the protection of the frontiers, and on the 5th of the month appointed the territorial officers: Arthur St. Clair, Governor; Winthrop Sargent, Secretary; Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Armstrong,! Judges. On the 7th of April, 1788, a company of forty-eight men, with General Rufus Putnam at their head, disembarked from their boat at the mouth of the Muskingum and planted the first American colony on the soil of Ohio. The civil government of the Territory *S. P. Chase, Statutes of Ohio. tjudge Armstrong declined the office and John Cleves Symmes was appointed to fill the vacancy. which had been created the fall before, was formally established upon Ohio soil, on the 15th of July. The Governor and Judges had arrived at Fort Harmar several days before. The ceremonies attending inauguration of government were highly impressive. The Judges, Secretary, and inhabitants assembled on the site of Ma rietta, where the Governor was welcomed by Judge Parsons. Under a bower of foli age contributed by the surrounding forest, the ordnance of 1787 was read, congratu lations exchanged, and three hearty cheers echoed and re-echoed from the waters of two rivers, the high hills, and thick forests. Marietta, the town founded by the Massachusetts colony, became an impor tant centre of settlement. Conceived on the soil of the loyal old Bay State, the story of its birth was heralded throughout all New England. Reinforcements came from the best homes and the best com munities, not from Massachusetts alone, but of Connecticut and Rhode Island also. The course of emigration from the im- i poverished States, once opened,- widened and deepened until temporarily closed by an unfortunate conflict with the red na tives, a little less than three years after the arrival of the first company of pioneers. Early in 1789 two colonies branched off from Marietta, one settling on the Ohio, opposite the mouth of the Little Kanawha, known as the Belpre Association; the other on the Muskingum, twenty miles above its mouth, which still bears the name of Waterford. During the same summer a third colony branched off" from the parent town, and located on Big Bot tom, in Morgan county. The attack on the Big Bottom block-house, January 2, 1 791, and the indiscriminate slaughter of its inhabitants, was the opening of a gen eral Indian war along the whole border. New England had little more than com menced to plant her civilization at the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 57 mouth of the Muskingum when a people of different stock cut into the forest, and raised their cabins between the Miamis of the Ohio. In October, 1788, John Cleves Symmes, one of the judges of the Terri-_ tory, and a native of New Jersey, nego tiated with Congress on behalf of himself and associates for the purchase of one million acres extending northward from the Ohio, between the Great and Little Miamis, but in consequence of failure to make payment the greater part of the pur chase reverted to Congress, the patent when issued covering but about three hundred thousand acres. Judge Symmes sold the large, natural amphitheater op posite the Licking River, to Mathias Den- man, of New Jersey, who entered into a contract with Colonel Patterson and Mr. Filson, of Kentucky, for laying out a town. Mr. Filson was killed by the Indians, and his interest became the prop erty of Israel Ludlow. Patterson and Ludlow, accompanied by a small party, arrived on the site of Cincinnati December 26, 1788. This may be considered the date of the founding of Cincinnati. A few block-houses had been erected the preceding month at the mouth of the Little Miami. In February following the arrival of Patterson's party, Judge Symmes, with a party of citizens and soldiers, descended the Ohio, and disembarked at the mouth of the Great Miami, where it was proposed to found a city destined to become the metropolis of the West, but unfortunately the site was inundated by spring floods, necessitating abandonment of the cherished project. Judge Symmes, determined to be the founder of a city, then laid out a town extending from the Ohio to the Miami. But nature had formed another place for the Western metropolis, which, unfortunately for the projector of the Miami settlement, he had sold. North Bend was the name given by Symmes to his town, Losantiville to the town in the amphitheater, which was soon changed to Cincinnati, and the town at the mouth of the Little Miami founded by Colonel Stiles, was named Columbia. The three villages were rivals for a. short time, but the establishment of Fort Wash ington in June, 1789, and its occupation by three hundred soldiers under command of General Harmar probably turned the tide in favor of Cincinnati. The original settlers of these villages were mostly from New Jersey, and recruits for a number of years came from the same place. Thus was planted in the Miami Valleys the civilization, temperament and hereditary bias of the "Red Sand State," — Hollander and English tinctured with Swedish blood. The third settlement* in Ohio, and the first foreign colonization, was made oppo site the Big Kanawha in the summer of 1791. We have mentioned the joint ne gotiations of William Duer of New York, and Mannasseh Cutler, for the purchase of an extensive tract, bounded by the Ohio River on the south and extending northward betwen the first seven ranges to the Scioto. A patent for the whole tract was issued to the Ohio Company; but two days afterward, all of the tract ly ing west of the seventeenth range was trans ferred to the Scioto Company, of which Duer was chief. The Scioto Company at once took measures for the disposition of its lands, foreign colonization being the favoriteand novel scheme. Joel Barlow, the poet, was sent to France, then in the days of its discontent and revolution. His rose ate descriptions pictured an Arcadia, of which Fair Haven was the destined capital. Attentive listeners saw noble forests, consist ing of trees that spontaneously produce sugar, and a plant that yields ready-made * By the term ' ' settlement " we mean the clusters of related posts and villages. 58 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. candles, gracefully rising from la belle riviere, a pure stream abounding in excel lent fish of vast size. To live in a land of plenty with no taxes to pay and no mili tary services to perform, was the fair vision of this trancendent land which influenced a large company, composed chiefly of carv ers and gilders, coach-makers, friseurs, and other artistes. Less than a dozen heavy la borers embarked in the enterprise. Deeds for their land, handsomely printed in high colors, raised still higher the delusive an ticipation that their journey was to a Fair Haven in fact as well as in name. The Scioto Company employed Gen eral Rufus Putnam, of the Ohio Company association, to locate a village and prepare homes for the immigrants. Fair Haven, located opposite the mouth of the Kanaw ha, was found to be below the high-water mark, which induced General Putnam to locate Gallipolis (City of the French) four miles below upon a high bank. A detail of forty laborers, under Major Burnham, cleared a small tract of land, and built block-houses and cabins, arranged in four rows, twenty in each row. The Company had also contracted with the Ohio Com pany to furnish the colony with provisions, but having failed to make payment for labor already discharged, the French were left in a pitiful condition. The disheart- enment of disappointment on their arrival at the promised paradise became utter de jection when they learned that the Scioto Company had never paid for the land, and in consequence could give no title. These deluded foreigners, enured to ten der-handed employments, were thrown into the pioneer battle under the greatest dis advantages. In constant danger of an attack from Jndians, suffering from sick ness, and without money, they were una ble to do for themselves as settlers at the other openings along the river were doing. They were provided for by an act of Con gress, in 1798, which set apart for them a tract of land known as the French Grant, east of the mouth of the Scioto. Many remained at the original place of settle ment; others, disgusted with the imposi tion practiced upon them, found homes at other places — Vincennes, St. Louis, Kas- kaskia, and St. Genevieve. We have not included Gallipolis as one of the centres of settlement because the original colony, although it has left its impress upon its own locality has never asserted itself in affairs of the State. TheVirginia Military District is one of the most interesting historical divisions of the State. It became practically an extension of Virginia into Ohio, between the Scioto and the Little Miami, as far north as the centre of the State. As has been noticed in a preceding chapter, Virginia, of which Kentucky was a part, reserved in her act of cession of all claims to lands northwest of the Ohio, this extensive tract to be ap propriated as bounty to her own troops in the war of the Revolution. General Na thaniel Massie was appointed by the State Government tomakeasurvey of the District, and for some time carried on the work by making expeditions with his party through the present territory of Kentucky. In the winter of 1790-91, encouraged, no doubt, by the flourishing progress of the settle ments at the mouth of the Muskingum and at the Miamis, Massie determined to plant a colony on Virginia soil. Such a settlement would afford his party protec tion from danger and exposure while pros ecuting the survey. The site of Manches ter was chosen and a town laid off in lots. The adjoining tracts were surveyed into an equal number of out-lots of larger size. He gave general notice through Kentucky of his intention to found a town, and of fered to the first twenty-five families one out-lot and one in-lot, and one hundred acres of land. His terms were quickly HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 59 accepted by upwards of thirty families. The company arrived in March, 1791, and went to work with a will. In a short time each family had a cabin, and the whole village was enclosed with a strong stock ade, with block-houses at each angle. The Indian war was at its hottest when this colony crossed the river and built their fort, but "it suffered less from depredation and even interruption by Indians than any settlement previously made on the Ohio River. This was, no doubt, due to the watchful band of brave spirits who guarded the place — men who were reared in the midst of danger, and inured to peril, and as watchful as hawks."* This settlement was known as Massie's Station for a few years. The name was changed to Manchester. A general border war, which had been waged industriously on both sides between the Ohio tribes and the Pennsylvania and Virginia borderers for a long term of years, assumed more alarming proportions with the opening of the year 1791. The first attack on. the north side of the Ohio was at Big Bottom, on the 2d of January. That bloody surprise, in which fourteen persons were slain and five taken captive,! marks the opening of a period of distress and peril for the pioneers of Ohio. Lower Sandusky's part in the history of that pe riod has been shown. For four years im migration was almost at a standstill, and at the settlements unceasing danger from a clandestine enemy held in check mate rial improvement. The reporr. of Wayne's decisive victory on the Maumee was a joyful message to the garrisoned settlers along the Ohio. That event marks the beginning of the second epoch of Ohio history, an epoch full of activity and one which moulded the * McDonald's Western Sketches. f One of the captives was the father of a highly re spected citizen of this county, Charles Choate. political destinies of the State. The boundless possibilities of the West was no longer a speculation. Colonization and war together had disseminated through the East a knowledge of the fertility of the soil and transportation facilities. Peace opened the garrisons, and the valleys of every river resounded with the woodman's axe. "Never since the golden age of the poets," says an old writer, "did the 'siren song of peace and harmony' reach so many ears or gladden so many hearts as after Wayne's treaty in 1795." Never did a people, we may add, engage with such earnestness of purpose in the in calculable task of hewing a great State out of an unbroken forest. The village of Cincinnati, which in 1792 had a population of about two hun dred, increased to upwards of six hundred souls before the close of 1796. Popula- - tion spread northward from Cincinnati, and was characteristically Jersey, but there was a considerable mixture of people from other Eastern States. Hamilton, Butler county, was laid out in 1794, and settled soon afterward. Dayton, Montgomery county, and Franklin, Warren county, were settled in 1796. An attempt was made by Massie, in 1795, to found a town in the heart of the Virginia Military District, but Indian hos tilities defeated his scheme. The follow ing year the attempt was repeated with a more favorable result. Chillicothe was laid out early in 1796, and became by far the largest town in the District, and first capital of the State of Ohio. The pioneers of the military tract came through the passes of the Blue Ridge, bringing with them the institutions of the Old Dominion, except slavery, which was fortunately barred beyond the Ohio by the ordinance of 1787. The contrast between the Vir ginian ot the Scioto and his Eastern neigh- 6o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. bor, the New Englander of the Muskingum, was as marked as the difference in the character of their native States. The Virginian proudly traced his ancestry to English nobility, and claimed the blood of Norman and Cavalier; his neighbor at Marietta turned to the New England Reg ister of Genealogy, and followed his line of descent to the Puritan Nonconformist who came to America for religious free dom. These two elements have been, since before the formation of the State Constitution, opposing forces in State pol itics, at times on the floors of legislation, fighting each other as bitterly as the re spective States from which they sprung. We have now hurriedly sketched the founding and growth of the three southern and oldest centres of settlement. The fourth division in order of settlement, but first entered by Federal surveyors, was the seven ranges. The survey of these - ranges was commenced in compliance with an ordinance of Congress passed in 1785. The seven ranges extend seven townships west from the Pennsylvania line, and from the Ohio River to the fortieth par allel of latitude. Most of the settlers came over the Alleghanies from Eastern Pennsyl vania. Many are of Quaker .descent, but a larger proportion are of German origin. Some of the counties were partially settled from other States. There is less homogenity of race and training in this than in any other of the five centres of early settle ment. In this respect it is like the United States Military Reservation lying just west of it and extending to the Scioto. This tract was set apart to satisfy Revolu tionary bounties, and in consequence drew its population from all the States. Settle ments were made simultaneously in several parts of the seven ranges as soon as Indian hostilities were suppressed. Steu- benville, one of the oldest of the towns which flourished, was founded in 1798. The county of Jefferson was erected in 1797. The Northwestern Indian Reservation, of which Sandusky county is a. part, drew largely from the seven ranges and from the Military Reservation. These two di visions are coupled together as one centre of settlement, the character of the mixed population being about the same in each. The Connecticut Western Reserve is the largest tract in the State possessing a homogeneous population. Extending westward from the Pennsylvania line to the east line of Sandusky county, and from the forty-first parallel to the lake, it con tains an area of more than three million three hundred thousand acres, and is set tled even to this time almost wholly by people of Connecticut stock. In a previous chapter relating to the ownership of the Northwest, it was seen that the dispute between the States aris ing from indefinite colonial titles to West ern lands, was finally settled by the States ceding their claims to the Federal Govern ment. "The last tardy and reluctant sac rifice" was made by Connecticut, in 1786, with this extensive reservation, which it was supposed by the Legislature would eventually become a new State — New Connecticut — almost commensurate with the parent Commonwealth. Another dis pute arose, when, in 1788, Governor St. Clair, in obedience to the ordinance of 1787, organized the Territory into counties, constituting all that part east of the Cuya hoga, the Tuscarawas and the Scioto, Washington county, with Marietta as the county seat. This proclamation was deemed by Connecticut an interference with territory over which she had sole juris diction. The first tract of land disposed of by the State, was sold in 1786 to General Samuel Parsons. It consisted of twenty- four thousand acres, lying partly in each of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 61 the present counties of Mahoning and Trumbull. He had heard that there were available saline springs on the tract, and made the purchase for speculative pur poses. His expectations were never realized, and he was drowned in the Beaver River, three years afterward. He never paid for the land and it reverted to the State of Connecticut, the original grantee of the patent. The Fire-hinds, embracing the present counties of Huron and Erie, was the next section carved off from her Western posses. sions by the State. During the Revolution, British invading parties were the special terror of Connecticut. Most of her able- bodied men were in the army, leaving the State with a. feeble guard against hasty ex ploits from the royal headquarters at New York. Nine towns were thus plundered and laid waste, mostly by fire, and the in habitants of one of them massacred. The sufferers, after the war appealed to the Legislature for relief, and, after several years discussion and delay, they were voted an appropriation of five hundred thousand acres, to be surveyed off from the western part of the Reserve, and distributed in proportion to their losses. The settlement of this district did not commence until about r8o8, owing to Indian occupation and fear of hostilities. The Legislature of Connecticut took the first measures towards the sale of the State's Western lands in October, 1786, when a resolution was passed directing a survey of all that part of the Reserve east of the Cuyahoga and the portage leading from the Cuyahoga to the Tuscarawas. The resolutions also directed the sale of the land at fifty cents an acre, in the pub lic securities of that day. No sales were made, except to Parsons, under this reso lution, which was displaced by another resolution changing the method of sale, in 1795. The Company plan, which had proved successful in the southern part of the Territory, was finally adopted by Con necticut. In May, 1795, a committee was appointed to receive propositions for the purchase of all the unappropriated lands in the Reserve, and to make the best con tract possible for the State, the committee being empowered to give deeds to the purchasers. One million dollars in specie was the minimum price fixed by the Legis lature, and specie or specie notes only were to be received as payment. The committee succeeded in making the sale in September, 1795, to a company of thirty-five persons, at the sum of one million two hundred thousand dollars. This sum became the basis of the Con necticut school fund, which now amounts to about two million dollars. The trans fer was made to the Connecticut Land Company, which was incorporated under the laws of Connecticut. An act was also passed incorporating the proprietors of the Fire-lands. These acts granted politi cal jurisdiction over transferred lands, under authority of the State of Connecti cut. It will be seen that by this- act prac tically a dual government was created in Northeastern Ohio. The Reserve, by the ordinance of 1787, was made a part of the Northwest Territory, the United States recognizing the reservation, by Connecti cut, of a proprietary right to the soil, but claiming absolute political jurisdiction. This intricate conflict of claims was finally settled in 1800, by Connecticut abandon ing her pretensions and recognizing the political authority of the Territorial Gov ernment. The leading man in the Connecticut Land Company, and the heaviest stock holder, was Oliver Phelps. A deed was made by the State to each purchaser, giving him absolute title to a number of acres proportional to the amount of stock sub scribed. The buyers, for convenience, 62 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. transferred the whole tract to three trus tees. The company was enlarged to four hundred shares at three thousand dollars a share. The management of its affairs was entrusted to a board of eight directors. General Moses Cleaveland was appointed surveyor of the Company, with instructions to lay off all that part of the Reserve east of the Cuyahoga in townships of not less than sixteen thousand square miles, and to lay out a town at the mouth of the Cuyahoga. Washington, Jefferson, and other statesmen of the times, who took a live interest in Western settlement, looked upon the mouth of the Cuyahoga as des tined to become an important commercial point. This prediction, widely entertained, led to the selection of the site of the pros pective capital of New Connecticut, for the authority of the Northwest Territory had not yet been accepted. The survey ing party commenced early in July, 1796, and reached the mouth of the Cuyahoga in October, where a town was laid out in accordance with the direction of the com pany, and named Cleaveland, in honor of the veteran chief of the corps. A small settlement was made that fall, but the growth of the village was slow, discourag ingly slow, in comparison with the flour ishing towns on the Ohio. At the end of the first year the population was fifteen. Three years later there were but seven residents, and in 1810 only fifty seven. A feeble settlement was made at Conneaut the next year after Cleaveland was founded, and several openings were made in the Mahoning Valley during the next few years. The Mahoning country was more accessi ble, and consequently grew faster than the northern part. Warren was the most im portant point on the Reserve for a number of years, and contained, in 1801, thir ty-five families. Trumbull county was or ganized in 1800, with Warren as the county seat. If the growth of the Reserve at first was slow, the superiority of its soil finally became known, and New Connecticut has grown within the last seventy years, with remarkable rapidity. Chillicothe, the principal town of the far famed Scioto Valley, founded but a few months before Cleveland, became the first capital and second city of the State, while the Reserve was yet scarcely a factor in pol itics. In 1880 there were within the Reserve four cities outrivalling in size and industry the Virginian city of the Scioto. The seventh division into which pa tents, grants, and treaties carved the terri tory of Ohio, is the one including San dusky county. It was almost without white habitation at the opening of the period which closes this brief outline of the growth of. Ohio. It was upon the native population of this Northwestern Indian reservation that the British arms, in 1812, depended for their chief assistance. The frontier line of settlements, at the opening of that struggle, extended from Lake Erie at Huron, southward through Richland, Delaware, and Champaign coun ties, thence westward to beyond the Miami and Indiana line. The early settlers of Ohio, without ex ception, were superior men. The dangers of the frontier kept back all who were lacking in courage or incapable of endur ing physical hardships. Even in the lull of supposed peace there was constant danger of an attack from red warriors, kindled to vengeance by a real or sup posed injury. In 1810 the population of the State was 230,760; the vote for governor, in 1812, was 19,752, and at different times during the war, then actu ally in progress, more than twenty thou sand Ohio troops were in the field, more than the entire number of votes cast at an important State election. The first county proclaimed by the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 63 Governor was Washington, embracing about half the present territory of Ohio, and reaching from the mouth of the Cuy ahoga to the mouth of the Scioto. Ham ilton county was proclaimed in 1790. De troit was occupied by American troops in 1796, and made the seat of a new county — Wayne — which embraced the whole ter ritory of Michigan, Northwestern Ohio and Northern Indiana. The Virginia Military District was erected into a county in 1797. The same year Washington county was divided, the northern half be ing set off as Jefferson county, with Steubenville as the county seat. Adams was divided by the erection of Ross in 1798, and Jefferson by the erection of Trumbull in 1800. Trumbull was the first county of the Reserve. Several coun ties were foimed in the Reserve between 1800 and 1809, when Huron was erected. The treaty of Maumee Rapids, the in evitable sequence of the issue of the War of 181 2, brought into market all North western Ohio except the Indian reserva tions, and by an act of the Legislature the tract thus fully acquired was carved into counties in 1820. Indiana Territory was set off by an act of Congress in 1800, and in 1802 an enab ling act was passed authorizing the people of Ohio to elect delegates to a convention for the formation of a State constitution as a preliminary step to admission into the Union. The act admitted delegates only from that part of the Territory compre hended by the ordinance of 1787, as the most eastern of the five States into which it was proposed to divide the Northwest. This act cut off the northern county of the Territory (now the eastern part of Michigan), and brought upon Congress the charge of endeavoring to erect the State for partisan purposes. One of the duties of the convention was to define the boundaries of the new State. The ordinance made the western boundary a line running due north from the mouth of the Miami River, and the northern boundary a line running east from the southern bend of Lake Michi gan. This line was not yet surveyed in 1802, but the convention, acting on the hypothesis that it was the intent of the ordinance to include Maumee Bay in the Eastern State, resolved that the northern boundary should be a line running from the most northerly cape of Maumee Bay to the southern bend of Lake Michigan. The Constitutional Convention finished its labors in November, and the document became the fundamental law of the State without being submitted to the people. Congress recognized Ohio as a member of the Federal Union in February, 1803.* It is not the purpose of this chapter to trace the civil history of the State, but only to present such a view as will show the chronological and ethnological rela tions of Sandusky county, and the events of a general character which have affected its history. The Constitutional Convention's defi nition of the northern boundary was for many years the subject of serious dispute and eventually threatened to involve the State in war ; indeed more than threatened — war was actually begun. The convention determined the line on the principles on which courts of chancery construe con tracts. The map on file in the State De partment, and used by the committee which framed the ordinance of 1787, marked the southern extreme of Lake Michigan far north of its real position, and a line was drawn due east which in tersected the western coast of Lake Erie north of the Raisin River. This line was *The date of admission is variously given as April, r8o2, (the date of the passage of the en abling act), November, 1802, and February, 19, 1803. The latter date has the best claim. 64 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY manifestly intended to be the boundary of the new State when formed. The ap prehension caused among the members by an old hunter's statement that a line drawn due east would cut off Maumee Bay, which was manifestly intended by Congress to belong to Ohio, induced the convention to change the line prescribed by the language of the ordinance in order to make certain of saving to the State the valuable harbor at the mouth of the Mau mee.* The question of jurisdiction over the territory lying between the line prescribed by the Ohio Constitution and the line prescribed by the ordinance, first came up in 1812, the population of the disputed tract at that time being fifty families. Nearly all desired the jurisdiction of Ohio, except a few officers serving under the government of Michigan, and determined to enforce the laws of that Territory.! Conflicting claims in 1835 caused an open rupture in which Sandusky county participated. This conflict is detailed in another chapter. Its origin was in the in terpretation and definition by the State Convention, of an act of the Federal Con gress. It remains to close this chapter with a summary of an episode in National his tory and an epoch of pre-eminent con sequence in local history. We say an epi sode in National history, for although the blood of America's bravest citizens and England's trained soldiers stained the hardly contested battlefields of three cam paigns, although the Federal Treasury was depleted, private estates bankrupted and the occupations of peace well nigh de stroyed, the result in an international sense was negative. We have called the war an epoch in local history because it was the opening wedge to white settle- *Burnet's Notes. f Burnet's Notes, ment, from the Sandusky Valley to the Maumee. Nearly all the able-bodied men of Ohio were brought into the field, and the expanse of forest inhabited only by rebellious Indians, which lay between the British western headquarters and the Ohio settlements, was an important part of that field. Men of sufficient sturdiness, self-respect and courage to volunteer in defense of their homes bivouacked in the heavy forests of the Northwest, perceived the unbounded wealth of the soil and dis cussed around cheerful camp fires the probable future of the wilderness and ad vantages of early settlement. Many even blazed on the trees the chosen locality of their future home. Forts and permanent camps made openings in the wilderness, were the centres of army trails, attracted traders and tradesmen, and thus became incipient villages. The complementary local result of the war was its weakening and demoralizing effect upon the Indians to whom this region had been guaranteed a home inviolable as long as they main tained peace with the United States. In the previous chapter we called atten tion to the ambition of Tecumseh, and his operations looking toward the estab lishment of an Indian empire in the West. He was encouraged and aided in his scheme by agents of the British Govern ment, who desired to have an organized force of braves ready to follow the stand ard of the crown in the event of probable conflict with the United States. The European powers had, for a long time, been engaged in war, and successive mil itary decrees involved serious commercial complications. England, as a war meas ure, claimed the right to search all neutral vessels, and under this pretense hundreds of American seamen were impressed on board British ships. Congress threatened war, but the threat only made English agents more active in spreading the fire- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 65 brands of discontent and rebellion among the Western tribes. The attitude of the Wyandots has al ready been touched upon. Crane and his cabinet of chiefs foresaw in the ap proaching conflict certain destruction for their nation, and exercised their utmost efforts to prevent the calamity by main taining neutrality. The disaster to Te-< cumseh's cause at Tippecanoe, in 181 1, further impressed them with the futility of war, and threatened to crush the confed eracy before it had been completed. It was Tecumseh's plan to refrain from at tack upon the white settlements until the conflict with Great Britain should be in actual progress, but the battle of Tippe canoe was precipitated by the Prophet while Tecumseh was on a diplomatic mis sion among the Creeks, in the South. That battle disclosed to the Americans the dan gers of the situation, and the extent to which British influence had been exerted among the Indians. Interference with American trade, en forced by the blockade system, the im pressment of American sailors, and the encouragement given the Indians supple mented by supplying them with arms, induced Congress in June, 1812, to de clare war. Although this ultra measure had long been contemplated, our Govern ment was totally unprepared for the con flict, which accounts for the disgraceful series of blundering during the first year of its progress. To General Hull, Territorial Governor of Michigan, with headquarters at Detroit, was given the important commission to make an invasion of Upper Canada; but, through the imbecility of that officer, the project was a total failure, and for the same reason Detroit fell into the hands of the British, without a blow, on the 15th of August. This disaster spread the greatest apprehension throughout Ohio. The Northwestern army, composed of fourteen hundred brave men, were now prisoners of war; the British command of the lakes was absolute; the Territory of Michigan was in the possession of foreign troops and their Indian allies, and nothing was left to prevent an invasion into Ohio. The militia of the Reserve, under General Wadsworth, turned out almost to a man, and in little more than two weeks from the first announcement of Hull's surrender at Cleveland, an army of raw farmers and woodsmen were encamped on the Huron River. • , Before the close of the summer British arms presided over the Upper Lakes, Fort Dearborn, the last American post, falling victim to a most horrid Indian massacre. During the winter of 181 2-13 warlike preparations were pushed in the Northwest with the spirit of self-defence. Harrison, with an army of volunteers, occupied the northwest of Ohio, constructed forts and garrisoned every strong point, so that at the opening of spring a greater feeling of security prevailed, and able-bodied men , followed the army with less apprehension concerning the safety of their homes. It is not within our province to follow this conflict, which opened with defeat, disas ter and disgrace, except one desperate scene, which is fully treated in a separate chapter. Croghan's gallant and success ful defence of Fort Stephenson turned the tide in favor of the volunteer arms. Perry followed by making the flag of the Re public master of Lake Erie, and Harrison complemented these achievements by to tally .defeating Proctor and extinguishing the allied Indian force under Tecumseh on the Thames. The bullet which mor tally wounded Tecumseh -killed British in fluence over the Northwestern Indians, and secured the people of Ohio perpetu ally against incursions from that source. Jackson, at New Orleans, crowned the 66 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. series of brilliant victories, and gave per petual luster to American arms. During the whole contest the conduct of the State Government was as patriotic and honorable as the devoted bravery of her troops was eminent. When the ne cessities of the National Treasury com pelled Congress to resort to a direct tax, Ohio, for successive years, cheerfully as sumed and promptly paid her quota out of the State Treasury.* There was, at first, a difference of opinion with regard to the expediency of war, out when a foreign army landed on our shores her citizens cheerfully volunteered, and Ohio's blood stained every important battle-field in the Northwest. *CHAPTER VI. PRE-HISTORIC RACES. The Cave-Dwellers — Mound Builders — Their Fortifications and Works in the County — Description and Location of the Works — The Stone Workers. THE CAVE-DWELLERS. THAT there was a race of men who dwelt in caves made in the rocks, who inhabited this continent, or parts of it, is now pretty well settled among those. who search" for ancient traces of man kind. Much inquiry has been made in this direction by earnest and learned men, and the facts gathered furnish strong circumstantial,- if not positive evidence that some of the Cave-dwellers inhabited different parts of Ohio, and that they were the first inhabitants. Among the proofs adduced to establish the existence of the Cave-dwellers, we find that some time ago Colonel Whittlesey, who was President of the Northern Ohio Historical Society, made an exploration along the Cuyahoga River, from its source to its mouth, and reported that he found artificial habitations made in the rocks forming the north side of the river, which, though narrow, has •The following chapters, up to and including parts of the history of Fremont, were written by Hon. Homer Everett, cut a channel down the north side of the dividing ridge between that river and the Tuscarawas. He found that in some places the chasm was made deeper than the stream is wide at its head, and on the sides were caves containing human bones and bones of animals, showing that they were once inhabited by human beings. General Bierce, who published a history of Summit county, corroborates, from personal observation, the statements of Colonel Whittlesey as to the caves. • Gen eral Bierce also shows that in Green township, formerly of Stark county, now of Summit, on the east side of the Tusca rawas River, great numbers of stones were found by the white settlers of Stark coun ty on an elevated plateau. These stones varied from four to six feet in circumfer ence and were elevated a little above the earth's surface, with a comparatively even surface on top. On these stones it was supposed sacrifices of human beings were made to appease the wrath or propitiate *S. P. Chase. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 67 the favors of some ancient god or gods. Near- by the place where these stones were found was the Indian trail used in passing from the Sandusky country to the Ohio River. The trail ran along the elevated ridge on which these stones were found. But no evidence was found about these stone altars either of calcined bones of burnt prisoners, or of charred wood, or of implements to indicate that the altars had been made use of for any purpose by the modern Indians; and in the absence of other evidence, the conclusion is that the altars were erected by the ancient race domiciled in the caves, and who were prohably the first of mankind in Ohio. Mr. Whittlesey, in passing down the Cuya hoga, found earthworks and other evi dences of a later race than the Cave- dwellers, and further on toward the lake he found what approaches to be regular fortifications, evincing a still higher civili zation than the earthworks already men tioned; but he leaves his readers to form their own conclusion. From the facts given here by Colonel Whittlesey and General Bierce, taken in connection with the better and the un doubted testimony which the Mound Builders have left of their existence, and interpreting the works each race has left on. the earth, as they came and passed in successive ages, we may quite reasonably conclude that first came the Cave-dwellers into this land to inhabit it. Second, there succeeded them at some time another race who had invented implements, and could erect earthworks for defences, and who piled it up into great mounds for burial, sacrificial, or military purposes. Thirdly, came a race who worked stone and earth and with their improved imple ments, made regular fortifications and places of abode or worship. Fourthly came a race of red men who afterwards kicked down the stone altars and de stroyed the earthworks of their predeces sors, struck fire from flint, burned all they could of the structures of the more an cient races, using for themselves the bow and arrow and stone hatchets and stone arrow heads, with bark canoes and thongs of the -hides of animals for fishing and hunting purposes, while the mounds of earth raised by the more ancient races were left unharmed, as places for lookout, or of burial for their chiefs and warriors; Thus seems to read the inscriptions made by the ancient races on the surface of the earth, as far as they have been yet inter preted by observation, science and reasom WHENCE CAME THE CAVE-DWELLERS. Where these most ancient of the inhab itants of our continent, the Cave-dwellers, came from, is a question which perhaps may never be satisfactorily answered. But certain geological facts may help to con jecture whence they came. First, it is said by the most learned geologists of the time, that certain portions of this conti nent are the oldest portions of the earth's surface, and contain its Eozoic crust with out evidence of marine beds or other proofs of submergence by any floods since that day. Certain areas in northern New York, Canada, Labrador, and west of the Mississippi, in Missouri, Arkansas, Dako ta, and Nebraska remain as in the Eozoic time, or time when there was no life. Second, from the Mississippi River to the. Atlantic Ocean no sea has ever overflowed these parts of the continent since the close of the carboniferous age or the age which produced the plants and forests but of which coal was formed.* Third, at the time the carboniferous sea disappeared the water-shed holding back the mass of waters of the lake existed and on which dry land first appeared in Ohio. This water-shed traversed the State from south- *See Dana's Geology, 135, 136, 137, and 138. 68 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. west to northeast, in the direction of the Canadian highlands. Mr. Atwatef,the antiquarian, in his work on the antiquities of America, holds the opinion that the people who put up stone altars, earthworks, and fortifications, com menced that work at the head of the north ern lakes, thence moved along their borders into what is now western New York, thence in a southwestern direction, following the rivers to the Ohio River and down the Ohio and Mississippi, thence to the city of Mex ico, as now known, where they had their central power, and from which locality they radiated colonies into what is known as South America, and other countries. But whence came the Cave-dwellers is a question still unsolved. Some speculations are found about it, such as that at one time the islands in the Atlantic, North or South were once so approximate as to al low convenient transit from continent to continent, and that afterwards upheavals in the ocean and the sinking of these islands left a greater expanse of water. That crossing was once effected by way of Greenland, and thereby a race was planted on this continent — others claiming that man was as indiginous to this continent as to the Eastern hemisphere. These specu lations are of little value in settling the query, and leave the question still unan swered and surrounded with that mist and darkness which bounds the region of ascer tained facts. There are as yet no discov ered traces of. this race in Sandusky county; still, the nearness of them to us makes the mention of them pertinent, while the facts discovered are interesting to all. MOUND BUILDERS AND THEIR WORKS. The subsidence of the waters of the glacial period of the earth, which geologists say formed the great chain of lakes whose waters flow over the Falls of Niagara in such awful grandeur, sending the lowest bass of perpetual thunder against the re verberating hills around, left the region of country called Northwestern Ohio, of which Sandusky county is a part, a great plain slightly inclined from the south to wards the north, its northern termination but little elevated generally above the level of the lake which bounds it at the present time. The region was generally almost level, and, though swampy, was chiefly covered with a dense growth of large forest trees of considerable variety. The singular absence of high hills, low valleys, high rocks, and intervening ra vines, which made this country ineligi ble to the Cave-dwellers, rendered it also a rather uninviting location to the Mound and Fort Builders. The works of the suc cessors to the Cave dwellers are therefore not as numerous nor as striking to the be holder as they are in many other localities. But, notwithstanding this unfavorable fea ture in the surface of the county, there are yet found within its limits sufficient of these works to prove that this ancient race, or these ancient races of men, were once here. There were, a few years ago, the re mains of a line of earthen forts, supposed to be for defence, extending from Muskash Point, now in Erie county, along south and eastward on the solid lands along the marshes of Sandusky Bay to the Sandusky River, striking the river in section twelve, township five, range fifteen; thence up the river to Negro Point, on the Williams Re serve, in section fourteen, and along up the river on the high bank or hill along the river on the east side, up to near the north line of Seneca county. Mr. Michael Stull, an aged farmer now residing in section twelve, Riley township, says that in 1820 he came to Muskash and owned a piece of land there on which were the remains of a considerable ancient fort. The walls were of earth, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 69 with openings or gates. The fort was in a circular form and inclosing several acres of ground. In this fort he found flint arrow-heads, stone axes, and numerous specimens in various forms of rude pottery which appeared to have been made of burnt clay, largely mixed with pounded shells of clams or oysters. Another similar fort, with similar re mains in and about it, was found in sec tion one, Riley township. Then another on the farm now owned by Mr. Stull in section twelve in the same township. This fort or ancient structure is now entirely obliterated, and was, when the writer visited the place in August, 1879, part of a beautiful clover field, not revealing even a trace of its walls or form. Mr. Stull levelled it himself. It was, according to his description of it, circular in form, with two gates or openings opposite each other. The circle was about twenty rods in diameter. A distinguishing feature of this fort was that a part of the wall on the west side was made by piling soft lime stones, which were found in plenty on the surface of the land a short distance from its structure. The walls of this fort, when first seen by Mr. Stull, were about four feet high. The ridge of soft limestone had been covered on the sides and on top by earth to a considerable height; the other portions of the wall were composed of a ridge of earth only. Another ancient fort was found on the premises now or lately owned by Mr. J. Longan, in section twelve, township five, range fifteen. Another on land owned by Charles Werth, in the same section, and a little further up the river than that last men tioned. Another a little further up the river on the land now owned by Jacob Thorn, in the same section. Another on the Williams Reserve, still further up the river, in section fourteen, same township. This fort included five or six acres of land, and is situated partly on the land now owned by L. D. Williams, and partly on another tract. The five last mentioned of these ancient forts are in the form of semi-circles, the river form ing the arc. The bank of the river where these remains are found, is composed of earth which readily dissolves and washes away by the action of the water, and these works are on the side of the river on which the current and the motion given to the water by the winds spend their force, and where these forces have for a long time been encroaching. upon the land, which, in times past, was some distance away from the river. It is quite plain, therefore, that these, like the one at Muskash Point and the one on the Stull farm, were originally circular in form, and some distance from the perpendicular, low bank of the river, for all the remains of the other forts in this chain, unaffected by the wash of a stream, are in that form complete. There are evidences of another fort of the same kind above the Williams Reserve a short distance, on the high bank of the river, in section thirteen, township five, range fifteen. This work is different in form from those heretofore mentioned, be ing nearly square, and is supposed to in clude about three acres of land. It is situated at a place where there was once an Indian village called Muncietown, about three miles below the city of Fre mont. Another and larger ancient fort was found a little down the river from the res idence of Mr. L. D, Williams, which, he says, was a circle and inclosed about ten acres of land. A MOUND. Near the fort next above the residence of Mr. Williams, and not far from it, was found a mound about fifty feet in diam- 7o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY eter, which must originally have been raised to a considerable altitude, and must have been of very ancient construction. Mr. Williams says that about the year 1820 he assisted in cutting down a white- oak tree which stood on the very summit of the mound, for the purpose of captur ing a swarm of bees which had long been in the tree, and that this tree was then near three feet in diameter. At the time this tree was cut the elevation of the mound was about eight feet above the general level of the surrounding land. The mound was afterwards opened by Mr. John Shannon, of this county, and his brother, about the year 1840. The mound had then attracted considerable observation and much specu lation among the observers as to what it was raised for, and what might be in it. One night Mr. Shannon's brother dreamed that there was a large wedge of gold buried under this mound, and communi cated his dream as a profound secret, and the two were so strongly impressed with the belief that the gold wedge was there that they, being then young men, re solved to dig open the mound at all events, and see what was in or under it. The stump of the oak had then so far decayed that it was removed without much diffi culty. On removing the earth from a con siderable space and a little below the gen eral level of the surface around the mound, they found, not the gold wedge dreamed of, but the teeth of a human being in good preservation. Upon further carefully removing the earth they found, marked in a different colored earth from that sur rounding it, the figure of a man of giant size, plainly to be seen. Where the breast of the buried man had lain were found two oval-shaped plates of white mica. One of these plates had been, or appeared to have been, perforated, as there was a round hole in it near the centre, such as might have been made by a rifle ball. On the other plate were dark streaks and spots, which the discoverers supposed might be characters or letters, understood at the time, recording the name and rank of the man who had been buried, and the cir cumstances of his death; but these infer ences can only be entitled to the rank of conjectures. Following the river up about two miles from the location of the mound above mentioned, the remains of another ancient fortification were found on the hill over looking the valley of the river of the opposite side below and both sides above. It included the block of lots once called the Whyler prop erty, on which he many years ago erected a brick cottage, which is still standing. Here the hill or bluff trends quite sharply to the east for some distance, and then curves southward, meeting the river again near where it is crossed by the Lake Shore railroad in the southern portion of the city. No more advantageous point for a fort and lookout can be found along the whole course of the Sandusky River than this one. Our informant* saw this fort before improvements had obliterated it. According to his description of the loca tion of these remains this fort was in the original plat of the town of Croghans- ville, on lots 649, 650, 667, 668, 669, 670, as now numbered on the present map of the city, and perhaps other and parts of other lots. There were a few years ago the remains of another fortification about two miles from the last mentioned, on the bluff com monly known as the Blue Banks, in sec tion ten, township four, range fifteen, in Ballville township. The remains of another ancient fort were discovered by our informant some distance from the river, on Sugar Creek, *Mr. Julius Patterson. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 7i in the south part of Ballville township, on the east side of the river.* There was also found a considerable mound on what is now out-lot thirty-three, a little to the left or east side of the road leading from the south end of Front street in the city of Fremont, to Ballville village. This mound was levelled and plowed over many years ago. In it were found some human bones, pottery, arrow heads, and stone axes, so common in these tumuli, but the fact that human skulls and other bones were found indi cated that the human remains had been placed there at a later date than that of the age of the Mound Builders. WHY DID THESE ANCIENT RACES COME AND FORTIFY HERE? If any one is curious enough to inquire what inducements existed to bring these ancient races to the region of country through which this line of ancient fortifica tions is found; why they should settle and fortify themselves along the marshes bor dering the Sandusky Bay, and the dry land along the banks of the Sandusky River, the answer could rationally be, that they were attracted hither by the health, beauty, or the grand scenery; or by advantageous localities for strong fortifications for de fence or aggressive war. The most ra tional and acceptable answer to these questions may be found in the fact that those races obtained their supplies of food by capturing the game in the woods and prairies, and in the waters in their vicinity. Credible accounts given by the early settlers of countries where the remains of these fortifications were found, all tend to prove that in all the re gions of the Northwest, there could be no point found where the locality afforded such a superabundance of superior game and fish in close proximity, as this. The *Mr. L. Leppelman. great abundance of deer, bear, turkeys and wild fowl of the woods; and of water fowl, such as swan, geese, brant, and crane, and ducks of great variety ; and such ani mals as beaver, otter, mink, etc., which the Indians and early white settlers de scribe as once being here, and the im mense quantity of excellent fish, show that no better point could be found for a race of men to locate who depended on the chase for food. THE STONE WORKERS. The evidence of the existence of a race of men who worked stone into weapons and clay into utensils, is abundant in the county. There are also proofs showing the great antiquity of this race. Mr. Albert Cavalier, residing on Mud Creek, in Rice township, this county, on section twenty-five, township six, range fifteen, a few years ago cleared a part of his land, which was level — no sign of mound or fort was perceptible. The trees were of white oak, very large and fine; some two and some as large as three feet in diame ter. On plowing the land, his plow threw up a great number of flint arrow-heads, stone axes, stone pipes, and pieces of pot tery composed of burnt clay mixed with pounded shells. These could not be seen on the surface, but were covered nearly to the depth of a furrow, and some were found under the stumps of the trees he had cut, when the stumps were removed. Mr. Cavalier deposited a variety of these ar ticles with the Historical Society, and they are now in Birchard Library. Mr. Lewis Leppelman, of this city, has been for some years gathering specimens of the same kind. He is entitled to great credit for the time, energy, and money he has spent to collect the largest variety and finest specimens of this kind of relics known in Nortwestern Ohio, and placing them also in Birchard Library, where they can be seen by all visitors. A description of all 72 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the varieties of this interesting collection, and where found, would alone make a volume. Mr. Leppelman would lay the public under still greater obligation by placing with them a descriptive catalogue, showing where each of the important pieces was found. This collection con tains not only stone arrow-heads, axes, and pipes in great variety, but a large number of specimens of other forms of stone, showing equal or more skill in their make, of which it is difficult to conjecture the use. Many of the specimens of Mr. Leppelman have the same form, and are of like material as those found in the lakes of Switzerland, and described and lith ographed in the Smithsonian Report of 1876, on page 356 and the four succeed ing pages. This valuable work proves very clearly that in Europe there were distinct periods marked by man's use of different material: first, the age of stone; second, the age of bronze; third, the age of iron. The age of stone seems to have for a long time been co-extensive with the races of men. The writer was lately informed by Mr. Samuel Ickes, now residing at Dead- wood, that some of the Western Indians still use the flint arrow-point for some purposes, such as killing small game with the arrow, and skinning deer and prepar ing the skin for various uses with the stone axe. CHAPTER VII. THE INDIANS. Indian Wars— General Wayne's Campaign— Battle of Fallen Timbers— Treaties— Grants of Land. THERE is, of course, no written history of the races of men who were here previous to the red men, found here when the whites first came. There is a blank of untold ages in the history of this Con tinent, and for many years after the country had been visited by white men, all the information concerning the race then occupying the country rests upon traditions. These traditions reach back to about the year 1790, or nearly one hundred years ago. They throw a dim light, but are sufficiently definite to be interesting, and to give some idea of the manners and customs of the people. NEUTRAL GROUND — THE TWO FORTS. That this locality was considered valu able and important by the Indians seems to be pretty well established. Hon. Lewis Cass, who was early familiar with all the Indian tribes of the Northwestern Terri tory, and had great facilities for obtaining information from and about them, as In dian agent of the United States, may be regarded as good authority. In a dis course before the Historical Society of Michigan, delivered September 18, 1829, he gives some interesting statements re specting a tribe called the Neutral Nation. The following is an extract from this in teresting and valuable paper : This Neutral Nation, so called by Father Sequard, was still in existence two centuries ago, when the French missionaries first reached the Upper Lakes. The details of their history and of their character and privileges are meagre and unsatisfactory, and this is to be the more regretted, as such a sanctuary among the barbarous is not only a singular institu- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 73 tion, but altogether at variance with that spirit of cruelty with which their wars were usually prose cuted. The Wyandot tradition represents them as having separated from the parent stock during the bloody wars between their own tribe and the Iro quois, and having fled to the Sandusky River for safety; that they here erected two forts within a short distance of each other, and assigned one to the Iroquois and the other to the Wyandots and their allies, where their war parties might find security and hospitality whenever they entered their country. Why so unusual a proposition was made and ac ceded to, tradition does not tell. It is probable, however, that superstition lent its aid to the institu tion, and that it may have been indebted for its origin to the feasts and dreams and juggling cere monies, which constituted the religion of the aborig ines. No other motive was sufficiently powerful to restrain the hand of violence and to counteract the threat of vengeance. An internal feud finally arose in this Neutral Nation, one party espousing the cause of the Iroquois and the other of their enemies; and like most civil wars, this was prosecuted with re lentless fury. Our informant says that since his recollection the remains of a red cedar post were yet to be seen, where prisoners were tied previous to being burned. The informant above alluded to by Gov ernor Cass, we have reason to Believe, was Major B. F. Stickney, of Toledo, long an Indian agent in this region. That there may have been such a tradition among the Indians we are unable to gainsay, but of its truth we have doubts. Major Stickney, in a lecture (as yet un published,) delivered February 28, 1845, before the Young Men's Association, of Toledo, says : The remains of extensive works of defence are now to be seen near Lower Sandusky. The Wyan dots have given me this account of them : At a pe riod of two centuries and a half or more since, all the Indians west of this point were at war with all the In dians east. Two walled towns were built near each other, and each was inhabited by those of Wyandot origin. They assumed a neutral character, and the Indians at war recognized that character. They might be called two neutral cities. All of the West might enter the western city, and all of the East the eastern. The inhabitants of one city might inform those of the other that war parties were there or had been there ; but who they were or whence they came, or anything more must not be mentioned. The war parties might remain there in security, tak ing their own time for departure. At the western town they suffered the warriors to burn their prison^ ers ; but those at the eastern would not practice this cruelty. (An old Wyandot informed me that he rec ollected, when a boy, the remains of a cedar post or stake at which they used to burn prisoners. ) The French historians tell us that these neutral cities were inhabited and their neutral character respected when they first came here. At length a quarrel arose be tween the two cities, and one destroyed the inhabit ants of the other. This put an end to the neu trality?*WHERE WERE THESE ANCIENT FORTS OR CITIES ? There is good reason to believe that one of them was at Muncietown, and that if the ancient fort, the remains of which were found there, was the work of a pre ceding race, the Wyandots, or rather a portion of the Wyandots called the Neu tral Nation, adopted and used it as a de fensive position and city of refuge as above suggested by Governor Cass and Major Stickney. Where the western fort or city of refuge was located is a matter not now so easily determined. Close in quiry of the oldest inhabitants about Fre mont at this time (1881) fails to obtain any tradition or account of any remains of any ancient fortification on the west bank of the river, nor can any such re mains be discovered at the present time. THE IROQUOIS OR SIX NATIONS. This name is used to designate a body of Indians, consisting at first of five, then of six and afterwards of eight nations, who planted themselves in Western New York and on the shores of Lakes Ontario and Erie. These nations formed a con federacy prior to 1722, but the precise date of its formation is not recorded. The confederacy consisted, when first known, of the following Nations of red men — Mohawks, Oneidas, Onondagas, Cayugas, and Senecas, to whom the Tus- caroras were added as a sixth Nation in 1722, and after that the organization was * Howe's History of Ohio. 74 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. called the Six Nations. In 1723 the Huron tribes were received; and as an eighth Nation the Algonquin Massassa- guas, from Canada. This Confederation was remarkable in many respects. It was the most permanent and powerful of the savage governments found in North America. Seeing the other tribes- destroying them selves by internal discords, the Iroquois formed themselves into a confederacy, in which the principles of military glory and tribal union were carried to the highest Indian perfection. They pursued war and hunting but returned to their fixed villages. Each canton or tribe was independent, and each bound to the others of the con federacy by ties of general interest and honor. Matters of a general interest were decided in a general meeting of the sa chems of all the nations, commonly held at Onondaga, New York. They followed the maxim used by the ancient Romans, of encouraging other nations to incorpo rate, and adopted captive people into their confederacy. In this way they became so strong that in the early part of the seventeenth century they had conquered all the neighboring tribes. Their sachems were chosen by the general voice, admit ting their courage and wisdom; these chiefs, in a true Roman simplicity, accept ing no salary, disregarding profit, and giv ing away their share of the plunder of war or the perquisites of peace, and thought themselves fully rewarded by the love and respect of the people. The Iroquois Na tion possessed conservative power in the State, being represented in the public councils and exercising a veto influence in the declaration of war. This was certainly very remarkable in a government found ed on military principles. Slavery was unknown among them. As in other re publican confederations, where no single person has power to compel, the arts of persuasion were highly cultivated. The Iroquois were celebrated for their elo quence; in proof of this we need only mention the Cayuga,' Logan; the Seneca, Red Jacket; the Oneida, Skenandoah ; and the Onandaga, Garangula. The famous Brandt was a half-breed Mohawk. The tradition of Hiawatha (a person of very great wisdom), who advised the union of the Five Nations, is given in Schoolcraft's History of the Indian Tribes, Volume III. The Iroquois took part with Great Britain during the war of the Revolution, and greatly annoyed the frontier settle ments of New York and New Jersey. A powerful expedition was sent against them in 1779, under command of General Sul livan, and their country was ravaged, and eighteen of their villages burned. This movement effectually broke their power, though their incursions did not im mediately cease. After the war treaties were made with them, by which extensive cessions of land were made to the United States. Other treaties followed until their title has been extinguished to all, or nearly all the land in the Northern, Eastern, Middle and Southern States. In the War of 181 2 their few remaining warriors assisted the Americans against the British, and were organized for military service under the command of General Porter. Repeated cessions of land have reduced their territory from the dimensions of an empire to that of a plantation. At the time the French missionaries found the Wyandots on the Georgian Bay, and, as Schoolcraft says, when the Canadas were first settled, they were found on the Island of Montreal, and probably about the time the great confederacy was formed, num bered forty thousand. The number of the Senecas is not given, but they were called "a powerful tribe occupying west ern New York and a part of northwestern Pennsylvania." Of course, the other na- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 75 tions of the confederacy must have been quite numerous. In 1855 the total re maining population of all the tribes be longing to the confederacy was only six thousand souls, scattered in New York, Wisconsin, Arkansas and Missouri.* The historian says, after describing this powerful confederacy : In this way their strength became such that in the early part of the seventeenth century they had con quered all the neighboring tribes, and doubtless, .in a hundred years, had the whites not colonized America, would have absorbed all the nations from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It is interesting to notice that in the formation of the confederacy we find in this organization of the red men of North America, the model of the confederation of the subsequent colonies of white men to resist the oppressions of Great Britain. This great and powerful confederacy of the North American Indians is broken, and the people are few and scattered. The confederation of the white men served well so long as a common danger threatened the colonies, but our fathers saw its weakness, and met and formed "a more perfect union," by which we were made a Nation, one and indissoluble, under a written constitution, securing the right of the Nation, of the people and the States ; and neither the wild waves of civil discord, nor the power of external force have been able to break it. THE NAME. The different names by which men be- ' longing to this Indian confederacy have been designated in history, has given rise to much confusion and misunderstanding. 'It is therefore proper to state that the French called them Iroquois; the Dutch, Maquas; by other Indians, Mengive, and thence by the English, Mingoes or Mo hawks, so that when we read the story about Logan, the Mingo chief, and his * American Cyclopedia. famous speech, the word Mingo does not signify his tribe or nation, but that he was of the confederacy. In fact, he was of the blood of the Mohawks, a nation who joined the confederacy. EXTENT OF THE CONQUESTS OF THE SIX NATIONS. Before 1680 the Six Nations had over run the Western lands, and were dreaded from Lakes Erie and Michigan to the Ohio and west to the Mississippi. In 1673 Allouez and Dablon found the Mi amis upon Lake Michigan fearing a visit from the Iroquois. It appears that in 1684, by treaty, and again in 1701 the Six Nations conveyed this vast domain to Great Britain, "in trust to be defended by his Majesty the King, to and for the use of the grantors and their heirs." The title to this vast domain, or so much of it as lay west of the Alleghanies, was dis puted by the French, who claimed it by discovery made by their early voyagers and missionaries, who had traversed the great chain of lakes and descended the Mississippi many years before. This con test gave rise to the war between the two powers, in which hostilities were actually commenced early in 1752. After much bloodshed the British took by conquest this territory, and.it was ceded by France to Great Britain in the treaty of Paris, in 1763. It should be remembered that in treat ies and conveyances of the Great West by the Indians to Great Britain they did not part with their title to the land. They themselves, and their lands, were placed under the care and protection of Britain ; the land was to be held "in trust for the Indians and their heirs." Hence the In dians were justified in contending for the possession of their inheritance. Let us now briefly consider how we obtained OUR TITLE TO THE LANDS IN OHIO. At the close of the war of the Revolu- 76 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tion this whole region was in the posses sion of the Indians. It was no longer claimed or occupied exclusively by the Six Nations; they had sided with Great Britain in that war and their power was broken. Other tribes had, during the war, settled on the territory and occupied it in common with them. These red men claimed title to the land. . True it is, they had no parchment or paper title signed and sealed by man or any human authority, but they believed and felt that the Great Spirit, the Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and Lord para mount of all things, had in his goodness given these happy hunting grounds to his red children. No wonder then, that when he saw the " pale face " settling and build ing on his domain and killing the game which was given him to live upon, he was roused to resistance. He had no court to try his title but that court of last resort, the court of force, a trial by wager of bat tle. Their arguments were not made by attorneys. In this court of force the red men argued with the rifle, tomahawk, and scalping-knife, and with fire. His cruelty to his enemy knew no bounds; helpless infancy and non-resisting woman appealed in vain. The recital of his cruelties curdle the blood with horror. The burning of Colonel Crawford, near Upper Sandusky, and the massacre of his men, in 1782; the destruction of St. Clair's army, on a branch of the Wabash, in 1791; the butchery of Harmar'js men in 1790, were attended with scenes and incidents of indescribable cruelty in almost every form in which cruelty could be inflicted. But there came at last an end to those terrible conflicts about title to the land. The final contest over the right to occupy the Northwest took place on the bank of the Maumee River, in 1794, in the battle of Fallen Timbers, and as it had a powerful influence to settle the title to the land in Sandusky county, a notice of it seems proper in this work. WAYNE'S VICTORY ON THE MAUMEE. Before the defeat of Crawford at Upper Sandusky, in 1782, the United States had acquired, by treaty with certain separate tribes, a portion of the land north of the Ohio River. After this the Indians were induced by the notorious half-breed Mo hawk, Brandt, and the white renegade, Simon Girty, to confederate together and insist that the Ohio River should be the boundary line between the lands of the two races. They cunningly insisted that the territory was the common property of all the tribes, and that no single tribe could give title to any portion of it. President Washington, by commissioners appointed at different times, strenuously endeavored to convince them of the wrong they were insisting upon; that the lands ceded to the United States were acquired in good faith, and some of it sold to actual settlers; and that the Government had no right to de prive these settlers of their land or remove the owners from it. He offered to make peace and to protect the Indians' occu pancy of all their land not ceded to the Government. But the Indians had al ready destroyed two armies sent to punish them for their murders of frontier settlers, and they felt strong enough to resist any force that would follow them into the wil. derness. To this feeling may be added that love of war, cruelty, and plunder so characteristic of the North American Ind ian. While these efforts for peace were being made, President Washington, who so well understood the character of the natives, made preparation for the other alternative in case pacific overtures should fail. The concluding paragraph of the answer of the confederated Indians to the offers of peace and protection will show the reader how determined they were to have the Ohio HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. n River for the southern boundary of their lands. The extract is taken from " Annals of the West," by James H. Perkins, pub lished at Cincinnati in the year 1847, and is as follows : Brothers, we shall be persuaded that you mean to do us justice, if you agree that the Ohio shall remain the boundary line between us. If you will not con sent thereto, our meeting will be altogether unneces sary. This is the great point which we hoped would have been explained before you left your homes, as our message last fall was principally directed to ob tain that information. Done in general council at the foot of the Maumee Rapids, the 13th day of August, 1793. NATIONS : Wyandots, Massassagoes, Seven Nations of Can- Chippewas, ada, Muncies, Pottawatomies, Mohicans, Senecas of the Glaize, Connoys, S'hawnese, Delawares, Miamis, Nanta-Kokies, Ottawas, Creeks. ENGLISH INFLUENCE TO PREVENT PEACE. It was suspected at the time that the British emissaries, or some indirect influ ence from that source, was employed to prevent the peace so much desired by the United States. The histories of the time inform us that Brandt said, in speaking about efforts for peace : That for several years we were engaged in getting a confederacy formed, and the unanimity occasioned bythese endeavors among our Western brethren en abled them to defeat two American armies. The war continued without our brothers, the English, giving any assistance, except a little ammunition, and they seeming to desire that a. peace might be con cluded, we tried to bring it about at a time that the United States desired it very much, so that they sent commissioners from among their first people to en deavor to make peace with the hostile Indians. We assembled for that purpose at the Miami River in the summer of 1793, intending to. act as mediators in bringing about an honorable peace, and if that could not be obtained, we resolved to join our West ern brethren in trying the fortunes of war. But to our surprise, when upon the point of entering upon a treaty with the commissioners, we found that it was opposed by those acting under the British Govern ment , and hopes of further assistance were given to our Western brethren, to encourage them to insist \>n the Ohio as the boundary between them and the United States.* * Stone's Life of Brandt. The talented and wily Brandt no doubt knew whereof he spoke, and his testimony puts a grave responsibility upon the British Government for those terrible Indian wars. President Washington . knew the Ind ian character and his mode of warfare. Early in life he, as a surveyor, had seen the red men in their homes, and knew their domestic habits and propensities from actual observation. He had seen the defeat of Braddock and the destruc tion of his army at Pittsburgh, then called Fort Duquesne; as commander-in-chief of the American forces in the Revolutionary War he had witnessed their cunning du plicity and cruelty as exhibited under the employment of the British Government in that war, and with his usual discernment and wisdom calculated all chances. Therefore, while he hoped for peace he was busy preparing for war. Accordingly, after St. Clair's defeat on the Wabash, the President allowed that general to with draw from the service without a court- martial, and appointed Anthony Wayne, who had served so well in the war of the Revolution, to the command of the army to conquer the allied tribes of Indians in the Northwest. He instructed Wayne to organize an army at Pittsburgh, with spe cial reference to the subjugation of the Indians. In June, 1792, Wayne moved westward to Pittsburgh, and proceeded to organize the army which was to be the ultimate argument of the Americans with the Indian Confederation. Through the summer of 1792 the preparation of the soldiers was steadily attended to. "Train and discipline them for the service they are meant for," said Washington, "and do not spare powder and lead, so the men be made marksmen." In December, 1792, the forces now re cruited and trained, were gathered at a point twenty-two miles below Pittsburgh, 78 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. on the Ohio, called Legionville. The army itself having been' christened The' Legion of the United States, was divided into . four sub-legions and provided with legionary and sub-legionary officers. While these wise preparations were going on, the peace propositions above men tioned were offered and urged upon the savages, and resulted in their final reply above given — that nothing short of an agreement that the Ohio River should be the boundary of the land to be occupied on the south by the whites and on the north by the Indian tribes. Freeman, who left Fort Washington April 7th, Tru man, who left on May 2 2d for Maumee, and Colonel Hardin, who on the same day started for Sandusky with proposals for peace, were all murdered. The par ticulars of their deaths will be found in the Western Annals. The final reply to all these overtures for peace is contained in the last clause of the answer of the tribes, which is quoted above, and closed the attempts of the United States to make peace. Some few further attempts were made to secure the Iroquois to the cause of America, but they ended in nothing; and from the month of August the preparations for a decision by arms of the pending ques tions between the white and the red men, went forward constantly. Wayne's Legion moved from Legion ville about the last of April, 1793. It was taken down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, where it encamped near Fort Washington, and there it continued until October, en gaged merely in drilling and preparation. Legionville was situated on the Ohio River, about twenty-two miles below Pitts burgh; Fort Washington was at Cincin nati; Fort Jefferson was located about six miles south of the town of Greenville, in Darke county. GENERAL WAYNE EXPLAINS THE SITUA TION. On the 5th of October, 1793, General Wayne wrote from Cincinnati that he could not hope to have, deducting the sick and those left in garrison, more than two thousand six hundred regular troops, three hundred and sixty mounted volunteers, and thirty-six guides and spies to go with him beyond Fort Jefferson. He further said, in the same communication to the Secretary of War: This is not a pleasant picture, but something must be done immediately to save the frontier from im pending savage fury. I will therefore advance to morrow with the force I have, in order to gain a strong position in front of Fort Jefferson, so as to keep the enemy in check (by exciting a jealousy and apprehension for the safety of their own women and children) until some favorable opportunity may pre sent to strike with effect. The present apparent tranquility on the frontiers and at the head of the line is a convincing proof to me that the enemy ale collected or collecting in force to oppose the legion, either on its march or in some unfavorable position for the cavalry to act in. Disappoint them in this favorite plan or manoeuvre and they may probably be tempted to attack our lines. In this case I trust they will not have much reason to triumph from the encounter. They cannot continue long embodied for want of provisions, and at their breaking up they will most certainly make some desperate effort upon some quarter or other. Should the mounted volun teers advance in force we might yet compel those haughty savages to sue for peace before the next opening of the leaves. Be that as it may, I pray you not to permit present appearances to cause too much anxiety, either in the mind of the President or your self, on account of the army. Knowing the critical situation of our infant Nation, and feeling for the honor and reputation of Govern ment (which I will support with my latest breath) you may rest assured that I will not commit the le gion unnecessarily; and unless more powerfully sup ported than I at present have reason to expect, will content myself by taking a strong position advanced of Jefferson, and by exerting every power, endeavor to protect the frontiers, and to secure the posts and army during the winter, or until I am honored with your further orders. This manly and patriotic letter, while it indicates the danger of the situation, ex presses no fear, for Anthony Wayne never knew what fear was. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 79 On the 7th of October the legion left Cincinnati, and on the 13th of the same month, without any accidents, encamped on the strong position referred to in his letter, afterwards called Fort Greenville. The town of Greenville now covers the site of the fort. Here, on the 24th of October, 1793, he was joined by one thou sand mounted Kentucky volunteers under General Scott, to whom he had written pressing requests to hasten forward with all the men he could muster. This re quest Scott had hastened to comply with, and upon the 28th of September, 1793, the Governor, in addition to these vol unteer forces, had ordered a draft of militia. The Kentucky troops, however, were soon dismissed until spring, but their march had not been in vain, for they had seen enough of Wayne's army to give them confidence in it and in him, so that the full number of volunteers was easily procured in the spring. One attack had been made upon the troops previous to the 23d of October, and only one. A body consisting of two commissioned officers and ninety non commissioned officers and soldiers, con voying twenty wagons of supplies, was as saulted on the 17th of that month, seven miles beyond Fort St. Clair, which was built in 1791-92, about one mile west of Eaton, now the county seat of Preble county. In this attack by the savages Lieutenant Lowry and Ensign Boyd, with thirteen others, were killed. Although so little opposition had thus far been encoun tered, General Wayne determined to stay where he was during the winter, and hav ing seventy thousand rations on hand in October, with the prospect of one hun dred and twenty thousand more, while the Indians were sure to be short of provis ions, he proceeded to fortify his position, which he named Fort Greenville, and which was situated on ground now occu pied by the town of that name. This be ing done, on the 23d of December a de tachment was sent forward to take posses sion of the field of St. Clair's defeat, in the now county of Darke. On Christmas day this detachment reached the ground on which St. Clair's army was slaughtered November 4, 1791, or a little more than two years before. "Six hundred skulls," says one present, "were gathered up and buried. When we went to lay down we had to scrape the bones together and carry them out to make our beds." Here Fort Recovery was built, properly garrisoned, and placed in charge of Captain Alexan- ander Gibson. Thus situated, during the early months of 1794 General Wayne was steadily engaged in preparing everything for a sure blow when the time to strike should come. By means of Captain Gib son and his various spies, he kept himself informed of the plans and movements of the savages. All this information showed that the Indians were relying on British assistance, and this reliance animated the doomed race of red men to resist offers of peace, and stealthily prepare to fight. On the 5 th of June, 1794, Captain Gib son captured two Indians of the Potta watomie tribe, and had them examined, and their examination showed reports to them that the British were then at Roche de Boeuf, on the Maumee River, on their way to war against the Americans; that the number of British troops there was about four hundred, with two pieces of artillery, exclusive of the Detroit militia, and that they had made fortifications around McKee'S house and store at that place, in which they had deposited all their stores of ammunition, arms, clothing, and provisions, with which they promised to supply the hostile Indians in abund ance. They further reported, that there were then collected there not less than two thousand warriors, and were the Pot- 8o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tawatomies to join, the whole would amount to upwards of three thousand hostile Indians; that the British troops and militia that will join the Indians to go to war would amount to fifteen hun dred according to the promise of Gov ernor Simcoe, of Canada. To the ques tion, "At what time and at what place do the British and Indians mean to advance against this army?" these prisoners an swered, "About the last of this moon or the beginning of next they intend to attack the legion at this place" (Fort Trumbull). Two Shawnee warriors cap tured on the 22d of June, substantially cor roborated the statements of the Pottawato- mies. The conduct of the savages proved these reports of the Indian prisoners not to be fables. On the 30th of June Fort Recovery, the advanced American post, was assault ed by Little Turtle at the head of more than one thousand warriors, and, although repelled, the assailants rallied and returned to the charge and kept up the attack through the whole day and part of the day following. Nor was this assailing force composed entirely of natives. White men, and some in scarlet coats were there advising and directing the savages. ST. CLAIR'S cannon. When St. Clair was defeated in 1791 (December 4), his guns were left on that field of slaughter. Some time afterwards General Wilkinson dispatched Captain Bunting from Fort Washington to the field of St. Clair's defeat. The captain, in his report, says, among other things: "We found three whole carriages; the other five were so much damaged that they were rendered useless." This indicates clearly that St. Clair had left eight pieces of artil lery on the ground. It was winter when Bunting examined the battlefield. He did not believe the Indians had taken off the cannon, and it was his opinion that they . had been thrown into the creek, which was then frozen over and so thickly covered with snow that it was vain to look for them. The next recorded notice is found in Gen eral Wayne's dispatch after the assault on Fort Recovery. After asserting that there were British officers and privates engaged with the Indians in the assault, the dis patch continues: It would also appear that the British and savages expected to find the artillery that was lost on the 4th of November, 1791, and hid by the Indians, in beds of old fallen timber or logs which they turned over and hid the cannon in, and then turned the logs back into their former places. It was in this artful manner that we generally found 'them de^ posited. The hostile Indians turned over a great number of logs during the assault, in search of these cannon and other plunder which they had probably hid in this manner after the action of the 4th of No vember, 1791. I therefore have reason to believe that the British and Indians depended much on this artillery to assist in the reduction of the post; for tunately they served in its defence. WAYNE MOVES HIS LEGION FORWARD. On the 26th of July, 1794, Scott, with about one thousand six hundred men from Kentucky, joined Wayne at Green ville, and on the 28th the legion moved for ward. On the 8th of August the army was near the junction of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers, at Grand Glaize, and proceeded at once to build Fort Defiance, where the rivers meet. At the place had been the Indian headquarters, and Wayne expected to surprise them there, but a deserter from his army had informed them of his approach, and they were gone. It had been Wayne's plan to reach the head quarters of the savages undiscovered, and in order to do this he had cut two- roads, one towards the foot of the rapids (Roche de Boeuf), the other to the junction of the St. Mary's and St. Joseph Rivers, while he in fact pressed forward between the two, and this stratagem General Wayne believed would have succeeded but for the deserter above referred to, who was in his quartermaster's department, when he HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 81 left and went to the Indian headquarters. While engaged upon Fort Defiance, the American commander received full and accurate accounts of the Indians and the aid they would receive from the volunteers * of Detroit and elsewhere; he learned the nature of the ground a"nd the circum stances favorable and unfavorable; and upon the whole, considering the spirit of his troops, officers and men, regulars and volunteers, he determined to march for ward and settle matters at once. But still true to the spirit of compromise and peace so forcibly taught by Washington, on the 13th of August he sent Christopher Miller, who had been naturalized among the Shaw nees, then taken prisoner by Wayne's spies, as a special messenger, offering terms of friendship. To aid the reader in forming a correct judgment upon Wayne's sub sequent dealing with the savages and to vindicate the United States against any charge of deception or cruelty, it seems necessary to give in full the message sent by Miller on this occasion. It is found in Perkins' Annals of the West, on page 404, and is as follows: To the Delawares, Shawnees, Miamis, and Wyandots, and to each and every of them, and to all other nations of Indians northwest of the Ohio whom it may con cern: I, Anthony Wayne, Major General and Com mander-in-Chief of the. Federal Army, now at Grand Glaize, and Commissioner Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, for settling the terms upon which a permanent and lasting peace shall be made with each and every of the hostile tribes or na tions of Indians northwest of the Ohio, and of the United States, actuated by the purest principles of humanity, and urged by pity for the errors into which bad and designing men have led you, from the head of my army now in possession of your aban doned villages and settlements, do hereby once more extend the friendly hand of peace towards you, and invite each and every of the hostile tribes of Indians to appoint deputies to meet me and my army, without delay, between this place and Roche de Bceuf, in or der to settle the preliminaries of a lasting peace, which may eventually and soon restore to you — the Dela wares, Miamis, Shawnees, and all other tribes and nations lately settled in this place and on the margin of the Miami and the Glaize Rivers — your late grounds and possessions, and to preserve you and your dis tressed and hapless women and children from danger and famine during the present fall and ensuing winter. The army of the United States is strong and powerful, but they love mercy and kindness more than war and desolation. And to remove any doubts or apprehension of danger to the persons of the dep uties whom you may appoint to meet this army, I hereby pledge my sacred honor for their safety and return, and send Christopher Miller, an adopted Shawnee warrior, whom I took prisoner two days ago, as a flag, who will advance in their front to meet me. Mr. Miller was taken prisoner by a party of my warriors six moons since, and can testify to you the kindness which I have shown to your people, my prisoners; that is, five warriors and two women, who are now all safe at Greenville. But should this invitation be disregarded, and my flag, Mr. Miller, be detained or injured, I will immediately order all those prisoners to be put to death without distinction, and some of them are known to belong to the first families of your nations. Brothers, be no longer deceived or led astray by the false promises and language of the bad white men at the foot of the rapids ; they have neither the power nor inclination to protect you. No longer shut your eyes to your true interest and happiness, nor your ears to this overture of peace ; but, in pity to your innocent women and children, come and prevent the further effusion of your blood ; let them experience the kindness and friendship of the United States of America, and the invaluable blessings of peace and tranquility. Anthony Wayne. Grand Glaize, August 13, 1794. WAYNE'S QUALIFICATIONS TO FIGHT THE INDIANS. Wayne had seen enough of the Indian character in the Revolutionary War in the Northern colonies and in Georgia, whither he had been sent to fight Indians almost exclusively, to be a judge of them. Per haps no man had a better understanding of the war capacity and traits of the North American Indian than he. If the Indians were silent he read unerringly their intent; in their speech he detected with great accuracy what was true and what was intended to deceive. He had ' no superior a* a character reader of the red men he was contending with. Neither 82 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. their shams, feints or false pretenses ever mislead him. Braddock at Fort Du- quesne, Crawford at Upper Sandusky, Harmar at the Maumee, and St. Clair at the Wabash, all failed for want of those high qualities which gave such great su periority and success to Wayne. NARRATIVE OF WAYNE'S CAMPAIGN RE SUMED. Let it be remembered that General Wayne dispatched Miller with his peace proposition on the 13th of August, 1794, from Fort Defiance. No doubt in tending that if either party must be sur prised it should be the Indians and not himself, Wayne moved his troops forward on the 15th, and before he had received any report from Miller. On the 16th he met Miller returning with the message that if the Americans would wait ten days at Grand Glaize they, the Indians, would decide for peace or war. . Wayne was not to be deceived into giving the Indians their choice of the time and place when and where to strike. He understood this proffered delay to mean that he should wait until the Indians were more com pletely prepared for the decisive conflict, and he replied to their wily answer to his message by marching straight on towards them. On the 1 8th the legion had advanced forty-one miles from Grand Glaize, and being now at Roche de Bceuf and near the long looked for foe, began to throw up some light works called Fort Deposit, wherein to place the heavy baggage during the expected battle. During the 19th the army still labored on their works: wayne's report of the battle. On the 20th, at 8 o'clock, all baggage having been left behind, the white forces moved down the north bank of the Mau mee; the legion on the %ight, its flank covered by the river; one brigade of mounted volunteers on the left, under Brigadier-General Todd, and the other in the rear under Brigadier-General Barbee. A select battalion of mounted volunteers * moved in front of the legion, commanded by Major Price, who was directed to keep sufficiently advanced so as to give timely notice for the troops to form in case of action, it being yet undetermined whether the Indians would decide for peace or war. After advancing about five miles Major Price's corps received so severe a fire from the enemy, who were secreted in the woods and grass, as to compel him to retreat. The legion was immediately formed into two lines, principally in a close, thick wood which extended for miles on our left and for a very considerable distance in front; the ground being covered with fallen timber, probably occasioned by a tornado, and which rendered it imprac ticable for the cavalry to act with effect and afforded the enemy the most favorable covert for their mode of warfare. The savages were formed in three lines within supporting distance of each other, and ex tending near two miles at right angles with the river. I soon discovered (says General Wayne, in his re port of the battle), from the weight of the fire and extent of their lines, that the enemy were in full force in front, and in possession of their favorite ground, and endeavoring to turn our left flank. I therefore gave orders for the second line to advance and sup port the first, and directed Major-General Scott to gain and turn the right flank of the savages with the whole of the mounted volunteers, by a circuitous route. At the same time I ordered the front line to advance and charge with trailed arms and rouse the Indians from their cover at the point of the bayonet, and when up to deliver a close and well-directed fire on their backs, followed by a brisk charge so as not to give them time to load again. I also ordered Captain Campbell, who commanded the Legionary cavalry, to turn the left flank of the enemy next the river, andwhich afforded a favorable field for that corps to act in. All these orders were obeyed with spirit and promptitude; but such was the impetuosity of the charge by the first line of infantry, that the Indi ans and Canada militia and volunteers were driven from alftheir coverts in so short a time, that although HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 83 every possible exertion was used by the officers of the second line of the legion, and by Generals Scott, Todd, and Barbee, of the mounted volunteers, to gain their proper positions, but part of eaGh could get up in season to participate in the action; the enemy being driven in the course of an hour more than two miles through the thick wood already mentioned, by less than one-half their number. From every account the enemy amounted to two thousand combatants. The troops actually engaged against them were short of nine hundred. This horde of savages, with their allies, abandoned themselves to flight and dispersed with terror and dismay, leaving our victorious army in full and quiet possession of the field of battle, which terminated under the influence of the guns of the British garrison. The bravery of every officer belonging to the army, from the generals down to the ensigns, merit my highest approbation. There were, however, some whose rank and situation placed their conduct in a very conspicuous point of view, and which I observed with pleasure and the most lively gratitude. Among these I must beg leave to mention Brigadier-General Wilkinson and Colonel Hamtramck, the commandants of the right and le{t wings of the legion, whose brave example inspired the troops. To these I must add Lieuten- .ant Harrison, who, with Adjutant-General Major_ Mills, rendered the most essential service by com municating my orders in every direction, and by their conduct and bravery exciting the troops to press for victory. The loss of the Americans in this action was thirty-three killed and one hundred wounded; that of the enemy was reported much greater, but the number is not given. It is said, however, the woods were strewn for a considerable distance with the dead bodies of the Indians and their white aux iliaries, the latter armed with British mus kets and bayonets. INCIDENTS OF THE BATTLE. Contrary to the articles of peace between Great Britain and the United States in r783, the British erected and garrisoned Fort Miami, on the Maumee River, on the present site of South Toledo. This was done within the acknowledged boundaries and jurisdiction of the United States, and no solution of the motive for the act but a determination on the part of the British to aid the Indians in their wars to drive the whites south of the Ohio River. Wayne's troops had followed the retreating Indians under the guns of this fort, and expected to see them take refuge in it, but the gates were shut against them and the fort fired no gun. The day following the battle a spicy correspondence took place between Major Campbell, commander of the fort, and General Wayne, in which Major Campbell expressed his surprise that Wayne would deliberately insult his King and country by approaching so near the fort in a hostile attitude. Wayne re plied, in substance, that he was no less surprised to find Campbell fortifying him self on American soil, and inthnated that had the Indians taken refuge in the fort, or had a gun been fired from it, he could not have restrained his troops from an as sault which would have carried it. In this sharp dispute both Wayne and Camp bell seem to have been restrained from striking a blow which would have re kindled the' war between Great Britain and the United States, and the question was referred? to diplomacy between the two governments. At the time Captain Campbell, under Wayne, was endeavoring to turn the left flank of the enemy, three Indians, hemmed in by the cavalry and infantry, plunged into the river and endeavored to swim to the opposite side. Two negroes of the army on the opposite bank concealed themselves behind a log to intercept them. When within shooting distance one of them shot the foremost Indian through the head. The other two took hold of him to drag him to the shore, when the second negro fired and killed another. The remaining Indian, being now in shoal water, endeavored to tow the two dead bodies to the bank. In the meantime the first negro had reloaded, and firing upon the survivor, mortally wounded him. On approaching them, the negroes judged from their striking resemblance and de- 84 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. votion that they were brothers. After scalping them they let their bodies float down stream. Another circumstance shows with what obstinacy the conflict was waged by in dividuals of both armies. A soldier who . had become detached a short distance from the army, met a single Indian in the woods, when they attacked each other, the soldier with his bayonet, and the Indian with his tomahawk. Two days after they were found dead, the soldier with his bayonet in the body of the Indian — -the Indian with his tomahawk in the head of the soldier* Several months after the battle of the Fallen Timbers a number of Pottawat omie Indians arrived at Fort Wayne, where they expressed a desire to see "The Wind" as they called Wayne. On being asked for an explanation of the name, they replied that at the battle of the 20th of August he was exactly like a hurricane, which drives and tears everything before it. General Wayne was a man of most ardent impulses, and in the heat of action apt to forget that he was a general and not a private soldier. When the attack on the Indians who were concealed behind the fallen timbers was commenced by ordering the regulars up, the late General Harrison, then being Lieutenant with the title of Major, addressing his superior, said : General Wayne, I am afraid you will go into the fight yourself and forget to give me the necessary field orders. Perhaps I may, replied Wayne, and if I do , recollect that the standing order for the day is, Charge the d — d rascals with the bayonet. As a further illustration of Wayne's im petuosity in battle, which Harrison seemed to understand, the writer will give an inci dent related to him by his father, who heard the circumstance from one who was in the battle. The narrative was briefly, that when General Wayne saw his regulars obey his order to charge with the bayonet and shoot afterwards, the General, seeing the promptness and effect with which his order was obeyed, became so excited that he was about to dash personally into the conflict and do duty as a common soldier/ his attendants, seeing a strange fire in his countenance, and that he reined up his horse for a dash, two men seized his reins near the bridle bits, and held the bounding, foaming horse, while Wayne, grinding his teeth and driving his spurs into the horse's flanks, frothing at the mouth with rage, hissed from between his grinding teeth, "Let me go, d — n them; let me go! Give it to them, boys," etc., etc. This in cident gave him the appellation of "Mad" Anthony, a name which ever after struck terror to the Indians, collectively and in dividually. After the battle, an Indian being asked. if he did not think General Wayne a good general and great man, replied, "He no man, he Devil." No doubt the Indians, after the battle of the Fallen Timbers, entertained a superstitious dread of "Mad" Anthony, which exercised a powerful influ ence over them in making treaties of peace and grants of land afterwards. We quote further from General Wayne's report of the battle. He says: We remained three days and nights on the banks of the Maumee, in front of the field of battle, dur ing which time all the houses and cornfields were consumed and destroyed for a considerable distance, both below and above Fort Miami, as well as within pistol shot of the garrison, who were compelled to remain tacit spectators to this general devastation and conflagration, among which were the houses, stores, and property of Colonel McK.ee, the British Indian agent, and principal stimulator of the war now (then) existing between the United States and the savages. The army returned to this place (Fort Defiance) on the 27th of August, by easy marches, laying waste the villages and cornfields for about fifty miles on each side of the Maumee. ,- . There remains (he says) yet a great number of vil lages and a great quantity of corn to be consumed or destroyed, upon Auglaize and Maumee, above this place, which will be effected in a few days. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 85 General Wayne, after strengthening his works at Fort Defiance, on the 14th of September established Fort Wayne, now in Indiana, of which, on the 2 2d of Octo ber, 1794, he placed in charge Colonel Hamtramck, who so distinguished himself in the battle of the Fallen Timbers. Meantime, the troops suffered greatly from sickness and want of provisions, such as flour, salt, and whiskey. Whiskey sold at eight dollars a gallon, and salt was held at six dollars a pint. THE LEGION RETURNS TO GREENVILLE. The legion began to march back to Greenville on the 28th of October, 1794, the volunteers, who had become dissatis fied and troublesome, having been started for that place on the 12 th of that month for dismissal. The Indians were terribly defeated and disorganized by the battle of Fallen Tim bers. Their crops and provisions for the coming winter were destroyed, and starva tion was before them — and they would have promptly made sincere overtures for a treaty of peace but for British influence, which was at once brought to bear against such a movement. BRITISH EFFORTS TO PREVENT A TREATY. Governor Simcoe, of Canada, Colonel McKee and Captain Brant, met at Fort Miami September 30 of that year, and at once began plotting to prevent a treaty of peace. They invited the hostile chiefs Blue Jacket, Backongelies, the Lit tle Turtle, Captain Johnny, and other chiefs of the Delawares, Miamis, Shaw nees, Tawas, and_Pottawatomies, to meet at the mouth of TJeffoit River about the first of October, 1794, and together they set off for that place, about eighteen miles below Detroit. It appears that about the 10th of Octo ber the Indians did meet the British at Big Rock, and were advised that their griefs would be laid before the King of England, and, in connection with this, as • General Wayne learned from the friendly Wyandots, Governor Simcoe insisted that the Indians should not listen to any terms of peace from the Americans, but to pro pose a truce or suspension of hostilities until spring ; that a grand council would then be held of all the warriors and tribes of Indians for the purpose of compelling the Americans to cross the Ohio. He also advised every nation to sign a deed or conveyance of all their lands on the west side of the Ohio River to the King of Great Britain, in trust for the Indians, so as to give the British a pretext or color for assisting them in case the Americans refused to abandon all their posts and pos sessions on the west side of that river, and which the Indians should immediately warn them to do after they, the Indians, had assembled in force in the spring, and then call upon the British to guarantee the lands thus ceded in trust, and to make a general attack upon the frontiers at the same time; that the British would be pre pared to attack the Americans also in every quarter, and would compel them to cross the Ohio and give up the lands to the Indians. The. wily Captain Brant also told the Indians to keep a good heart and be strong to do as their father (Simcoe) had advised them, and he would return home with his warriors and come again early in the spring with an additional number so as to have the whole summer before them to fight, kill, and pursue the Americans, who could not stand against such num bers as would be brought against them; that he had been always successful and would ensure them victory. But he would not attack the Americans at this time, as it would only put them upon their guard and bring them upon the Indians in this quarter during the winter; there. 86 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY fore he advised them to amuse the Ameri cans with a prospect of peace until they could, collectln force, and fall upon them early in the spring "and when least ex pected. That, agreeably to this plan, the hostile tribes would frequently send flags with propositions of peace during the winter to put the Americans off their guard. The British then made large presents to the Indians, and continued from that time to furnish theuTwith provisions from Colonel McKee's new stores at the mouth of the Miami of Lake Erie (Maumee River), where all the Indians whose towns and property -had been destroyed by Wayne's army were located in tents and huts, and where those who promised to sign away their lands and in all respects comply with the British proposition, were kept.WAYNE COUNTERACTS THE BRITISH INFLU ENCE. Several causes operated to counteract the British influence and finally to prevent the execution of their plans. First, the fort at Maumee had been built and gar risoned by the British while at peace with the United States, for the express purpose of aiding and protecting the Indians in their war^against the Americans. The In dians, in good faith, believed that if they should be "compelled to retreat before Wayne's army they would find shelter and protection in Fort Miami ; but when they did retreat and were pursued under the guns of the fort, they found the gates shut and not a gun fired for their protection. A large part of the Indians who saw this treacherous act of Major Campbell, the British commander, lost faith in all British promises of protection and assistance, and would not sincerely listen to subsequent overtures. Thus the influence of the British over the Indians was broken by their own perfidy. If Major Campbell had fired a gun at Wayne's forces the act would have been cause for another war between the United States and Great Brit ain ; or if he had opened his fort to protect the enemies of the United States, the same result might have followed. The respon sibility for such an act was too grave to be hastily incurred, and beside this, Wayne was at his gates with a victorious army, which if once assailed by the British was able to, and would have taken good care that that fort and those within would not again make aggressive war on the United States. These powerful reasons compelled him to an act of treachery to the Indians which finally brought an end to the war. Another cause was, that while the Ind ians were suffering* under the sore distress which before the fight Wayne plead with them to avoid, by meeting and preparing for peace, he again made and kept be fore them the same kind offer of peace and protection. Another, and perhaps the most potent of all considerations which operated to destroy British influence over the Indians at this time, was a superstitious fear of "Mad" Anthony. They had found his cunning superior to their own; they realized that he thoroughly understood their char acter and mode of warfare, that he could not be baffled or deceived by any of their devices; they witnessed his personal brav ery and his awful fierceness and passion in battle; they were starving and dying. under the consequences of his wrath, and their superstitious minds clothed him in many instances with supernatural powers. The circumstances abgye mentioned so operated on the minasvorthe Indians' that on the 28th and 29th days of December, 1794, proffers of peace were made by the chiefs of several tribes. Messages were sent to Colonel Hamtramck at Fort Wayne, from the Chippewas, Ottawas, Sacs, Eti Rivers, Kickapoos, Kaskaskias, Pottawato- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 87 mies, and Miamis. The result of these overtures was a meeting of the chiefs and sachems of the above named tribes, and three other tribes, namely: the Delawares, Wyandots, and Shawnees, with General Wayne at Greenville, on the 24th of Jan uary, 1795. At this meeting preliminary articles for a treaty of peace were entered into. The basis of the intended treaty was that hostilities should cease and pris oners be exchanged. TREATY OF GREENVILLE. About the 16th of June, 1795, the tribes began to gather at Greenville to make a complete treaty of peace. They had become convinced that they could not successfully resist the American arms, and General Wayne dictated the terms of the treaty, although there was much de bate, and at times the Indians manifested much angry excitement while talking of their wrongs. But while General Wayne knew he had the tribes in his power, and could compel them to almost any terms, he was eminently just and humane in his demands. The conference lasted until the 3d day of August, when the treaty was engrossed and signed. By this treaty the Indians ceded to the United States small parcels of land, evi dently wisely selected by Wayne for military posts, covering most of the advantageous points for such purpose in various parts of the Northwestern Territory, and stretch ing with intervals from Lake Huron east ward to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont). "Two miles square at the lower rapids of the Sandusky River," is the language of the treaty as to this parcel of land. Ex cepting fhe Maumee and Western Reserve road land, this two miles square was the first land within the present limits of San dusky county ceded by the Indians to the United States. The tract 'was afterwards surveyed by the United States and the lines of that survey are now the boundary lines of the city of Fremont. In this treaty the United States engaged to protect the Indians against the aggres sions of other nations, and also in the en joyment of their pther lands. The closing articles are as follows: Article 6. The Indians or United States may remove and punish intruders on Indian lands. Article 7. Indians may hunt within ceded lands. Article 8. Trade shall be opened in substance as by the provisions of the treaty of Fort Harmar. Article 9. All injuries shall be referred to law, not privately avenged, and all hostile plans known to either shall be revealed to the other party. Article 10. All previous treaties are annulled. TITLE TO OTHER LANDS; TREATY OF MAUMEE. The title to the other lands in the North west, including Sandusky county, had first been claimed by France on the ground of discovery by the pioneer Jesuits sent by the church of that Nation. But in the war between England and France about the possessions, preceeding the Revolutionary War, England had obtained all the title France had. The United States, by the treaty of Paris in 1783, after the Revo lution, had obtained the British title to all the vast Northwestern Territories. But the red men were in possession, and each country claimed subject to the Indian title, and each in succession undertook to protect the Indians in the enjoyment of these great hunting grounds. The United States held them, therefore, subject to the same incumbrance. Wayne's treaty of Greenville, August 3, 1795, recognized the rights of the Indians as the rightful owners of the soil. Therefore it was only by treaty or purchase that the United States could honorably obtain title to the vast domain. To effect this, many treaties and purchases have been made at differ ent times and places. To mention all of these would be foreign to the object of this 88 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. work. But in giving a history of our land titles in Sandusky county, which shall be satisfactory to the conscience of the present enlightened occupants of the land, it seems proper here to state the fol lowing further facts in the chain of title. About seventeen years after the treaty of Greenville above mentioned, the war commonly called the War of 1 812, between the United States and Great Britain, was declared. In this struggle for "free trade and sailors' rights," as Henry Clay denom inated it in his great speech, the British hired and enlisted all the Indian tribes of the Northwest they could induce to join them. Under the lead of Tecumseh and the Prophet, his brother, a powerful force of Indians joined the British in that war, and made it, on the frontier settlements, most bloody and cruel. At the battle of Fort Stephenson, August 2, 1813, there were, according to history, five hundred British and eight hundred Indians. The Indians formed a large part of the forces encountered at Fort Meigs, at Tippecanoe, and at the battle of the Thames, in Can ada, where Tecumseh fell and General Har rison obtained a decisive victory, October S, 1 813. These two victories, with Perry's victory on Lake Erie, September 10, 1813, virtually settled the War of 181 2, which was closed by General Jackson's victory at New Orleans, January 8, 1815, although virtually settled before the last named bat tle. After the close of the War of 18 12, which brought a cessation of Indian hos tilities, the white settlers began to push for new homes in the West, and it was diffi cult to keep the peace between the white pioneers and the Indians, as the former often encroached upon the lands of the latter. The necessity for extinguishing the title of the Indians to Western lands became daily more urgent and apparent to the United States Government. To accomplish this a commission was appointed on behalf of the United States, consisting of Lewis Cass and Duncan McArthur, who met the chiefs and sachems of the tribes occupying the Northwestern Territory, at Maumee, and, after due de liberation, a treaty was there signed on the 29th day of September, 181 7. By the agreement there made the United States purchased from the Indians all Northwest ern Ohio, except a few parcels reserved by some of the tribes. Among these reserva tions was one of the Seneca tribe, of forty' thousand acres, located east of the San dusky River, and on the south part of Sandusky and north part of Seneca coun ties, as since surveyed and named. The Senecas sold this reservation and moved West about the year 1832. This reservation was soon after surveyed and sold by the United States, and is now a wealthy portion of the counties in which the lands were situated. The other lands were surveyed and put in market about 1820, and all have since been sold to individuals, who directly or indirectly derive their titles from the United States, with the exception of two parcels.THE WHITTAKER AND THE WILLIAMS RES ERVATIONS. These two reservations were located nearly three miles north of Fremont, the Whittaker on the west and the Williams on the east side of and both bounded by the Sandusky^ River. The persons who held these reserves in fee simple were not to sell the land unless consent of the Presi dent of the United States should be first obtained. The Whittaker Reserve, originally con taining twelve hundred and eighty acres, long since passed to purchasers, and is now owned by several persons in distinct nnd separate parcels. The Williams Reserve, of one hundred HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 89 and sixty acres, is still occupied by de scendants of the original owner. There is an interesting narrative con nected with the last two reservations, which will be found in a sketch of the Whittaker family in another part of this history. Thus we have traced the general title to the lands in Sandusky county from the aborigines to the United States, and from the United States the present owners have derived their title, excepting the Williams Reserve, and Maumee and Western Re serve Road, and the lands given for its construction, which latter will form the subject of another chapter. SURVEYS. The first surveying in this then wilder ness was done by William Ewing, Deputy. Surveyor, in 1807, who surveyed the reser vation, or rather grant, by the Indians at Greenville to the United States. The two miles square was then by him divided into sections, as other lands were surveyed, but afterwards, in 18 16, the reservation was divided into tracts, running from the river each way to the line of the two miles square. This method of sub-division did not, however, include the whole square. The northeast part was then surveyed into in-lots and out-lots for city purposes, and as such put on sale by the United States. This survey was called the town of Croghansville, (pronounced Crawnsville,) and now forms a part of .the city of Fre mont. THE OTHER GOVERNMENT LANDS in the county were all surveyed in 1820, as appears by the recorded surveys and plats, as follows: The lands composing the townships of Ballville, Sandusky, Rice, Riley, and Green Creek by Sylvarius Bourne ; York and Townsend townships by P. F. Kel logg; Woodville by Charles Roberts; Washington and Jackson by James Worth- ington, and Madison and Scott townships by J. Glasgow. The reservation of the Seneca Indians — forty thousand acres — was surveyed into sections by C. W. Christmas, in 1832. All these surveyors were employed by the United States, and are official surveys. The lands, excepting villages and the two miles square at the lower rapids of the Sandusky River, were surveyed by ranges ; townships of six miles square and sections of one mile square divided into quarters. Trees were used to designate the corners of these surveys, and the kind of timber, size of tree, and the distance and course of them from the corner, accurately measured and recorded with the plat. Perhaps no better plan for the convenient description of land has ever been devised. Each township contained thirty-six sec tions, and each section contained six hun dred and forty acres, which can readily be sub-divided into any smaller quantities. Sections on lakes and rivers were some times not complete; such are denominated fractional sections. SCHOOL LANDS. Let the fact be ever remembered with gratitude, that the wise men of the Repub lic foresaw that our form of government rested on the intelligence of the people. The desire to advance the intelligence of the common people, and thereby better fit them for the maintenance of liberty by perpetuation of a republican form of gov ernment, induced our statesmen of an early day to promote the education of the peo ple. To this end, in surveying this part of the State they set apart every sixteenth section of land for the support of common schools. These school lands were en trusted to the State for the purpose of ed ucation. The State in an early day pro vided by law for the leasing of these lands 9° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. at an interest of six per cent, on the ap- praisment value, the leases running ninety- nine years, renewable forever, with a provision for a re-appraisment every-thirty- three years. The sub-division and leasing of these school lands (section sixteen in each surveyed township of thirty-six sec tions) was given by the State to the county commissioners of counties respectively in which the lands were situated. It is now a matter of interest, and will be still more interesting in the future, to place in this history a brief notice of the renting and final disposition of these school lands. Such a record will serve to show the in crease in the value of lands in the county, and thus furnish evidence of the general advancement in wealth since the early settlements.EARLY LEASING OF SCHOOL LANDS, PRICES, ETC. In the book containing a record of the leasing of school lands in the county, on the first page, appears the following entry : Secretary of State's Office, 1 Columbus, Ohio, March i, 1821. j I certify that Jaques Hulburd, esq., was, on the 3d day of February last, duly appointed by a reso lution of the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, Auditor of the county of Sandusky, to continue in office according to law. Jeremiah McLane, Secretary of State. Under this authority Auditor Hulburd proceeded in the performance of his du ties. On the next leaf of the same book appears the record of a lease of great length, made and concluded on the 14th day of April, 1821, between Jaques Hul burd, Auditor of Sandusky county, Ohio, and his successors in office, of the first part, and Joel Chaffin, of the same place, of the second part, etc. This lease demised and let to the said Chaffin fifty-three acres of section sixteen in township No. 1, north of range fif teen east, for the term of ninety-nine years- renewable forever, and subject to be re appraised every thirty-three years there, after, and. a stipulation to pay as rent six per cent, annually on the amount of such re-appraisement. The said Chaffin agreed to pay as rent for the land yearly and every year to the treasurer of the county and his successors in office "the sum of four dollars." This land, if there is no mistake in the description, was lo cated about twenty miles south of Fre mont, and is now in Seneca county, which was organized April 1, 1824. A tract of one hundred and sixty acres, being the southeast quarter of section sixteen in township four, range seventeen, now York township, was in like manner leased by Jaques Hulburd as Auditor, to 'Jacob Dagget, for the yearly rent of seven dollars and twenty cents for the whole tract. This lease bears date July 14, 1821, and the land is in one of the richest townships in Sandusky county, and is worth now— A. D. 1881 — not less than one hundred dollars per acre, and each acre of the one hundred and sixty would rent for almost as much as the whole one hundred and sixty acres rented for then. On thei 21st day of July, 1821, a like lease was made by Auditor Hulburd to Morris A. Newman, for a part of section sixteen, in Riley township, being a parcel of prairie land and a wood-lot of twenty acres, together containing one hundred and ten acres, for the annual rent of six dollars and eighteen and three-fourthcents for the whole tract. AN OUT-LOT IN CROGHANSVILLE LEASED. When the reservation of two miles square at the lower rapids of the Sandusky River was last surveyed by authority of the United States, as mentioned in a for mer chapter, the town of Croghansville was laid out and surveyed into in-lots and HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 91 out-lots. Certain of these lots were set apart as school lands. Among them were a number of in-lots and out-lots. Out-lot No. n, containing four acres, was one of them. On the 21st day of July, 1821, Au ditor Hulburd leased this out-lot, eleven, to Josiah Rumery, by a lease similar to those above mentioned, for ninety-nine years, for the yearly rent of one dollar and ninety-two cents. This lot eleven, by the re-numbering of lots in Fremont, is now designated as lot No. 52 on the map of the city, and con stitutes a part of the estate of the late James Park, and is known as the Park tannery property ; and the lot, exclusive of improvements, is worth at least two thou sand dollars, the simple interest on which sum would under the lease make one hundred and twenty dollars rental value of' the lot at this time, against one dollar and ninety two cents in 1821, and for thirty- three years thereafter. We give the above facts about the leas ing of the school lands in the county, to set before our readers the rental value of lands in 1821. Although Congress had set apart and reserved these lands for the purpose of sup porting common schools, the General Gov ernment conferred the trust of managing and disposing of them on the State. LEGISLATION ABOUT SCHOOL LANDS AND THE SALES OF THEM. After the law providing for leasing the school lands was passed, various other laws were enacted, and, amongst other things, it was provided that when the lands were appraised those not leased might be sold by the auditors of the respective counties at not less than the appraised value, and that the lessees had the option to either pay six per cent, on the valuation, or pay the appraised value in thirteen an nual instalments with annual interest, and receive an absolute title from the State on final payment on or before the expiration of the thirteen years. As the different townships came to be inhabited by people who appreciated the benefits of education, they desired the aid of the fund to be derived from these lands to support their respective schools. The law, be it remembered, provided that the fund arising from the sale of sections six teen should be applicable only to the sup port of schools in that particular surveyed township of thirty-six sections, or the fractional township in which it chanced to be located. SALES OF SCHOOL LAND — PRICES AND DATES OF SALES. We do not propose to give a full and detailed account of all the sales of school lands in the county, but sufficient speci mens to enable the reader to judge fairly of the whole, may prove interesting and perhaps valuable information. SALE OF BALLVILLE, SECTION SIXTEEN. The first sale of section sixteen was made in 1831, and disposed in fee simple of part of section sixteen in surveyed town ship No. 4, range 15, in what is now Ballville township. Lot fifty of that section, containing one hundred and seven acres, was sold to Isaac Prior, June 6, 1831, for one hundred and seven dollars. Lot fifty-two, containing one hundred and one acres, to Joel Strawn, for one hundred and twenty-six dollars, September 4, 1833- Lot fifty-one, containing one hundred and thirty acres, to R. Dickinson and Sardis Birchard, for one hundred and sixty-three dollars, October 3, 1833. SANDUSKY. Section sixteen, township five, range fifteen, Sandusky township, was sold in 1846 for five dollars per acre,' excepting gi HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. one lot of eighty acres which sold for six dollars. TOWNSEND. The school land, section sixteen, town ship four, range seventeen, Townsend township, was sold, chiefly in,i 847, for five dollars per acre. One lot was sold to Nelson Taylor in January, 1849. The lot contained eighty acres, and was sold for three dollars and fifty cents per acre. MADISON. Section sixteen, township five, range thirteen, Madison township, was sold, chiefly in 1847, f°r prices ranging from five dollars and thirty-seven cents to eight dollars and twenty-five cents per acre. SCOTT. The section sixteen in township four, range thirteen, Scott township, was sold in 1854 for prices per lot ranging from five dollars and fifty cents to seven dollars and forty-five cents per acre. RILEY. The section sixteen in township five, range sixteen, was sold in May, 1862, at prices per lot ranging from three to twelve dollars per acre, The average price would be near ten dollars. This section had all been under the ninety-nine year leases from 1821, before it was sold to the lessees for the appraised value. GREEN CREEK. Section sixteen, township four, range sixteen was sold in 1850 at prices ranging from ten dollars and fifty -cents to five dollars per acre— averaging about eight dollars for the section. YORK. Section sixteen, .township four, range seventeen, was sold in June, 1849, for an average of eight dollars per acre, and had been in part previously under the ninety- nine years lease. WOODVILLE. Section sixteen, township six, range thirteen, was sold in 1856 by lots, the prices ranging from five dollars to seven dollars and fifty cents per acre. JACKSON. Section sixteen in township four, range fourteen, Jackson township, was sold in September, 1837, for an average price of two dollars and sixty cents per acre. THE SALE OF SCHOOL LOTS IN CROGHANS- VILLE took place in 1850, and produced a fund amounting to eleven hundred and twenty- six dollars and seventy-five cents. HOW PROCEEDS OF SALES ARE DISPOSED OF. The proceeds of all these sales are paid into the State Treasury and constitute an irreducible debt or fund on which the State pays six per cent, interest annually to the county; the interest is then credited to the county school fund, and by the county auditor the amount arising from each section sixteen sold is credited to the township school fund of each surveyed township, and then distributed to the sub- school districts according to the respective enumerations of the children entitled to the privileges of the common schools re siding therein. The total amount of the proceeds aris ing from the sale of school lands, now in - the State Treasury to the credit of San dusky county, is thirty-three thousand two hundred and fifteen dollars and fifty cents, producing annually one thousand nine hundred and ninety-two dollars and eighty-seven cents to be applied to the sup port of schools and distributed as above mentioned. There is yet to be paid over to the State the further sum of three hundred and seventy-five dollars and twenty-two cents, being amounts due from purchasers HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 93 who are delinquent in payment for their lands. When this delinquency shall be paid over to the State, as doubtless it soon .will be, the total amount on which the county can draw interest will be thircy- three thousand five hundred and eighty- nine dollars and twenty-two cents. The annual interest then to be drawn from the State for the support of schools, as long as the State may exist, will be two thou sand and fifteen dollars and thirty-eight cents. This fund, under the law, is ap plied to the payment of teachers only, and as the law stands cannot be applied to any other purpose. The cost of build ing school-houses and all expenses of public or common schools, excepting wages of teachers, are paid out of money raised by taxation on the localities re spectively. A further mention of this subject will fall properly under the chapter on schools, and may be mentioned there. If these school lands had remained un disposed of until the present time, and were sold at present prices they would have brought not less than an average price of twenty dollars per acre, or an ag gregate of seventy thousand four hun dred^ dollars, yielding .annually, at six per cent, the sum of four thousand two hun dred and four dollars. Whether the early selling of these lands was wise or unwise is a question useless to discuss at this time, but if any one should feel inclined to charge impru dence on the pioneers and early settlers in the disposition of the land, there are some considerations in mitigation of any blame to be charged, if indeed there be not a complete justification. The early settlers were poor; they de sired to have their children educated, and needed the help which the interest on these sales afforded, in the support of schools. They were here making the roads, clearing away the forests, and un dergoing many hardships not experienced by the present inhabitants. These early inhabitants might be compared to a young man in possession of a little sum of money, which, if' invested at good inter est, would make him an ample fortune in old age, but he has no other means, and is hungry; bread he must, have even if it costs alPhe has, and though he give all and save himself, his money is well spent, even if his anticipation as to a future for tune must be all dissipated. These pio neers did well to begin as they did, to start the cause of education at an early day, though they sacrificed prospective pecuniary gain in doing so. Another fact should be considered, which is, that with the obligation on the part of the State to pay annual interest at six per cent., there is a time coming when, if summed up, the payments will overtake and far surpass any value the land can ever attain. CHAPTER VIII. COUNTY ORGANIZATION. The Name — The County Organized — First Court-House — How Built. THE NAME. SANDUSKY is derived from the lan guage of the Wyandot tribe of In dians, who for a long time possessed the country along the Sandusky River to its source, and along Tymochtee Creek, one of its principal tributaries. The Wyandot pronunciation of the word was Sa-un-dus- tee; as spoken by the English interpreters, it was compressed and pronounced San dusky, and thus the word was changed from a word of four syllables to one of three. The signification of the word has been a matter of some question and dispute. It is, according to the best authority: "water within water pools." In the discus sions about the name, it seems to have been claimed that it was derived from "Sowdousky," the name of an early In dian trader among the Wyandots. But the correctness of this claim is put in great doubt, if not entirely overcome, by the explanation of William Walker, the head chief of the Wyandots, and a man of learning and great intelli gence, and fully competent to give a cor rect definition of the word in both lan guages. In 1835 Mr. Walker was at Co lumbus, Ohio, and in that year had a_con- versation with Mr. John H. James on the precise question. In this conversation Mr. James asked Mr. Walker the meaning of the word Sandusky. Mr. Walker re plied that it meant "at the cold water, and should be sounded Sandoos-tee; that it carried with it the force of ,a preposi tion." The Upper Coldwater (Upper Sandusky) and( Lower Coldwater (Lower Sandusky) then were descriptive Indian names, given long before the presence of the trader Sowdousky. The word, then, taking these statements together, seems to mean a river or water course, where cold water stands in pools. The name having this peculiar significa tion, in early times was used to designate the whole country along the Sandusky River and Bay. Hence, in order to give a fnore specific designation to different lo calities along the river and bay, we had in the earlier days of the white settlements of the region, Sandusky, now Sandusky City on the bay; Lower Sandusky at the lower rapids of the Sandusky River, now Fremont; Upper Sandusky, Little San dusky and Big Sandusky, located nearer the sources of the river, and on different branches of it. The county derives its name from the Sandusky River, which runs through it nearly from north to south, but inclining to the east as it approaches the Sandusky Bay, into which it empties its waters. ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY. The county was for a number of years within the boundaries of Cuyahoga county, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 95 which for some time extended over nearly all the north part of the State, and Cleve land was the seat of justice. Afterwards Huron county was organized, and Nor- walk was for a time the seat of justice for all the territory west of it. The sale of the lands in the reservation of two miles square at the lower rapids of the Sandusky River, which took place in 1877, induced emigrants to settle at the place, and soon sufficient settlements were made to require a county organization. Accordingly, the county was formed by an act of the Gen eral Assembly, dated April r, 1820, and then included in its boundaries not only the present county of Sandusky, but also the territory which now forms the counties of Seneca and Ottawa. At this time (1820) a number of men associated for the purpose, called the Kentucky Company, had purchased that portion of the Reserve, or nearly all of it, west of the river, and had laid out a large part into city lots. The plat denominates this survey as "the" J:own of Sandusky." The United States had before laid out the land upon the hill east of the river into city lots, and called it Croghansville, in honor of Colonel George Croghan, the hero of Fort. Stephenson. In the county auditor's office of this county is an old, rather small record book, faded and worn but quaint and interest ing in appearance as well as in the matter it contains. In a few years it may be lost amongst the rubbish of the office, or con sumed by fire, and all it contains pass be yond the historian's reach, and all the facts recorded in it be forgotten. This old record is interesting, because it con tains the names of men who were pioneers indeed, and who were active in organiz ing the county; if also gives some idea of the poverty of the early settlers, and their method of transacting public business, and at the same time is so pertinent to the subject of this chapter that we incorporate in this collection the following extracts from it. The title of the book is in large, coarse hand-writing, entirely covering the first page, and reads as follows: commissioners' sook. The following documents of the Commissioners Record are transcribed from the organization of San dusky county up to January the 5th, in the year r822, byjosiah Rumery,|auditor of Sandusky county by order of the commissioners. Test by Josiah Rumery, Auditor. Such is the title of this record, from the first two pages of which we take the fol lowing entries : At the first meeting of the Commissioners, held at the house of Morris A. Newman, in the town of Croghansville, on Saturday, the -8th day of April, one thousand eight hundred and twenty. No. 1. — Ordered that Jesse W. Newman be ap pointed Clerk of the Commissioners. . No. 2. — Ordered, that Nicholas Whitingerbe "ap pointed Treasurer of Sandusky County. No. 3. — Ordered, that there be two blank books purchased for the use of the County. No. 4. — Ordered that Charles B. Fitch be ap pointed collector for Sandusky County for the year 1820. No. 5- — Ordered that this meeting be and is hereby adjourned until Monday, the roth instant, at four Oclock p. M., on said day, at the house of Israel Harrington, in Sandusky, No. 6. — Met in pursuant to adjournment at the house of Israel Harrington, on monday, the tenth day of April, 1820, when Jesse W. Newman was qualified and took the oath required by law, as Clerk of the Commissioners. No. 7. — Be it remembered that this day personally came Jaques Hulburd, County Clerk pro-tem, Willis E. Brown, Sheriff, Nicholas Whitinger Treasurer for the County of Sandusky, and severally gave bonds conditioned for the faithful discharge of their several duties as required by law. No. 8. — Ordered that this meeting be and is here by adjourned until the 25th day of April, r82o, at r O'clock P. M., at the house of Morris A. Newman, in the town of Croghansville. No. 9. — Commissioners met in pursuance to adr journment at the house of Morris A. Newman, on tuesday, the 25th of April, in the year 1820, in the town of Broghansville. No. 10. — Ordered that Joseph Chafey be paid eleven dollars for Blank Books to be paid out of the county treasury. 96 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY No. n. — Organization of Thompson Township. Ordered that a township be detached from the town ship of Croghansville by the name of thompson; boundaries as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of the Seneca Reservation, thence north from the Cinica Reservation to the present trailed road from Croghansville to Strong's settlement till it shall intersect the Fire-Lands, thence South with said line to the Base Line, thence west along said line till a line due north will strike the place of beginning. Order to elect officers. — The qualified electors of the township of thompson are ordered to meet on Saturday, the 6th of May next, at the house of Joseph parmeter, for the purpose of electing their township officers, at 10 O'clock A. M. on said day, and then and there proceed to elect said officers as the law directs. The foregoing extracts are a complete transcript with figures, capital letters, and spelling found on the first two pages of the old record. The county commissioners at the time, April 8, 1820, were Moses Nichols, Jere miah Everett, and Morris A. Newman. They met, it seems, at different places, sometimes in Croghanville, on the east side, and at other times at Sandusky, on the west side of the river. •In 1824 the statutes of the State re quired merchants and tavern-keepers to pay a license, and this old record shows the revenue of the county from these sources to have been as follows : A list of treasurer's receipts from tavern and store licenses and permits since March ±, 1882, in my office to wit : To. George Reynolds, permit to keep tavern, $ 1 70 To Calvin Leezen, tavern license 10 00 To M. A. Newman, tavern license : 5 00 To James McCollister, tavern license 10 00 ¦ To Samuel Baker, permit to keep tavern 1 50 To Laurence Gynal, permit to keep tavern. . . 4 00 To Jacob Millions, permit to keep tavern r 00 To Jacob Millions, permit to keep tavern 4 co To J. S. & G. G. Olmstead, store license 15 00 To Richard Sears, store license 15 00 To Abram Courtright, tavern license 5 00 To Samuel Cochran, tavern license 5 00 To Bartholomew Rossoms, tavern license 5 00 To Israel Harrington, tavern license 10 00 To Nicholas Whitinger, tavern license 10 00 To Speeks, permit to vend merchandise 1 00 Full amount $103 20 All which is respectfully submitted March 4, 1823. B. F. Drake, Clerk C. R The exhibit of receipts from March 5, 1822, to June, 1823, on this record is as follows : Received for store, tavern and ferry licenses . .$152 59 " from county collection of taxes 166 10 from fines of fishermen and fighting men 11 70 $33° 39 The record of expenditures for the year 1823 shows the following items: Seth Cochran, for wolf scalps $34 00 Henry Cochran, for wolf scalps 1200 J. Spanknoble, for wolf scalps 3 00 S. Baker, for wolf scalps 1500 Caleb Rice, for wolf scalps 4 00 D. Cochran, for wolf scalps 6 00 W. White, for wolf scalps 3 00 S. Root, for wolf scalps 3 00 T. Wood, for wolf scalps 3 00 J. Parrish, for wolf scalps 3 00 J . Guinale, for wolf scalps 3 00 A. Switzer, for wolf scalps 6 00 A. Courtright, for wolf scalps 12 00 Total $107 00 In 1824 horses and cattle over three years old were listed and taxed by the head. Seneca county had then been organized, but what is now Ottawa county was still a part of Sandusky. The record above mentioned gives the number of horses and cattle over. three years old in the different townships as fol lows : horses, cattle. Sandusky township 33 83 Croghan township 21 46 Portage township 26 151 Riley township 26 169 Ballville township 35 122 Green Creek township 28 165 Townsend township 10 123 York township 22 153 Total in the county 201 1012 The total amount of taxes charged on the tax duplicate for the year 1824 was two hundred and ninety-five dollars and eighty- two cents, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY' 97 HOW THE FIRST COURT HOUSE WAS BUILT. October 27, 181 7, the proprietors of land on the west side of the river laid out and recorded the plat of the town of San dusky on the west side of the river. The location of the county-seat became a ques tion of hot contest between Croghansville and the new town of Sandusky. After much discussion, commissioners to settle the question of difference were appointed by the General Assembly of the State. On viewing the ground and hearing the argu ments and propositions of each party, these commissioners finally decided in favor of the west side. In platting the town of Sandusky the proprietors had set apart on their plat a square containing about half an acre of land, and dedicated it to the coun ty for a court house, and another square of equal size (marked B) for jail and of- 'fices. Sandusky county not then having been organized, the plat of this survey was recorded in Huron county, of which San dusky then formed a part. The proprie tors who signed this plat of the town of Sandusky were: Thomas L. Hawkins, for self and Thomas E. Boswell; Morris A. Newman; William Oliver, for self and company; Israel Harrington, for self and E. P.; Josiah Rumery. The following extract, from the county commissioners' record in the book above referred to, is interesting for several rea sons, among which are : that it shows the manner of doing public business in those days, and also the names of a number of the pioneers who settled at Lower San dusky and vicinity, and who were leading men in public affairs in 1822 : SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR PUBLIC BUILDINGS. We, the undersigned, citizens of the county of Sandusky, do hereby bind ourselves, our heirs, ex ecutors and administrators; firmly, to pay unto the commissioners of said county the following sums set opposite our names respectively, for the purpose of building a court-house, etc., provided the permanent seat of justice shall be1 located in the village of San dusky, the same to be paid as follows, by the first day of April, 1823. Cyrus Hulburd Harvey J. Harmon Benjamin Wheat Israel Harrington Calvin Leezen E. W. Howland. Richard Sears William Andrews William McClellan Geprge and J. S. Olmstead David Gallagher Lysander C. Ball Nicholas Whitinger Moses Nichols Thomas L. Hawkins Jacob Bowlus Charles B. Fitch Joseph Loveland Daniel Brainard Asa B. Gavit Ezra Williams John Drury John W. Tyler '. Morris Tyler Daniel Tindall Sylvanus Bixby John Custard Martin Baum, of Cincinnati, by M. T.Williams David Chambers Ebenezer Granger & Co., 'byC. Hulburd ISO 5 $50 $100 5° 5° \ 100 3° $200 25 > TO $400 roo 100 10 35SO 10 100 25 10 205° 155 5° 20 1010 35 20 5 iS 400 IS 3S Totals $235 $305 $515 $745 $1795 Now let the reader realize, if possible, the actual surroundings of the few people in it when the county was organized. To do this, it must be remembered that at that time its surface, like that of north western Ohio generally, was an almost un broken wilderness, and with the exception of a few small spots of wet prairie, covered by a dense forest of tall trees, — here and there a lonely, tortuous foot-path or bridle way through the woods made by the In dians in travelling from stream to stream, — no wagon-ways but those through the woods along the river, made for the move ment of troops during the wars; no road beds on these but the soft, wet, earth walled on each side and covered overhead by tall forest trees, among and around which the road was continually winding. As to the means of subsistence, the cornfield 9§ HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COTNTY. and garden furnished bread and vegeta bles; fish were very abundant and con veniently procured from the rivers and creeks. Probably half the meat used by the inhabitants was obtained by the use of the rifle among the deer and turkeys in the woods, and ducks and geese along the streams. For a number of years during the early settlement on the Sandusky River, corn bread made of meal of Indian corn, was the only bread, and the meal was made in two ways : One was, by grat ing the corn before it entirely hardened, on a grater made by punching a sheet of tin full of small holes, and taking the rough side for the grater. The tin was bent intoan arch, rough side out, and the sides nailed to a shingle or piece of wood. On this rough surface the fresh ear of corn was rubbed until the corn was grated from the cob. The other method was to dry the shelled corn until it was hard and brittle and then placing it in a wooden mortar pound it to meal with a wooden pestle. These brief statements may give some idea of the condition of the country and of the people who launched Sandusky county into civil life and power, and laid the foundations of her prosperity, and the happiness of her people. We place these statements on record here, so that when years shall have rolled past, and the county shall be thickly peopled and all its resources fully de veloped, the curious may be able to com pare the county from the beginning, and reckon the course and distance of her progress. CHAPTER VIII (a). FORT STEPHENSON. Fremont, Ohio, August 22, 1877. Hon. Homer Everett: Dear Sir: You are hereby requested by the city council of this city to furnish for publication an his torical account of the defence of Fort Stephenson, and the purchase and dedication of the site of the fort for a public park. Hoping this request will meet with your approbation, we remain, Yours, etc., C. R. McCulloch, President of the Council. W. W. Stine, City Clerk. In compliance with the request in the foregoing resolution, I submit to the Mayor and council of the city of Fremont the following memoranda of events connected with Fort Stephenson (or Fort Sandusky). THE NAME. The histories of the War of 18 12 use two names to designate this fort. In an account of the battle here, published in March, A. D. 1815, Volume V, of the Port-Folio, a monthly pamphlet published by Oliver Oldschool, it is called Fort San dusky. In late publications and histories both names are used to designate the place, as "Fort Stephenson or Lower San dusky." [Western Annals, by James H. Parker, page 5 44; Historical Collec tions of Ohio, by Henry Howe, pages 448 and 449; History of the Maumee Valley, byH. S. Knapp, page 183. J The name of Fort Sandusky was natur ally derived from the river, near which it was situated. The other appellation of Fort Stephenson (or Stevenson, for it is spelled both ways in published histories,) was probably given to the place because Colonel Stevenson at one time command ed the post. The following general order shows that he was in command on and before the 14th of May, 1813 : HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 99 GENERAL ORDERS. Headquarters, Lower Sandusky, 1 14th May, 1813. j The troops which now form the garrison at Lower Sandusky will be relieved to-day by a detachment furnished by His Excellency, General Meigs, to the . senior officer of which Colonel Stevenson will deliver the post and public property in his possession. The militia belonging to General Wadsworth's di vision, now at this place, will, as soon as relieved, commence their march for Cleveland, where they will remain for the protection of that town. Colonel Stevenson will furnish the senior officer of this detachment with a copy of this order, and the quartermaster here will provide the means of a trans port for them. By order, R. Graham, Adjutant. The following report is the first instance I have found where the name "Fort Steph enson" was authentically used. It seems to be a report on the transportation to be furnished under the preceding order, but the spelling of Stevenson, I notice, is changed : Fort Stephenson, 1 May 22, 1813. J May it Please Your Excellency: Sir: Agreeably to your orders, sent by Mr. Bishop, I have forwarded all the articles specified therein. The carriages on which they are to be mounted have not yet arrived, but are daily expected, as teams have been sent from this place under an escort from the garrison. If you deem it necessary that one of the carriages should be forwarded to Cleveland, the same will be done, on your order. Considerable manual labor has been done on the garrison since you left this place, and improvements are daily mak ing. The troops in general in the garrison are afflicted with bad colds. No epidemic or contagious disorder prevails. One person has been buried since you left this post. He came from Fort Meigs with a part of the baggage of Major Todd. No news, or any apprehension of danger. By order of Major Commanding. R. E. Post, Adjutant. R. J. Meigs, Governor State of Ohio. My memory holds, clearly, events as early as 1825, and events earlier. I have lived here since the year 1815, and ever since my earliest recollection the fort has been known in the locality as "Fort Stevenson." WHEN AND BY WHOM CONSTRUCTED. I am unable to find any data by which to determine the exact time when the con struction of the fort was begun. By the treaty of Greenville, between the United States, represented by Anthony Wayne, and the hostile tribes of Indians in the territory northwest of the Ohio River, August 3, 1815, the United States obtained title to a number of tracts of land, called afterwards reservations, in different parts of the territory. Among those was a tract of land two miles square at the lower rapids of the Sandusky River. They also obtained by the same treaty the right of way to and from each of these several tracts. Wayne was an experienced Ind ian fighter, and had then effectually sub dued them ; and knowing their character, no doubt anticipated further hostilities. His wise foresight is remarkably displayed in the selection of these parcels of land for advantageous military posts and forts. The next we know of military opera tion here was on the 18th of January, A. D. 1813, when General Harrison hastened here from Upper Sandusky, and on that morning sent forward a battalion of troops to the support of Winchester in his march to Detroit. The next mention of the place in mili tary history is fottnd in a general report to United States Secretary of War John Armstrong, under date of " Headquarters, foot of the Miami Rapids, nth February, 181-3," in which, while giving his intended disposition of his forces, he wrote: "A company will be placed at Upper San dusky, and another at Lower Sandusky." He does not in this communication apply the term "fort" in connection with either place. Hence, a fair inference that at the date of this report no fort had been constructed. I therefore conclude that the fort was built between the nth of February, 1813, i66 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. and the 14th of May following, by Colonel Stevenson, who was relieved at the date last mentioned, by the order first above quoted. That it was improved by the detach ment sent to his relief, as shown by the foregoing report of Adjutant R. E. Post, under date of May 22, 1813, and was completed by Major Croghan (pronounced Croh-an) after he took command of it, which was on or about the 15th of July, 1813. [Portfolio, Vol. V., page 216, published March, 1815.J The same com munication to the Portfolio has the fol lowing : No doubt was entertained that the enemy would visit Sandusky. Accordingly Colonel Croghan labored day and night to place the fort (which had received no advantages from nature or art) in a. State of defence. The necessity of cutting a ditch round the fort immediately presented itself to him. This was done; but in order to render the enemy's plans abortive, should they succeed in passing the ditch (which was nine feet wide and six feet deep), he had large logs placed on top of the fort, and so adjusted that an inconsiderable weight would cause them to fall from their position, and crush to death all who might be situated below. The walls of the fort were made of logs, some round and some flat on one side, being half of larger pieces of tim ber, averaging about eighteen inches in thickness, set firmly in the earth, perpen dicularly, each picket crowded closely against the other and about ten feet high, sharpened at the top. The walls inclosed about one acre of ground on • a bluff formed by the hills, bounding the valley of the river on the east of the fort, and a ravine running in a northeasterly direc tion, cutting through the bluff north of the fort. After Croghan arrived at the fort he had a ditch six feet deep and nine feet wide, dug around it outside, throwing about half the earth against the foot of the pickets, and grading it sharply down to the bottom of the ditch. The other portion of earth was thrown on the outer bank of the ditch, thus increasing the depth from the top of the outer bank. Our esteemed citizen, J. P. Moore, in formed the writer a few years since that he had a conversation with one James Kirk, then of Michigan, but since deceased. Kirk was then on a visit to Fremont, and guest of Mr. Moore. He informed Mr. Moore that he (Kirk) was here in the spring of 18 13, and worked on the fort, and, being a blacksmith by trade, put the hinges on the gate of an addition to the fort; that an additional area was en closed that spring and fore part of the summer equal to the area of the original fort. This fact accounts for what might other wise appear singular, viz: A block-house or bastion near the middle of the north ditch. Kirk also mentioned a store house then erected, built of peeled logs, which, being higher than the other build ings and not so strong, was battered down by the enemy's cannon during the siege. In this house, Kirk said, was stored a quantity of hard bread intended for the support of the men in Perry's fleet, which was expected up the lake about that time. Kirk was sent to Fort Seneca shortly be fore the battle, and was, consequently, not present during the engagement. But he returned shortly after, and for many years worked at his trade in this place. He was long known to the writer when a boy, and was a good citizen and an honor able, truthful man. THE ATTACK AND DEFENCE OF THE FORT. Having raised the siege of Camp Meigs, the British sailed around into Sandusky Bay, while a competent number of their savage allies marched across through the swamps of Portage River, to co-operate in a combined attack oh Lower Sandusky, expecting, no doubt, that General Harri son's attention would be chiefly directed to forts Winchester and Meigs. The Gen ¦' '.Ji.!V^J ' •" ',-jfofr --' .-¦¦:^v"j'-'^l ^¦'^^hL; ' ' ' """':-^^^^^**- -1 ¦.¦¦*¦¦ . s.".' v^ "'-jij m (Cornfield.) INDEX— i. Pickets. i. Embankment from ditch to and against the pickets. 3. Dry ditch 9 feet wide, and 6 feet deep. (Head of Navigation.) 4 Outward Embankment. A. Block-house first attacked by five cannon. t B. Bastion from which the ditch was raked by Col. Croghan's sur-pounder (Good Old Bess.) C. Guard Block-house. D. Hospital. E. Storehouses. F. Commissary's Storehouse. G. Magazine. H. Fort gate. (Prairie.) K. Wicker gates. L. Partition gate. M. Mortars. P. Graves of British officers. Plan Of Fort Stephenson and Battle of Lower Sandusky (For Description See History.) HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY, 101 eral, however, had calculated on their taking this course, and had been careful to keep patrols down the bay, opposite the mouth of the Portage, where he supposed their forces would debark. Several days before the British had in vested Fort Meigs, General Harrison, with Major Croghan and some other officers, had examined the heights which sur rounded Fort Stephenson; and as the hill on the opposite or southeast side of the river was found to be the most commanding eminence, the General had some thoughts of removing the fort to that place, and Major Croghan declared his readiness to undertake the work. But the General did not authorize him to do it, and he believed that if the enemy intended to invade our territory again, they would do it before the removal could be completed. It was then finally concluded that the fort, which was calculated for a garrison of only two hun dred men, could not be defended against the heavy artillery of the enemy; and that if the British should approach it by water, which would cause a presumption that they had brought their heavy artillery, the fort must be abandoned and burnt, pro vided a retreat could be effected with safety. In the orders left with Major Croghan, it was stated: "Should the Brit ish troops approach you in force with cannon, and you can discover them in time to effect a retreat, you will do so im- . mediately, destroying all the public stores." "You must be aware that the attempt to retreat in the face of an Indian force would be vain. Against such an enemy your garrison would be safe, however great the number." On the evening of the 29th General Harrison received intelligence, by express, from General Clay, that the enemy had abandoned the siege of Fort Meigs; and as the Indians on that day had swarmed in the woods round his camp, he entertained no doubt but that an immedi ate attack was intended either on Sandus ky or Seneca. He therefore immediately called a council of war, consisting of Mc- Arthur, Cass, Ball, Paul, Wood, Hukill, Holmes and Graham, who were unani mously of the opinion that Fort Stephen. son was untenable against heavy artillery, and that as the enemy could bring with fa cility any quantity of battering cannon against it, by which it must inevitably fall, and as it was an unimportant post, con taining nothing the loss of which would be felt by us, that the garrison should there fore not be reinforced, but withdrawn, and the place destroyed. In pursuance of this decision, the General immediately dis patched the order to Major Croghan, di recting him immediately to abandon Fort Stephenson, to set it on fire and repair with his command to headquarters — cross the river and come up on the opposite side, and if he should find it impracticable to reach the General's quarters, to take the road to Huron, and pursue it with the ut most circumspection and dispatch. This order was sent by Mr. Conner and two Indians, who lost their way in the dark, and did not reach Fort Stephenson until n o'clock the next day. When Major Croghan received it, he was of the opinion that he could not then retreat with safety, as the Indians were hovering round the fort in considerable force. He called a council of his officers, a majority of whom coincided with him in opinion that a re treat would be unsafe, and that the post could be maintained against the enemy, at least till further instructions could be received from headquarters. The Major, therefore, immediately returned the follow ing answer: Sir : I have just received yours of yesterday, ro i>. M. , ordering me to destroy this place and make good my retreat, which was received too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain this place, and, by heavens, we can. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. In writing this brief note Major Cro ghan had a view to the probaability of its falling into the hands of the ene my, and on that account made use of stronger language than would otherwise have been consistent with propriety. It reached the General on the same day, who did not fully understand the circum stances and motives under which it had been dictated. The following order was therefore immediately prepared and sent with Colonel Wells in the morning, es corted by Colonel Ball, with his corps of dragoons: July 30, 1813. Sir: The General has just received your letter of this date, informing him that you had thought proper to disobey the ordei issued from this office, and de livered to you this morning. It appears that the in formation which dictated the order was incorrect; and as vou did not receive it in the night, as was ex pected, it might have been proper that you should have reported the circumstance and your situation, before you proceeded to its execution. This might have been passed over; but I am directed to say to you, that an officer who presumes to aver that he has made his resolution, and that he will act in direct op position to the orders of the General, can no longer be entrusted with a separate, command. Colone' Wells is sent to relieve you. You will deliver the command to him, and repair with Colonel Ball's squadron to this place. By command, etc. A. H. Holmes, Assistant Adjutant-General. Colonel Wells being left in the com mand of Fort Stephenson, Major Croghan returned with the squadron to headquar ters.. He there explained his motive for writing such a note, which was deemed satisfactory; and having remained all night with the General, who treated him politely, he was permitted to return to his command in the morning, with written or ders similar to those he had received be fore. A reconnoitring party which had been sent from headquarters to the shore of the lake, about twenty miles distant from Fort Stephenson, discovered the approach of the enemy, by water, on the 31st of July. They returned by the fort after 12 o'clock the next clay, and had passed it but a few hours when the enemy made their appearance before it. The Indians showed themselves first on the hill over the river, and were saluted by a six-pounder, the only piece of artillery in the fort, which soon caused them to retire. In half an hour the British gun-boats came in sight, and the Indian forces displayed themselves in every direction, with a view to intercept the garrison, should a retreat be attempted. The six-pounder was fired a few times at the gun-boats, which was returned by the artillery of the enemy. A landing of their troops with a five and a half inch howitzer was effected about a mile. below the fort, and Major Chambers, accompanied by Dickson, was dispatched towards the fort with a flag, and was met on the part of Major Croghan by Ensign Shipp, of the Seventeenth regiment. After the usual ceremonies, Major Chambers observed- to Ensign Shipp that he was instructed by General Proctor to demand the surrender of the fort, as he was anxious to spare the effusion of human blood, which he could riot do should he be under the necessity of re'ducing it by the powerful force of ar tillery, regulars, and Indians under his com mand. Shipp replied that the commandant of the fort and its garrison was determined to defend it to the last extremity; that no force, however great, could induce them to surrender, as they were resolved to main tain their post, or to bury themselves in its ruins. Dickson then said that their immense body of Indians could not be restrained from murdering the whole gar rison in case of success ; of which we have no doubt, rejoined Chambers, as we are amply prepared. Dickson then proceeded to remark, that it was a great pity so fine a young man should fall into the hands of the savages — Sir, for God's sake, surren der, and prevent the dreadful massacre HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 103 that will be caused by your resistance. Mr. Shipp replied, that when the fort was taken there would be none to massacre. It will not be given up while a man is able to resist. An Indian at this moment came out of the adjoining ravine, and advancing to the ensign, took hold of his sword and attempted to wrest it from him. Dickson interfered, and having retained the Indian, affected great anxiety to get him safe into the fort. The enemy now opened fire from their six-pounder in the gunboats and the how itzer on .shore, which they continued through the night with but little intermis sion and with very little effect. The forces of the enemy consisted of five hundred regulars, and about eight hundred Indians commanded by Dickson, the whole being commanded by General Proctor in person. Tecumseh was stationed on the road to Fort Meigs with a body of two thousand Indians, expecting to intercept a reinforce ment on that route. Major Croghan, through the evening, occasionally fired his six-pounder, at the same time changing its place, to in duce a belief that he had more than one piece. As it produced very little ex ecution on the enemy, and he was desir ous of saving -his ammunition, he soon discontinued his fire. The enemy had di rected their fire against the northwestern angle of the fort, which induced the com mander to believe that an attempt would be made to storm his works at that point. In the night Captain Hunter was directed to remove the six-pounder to a block house, from which it would rake that angle. By great industry and personal ex ertion, Captain Hunter soon accomplished this object in secrecy. The embrasure was masked and the piece loaded with a half-charge of powder, and double-charge of slugs and grape-shot. Early in the morning of the 2d the enemy opened their fire from their howitzer and three six-pounders, which they had landed in the night, and planted in a point of woods about two hundred and fifty yards from the fort. In the evening, about 4 o'clock, they concentrated the fire of all their guns on the northwest angle, which convinced Major Croghan that they would endeavor to make a breach and storm the works at that point; he therefore immediately had that place strengthened as much as possible with bags of flour and sand, which were so effectual that the picketing in that place sustained no material injury. Sergeant Weaver, with five or six gentlemen of the Petersburg volunteers and Pittsburgh Blues, who happened to be in the fort, was intrusted with the management of the six- pounder. Late in the evening, when the smoke of the firing had completely enveloped the fort, the enemy proceeded to make the assault. Two feints were made toward the southern angle, where Captain Hun ter's lines were formed; and at the same time a column of three hundred and fifty men was discovered advancing through the smoke, within twenty paces of the northwestern angle. A heavy, galling fire of musketry was now opened upon them from the fort, which threw them into some confusion. Colonel Short, who headed the principal column, soon rallied his men, and led them with great bravery to the brink of the ditch. After a moment ary pause he leaped into the ditch, calling to his men to follow him, and in a few minutes it was full. The masked port hole was now opened, and the six-pounder, at the distance of thirty feet, poured such destruction among them that but few who had entered the ditch were fortunate enough to escape. A precipitate and confused retreat was the immediate conse quence, although some of the officers attempted to rally their men. The' other 1 94 HISTORY OF- SANDUSKY COUNTY. column, .whjch -was led, by C°l°ne! War- burton and .Major-;, Chambers, ;was also routed in, .confusion by a, destructive, fire fr,Qtn the line commanded; ;by .Captain Hunter. . The. whole of. them fled into Jfye adjoining wood, beyond the reach of our, fire-arms. , : During the assault, which 4a.sted,rhalf an hour, .the, enemy kept up an incessant fire from their howitzer, and five ;six-pounders. They left Colonel Short,* a lieutenant .and twenty-five pri vates dead in the ditch; and the total number of prisoners taken was twenty-six, most , of them badly wounded. , Major Muir was knocked down in the ditch, and lay among the dead till the darkness qf ;the night enabled him to escape in safety. The loss, of the garrison: was one killed and seven slightly wounded. The total Joss of the. enemy could not, have been ,o :)¦¦¦< ¦¦"¦ ¦ ¦ ".. .'i ' ,':;¦ ;'.-'.i ;.-{! - -. ¦ . ; less than one hundred and sixty killed and wounded. . , When night came on, which was soon after the assault, the wounded in the ditch were in a -desperate situation. Complete i- . L ¦ --,"-0 i ' ,' 'i ' ' - _I i relief could not be brought to them by either, side with any degree of safety. Major Croghan, however, relieved them as much as possible — he contrived to convey them water over the picketing in buckets, and a 'ditch was opened under the pickets, through which those who were able and willing, were encouraged to crawl into the fort. All who ,were able preferred, of course, to follow their de feated comrades, and many others were carried from the vicinity of the fort by the Indians, particularly their own killed and wounded; and in the night, about three *Colonel Short, who commanded the regulars composing, the forlorn hdpe, was ordering his men to leap the ditch, cut down the pickets and give the Americans no quarter, when he fell mortally wounded into the ditch, h'disted his white handkerchief on the end of his sword,' and begged for that1 mercy which he had a moment; before ordqred to be denied to his enemy. o'clock,, the whole ;Briti,sh and,^ I,nd,ii force commencecj a, disorderly retreat. So great was their precipitation that they left a> -sail-boat containing .some, clothing and a considerable quantity of military stores; and on the next day, seventy stand of arms and some braces of pistols, were picked up about the "fort. Their hurry and confusion was caused by the. .appre hension of an attack from General Harri son, of whose position and force they had prqbably .received , an exaggerated accpunt. It was the intention qf General Har rison, should the, enemy succeed^ against For.t Stephenson, on should they endeavor to turn his left and fall on Upper San dusky, to leave his carnp at Seneca and fall; back for the; protection of that, place. But he discovered by the firing on the evening pf^he^ist, that the enemy, .had nothing but light artillery,,, which could rnake po impression on the , fort ; and. he knew that an atternpt to storm it without making a breach, could be, successfully repelled by the garrison ; he therefore de termined to wait far the arrival of two hundred and fifty mounted volunteers under Colonel Rennick, being the advance of seven hundred who were approaching by the way of Upper Sandusky, and then to march against the enemy and raise the siege, if their force was not' still too great for his. On the 2d he sent several scouts to ascertain their situation and force; but the woods were so infested, with Indians that none of them could proceed suffi ciently, near the fort to make the necessary discoveries. In the night the messenger arrived at headquarters with the intelli gence that the enemy were preparing to retreat. About nine o'clock Major Crogh an had ascertained, from their collecting about their boats, that they were pre paring to embark, and had immediately sent an express to the commander-in-chief with this information. The General now HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 1 05 determined to wait no longer for the rein forcements, and immediately set out with the dragoons, with which he reached the fort early in the morning, having ordered Generals McArthur and Cass, who had arrived at Seneca several days before, to follow him with all the disposable infantry at that place, and which at this time was about seven hundred men, after the nu merous sick, and the force necessary to maintain the position, were left behind. Finding that the enemy had fled entirely from the fort, so as not to be reached by him, and learning that Tecumseh was somewhere in the direction of Fort Meigs, with two thousand warriors, he immej ately ordered the infantry to fall bai Seneca, lest Tecumseh should make|an at tack on that place, or intercept the sm^il reinforcements advancing from Ohio." In his official report of this, affair, Gen eral Harrison observes that: "It will not be among the least of General Proctor's mortifications, that he has been'baffled by, •> a youth, who has just passed his twenty- first year. He is, however, a herb' worthy of his gallant uncle, General George' R;* Clarke." Captain Hunter, of the Seventeenth regiment, the second in command, c>9n-v iducted himself with great propriety; and inever was there a set of finer young fel- llows than the subalterns, viz: Lieuten ants Johnson and Baylor of the Seven teenth, Meeks of the Seventh, and En signs Shipp and Duncan, of the Seven teenth. Lieutenant Anderson, of the Twenty- fourth, was also noticed for his good con duct. Being without a comrnand, he solicited Major Croghan for a musket and a post to fight at, which he did with the greatest bravery. "Too much praise," says Major Cro ghan, "can not be bestowed on the officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates under my command, for their gallantry and good conduct during the siege." The brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel was immediately conferred on Major Cro ghan, by the President of the United States, for his gallant conduct on this oc casion. The ladies of Chillicothe also presented him an elegant sword, accom panied by a suitable address. The following sketches of Colonel George Croghan are taken from the Port folio, published in 1815: Frankfort, July 22, i8r4. To the Editor of the Port-folio: Sir : Upon receiving the letter which you did me the honor to address to me by Mrs. B., I imme diately took such measures as were necessary to pro- curethe information you requested. 1 now transmit to youftlje result of my inquiries, regretting that it was #ot in my power to do it sooner. At "the time when Colonel Croghan and myself were inmates of the same house, he was in|bis four teenth year. No incident occurred during that early period sufficiently interesting to find a place in his history; yet, even then, his conduct exhibited a happy combination of those talents and principles l^hich have already procured him the admiration and gjratitude of his country. -'-Though ingenuous in his disposition and unassum ing and conciliating in his manners, he was remarka ble for discretion and steadiness. His opinions, when once formed, were maintained with modest but persevering firmness ; and the propriety of his decis- lViqns, generally.justified the spirit with which they were defended. Yet, though rigid to his adherence to principle, and in his estimate of what was right orv improper; in cases of minor importance he was all compliance. I never met with a youth who would so cheerfully sacrifice every personal gratification to the wishes or accommodation of his friends. In sickness or disappointment he evinced a degree of patience and fortitude which could not have been ex ceeded by any veteran in the school of misfortune or philosophy. Were I asked, what were the most prominent features of his character? (or rather, what were the prevailing dispositions of his mind?) at the period of which I am speaking, — I would answer, decision and urbanity; the former, resulting from the uncommon and estimable qualities of his under standing — the latter, from the concentration of all the sweet "charities of life," in his heart. Thus far from my own observation. I have seldom seen Col onel Croghan for the last eight years ; but subjoin the testimony of those to whose observation he has been exposed during the whole of that period. io6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. An intelligent young gentleman, who was his asso ciate in study and in aims, has given me a brief sketch of his military career, which I herewith trans mit, together with such corroborative and additional circumstances as I have collected from other sources, and which in substance amount to this : Lieutenant-Colonel George Croghan was born at Locust Grove, near the falls of Ohio, on the 15th of November, 1791. His father, Major William Cro ghan, left Ireland at an early period of life ; was ap pointed an officer in our Revolutionary army, and discharged his duties as such, to the satisfaction of the commander-in-chief. His mother is the daugh ter of John Clarke, esq., of Virginia, a gentleman of worth and respectability, who exerted himself greatly, and contributed largely towards the support of our just and glorious contest. He had five sons, four of whom were officers in the Revolutionary army. Gen eral William Clarke, who, together with Captain Lewis, explored, and is at present the Governor of Louisiana, was too young to participate with his brothers in the achievement of our liberties ; but his conduct since is a sufficient demonstration of the part he would have taken, had he been riper in years. The military talents of General George R. Clarke have obtained for him the flattering appellation of " the father of the western country." Colonel Croghan has always been esteemed gener ous and humane; and, when a boy, his manly ap pearance and independence of sentiment and action commanded the attention and admiration of all who knew him. The selection of his speeches for scholastic exer cises tended in some measure to mark his peculiar talent. They were of a nature entirely military. He read with delight whatever appertained to mili tary affairs, and would listen for hours to conversa tions respecting battles. His principal amusements were gunning and fox-hunting. He would frequent ly rise at 12 o'clock at night, and repair to the woods alone (or with no attendant but his little servant), either to give chase to the fox, or battle to the wild cat and raccoon. Nothing offended him more than for any one, even in jest, to say a word disrespectful of General Wash ington. While in the State of Kentucky his time was principally occupied by the study of his native tongue, geography, the elements of geometry, and the Latin and Greek languages. In these different branches of literature he made a respectable progress. In the year 1808 he left Locust Grove for the pur pose of prosecuting his studies in the University of William and Mary. In this institution he graduated as A. B. on the 4th of July, 1820; and delivered, on the day of his graduation, an oration on the subject of expatriation. This oration was deemed by the audience, concise, ingenious, and argumentative, and was pronounced in a manner which did great credit to his oratorical powers. The ensuing autumn he attended a course of lectures on law, and upon the termination of the course returned to his father's where he prosecuted the study of the same profes sion, and occasionally indulged himself in miscel laneous reading. Biography and history have always occupied much of his attention. He is an enthusias tic admirer of the writings of Shakespeare, and can recite most of the noted passages of that great poet and philosopher. He admires tragedy but not comedy. He is (as his countenance indicates) rather of a serious cast of mind; yet no one admires more a pleasant anecdote, or an unaffected sally of wit. With his friends he is affable and free from reserve; his manners are prepossessing; he dislikes ostenta tion, and was never heard to utter a word in praise of himself. In the autumn of i8ri was fought the battle of Tippecanoe. This was the first opportunity which offered for the display of his military talents. He embraced it with avidity — left his father's house in the character of a volunteer, and was appointed aid to General Harrison. On the 7th of November an attack was made on the troops under the command of that officer; the enemy were repulsed with valor; and during the engagement young Croghan evinced the greatest courage, activity, and military skilL His services were acknowledged by all; and he ex hibited such proofs of a genius for war that many of his companions in arms remarked that "he was born a soldier." A cant saying among the troops at Tip pecanoe was " to do a main business; " and during the battle he would ride from post to post, exciting the courage of the men by exclaiming, "Now, my brave fellows, now is the time to do a main business." Upon the return of the troops from Tippecanoe, they were frequently met by persons coming to ascertain the fate of their children or friends. Among the number of these was a very poor and aged man, whose son was slain in the battle. Colonel Croghan, having ascertained the situation of the old man, and observing his inability to perform much bodily labor, regularly made his fires every morning, and supplied him with provisions, clothes, and money. Many acts of this kind are related of him by the soldiers and officers of Tippecanoe. After the battle of Tippecanoe, his military ardor greatly increased, and, upon the prospect of a speedy declaration, of war, he expressed a desire to join the army. Recommendatory letters of the most flatter ing kind were written by Generals Harrison and Boyd to the Secretary of War; and upon the com mencement of hostilities against Great Britain, he Was appointed captain in the Seventeenth regiment of infantry. He was stationed some time at Clark ' Cantonment, near the Falls of Ohio, but had not been long in command there before he was ordered to march, with what regulars he had, to the head quarters of the Northwestern Army, then at Detroit. HISTORY OF' SANDUSKY COUNTY. to J His countenance beamed with delight upon receiving this order. There were large bodies of militia and volunteers on their march to Detroit, but before they had proceeded far they heard of Hull's surrender. Shortly after this the command of the North western Army was given to General Harrison. Col onel Croghan commanded a short time at Fort De fiance, on the Miami, but upon the defeat of General Winchester he was ordered to Fort Meigs. His conduct during that memorable siege is hand somely noticed in General Harrison's official report, and he was shortly afterwards promoted to a ma jority, and stationed with his battalion at Upper Sandusky. While there he received information, by express, of an attack upon Lower Sandusky. It was late in the afternoon when the intelligence reached him — the road between the two places was intolerably bad — the distance thirty-six miles, and the rain descending in torrents; yet he proceeded at the head of his battalion to its relief, and continued his march until 12 o'clock at night, by which time he had advanced twenty miles. It then became so dark that he and his men were obliged to lie down in the road, and wait the return of light rather than run the risk of losing their way. He arrived at Fort Ball (twelve miles distant) be fore sunrise the next morning, having waded through mud and mire frequently waist deep, and having been exposed to a heavy rain during the whole night. He was there informed that the report of an attack upon Lower Sandusky was unfounded, but after re maining a few days at Fort Ball he proceeded thither, having received orders to take the command at that post. He arrived there about the 15th of July. A few days after this Fort Meigs was be sieged by a large British and Indian force. No doubt was entertained that the enemy would visit Sandusky. Accordingly, Colonel Croghan labored day and night to place the fort (which had received no advantages from nature or art) in a state of de fence. The necessity of cutting u. ditch round the fort, immediately presented itself to him. This was done; but in order to render the enemy's plans abortive, should they even -succeed in leaping the ditch (which was nine feet wide, and six deep), he had large logs placed on the top of the fort, and so adjusted that an inconsiderable weight would cause them to fall from their position, and crush to death all who might be situated below. This im provement in the art of fortification took place but a few days before the attack. It is novel, and origi nated with himself. A short time before the action, he wrote the following concise and impressive let ter to a friend: The enemy are not far distant — I expect an at tack— I will defend this post till the last extremity — I have just sent away the women and children, with the sick of the garrison, that I may be able to act without incumbrance. Be satisfied. I shall, I hope, do my duty, lhe example set me by my Revolution ary kindred is before me — let me die rather than prove unworthy of their name. The following extract of a letter, written by a fellow-student and fellow-soldier of Lieutenant-Colonel Croghan, is here in troduced as throwing additional light on the military character of that distinguished young officer: Lieutenant-Colonel George Croghan is a native of Kentucky, and the second son of Major William Croghan, near Louisville. He is the nephew of the gallant hero and accomplished general, George Rogers Clarke, the father of the western country, and of General William Clarke, the present enterpris ing Governor of Missouri. His father is a native of Ireland, and having early embarked his fortunes in America, was a distinguished officer in the war of the Revolution. ., - Lieutenant-Colonel Croghan was born on the 15th of November, r79r, and received all the advantages of education the best grammar schools in Kentucky could afford, until in his seventeenth year, when he commenced a scientific course in the ancient college of William and Mary, in Virginia. Both at school and at college he was remarked for an open manli ness of character, and elevation of sentiment, and a strength of intellect, connected with a high and persevering ambition. In July, 1810, he graduated at William and Mary college, and soon afterwards commenced the study of law. With this view, he continued to visit that university until the fall of 1811, when he volunteered- his services as a private in the campaign up the Wabash. A short time before the action of Tippe canoe, he was appointed aid-de-camp to General Boyd, the second in command : and, although from his situation, he was not enabled to evince that ac tivity which has since so much distinguished him, he exhibited a soul undaunted in one of the most san guinary conflicts of the present day, and accordingly received the thanks of the commanding general. In consequence of his services on the Wabash ex pedition, he was appointed a captain in the provi sional army directed to be raised and organized in the spring of 1812. In August he marched with the detachment from Kentucky, under General Winches ter, destined to relieve General Hull in Canada; and to those acquainted with the movements of that gallant but unfortunate little army, the caution, zeal, and military capacity of Captain Croghan was con spicuous. Upon visiting the various' encampments of the army on its march along the Miami of the Lake, both before and after the attack on Fort Wayne, the ground occupied by Captain Croghan io8 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. was easily designated by the judicious fortifications erected for the night. On the movement of the army towards the Rapids, he was entrusted with the com mand of Fort Winchester, at the junction of the Auglaize and Miami Rivers, where he manifested his usual military arrangement. After the defeat at the River Raisin he joined General Harrison at the Rapids, previous to the erection of Fort Meigs. It is creditable to the discernment of General Harrison, that he relied with the utmost confidence on the judicious arrangements of Captain Croghan, in the trying, brilliant, and ever memorable siege of Fort Meigs. In ihe sortie under that gallant soldier, Colonel Miller, on the 5th of May, to the companies led by Captains Croghan, Langhan, and Bradford was confided the storming of the British batteries, defended by a regular force and a body of Indians, either of them superior in number to the assailants. Here Captain Croghan's gallantry was again noticed in general orders. At a very critical period of the last campaign (that of 1813, ) young Croghan, now promoted to a ma jority, was appointed to the command of Fort San dusky, at Lower Sandusky. On his conduct in the defence of that post, the official documents of the time, and the applause of a grateful country, are the most honorable commentary. The character of the campaign was changed from defensive to offensive operations, and its issue very materially influenced by the achievement. For his valor and good conduct on this occasion, Major Crogan was made, by brevet, a Lieutenant-Colonel. Colonel Croghan was made Inspector General of the army, with the rank of Colonel, December 21, 1825, and in that capacity served with General Taylor in Mexico. Congress presented him with a gold medal February 13, 1835, as a recognition of his gallant services in the defence of Fort Stephenson. I close this sketch with an incident which pithily illustrates the character of President Jackson and the esteem in which Colonel Croghan was held, Colonel Miller, the gallant "I'll try, sir," of the War of 1812, was the first to make known to President Jackson that George Croghan, the splendid hero of the Fort Stephenson fight in 1813, who, with a handful of men, maintained against a thousand British and Indians a position that involved all the communication and defences of the Northwest, that George Croghan, with this gallant record, was to be court-martialed on a charge of "intem perance, in alcholic drinks." The old General listened impatiently to the infqf' mation, but heard it through, and then he laid down his paper, rose from his chair, smote the table with his clenched fist, and, with his proverbial energy, declared: "Those proceedings of the court-martial shall be stopped, sir! George Croghan shall get drunk every day of his life if he wants to, and by the Eternal, the United States shall pay for the whiskey." PURCHASE OF THE GROUND BY THE CITY. At an early day after the village of Lower Sandusky was chartered — a few men. suggested and desired that the village should purchase and preserve the fort. The purchase was' talked of from time to time. While it was owned by Chester Edgerton, esq., he verbally agreed to sell it to the city for four thousand dollars. General R. P. Buckland, then represent ing this district in the Ohio Senate, about the year 1856 procured the passage of an act empowering the village to purchase at that price, on the majority vote of the inhabitants. The vote was taken and car ried in favor of the purchase. But by this time Mr. Edgerton had changed his mind, and declined, for some reason, to sell to the city, but afterwards ^old to Mr. Lewis Leppelman. Among those who were always desirous . the city should purchase, was Mr. Sardis Birchard, uncle of President Hayes. Fre mont in the meantime became a city of the second class. Mr. Birchard, while alive, determined to found a public library in Ihe city, where he had resided and ac cumulated considerable wealth. He ac cordingly donated property valued at fifty thousand dollars for the purpose, and ap pointed as trustees of the library and the fund : The Mayor of the city of Fre- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tog mont, the Superintendent of the city schools, R. B. Hayes, R. P. Buckland, Rev. Ebenezer Bushnell, James W. Wil son, Thomas Stilwell, William E. Haynes, and L. Q. Rawson. On meeting, the Board of Trustees chose the following of ficers, who still hold their respective posi tions : President, R. B. Hayes ; Vice- President, R. P. Buckland ; Secretary, W. W. Ross-; Treasurer, James W. Wilson. It was the earnest wish of Mr. Birchard that the library should be located on the site of the fort, and that the city should own that ground for a park. Hence, when the owner, Lewis Leppleman, esq., offered four lots embracing the fort ground prop erty for eighteen thousand dollars, and Mr. Claghan and Dr. W. V. B. Ames, each a lot on the south, 'which connect the ground from Croghan to Garrison streets, consented to sell for nine thous and, Mr. Birchard authorized the trus tees of the library to divert six thousand dollars of the library fund to the purchase. This not being sufficient with the funds appropriated by the city, General Hayes, to complete its purchase of the whole block, guaranteed three thousand dollars more out of the library fund, and the whole was purchased, and deeded to the city with condition that the library build ing should be erected therein. THE GUN CALLED BETSEY CROGHAN. The gun used by Colonel Croghan with such good effect, in defence of the fort, naturally became an object of inquiry with a view to having it placed in the fort as a relic of the past. Brice J. Bartlett, a citizen and promi nent lawyer of the place, father of Colonel J. R. Bartlett, and then mayor of the vil lage, was untiring in his efforts to find and preserve the gun. By correspondence with the War Department and inquiry through members of Congress, he ascer tained that the identical gun was stored at Pittsburgh. Aided by other citizens, he procured the passage of a resolution by Congress, directing that the gun be forwarded to this place and given to the village authorities. It was forwarded, but by some misdi rection was carried to Sandusky City. The authorities of that place desired to keep it, and when it was traced there and claimed by Mayor Bartlett, it was con cealed by being buried. He set a detective on the search, who, after several days, succeeded in finding where it was buried and informed Mayor Bartlett. The Mayor sent a force of several men with a team, who found the gun and brought it away. There was much re joicing over the arrival of the gun, and the people still hold it as a sacred relic of the past and a witness of the bravery of Colonel Croghan and his one hundred and sixty brave Kentuckians. This gun is now placed on the site of Fort Stephenson, to be there kept as a memento and a reminder to future genera tions, of the heroism and bravery of the fort's defenders. The following communication was writ ten by Clark Waggoner, who formerly edited the Lower Sandusky Whig, and was published in the Fremont Journal of Au gust, 1879. It seems so pertinent to the history of the fort and the people of Lower Sandusky, that we give it entire: FORTY YEARS AGO — FORT STEPHENSON CELEBRA TION OF 1839. The history of Fremont and vicinity is especially rich in events and associations, some of which have been gathered for record, while many others remain unwritten and liable to the oblivion which sooner or later overtakes tradition. Most prominent of all now stands, and must stand, the thrilling story of the heroic and successful defence of Fort Stephenson by Major George Croghan and his gallant little band of one hundred and sixty-nine men, August 2, 1813, nd HistOry of sandUsky CouNtY. from the combined attack of five hundred British regulars and eight hundred Indians, under command of General Proctor. After a furious cannonading of twenty-four hours, the assault was made, which re sulted in complete repulse, with a loss to the, assail ants of two hundred men in killed and wounded, and to the brave defenders of one man killed and seven slightly wounded. We need not stop here to repeat the many features and incidents of that notable event, so highly important in staying the advance into Ohio of the confident leader of that mongrel command' our present object being rather to refer to the notable commemoration of that great victory, which took place here on the twenty-sixth anniversary of the same, August 2, 1839. This is made the more fitting at this time by the occurrence to-morrow of the sixty- sixth anniversary of that event. Since the celebration of r839, forty years have passed. Forty years ! Two score of the earth's cycles ! How few, of the hundreds who participated in the exercises of that occasion, remain to have its pleasant memories revived by this reference thereto. Not one in a hundred of the present population of Fremont and vicinity have any information of that event, except as received from others. And yet-there are some who have all these long years. of intervening time kept the matter in mind, and these will take special pleasure in a brief review of some of the inci dents of the occasion. It is proper here to state that in 1839 there still remained some who were either here or in the immediate vicinity at the time of the tragic scenes of 1813. The celebration of 1839 was the first formal recog nition made of the anniversary of the battle, and was entered into by all classes of citizens with a spirit and an energy which indicated the deepest in terest in the chief local event of the town. Action looking thereto was inaugurated by a preliminary meeting of citizens, held at the court house on the evening of July 6, when Thomas L. Hawkins was called to the chair and Ralph E. Buckland appointed secretary. On the motion of Dr. Frank Williams, it was resolved to take measures for the celebration of the then approaching anniversary, when a com mittee of arrangements therefor was appointed, to consist of the following named citizens, to-wit: Gen eral John Bell, James Justice, N. B. Eddy, John R. Pease, Ralph P. Buckland, Dr. Frank Williams, . Isaac Knapp, Andrew Morehouse, James Vallette, Dr. L. Q. Rawson, William Fields, Dr. Daniel Brainard, Rodolphus Dickinson, General Samuel Treat, General John Patterson, Captain Samuel Thompson, Major James A. Scranton, Jesse S. Olm sted, General Robert S. Rice, Thomas L. Hawkins, and Jeremiah Everett. This list will call up many memories among the readers of the Journal. It em braces the names of most of the prominent citizens of old Lower Sandusky then living, nearly all of whom, one by one, have passed from earth. Of the twenty-one named, but three remain — General Buck- land, Dr. Rawson, and William Fields. The committee at once entered upon its duties, the discharge of which must be judged from results. Suf fice it here to say that the undertaking committed to their hands was not then what it would be now. At that time nearly everything of ways and means had to be improvised for the occasion, while the popula tion was small, with resources limited. The design of the committee was of the most liberal kind, and included, besides the usual procession, music, ora tions, etc., a grand barbecue dinner, something en tirely new in this section. The people co-operated zealously and liberally with the committees' plans in the supply of money and other assistance, while business was wholly given up to the festivities of the day. Special invitations were sent to a large number of distinguished men throughout the country, from many of whonl letters were received. A splendid ox was neatly, and admirably roasted whole, after the best Kentucky style, and was supported by several smaller animals cooked in the same manner. The dinner was served under a capacious arbor especially pre pared on the hill, in full sight and within a few rods of the old fort.A SUGGESTIVE INCIDENT. In his letter to the committee, Hon. Elisha Whittlesey gives, upon the authority of the person named, for whom he vouches as "a gentleman of respectability and of strict veracity," the following statement, which has not otherwise been made public Mr. Whittlesey wrote: Aaron Norton, then a resident of Tallmadge, Portage county, on the 2d of August, 1813, left Huron county to visit Fort Stephenson on business. He had furnished supplies for the Northwestern Army at different times after Huil's surrender, and was very well acquainted with the country east of the Maumee River. He arrived in the vicinity of Fort Stephenson in the afternoon, and without knowing that the British and Indians had effected a landing, he rode about half-way from the high bank to the place for fording the Sandusky River, when he discovered the British on the left bank, and that the Indians were on each side of him and in his front. The road descended from the high bank south of the present turnpike, and followed the river bank to the ford, which, according to my recol lection, was south of the present bridge. To gain the fort was impossible, while a safe retreat was doubtful. The parties discovered each other at the same instant, and each were alike astonished. Mr. Norton wheeled his horse and pressed him to the top of his speed. As soon as the Indians recovered from their surprise and regained their rifles, they HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. shot at the fugitive, who reached the hill and the woods without injury. Immediately after this active preparations were made to attack the fort. Mr. Norton supposed the enemy, apprehending that reinforcements were marching to the fort, made the attack sooner and with less caution than they otherwise would. With out detracting in the least from the brilliant merits of Major Croghan and his brave companions-in arms, he looked upon the incident as having, under the guidance of Providence, contributed to the signal defeat of the enemy. He claimed no merit, and was thankful that he possessed the presence of mind that enabled him to make his escape. On reading this statement the mind cannot wholly resist the view taken by Mr. Norton, that his timely appearance may have operated to precipitate the at tack on the fort, which proved so disas trous to the assailants. With some readers the memories re vived by this reference will be of mingled pleasure and -sadness. It is always grati fying to review the past in its pleasant as pects; but in proportion to the lapse of time involved, we associate thoughts of those who contributed to such memories, but who no longer remain to share there in. But it is profitable at times to stop in life's activities, to give special thought to departed sharers in our joys and sor rows, for thereby we are lifted out of, if not above, the engrossing cares of every day life, which too often shut out thoughts which ennoble and elevate. After dinner the company adjourned to the old fort, a few relics of which still re main, where Hon. Eleutheros Cooke, of Sandusky, from the steps of the residence of General John Patterson (which was the wooden building lately removed from the centre of Fort Stephenson), delivered an able, eloquent, and appropriate address, which was published at the time. Letters were received from a large number of persons invited, including Colonel Crogh an, General W. H. Harrison, Henry Clay, Colonel R. M. Johnson ( then Vice- President), Governor Shannon, Hon, Thomas Ewing, Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, John A. Bryan (Auditor of State), Hon. John W. Allen, General James Allen, and Dr. John G. Miller, of Columbus. Be sides the regular, volunteer toasts were of fered by General John Patterson, B. J. Bartlett, William B. Craighill, Josiah Roop, Dr. Niles, Henry Spohn, Sidney Smith (subsequently by special legislative act, Sidney Sea), Colonel E. D. Bradley, Dr. A. H. Brown, Clark Waggoner, Cap tain Samuel Thompson, Pitt Cooke, and John N. Sloan, of Sandusky. One of the volunteer toasts was this : By a citizen : Colonel Bradley, Assistant Marshal of the Day, the dauntless hero and friend of liberty. When another victory like the one we celebrate is to be won, his country will know on whom to call to achieve it. "Another victory," and many of them, have since been "won" for "liberty," and the sentiment of the "citizen's" toast has been met in the heroic part taken therein by Colonel Bradley, the brave commander of the Sixty-eighth Ohio Volunteers in the Union army. That gentleman, still at Stryker, Williams county, Ohio, survives the battles of Point au Pelee and of the Rebellion. Of those from whom letters were re ceived, only Hon. John W. Allen, of Cleveland, and ex-Governor Shannon (now of Kansas), are living; while, of the volunteer toasters named, only Colonel Bradley, Pitt Cooke, and. Clark Waggoner are known now to survive. COLONEL CROGHAN'S LETTER. The letter of Colonel Croghan was as follows : St. Louis, Mo., 26th July, 1839. Gentlemen : I have had the honor to receive your letter of the 8th inst. , inviting me, on the part of the citizens of Lower Sandusky, to be present with them in the coming anniversary of the defence of Fort Stephenson. It is with regret that I am, on account of official duties, unable to comply with your flattering invita tion. In communicating this, my reply, I cannot 112 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. forbear to acknowledge with deep- gratitude, the honor you confer. To have been with those gallant men who served with me on the occasion alluded to, permitted by a kind Providence to perform a public duty which has been deemed worthy of a special no tice by my fellow-citizens, is a source of high gratifi cation, brightened, too, by the reflection that the scene of conflict is now, by the enterprise and in dustry of your people, the home of a thriving and intelligent community. I beg to offer to you, gentlemen, and through you to the citizens of Lower Sandusky, my warmest thanks for the remembrance which you have so flat teringly expressed. With every feeling of respect and gratitude, I am yours, G. Croghan. Dr. Frank Williams and others, Committee. NAMES OF THE DEFENDERS OF FORT STEPHENSON. Mr. Webb C. Hayes has expended much time and great care in his endeavors to obtain the names of the men who so bravely defended Fort Stephenson. The results of his labors have been a partial, but not a complete success. By his cor respondence and inquiry at different de partments at Washington and elsewhere, it appears that the American force at Fort Stephenson, August 2, 1813, consisted of detachments from Captain James Hunter's company of the Seventeenth regiment of United States Infantry; from Captain James Duncan's company of same regi ment; also a detachment from the Twen ty-fourth United States Infantry, and from the Pittsburgh Blues, Petersburgh Volun teers, and Greensburg Riflemen, in all amounting to one hundred and fifty men. Mr. Hayes' correspondence reveals the fact that there was not found in the Adju tant-General's office in Washington, any rolls of volunteers in the War of 1812, all of them having been sent to the Third Auditor's office many years before he made the inquiry. The Auditor's office failed to show the names of these detached volunteers. But there were records of the regulars, and from these Mr. Hayes obtained the following lists, which he has very kindly furnished the writer, to be used in this history, and which are as follows: DEFENDEKS OF FORT STEPHENSON. Major George Croghan, Seventeenth United States Infantry, commanding. Captain James Hunter, Seventeenth United States Infantry. First Lieutenant Benjamin Johnson, Seventeenth United States Infantry. Second Lieutenant Cyrus A. Baylor, Seventeenth United States Infantry. Ensign Edmund Shipp, Seventeenth United States Infantry. Ensign Joseph Duncan, Seventeenth United States Infantry. First Lieutenant Joseph Anthony, Twenty-fourth United States Infantry. Second Lieutenant John Meek, Seventh United States Infantry. Petersburg Volunteers. Pittsburg Blues. Greensburg Riflemen. CAPTAIN JAMES HUNTER'S COMPANY, SEVENTEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. Captain James Hunter, commanding. Sergeant Wayne Case. Sergeant James Huston. Sergeant Obadiah Norton. Corporal Matthew Burns. Corporal William Ewing. Corporal John Maxwell. PRIVATES. Pleasant Bailey, Samuel Brown, Elisha Condiff, Thomas Crickman, Ambrose Dean, Leonard George, Nathaniel Gill, John Harley, Jonathan Hartley, William McDonald, Joseph McKey, Frederick Metts, Rice Millender, John Mumman, Samuel Pearsall, Daniel Perry, David Perry, William Ralph, John Rankin, Elisha Rathburn, Aaron Ray, Robert Row, John Salley, John Savage, Tohn Smith, Thomas Striplin, William Sutherland, Martin Tan ner, John Zett. CAPTAIN JAMES DUNCAN'S COMPANY, SEVENTEENTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. First Lieutenant Benjamin Johnson, commanding. Second Lieutenant Cyrus A. Baylor. Sergeant Henry Lawell. Sergeant Thomas McCaul. ' Sergeant John M. Stotts. Sergeant Notley Williams. PRIVATES. Henry L. Bethers, Cornelius S. Bevins, . Joseph Blamer, Jonathan C. Bowling, Nicholas Bryant, Robert Campbell, Samuel Campbell, Joseph Klink- enbeard, Joseph Childers, . Ambrose Dine, Jacob Downs, James Harris, James Heartley, William HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. "3 Johnson, Elisha Jones, Thomas Linchard, William McClelland, Joseph McKee, John Martin, Ezekiej Mitchell, William Rogers, David Sudderfield, Thomas Taylor, John Williams. DETACHMENT TWENTY-FOURTH UNITED STATES INFANTRY. First Lieutenant Joseph Anthony, commanding. PRIVATES. William Gaines, John Foster, Jones, Samuel Riggs, Samuel Thurman. GREENSBURG RIFLEMEN. Sergeant Abraham Weaver. PETERSBURG VOLUNTEERS. Private Edmund Brown. PITTSBURG BLUES. Mr. Hayes has also furnished us, for use, the following correspondence rel ative to the battle and the proceedings of Congress on the subject, which we place before our readers, with thanks to Mr. Hayes : Lower Sandusky, 25th July, 1813. General Harrison: Dear Sir: — Mr. Connor has just arrived with the Indians which were sent by you to Fort Meigs a few days since. To him I refer you for information from that quarter. I have unloaded the boats which were brought from Cleveland, and shall sink them in the middle of the river (where it is ten feet deep) about one-half mile above the present landing. My men are en gaged in making cartridges, and will have, in a short time, more than sufficient to answer any ordinary call. I have collected all the most valuable stores in one house. Should I be forced to evacuate the place, they will be blown up. Yours with respect, G. Croghan, Major Commanding at Lower Sandusky. Major-General Harrison. GENERAL HARRISON TO MAJOR CROGHAN. July 29, 1813. Sir: — Immediately on receiving this letter, you will abandon Fort Stephenson, set fire to it, and re pair with your command this night to headquarters. Cross the river and come up on the opposite side. If you should deem and find it impracticable to make good your march to this place, take the road to Huron, and pursue it with the utmost circumspec tion and dispatch. MAJOR CROGHAN TO GENERAL HARRISON. July 30, i8r3. Sir : — I have just received yours of yesterday, 10 o'clock P. M. , ordering me to destroy this place and make good my retreat, which was received too late to be carried into execution. We have determined to maintain this place, and by heavens we can. July 30, 1813. Sir: — The General has just received your letter of this date, informing him that you had thought proper to disobey the order issued from this office, and delivered to you this morning. It appears that the information which dictated this order was incor rect; and as you did not receive it in the night, as was expected, it might have been proper that you should have reported the circumstances, and your situation, before you proceeded to its execution. This might have been passed over; but I am directed to say to you, that an officer who presumes to aver that he has made his resolution, and that he will act in direct opposition to the orders of his General, can no longer be entrusted with a separate command. Colonel Wells. is sent to relieve you. You- will de liver the command to him, and repair with Colonel Ball's squadron to this place. By command, &c, A. H. Holmes, Assistant Adjutant-General. Lower Sandusky, 3d August, 1813. General Harrison. Dear Sir : — The enemy made an attempt to storm us last evening, but was repulsed with the loss of at least two hundred killed, wounded, and prisoners. One lieutenant-colonel,* a major, and a lieutenant, with about forty privates, are dead in our ditch. I have lost but one in killed and but few wounded. Further statements will be made you by the bearer. George Croghan, Major Commanding Fort Sandusky. P. S. — Since writing the above, two soldiers of the Forty-first regiment have gotten in, who state that the enemy have retreated — in fact, one of their gunboats is within three hundred yards of our works, said to be loaded with camp equipage, etc. , which they in their hurry have left. George Croghan. A true copy. John O'Fallow, Aid-de-Camp. Headquarters, Seneca Town, ) 4th August, 1813. ) Sir : — In my letter of the first instant I did my self the honor to inform you that one of my scouting parties had just returned from the Lake Shore and had discovered, the day before, the enemy in force near the mouth of the Sandusky Bay. The party had not passed Lower Sandusky two hours before the advance, consisting of Indians, appeared before the fort, and in half an hour after a large detach ment of British troops ; and in the course of the night commenced a cannonading against the fort *(Lieutenant-Colonel Short.) ii4 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. with three six-pounders and two howitzers, the lat ter from gun-boats. The firing was partially an swered by Major Croghan, having a six-pounder, the only piece of artillery. The fire of the enemy was continued at intervals during the second instant, until about half after five p. M., when finding that their cannons made little impression upon the works, and having discovered my position here and apprehending an attack, an at tempt was made to carry the place by storm. Then troops were formed in two columns. Lieutenant- Colonel Short headed the principal one, composed of the light and battalion companies of the Forty-first regiment. This gallant officer conducted his men to the brink of the ditch, under the most galling and de structive fire from the garrison, and leaping into it was followed by a considerable part of his own and the light company. At this moment a masked port hole was suddenly opened and a sixrpounder, with an half load of powder and a double charge of leaden slugs, at the distance of thirty feet, poured destruction upon them and killed or wounded nearly every man who had entered the ditch. In vain did the British officers exert themselves to lead on the balance of the column ; it retired in disorder under a shower of shot from the fort, and sought safety in the adjoining woods. The other column, headed by the grenadiers, had also retired, after having suffered from the muskets of our men, to an adjacent ravine. In the course of the night the enemy, with the aid of their Indians, drew off the greater part of the wounded and dead, and embarking them in boats, descended the river with the utmost precipitation. In the course of the 2d instant, having heard the cannonading, I made several attempts to ascertain the force and situation of the enemy. Our scouts were unable to get near the fort from the Indians which surrounded it. Finding, however, that the enemy had only light artillery, and being well con vinced that it could make little impression upon the works, and that any attempt to storm it would be re sisted with effect, I waited for the arrival of two hun dred and fifty mounted volunteers, which on the evening before had left Upper Sandusky. But as soon as I was informed that the enemy were retreat ing, I set out with the dragoons to endeavor to over take them, leaving Generals McArthur and Cass to follow with all the infantry (about seven hundeed) that could be spared from the protection of the stores and sick at this place. I found it impossible to come up with them. Upon my arrival at Sandusky I was informed by the prisoners that the enemy's forces consisted of four hundred and ninety regular troops, and five hundred of Dixon's Indians, commanded by General Proctor in person, and that Tecumseh, with about two thousand warriors, was somewhere in the swamps between this and Fort Meigs, expecting my advance or that of a convoy of provisions. As there was no prospect of doing anything in front, and be ing apprehensive that Tecumseh might destroy the stores and small detachments in my rear, I sent orders to General Cass, who commanded the re serve, to fall back to this place, and to General Mc Arthur, with the front line, to follow and support him. I remained at Sandusky until the parties that were sent out in every direction, returned — not an enemy was to be seen. I am sorry that I cannot transmit you Major Crogh- an's official report. He was to have sent it to me this morning, but I have just heard that he was so much exhausted by thirty-six hours of continued exertion as to be unable to make it. It will not be amongst the least of General Proctor's mortifications to find that he has been baffled by a youth who has just passed his twenty-first year. He is, however, a hero worthy of his gallant uncle, General G. R. Clarke, and I bless my good fortune in having first introduced this promising shoot of a distingushed family to the notice of the Government. Captain Hunter, of the Seventeenth regiment, the second in command, conducted himself with great propriety, and never were a set of finer young fel lows than the subalterns, viz: Lieutenants Johnson and Baylor, of the Seventeenth, Anthony, of the Twenty-fourth, Meeks, of the Seventh, and Ensigns Shipp and Duncan, of the Seventeenth. The following account of the unworthy artifice and conduct of the enemy will excite your indignation. Major Chambers was sent by General Proctor, ac companied by Colonel Elliott, to demand the sur render of the fort. They were met by Ensign Shipp. The Major, observed that General Proctor had a number of cannon, a large body of regular troops, and so many Indians whom it was impossible to con trol, and if the fort was taken, as it must be, the whole of the garrison would be massacred. Mr. Shipp answered that it was the determination of Major Croghan, his officers and men, to defend the garrison, or be buried in it , and that they might do their best. Colonel Elliott then addressed Mr. Shipp, and said. "You are a fine young man; I pity your situation; for God sake, surrender and prevent the dreadful slaughter that must follow resistance." Shipp turned from him with indignation, and was immediately taken hold of by an Indian, who attempted to wrest his sword from him. Elliott pretended to exert him self to release him, and expressed great anxiety to get him safe in the fort. In a former letter I informed you, sir, that the post of Lower Sandusky could not be defended against heavy cannon, and that I had ordered the Command ant, if he could safely retire upon the advance of the enemy, to do so after having destroyed the fort, as there was nothing in it that could justify the risk of defending it, commanded as it is, by a hill on the op- posite^side of the river, within range of cannon, and having on that side old and illy constructed block- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. n5 houses and dry, friable pickets. The enemy, ascend ing the bay and river with a fine breeze, gave Major Crpghan so little notice of their approach that he could not execute the order for retreating. Luckily they had no artillery but six-pounders and five-and- a-half-inch howitzers. General Proctor left Maiden with the determina tion of storming Fort Meigs. His immense body of ' troops were divided into three commands, (and must have amounted to at least five thousand); Dixon commanded the Mackinaw and other Northern tribes; Tecumseh, those of the Wabash, Illinois and St. Joseph; and Round Head, a Wyandot chief, the warriors of his own nation, and those of the Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawatomies of the Michigan Territory. Upon seeing the formidable preparations to receive them at Fort Meigs, the idea of storming was abandoned, and the plan adopted of decoying the garrison out, or inducing me to come to its relief with a force inadequate to repel the at tack of his immense hordes of savages. Having waited several days for the latter, and practising in effectually several stratagems to . accomplish the former, provisions began to be scarce, and the Ind ians to be dissatisfied. The attack upon Sandusky was the dernier resort. The greater part of the Indians refused to accompany him, and returned to the River Raisin. Tecumseh, with his command, re mained in the neighborhood of Fort Meigs, sending parties to all the posts up'on ¦ Hull's road, and those upon the Auglaize to search for cattle. Five hundred of the Northern Indians, under Dixon, attended Proctor. I have sent a party to the lake to ascertain the direction that the enemy have taken. The scouts which have returned,, saw no signs of Indians later than those made in the night of the 2nd inst. , and a party has just arrived from Fort Meigs, who make the same report. I think it probable that they have all gone off. If so, this mighty armament, from which so much was expected by the enemy, will return covered with disgrace and mortification. As Captain Perry was nearly ready to sail from Erie when I last heard from him, I hope that the period will soon arrive when we shall transfer the laboring oar of the enemy, and oblige him to encounter some of the labors and difficulties which we had under gone in waging a defensive warfare and protecting our extensive frontier against a superior force. I have the honor to enclose you a copy of the first note received from Major Croghan. It was written before day. He was mistaken as to the number of the enemy that remained in the ditch ; they amounted to one lieutenant-colonel (by brevet), one lieutenant and twenty-five privates; the number of prisoners to one sergeant and twenty-five privates, fourteen of them badly wounded. Every care has been taken of the latter, and the officers buried with the honors due to their rank and their bravery. All the dead that were not in the ditch, were taken off in the night by the Indians. It is impossible from the circumstances of the attack that they should have lost less than one hundred; some of the prisoners think that it amounted to two hundred. A young gentleman, a private in the Petersburg volunteers, of the name of Brown, assisted by five or six of that company and the Pittsburgh Blues, who were accidentally in the fort, managed the six-pounder which produced such destruction in the ranks of the enemy. I hive the honor to be, with great respect, sir, Your obedient servant, William Henry Harrison. N. B. Of our few wounded men there is but one that will not be well in less than six days. Headquarters, Seneca Town, ) 5th August, 1813, 6 o'clock A. m. J Sir : — I have the honor to enclose you Major Crogh- an's report of the attack upon his post, which has this moment come to hand. Fortunately the mai has not closed. With great respect, I have the honorjto be, sir, Your humble servant, William Henry Harrison. P. S; — The new ship was launched at Maiden on the r7th ult. I have apprised Commodore Perry of it. Hon. General Armstrong, Secretary of War. Lower Sandusky, August 5, i8r3. Dear Sir : — I have the honor to inform you that the combined force of the enemy, amounting to at least five hundred regulars and seven or eight hun dred Indians, under the immediate command of Gen eral Proctor, made its appearance before this place early on Sunday evening last; and so soon as the General had made such disposition of his troops as would cut off my retreat, % should I be disposed to make one, he sent Colonel Elliott, accompanied by Major Chambers, with a flag, to demand the surren der of the fort, as he was anxious to spare the effu sion of blood, which he should probably not have in his power to do, should he be reduced to the necessity of taking the place by storm. My answer to the sum mons was, that I was determined to defend the place to the last extremity, and that no force, however large, should induce me to surrender it. So soon as the flag was returned a brisk fire was opened upon us from the gun-boats in the river, and from a five-and-one-half inch howitzer on shore, which was kept up with little intermission throughout the night. At an early hour the next morning, three sixes (which had been placed during the night within two hundred and fifty yards of the pickets,) began to play upon us, but with little effect. About 4 o'clock p. M., discovering that the fire from all his guns was concentrated against the northwestern angle of the fort, I became confi dent that his object was to make a breach , and at tempt to storm the works at that point. I therefore ordered out as many men as could be employed, for the purpose of strengthening that part, which was so HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. effectually secured by means of bags of flour, sand, etc., that the picketing suffered little or no injury, notwithstanding which the enemy, about five hun dred, having formed in close column, advanced to as sault our works at the expected point, at the same time making two feints on the front of Captain Hun ter's lines. The column which advanced against the northwestern angle, consisting of about three hun dred and fifty men, was so completely enveloped in smoke as not to be discovered until it had approached within fifteen or twenty paces of the lines, but the men being all at their posts and ready to receive it, commenced so heavy and galling a fire as to throw the columns into a little confusion. Being quickly rallied, it advanced to the centre works and began to leap into the ditch. Just at that moment a fire of grape was opened from our six-pounder (which had been previously arranged so as to rake in that direc tion,) which, together with the musketry, threw them into such confusion that they were compelled to retire precipitately to the woods. During the as sault, which lasted about half an hour, an incessant fire was kept up by the enemy's artillery (which con sisted of five sixes and a howitzer), but without effect.. My whole loss during the siege was one killed and seven wounded, slightly. The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded and prisoners, must exceed one hun dred and fifty. One lieutenant-colonel, a lieuten ant, and fifty rank and file were found in and about the ditch, dead or wounded. Those of the remain der who were not able to escape, were taken off dur ing the night by the Indians. Seventy stand of arms and several brace of pistols have been collected near the works. About three in the morning the enemy sailed down the river, leaving behind them a boat containing clothing and considerable military stores. Too much praise cannot be bestowed on the offi cers, non-commissioned officers, and privates under my command for their gallantry and good conduct during the siege. Yours with respect, [Signed.] G.- Croghan, Major Seventeenth United States Infantry, Com manding Lower Sandusky. Major General Harrison, Commanding Northwestern Army. Lower Sandusky, August 27, i8r3. I have, with much regret, seen in some of the pub ic prints such misrepresentations respecting my re fusal to evacuate this post, as are calculated not only o injure me in the estimation of military men, but also to excite unfavorable impressions as to the pro priety of General Harrison's conduct relative to this affair. His character as a military man is too well estab lished to need my approbation or support, but his public services entitle him at least to common justice. This affair does not furnish cause of reproach. If public opinion has been lately misled respecting his late conduct, it will require but a moment's cool, dis passionate reflection, to convince them of its propri ety. The measures recently adopted by him, so far from deserving censure, are the clearest pi oofs of his keen penetration and able generalship. It is true that I did not proceed immediately to execute his order to evacuate this post, but this disobedience was not, as some would wish to believe, the result of a fixed determination to maintain the post contrary to his most positive orders, as will appear from the fol lowing detail , which is given in explanation of my conduct: About 10 o'clock on the morning of the 30th ulti mo, a letter from the Adjutant-General's office, dated Seneca Town_July 29, i8r3, was handed me by Mr. Connor, ordering me to abandon this post, burn it, and retreat that night to headquarters. On the re ception of this order of the General I called a council of officers, in which it was determined not to aban don the place, at least until the further pleasure of the General should be known, as it was thought an attempt to retreat in the open day, in the face of a superior force of the enemy, would be more hazard ous than to remain in the fort, under all its disad vantages. I therefore wrote a letter to the General Council in such terms as I thought were cal culated to deceive the enemy, should it fall into his hands, which I thought more than probable as well as to inform' the General, should it be so fortunate as to reach him, that I would wait to hear from him before I should proceed to ex ecute his order. This letter, contrary to my expec tations, was received by the General, who, not know ing what reasons urged me to write in a tone so de cisive, concluded, very rationally, that the manner of it was demonstrative of the most positive determina tion to disobey his order under any circumstances. I was therefore suspended from the command of the fort, and ordered to headquarters. But on explain ing to the General my reason for not executing his orders, and my object in using the style I had done, he was so perfectly satisfied with the explanation that I was immediately reinstated in the command. It will be recollected that the order above alluded to was written on the night pievious to my receiving it. Had it been delivered to me, as was intended, that night, I should have obeyed it without hesita tion. Its not reaching me in time was the only rea son which induced me to consult my officers on the propriety of waiting the General's further orders. It has been stated, also, that "upon my represen tations of my ability to maintain the post, the Gen eral altered his determination to abandon it." This is incorrect. No such representation was ever made. And the last order I received from the General was precisely the same as that first given, viz: "That if I discovered the approach of a large British force by water (presuming that they would bring heavy HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 117 artillery), time enough to effect a retreat, I was to do so; but if I could not effect a retreat with safety, to defend the post to the last extremity." A day or two before the enemy appeared before Fort Meigs, the General had reconnoitred the sur rounding ground, and being informed that*he hill on the opposite side of Sandusky completely com manded the fort, I offered to undertake, with the troops under my command, to remove it to that side. The General, upon reflection, thought it best not to attempt it, as he believed that if the enemy again ap peared on this side of the lake it would be before the work could be finished. It is useless to disguise the fact that this fort is commanded by the points of high ground around it; a single stroke of the eye made this clear to me the first time I had occasion to examine the neighbor hood, with a view of discovering the relative strength and weakness of the place. It would be insincere to say that I am not flattered by the many handsome things which have been said about the defence that was made by the troops under my command; but I desire no plaudits which are be stowed upon me at the expense of General Harrison. I have at all times enjoyed his confidence so far as my rank in the army entitled me to it, and on proper occasions received his marked attention. I have felt the warmest attachment -for him as a man, and my confidence in him as an able commander remains unshaken. I feel every assurance that he will at all times do me ample justice; and nothing could give me more pain than to see his enemies seize upon this occasion to deal out their unfriendly feelings and ac rimonious dislikes; and as long as he continues (as in my humble opinion he has hitherto done, ) to make the wisest arrangements and most judicious disposi tion which the forces under his command will justify, I shall not hesitate to unite with the army in be stowing upon him that confidence which he so richly merits, and which has on no occasion been withheld. Your friend, George Croghan, Major 17th Infantry, Commanding Lower Sandusky. Lower Seneca Town, August 29, T813. The undersigned, being the general, field and staff officers, with that portion of the Northwestern Army under the immediate command of General Harrison, have observed with regret and surprise that charges, as improper in the form as in the substance, have been made against the conduct of General Harrison during the recent investment of Lower Sandusky. At another time, and under ordinary circumstances, we should deem it improper and unmilitary thus pub licly to give an opinion respecting the movements of the army. But public confidence in the commanding general is essential to the success of the campaign, and causelessly to withdraw or to withhold that con fidence is mote than individual injustice; it becomes a serious injury to the service. A part of the force of which the American Army consists will derive its greatest strength and efficiency from 'a confidence in the commanding general, and from those mora causes which accompany and give energy to public opinion. A very erroneous idea respecting the num ber of the troops then at the disposal of the General, has doubtless been the primary cause of those unfor tunate and unfounded impressions. A sense of duty forbids us from giving a detailed view of our strength at that time. In that respect we have fortunately ex perienced a very favorable change. But we refer the public to the General's official report to the Secretary of War, of Major Croghan's successful defence of Lower Sandusky. In that will be found a statement of our whole disposable force; and 'he who believes that, with such a force, and under the circumstances which then occurred, General Harrison ought to have advanced upon the enemy, must be left to cor rect his opinion in the school of experience. On a review of the course then adopted, we are de cidedly of the opinion that it was such as was dicta ted by military wisdom, and by a due regard to our own circumstances and to the situation of the enemy. The reasons for this opinion it is evidently improper . now to give, but we hold ourselves ready at a future period, and when other circumstances shall have in tervened, to satisfy every man of its correctness who is anxious to investigate and willing to receive the truth. And, with ready acquiescence beyond the mere claims of military duty, we are prepared to obey a general ^hose measures meet our most deliberate ap probation and merit that of his country. Lewis Cass, Brigadier General, U. S. A. Samuel Wells, Colonel Seventeenth R. U. S. I. Thomas D. Owings, Colonel Twenty-eighth R. U. S. I. George Paul, Colonel Seventeenth R. U. S. I. J. C. Bartlett, Colonel, Quartermaster-General. James V. Ball; Lieutenant Colonel. Robert Morrison, Lieutenant Colonel. George Todd, Major Nineteenth R. U.S. I. William Trigg, Major Twenty-eighth R. U. S. I. James Smiley, Major Twenty-eighth R. U. S. I. R. Graham, Major Seventh R. U. S. I. George Croghan, Major Seventeenth R. U. S. I. L. Hukill, Major and Assistant Inspector General. E. D. Wood, Major Engineers. n8 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. In the House of Representatives, 1 8th February, 1815. J THE REWARD OF VALOR. Mr. Troup, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported the following resolutions, the adoption of which is recommended~by the said committee, viz: Resolved, .... (2) Resolved, That the thanks of Congress be, and they are hereby presented to Major-General Harri son, and to Governor Shelby, and through them to the officers and men under their command, for their gallantry and good conduct in defeating the com bined British and Indian forces under Major-General Proctor, on the Thames, in Upper Canada, the 5th of October, 18 13, capturing the entire British army, with their baggage, camp equipage, and artillery, and that the President of the United States be requested to cause gold medals to be struck, emblem atical of this triumph, and presented to General Harrison and Governor Shelby. (3) Resolved, (4) Resolved, That Congress entertain a high sense of the merit of Colonel Croghan, and the officers and men under his command, for the gallant defence of Fort Stephenson, on the Lower Sandusky, on the rst and 2d of August, i8r3, repelling with great slaughter the assault of a British and Indian army much superior in number; and that the President be requested to present an elegant sword to Colonel Croghan. (5) Resolved, .... (6) Resolved, .... (7) Resolved, .... (8) Resolved, .... The resolutions were twice read, and referred to a committee of the whole. Hon. George M. Troup, of Georgia, reported the above resolutions. [See Annals of Congress, Thirteenth Congress, Volume III.] No action was taken on the resolutions. In the Senate of the United States, 1 January 2r, 1835. J GOLD MEDAL TO COLONEL CROGHAN. The joint resolution to present a gold medal to Colonel Croghan, for his gallantry in the defence of Fort Stephenson, was taken up and consideted as in committee of the whole. Mr. Bibb observed that the brave and noble de fence of this fort had been the cause of saving all the Western country from the hostile and destructive incursion of the British and Indians. To Colonel Croghan's valiant defence of Fort Stephenson, this and other advantages equally great and beneficial were owing. As a reward for the gallant and daunt less spirit exhibited by our brave soldiers in time of imminent danger, he hoped this bill would pass. It should be borne in mind that Colonel Croghan might, without any dishonor, have preferred a course safer, indeed, to himself, but disastrous to his coun try, by not persevering in a defence which appeared so difficult, nay, so impossible; that to have aban doned the fort, to have left the West open to the enemy* would have been deemed a necessary, a prudent, and not a pusilanimous proceeding; yet, in the face of every obstacle, under the weight of every discouragement, he, with a handful of brave man, presented a bold and undaunted front to the enemy, arrested them on the threshold of the West, and saved Ohio and the adjoining States from invasion, from desolation, from plunder, and from bloodshed. For such a noble and deserving exploit, for such an eminent service, this bill provided a just, but a mod erate compensation. As far as regarded the value given, the bill was not of any great importance; but, sir, said Mr. B. with great animation, as a tribute to deeds of noble daring, as a reward of services per formed at the peril of life, as an encouragement for soldiers who bared their bosoms in defence of their country, and offered them as a shield to the defence less homes of their fellow-citizens, in this point of view the provision is of the first importance. He hoped, therefore, that no difficulties would be offered to the bill; it had already undergone the closest ex amination, and the report of the committee estab lishing the goodness and propriety of the bill was full and satisfactory. Mr. Hill wished to know whether all the officers were included in the bill. Mr. Bibb replied that they were all, with one sin gle exception, in the case of an individual, whose name he should not mention, but who, he regretted to say, had not performed his duty on that memor able occasion. Mr. Preston suggested the insertion of the words, "heirs and representatives," by which the benefit of the bill might be extended to the children, in case of the decease of the original grantees, which was ac ceded to; and the bill, as amended, was read a sec ond time. In the House of Representatives. ) Tuesday, January 27th, 1835. J GOLD MEDAL, ETC., TO COLONEL CROGHAN. Mr. Speight, from the Committee on Military Af fairs, reported a joint resolution, which had been referred to that committee, with an amendment, authorizing the President to present a gold medal to Colonel Croghan, and swords to several officers under his command, for their gallant conduct in the de fence of Fort Stephenson, during the late war. Mr. Speight said, as he believed that no opposi tion would be offered to the resolution, he would move its third reading. Mr. Parker, of New Jersey, said he had no doubt as to the gallantry of these officers; not the least; but if they conferred these distinctions in the pres ent case, why not in others, it would be asked, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ng which occurred during the last war? It was his im pression also that some acknowledgment had ieen already made to these officers. Mr. Mercer said such was not the case. Mr. Mercer briefly explained the nature and importance of the services rendered by these officers. The joint resolution, as amended, was read a third time, and passed. In the Senate of the United States, \ February 3, 1835. J The amendments of the House to the bill making an appropriation for presenting a gold medal to Colonel George Croghan, and swords to the officers who served under him at the defence of Fort San dusky, during the late war, were concurred in; and a further verbal amendment having been made, on motion of Mr. Preston, the bill was sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence. This debate was participated in by Senator George M. Bibb, of Kentucky; Senator Isaac Hill, of New Hampshire, and Senator William C. Preston, of South Carolina, in the Senate; and by Honorable Jesse Speight, of North Carolina; Honorable James Par ker, of New Jersey, and Honorable Charles F. Mer cer, of Virginia, in the House of Representatives. [See Congressional Debates, Vol. XL Part I.J RESOLUTIONS, TWENTY-THIRD CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION. No. 2 — A Resolution Presenting a Gold Medal to George Croghan, and a Sword to Each of the Officers under his Com mand, for their Gallantry and Good Con duct in the Defence of Fort Stephenson, in Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen. Resolved, etc. , That the President of the United States be requested to cause a gold medal to be struck, with suitable emblems and devices, and presented to Colonel Croghan, in testimony of the high sense entertained by Congress of his gallantry and good conduct in the defence of Fort Stephenson, and that he present a sword to each of the following officers engaged in that affair: to Captain James Hunter, to the eldest male representative of Lieuten ant Benjamin Johnson, and to Lieutenant Cyrus A. Baylor, John Meek, Ensign Joseph Duncan, and the nearest male representative of Ensign Edmund Shipp, deceased. Approved, February 13, 1835. INDIAN MURDERS IN THE VICINITY OF ™FORT STEPHENSON PREVIOUS TO THE BATTLE, WHICH ILLUSTRATES THE DAN GERS TO THE EARLY SETTLERS ALONG THE SANDUSKY RIVER, AT THE TIME. Albert Cavalier, esq., who is noticed in the history of Rice township, and who came to Lower Sandusky from the Mau mee, in January, 181 2, in an interview with Homer Everett on the 6th of Sep- temoer, 1878, amongst other things nar rated some events connected with Fort Stephenson, which seem proper in the his tory of the fort. Mr. Cavalier said: "After arriving here, the families who came lived in the government barracks during the remainder of the winter. In the spring the whole country about the fort was infested with Indians in small bands, who were giving information to the British of the condition of the in habitants, and also of military preparations, and plundering, murdering, and scalping . such inhabitants as they found in a de fenceless condition. And it soon became evident that no family or person was safe from the scalping-knife and tomahawk of the savages, except those who were under cover of military protection. When the planting .season came, we lived in a log house near the fort, and planted some corn and potatoes on the bottom-land, within "a short distance from the fort, ready to flee into it on the first alarm. A few other settlers or pioneers were in like manner attempting to raise a living from the soil. 'Although but a boy at the time'' said Mr. Cavalier: "I recollect vividly one or two incidents which occurred that summer." " Mr. George Shannon, a son-in-law of Mrs. Elizabeth Whittaker, with a man named Pomroy, were at work on the flats below the fort, and near where the shops of the Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad now stand. I think they were working in a field, or gathering some veget ables. While they were engaged, a third man, named Isaac Futy, with rifle in hand, was on the lookout for Indians. They were startled by the crack of a rifle in an adjoining cornfield, or of two rifles fired at the same instant. Both Shannon and 120 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Pomroy were hit and wounded, but not mortally. Futy instantly fired in the di rection of the smoke, and then the three men made a hasty run for the river bank, to conceal themselves in the thick bushes which then margined the river. The Ind ians, losing sight of these men, then pro ceeded to a log cabin near the place, where a family resided consisting of two elderly people, a son and a daughter. On hear ing the firing on Shannon and Pomroy, and the return fire of Futy not far off, the son and daughter left the old people and fled to a corn-field near by to hide, but here they were met and tomahawked and . scalped by the savages, who then followed the father and mother, who had fled to the river bank, and murdered and scalped them there as they were in the act of get ting into a small boat or canoe to cross the river. " On hearing the crack of the rifles one Francis Navarre, a Frenchman, and a hunter as well as an Indian fighter, also a dead shot with his rifle, scaled the pickets of the fort, rifle in hand, and rati down the river toward the scene of trouble. Navarre discovered two Indians chasing a soldier, who had ventured from the fort and was now running toward it. Navarre quickly shot the foremost Indian, con cealed himself by squatting in the high grass, reloaded his rifle while thus con cealed, and then shot the remaining sav age. "Navarre was familiar with the habits of the Indians, and though he knew he had killed them both, on returning to the fort with the rescued soldier told the men that if they would go where he shot they would not find any dead Indians, but they each had a pack on their back, and they would find the packs there with the bullets in them or a bullet-hole through each pack, for he had shot them in front through the breast right opposite the packs, and the bullets went through or lodged in the packs. He also said they would find that the family had been murdered and scalped. "A detachment was at once sent from the fort, and found Navarre's words true. There were the Indians' two packs and the bullets in them, but the bodies of their dead owners had been carried away by other Indians lurking near. The detach ment also found the bodies of the family of four, and also the bodies of two sol diers, all of whom had been murdered and scalped. "Shannon, Pomroy and Futy were dis covered in their hiding places under the river bank. They and the dead bodies were all brought to the fort." Mr. Cavalier says: "I heard these facts from men and women at the time, and I saw the six dead bodies when they were brought into the fort. The alarm and the sight of these six bloody and mutilated bodies made an impression on me, though young at the time, which I can never forget, nor ex press in words." CHILLICOTHE'S TESTIMONIAL. Eleven days after Croghan's splendid victory, the ladies of Chillicothe, then the State capital, presented to the gallant commandant a sword, accompanied by an address, as a public acknowledgment of his bravery and military skill. The names attached to the address show that the wives of the most prominent men of the time anxiously watched affairs, and were ready to reward and praise gallantry. _ Chillicothe, August 13, 1813. Sir : — In consequence of the gallant defence which, under the influence of Divine Providence, was effected by you and the troops under your command, of Fort Stephenson, at Lower Sandusky, on the evening of the second instant, the ladies of the town of Chillicothe, whose names are undersigned, impressed with a high sense of your merit as a sol dier and a gentleman, and with great confidence in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 121 your patriotism and valor, present you with a sword. To Major George Croghan. (Signed by) Catharine Fullerton, Rebecca M. Orr, Susan Walke, Ann M. Dun, Margaret Keys, Charlotte James, Esther Doolittle, Eleanor Buchannon, Margaret McFarland, Deborah Ferree, Mary Finley, Mary Sterret, Ann Craighton, Eleanor Lamb, Nancy Waddle, Eliza Carlisle, Mary A. Southard, Susan D. Wheaton Ruhamma Irwin, Judith Delano, Marg't McLanburgh, Jane M. Evans, Margaret Miller, Frances Brush Elizabeth Martin Nancy McArthur, Jane McCoy, Lavinia Fulton, Martha Scott, Mary Curtes, Mary P. Brown, Jane Heylan, Nancy Kerr, Catharine Hough, Eleanor Worthington, Sally McLane. To this letter Major Croghan made the following reply, dated at Lower Sandusky, August 25: Ladies of Chillicothe:— I have received the sword which you have been pleased to present to me, as a testimonial of your approbation of my con duct on the second instant. A mark of distinction so flattering and unexpected has excited feelings which I can not express. Yet while I return you thanks for the unmerited gift you have bestowed, I feel well aware that my good fortune, which was bought by the activity of the brave soldiers under my command, has raised in your expectations in my future efforts,- which must, sooner or later, I fear, be disappointed. Still , I pledge myself; even though fortune may not be again propitious, that my exer tions shall be such as never to cause you in the least to regret the honors you have been pleased to con fer upon your "youthful soldier,1' CHAPTER IX. CIVIL HISTORY.* Erection of Townships— Names on Tax Duplicate of 1823— Civil Register— Representatives in Congress- Representatives in the Ohio Senate and House— Common Pleas Judges— Associate Judges— Clerks of Court— Sheriffs— Prosecuting Attorneys— Auditors— Treasurers— Surveyors— Commissioners. THE erection of Sandusky county out of the territory to which- the United States acquired an undisputed title by the treaty of 181 7, has already been noticed. Although Seneca county was erected by the same act (1820), local government was not organized until four years later. Dur ing the- interval-, Sandusky county's au thority extended over Seneca. Sandusky county proper then included all the terri tory between the Fire-lands and Wood county, as far north as Lake Erie. All this tract was originally divided into two townships — Croghan (or Croghanville), east of the river; and Sandusky, west of the river. Note— "Prepared by direction of the publishers, At the first meeting of the county com missioners, in 1820, Thompson township was set off from Croghan, and soon after Seneca township from Sandusky. Both these divisions, as originally constituted, are now mainly included in Seneca county. Portage township was next set off from Sandusky. The petition placed before the commissioners by residents of the pro posed town, is characteristic of official papers of the early period of the county's history. It reads: to the Honorable Commissioners of Sandusky, Gr. the inhabitants of the under Signed Residance of Sandusky county humbly Shueth that they with the Other Residance of saide county Leighbour under 16 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. many seorious defficults and disadvantiages in con- ciquence of the distance they have to go to the place of holding their elections, in fact the Great Bounds of said township and the distance we reside one from another tends greatly to retard publick business in our quarter of the township, under these con- ciderations your pratitioners therefore pray that you may direct a new town to be Laid off to be Cald portage. The township of Portage, as erected in 1820, included portions of the present townships of Sandusky, Washington, and Woodville, all of Ottawa county, and a corner of Lucas, and all of Rice town ship. Townsend was established in 1820; Green Creek, York, and Ballville in 1822, and Riley in 1824. Other townships were organized from time to time in that part of the county now included in Ottawa. The Black Swamp region was organized into townships as follow: Jackson, 1829; Washington, 1830; Scott, 1833; Madison, 1833; and Woodville, 1840. Bay town ship was divided by the erection of Ottawa county, in 1840, and that part remaining in Sandusky county, together with several sections of Sandusky township, was con stituted a new township named Rice, in 1840. Fremont was set apart as a sepa rate township, in 1878. The following names appear on the tax duplicate for 1822:* Sandusky : Jacob Bowlus, jr. ; Jacob Bowlus, sr. ; George Boyles, Louis Couts, James McCollister, William Christie, Jacob Ciine, William Dew, E. P. Disbro, Cyrus Hulbard, Peter Holbrook, Robert Harvey, Thomas L. Hawkins, Israel Harrington, Nathaniel Holbrook, George Kemp, James Kirk, Calvin Leezen, Joseph Loveland, Alexander Mcll- roy, Sanford Marn, J. & G. G. Olmstead, Reuben Patterson, George Shannon, John W. Tylor, Mor ris Tylor, Nicholas Whittinger, Elizabeth Whittaker, Benjamin Wheat, Isaac Whittaker, Isaac Ward. Total tax of Sandusky township, $19.20. Croghan: Jacob Ash, John Ash, Eldridge Bris tol, Seth Cochran, Peleg Cooley, Andrew Courtright, Richard Guinall, G. Davis, Josiah Gate, James Note. — For boundaries see township histories. * Townships properly belonging to Seneca county are omitted. Hopkins, L. Hulbard, Anny Ierey, Rural Loomis, Israel Markham, Moses Nicholas, Joseph Parish, Joel Risdon, S. Sutton, Aley Harris, Isaac Knapp, Boswell Lomice, M. A. Newman, W. & R. Ross, Philip Sutton, William Stull, Samuel P. Newman. Total tax of Croghan township, $18.70. Portage ; Pascal Bisnette, J. Ballard, Samuel Cochran, G. Cuture, Lewis Cuture, Benjamin Drake, B. Dishetter, Lewis Deoo, Archibald Easter, George McFarland, Thomas & H. Forguson, A. Fuller, Joseph Phelps, Stephen Grissell, John Holmes, Thomas Herold, Thomas Demas, A. Jerman, Ga briel Lepoint, S. M. Lockwood, A. Mominna, Jas per Mitchell, Francis Mominna, William Manor, Wilford Norris, G. S. Brinald, B. Rossman, Valen tine State, Almond Sands, Samuel Scribner. Total tax of Portage, $19.40. Ballville : Samuel Bond, David Chambers, John Custard, David Cochran, James Chard, Jeremiah Everett, Phineas Frary, Charles B. Fitch, William Chard, Asa B. Gavitt, Lord P. Hastwell, Thatcher Lovejoy, Joseph Moore, Moses Nicholas, Adam Nuff, George G. Olmstead, Isaac Prior, John Prior, John Preslet, Theodore A. Rexford, John Thomp son, Giles Thompson, Elizabeth Tindall, Sarah Woolcutt, William Wirt, Peter Wirt, David Chard. Total tax of Ballville, $17.20. York: Allison Abby, Augustus Beebe, John Da venport, Benjamin George, Zeby George, Joseph" George, H. Knox, Martin Knott, Abram Marks, Thesion Moore, Rufus Nichols, Andrew Sluson, Simon Root, Joseph Will, Peter Wallace, Lans- ford Wood, Martin Powell, Benjamin Follett. Total tax of York, $8.20. Green Creek : Samuel Baker, Ephraim Bennett, Silas Bennett, Clark Cleveland, Thomas Emerson, Thomas J. Emerson, Silas Dewey, Joshua Fairchild, Hugh Graham, Joseph George, Coonrad Hawks, Elisha Johns, William Jinks, Jared H. Miner, Samuel McMillin, Andrew McNutt, James Merrill, Daniel Mills, Sumuel Price, James Guinall, Jona than Reterbrook, Josiah Rumery, Jacob Right, T. F. Shep, Abraham Russell, Samuel Utley, David Underill, Eli Whitney, Thomas Will, A. Widener, William Whitney. Total tax of Green Creek, $18.70. Townsend : William Caspell, Wilford Hall, Sam uel Markham, Abner Perkham, Jesse H. Putnam, Solomon Right, Ebenezer Ransom, A. B. Thomas, William Yew, William Wilson, Moses Wilson, Abram Townsend. Total tax of Townsend, $8.80. CIVIL REGISTER. Under this head is included the names of those men who have represented San dusky county in the House of Representa tives of the United States, in the Senate HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 123 of Ohio, and in the House of Representa tives of Ohio; also the Judicial Staff of Sandusky county, under the old Constitu tion, and the Common Pleas Judges elected from the Sandusky county bar, under the present Constitution. The regis ter concludes with a complete list of county officials since 1820, except for the offices of coroner and infirmary director. REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. The congressional districts of Ohio, prior to the apportionment of 1840, were very large, especially those including the counties of the northwestern part of the Stafe. The northwestern Indian reserva tion, acquired by the treaty of 181 7, was a small factor in politics prior to the cen sus of 1840. The date of election is given. CONGRESSMEN, 1820, John Sloane, Wayne county; 1822, Mordecai Bartley, Richmond; 1830, Eleutheros Cook, Huron; 1832, William Patterson, Richland; 1836, William Hunter, Erie; 1838, George Sweeney, Crawford; 1842, Henry St. John, Seneca; 1846, Rodolphus Dickinson, Sandusky; 1848, Rodolphus Dickinson,* Sandusky; 1849, Amos E. Wood,* Sandusky; 1850, John Bell,* Sandusky; 1850, Fred W. Green, + Seneca; 1854, Cooper K. Watson, Seneca; 1856, L. B. Hall, Crawford; 1858, John Carey, Wyandot; i860; Warren P. Noble, Seneca; 1864, Ralph Pume- roy Buckland, Sandusky; 1868, Edward F. Dickin son, Sandusky; 1870, Charles Foster, Seneca; 1878, Frank Hurd, Toledo; 1880, John B. Rice, Seneca. REPRESENTATIVES IN STATE SENATE. 1821, Alfred Kelley, Frankland; 1823, Jabez Wright; 1824, David H. Beardsley, Cuyahoga; 1826, James Kooken; 1827, David Campbell, Huron; 1830, Samuel M. Lockwood, Huron; 1832, Daniel Tilden; 1834, Joseph Howard, Delaware; 1837, David E. Owen, Seneca; 1838, William B. Craighill, Sandusky; 1840, John Goodin; 1842, Moses Mc- Auelly; 1844, Amos E. Wood, Sandusky; 1846, Henry Crouise, Seneca; 1848, James Myers; 1852, Elisha P. Hill; 1854, Albert G. Sutton, Huron; 1856, Ralph P. Buckland, Sandusky; i860, F. D. * Died March 20, 1849. Amos E. Wood elected to fill vacancy, died August, 1850. John Bell elected at a special election held December, 1850, to fill vacancy caused by the death of A. E. Wood. t Elected at the regular election, October, 1850. Sworn in as Bell's successor, December, 1851. Parish, Erie; 1862, John Kelley, Ottawa; 1864 Frederick Wickham, Huron; 1866, E. B. Sadler, Erie; 1868, Homer Everett, Sandusky; 1872, Wel come O. Parker, Huron; 1874, James H. Hudson Erie; 1878, James H. Hudson, Erie; 1880, H. E, O'Hagan, Erie. REPRESENTATIVES IN STATE LEGISLATURE. 1821, David Abbott, Huron. — Seat contested by and given to Lyman Farwell, Huron; 1822, Eleu theros Cook, Huron county; 1824, Jeremiah Everett, Sandusky; 1825, Josiah Hedges, Seneca; 1826, Eber Baker, Huron; 1827, Samuel M. Lockwood, Huron; 1830, Josiah Hedges, Seneca; 1831, Harvey J. Har- man, Sandusky; 1832, Jeremiah Everett, Sandusky; 1834, Jaques Hulburd, Sandusky; 1835, William B. Craighill, Sandusky; 1837, Samuel Treat, Sandusky; 1838, John Welch, Sandusky; 1840, AmosE. Wood, Sandusky; Moses McAuelly, Crawford; 1841, Amos E. Wood, Sandusky; George W. Baird, Seneca; 1842, George W. Baird, Seneca; Henry C. Brish, Seneca; 1843, William B. Craighill, Ottawa; Samuel Waggoner, Sandusky; 1844, John Bell, Sandusky; 1846, Mathew M. Coe, Sandusky; 1848, Isaac Van- Doren, Sandusky; 1849, Elber Wilson; 1852, Isaac Knapp, Sandusky ; 1854, Abner J . Dickinson, San dusky; 1856, John L. Greene, sr., Sandusky; 1858, Thomas P. Finefrock, Sandusky; i860, Charles Powers, Sandusky; 1862, Alonzo.Thrope, Sandusky; 1864, Oliver Mclntyre, Sandusky; 1866, James Parks, Sandusky; 1870, Hiram W. Winslow, San dusky; 1872, Andrew Smith, Sandusky; 1874, Ben jamin Inman, Sandusky; 1878, Almon Dunham, Sandusky; 1880, Almon Dunham, Sandusky. JUDGES. * The following served as judges under the old Constitution: 1820, George Todd, Trumbull county; 1824, Eben- ezer Lane, Huron county; 1831, David Higgins, Huron county; 1838, Ozias Bowen, Marion county; 1845, Myron H. Tilden, Lucas county; 1847, Eben- ezer B. Sadler, Erie county. The following Common Pleas judges, under the present Constitution, have been elected from the Sandusky County Bar: 1852, Lucius B. Otis, term expired in 1857; 1861, John L. Greene, sr., term expired; 1874, T. P. Fine frock, term expired 1879. ASSOCIATE JUDGES. Under the old Constitution of Ohio, the following served as associate judges: 1820, Israel Harington, David Harold, Alexander Morrison; 1821, Israel Harington, Charles B. Fitch, Jeremiah Everett; 1822, Israel Harington, Jeremiah Everett, Jaques Hulburd; 1824, Israel Harington, 124 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Jeremiah Everett, Morris A. Newman; 1825, Israel Harington, Joel Strawn, James Justice; 1827, Joel Strawn, James Justice, Elisha W. Howland; r832, James Justice, Elisha W. Howland, Luther Porter; 1834, James Justice, Luther Porter, Jacob Nyce; 1839, Jacob Nyce, Isaac Knapp, George Overmyer, sr. ; 1841, Isaac Knapp, George Overmyer, Alpheus Mclntyre; 1846, Alpheus Mclntyre, Jesse S. Olm stead, Frederick Chapman ; 1850, Jesse S. Olmstead, Frederick Chapman, Samuel Hafford. CLERKS OF COURT. J. Hubbard, 1821-25; J- O- Scranton, 1825-37; L. Q. Rawson, 1837-51; Daniel Copper, 1851-54; Charles H. Green, 1854-57; James N. Smith, 1857-65; W. W. St. Clair, 1865-67; E. W. Cook, 1867-68; J. R. Gephart, 1868-73; B- W. Winter, 1873-79; Basil Meek, 1879. PROBATE JUDGES. John Bell, 1852-55; Lyman Gilpin, 1855-58; John Bell, 1858-63; W. S. Russel, 1863-66; E. F. Dickin son, 1866-69;* John L. Green, 1869-72; F. Wilmer, 1872;+ Edward E. Dickinson, 1877-79; J C. Doncy- son, 1879. SHERIFFS. Willis E. Brown, 1820-24; Josiah Rumery, 1824-27; Giles Thompson, 1827-31; Samuel O. Crowell, 1831- 33; J. S. Olmstead, 1833-35; J. D. Beaugrand, 1835-39; Homer Everett, 1839-43 ; John Strohl, 1843- 46; Daniel Burger, 1846-50; James Parks, 1850-52; Jonas Smith, 1852-54; George Engler, 1854-58; Mich ael Wegstein, 1858-62; A. R. Forguson, 1862-66; S. H. Russel, 1866-70; A. E. Young, 1870-74; Henry Coonrad, 1874-78; Charles F. Pohlman, 1878. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. Jacob Parker, 1820-22; P. Latimore, 1822-24; Increase Graves, 1824-27; R. Dickerson, 1827-28; John Bush, 1828-31; R. Dickerson, 1831-35; W. W. Culver, 1835-36; Samuel Treat, 1836-38; W. W. Culver, 1838-44; L. B. Otis, 1844-50; J. L. Green, 1850-52; E. F. Dickerson, 1852-56; T. P. Finefrock, 1856-60; A. B. Lindsay, 1860-64; W. W. Winslow, 1864-66; A. B. Lindsay, 1866-70; A. B. Putman, 1870-74; H. Remsburg, 1874-77; J- T- Garver, 1878. AUDITORS. Josiah Rumery, 1820-22; Thomas L. Hawkins, 1822-24; Ammi Williams, 1824-26; Jesse S. Olm stead, 1826-28; Ezra Williams, 1828-30; Samuel Treat, 1830-36; Nathaniel B. Eddy, 1836-38; Ezra Williams, 1838-40; Nathaniel B. Eddy, 1840-42; A. Coles, 1842-48; Homer Everett, 1848-52; Horace E. Clark, 1852-56; William E. Haynes, 1856-60; * Resigned in 1868, being elected to Congress. t Died July, 1877; J. L. Green appointed to fill vacancy. X Elected to fill unexpired term of F. Wilmer. Thomas Tuckerman, 1860-62; Oscar Ball,* 1862- 65; John Lynch, 1865-66; Edwin Hoff, 1866-70; George W. Gust, 1870-74; F. J. Geible, jr., 1874- 78; Adam Hodes, 1878. TREASURERS. N. Wittenger, 1820-26; Harvey J. Harman, 1826- 28; Grant T. Forguson , 1828-30; Isaac Van Doren,+ 1830-38; Jesse S. Olmstead, 1838-42: Isaac Glick, 1842-48; Oliver Mclntrye, 1848-52; J. T. R. Sebring, 1852-56; A. D. Downs, 1856-58; Wilson M. Stark, 1858-62; D. L. June, 1862-64; Charles G. Green, 1864-66; John P. Elderkin, 1866-70; J. P. Elderkin, jr., 1870-74; Henry Baker, 1874-78; Elias B. Moore, 1878. SURVEYORS. Ezra Williams, 1820-28; David Camp, 1828-36; David Reeves, 1836-46; W. B. Stevenson, 1846-47; Horace E. Clark, 1847-52; T. W. Clapp, 1852-56; D. D. Ames, 1856-58; T. W. Clapp, 1858-60; J. L. Rawson, 1860-62; Horace E. Clark, 1862-64; Jere miah Evans, 1864-76; Michael Putman, jr., 1876. RECORDERS. Charles B. Fitch, 1822-25; James A. Scranton, 1825-34; James Robinson, 1834-40; N. S. Cook, 1840-46; Benjamin F. Fletcher, 1846-48; William E. Rearick, 1848-54; Jacob Snyder, 1854-60; A. F. Gallagher, 1860-67; W. W. Stine, 1867-73; James Worst, 1873-79; J- R- Conklin, 1879. COMMISSIONERS. Maurice A. Newman, Charles B. Fitch, Moses Nichols, 1820; Maurice A. Newman, Moses Nich ols, Giles Thompson, 1821 ; Giles Thompson, Elisha W. Howland, Thomas Emerson, 1824 ; Elisha W. Howland, David Camp, Jared H. Miner, 1825; Elisha W. Howland, David Camp, J. S. Olmstead, 1826 ; Samuel L. Lockwood, L. G. Harkness, Jere miah Everett, 1827 ; L. G. Harkness, Jesse S. Olm stead, Jeremiah Everett, 1828 ; Jesse S. Olmstead, Samuel Hollingshead , Oliver Comstock, 1830; Sam uel Hollingshead, Oliver Comstock, Casper Rems burg, 1834 ; Samuel Hollingshead, Oliver Comstock, George Overmyer, sr., 1835; Samuel Hollingshead, George Overmyer, sr., Paul Tew, 1837; Samuel Hollingshead, Paul Tew, Ezekiel Rice, 1838; Paul Tew, Ezekiel Rice, Jonas Smith, 1839 ; Paul Tew, Jonas Smith, John Bell, 1840; Paul Tew, Jonas Smith, Wilson Teeters, 1841 ; Paul Tew, Jonas Smith, James Rose, 1844; Paul Tew, Jonas Rose, John S. Gardner, 1845; Jonas Rose, John S. Gard ner, Hiram Hurd, 1846 ; John S. Gardner, Hiram Hurd, Eleazer Baldwin, 1847 ; John S. Gardner, Hiram Hurd, Martin Wright, 1850 ; Hiram Hurd, Martin Wright, Michael Reed, 1851 ; Martin ''Resigned 1865 to accept treasurer's office. fRe-elected. Died before beginning of second term — Isaac Van Doren appointed to fill vacancy. History. Of sa^dusky couNt'y. «S Wright, Michael Reed, William Morgan, 1855 ; Michael Reed, William Morgan, John Orwig, 1856 ; John Orwig, Sanford G. Baker, Joseph R. Clark, 1858; John Orwig, Joseph R. Clark, Benjamin In- man, i860; Joseph R. Clark, Benjamin Inman, John Beery, 1862; Benjamin Inman, John Beery, C. G. Sanford, 1864 ; Benjamin Inman, C. G. San ford, S. E. Walters, 1865 ; Benjamin Inman, S. E. Walters, Henry Reiling, 1867 ; Benjamin Inman, Henry Reiling, David Fuller, 1868 ; Benjamin In man, Henry M. Reiling, Longanbach, 1872; M. Longanbach, David Fuller, John Morrison, 1873 ; M. Longanbach, John Morrison, F. William Sand- wisch, 1874; John Morrison, F. W. Sandwisch,* Manuel Maurer, 1877; Manuel Maurer, N. G. Rathbun, Byron O'Connor, 1878, N. G. Rathbun, Byron O'Connor, D. S. Tinney, 1880. * Resigned November 18, 1878 ; Byron O'Connor appoint ed to fill vacancy. CHAPTER X. "DEVELOPMENT— MATERIAL— MORAL— SOCIAL. Sandusky County a Desolate Wilderness — Early Settlement — Suffering Prevails — Pioneer Hospitality — Rais ings, Log-rolhngs and Dances — Woman's Work — Early Schools and Establishment of tbe School Sys tem — Churches — Material Advancement — Comparison of Tax Duplicates — Abstract of Census Since 1820 — The County's Future. THE Indians of Northwestern Ohio battled firmly and bravely against progressing civilization, but their conflict was with destiny. At last, weakened, de moralized and discourged, they sold their birthright for but little more than a "mess of pottage."* Reluctantly and sadly they abandoned their wigwams and corn-fields, and crowded upon the reservations, leav ing a desolate wilderness, oppressive in the gloom of its solitude. Beautiful words and roseate sentences would be ill-chosen in a description of the forest which baffled the energy of Sandusky county's pioneers. A loam soil of boundless fertility gave rapid growth to trees of nearly every va riety, except where inundation or fires had left islands of prairie in the sea of heavy forest. Vegetables as well as animals are subject to a common law of nature, which requires the old to give place to the new. A tree grows, matures, dies, and falls to ?About 3 8-10 cents per acre. Treaty of. 1817. decay, leaving a young and more vigorous shoot to shade the spot it had darkened, and so on in endless succession. In the forest to which the pioneers of this county came, foliaged branches crowded each other, and enveloped poisonous gasses breathed from decomposing vegetation. Fallen trunks, crossing each other at every angle, closed natural water-courses and made the over-saturated soil a fulsome breeder of malaria. Armies of insects filled the woods with their hungry hum and howling wolves made night melan choly. To such a wilderness, every fea ture of which shot arrows of despondency, brave men brought determined spirits and generous women devoted hearts. It has been said that the white settle ment of Sandusky county began before Wayne's war, and that the first settlers were James Whittaker and Isaac Williams, the former having been brought here a captive, and the latter the son of a trader ut HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. at Upper Sandusky and a captive. These .two families were indisputably the first permanent white settlers. Arundel and Robbins, the English traders mentioned by Heckwelder in the narrative of his captivity, can not properly be called set tlers. They were here for the purpose of speculating, and had no intention of re maining to assist in the development of the country. The War of 1812 brought to the county a company of French from Michigan, who made squatter settlements on the river prairies as soon as peace was established. In the earlier and poorer days of the Republic there was no public policy for the encouragement of settlement. The public domain was looked upon by Con gress as an important source of revenue, and laws were passed from time to time making it a criminal offence to settle upon public lands. One dollar and a quarter an acre was the unvarying price, and who ever paid it received a patent from the Government. Purchasers usually found on their land small clearings and rude cabins lately deserted by that nomadic class of people known as squatters. They are the link which in history connects the native hunters with the pioneer woods men. Partaking of the character of both, they precede one and follow the other. There is another class of pioneers who may be termed squatter settlers, for they came to stay, and awaited with patience the opportunity to purchase land. This class a wholesome homestead law would have benefited. Industrious, but poor, they toiled amidst every difficulty of forest life, borne up by the hope of securing an heritage for their children. How discour aging it must have been, after two or three years of ceaseless toil, to see the title of their prospective homes become the pos sessions of another — yet such was often the case. The first settlers of Sandusky county, outside of the old military reservation now included in the city of Fremont, and ex cepting the French and captive settlers on the Sandusky prairies, penetrated the for est near the eastern border, and were mostly Eastern people, who had temporari ly located in the Fire-lands. Land east of the Reserve line was selling at prices ranging from two to four dollars. Preferable land on this side was surveyed and platted, preliminary to being placed on the market at one dollar and a quarter per acre. Emigrants, when on the ground, with their goods packed in large covered wagons, sought out a dry spot in the trackless wilderness, cut out a road just wide enough to pass through and erected a temporary cabin. Two or three fami lies usually came together, and gave each other such assistance as was needed in raising a house, which was made by the first arrival, of poles. Notches were cut in on each side at the ends, so that the has tily built structure might stand more firm ly. Mud, plentifully mixed with leaves, was used to fill the cracks, and a chimney of sticks was built outside. These cabins were little better than Indian huts, but the lone pioneer was unable to erect a hewed-log house, such as he had heard his Eastern parents talk about. He was almost a sol itary adventurer in an inhospitable forest. Having provided a shelter for his family, this advance guard of the pioneer army next set to work to prepare a spot of ground for corn, which in new settlements •is the staff of life. He did not cut down all the trees, as is done in modern clear: ing, but only the underbrush and saplings — the larger trees were girdled to prevent them from leafing. These advance set tlers often planted considerable corn, with out even clearing away the water-soaked logs, which covered more than half the surface. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 127 Skirmishers of the pioneer army made their appearance in Townsend in 18 18, and about the same time in Green Creek and York. This year, also, the incipient village of Lower Sandusky extended up the river as far as .the second rapids, and a few openings were made in the forest ad joining the bottoms below town. Sandusky county did not present the true picture of pioneer life until after the public lands were platted and placed upon the-- market. Huron county was by that time well advanced in settlement, and gen eral improvement under rapid way. The fame of the exhaustless fertility of San dusky's fertile vegetable soil had reached New York, and a stream of emigration turned westward. Some came in large covered wagons all the way, but by far a larger proportion utilized lake transporta tion from Buffalo to Huron, and thence in wagons. Many Huron settlers abandoned .unfinished improvements, and began anew in the adjoining forest. York, Townsend, and Green Creek townships received their immigration mostly from New York. A few years later Central Ohio caught the pioneer fever, and many people.of Penn sylvania stock joined axes with the New York Yankees in a general war against the forest. Below the falls, on the Sandusky,- the dry river hills were entered early, and a French colony gathered about the head of the Bay, where many of their descendants are yet living. The Black Swamp west of the river was for many years viewed with an eye of despair, arid abandoned to wolves', frogs and mud hens. This dismal region was first penetrated for purposes of settle ment in 1826. Its rapid development did not begin until near the close of 1830. The black swamp was a .subject for con versation in nearly every country house in Perry county, Ohio. The settlers, then nearly all sturdy of Pennsylvania stock, in ured to rugged work, looked with favor upon this rejected tract which concealed its fertility beneath vegetation and water. Old men with their families abandoned the homes they had made, and young men bade farewell to the firesides of their fathers, all seeking fortune in a new coun try. Farther west, in Scott and Madison townships, the pioneers came from the Seven Ranges, many of them from Colum biana county, Ohio. They trace their genealogies back to New England. The complement of settlement is made up of people of Pennsylvania German descent, who came to this county from Central Ohio — Perry, Guernsey, Columbiana, and Wayne counties have contributed more to the settlement of the Black Swamp than any other part of the country. The pio neer community of Woodville was charac teristically Yankee. Pioneer life, particularly in such a wil derness as primitive Sandusky county, is a most thorough test of strength of char acter, a test which only the fittest survive. Many were induced to leave cultured homes and communities by the delusive hope of accumulating a fortune amidst surroundings such as are pictured by ro mantic fiction; a few knew something of pioneer life in other places, where nature's wild beauty and a healthful air lightened the woodman's task. But Sandusky county's forest taxed not only the spirit but the bodies of the pioneers. It is esti mated that less than two-thirds of all who joined the advanced settlers endured the conflict. Some who had purchased land sickened at the sight, and, if they were able, either turned back to the homes of their childhood, or pushed westward to fairer lands. Others entered upon their task with spirit and resolution. A willing hand sank the axe deep at every stroke, and a buzzing wheel furnished music to 128 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the cabin. All went well till poverty came — poverty with every discouraging accom paniment. A crop almost ready for the harvest became the plunder of animals and birds. Reserved capital was soon ex hausted, and nothing remained to supply the necessities of life. The awful picture of starvation impressed itself upon a trou bled fancy. Disease and distressing sick ness completed the desolation of spirit, and often grim death entered the loving family circle and wrecked every hope. All the past was lost, and nothing in future seemed attainable. Prudence counseled desertion of an undertaking whose only end seemed desolation and ruin. It is not to be wondered at, therefore, that many of the early immigrants deserted im provements commenced and lands partially paid for. Only those excelling in bravery, sturdiness, and determination, continued the battle of the wilderness to a successful issue. The survivors of that trying period have a right to recite the story of their hardships, and we of a younger generation would be ungrateful to refuse to listen. Their life was one of stern reality and work — disinterested work — having for its affectionate inspiration a desire to leave their children the heritage of an estate. But pioneer life had its amusements and good cheer as well as toil, privation, and sadness. A few outline sketches of early scenes may be of interest in this connec tion. The most distinguishing characteristic of the pioneers, was their generous, social disposition to give each other assistance in every time of need. Sincere, welcoming generosity shone from every fire-place, and when a new comer into a community was received with his family into a cabin, and entertained with the best its scanty accommodations could furnish. The site of a house being selected, neighbors for miles around welcomed their new neigh bor by building a cabin for him. Such a company was always in the best of humor, for a raising was one of those holiday oc casions which break in on the dull monot ony of life, dispelling doubt and gloom, and leaving only jollity. After a general hand shaking with their new neighbor, the company organized for work by appointing a captain, whose business it was to direct the work of the day. Then trees about the chosen site of the cabin were cut down, the large, straight-grained trunks being split into puncheons for the floor and door. The ground once cleared, the raising commenced. A skilled axeman stood at each corner, and when, with many a "heave, oh heave!" a log tumbled into position, it was notched near the ends so that the next, crossing at right-angles, would rest more firmly. Thus log by log the cabin was raised, while another party of men, better skilled in woodcraft, was dressing puncheons and splitting shakes- or clapboards for the roof. The first houses were rarely more than one low story high, so that by means of skids, logs were easily placed in position. The logs which built up the gable were smaller and were secured by poles running the whole length of the building, at intervals of about three feet. On these, clapboards were laid in such a way as to make a tight roof. The roof was weighted down by poles laid over the rafter poles, and held in position by blocks at the ends, running from- one to the other. A puncheon floor vindi- catestheaxemanshipof ourpioneer fathers. Many of them were as smooth as plane dressed floors, yet no other tool was used than an axe. One side was hewn smooth, and the others notched so that the sleep ers brought them exactly to the same height. A chimney, a window, and a door completed the structure. The chimney was built of poles imbed ded in mud mortar, on a foundation of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 129 stone, and was usually placed outside of the house against one end ; a large open ing was cut out to form a fire-place. A fire-chamber was formed of stone to keep the poles of the chimney from burning. An opening about five and one-half feet high and four feet wide was cut into the side for a- door-way. The door was made of puncheons pinned to cleats at each end, and was hung on squeaking wooden hinges. A window was made by cutting out a piece of one or two logs, pinning bars at right-angles across the centre, and pasting over the opening greased paper. Glass in the West was a rare luxury, and sold at a price far beyond the reach of early settlers. The, cabin completed, the company in dulged in various amusements, such as wrestling, running races, lifting, and shoot ing at a mark. Whiskey, always free on such occasions, increased the general hilarity, and at times was the cause of a friendly fight. Cabin furniture corresponded with the simplicity of the building. A bedstead was made by joining two poles, one into the end, the other into the side of the cabin near one corner. The two other ends were tied together with bark, and supported by -a post resting upon the floor. Pins were driven into a log of the side of the cabin, and into the pole oppo site, to which was fastened strips of bark in such a way as to form a matting. Un der the bed was a convenient place for packing articles not in everyday use. A white linen curtain concealed from view this useful, though suspicious looking corner. Few cabins afforded more than two split bottom chairs. These, however, were generally easy and comfortable, ele gance being a secondary consideration. Benches were in common use. They were made by driving into wide punch eons long pins, for legs. The table was generally the product of a cabinet shop, and constituted part of the outfit pur chased before leaving home. One or two kettles and a spider consti tuted the cooking furniture. The table fare consisted of corn bread, pork, and wild meats. Articles of dress were largely of home manufacture, and were made either of flax or wool. Every pioneer in the more fa vored and earlier settled part of the coun ty, had' a few sheep and a flax patch. The flax was pulled, bleached, and dressed. The tow was then cleanly carded with a hand card. The spinning-wheel prepared it for the shuttle. Spinning was at one time the National employment of American women. It is particularly an occupation of pioneer life and the ac companiment of penury. There is real beauty in that picture representing virtue, which figures a devoted wife and mother, busily spinning with both hands; one foot is on the treadle which moves the whirling wheel, while the other is rocking, in a cradle, her tender offspring, quieted by the rythmic hum to sweet, innocent sleep. The whirl of the wheel and thud of the Joom, mingled with the echoing stroke of axes, the crash of falling trees, and roar of clearing fires. The music of the wife's industry did not cease at nightfall, but wolves heard the sound and owls hooted its melody. Shirts, trowsers, bed-clothing and dresses were all the product of wo man's busy hands. But upon the woman rested more than the burden of spinning and weaving and sewing and cooking and rearing her family, and hunting cows in a fenceless forest and milking and making butter. Mills, during the first years of settlement, were inaccessible, and the preparation of corn for food involved great labor. As among the Indians, corn was used considerably in the form of '3o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. hominy, ashes being used to take off the outside shell. Corn was prepared for "johnny-cake" by cracking it with a ham mer or wooden mallet, on a block hol lowed out for the purpose. It took one woman an hour to prepare in this way sufficient meal to supply the appetites of three men. It was not long, however, until mills with very simple machinery were constructed where a creek of suffi cient size offered a favorable site. Most of these consisted simply of a buhr driven by an undershot or breast wheel. The bolting was all done by hand. Corn was sifted before using, by the cook herself, while wheat flour was bolted through a web of cloth hung on rollers and turned by hand. The customer always had to turn the bolt for his own grist. These mills, on account of their slowness, were wholly in adequate even to the simple wants of the pioneers. People came long distances through the woods to bring such grists as they could carry on the back of a horse, and when once at the end of their tedious journey, were compelled to wait one, two, and sometimes even three days for their turn. The mills built by Chambers and Moore,, on Sandusky River, were more efficient. Being centrally located, an ex. tensive business made the best machinery of the time profitable, and the water sup ply furnished all the power necessary. We say improved machinery for the time, for Moore's mill of sixty years ago would be an insignificant establishment, com pared with Moore's mill of the present. The pioneers, speaking of the old mills, very appropriately termed them "corn crackers." But people who had cracked grain got along very well ; all were not so fortunate as to have that. It is a signifi cant fact that many of the early settlers of this county were poor, sometimes even to the point of physical want. Very few Qf the pioneers had more than enough money to bring them here. They depended for a start upon their own labor and the resources of the coun try, about which so much had been said in the old communities. The first sea son's planting, owing to the difficulty of preparing the soil, was small, but under favorable conditions would have been suf ficient to furnish bread, had the destroyer remained away. What must have been the hard-working farmer's disappointment and chagrin, to see his crop at ripening time become the feast of all the multitude of animals and birds, which filled the woods. Blackbirds, squirrels, raccoons, and turkeys literally devoured the droop ing ears of an entire field, upon which the hard-pressed family placed sole de pendence for their winter's food. Another and prevalent cause of poverty and want in pioneer Sandusky county, was fever and ague, which visited almost every cabin. Scarcely a spring opened but the old, unwelcome visitor returned in its most malignant form. At places clear ing fires died out for want of attention, and weeds smothered the growing corn. The spinning-wheel, perchance, ceased its cheerful whirl, and the dismal prospect, amid desolate surroundings, day by day, became more gloomy. All were not thus unhappily afflicted, but all had generous hearts and were willing to lend assistance in a day of need. As the forest gradually be came more broken the years grew brighter and crops increased in fullness. Hewed log and frame houses took the place of the first rude cabins; and when at evening the family gathered round the great brick fire-place, the parents and older children told and retold to the interested little ones, melancholy experiences of sickness, want, and hardship. Those experiences are, thanks to our hardy and resolute ances tors, happily past. Events live only in imagination and history; very few memo- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. '3' ries yet retain impressions of the heroic conflict, and the number is monthly be coming smaller. To increase the acreage of tillable land was a main object of the well-to-do pioneer. He first girdled the trees and cut out the underbrush and logs of a small patch, probably ten acres, for the first season's planting. The next season, if health per mitted, he more than doubled the "girdle clearing, " and began to cut or burn down dead trees standing on the first opening. Those that were hollow or partially de cayed burned readily, but solid timber hadjto be cut. Straight white oak, walnut, and poplar was split into rails for fencing fields under cultivation. Other trees were cut into logs, and when several acres had been thus reduced, a frolic was made, to which all the neighborhood came. Log rollings were the joy of pioneer life. All work was turned into fun. Heavy lifts were made a contest of strength, and the fatigues of the day were drowned by the contents of well filled jugs. These pleas ant gatherings, after the logs had all been piled ready for the torch, often terminated in happy social occasions, in which the wives and sisters figured conspicuously. Dancing was a fashionable amusement, encouraged by . the mothers, and greatly enjoyed by all. When the men went to roll their neighbors' logs, their dames and lasses dropped in to help do the cooking, and perchance make a quilt between meals. The men concluded their labor by tri umphantly carrying the captain on their backs; the women dedicated a quilt by enfolding it around their hostess. The strains of a fiddle brought all together, when night's shadows expelled the day. Round dancing was then unknown, but all the variety of movements may be described as a free and easy, go as you please affair. It was not expulsion from the ball-room to step on a lady's toes, though such a sad accident rarely hap pened, for the nimble, though not tender feet, of these pioneer lasses quickly re bounded from the solid puncheon floor, One thing commendable can be said of the pioneer "French Four" or quadrille; it was performed with hearty enthusiasm. The dancers were lost in their amusement, and joy inspired every step. Beaux swung their partners with a generous hug, and the girls made no peevish objection. Joy fully the dance went on till howling wolves grew hoarse, and candles melted to their sockets. Stock was allowed to pasture in the fenceless woods. Every cow was provided with a bell, and every flock of sheep with several. Cattle often ate the poisonous grass, which caused that terrible disease, milk sickness, spoken of at greater length elsewhere in this history. Sheep were penned in a high enclosure every night, to protect them from wolves, which often came to the cabin door. Hogs were marked and turned out to fatten on nuts and acorns. Hogs bred in the woods be came wild, and sometimes dangerous. It was unsafe to go far from the clearing, ac companied by a dog, for the sight of that animal arouses all the savage nature of a hog.' An old settler assures us that an in furiated boar was a more dangerous enemy than a bear or wolf. Every farmer had his stock marked, which the law required him to have recorded in a book of in dentures kept for the purpose by the town ship clerk. No market was accessible to the pio neers of Sandusky county, where farm products could be exchanged for cash, but furs always commanded the ready money. This circumstance made many of the pio neers hunters, particularly those in the north part of the county. Soda-ash found a ready cash market, and several kilns in the east part of the county were con- I32 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. structed for its manufacture. Fish filled the streams emptying into the bay and river. Nature thus afforded the otherwise unfavored early settlers a bountiful supply of nutritious meat. The woods also abounded in deer, squirrels, and turkeys. Nature lavished her wealth too bountifully upon Sandusky county; too much timber and too many animals was the cause of much distress. As the little spots of sunshine in the long reach of forest grew more numerous and larger, the pioneers began to avail themselves of the advantages of churches and schools. The first schools were kept in private houses, where all the children of the neighborhood came, each contrib uting a share toward the support of the teachers, • which was very little, indeed, but, as a rule, the teachers were as poor as the pay; there were, however, many ex ceptions to this unfortunate rule. The first school-houses were built by the voluntary efforts of the neighbors. A little council of residents determined on a location, and set a day for raising. All concerned came, and by night the house was under roof. Several holes were cut in the walls, over which greased paper was pasted, which served the purpose of a window, for light alone was needed; cracks between logs admitted sufficient fresh air. The benches were made of puncheons, and a wide puncheon on each side of the room, fastened to blocks about three feet high, served as a desk. Reading, writing, and arithmetic were the only branches taught. Until 1825 teachers were sup ported wholly by private subscription. The first school law which gave each township at least one school, supported entirely or in part by taxation and the proceeds of section sixteen, which the ordinance of 1787 set apart for the sup port of education, was passed in 1825, and went into effect soon after. In 1829 a new law, authorizing the trustees to divide each township into districts, was passed, •and was more effectual. Still, in the new communities of Sandusky county, the tax of three-fourths of a mill on the dollar was insufficient, and private subscription had to be relied upon. The teachers boarded with the scholars, and many of them worked for two shillings a day. The public school system of Ohio was revised and established on a solid basis in 1838, when local authorities were given permis sion to levy taxes to the amount needed for the liberal support of public instruc tion. In 1852 the. present school law was passed, since which time educational facil ities have steadily improved till there is no longer the semblance of an excuse for common ignorance; It is to be regretted that the public library system, once well established, fell to premature decay. It is a melancholy fact that but few people through the country have given any atten tion to the collection of books for the use of their children. Libraries breed schol ars, and scholarship has become a neces sity in almost every walk of life. The in difference of people in respect to furnish ing their children proper reading matter, is shown by the ^inexcusably reckless man agement of the excellent library, which the State once furnished to every town ship. The only public libraries to which the people of the county have access, are those at Fremont and Bellevue. A gratifying improvement in school- houses is noticeable all over the county. Log structures are no longer to be seen anywhere. Frame buildings took their places, and these, in turn, are fast being displaced by comfortable brick houses. People have lately formed an idea of the value of talent in the school-room, and are paying better wages than formerly. It is needless to say that the standard of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tii common school education is steadily im proving. The children of the pioneers, now grown frosty with years, esteemed themselves fortunate if they learned to spell, read, write, and cipher as. far as the rule- of three. Now a common school course prepares a student for any depart ment of business, or for admission into the higher seminaries of learning. The change in school government during the sixty years of Sandusky county's history, is worthy of mention. Early teachers ruled with the rod rather than the head. Pupils were reduced to obedience by beating out of them their life and spirit. There were a few teachers who practiced humane and sensible methods of government. The names of such are held in grateful remem brance by the men and women fortunate enough to enjoy their association and instruction. Nothing is so difficult to reduce to words and express on paper as the moral con dition of a pioneer community. This subject, as applied to Lower Sandusky, is referred to in other chapters. Throughout the country there were conflicting elements of human nature, but the moral life, taken as a whole, was healthful. Depravity is generally found among the idle and in different classes. A few such there were, but the country possessed little attraction for them. Sandusky county's pioneers were not, generally speaking, an intellectual class of people. They were hard-working people before they came, and had no time here for anything but hard work. But they had due appreciation of the value of education, and against all adversities of circumstance gave attention to the instruc tion of their children. Neither were they a Godless people, but heard with interest, and were refreshed by the preaching of a devoted, self-denying, itinerant clergy. The mission of early preachers was as arduous as the early practice of medicine. Long rides through a malarial forest, by paths almost untraceable, ministering to the sick at almost every house, and preach ing in every settlement, was the heaven- ordained calling of a United Brethren or Methodist clergyman. Meetings were at first held in private houses, then school-houses, and finally the little log church made its appearance. The United Brethren and Methodist were the pioneer churches of Sandusky county. Method ism was first established at Fremont (then Lower Sandusky), as will be seen by refer ence to the proper chapter. A preaching station was established in Green Creek township, in 1822, the outgrowth of which is the Clyde Methodist Episcopal church. About 1825 itinerant Methodists began to hold services in Townsend town ship. A class was afterwards formed there, and in 1840 a church was built. It is not known just when Methodist evangelists car ried the light of religious instruction into Ri ley. A class was formed there about 1850.* The Methodist Episcopal church has made little progress in the western town ships. Washington was made a preaching station as early as 1833, probably earlier. A class was formed a few years afterwards. This was the only pioneer association of that denomination in the Black Swamp region. Recent classes have been formed in Scott and at Gibsonburg. By far the largest church in the county, both in number of congregations and in membership, is the United Brethren. There are two churches in York, one in Townsend, two in Riley, one at Clyde, one at Green Springs, two in Ballville, four in Jackson, two in Washington, two in Rice, one in Scott, one in Madison, and one in Woodville. f *See township history. +A general sketch of the United Brethren church in this county, contributed by J. Burgner, will be found in the chapter on Ballville township. »34 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Next to the United Brethren in numer ical strength, in the country districts, is the Evangelical Association, popularly known as Albrights. This denomination has one church in Townsend, one in Riley, one in Ballville, two in Jackson, one in Fremont, two in Washington, one in Scott, one in Madison, and one in Woodville. The membership, like that of the United Brethren, is almost entirely of people of Pennsylvania Dutch descent. The clergy, as in the United Brethren and Methodist, are itinerant, with licensed local preachers for assistants. Reformed churches are of later organ ization than those of any of the denom inations mentioned. Churches have been erected in Fremont, Washington, Jackson, and Woodville townships. There are several preaching stations besides. The first Catholic churches in the coun ty were in Fremont and Rice. There are at present two congregations in Fremont, one in Rice, one in Clyde, one in Jackson and one in Woodville. The Evangelical I^utheran church came into being in this county in 1836, Adol- phus Konrad being the pioneer preacher. He organized congregations in Fremont and at Woodville. Rev. George Cronnen- wett took charge of the church at Wood ville in 1841, and Rev. Henry Lang of the church at Fremont in 1843. Both have been indefatigable in their labors ever since. There are six churches in the county, organized as follows: Fremont, Four-mile Point (Sandusky township), Hessville, and Woodville, from 1836 to 1841; Rice, 1843; and Gibsonburg, 1876. A large proportion of the church in Erie county, four miles north of Bellevue, live in this county. There are in the county about three thousand Lutheran members. Besides these congregations of the more leading and influential denominations having a membership distributed over the entire county, there are many individual churches. For further details the reader is referred to the accompanying sketches of Fremont, Clyde, Bellevue, and the sev eral townships. Fifty years ago people esteemed them selves fortunate to have the privilege of church service once a month; now a meeting house is within walking distance of every house in the county. The material advancement of any sec tion of country depends, in a large degree, upon its natural resources. In this re spect Sandusky county is more than duly favored, although without mines of iron or coal. The most substantial wealth is fer tility of soil, and nowhere in Ohio is the soil better adapted to general agriculture. The rich alluvions of the Scioto have long been celebrated, but a comparison of acre age productions is in favor of the valley of Sandusky Bay. From the time the asper ities of pioneer life began to soften, and the real natural advantages of the county to stand out in public view, population and wealth have multiplied with surprising ra pidity. In 1826, in York township, the total valuation (including houses,) of real property was $2,303. The names of fifty- two persons are entered on the duplicate, with personal property amounting to $4,668, of which $1,500 is on merchan dising. Excepting Sandusky township, in which the village of Lower Sandusky was then included, Ballville paid more taxes in 1S26 than any other township in the county. The total valuation of real estate was $6,133, and personal property, assessed against thirty-seven individuals to the amount of $2,632. The real estate of Sandusky township in 1826 was valued at $19,095, merchan dising at $9,313, and other personal prop erty at $2,416. At that time no real estate in Riley HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. '35 township was subject to taxation, but the personal valuation was $3,480, $2,440 of which was on cattle alone. The personal valuation of Townsend was $1,488; no estate was listed. The valuation of real, estate in Green Creek was $819, and of personal prop erty $3,480. At this time the west part of the county was a wilderness, untrodden by the asses sor, or scarcely any one else. In York, in 1826, there were 26 horses and 266 cattle; in Townsend, 9 horses and 141 cattle; in Green Creek, 22 horses and 175 cattle; in Ballville, 30 horses and 134 cattle; in Riley, 26 horses and 305 cattle. One year later, in 1827, in York, 3,325 acres were valued at $6,232, or less than two dollars an acre; merchandising at $1,200, and other chattels at $2,640. Five hundred acres in Townsend were valued at $900, and the personal valuation was $1,240. In Green Creek, 1,911 acres were valued at $4,255; chattel valuation, $1,664. One hundred and sixty acres in Riley were valued at $240; personal property amounted to $2,800 — more than any other township except Sandusky, showing the extent of the stock-raising industry on the prairies in the northern part. In Ballville, in 1827, 3,510 acres were subject to taxation, valued at $14,131; valuation of personal property, $1,152. In Sandusky township, 5,249 acres were entered on the duplicate at $14,806. The valuation of merchandising had increased to $7,300, and other chattels to $1,112. The progress of improvement was most rapid between 1827 and 1840. During that period the Black Swamp was entered and settled. An important element was also added to the population. German emigration to Ohio began about 1830. Sandusky county began to receive these thrifty immigrants about 1835, and for ten years the influx was quite rapid. They settled chiefly on improved lands in Riley, Rice, Washington, and Woodville town ships. A few scattering settlements are also to be found in other parts of the county. Germans work hard for their money, and when they have it they save it. The tax valuation of the county is higher by many thousand dollars than it would have been without a substantial German element in the settlement. It will be seen that there exists on the soil of Sandusky county rather a remark able mixture of blood — Yankees of almost every type; Pennsvlvanians, with all the race mixture in one individual that that term implies; Germans, and French. If the doctrine that cross-breeding is pro ductive of superiority, surely much may be expected of the county in future gen erations. The following statistics show the real estate valuation of the several townships in 1840. Sandusky includes the town of Lower Sandusky: Sandusky, $141,695; Ballville, $81,883; Green Creek, $74,479; Washington, $69,579; York, $64,223; Riley, $58,875; Jackson, $57,259; Town- send, $51,106; Scott, $49,881; Wood ville, $42, 311; Madison, $27,446; Rice, $23,754- This shows the rapid development of the Black Swamp townships, which thir teen years before had a population of less than half a dozen families. Jackson, the settlement of which did not really begin till 1828, takes rank over Townsend, where settlement was made more than ten years before. Washington takes fourth place among the townships. The progress of settlement in Washington was greatly accelerated by the improvement of the pike. The following statistics give a com parative view of the number and value of horses and cattle in the several townships in 1840. The following showing makes 136 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. considerable change in the former order of arrangement : York — Number of horses 268, valuation $10,720; of cattle 600, valuation $4,880. Sandusky — Number of horses 255, valuation $10,- 200; of cattle 417, valuation $3,336. Grten Creek — Number of horses 198, valuation $7,920; of cattle 511, valuation $4,088. Ballville— Number of horses 170, valuation $6,800; of cattle 449, valuation $3,892. Washington — Number of horses 141, valuation $5,- 640; of cattle 442, valuation $3,536. Jackson — Number of horses 157, valuation $6,280; of cattle 353, valuation $2,824. Townsend — Number of horses 115, valuation $4,- 600; of cattle 361 , valuation $2, 888. Scott — Number of horses 98, valuation $3,920; of cattle 429, valuation $3,432. Riley — Number of horses 79, valuation $3, 120 ; of cattle 306, valuation $2,528. Rice — Number of horses 46, valuation $1,860; tit cattle 204, valuation $1,632. Woodville — Number of horses 41, valuation $1,- 660; of cattle 180, valuation $1,440. Madison — Number of horses 31, valuation $1,240; of cattle 134, valuation $1,072. The following table shows the valuation as appraised in 1880, including villages and towns: Fremont Green Creek. Washington . York Jackson Ballville Riley Woodville . . . SanduskyScott Townsend . . . Madison Rice Real Estate. $1,303,486 1,217,6321,161,050 "0,795 859,030804,882709,940709,272682,796645,989624,35545L977 381.459 Personal Property. $479,066 335.830211,850 383,040176,010 178,055108,646 284,205 124,998I05.3SO144.365 7L9I5 101,524 The population of Sandusky county in 1820 was 852; in 1830, 2,851; in 1840, 10,182; in 1850, i4>3°5; in l856. 2I>- 429; in 1870, 25,503, and in 1880, 32,- 063. According to the census of 1880 Sandusky county stands thirty-fifth with respect to population among the counties of the State. In one other respect the county stands somewhat higher when placed in comparison with other counties. During the year 1879 there appeared on the court docket forty-nine petitions for divorce. This number was exceeded in only fourteen other counties of the State, and in proportion to the population, in not more than half a dozen other counties. Of these forty-nine petitions, twenty-six alleged as the cause, cruelty; sixteen, neglect; six, adultery; and one, fraud. The following table shows the relative growth and comparative population of the several townships since 1850. In the last column is given the foreign-born popu lation in 1870: Fremont Green Creek . Washington . York Madison Sandusky. . .'. Townsend . . . Woodville . . . Ballville Riley ...... . Jackson Scott Rice 1850 i860 14641289 14991811 389 1040 968 1237I5S6 682 1092 792 486 1870 35103228 19921619 881 "5i 1053 1516 2188 11981478 1264 943 5455 8451 1880 Foreign.- 1870 si* 22822094 985 157012901418 I731146 1 i35o 1274 927 2608 2319 1856 17851697 166216521621 1485 1452 93° 1072 374 366 288 85 266 182 412 205 274 141 90 204 Excepting Sandusky township the above table includes towns and villages. The population of these, severally, as given by the census of 1880, was as follows: Fremont, 8,451; Clyde, 2,380; Belle vue, 2,169;* Green Spring, 720;! Gib- sonburg, 589; Lindsey, 409; Woodville, 406; Helena, 11 1; Burgoon, no; Roll- ersville, 99; Millersville, 52. The future of any section. of country is always a subject of hazardous speculation. But that Sandusky county is not yet fully developed is apparent to every observer. Some of the older townships outside of town limits are not increasing, and will not increase in population with any great rapidity, for the tendency in settled com munities is for the farms to grow larger by the natural law of concentration of capital; but the towns are growing •737 in Sandusky county, 1,432 in Huron. f389 in Sandusky county, 331 in Seneca. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 137 larger, and land advancing in value. There are yet in the county large tracts of unimproved land which will in the near future be developed and add largely to wealth and population. In fact, the day is not far distant when the swamps, now only fit for hunting, will be recovered by ditches and dykes, and golden harvests will decorate the fertile soil now despoiled by water. A beginning has already been made — the end is beyond human imag ination to predict. Railroads are plowing through the coun ty in every direction. Towns are spring ing up in every township, making the products of the soil and the rocks under the soil more valuable. Sandusky county and its towns are yet in their youth — r every sign points to a healthy and full growth. *VOTE OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The following shows the official vote of Sandusky county since the first guberna torial election in 1822, to 1880. The vote is for Governor, except when otherwise in dicated: . 1822— Allen Trimble, 118; William W. Irvin, 81 Jeremiah Morrow, 23. 1826 — Allen Trimble, 203, Alexander Campbell, 79; John Bigger, 13. 1828— Allen Trimble, 153; John W. Campbell. 64. 1830 — Duncan McArthur (National Republican), 181; Robert Lucas (Democrat), 141. 1832 — Presidential election, Andrew Jackson (Dem ocrat), 279; Henry Clay (Whig), 294. 1834 — Robert Lucas (Democrat), 383; James Findlay (Whig), 313. 1836 — Presidential election, Martin Van Buren (Democrat), 799; William H. Harrison, (Whig), 642. 1838 — Wilson Shannon (Democrat)," 834; Joseph- Vance, (Whig), 724. 1840 — Wilson Shannon (Democrat), 930; Thomas Corwin, (Whig), 841. 1842 — Wilson Shannon (Democrat), 957; Thomas Corwin (Whig), 738; Leicester King, (Abolition ist), 7. *[Note. — Compiled by the publishers from Secre tary of State's reports of 1875, 1876, 1879, and 1880]. 1844 — David Tod (Democrat), 1198;. M0^^ Bartley (Whig), 951; Leicester King, (Abolition ist), 00* 1846— —David Tod (Democrat), 961; William - Bebb (Whig), 754; Samuel Lewis (Abolitionist), 30. 1848— John W. Weller (Democrat), 1074; Seabury Ford (Whig), 874. # 1850— Reuben Wood (Democrat),- 12.15; William Johnston (Whig), 742. 1851 — Reuben Wood (Democrat), 1293; Samuel F. Vinton (Whig), 687; Samuel Lewis (Abolitionist), 2. 1853 — William Medill (Democrat);- 1417; Nelson Barrere (Whig), 467; Samuel Lewis" (Abolitionist), 154- 1855 — William Medill (Democrat), 1499; Allen Trimble (Know Nothing), 447; Salmon P: Chase (Republican), 1042. .... - 1856— For Attorney General, C. P. Wolcott (Re publican), 1450; S. M. Hart (Democrat),1 "1443; John M. Bush (Know Nothing), 16. , • , . .- ..' 1857 — -Salmon P. Chase (Republican), 1315; Henry B. Payne (Democrat),. 1699; -Philip. Van Trump, 67. 1858— For Attorney General, C. P. Wolcott (Re publican), 1237; Durbin Ward (Democrat), 1555. 1859 — William Dennison (Republican); 1473;" Ru fus P. Ranney (Democrat), 1822. 1861 — David Tod (Republican),. 2160;: Hugh; J. Jewett (Democrat), 1856. - -¦'-'< ';',. 1862 — For Secretary of State, Wilson P; Kenhon (Republican), 1474; William W. Armstrong (Demo crat), 1993. - ¦'¦•''. 1863 — John Brough (Republican), 2571; C. L. Vallandingham (Democrat), 2213. 1864 — For Secretary of State, William H.- Smith (Republican), 2040'; W. W. Armstrong- (Democrat), 1917. 1865 — Jacob D. Cox (Republican), 2161; George W. Morgan, (Democrat) , 2355. 1867— Rutherford B. Hayes, 2261; Allen G. Thur- man, 2834. 1868 — Presidential election, U. S. Grant (Repub lican), 2443; Horatio Seymour, 2846. 1869 — R. B. Hayes (Republican), 2175; George H. Pendleton (Democrat), 2630. 1871 — Edward F. Noyes (Republican), 2022; George W. McCook (Democrat), 2610. 1872 — Presidential election, U. S. Grant (Repub lican), 2380; Horace Greeley (Democrat), 2729; blank, 31; O'Conor, 5. 1873— Edward F. Noyes (Republican) 2025; Wil liam Allen, 2740; G. T. Stewart, 122; Isaac Col lins, 13. 1875 — R. B. Hayes, 2609; William Allen, 3353; J. Odell, 1. *Sandusky, Henry, Paulding, Putnam, and Van Wert were the only counties in the Staie in which no Abolition votes were cast. «3« HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The following shows the vote for Rep resentative in Congress from the Tenth District, October, 1880: Counties. <— < 0 a- 3WS S.0S3 a D en a- 1 <— < 0crsO) dzH0cr3. O. trq ft V pIf. 3 Erie 36822876 4495 33743967 319829922909 3292 4635 121 52 I78138 130 1 4 Hancock t6 Totals 18394 17026 619 1 1368 The vote for President in 1876 is given by townships : Ballville York and Bellevue Precinct ¦Green Creek and Stem Precinct Jackson Madison Rice Riley. Sandusky gcott , Townsend Washington Woodville Fremont H w .0. 3 p 236 227 200 323' 354 596 159 183 202 160 146 57 246 13' 216 155 170 153 162 170 349 194 262 100 628 579 Rutherford B. Hayes, Republican 3,032 Samuel J. Tilden, Democrat 3.330 Peter Cooper, National Greenback 45 G. C. Smith - 2 1879 — Charles Foster (Republican) 2643; Thomas Ewing (Democrat) 3427; G.T. Stewart (Prohibition) 53; A. S. Piatt (National Greenbacker) 287. Presidential election; vote given by precincts : 1880 Ballville Bellevue Precinct. . . Green Creek Jackson Madison Rice Riley Sandusky Scott Townsend Washington Woodville York Fremont — First Ward Second Ward Third Ward Fourth Ward Stem Town Precinct. Totals 209 86 47i 199193 55 100157 147 202 175 93 225 157 122 140 207 121 262 85 317 188 255 '53 269220202 170 378 275 137 81 213203 189 43 18 305913640 148 29 14 CHAPTER XL IMPROVEMENTS. Maumee and Western Reserve Road — Treaty Providing for Roads — Method of Making — Condition When Completed — The Ohio and Michigan War — Road to Fort Ball. IMPROVEMENTS. HAVING in the preceding chapters of this history placed before the readers some remarks touching upon the pre-his- toric races, the description of the remains of their works as far as found in the county, a brief notice of the Indians found here when the white man first came upon the soil of the county; also remarks to show how we became entitled to the land the people of the county now live upon, and having given also something about the soil, surface, and geology of the county, we might properly proceed to next give an account of the early settlement of the county by the white race. But by the ar rangement of subjects best adapted to ac complish, thoroughness and . completeness in the matter of individual history, the more particular history of early settlements and individual settlers will be found in our township and city histories. Pursuing, then, the general history of the county, it seems not improper to give some history of the improvements of the county, and some account also of the circumstances and irtcidents which induced them, as well as a notice of the men who were actively instrumental in bringing them about. Slow, sleepy, and dull as it may look now, when viewed by the side of the thun dering locomotive and its immense train, the older inhabitants of the county will still realize the fact that there never has been an improvement which contributed more to invite attention to, and induce settlement in the county, than did the MAUMEE AND WESTERN RESERVE ROAD. This road and the men connectedr with it have a history. The men who pro jected it and executed the design in build ing this road, did a great and good work, not only for this county but for all people east and west of the county,' in all parts' of the country, and they deserve honora ble mention in the history of the locality, although, in some measure, their labors of' late are rendered perhaps less important than they were, by improvements then un known and unthought of. It will be remembered that the title to lands generally was not*obtained from the Indians until the treaty made by Duncan McArthur and Lewis Cass, with the Indian tribes, at Maumee, in 1817, September 29. But east and south the Indian title had been acquired; also in part of Michigan. On the 25th of November, 1808, at Browns-, town, Michigan, Governor Hull, on behalf of the United States, concluded a treaty with the chiefs and warriors of the Chippe wa, Ottawa, Pottawatomie, Wyandot, and Shawnee nations of Indians, which, after reciting that the United States had ac quired land north of the Miami Of Lake Erie, and lands east and south of that, but not adjoining, and that the lands lying on the eastern side of the Miami River, and between said river and the boundary : line established by the treaties of Green ville and Fort Industry, with the excep tions of a few small reservations to the United States, still belong to the Indian nations so that the United States cannot, 140 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COlIN'TV. of right, open and maintain a convenient road from the settlements in the State of Ohio to the settlements in the Territory of Michigan, nor extend those settlements so as to connect them. In order, therefore, to promote this object, so desirable and evidently beneficial to the Indian nations, as well as the United States, the parties have agreed to the following articles which, when ratified by the President of the United 'States, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, shall be perpetually binding. After the preamble, which is substantial ly given above, the treaty proceeds in the following language ; . Art. 2. The several Nations of Indians afore said, in order to promote the object mentioned in the preceding article, and in consideration of the friend ship they bear towards* the United States, for the liberal and benevolent policy which has been pursued towards them by the Government thereof, do hereby give, grant, and cede unto the United States a tract of land for a road of one hundred and twenty feet in width, from the foot of the rapids of the Miami of Lake Erie to the western line of the Connecticut Re serve, and all the land within one mile of the ¦ said road on each side thereof, for the purpose of estab lishing settlements along the same; also a tract of land for a road, only one hundred and twenty feet in width, to run southwardly from Lower Sandusky to the boundary line established by the treaty of Greenville, with the privilege of taking at all times, such timber and other materials from the adjacent lands as may be necessary for making and keeping in repair the said road, with the bridges that may be re quired along the same. • ' Art. 3'; It is agreed that the lines embracing the lands given and ceded by the preceding article shall be run in such direction as may be thought most advisable by the President of the United States for the purpose aforesaid. ' Art. 4. It is agreed that the said Indian Nations shall retain the privilege of hunting and fishing on the lands given and ceded as above, so long as the same shall remain the property of the United States. Done at Brownstown, in the Territory of Michigan, this 25'th day of November, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the thirty-third. William Hull, Commissioner. > Wyandots. \ Shawanees. Ne-me-kas, or Little Turtle, Puck-e-nese, or Spark of Fire, Macquetequet, or Little Bear, , , Shemmanaquette, r Chippewas. Wape-me-me, or White Pigeon, Ma-che. Kewechewan, 1 ,-.„ Tondagane. [Ottawas. Mogan, Pottawatomies. Miere, or Walk-in-the-Water, ' I-yo-na-yo-ta-ha, or Joe, Ska-ho-mat, or Black Chief, Adam Brown. ) Ma-ka-te-we-ka-sha, or Black Hoof, Koi-ta-w ay-pie, or Colonel Lewis. It will be noticed that this Brownstown treaty, November 25, 1808, was the first step in the direction of procuring a road through the Black Swamp and on east of the river to the west line of the Connecti cut Western Reserve. While the treaty did not in terms set a time within which the United States should open this road for travel, and thus make it available to emigrants, the Government ac cepted the donation of valuable land for the purpose. This acceptance raised an implied obligation binding the Govern ment, as the donee, to establish and open the road between the points indicated in the treaty within some reasonable time. This obligation was clearly and defi nitely recognized by the United States by an act of Congress, approved by the Presi dent, December 12, 1811. This act pro vided that the President should appoint three commissioners to survey and mark the most eligible -course for the road, and return an accurate plat of the survey to the President, who, if he should approve the same, should cause the plat and sur vey to be deposited with the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States; and providing further, that said road should be located, established and constructed pur suant to the treaty held at Brownstown on the 25th day of November, 1808. This act also provided that the commissioners should be paid three dollars and their as sistants one dollar and fifty cents per day while employed in the work. History of sandusky county. M* This act appropriated six thousand dol lars for the purpose of compensating the commissioners and opening and making the roads. The act contemplated the survey and making of two roads provided for in the treaty of Brownstown. One from the Miami of Lake Erie to the west line of the Connecticut Western Reserve, and the other from Lower Sandusky southward to the Greenville treaty line. It is difficult now to ascertain with cer tainty whether the survey provided for by the act of Congress of 1811 was made, or, if made, at what precise date it was done ; or the line which was reported for the roads, or who were the commissioners un der the last-mentioned act. There is, however, little doubt that a survey of a line for the Maumee and Western Reserve Road was made some time between 181 1 and 18 1 6. We find in an old volume, entitled Land Laws for Ohio, published in 1825, another act of Congress, approved April 16, 1 81 6, which authorizes the Pres ident of the United States to cause to be made, in such manner as he may deem most proper, an alteration in the road laid out under the authority of an act to au thorize the surveying and making of cer tain roads in the State of Ohio, contem plated by the treaty of Brownstown, so that said road may pass through the reser vation at Lower Sandusky, or north there of not exceeding three miles. The act of 1816 provided that the nec essary expenses incurred in altering said road should be paid out of moneys appro priated for surveying the public lands of the United States. This expression, "alter ing," clearly implies that a survey had be fore been made. Probably the alteration was notj in fact, made, nor is the fact ma terial, .because Congress, in 1823, in au thorizing the State to make, the road, did not restrict the State to any survey or par ticular location of the road which had be fore been made, but only gave the termini of the road as given in the treaty of Brownstown. In the meantime, communication be tween Fort Meigs, on the Maumee, and Fort Stevenson, on the Sandusky River, was carried on by way of the Harrison trail, as it was called, which will be men tioned in another part of this work. About the year 1820, after this county was organized and the lands around Lower Sandusky were coming into market, and the country was attracting settlers, some unsuccessful efforts were made to have Congress construct the road according to the obligations to do so, by fair implica tion from the terms and spirit of the treaty. These efforts were unavailing, but finally Congress consented to transfer the build ing of the road to the State of -Ohio. This was done at the earnest solicitation, not only of the pioneers who had settled at and about Lower Sandusky, but also the Kentucky Land Company, -who had in vested in lands in the reservation. Thereupon, by an act of Congress, ap proved February 28, 1823, it was provided that the State of Ohio might lay out a road, specifying termini and dimensions, the same as specified in the treaty, and to enable the State to make the road, Con gress granted to the Slate the same quan tity of land given by the treaty. But in the meantime the United States had been selling land, regardless of the strip two miles wide for the road, and many of the best tracts along the line had been sold to individual purchasers. On the east portion of the line, especially from the sand ridge and Clyde to Bellevue, a large part of the road land had been thus dis posed of, and many of the best tracts west of the Sandusky River were taken in like manner; also much of the reserve of two miles square at Lower Sandusky. For tifi HISTORY Of? sAMdusky couMTV. the lands-thus sold which should have been applied to making the road, the act provided that the Secretary of the Treasury of the United States should pay the State, to be applied to the construction of the road, one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. The United States also provided in the act that the Government would stop sell ing these lands as soon as the State re ported a survey and location of the road, and provided, also, that the road should be made by the State in four years from the date of the act, and that the lands should not be sold by the State for less than one dollar and twenty-five cents per acre. The lands along the road were by this act to be so taken as to be bounded by sectional lines as run by the United States. The money arising from the sales of these lands was, after building the road, to vest in the State to keep the road in repair. The reader having traced the original design of this road back to its source, in the treaty of Brownstown, November 25, 1808, should not fail to notice that we owe the right to it to the liberality and kind ness of a people we call savages. Hav ing also seen that the United States transferred the work of making the road to the young and growing State of Ohio, February 28, 1823, it is easy to realize that a spirited set of pioneers would not long be barred, and the seekers after homes still further west, as in Michigan and In diana, barred in, too, by the Black Swamp. They were wide-awake and keenly alive to the improvement of the county, and coun try around them. They foresaw that if Lower Sandusky was ever to be a place of note and thrift, there must be a road connecting the place with the East and West. The town of Lower Sandusky had in it in 1823-24-25, such men as Jesse S. Olm stead, Josiah Rumery, Nicholas Whittinger, Thomas L. Hawkins, Ammi Williams, Ezra Williams, Moses Nichols, Cyrus Hul burd, Charles B. Fitch, Jeremiah Everett, Jacques Hulburd, Elisha W. Howland, Morris A- Newman, Israel Harrington, and others, all too shrewd, clear of appre hension, and too energetic, not to strive zealously for the contemplated great im provement. The zeal of these early set tlers, aided, no doubt, by the influence of the Kentucky Company, who had pur chased largely of the reservation, induced the General Assembly of the State to ac cept the proposition made by the United States, to assume the work of selling the land and making the road. SURVEY OF THE ROAD. The General Assembly of the State promptly took up the subject, and, by laws, provided for surveying the line and establishing the road, and also for survey ing these lands which were to be sold to raise the money necessary for its construe- tion, and also to contract for the making of the road. In the year 1824 an office for the sale of the lands was opened at Perrysburg, under the superintendence of Mr. Mc- Night, who began the sales and also con tracted for the making of the road in 1824. Quintus F. Atkins was the surveyor of the lands, and of the road also; but he had under him a surveyor named Elijah Risdon, whose special duty it was to run the line of the road and stake it out. The act authorizing this survey was passed January 27, 1823, and the line was run in the summer and fall of that year. Our respected fellow-citizen, Hezekiah Remsburg, who resided near the line of the road, on the bank of Muskalonge Creek, remembers well, although then a boy, that Risdon and his surveying party, coming through from the West, were attracted to his father's by the light of an out-door HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 143 brick oven, which his mother was heating quitelate in the evening, and called at for refreshments and lodging, which the party received without charge, according to thecustom of the generous pioneers of that day. METHOD OF MAKING THE ROAD. It should be remembered that the line of this road, from the Maumee (Miami) River to Hamer's Corner, as it was then called, but now Clyde, a distance of near forty miles, ran through an almost unbroken forest of exceedingly dense and heavy growth. The roadway was to be cleared one hundred and twenty feet wide — thirteen feet next the outer lines of the one hundred and twenty feet was, by the contract, to be cut with stumps as high as ordinary clearings; the next inner seventeen feet was to be cut nearly or quite level with the surface of the earth, with a view to have it available for a side road; the inner sixty feet was to be grubbed up clean, and thrown up in the form of a turnpike. This sixty for the pike was placed nearer to the south side of the outer line, leaving greater room for a side road on the north side, where the sun might sometimes shine and make that dry sooner than the south side. Hence we find now that the side road is on the north side of the main or Macadamized pike. The timber from the clearing and grubbing was piled on the outer thirteen feet. It was no child's play to cut down, grub out, and roll away the immense trees which stood so thick in this one hundred and twenty feet, especially when we con sider the fact that these courageous men had to contend, not only with the giant trees and their roots, but also with tor menting flies and mosquitoes, mud and water, and fever and ague; and yet the work was done in spite of all these obsta cles, and done on time — that is, substan tially — and to the acceptance of Congress, within the four years' limit prescribed by their act of 28th February, 1823. MENTION OF SOME OF THE CONTRACTORS AND COST OF CLEARING AND TURNPIK- ING THE ROAD. Our much respected fellow-citizen, Na than P. Birdseye, now of Fremont, in a recent interview with the writer, stated that his father, James Birdseye, was one of the early contractors for work on the road. His contract was to make seven miles in all, and also to build the bridge over the Sandusky River at Lower San dusky. About two miles and a half of his job was west of the river, and the remain der east of it, a part being in York town ship, and a part between the river and Green Creek. Our informant was then a young man, and worked with his father in the performance of his contracts. He says the first work done on the road was in 1824, (Mr. Birdseye began his in Sep tember of that year), and that the whole was cleared and piked up in the year 1827. Messrs. Fargo & Harmon had a large contract to make this road between Green Creek and Clyde. Mr. James Birdseye finished the bridge over the Sandusky River in January, 1828, for the contract price of three thousand dollars. It was built of solid, heavy white oak timber of the very best quality pro cured from land east of Lower Sandusky, about two miles distant. There were no stone piers or abutments, but instead, strong double bents were«used. These bents were boarded up with strong plank, and the space between the two walls filled with stone to give weight and solidity to the structure, and to resist the high waters of the river, 144 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. THIS BRIDGE CARRIED AWAY BY A FLOOD. In February, 1833, occurred the great est flood ever known on the Sandusky river. The ground was frozen and cov ered with a deep snow. Several successive days of heavy rain dissolved the snow, and the combined water from the rain and snow, no part of which was absorbed by the earth, was suddenly precipitated into the ice-covered river. The large bodies of ice in the upper portion of the stream were soon raised and loosened by the ac cumulating water, and brought against the still firm ice a little below the city, where it gorged and for a time prevented the water passing; the gorge of broken ice extended a long distance above the bridge. The water rose until in about twenty-four hours after the gorge was formed the ice began to lift the bridge; the great pressure forced a movement of the ice below, and the whole body of ice at and above the- bridge moved down stream carrying on its surface the entire structure without parting it except from the shore at each end. The bridge was carried down stream about half way from where it stood and where the present iron bridge stands, and head of the island next below the bridge. The movement thus far was slow, steady, and majestic, growing slower and slower until the river was again gorged with ice below, and the movement ceased with the bridge intact, though a little curved, and nothing broken. After this second gorging of the ice, the pent up waters turned from the channel above, flowed over the valley, and formed a strong current down Front street, which brought and lodged there great cakes of ice. It was then a river from hill to hill on either side of the channel, and the whole cov ered with broken ice of more than a foot in thickness. Through the crevices in the broken ice the water went gurgling and roaring for several days. A sudden change in the weather froze this mass together, and the bridge was for weeks, perhaps a month, used as a foot-bridge to cross the river on. A few boards used as an ap proach made it a great convenience for the time. All this time a current of water was running quite swiftly down Front street, and canoes and skiffs were used to go from one part of the town to another for a period of about ten days, when the water found an outlet below and the flood subsided. But the bridge remained in the place where the ice left it until the usual spring freshet, which was com paratively moderate, carried it further down and broke it. The bridge was floored with two-inch oak plank, sawed at Emmerson's saw-mill, which then stood on Green Creek, on the farm now owned by George T. Dana, and about half a mile south of the line of the road. Mr. Birds- eye says there were four double bents to support the bridge, besides those at each end. That it was well put together, and of good material, is shown by its tenacious resistance to the forces brought against it. But the engineer had not raised it high enough for such a flood. The bridges built after this one will be noticed in an other chapter of this work. COST OF ROAD AND PRICE OF LAND. The average cost of clearing, grubbing, and throwing up this road was about dollars per mile, exclusive of the cost of bridges; and the contractors in many in stances paid for land by the work they performed. The road lands, Mr. Birdseye said, were sold at different prices, ranging from one dollar and twenty-five cents to two dollars and fifty cents per acre, during the time of making the road. CHARACTER OF THE ROAD WHEN COM PLETED. When the road was completed accord ing to the original design, in 1827, it was simply a strip one hundred and twenty HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. *45 feet wide cleared through the woods, with a ridge of loose earth about forty feet in width between the ditches along the sides. The trees outside of the hundred and twenty feet stood thick and towering on either side, giving at a little distance the appearance of a huge wall about a hun dred feet high, and when in foliage almost shutting out the rays of the sun except a little time in the forenoon. Still, this road was a benefit. It was at least a guide through the Black Swamp, which travel lers could follow without fear of losing their way, and during the dry seasons of the year was a tolerable road for a few years. It soon became a stage route, and about 1830 a line of four-horse post coaches was established on this road. The attempt, however, to run passenger coaches with regularity was a failure, for the road, then being much travelled through the swamp, was found impassable for coaches more than half the year. Occasionally, in the dry portions of the year, from July to the equinoctial rains, the coaches would go through with some regularity. The contractors, however, endeavored to carry the mails through every day. As a con veyance for the mails the hind wheels of a wagon were furnished with a tongue, a large dry goods box made fast to the cart thus improvised, into which the mail pouches were stowed. To this four stout horses were harnessed to plunge and flounder through thirty-one miles of mud and water. If a passenger on this line would pay well for the ride and take his chances to get through, he was permitted to mount this box and keep his seat if he could, but there was no insurance against being splashed all over with mud, or plunged into it head-foremost by being thrown from his seat. When this convey ance arrived at.either end of the line the cart, the driver, and the horses often pre- 19 sented almost an indistinguishable mass of slowly moving mud. Meantime emigration to the West in creased, and the more the road was trav elled the worse it became. Some attempts were made now and then by the superin tendent to fill up an impassable mud-hole with earth, but such work only made it thicker and deeper. The condition of this road, traversed by emigrants from all sections of the east; the reported failures in carrying the mails according to contract, by reason of its impassability, gave it a National reputation for being, perhaps, the worst road on the continent. The dis tance from Lower Sandusky to Perrys- burgh was thirty-one miles. Hauling stalled teams out of the worst mud-holes had become a regular and well-established employment of the settlers along the route, and in 1834, 1835, an(^ J836, there were thirty-one taverns between Lower Sandusky and Perrysburgh, which would be a tavern averaging one to every mile of road. These taverns had two purposes; one was to give the traveller food and shelter for the night, and the other to pull their tired and stalled teams through the worst places with ox teams, and start them forward to the next impassable mud-hole, where they would find another ready to perform a like service. These taverns, be it remembered, were log huts in the woods, on the borders of the road. Our very worthy citizen, John P. Moore, says that one Andrew Craig happened to locate on the road i"n the vicinity of several of the worst places in the track; that Andrew charged exor bitant prices for pulling out the stalled teams, and for the use of his cabin for emigrants to rest in over night. That it was a common occurrence for Andrew to work all day in getting the team through one or two bad places, and then have the emigrants go back to stay at his house for three successive nights, until they got 146 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. within the jurisdiction of the next tavern. Andrew's charges were never too low to afford him a good income. He was a representative tavern-keeper of the time, on that road. There was little variation in the condi tion and management of this road until an event happened which aroused public attention throughout the State to the ne cessity of its improvement, and that event was what is called THE OHIO AND MICHIGAN WAR. While this war, as it was called, was not the direct result of any action of Sandus ky county, still) its influence and bearing upon the subsequent improvement of the road had such an importance in the ad vancement of the county that a brief allu sion to it seems proper. Beside this, the prominent part taken in that dispute by citizens of the county makes a notice of its causes and results pertinent to this history. The convention of delegates which met at Chillicothe in September, 1802, formed a Constitution for the purpose of presenting it to Congress for acceptance, and for then being admitted to the Union as a State. In the seventh article of the sixth section of the instrument as finally agreed upon and accepted by Congress, the con vention undertook to set out the bounda ries of the State. After minutely and clearly describing the eastern, southern, and western boundary, the section contin ued in the following words: On the north by a line drawn east through the southern extreme of Lake Michigan until it shall in tersect Lake Erie or the territorial line; thence with the same through Lake Erie to the Pennsylvania line. Provided that said line shall not intersect Lake Erie east of the mouth of the Maumee River; then and in that case it shall, by and with the consent of Congress, be bounded by a line drawn from the southern extreme of Lake Michigan to the northern cape of the Maumee Bay. It was soon ascertained that an east line drawn from the southern extreme of Lake Michigan would intersect Lake Erie far east of the mouth of the Maumee or Miami River. Ohio, upon ascertaining this fact, solicited Congress to assent to the establishment of her northern boundary according to the proviso con tained in the seventh article of the: sixth section of her Constitution. The opinions of members of Congress differed on the subject, some holding that the proviso had already been assented to by the adoption of the Constitution; others believed that the assent of Congress was made neces sary by the terms of the proviso, and that further action was necessary to establish the boundary beyond all question. In 18 1 5 the Senate of the United States acted on the subject, favoring the claim of Ohio, but the bill was rejected by the House of Representatives. Again, in De cember, 1834, the Senate passed the same bill and it was again rejected by the House of Representatives. Thus it appears that the State of Ohio had, for a period of nearly thirty years, solicited Congress from time to time to establish beyond a doubt or cavil her northern boundary, without ac complishing the purpose. In the mean time she had exercised civil jurisdiction to the line mentioned in the proviso, and had at great cost constructed the Miami canal, which connected with the Maumee River at Manhattan, which place then, 1834, promised to be what the city of Toledo now is, the chief commercial city of northwest ern Ohio. It should be mentioned here, in order to properly understand the cause of dispute, that in 1805 Congress, in or ganizing the territorial government for the Territory of Michigan, had bounded that Territory on the south, unconditionally, by a line drawn east from the southern extreme of Lake Michigan. This line would leave Toledo, Manhattan, and the mouth of the Maumee River, to the territory of Michi gan, and take from Ohio a strip of land HISTORY Of sandusky county. t47 about ten miles in width at the west line of Ohio, and running to a point ; then the line due east from the southern extreme of Lake Michigan touched Lake Erie. For many years the country was so wild and had so few settlers that there was no strife and no question about its occupancy or the civil jurisdiction over it, and Ohio in good faith held possession and built the canal through it without hindrance or opposition. After the project for building the canal was formed and the work under way, the then future commercial import ance of the mouth of the Maumee River and the Maumee Bay, and this ten miles of territory including them, began to be appreciated. The repeated failures of Congress to pass the necessary enactment or declara tion, especially the last failure in 1834, served to attract attention to the subject and induce a discussion of the question whether Ohio or Michigan owned this strip of valuable territory. To Ohio this question had become one of. grave import ance. She had spent large sums of money in improvements on it, and it was then clearly seen that in the future develop ment of the Northwest a large commer cial city must grow up somewhere near the mouth of the Maumee River. Wea ried of importuning Congress, the State itself took action in the matter. February 6, 1835, the Governor of Ohio, Robert Lucas, sent a communication to the Gen eral Assembly of the State, recommending the passage of a law "declaring that all the counties bounded on the northern boundary of the State of Ohio, shall ex tend to and be bounded by a line running from the southern extreme of Lake Mich igan to the northern cape of the Maumee Bay." On the 23d day of February, 1835, an act was passed by the General Assem bly in accordance with the Governor's recommendation. Over a part of the ter ritory included by this line, which was the line mentioned in the proviso above nor ticed, Ohio had not up to that time exer cised any specific jurisdiction. This act specifically required the public officers of the townships and counties -bounded by this line to exercise jurisdiction to it, thus enforcing the laws of Ohio over a con siderable territory, which for a number of years had been tacitly subject to the laws of the Territory of Michigan. On the 1 2th of February, 1835, tne legislative council of Michigan passed an act, the second section of which reads, as follows : And be it further enacted, that if any- person resid *ng within this Territory shall accept any office or trust from any State authority other than the govern ment of the United States or the Territory of Michigan, every person so offending shall be fined . not exceeding one thousand dollars, or imprisoned five years at the discretion of the court before which any conviction may be had. The act of the General Assembly of Ohio above mentioned, also provided that theGovernor should appoint three commis sioners to run the line and distinctly mark it on trees, and by monuments where trees were not available for the purpose ; that is, mark the line which terminated at the northernmost cape of the Maumee Bay. In the two acts above mentioned may be seen the rising clouds which were soon .0 culminate in a storm of opposing au thorities, and the collision of hostile forces. The acting governor of Michigan, Stevens T. Mason, seeing Ohio preparing to take from Michigan a part of her territory, pre pared to execute the laws and defend what he understood to be the rights of the people of Michigan. To do this and to effectually drive off all hostile invaders from the soil in his Territory, he ordered Brigadier-General Brown, under his com mand, to have in readiness a military force to repel any encroachment upon their Ter. ritory; and intimated to the authorities of I4» HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Ohio in plain terms, that the first man who should attempt to run the line ordered by the authorities of the Stale of Ohio, would be shot without hesitation or compunction. The citizens of Toledo, then a small village situated on the disputed territory, manifested a disposition to yield to the claims and jurisdiction of Ohio. This disposition on their part raised a spirit of jealousy against them in the minds of the people of Michigan, which led the latter to commit unwarrantable and odious dep redations upon the citizens of that village. Numerous instances of violence and kid napping resulted from the hostility engen dered by the contest for civil jurisdiction by Ohio over this disputed territory, and to prevent the survey of the line as re quired by the law of the State. These outrages brought Governor Lucas to the conclusion that the commissioners he had appointed to make the survey would be arrested while performing their duty, and the work prevented unless protected by adequate force. Sincerely believing that the claim of Ohio was legal and just, and feeling it to be his solemn duty to see the laws of the State faithfully executed, though regretting the necessity for force, he resolved to use force, if it must be used, to execute the law and maintain the rights of the State. The Govemqr, for the purpose of pro tecting the commissioners and maintain ing the peace, ordered General John Bell, then a brigadier-general of Ohio militia, to raise five hundred men to rendezvous at Lower Sandusky on the 23d of April, 1835, and repair immediately to head quarters at Fort Miami, on the Maumee River and there be in readiness for service. On the 31st of March of that year Governor Lucas, with his staff and the boundary commissioners, arrived at Perrys- burgh on their way to run the line as directed by the law of Ohio. General Bell, then in command of the Seventeenth division of Ohio militia, the boundaries of which included the disputed territory, arrived about the same time with near three hundred men, who went into camp at Fort Miami to await orders. This force was the first to report, and was from the vicinity of the expected conflict, being under the command of Colonel Mathias Van Fleet. The Lucas Guards, an inde pendent company of Toledo, formed a part of this force. These were soon after joined by part of a regiment from San dusky county, under command of Colonel Lewis Jennings; also a part of a regiment from Seneca and Hancock counties under command of Colonel Henry C. Brish, of Tiffin, numbering about three hundred more; all together numbering- about six hundred effective men. The last men tioned three hundred men, and the Gov ernor and staff, as well as the surveying party, necessarily had to pass through the Black Swamp, by the Maumee and West ern Reserve road, in the spring of the year. And now we have arrived at the event which makes the mention of this war perti nent in the history of the Maumee and Western Reserve road, and that lies in the fact that the contest over the north boun dary of the State, made it necessary for the troops and officers, the Governor and his staff, and the commissioners, to run the line, and many other distinguished and influential men of the State and from other States,' to wallow through thirty-one miles. of mud and water, and to realize that it was for land travel the connecting and only way from the East to the rapidly de veloping region of the Northwest ; and to realize further, that the condition of the road was a shame and a disgrace to the State. But now that we have gone thus far in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. U9 the mention of the war, let us briefly trace it to the conclusion and then resume the more direct history of the road. On Sunday; the 26th of April, the sur veying party which had been engaged in running the line, when resting about a mile south of the line, in what they consider a part of Henry county, in Ohio, at about 1 2 o'clock noon, were surprised by about fifty of Governor Mason's mounted men, well armed with muskets, under command of General Brown. The commissioners who at the time, had only five armed men with them, who had been employed as a lookout and as hunters for the party, thought it prudent to retire, and so advised the men. Several made good their escape, but nine of the party did not leave the ground in time, and, after being fired upon by the enemy, were taken prisoners and carried away to the interior of Michi gan. The names of those who were thus captured are, Colonels Scott, Hawkins, and Gould, Major Robert S. Rice, father of our Congressman-elect, and- of. our other prominent citizens, William A., Robert S., and A. H. Rice ; Captain Samuel Biggerstaff, and Messrs. Ellsworth, Fletcher, Moale, and Reckets. These men were taken by an armed force to Tecumseh, Michigan, brought before a magistrate there for examination, and, though they there denied the jurisdiction of Michigan, six entered bail for their ap pearance, two were released as not guilty, and one, Fletcher, refused to give bail and was retaintd in custody. Governor Lucas, finding it impracticable to run the line without further Legislative aid, disbanded his forces and called an ex tra session of the General Assembly to meet on the 8th of June, which was held accordingly. That body passed an act to prevent the forcible abduction of citizens of Ohio, and made the crime punishable by imprisonment -in the penitentiary, not less than three nor more than seven years; it also passed an act to create the county of Lucas out of the north part of Wood county, including the disputed territory north of it, and a portion of the northwest corner of Sandusky county. The General Assembly also provided ample means to enforce the claims of Ohio. It appro- propriated three hundred thousand dollars to carry its laws into effect, and authorized the Governor to borrow the money. It was ascertained by the Adjutant- General of Ohio, Samuel C. Andrews, that not less than twelve thousand men in the State were ready to volunteer to sus tain and enforce the claims and laws of Ohio. The partisans of Michigan continued, during the summer of 1835, to arrest and harrass the people on the disputed terri tory, and the war cloud daily became more and more portentous and threaten ing. Before the forces under General Bell had reached the scene of military opera tions, the President of the United States had sent Hon. Richard Rush, of Phila delphia, and Colonel Howard, of Balti more, as commissioners to use their influ ence to stop the war-like demonstrations. These eminent men were accompanied by Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, one of Ohio's most honored public men, and these en deavored to persuade Governor Mason to permit the line to be peaceably surveyed and marked, and then let matters rest as they had been before, until the next ses sion of Congress; but he refused compli ance with the proposition, while Governor Lucas assented because he considered the Governor of the Territory as ar subaltern to the President and subject to his (the President's) control. This reliance on the President's authority it was that in duced Governor Lucas to believe he could run the line in peace, and hence he set *$o HISTORY of SANdusky COuNtV. the surveyors at work without a military. guard, as above noticed. But no effort for peace was successful in modifying the war-like determination of the Governor of Michigan, and Ohio went on with her preparation, to meet force with superior force. The war cloud rose higher, became darker, and spread wider/ until the au thorities at""Washington began to feel un- easy^'about the peace of the country. President Jackson, to whom the proceed ings and the preparation for hostilities were reported, became strongly impressed with the necessity of interposing a check to the tendency to serious trouble. Governor Lucas, perceiving the state of mind at Washington, wisely chose the time to make an effort to induce the Presi dent to interfere in behalf of peace. For this purpose he sent a deputation to con fer with the President on the subject. This deputation consisted of Noah H. Swayne, William Allen, and David T. Disney, all eminent and veryjnfluential men, who procured from the President an urgent appeal that no obstruction should be interposed to running the line; that all proceedings begun under the Ohio act of February 23d be discontinued, and that no prosecutions be commenced for any violation of it, and that all prosecutions then pending be discontinued. This ar rangement or appeal from the President was obtained July 3, 1835. The authori ties of Michigan, however, disregarded the President's recommendation, and con tinued their resistance to running the line, still claiming jurisdiction over the dis puted ground; and thus matters stood until the i"sth of Jurte, 1836, when Michi gan was admitted into the Union and her southern boundary fixed as Ohio had claimed it to be. To console Michigan for what her people thought was wrongfully taken from them, the same act gave her a large scope of mineral lands about Lake Superior. Thus, by the liberality of Con gress, the contending parties were recon ciled and made happy. Having followed this digression to its termination, let us now go back to the subject from which we diverged and re turn to the history of THE ROAD. The dispute with Michigan, which we have briefly mentioned, brought the condi tion of the Maumee and Western Reserve road, and its future importance, promi nently into notice. The militia from Lower Sandusky and the counties south of it; the commissioners appointed to run the line of the State, and their assistants; the peace commissioners-sent by the President to the theater of impending conflict; high functionaries of the State, including the Governor and his staff; all were in the dis charge of public duties, compelled to plunge and wallow through thirty miles of mud and water in order to reach the ob jective point of contest. Thus leading men in our own State councils were by act ual and disagreeable experience brought to a correct understanding of the condi tion of the road. True it is, that for some years before the contest with Michigan, the stage drivers, the emigrants, and all others who were compelled to travel the road, out of their wallowings in the mud had sent up oaths and imprecations sufficient to split the skies. But the stage driver had little to do with moving public opin ion of the State, and the emigrant passed on, and the imprecations never reached the ears of the State authority — but the road obtained a frightful reputation all over the country. Now, however, our own people, and our Governor and many of his influential friends, had found to their own discomfort and the shame of the State, the true condition of the road, and had realized its future importance. In HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 151 1836 Rodolphus Dickinson, of Lower Sandusky, was, fortunately for the north western part of the State, and especially for the town in which he resided, chosen a member of the board of public works of the State. The road was in his division of the works, and thus came under his per sonal direction and management. He at once put his rare abilities, favored by his public position, into the work of procuring the improvement of the road. In his ef forts he -was, of course, warmly supported by the localities to be benefited, and such progress was made in moving public opin ion in the. right direction for the accom plishment of the purpose, that on March 14, 1838, the General Assembly of the State passed an act providing for the re pairing and macadamizing the road, and appropriating forty thousand dollars to be expended in the work. This act provided that the work should begin at the western termination of the road, and. progress east- wardly from that point through to the eastern termination. It also provided that after a good road-bed had been made, and before the stone, covering should be put on, gates might be . erected and tolls charged upon teams travelling over the re paired portion. Here it should be no ticed that the United States had not at the time this act was passed, in any way given the State a title to the one hundred and twenty feet in width of land on which the road was made, but only the land on each side of it, with authority to make the road, and pay for the making out of the proceeds of the sale of the land. There fore, before the State actually began the expenditure of the appropriation, the act of Congress of July 7, 1838, was passed, ceding the title to the road and land which it cov ered, that is the one hundred and twenty feet in width between the termini of the road, to the State of Ohio; since then the State has been the real owner of the road, Soon after the appropriation of this forty thousand dollars was made and the above mentioned act of Congress passed, the Board of Public Works sent General John Patterson, one of the State engineers, to survey and superintend the work of repair ing and macadamizing the road, and too much praise cannot he bestowed on Gen eral Patterson, though he is now dead, for the honesty and skill, and the. fidelity with which he executed his duties. March 16, 1839, the State appropriated one hundred thousand dollars to forward the macad amizing of th eroad. The timber originally grubbed out and cut off the road and piled on the sides, had now become dry and was burned off. The roots and stumps had so much decayed that they were easily re moved, and the plowing of the ground and scraping up of a good road bed was com paratively easy. Mr. Patterson skilfully laid the grade with a view to the best pos sible drainage into all the rivers, creeks, and swails, by which the water could be carried away, and where necessary con structed large lateral ditches leading to the north from the road. The new road bed or pike was sixty feet in width, loca ted about ten feet nearer the south line than the north line of the road. This lo cation of the road bed was adopted for the purpose of affording an ample side road on the north side, which, in dry periods, was preferred by teamsters to the stoned road bed, and thus the wear of the stone was made much less than if it bore the wear of all the travel — twenty feet in width of the crown of the road bed was covered with stone, well broken. A prominent fea ture in the work of General Patterson in designing the improvement of the road, was the capacious, and, in some places, deep side ditches which he caused to be constructed along the sides of the sixty feet road bed, with frequent culverts, by which water was conducted from one ditch 152 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. to the other, under the roadway. The water which had rendered this road such a terror to travellers in very rainy or wet seasons, had a tendency to slowly soak away to the north with the general direc tion of the rivers and creeks, and hence the ditch on the south side of the road caught the water as it slowly drained in from the south. The system of culverts and large ditches afforded a passage for the water along the road to the nearest point where a natural or artificial channel would carry it towards the lake. At this day, and in future times, the reader may feel tempted to ask, Why were these dry, common-place details about the construction of this road set out here as a matter of history? The answer is simple; when completed to some outlet, these ditches almost instantly — though in some instances the water would necessarily run many miles along the road — relieved the lands along them of surface water; es pecially was this the case with lands south of the road. This, however, is not the full answer. It was thereby demonstrated that the Black Swamp lands could be drained, and that dreadful locality made one of the most productive regions of Ohio, as it now, in fact, is. A new spirit was given to the inhabitants; their land had become valuable, and they could dis cern, through all their former discourage ments, that their part of the county would soon be filled with inhabitants and be come rich and prosperous. The result was to draw public attention to a realizing sense of the great benefits to this country to be derived from draining land, and in this view, the location, construction, and improvement of the Maumee and Western Reserve road was not only the first, but the most important public improvement made in the county. The State, through the Board of Public Works, collected the tolls, repaired and managed the road, until the misconduct of a few unfaithful officers and agents aroused public opinion to a belief that our whole system of public im provements, includingour canals and roads, were managed to promote plunder and political party ascendancy. So thoroughly disgusted and offended did the people be come at the revelations of an investiga tion into their management, that it was determined to rid the State of the cause of so much expense and corruption. The General Assembly, under the force of this public opinion, on the 8th day of May, 1861, passed an act which provided for LEASING THE PUBLIC WORKS OF THE STATE. This was accomplished, and the lease included the transfer of the management of the Maumee and Western Reserve road to the lessees, who took chargeof it in the year 1861. The lessees, of course, managed the road in a way to produce for them the greatest amount of net profit, and like tenants generally, became negligent in making the repairs provided for in the lease. They collected the tolls with the utmost rigor, but failed to renew the road with a cover ing of stone when the same was worn out, until the people along the line became so dissatisfied, that they demanded from the General Assembly a repair of the road by the lessees, or a forfeiture of the lease. This dissatisfaction resulted in an act passed March 30, 1868, withdrawing the road from the charge of the lessees and offering the care and management of it to the county commissioners of the counties respectively through which it passed; each county to have jurisdiction over that portion within its own limits. The county commissioners of Wood and Sandusky counties, after consultation, declined to take charge of the road, be cause the lessees had permitted it to be come so much out of repair. Much talk of suing the lessees by the State for HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. *53 breach of the lease, then ensued; finally, the matter was adjusted by the lessees putting on about three thousand dollars in repairs and giving up the road to the charge of the State about June 1, 1870, and ever since the road has remained in charge of the board of public works of the State. The following is the mention of some of the men of the county prominently in strumental in procuring the construction and maintenance of the road : We have already mentioned the names of the settlers at Lower Sandusky, who, in 1821 and 1822 and '23 began to agi tate the public mind on the subject of having the road constructed. Among these, Jeremiah Everett was conspicuous, for, although the acts of Congress of 1823, giving the State charge of the clearing and making the road, and the sale of land granted by the Indians for the purpose, and the act of the General Assembly of Ohio accepting the trust, had been passed by the concurrent efforts of Mr. Everett and other citizens of Lower Sandusky, Sandusky county did not have a represen tative at Columbus to represent there the local interests of the vicinity until the year 1825. In this year Jeremiah Everett was elected to the House of Representa tives of the State, and took his seat as a member on the first Monday in Decem ber of that year. Important legislative acts were passed during that session, con cerning the road and the sale of the road lands, and his exertions and influence were highly serviceable in hastening on the work. He was elected again in 1835, and did much to produce that public sen timent which finally impelled the State to appropriate money to repair and macada mize the road as provided by the act of 1838. Rodolphus Dickinson, from the time the question was first agitated, was an ar dent advocate for the improvement of the road. When, however, he was made a member of the board of public works in 1836, his influence became more potent on the public mind, and probably no one man did more to have the road improved, and to induce the State to appropriate money for the purpose in a season of great finan cial depression, than Mr. Dickinson. McKnight, of Perrysburg, Wood county, was the "first superintendent of the road, and commissioner, in 1824, to sell the road lands. He officiated until his death, which occurred January 11, 1831, by acci dental shooting. Mr. McKnight travelled on the ice in 1820, from what is now San dusky City to a place then called Orleans, afterwards called Fort Meigs, and now the town of Perrysburg, on the Maumee River, He was clerk of the court in Wood county, an active, well esteemed business man, and has descendants of much respecta bility now residing near Perrysburg. John Bell, of Lower Sandusky, succeed ed Mr. McKnight, who continued to sell the land until all was sold, and superin tended the road under the direction of the State authorities, until the road was placed in charge of General Patterson, State engineer, about the last of the year 1838. General Bell, however, closed out the sale of the road lands, and made an ac ceptable report of his administration, set tled his accounts with the State, and the office was discontinued some time in 1840. THE ROAD TO FORT BALL. Although the treaty of Brownstown, A. D. 18*08, which provided for the con struction of the Maumee and Western Re serve road, provided also for a road, or rather ceded to the United States a tract of land for a "road only,'' one hundred and twenty feet in width, to run southwardly from Lower Sandusky to the boundary line established by the treaty of Green ville, little attention seems to have been 154 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. paid to the construction of this road, either by the United States or the State of Ohio, for no legislation by either can be found upon searching the indexes of legislation of that time or since. But about the years 1827 and 1828, a road southward from Lower Sandusky was cleared through the woods, on a straight line from Wolf Creek south until it struck the bank of the river a few miles below Fort Ball, and then followed the river to Fort Ball, which was at that time an im portant post next south of Lower San dusky. Previous to opening this road the travelled track meandered the river all the way between the two places. This old road, which was traversed by portions of General Harrison's army in the War of 18 1 2, was not only crooked and greatly increased the distance to Fort Ball, but crossed a deep ravine at Old Fort Seneca, the steep hills on either side of which were a teiror to all teamsters who were compelled to travel that way. The new road was straight from Wolf Creek to a point above Fort Seneca, and was located so far west of it as to avoid the hills and shorten the distance materially. From the best information now to be had, it is be lieved that the expense of clearing out and improving this road was borne by the counties of Seneca and Sandusky. Whether this information be accurate or not, the fact remains that the opening of this road was the second and a very important improve ment, in the way to and from the country south of Lower Sandusky, and greatly facilitated its trade, CHAPTER XII. THE OHIO RAILROAD. Design of the Road— Manner of Building— The Plunder Law— Financial Management— Bankruptcy and Failure. ALTHOUGH it may at first appear to the reader that a history of improve ments should not notice such as were never completed, still the design of building this road was so bold for the time at which it originated, as well as for the then finan cial condition of the country, and it came so near being a success, that some mention of it seems proper. Besides these reasons, the form of the road, and the manner of constructing it, were novel and ingenious, and the financial methods for obtaining money to pay the expenses, are all so well calculated to illustrate the spirit of the time and the consequences of bad legislation, that a brief record of the enterprise may be of value to legis lators as well as to financiers, and thus justify the mention of it in this woik. The Ohio canal, through the eastern portion of the State, and the Miami canal in the west, had developed an im proved condition of business and increased prices for farm products along the lines. Thither capitai and enterprise were at tracted, and the business and chief markets were found along and near them. But the districts remote from the canals and not fa- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. *SS vored with a navigable river in their vicin ity, were stuck in the mud, with a long haul for the marketable products of their farms and factories. The State had contracted millions on millions of debt in the con struction of these canals, and the people remote from them must, of course, give their labor and sweat for tax money to pay the obligations. Under these circum stances what was more natural than for the people to demand of the State her help to make easy transportation to the markets on these canals. Hence arose a clamor for roads, turnpikes, other canals, . and railroads to enable the people located away from the canals, to carry their prod ucts away. The demand for a more extended and more generally diffused system of internal improvements became imperative. Under this pressure the Gen eral Assembly, on the 24th day of March, 1837, passed an "act to authorize a loan of the credit of the State of Ohio to rail road companies, and to authorize sub scriptions by the State to the capitai stock of turnpike, canal, and slackwater navi gation companies." This act provided as to railroad companies substantially as fol lows: That every railroad company that was then, or thereafter might be duly organized, and to the capital stock of which there shall be subscribed an amount equal to two-thirds of its authorized capital, of an amount equal to two-thirds of the esti mated cost of the road and fixtures, shall be entitled to a loan of credit from the State equal to one-third of such authorized capital, or equal to one-third of the esti mated cost of such road and fixtures, to be delivered to the company in negotiable scrip or transferable certificates of stock of the State of Ohio, bearing an annual in terest not exceeding six per cent, and redeemable at periods not exceeding twenty years, and the State should then receive certificates of stock in the com pany for the amount so paid. The pro visions of this law as to turnpike companies were in substance like those as to railroad companies, with this difference, that on showing the plan of the proposed work> the amount of stock subscribed, and that one-fourth of the stock subscribed had been paid in cash to the treasurer of the company, the Governor should subscribe to the stock of such company for an amount equal to that subscribed by private persons, which was to be paid in install ments out of the treasury of the State. In like manner the act provided that the Governor should subscribe to the capital stock of canal and slackwater companies an amount equal to one-half that sub scribed by private persons. A Solomon or a Solon might have sus pected that such a law would soon ex haust the treasury and seriously impair the credit of the State ; they might have sus pected that companies would soon be very numerous, and that some Utopian enter prise would be undertaken, and that sham subscriptions and false statements of stock paid in would be resorted to in some in stances for the purpose of drawing money from the ' State. But if Solomon and Solon had been out in the wilderness and stuck in the mud, where their wisdom and glory could not be known of men, and the laws promised them a way out into the world to bless it, they perhaps would not have cried their condemnation of the law in a very loud voice. Whatever may be said about the wisdom of such a law, prac tically it seryed one good purpose, and that was to stimulate all over the State enterprises to improve the means of trans portation of her products, and facilitate travel and intercourse among the people. The Ohio Railroad Company was one of the enterprises brought into life by the patronage offered in this statute. It was chartered by act of March 8, 1836, and i56 hIstory of sAndusKy couNty. empowered to build a railroad with single or double track, from the east line of the State at some suitable point in Ashtabula county, westwardly through the counties of Ashtabula, Geauga, Cuyahoga, Lorain, Huron, Sandusky, Wood, and Lucas, to the Maumee River, and thence to some point on the Wabash and Erie Canal. The act of incorporation carefully provided that if such road passed below the lower rapids of rivers it crossed it should not obstruct navigation. The capital stock of the company was four million dollars, di vided into shares of one hundred dollars each, and the charter named influential men in each of the counties through which the road was to pass, as commissioners to open books and receive subscriptions to the capital stock. The commissioners named for Sandusky county were, Jesse S. Olmstead, Jacques Hulburd, and Sardis Birchard, all of whom, at that time, were prominent and leading citizens of Lower Sandusky, especially in all matters of finance and public improvement. The act of incorporation further pro vided that the money of the company should be paid out of the treasury thereof, on orders drawn on the treasurer, in such manner as should be pointed out by the by-laws of the organization. The reader will see, as the progress of the work went on, that this very reasonable and innocent looking provision for orders on the treas ury was made to play a very important part in the financial management of the road. The commissioners to open books and receive subscriptions for stock were em powered to call the stockholders together, to elect directors, and the directors thus elected to organize the company, by elect ing president, secretary, and treasurer, etc., so soon as one thousand shares, or one hundred thousand dollars, should be sub scribed to the capital stock. The exact date of the organization of the company is not conveniently ascertainable, and in fact is not deemed material to the purpose for which this sketch is written. But, sure it is, Nehemiah Allen was chosen president and Samuel Wilson treasurer. It is also true that surveys had been made, the line of the road established, and that rights of way were secured as early as January 19, 1838, perhaps earlier. FORM OF THE ROAD. The form of this railroad is peculiar, and deserves mention in this history, and whatever merits there may be in the plan, and whoever was the author of it (though President Allen is by some supposed to be that person), succeeding railroad en gineers appear not to have adopted it as a general form for the construction of rail roads. The base or foundation of this road was to be on piles, or sharpened trunks of white oak or bur-oak trees, about fifteen inches, more or less, driven into the ground by a machine called a pile- driver. This pile-driver was worked by steam (a wag might here interpose and say, so was the whole concern); this same pile-driver worked a horizontal buzz-saw which cut off the piles when thoroughly pounded down, to correspondwith the en gineer's line for the grade of the road. This pile-driver and sawing-machine was trundled along on rails laid as occasion required, on the top of the piles as they were cut off. These pile-drivers were set to work, one somewhere near Cleveland, and another at the Maumee River oppo site Manhattan, which place being then the terminus of the Miami canal, was to be the great future city of northwestern Ohio, which Toledo now is. Timber was plenty and cheap in those forests through which the line of the road passed. The pile-drivers went merrily on, booming, puffing, screaming, and pounding through History of sandusky county". 157 the woods, leaving behind them a clear track with two lines of piles cut level and ready for cross ties. The ties were to be laid from pile to pile; on these cross ties were to be laid timbers about eight inches square, an auger hole two inches in diam eter was then bored through the square timbers or rails, down through the ties and into the pile; into this hole was firmly driven a red. cedar bolt or pin about two feet in length, to hold the structure firmly together. On the square timbers thus fas tened, were to be laid and spiked down the strap rail of iron on which the cars were to be propelled. Riverius Bidwell, then owner of the water power and mill site in the city, con tracted to furnish the cedar pins. Ma chinery, with a turning lathe, was erected and attached to his water power; large contracts were made in Canada and else where for red cedar timber, and Mr. Bid- well manufactured and had ready for de livery great piles of the fragrant cedar pins to fasten the superstructure together. Meantime a superb trestle work of solid oak timber was erected across the valley of the Sandusky River, from hill top to hill top on either ride. Huge and substan tial limestone abutments and piers rose out of the waters of the river to receive the woodwork of the bridge, which was located about half way between the Mau mee and Western Reserve road bridge, and the southern extremity of the island next below; being near one hundred rods below the present iron bridge. The work of driving the piles was begun at Brooklyn, on the west side of the Cuyahoga River, to work toward the west; also at the Maumee River, opposite Man hattan, now Northern Toledo, to work eastward. THE FINANCIERING. The financial management of the com pany deserves particular notice. After the first hundred thousand dollars of stock was subscribed and the company or ganized, the State, as bound by the act of March 24, 1837, issued in scrip or negoti able obligations to the company thirty-three and one-third thousand dollars. This scrip could be converted into ready cash, or hypothecated to local banks with the agreement that the bank should redeem or pay the orders of the company to an equal amount of the deposits. The or ders of the company on the treasury were nicely engraved and printed in the simili tude of bank bills, in various denomina tions, and largely in fractions of a dollar. The contractors and laborers on the road were paid off periodically with these orders, which were promptly paid in currency at the treasury, or taken at bank as cash. Soon merchants and traders of all kinds, finding the Ohio Railroad money as good as any other currency then used, began to accept it in payment of debts, or for any thing they had to sell. Thus the means were obtained to start the building of the road. After the line was established and the work absolutely begun, men along the line whose lands were to be greatly bene fited, began to subscribe, quite liber ally, believing the stock would be worth its face, and that they would make great gains in the increased value of their prop erty. One man in Lower Sandusky sub scribed for twenty-five thousand dollars of the stock, although good judges thought at the time his whole property of all kinds was not worth twenty-five hundred dollars, but subscriptions drew one-third of this amount from the State treasury iu an an available form, and this is but a single example of what was extensively practiced all along the line. Ohio Railroad money became the general circulating medium, and for a time was considered as good as our local bank paper, which at the time 15* HISTORY" OF SAM DUSKY COUNTY". was our chief medium of exchange and payment of debts. The Auditor of State, John Brough, in his annual report to the General Assembly for the year 1839, gave the amount for which the State had sub scribed and paid stock to turnpike, canal, and slackwater navigation companies, but the amount of scrip or obligations of the State issued to aid in the construction of railroads, does not appear in the report of that year. He, however, informed the Assembly that the State debt was rapidly increasing, and that the revenues of the State were not sufficient to pay the interest on her debt. This report, doubtless, drew the attention of legislators to the financial condition of Ohio, and awakened public attention to consider the outcome and results of the then existing policy. Here it should be said that, although under this very liberal policy many useless schemes were organized, and, no doubt, much swindling of the State treasury had been accomplished in various ways under pretended compliance with the law, still many works were begun, and accom plished, which were of great value to the State, and served to hasten the develop ment of her resources. The pile-drivers, meantime, were work ing towards each other. It was expected they would meet somewhere near Huron. The one from the east had neared that place, and that from the west was some where between Castalia and Venice, when the bubble burst, the machines stopped, and the people had the worthless Ohio Railroad money in their pockets. This crash came about 1840. Auditor Brough, in his report of 1840, complained again that the State had been compelled to issue its obligations to raise money to pay inter est on her debt, and in one brief line stated the amount of scrip issued to railroad companies to be three hundred and fifty- eight thousand dollars, most of which was probably issued to aid in building the Ohio Railroad. Judge Nehemiah Allen bore the reputation of an honest and honorable man, who was sincerely engaged in accom plishing what he considered a great work for the State, and especially the north part of it, and the collapse left him poor in his old age. Samuel Wilson, the treasurer, was said to be poor at the beginning of the work, but at the bursting up of the concern was rich, and had bought land and built a splendid mansion on it, but the title to his property was found to be in his wife. The amount of Ohio Railroad orders outstanding at the time they became worthless, is not known, but almost every man in this part of the State had some of it, and many had large amounts. Mr. Charles O. Tillotson, who left a charge on the Maumee and Western Re serve Turnpike to assist in the construc tion of this railroad, and was in the em ploy of the company when the failure occurred, remarked to the writer a few days ago, that if this railroad had been completed, this county would have been fifty years in advance of what it now is in the development of its resources and in wealth. About forty years have passed since this enterprise closed in ruinous insolvency. President Allen and Treasurer Wilson have passed away ; all the bright anticipa tions of those who designed and gave their money in support of the work are vanished, and the magnificent trestle was long ago taken down, and the superb tim bers were converted into the third bridge for the Maumee and Western Reserve road, under the engineer, Cyrus Williams. Even the solid stone piers and abutments have been taken down. The ties and tim bers prepared for the superstructure are gone, the more than three hundred thou sand dollars contributed by the State are HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 159 gone, the money paid by its stockholders is gone, and the only visible remains of the work are the broken lines of decaying piles, to be yet seen in sections where the march of improvement has not taken- them away. These still stand, silent, but fast disappearing witnesses of the great failure — "The best laid schemes of mice and men Gang aft a glee. " The people, in 1839, had come to be lieve that the act of 1837 was ruining the State credit, and would soon result in bringing her hopelessly in debt. This be lief became so general that it resulted in the repeal of the act, which had come to be popularly designated as the plunder law, by repealing the act passed March 17, 1840. And when the consequences of this plunder law became fully understood, so strong became the feeling against the principle in legislation, that in framing the new constitution such legislation is strictly forbidden, in the plainest and most unmistakable language. If "history is philosophy, teaching by example," then this mention of the Ohio Railroad may not be in vain. CHAPTER XIII. PLANK-ROAD. The Lower Sandusky Plank-Road Company — Stock Subscribed — Cost of Buildings — Benefit of the Road to the County. FOR a period of about nine years after the failure of the Ohio Railroad Com pany, the spirit of enterprise seemed to slumber in the county, and enterprising business men talked of the dullness of our prospects, and some even expressed a desire to leave and go to where business was more promising. Still, Lower San- . dusky was a good point for collecting pro duce and selling merchandise. It was then the central trading point of a tolera bly improved country, extending south ward more than half way to Tiffin, east ward to a point at least half way to Belle vue, north almost to Port Clinton, and west half way or more to Perrysburg, and southwest as far as Risdon and Rome (now Fostoria), in the west part of Seneca county. Here was a circumference, then, of an average diameter of about forty miles, the products from which were brought to Lower Sandusky for sale or ex change, and for shipment by way of the river and lake to Buffalo, and thence to New York. The people residing on this circle were chiefly supplied with dry goods, groceries, drugs, salt and leather, and fish by the retail stores in Lower Sandusky, and, in fact, a large retail and barter busi ness was carried on notwithstanding the absence of all railroads. But the roads, excepting the Maumee and Western Re serve turnpike, were unimproved earth roads, never good, and much of the year impassable. Consequently the time and expense of hauling heavy articles, such as wheat, corn, and pork, was very consider able, and of course materially reduced the i6o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY .COUNTY. value of the products at the respective farms where raised. Notwithstanding the bad condition of the roads, however, the farm products, in great quantities, were hauled to Lower Sandusky and trade was lively at certain seasons. A very large proportion of the products brought to the place for transportation came by the roads leading to Bettsville and Rome (Fostoria), and the trade was annually in creasing, though the only transportation from Lower Sandusky was by water,, and this method was of course closed during a considerable portion of the year. While this state of affairs existed, the idea of building plank roads came to be promul gated and discussed, and indeed it ap peared to be precisely the system best adapted to the improvement of the roads through the county. The words "plank road" at once awakened the spirit of enter prise which had slept so long, and the LOWER SANDUSKY PLANK ROAD COMPANY WAS CHARTERED, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, in shares of fifty dollars each, to build a plank road from the south termination of Front street, in Lower San dusky, southward along the Sandusky River to the south line of Edward Tindall's land; thence southwesterly to Bettsville, and thence to Rome, in Seneca county, with a- branch starting from the south line of Tin dall's land south to Tiffin. The stock subscription book of the company, so safely and carefully preserved by its president, James Justice, during his life, and since his death, by his daughters, shows the names of the subscribers and the amount of stock taken by each. The names of subscribers then living in the county and the amount of stock subscribed respectively are as follows : R. Dickinson, $2,000; S. Birchard, $3,000; J. R. Pease, $2,500; L. Q. Rawson, $2,000; R. P. Buck- land, $1,500; I. S. Tyler, $500; James Moore, $2,000; C. Edgarton, $500; James W. Wilson, $500; Daniel Tindall, $1,800; L. B. Otis, $500; P. Brush, $500; D. Betts, $500; F. I. Norton, $200; Kendall & Nims, $1,000; Morgan & Downs, $r,ooo; Doncyson & Engler, $200; J. Lesher, $200; John Joseph, $100; J. F. R. Sebring, $100; H. Everett, $200; H. E. Clark, $100; J. Millious, $200; G. F. Grund, $50; A. A. Bensack, $50; L. M. Bidwell, 100; C. O. Tillot- son, $100; J. Kridler & Co., $100; I. VanDoren, jr., $100; E. Leppelman, $100; P. Door, $50; J. F, Hults, $50; S. Lansing, $200; J. Sendelbach, $50; D. Capper, $50; H. R. Foster, $50; C. Smith, $50; J. Emerson, $500; H. Bowman, $100; J. Justice, $r,5oo; A. B. Taylor, $500; A. J. Dickinson, $200; M. E. Pierce, $100; P. Beaugrand, $300; H. Rems- burg, $100; J. B. Smith, $500; D. Marten, $50; M. A. Ritter, $200; C. J. Orton, $100; Samuel Thomp son, $500; John Moore & Vallette, $1,500; Daniel Seaman, $200; A. Coles, $200; Dean & Ballard, $250; L. E. Marsh, $roo; S. M. Steward, $100; John Hafford, $100; John Simon, $50; S. N. Russell, $200; J. W. Davis, $100; G. Kisseberth, $50; John Houts, $100; A. Phillips, $50. The first fifty-three names in the above list were residents of Fremont at the time they subscribed, 1849. They were all men, excepting two, Mariah E. Pierce and Lucy E. Bidwell, both widows, but not of advanced age. The men were in middle age or younger, and were, at the time, active managing members in society and business. Thirty-two years have passed, and of these fifty-three persons, thirty-one are known to be dead. Thirty-two years ago these stockholders elected five directors, namely, James Jus tice, LaQ. Rawson, Charles W. Foster, John R. Pease, and James Vallette. FIRST MEETING OF THE DIRECTORS — WORK BEGUN IN 1849. At a meeting of the directors of the Lower Sandusky Plank Road Company, held at the office of L. Q. Rawson, in Lower Sandusky, on the nth day of April, A. D. 1849, present, James Justice, James Vallette, John R. Pease, and LaQ. Rawson, the following proceedings were had, to-wit : James Justice was elected president, L. Q. Raw- son Secretary, and John R. Pease Treasurer. It was ordered that the treasurer give bond with HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 161 Sardis Birchard, his surety, in the penal sum of five thousand dollars. Ordered also that the stockholders pay an instal ment of ten per cent, on their subscriptions, on or be fore the 15th day oT June next. It was also ordered that the president be author ized to contract for materials for building the road from Lower Sandusky to Rome and Swope's Cor ners. And the board also ordered, at this meeting, that notice be given to the stockholders of the order for the payment of the instalment aforesaid, by pub lication in the Lower Sandusky newspapers for thirty days. The record is signed : "James Justice, President of the Lower Sandusky Plank Road Com pany; L. Q. Rawson, John R. Pease, James Val lette." The president lost no time in entering upon the work of constructing the road as directed by the board. Contracts for grading were promptly made and promptly executed, under the vigorous management of President Justice, assisted by Superin tendent Daniel Tindall. The saw-mills in the vicinity were at once engaged ex clusively in sawing planks and stringers for the road, and at least one steam saw mill was erected and operated by Joshua B. Smith for special purpose of manu facturing lumber for the road. This mill was erected by the side of the road, in the woods, about three miles north of Swope's Corners, to which point the road was completed about the 1st of October, 1849, and toll-gates erected. The branch to Rome was also being rapidly constructed. On the parts constructed tolls were col lected before the 1st of January, 1850, to the amount of three hundred and eighty- seven dollars and twenty-six cents. The road was finished the following year (1850), from Swope's Corners to Tiffin. From Fremont to the south line of Edward Tindall's land, where the two branches diverged, the distance was five miles, and from there each branch was about thirteen miles long; total length of road built was about thirty-one miles. It appears by the books that on Sep tember 30, 185 1, there had been paid in to the treasury of the company on stock, forty-two thousand five hundred dollars; donations made to the amount of two hundred and ninety-five dollars, and tolls collected from October 1, 1849, to Septem ber 30, 185 1, six thousand seven hundred and twenty-two dollars, making a total of receipts of forty-nine thousand five hun dred and seventeen dollars. The total expenditures from the com mencement of the work to September 30, 1851, was forty-eight thousand eight hun dred and forty-five dollars. Tolls received in the month of May, 1850. .$194 00 " " " 1851. . 498 00 1852.. 558 57 1853.. 471 34 " " " 1854 . . 428 96 1855.. 363 16 The amount for the corresponding month in 1856, 1857, and 1859, cannot be obtained, but the tolls declined, and the planks and timbers had so decayed that the income would no longer meet the expenses and repairs, and it was surren dered up in i860, and the gates removed. Many of the subscribers considered what they paid on the stock a donation for the public good, and when they had paid about half the amount subscribed, or less, forfeited their stock; some few ne'ver paid anything. Such forfeitures reduced the amount of actually paid up stock, when the road was completed, to thirty- nine thousand dollars, on which amount several dividends were declared, amount ing, in the aggregate, to about forty per cent., as appears by the president's books. Although this enterprise was not a finan cial success for the stockholders, and although it demonstrated that plank roads were not durable, and would need re building once in about ten years, still this, and one built about the same time from Fremont to Green Spring, were greatly 162 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. beneficial to the county, and to the trade of Fremont. SOME OF THE CONSEQUENCES AND INCI DENTS WHICH RESULTED FROM THE PLANK-ROAD ENTERPRISE. As was stated in the beginning of the history of this plank road, the spirit of en terprise in Lower Sandusky seemed to have departed from the people. True, it was a good point for retailing merchandise and bartering for products of the land, but there was no faith in the future growth of the place, and little or no capital was in vested in real estate or in building, nor, in fact, in any kind of improvement. So gloomy had the prospect of the future growth of the town become, that a number of the most ambitious and enterprising inhabitants had, in fact, determined to re move to some more enterprising locality, and where there were some better pros pects for increase of business, and of in crease in the value of real estate. Prominent among those who had be come impatient with the slow progress Lower Sandusky had been making for years past, was Ralph P. Buckland, who, by laborious practice of the law, had ac cumulated some money and a good repu tation as an honest and responsible law yer. He had been for some time seriously contemplating removal from Lower San dusky to either Cleveland or Toledo, where enterprise and the future looked brighter and more encouraging to those ambitious of fame and fortune. But when he saw this plank road enterprise started, he at once enlisted in it with means and enthusiasm, and seeing the project supported by the able men of the place — such as Rodolphus Dickinson, John R. Pease, Sardis Birchard, and James Justice, of Lower Sandusky, and Charles W. Foster and others of Rome, in Seneca county, he concluded to re main and cast his lot for "weal or woe" with the people where he was. In con versation with the writer only a few days since, General Buckland (he has earned the title of General, as may be seen in his biography in this work) said, in sub stance, that' plank-road enterprise is the one thing that induced him to remain in the place. "And," said he, "do you not remember, that the very summer while the plank-road was being built, I built the first brick block ever erected in Fremont?" The interviewer did remember the fact. This block was erected on lot number two hundred and forty-three, on Front street, on what had been the Western House property, and is now a central bus iness place of great value. It was fortu nate for the then future of Fremont that General Buckland was induced to remain, as will appear by the more particular his tory of the city, and by General Buck- land's biography. Mr. John England, now quite aged, re siding in the village of Ballville, states that he was in the service of Charles W. Foster as a teamster about seven years ; four years of this term of service was spent in haul ing on this plank-road between Rome and Lower Sandusky. The reader must bear in mind that Rome is now Fostoria, and Lower Sandusky is now Fremont. Mr. England says that he hauled produce from Rome to Tiffin, and also from Rome to Lower -Sandusky, on the earth roads, be fore the plank-road was made ; that then forty bushels of wheat, or twenty-four hun dred pounds, was a full average load for a wagon and one span of good horses ; fifty bushels, or thirty hundred pounds, was a large load and not often undertaken. After the plank-road was completed, he says he often hauled at one load one hundred and ten bushels of wheat, or a weight of six thousand six hundred pounds, with one span of horses. Thus it will be seen that the cost of transportation was reduced HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 163 one-half, while the toll charged for such a load was forty-five cents. The time saved by hauling on the plank more than com pensated for the toll charged. From that time (1850) to the early part of i860, the salt, and all other articles of merchandise for Rome and the western part of Seneca county, and also for the whole country trading at Lower Sandusky, was trans ported by water to the head of navigation in the Sandusky river, and thence distrib uted by wagons to the various trading points. This merchandise furnished loads for many of the returning teams which came in with wheat, corn, and pork, and encouraged and supported a lively busi ness for about ten years, of which the plank-road was the main artery. The amount of farm products brought to Fre mont in wagons during the period between - 1850 and i860, and the display of wagons which brought these products for shipment, storage or sale, were such as to make cas ual visitors express surprise, and wonder at the amount of business done in the place. Strangers passing through or stop ping a time on business in the rjlace would see the streets crowded with loaded teams, waiting their turn to be unloaded, and the signs of active trade everywhere about them, and were often heard to remark at that period that Fremont was the liveliest town they had seen in their travels. Mr. Charles O. Tillotson was, during the larger part of the period above mentioned, engaged in buying and ship ping grain at Fremont. He said to the writer a few days ago that it was not an uncommon thing to see four or five hundred two-horse wagons standing in the streets and along the way to the elevators, waiting their turn to unload their wheat ; that during the wheat buying season, al though there were a number of other per sons engaged in buying wheat and com peting with him, it was usual for him to receive from the farm wagons and store away from ten to fourteen thousand bush els in a day. The pork trade at Fremont during the period mentioned was also very large. The trade of the place then em ployed a large number of vessels to carry this produce to Buffalo. Though all this system of trade was des tined to change; though the plank-road was to decay and be abandoned on the advent of a system of railroads through northwestern Ohio; although the noble horses of flesh and blood, whose food was oats and corn and hay, and which must have rest, was, in the grand march of in vention and progress, soon to retire and leave this long and heavy hauling to be done by the iron horse which lives on coal and water, and never tires; still, these plank- roads encouraged our people to stay and strive on in the labor of developing the material resources of the county, and at the same time widely advertised, the town and county as good places for business, and our people as active, enterprising and progressive. The completion of the Tole do, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad, in 1852, by which produce was carried East and West, superseded in large part the carriage of produce by water from Fre mont. The building of this railroad will be the next noticed. The finishing of the Fremont, Lima & Union Railroad from Fremont to Fostoria took the carrying of produce and merchandize away from the plank-road, and the latter was abandoned early in i860. THE FORM OF THE ROAD, AND LINE BUILT ON. The form of the plank-road, when fin ished, was that of a turnpike well graded and ditched. The crown or flat surface of the top of the pike was eighteen feet wide. The plank were eight feet in length and two inches thick, of best white or bur oak, laid crosswise on firm stringers em- 164 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. beded in the earth, on one side of the crown, leaving a good earth road for use in dry weather, and for the use of teams in all weather which had to turn out for the team to pass which was entitled to the plank track. "In several instances,'' said Mr. England whose name is above mentioned: "I met heavily loaded teams on this plank road where the side or earth road was so soft that it would not do to turn off the plank, for if I did, I could never pull out. The result was that the team bound by the law of the road to turn out, would unload in part and then turn out to let the other pass, — then take the plank again, reload his wagon, and then go on. But such dif ficulty did not often occur. CHAPTER XIV. RAILROAD. The Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad — Opposition Encountered — County Bonds Issued — Consolidated With the Junction Road — Name Changed to Cleveland & Toledo Road, Afterwards to Lake Shore & Michigan Southern — Benefits of the Road. THE Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Rail road was the next improvement in this county, and had such great influence in developing its resources and increasing the wealth and business of the people, that it should have a prominent place in this his tory. The act incorporating this company was passed by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, March 7, 1850. The first section of the act provides that Tim othy Baker, Charles L. Boalt, John R. Osborn, George G. Baker, John Gardner, and James Hamilton, jr., of the county of Huron; Frederick Chapman, L. Q. Raw- son, L. B. Otis, H. Everett, A. B. Taylor, and R. P. Buckland, of the county of Sandusky, and Hezekiah D. Mason, Ed ward Bissell, Daniel O. Morton, J. W, Bradbury, and John Fitch, of the county of Lucas, and their associates, successors and assigns be a body corporate and politic, by the name and style of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company, with perpetual succession and all the usual powers granted to such com panies, under the general law regulating railroad companies, passed February 11, 1848. This last mentioned general law conferred the right to survey, locate, and appropriate lands necessary for any railroad which might be organized in the State. The second section of the act of incor poration provided that the capital stock of the company should be two millions of dollars, and that the company were em powered to construct a railroad from Toledo, in the county of Lucas, by way of Norwalk, in Huron county, so as to connect with the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati railroad at Wellington, in Lo rain county, or at some other point in said counties of Huron and Lorain to be deter mined by the directors of said company. The third section of the act of incor poration provided that the county com missioners of any county through which HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 1 6 the road would pass in whole or in part, might subscribe to the capital stock of the company any sum of money not exceed ing one hundred thousand dollars, and to •borrow money to pay the sum at any rate of interest not exceeding seven per cent., payable semi-annually in advance; and for the final payment of the principal and interest of the sum so subscribed, the county commissioners were empowered to make, execute and deliver such bonds, notes and instruments of writing as may be necessary or proper to secure the pay ment of the money so borrowed or sub scribed, and to levy and collect annually such taxes as, together with the profits, dividends or tolls arising from said stock, will pay at such time or times as shall be agreed upon, said money so borrowed or subscribed, with the interest and inci dental charges. The fourth section of the act of incorporation, however, pro vided that no subscription should be made by the county commissioners until a vote of the qualified voters of the county should be had in favor of the subscription. The vote was to be taken according to the provisions of the act of February 28, 1846, which was then in force, which pro vided that county commissioners should give at least twenty days' notice in one or more newspapers printed and in general circulation in the county, to the qualified voters of the county, to vote at the next annual election to be held in the several townships and wards in the county, for or against the subscription, and if a majority of the electors voting at such election for or against such subscription shall be in favor of the same, such authorized sub scription might be made, but not other wise. The company was organized and sub scriptions solicited from the commissioners of the several counties through which the road would pass. In this county a public meeting was called and Charles L. Boalt, president of the company, addressed a meeting at the court-house, and endeav ored, by stating numerous facts about the effect of railroads on towns and on the rural districts, particularly the beneficial effects of such means of transportation to farmers and farm lands, and produce, to convince our people that it would be to the interest of the whole county to have the road built, and that sufficient private subscriptions were not attainable. The subject was new to the mass of the voters ¦ — a few years before the Ohio Railroad had swindled a great number of them and they were suspicious that this enterprise was got up for another swindle. Some went so far as to express the belief that if these sharp railroad men once got their hands on the county bonds they would be sold, the money arising from them would go into the pockets of the railroad men, and that would be the last we would hear about building the road. Arguments and suspicions like these rendered it difficult to move the popular mind toward farming the county subscription. But, fortunately, there were a few men in the county whose calmer judgment and better foresight led them to realize the importance of the road, not only to the city of Fremont, but to the people of the whole county. About this time a rival project, to build a road from Cleveland to Sandusky City, and thence to Lower Sandusky, on such a line as would not necessarily touch Nor walk or Bellevue, was designed. The charter for this latter road was passed March 12, 1846, and was entitled an act to incorporate the "Junction Railroad Company." This company was authorized to construct a railroad, commencing at such point on the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad as the directors might select, either in the county of Cuyahoga or Lorain, and within thirty miles from 166 history of sandusky county. the city of Cleveland, thence to Elyria, in Lorain county, unless the junction with the Cleveland and Columbus road should be made at Elyria, and from thence on the most feasible route to intersect the Mad River & Lake Erie at Bellevue, or at such other point as the directors should choose, and thence to Lower Sandusky (Fremont), and the power was also given to this company to construct the railroad, or a branch of it, from Elyria to Sandusky City, in Erie county, and from thence to Lower Sandusky. The act of incorpora tion of the Junction Railroad Company also provided that if the directors of said company and the directors of the Cleve land, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad Company could not agree upon the terms of junction, then, in that case, the Junc tion Railroad should commence at the city of Cleveland. The agitation of the project to build a road from Toledo to Cleveland by way of Fremont and Norwalk, had the effect to put the Junction Company into active rivalry and earnest opposition against the interests of Norwalk. Fremont at that time would have been satisfied if the Junction Company would have pledged its faith and promised to construct a rail road from Sandusky City to that point. A delegation was sent, and a consultation had with the authorities of the Junction Company, but no satisfactory arrangement was offered, and the consultation was with out effect, except to satisfy the leading railroad advocates of Fremont that the Junction Company intended to ignore both Norwalk and Fremont, and build their road across the Sandusky Bay to Port Clinton, and thence direct to Toledo. Charles L. Boalt, of Norwalk, Presi dent of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company, assisted by the strong men of Norwalk and Fremont, became the financial manager of his road, while ex-Supreme Judge Ebenezer Lane, of Sandusky City, assisted by the strong men of that place, became the financial man ager of the Junction road. These two managers were brothers-in- law, and each worked with untiring zeal for the interests of his own locality. Both were able men. Boalt, however, was the younger man, and though not a large man, he was by nature endowed with a remarkable capacity to endure mental and physical labor, and he certainly put them all into intense service in working his rail road through. At a meeting addressed by him at the court-house in Fremont, in the summer of 1850, about twenty-five thousand dollars was subscribed on the spot by the citizens individually. The in fluential friends and advocates of the Tole do, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad then set themselves about persuading the county commissioners to give the requisite notice for a vote on the question of a county subscription. The application was so far successful that on the nth day of Sep tember, 1850, two of the commissioners, namely, Martin Wright and John S. Gard ner, with Homer Everett, then county auditor, met at the auditor's office. (Hiram Hurd, the other commissioner did not at tend). The record opens in the follow ing form : Auditor's Office, September n, 1850. Be it remembered, that on this irth day of Septem ber, in the year 1850, the commissioners of San dusky county, upon application, met for the purpose of considering the propriety of giving notice for a vote of the people of said county in favor of or against subscription to the capital stock of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company. The result of the meeting was that notice was ordered to be given to the voters of the county to vote for or against subscription at the next annual election, to be held on the 8th day of October, 1851. The notice specified that the voters HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 167 were to authorize the commissioners to subscribe one hundred thousand dollars. The vote was taken, and there was a ma jority against the subscription, and the question was decided adversely to the subscription. The line of the road was located, and did not pass through .either Woodville or Townsend township, the voters of which naturally felt averse to being taxed for an improvement which would con fer no special benefit on them. Besides this, many of the people of Town- send township did their trading at San dusky City, and were more interested in the advancement of that place than that of Fremont, and it was suspected at the time that Sandusky City influence and argument had something to do in influ encing the votes of these townships, and both townships voted heavily against the subscription. As to procuring individual subscriptions sufficient to do Sandusky county's fair proportion of the amount necessary to build the road, that had been tried and seemed to be an impossibility. The success of the road by this adverse vote was put under a cloud, and many of its friends were discouraged, while others of the never-give-up sort, among whom the indefatigable president,. Boalt, was a leader, did not for a moment despair of final success, nor abate their zeal and work in behalf of building the road. The efforts of these persevering men resulted in the passage of an act by the General Assembly of the State, January 20, 1851, authorizing a vote of the county on the question of subscription, excepting the townships of Woodville and Town- send, which townships should not be taxed to pay for the stock. At the next regular session of the com missioners, March 4, 1851, the board, then consisting of Messrs. Martin Wright, Hiram Hurd, and Michael Reed (who suc ceeded Mr. Gardner), ordered that notice be given to the voters of the county, ex cepting those in Woodville and Townsend townships, to vote for or against a county subscription of fifty thousand dollars to the capital stock of Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company, at the then next ensuing annual April election. The question of subscription now be came the absorbing topic in the public mind, throughout that portion of the county on which the responsibility was placed, by the amended law of January 20, 1851. At that time the political par ties were the Democratic against the Whig party, and the former was largely in the majority. R. P. Buckland was then a practicing lawyer and a prominent and influential man, and was also the acknowl edged leader and champion of the Whig party. On the other side, Homer Everett was also a lawyer and then held the office of county auditor by the suffrage of the Democratic party. Both were in favor of the proposition to subscribe the stock. The county commissioners were all ardent Dem ocrats, and not very decided in their views on the question at issue, but like wise pol iticians, expressed no convictions or opin ions on the measure. The friends of the measure very wisely concluded that it would not advance their cause to permit the proposition to assume the form of a polit ical party issue, which some of the oppo sition were striving to give it. It was finally determined to hold a series of meetings at school-houses in the different townships in which the people were to vote, and have addresses made to convince the voters, especially the farmers, that the construction of the road would benefit them in a pecuniary point of view. An arrangement was thereupon made that these meetings should be attended and addressed by Ralph P. Buckland and Homer Everett jointly, and that both should give assurance that the question i68 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. had no relation to party politics, and the two gentlemen very willingly volunteered in the service without pay and at their own expense. Numerous meetings and consultations were appointed and adver tised, at which the time was equally divid ed between the two speakers, and various arguments were by them offered, such as the increased price of wheat, pork, eggs, butter, etc., which would result from cheap and rapid transportation by the railroad, and the resulting increase in the value of their lands. The speakers also offered to answer as well as they could any questions about the matter in discussion which anyone in the meeting would ask.. Some of the questions asked and some of the objections to building the road were really curious, and if propounded to-day would bring out only laughter from old and young in response. Some would ask how the building of the road would operate on the prices of horses and oats? Would not the railroad destroy the occupation of teaming, and thereby throw a great num ber of men and horses out of employ ment. Another objection was raised by certain hotel-keepers and land owners re siding along the Maumee and Western Reserve turnpike. These claimed that not only would the occupation of hauling by wagon be destroyed, but that all the emi gration which afforded these their chief income, would be diverted; that it would be very unjust to the State; that travel on the turnpike would cease, no tolls would be collected, and the road on which the State had spent such large sums of money would grow up to grass and be abandoned and so the State be made a great loser by the railroad. The speakers awswered all these questions in a friendly and respect ful way, as well as they could, and pressed on in their work. Particular mention of two meetings will serve to illustrate the spirit and the persistence with which this railroad campaign was carried by those, who opposed as well as those who worked for the road. One was at Van Waggoner's school-house, as it was called, a little north of what is since called Winters' Station, in Jackson township. That township was not touched by the line of the road, and of course not so directly benefited by its construction as some other townships. Word came to the friends of the road that opposition to it had sprung up in that township and neighborhood, and that the vote of the township would probably go against the county subscription. Sardis Birchard, who had influence and many personal friends and acquaintances there, volunteered to go with the speakers to that meeting. In the evening Messrs. Birchard, Buckland, and Everett, and John E. Pease, started on horseback from Fremont, and reached the school-house a little after eight o'clock. They found there from thirty to fifty voters. Addresses were made, and then a free consultation over the subject took place, in which Mr. Birchard did effective work in telling the voters what he had seen of the effect of railroads in other localities, and in answer ing questions. This consultation became so animated and interesting that the meet ing did not disperse until after twelve o'clock; and when Mr. Birchard and the speakers reached Fremont, on their return, it was after two o'clock, a. m. Another meeting was appointed for the speakers at the school-house at Gale Town, a little hamlet about three miles southward from Hamer's Corner, now Clyde. The leading man of Gale Town was one James Morrel. He was a justice of the peace, an active man in all public affairs, and withal the controlling member of the local board of school directors. Mr. Morrel was ardently opposed to having the county subscribe for the stock, and had infused his feelings and sentiments HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 169 into the minds of his neighbors, so that the locality was quite strongly anti-sub scription. The speakers were there about eight o'clock, expecting to find the school-house lighted and the men as sembled to hear what was to be said. But all was dark. One of the residents was found, who at once set off to Mr. Morrel's residence for the key to the school-house, but returned with the word .that the directors had consulted over the matter and concluded that the school- house should not be used to advocate a scheme to swindle the tax-payers of the county. However, a man was found, after some effort, who said, though he was opposed to subscribing for the road, he thought it wrong to treat men so who came to speak on the subject, and he be lieved it was right to hear both sides. This gentleman procured admission into a small wagonmaker's shop, where the work man had left his tools and lumber in readi ness to commence the next day's work. He also procured a single tallow candle, which he fastened to the wall back of the work-bench; and, after partiallyclearing the bench, a few men besides the speakers gathered in to hear. The only way to get light enough to read memoranda, or reckon figures, was for the speakers to stand on the work-bench and read, and from there deliver their remarks and an swer questions. They mounted the bench and undertook to set forth the benefits which that part of the county would de rive from the railroad when constructed. Hamer's Corners, since named Clyde, was indeed a promising place for marketing farm produce, and the speakers endeav ored to convince the few hearers there of the fact. After talking about half an hour each, and answering various questions and replying to sundry objections, the speakers came home, quite well satisfied that if the people of Green Creek township w^re so blind about their own interest, the success of the road was very uncertain. On the Saturday next before the elec tion, there were more men in the city than usual on that day. Mr. Birchard, and John R. Pease, and other friends of the road had become alarmed about the result. These men noticed the fact that there was, for some reason, on that day, a large proportion of. Democrats on the streets, and also a number of the active opponents of the road. Mr. Everett had been out speaking the night before until quite late, and, after dinner, hoarse, tired, and thoroughly exhausted, had sought the refreshment only to be found in sleep. He was awakened by a delegation, sent by Mr. Birchard and others, with orders to go at once into the street and make an address on the railroad question. Worn and hoarse, and unfit as he was, he obeyed the orders under the impulse of his own zeal in the work, and for about half an hour summed up the arguments pro and con to a large crowd of listeners on Front street, in the open air, and this ended his labors in that campaign. Much discussion of the measure between individuals was had that day, and great good for the work was no doubt accomplished. The election was held on the first Mon day in April, 185 1, and the following cer tificate shows the result: State of Ohio, Sandusky County, ) Court of Common Pi.eas. J ' I, La Q. Rawson, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in and for said county', hereby certify that, at the election held in the several election districts in said county, except the townships of Townsend aad Woodville, for the purpose of voting for or against railroad subscription to the capital stock of the To ledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company, the vote, as appears by the abstract and returns on file, stands as follows : For railroad subscription r ,174 Against railroad subscription 774 Majority 409, Q, Capper, Deputy Clerk, April 10, i85r. 170 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. On the 1 6th day of April, i85r, the county commissioners, namely: Martin Wright, Michael Reed, and Hiram Hurd, met at the auditor's office, and, as their journal shows, found that the election had been had, and that a majority of the votes cast on the question was in favor of sub scribing fifty thousand dollars to the capital stock of the road, ordered the stock to be subscribed accordingly, and that bonds to pay the same be issued, bearing interest coupons at seven per cent. per annum, payable semi-annually, in due form, and in two series; one series num bered from one to forty, inclusive, for one thousand dollars each, and the others num bered from one to one hundred, inclusive, for one hundred dollars each. The order further provided that these bonds' be de livered when there was executed a stipu lation to abide the proposition of the di rectors of the company against loss, and upon delivering the proper certificate of stock equal to the amount of the bonds. The stipulation with the directors of the road alluded to in the order was, that the county should not suffer any loss by the subscription for stock. The bonds were made ready for delivery, .but the commis sioners refused to deliver them until there was ample security given to indemnify against loss, according to the verbal prom ise of the directors. The undertaking of the directors them selves did not satisfy the commissioners, and they then demanded a bond, signed by residents of the county, of known abili ty, to pay any damage or loss the county might suffer. Thereupon came a suspension of the delivery of the bonds for nearly two days. The friends of the road finally agreed to indemnify the county against all loss by reason of subscribing the stock and issu ing the bonds, on condition that the com missioners would stipulate in the bond of indemnity to sell and transfer the stock whenever the signers of the bond should require them to do so. A bond was drawn, with the conditions clearly set out, and delivered to Sardis Birchard, who un dertook to return it, signed by men whose pecuniary circumstances would satisfy the commissioners, that in no event could the county be a loser by taking the stock and delivering the bonds. This undertaking was returned on the second day after, signed by about thirty of the solid men of the county. The bond is not now in ex istence, or at least cannot be found, but the writer of this sketch thinks now it was for the penal sum of one hundred thou sand dollars, and, though he cannot re member the names of all the signers, re calls now among them the names of Sardis Birchard, R. P. Buckland, Rodolphus Dickinson, Nathan P. Birdseye, James Moore, John R. Pease, and La Q. Raw- son. He much regrets his inability to place on record all the other signers, that the present and future inhabitants of the county might know who is entitled to their gratitude for the great benefits the road has conferred and is still conferring, and will continually confer on all who reside or may reside in the county. At the time this indemnity was demanded, it was plainly to be seen that, but for the prompt action of these signers, the road would probably not have been built, or, if built, it would not have passed through Fremont. But the indemnity was so ample that there was no longer any excuse for the exercise of that vigilant, if not extreme prudence, on the part of the commissioners, which came so near to. working a final defeat of the enterprise. The bonds were delivered and the stock taken, however, and the rapid construc tion of the road followed. A consolida tion of the Junction and the Toledo, Nor walk & Cleveland roads was doubtless HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 171 arranged for privately by the managers early in 1853. But the agreement to con solidate was not publicly and certainly known until July 15, and then to take effect September 1, 1853. In this arrangement such terms were made as to raise the value of the stock of Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland consider ably above par, and create a demand for it, in which condition of affairs the signers of the indemnifying bond demanded a sale of the stock held by the county. The stock was sold sometime in April, 1853, and the bonds redeemed and burnt up July 1, 1853, by the commissioners. In the transaction the county gained by the rise of the stock over fifteen hundred dol lars above all expenses. The first through passenger train passed over the road on the 7th day of February, 1853. After the consolidation the road was called the Cleveland & Toledo Rail road, and passed by that name until it was consolidated with the Lake Shore road, April 6, 1869, since which date it has been denominated the Southern Divis ion of that road, and has formed a part of one of the great trunk lines of road from east to west. THE BENEFITS OF THE ROAD CONSIDERED. The reader will remember how, in the history of this road, the project was op posed and was once voted down; how cautious the county commissioners were in requiring a guarantee against loss by the county, in consequence of subscribing fifty thousand dollars to the capital stock, in order to insure the construction of the road, and how, afterwards, the stock was sold at a premium of fifteen hundred dol lars. Now let us glance briefly at the fur ther results which so completely justify the friends of the road in their efforts to build it, and at the same time illustrates the folly of opposing the march of im provement which had then (1852), reached this county on its way to the Great West. In 1854 the county duplicate shows that the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad Company paid into the county for taxes on its property the sum of three thousand three hundred and sixty-four dollars and thirty-five cents. Ten years later, in 1864, it paid for taxes into the treasury, nine thousand four hundred and fifteen dollars and twenty-five cents. This annual tax increased year by year until, in 1876, it paid into the treasury for taxes the sum of seventeen thousand two hundred and ninety-eight dollars. In the year 1877 the amount was a lit tle less, being sixteen thousand three hun- * dred and seventy-four dollars. In 1878 the amount paid for taxes was twelve thou sand two hundred and thirty-four dollars. In 1880 the sum paid was thirteen thou sand and ninety-nine dollars and thirty cents. The county auditors will show, that dur ing the twenty-eight years of its existence, and including the year 1880, the road has paid into the treasury of this county alone, an average yearly tax of not less than nine thousand dollars, or an aggregate sum of two hundied and fifty-two thousand dollars. Now add to this large sum, which is to be swelled year by year, the gain to our farmers from the increased price of their products, and also the in creased value of farming and city real estate in the county, and surely the friends of the road who resided in the county and struggled so hard to have it built, are justified in their views and opinions, and rewarded amply for all their labors for the public good. CHAPTER XV. THE FREMONT & INDIANA RAILROAD. Organization of the Company — Building the Road — Its Financial Difficulties— Sales of Road — Re-organization of the Company^ — Change of Name — Perseverance, Trials, and Pluck of the President and some of the Directors — How it came to be Part of a Great, Important Line of Transportation, now called the Lake Erie & Western Railway. THE construction of the plank-roads had given such impetus to business, and the completion of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Railroad had so clearly demon strated that all, and more than all, the benefits promised by its advocates were realized, that the town became ambitious for further improvements, and under the stimulus of this ambition the FREMONT AND INDIANA RAILROAD COM PANY WAS INCORPORATED. The General Assembly of the State of Ohio had passed an act, May ist, 1852, to create and regulate railroad companies. The act provided that any persons, to the number of five, by certain proceedings might obtain from the Secretary of State a certificate of incorporation, and thereby become a body corporate, with all the powers n.cessary to build a railroad in Ohio. The Fremont & Indiana Railroad Company was incorporated under this law by certificate dated April 25, 1853. The incorporators were L. Q. Rawson, Sardis Birchard, James Justice, John R. Pease, and Charles W. Foster — Mr. Fos ter residing at that time at Rome, in Sen eca county, and the other corporators at Fremont, in Sandusky county. The corporators, their associates, suc cessors, and assigns wtre empowered to build a railroad from Fremont, in Sandus ky county, thence through Sandusky and Seneca counties to the town of Rome, in Seneca county; thence through Seneca and Hancock counties to the town of Findlay, in said county of Hancock; thence through the counties of Hancock, Allen, Auglaize, Mercer, and Darke to the west line of the State of Ohio, in the county of Darke. The certificate of incorpora tion specified the capital stock of the company to be two hundred thousand dollars. This capital stock, on the 17th of October, 1853, was increased by the proper certificate to one million two hun dred thousand dollars, and again increased, July 23, 1855, to two millions of dollars. The law of May 1, 1852, to create and regulate railroad companies, provided that, so soon as ten per centum of the capital stock should be subscribed, and five dol lars on each share paid in, the corporators might notify the stockholders to meet and elect directors, and the directors should then meet and elect a president, secretary, and treasurer. These requirements of the statute were promptly complied with, and the company organized, during the time that the capital stock was fixed at two hundred thousand dollars, as designated in the original cer tificate of incorporation. The increase of capital stock was authorized subsequently. The directors elected L. Q. Rawson, president; A. J. Hale, secretary, and Squire Carlin, treasurer of the company. The work of obtaining the right of way and contracting for the building of the road was promptly begun. True it was, that the completion of the Toledo, Nor- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. *n walk & Cleveland Railroad, and advent of the iron horse harnessed for. regular business on the 7th of February, 1853, had demonstrated the advantages of rail roads to the county, and had overcome the prejudices which the advocates of that road were compelled to meet and van quish. But the friends of the Fremont & Indiana road encountered difficulties which, though of another kind, were no less formidable; these were an indiffer ence on the part of a portion of our people, resulting partly from the unfavor able condition of our money market. These causes combined rendered the ob taining of money to carry on the work very difficult. But the president of the company, L. Q. Rawson, was determined to build the road. In his indomitable will to accomplish this he was supported by such men as James Moore, Charles W. Foster, David J. Corey, and Squire Carlin, the two latter named being resi dents of Findlay, in Hancock county; Foster residing at Fostoria, formerly Rome, in Seneca county, and Rawson and Moore being residents of Sandusky county. How the road was bonded ; how and at what rates the bonds were sold and se cured by mortgage on the road; how the obligations of the company were found unavailable for the purchase of iron for the road ; how the five men above named, under the influence of President Rawson's will aifd pluck, pledged their private for tunes to obtain the iron for the road, and what and how much these five brave men were compelled to sacrifice for the com pletion of the road to Findlay, and how they labored to extend the road further on, might form an interesting chapter in this history, if space permitted its insertion. But it is enough to say briefly, that, but for the bravery and pluck of these men, under great discouragements, and their large sacrifices of their own private means, the road would not have been built, and Fremont might never have realized the benefits of a southern and southwestern line of transportation. WHEN THE CARS FIRST RUN TO FOSTORIA. By the pluck, perseverance, and pecuni ary sacrifices of these men the road was built, iron laid, and cars for carrying freight and passengers put running from Fremont to Fostoria, formerly Rome, on the 1st day of February, A. D. 1859. During the summer and fall of 1859 the work progressed, and iron was laid to within about one mile of Findlay. The people of Findlay were very desirous of its completion, but they did not come for ward with the money, and the resources of the company were exhausted. In this condition of affairs David J. Corey, one of the directors above named, usually called Judge Corey, went to New York early in the spring of i860, and on his own private credit bought iron suffi cient to complete the track into the town of Findlay, thereby making a distance of thirty-seven miles from Fremont. While this was being done, the road had been made ready for the iron nearly to Lima, in Allen county. In this condi tion of the company's affairs it was over taken by insolvency. In the same year Joseph B. Vainum and Henry L". Mott, trustees named in the mortgage given to secure the first mortgage bonds of the road, commenced an action in the Court of Common Pleas of Sandus ky county, to sell the road to pay arrearages of principal and interest which had be come due to the holders of the bonds. This suit was prosecuted by Messrs. Buck. land and Everett, attorneys for the trus tees, and resulted in a decree of foreclos ure, and an order for the sale of the road was entered October i4r 1861. The sale *u MIsTOrY Of SANdUskY COUNTY. was made between the October and Jan uary terms of the court, the road fran chises, property, and fixtures being bid off by the creditors. The sale was confirmed, and a deed or dered January 6, 1862. On the 21st of January, 1862, a new company was organized, and took the name of the Fremont, Lima & Union Railroad Company, to construct a road on the same route as that which had been adopted by the Fremont & Indiana Rail road Company. The corporators of the Fremont, Lima & Union Railroad Company were: Charles Congdon, of the city of New York ; David J. Corey, and Squire Carlin, of the coun ty of Hancock, and L. Q. Rawson and James Moore, of the county of Sandusky, State of Ohio. L. Q. Rawson was made president, and R. W. B. McLellan secretary, and also treasurer of the new company. The Fremont & Indiana Railroad, at the judicial sale, sold for twenty thousand dol lars; not sufficient to. pay the bonds men tioned in the mortgage, and the original stock in that road was, of course, lost to the holders. The capital stock of the Fremont, Lima & Union Railroad Company was increased by the proper certificate of the Secretary of State, under date of May 17, 1864, to two million five hundred thousand dollars. On the 4th of February, 1865, the Fre mont, Lima & Union Railroad Company entered into an agreement with the Lake Erie and Pacific Railroad Company, of the State of Indiana, by which it was agreed to consolidate the two companies, and that the consolidated road should be called the Lake Erie & Louisville Rail road Company. The agreement was rati fied by the stockholders of the Fremont, Lima & Union Railroad Company, on the 14th of January, 1865, and by the stock holders of the Lake Erie and Pacific Company on the 18th of the same month,. and the road on that day took the new name of "Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad Company," with a capital Stock of six million dollars, in fifty dollar shares. After this organization was consummated, it be came the settled purpose of the company to build a through line of railroad from Louisville to the head of navigation on the Sandusky River, so that heavy freight could be carried by water, thence to Buf falo and New York, and passengers and light freight could pass east or west from Fremont on the southern division of the Lake Shore railroad. The Lake Erie and Louisville Railroad Company continued to operate and ex tend its line beyond Findlay, and also, by contract with other companies, namely, the Columbus & Indiana Central, and the Jeffersonville, Madison & Indianapolis, constructed twenty and three-fourths miles of their line, and put it in operation be tween Cambridge City and Rushville, in the State of Indiana. There remained unpaid bonds issued by the Fremont, Lima & Union Railroad Company, and also bonds issued by the Lake Erie and Louisville Railroad Com pany. On these bonds a large arrear of interest was unpaid. These bonds were secured by mortgages to trustees for the benefit of the bondholders. On the 29th day of March, 187 1, the trustees commenced proceedings in the Circuit Court of the United States, to foreclose their mortgages and sell the road. On the 4th day of April, 1871, L. Q. Rawson was appointed receiver by the court, and took charge of the road as such. The road was sold under the de cree of foreclosure, on the 18th day of October, 187 1, but the property remained in charge of the receiver, Rawson, until January 1, 1872. The road and property HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. *75 of the company was sold to trustees for the bondholders. The part of the road located in Ohio, that is from Fremont to Union City, was reorganized November 4, 187 1, under the name of the Fremont, Lima & Union Railway Company, and the trustees con veyed the road property to the new com pany, December 26. 187 1. That part of the road in Indiana was reorganized No vember 10, 1 87 1, under the name of the Lake Erie & Louisville Railway Company, and these two companies were consoli dated April 12, 1872, under the name last above given. Bonds were issued by the road as fol lows: Five hundred thousand dollars on that part in Ohio, and ninety thousand dollars for that part in Indiana between Union and Cambridge City, and mort gages given respectively. This company put the road in operation to Lima, and then to St. Mary's, and graded the road bed from Union City to Cambridge City, Indiana, a distance of thirty-four miles. But the bonds were not paid, and on suit of trustees to foreclose the mortgage on the property of the Dake Erie & Louis ville Railway Company, the road was again placed in the hands of a receiver. From the first organization of the Fremont & Indiana Railroad Company, through alMts ups and downs, all its trials and tribulations, LaQ. Rawson had been president and chief manager. He ad hered to the enterprise, through good and through evil report, and he gave his time, his untiring energy arid .great .executive ability, and largely of his pecuniary store, to keep it up and carry it through. But President Rawson saw his wishes accom plished so far that the road was com pleted and ears running on it to St. Mary's, a distance of eighty-six miles, be fore the 25th day of AP"', 1874, when under foreclosure proceedings the road and its property were placed in the hands of a receiver, and as such receiver Isadore H. Burgoon, of Fremont, took full charge of the road, and managed it successfully, and to the satisfaction of all concerned, until March, 1877. The road was finally sold at judicial sale in two separate parts ; that is, the part in Indiana being the sub ject of one, and the part in Ohio the other. The sale of the part in Ohio was confirmed February 24, and that in In diana March 8, 1877. This last purchase was made by the newly formed Lake Erie & Louisville Railroad Company, through Mr. James ' B Hodgskin, acting as trustee for the owners and holders of the first mortgage bonds of the Lake Erie & Louisville Railway Company. This sale carried to the purchasers all property of the com pany, personal and real, and the purchaser took it, of course, divested of all prior claims. On the confirmation of this sale to Mr. Hodgskin, or soon after, Mr. Burgoon, the receiver, filed in the Court of Common Pleas, of Sandusky county, his final re port and the account of his doings and dealings in the management of the road of which he had full -charge as receiver, under direction of the court, for almost three years. Isadore H. Burgoon is a son of one of the many worthy pioneers of Sandusky county, Mr. Peter Burgoon, now deceased. After attending the common school near his home, was for a time sent by his father to Oberlin College. After leav ing Oberlin he went into the service of the Fremont & Indiana Railroad Com pany as office and errand boy, and from that station was advanced, step by step, in the service of the company, to that of general superintendent. We are pleased to record the fact that every step of this advancement was earned by hard work 176 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. combined with unusual activity and integ rity exercised in behalf of his employers. Mr. Burgoon's final report and account as receiver was presented to the court and confirmed, not only without question, but by consent of the counsel on both sides, and he was highly complimented for his management of the affairs of the road, as is shown by the order of confirmation, which is as follows: And this court, having examined the said final account and report, and found the same in all respects in accordance with law and the order of the court, and that the said receiver has duly paid and delivered all money, credits and property of every kind which came into his possession or control, by virtue of his appointment and office in accordance with the order and direction of the court, and has in all respects well and truly and faithfully discharged all his duties as such receiver, it is hereby ordered that the said final report and account be and the same is hereby approved and confirmed, and the said Isadore H. Burgoon discharged from all further accountability as such receiver. And he is espe cially commended for the ability and faithfulness with which he has discharged the arduous duties of his office. Approved. R. P. Buckland and Calvin Brice, Attorneys for Lake Erie & Louisville Railway Com pany. Otis, Adams & Russell, Attorneys for Plaintiffs, the Trustees. This account being confirmed, Mr. Bur goon's duties as receiver were ended. Yet he was to receive further manifestations of approval for his energy and activity. The road was now under the management of Mr. Hodgskin as a representative of the purchasers. A new company was prompt ly formed after the purchase, in New York city, of which Mr. Hodgskin was president. Mr. Hodgskin, from the time he purchased the road, seemed to appre ciate Mr. Burgoon's ability and integrity, and kept him as superintendent of the road until the decease of President Hodgskin, which occurred March, 20, 1879. Soon after the death of Mr. Hodgskin the annual report of the com pany was made showing, its condition for the year ending December 31, 1878, and was signed by Charles Foster, as president, under date of March 26, 1879. C. R. Cummings, of Chicago, succeeded Mr. Hodgskin as president, and the directors again chose Mr. Burgoon as superintend ent of the road. The road was now scaled of all its debts, and was represented by one million five hundred thousand dollars of stock. A syndicate, it is said, was formed to pur chase in this stock, for good judges affirm that the road at this time was worth at least two millions of dollars. This syndi cate probably embraced the holders of large amounts of the stock, and the stock held by those outside this syndicate was quietly purchased at about twenty cents on the dollar, until all was gathered in. Soon after the purchase of the stock had been accomplished, and probably in June( 1879, the road seems to have been con solidated with other western lines, and be came part of what has since been known as the Lake Erie & Western Railway. The northern terminus of the Fremont & Indiana Railroad, under all the differ ent names by which it was known, had been at the head of navigation on teh Sandusky River in Fremont, and all freight intended for transportation by water was carried down the river and through the Sandusky Bay, past Sandusky City, into Lake Erie, to any desired port on the lakes. However, after the first consolidation with an Indiana road, and the design was formed to make Louisville the southern terminus of the line, the intention was entertained to extend the road to the lake at some point, but this intention was never executed by that company. When the road was last transferred and took the name of Lake Erie & Western Railway, the new company made proffers to the peo ple of Sandusky to extend their road to that place if sixty thousand dollars were HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 177 raised in that city to donate towards the cost of the extension. Under an act of the General Assembly of the State, the voters of Sandusky au thorized the city to issue sixty thousand dollars of bonds, which were sold, and the sixty thousand dollars procured. The proceeds of these bonds were not paid to the Lake Erie & Western Railway Com pany, but a new company, called the San dusky & Fremont Railway Company, was formed, and proceeded to construct a road between the two cities named. Work was commenced on this road about July 1, 1880, and made ready for trains about the last of February, 1881, and is practically and extension of the Lake Erie & West ern Railway. CHAPTER XVI. COUNTY ROADS. Macadamized and Gravelled Roads in the County— Date of Building— Persons Prominently Connected with their Construction, and their Cost and Benefits. - THE man who, seated in a fine car riage, with perhaps wife, or sweet heart, or bride at his side, drives pleasantly along the good roads of to-day at the rate of from six to ten miles per hour, or the anxious one who has occasion to ride post-haste over the same road for a sur geon or physician, is not very likely to think of, nor thank the men who devised, and toiled, gave their time and money, and contended for the building of the structure which saves him or them from wallowing through the mud and mire which used to be there. The same may be said of the farmer as he, comfortably seated on his great load of produce or building material, jogs comfortably along without stalling, strain, or breakage. But history would not be just without making some specific mention of such improve ments and of the men who contended for and executed them. Therefore we mention in our chapter on improvements, the mac adamized roads made under the authori ties of the county, and some of the men connected with the construction of them. The law under and by virtue of which these roads were made, provided that on the application of a majority of land owners whose land would be subjected to a charge for the construction of the road, the coun ty commissioners might appoint three viewers or commissioners, and a surveyor or engineer, to view the route proposed for the road, and if the construction of the road should, in their opinion, be required by the public convenience, they should also report an estimate of the cost of con struction, and a description of the land which, in their judgment, should be taxed to pay for the work. They also reported the form of the road and the materials to be used, whether gravel or stone, and the width and thickness to which the material should be laid on. On the filing of this report commissioners might approve the same and order the construction of the road, The commissioners were also i78 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. empowered to -issue bonds of the county bearing interest, and sell them to raise the money necessary to carry on the work. To pay the interest and princi pal of the bonds an assessment was made on the land, to be paid in instalments as taxes are paid, and these assessments were charged against the lots and tracts respectively, on the tax duplicate of the county, and collected by the county treas urer and applied to the redemption of the bonds. This brief outline of the statute gov erning the construction of free turnpikes in Ohio will serve to help the reader to understand better what follows on the subject. THE GREENSBURG MACADAMIZED ROAD. Ever since about 1831 settlers had been locating in the southwestern part of the county. Among the county roads laid out about that time was one from near James Moore's mill, in Ballville township, thence due west on section lines, to near the northwest corner of section ten in Jackson township, where the road angled southward through sections, until it inter sected the south line of section eight in the same township, a little west of the southeast corner of the section, and where the village of Millersville now stands. From there the line ran due west through Greensburg on section lines, to the west line of the county, a distance of about fourteen miles and a. half from the start ing point. To describe the difficulties of travelling and the still greater difficulties of hauling heavy loads over this road, is needless to those who have had experience with roads in new, level, timbered coun tries. True, the inhabitants had done much in mending and draining the road from time to time, but with all they could do, more than half the way for about half the year, was mud, or if a dry surface was found it was hard travelling over the rough surface, cut into deep ruts. On the 6th of March, 1867, Martin Wright and one hundred and twenty-eight others, owners of land along this road, filed their petition with the county commis sioners, asking them to take the necessary proceedings to macadamize this road. The county commissioners at the time were Benjamin Inman, Samuel E. Wat- ters, and Henry Reiling. A bond to pay all expenses of view, survey, etc., in case the report should be against the request of the petitioners, was filed by Martin Wright and Lewis K. Wright,of Scott town ship. On filing the bond the commis sioners appointed William E. Haynes, Charles G. Green, and Hiram Haff, view ers, and Beman Amsden surveyor. These men performed their respective duties, and on the fourth of June, 1867, reported that in their opinion the prayer of the peti tioners ought to be granted. They also viewed the land to be benefited by the road, and recommended that the road be graded twenty-two feet wide on top, and that twelve feel in width of the twenty- two, be covered with stone to the thick ness of one foot. The viewers' and engi neer's estimate of the cost of the road, was for grading, one thousand nine hun dred and thirty-six dollars, and for macad amizing, twenty-three thousand four hun dred and sixty-three dollars and fifty cents; making a total estimated cost of twenty-five thousand three hundred and ninety-nine dollars and fifty cents. The last paragraph of this report is as follows: We cannot conclude without commending to your favorable consideration the prayers of the petitioners, who are intelligent, prudent men, many of them large land owners and tax payers, and we respectful ly, but earnestly recommend that you order the im provement, as provided by law. William E. Haynes, ¦) C. G. Greene, y Viewers. Hiram Haff, J B. Amsden, Engineer. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 179 There was no remonstrance against the proposed improvement, and no claim for damages by reason of it, as is shown by the commissioners record. The work was promptly begun, bonds for the payment of the costs of construction were issued, and taxes, or rather assessments, levied upon the land to be benefited to meet the pay ment of the bonds, and Commissioner Inman gave his special attention and much time to directing and superintend ing the work. There was, as a matter of course, some contention among the land owners, in the apportionment of the bur den of assessment each tract should bear. Such contention is almost inseparable from the prosecution of every improve ment in town, city or country where there is to be an apportionment of the expenses of the work. But these wranglings have an end, which usually terminates in the dissatisfaction , of part of those who have to pay out their money, for a perfectly satisfactory adjustment of such burden is seldom, if ever, arrived at. So blinding is the effect of selfishness on the percep tions of men that it is doubtful whether in such a case all would be satisfied if the most perfect equity could be made to op erate on such an apportionment. Mr. Inman being a resident of Scott township, a land owner to be benefited, as well as one of the county commissioners, and as such, exercising a kind of special super vision over the work, received the chief animadversions of the dissatisfied. But Benjamin Inman was an honest man and bore the unfavorable comments of some of his esteemed neighbors with patience and silence, though with pain and regret, until shame silenced the dissatisfied ones, and time vindicated and made clear his hon esty of purpose, as well as sound judg ment concerning the work. The road was finished during the year 1870, at a total cost of forty thousand three hundred and twenty-6ne dollars and ninety-one cents, being fourteen thousand nine hundred and twenty-two dollars and forty;one cents more than the estimated cost as returned by the viewers and en gineer; the actual cost per mile being a fraction less than two thousand eight hundred dollars. WILLIAM E. LAY ROAD MACADAMIZED. On the 4th day of December, 1867, William E. Lay and forty others, constitut ing a majority of the owners of land to be affected, petitioned the commissioners of the county for the macadamizing or gravelling of the county road, on the fol lowing routes: Beginning at the Lake Shore railroad, in Clyde, thence south on the east line of section 23, 26, and 35. in ' Green Creek township, to the county line between Sandusky and Seneca counties. Bond was given by C. G. Eaton, J. M. Lemmon, and William W. Wales. The county commissioners, namely, Benjamin Inman, David Fuller, and Henry Reiling, at their December session, 1867, appointed Andrew Smith, Hiram Haff, and John Orwig viewers, and Jeremiah Evans, surveyor. These viewers and the surveyor met according to notice, at the store of Darwin E. Harkness, in the vil lage of Clyde, on the 15 th day of January, 1868. They reported on the 3d day of March, 1868, that no claim for damage had been made, and recommended that the improvements be made as prayed for, by macadamizing or gravelling the same; that the road be opened sixty feet wide, top of roadway to be eighteen feet wide and covered with broken stone or gravel. The viewers and surveyor reported their estimate of the cost of the work to be as follows: For grading, eight hundred dol lars; for gravelling, three thousand six hundred dollars; making a total of esti mated cost of four thousand four hun- i8o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. dred dollars. The length of the road was three miles and a-half. The road was constructed according to the recommendation of the viewers and engineer, and finished about the beginning of 1870, at a total cost of ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-seven dollars and sixteen cents, or at the rate of two thousand nine hundred and sixty-seven dollars per mile. This William E. Lay road improvement was made under regulations and proceed ings like those by which the Greensburg improvement was made, and a repetition of them would be superfluous. THE FREMONT AND SOUTH CREEK MACAD AMIZED ROAD. On the petition of Charles H. Bell and others for the macadamizing of that part of the State road which lies between the east line of the city of Fremont and Bark Creek, and on filing the proper bond signed by C. H. Bell and J. H. McArdle, on the 9th of December, 1868, the county commissioners, namely: Benjamin Inman, Henry Reiling, and David Fuller, ap pointed Piatt Brush, A. B. Putman, and Jonas Smith, viewers, and Jeremiah Evans, surveyor. These were ordered to meet at A. B. Putman's office, in Fremont, on the 1 8th of February, 1869, which they did, proceeded to the discharge of their duties, and ruported to the commissioners on the 6th day of March following. Their re port was in favor of making the improve ment, and they reported also that they estimated the cost of the work at nine thousand eight hundred and fifty-two dol lars and eighty cents. Like proceedings were had as in the cases of the other im provements, and the macadamizing of this road was completed to South Creek-about 1872, at a total cost of fourteen thousand eight hundred and twenty-six dollars and seventy cents, exceeding the statement by four thousand nine hundred and seventy- three dollars and ninety cents. The length of this improvement is three miles and a half, with stone macadamized track nine feet in width, at an actual cost of four thousand four hundred and thirteen dollars per mile, paid for by the land own ers benefited. THE FREMONT AND PORT CLINTON ROAD IMPROVEMENT. The macadamizing of that part of the road leading from Fremont to Port Clin ton which lies between the north boundary of the city of Fremont and the south line of Rice township, was petitioned for by Andrew Engler and others. On May 4, 1874, bond was given, and Oscar Ball, Christian Doncyson, and Barney Donahu were appointed viewers. Their report was favorable, and the work was executed at an actual cost of six thousand and eighty- nine dollars and thirty-five cents. The estimated cost of this improvement was not found on the record of the proceed ings, and is therefore not given here, nor is it deemed very material. The proceed ings in the matter of this improvement were like those of the others above men tioned. The improvement is an important one, especially on that part of the road through the Whittaker reserve, where the road had been notoriously bad for a great many years. The reader may notice that in these works the actual cost is far in excess of the amount estimated by the viewers, in every instance, this excess being nearly fifty per cent, above the estimate. This shows that estimates are as unreliable in these works as in the estimates for build ing houses, or any other work men under take. The experience of persons who have built a house or a barn will confirm the assertion that the only safe way to pro ceed is to add about fifty per cent, to the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. i8i estimate of the carpenter who was con sulted as to the cost of the proposed structure. Why this is so we leave to the reader to find out. The history of these roads is perhaps neither exciting nor attractive to the reader, but it will serve hereafter to mark the time when the people of the county began to realize that it does not pay to travel in deep mud when a little expense will give them a firm, dry wagon way, and that by comfort in travel, and cheapening the expense of transportation of pro duce and merchandise over the road, the outlay is very soon balanced, and the well-improved road thereafter, by re- pairingonly, will remain a permanent source of economical saving to the community. These roads are now repaired with money derived from taxes levied on the property of the entire county, and the par ticular locality thereby relieved from fur ther special assessments. The aggregate cost of the macadamized roads made by the county commissioners, at this writing (1881), is seventy-one thousand nine hun dred and seventy-five dollars and twelve cents. There have been portions of some of the other roads in the county macad amized by appropriations from time to time from the county and township road funds, the cost of which cannot well be ascer tained. The people are now quite alive to improvement of roads, and ere long San dusky county will be a delightful land to drive through, on good roads, and not a toll-gate on any of them, excepting the Maumee and Western Reserve turnpike, which is controlled and managed by the State. CHAPTER XVII. COUNTY BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS. The First Court-House — How and When Built — Its Removal and What Became of It — Organization of the County Infirmary — Subscription for Public Buildings. IN Chapter VIII of this history we made some mention of the subscription for building the first court-house in the county — showing that it was built by subscription of individuals, signed under date of April 1, 1823. The subscription showed oblii- gations to pay in cash two hundred and thirty-five dollars; in labor, three hundred and five dollars; in produce, five hundred and fifteen dollars; in material, seven hun dred and forty-five dollars — making an ag gregate of one thousand seven hundred and ninety-five dollars. THE COURT-HOUSE ORDERED BUILT. The county commissioners, viz: Giles Thompson, Moses Nichols, and Morris A. Newman, met according to appointment on the 12th day of April, 1823, as the record shows, for the purpose of "investi gating the propriety of immediately build ing a jail or some other public building with the funds subscribed for said pur pose, in and for the county of Sandusky." After transacting some other business, such as ordering the trustees of the differ ent townships to direct the supervisors to 182 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. open all county roads through the town ships at least sixty feet wide, they made an order that there should be erected a build ing for public purposes, out of the funds subscribed for that purpose, and a part thereof to be appropriated for a court-house until other arrangements might be made, on the ground selected and donated for public purposes, and that the building should be of - the following dimensions: A good and substantial frame, thirty-six feet long, twenty-four feet wide, twenty feet high, so as to furnish two full stories; a good and sufficient brick chimney at each end, with four fire-places below and two above; joint-shingle roof, floors well laid, four rooms and a passage below, and one room above, etc. The following is a copy of the concluding order of the session: Ordered that the Auditor be authorized and instruct ed to write sundry advertisements comprehending the above order, for the purpose of letting said building to the lowest bidder, on the ioth day of June next, and that one of said advertisements _ be filed in the office and recorded, and that a draft thereof be at tached to each advertisement so published and re corded. The commissioners adjourned until their June meeting. By order of the commissioners, Thomas L. Hawkins, Auditor and Clerk of said Board. County Auditor Hawkins issued the no- ices ordered by the commissioners, which is of record in the words and figures fol lowing : public notice is hereby given to all who may feel interested in the same, that the commissioners of Sandusky county will sell to the lowest bidder who will give bond and approved security for faithful performance, the building of a court-house in and for the county afore said, on the r7th day of July next, comprising the following dimensions : A good and sufficient frame thirty-six feet long and twenty-four feet wide, and twenty feet from the ground sill to the top of the plate, so as to form two full stories high, and the frame to be elevated two feet above the ground with a good, substantial stone wall ; joint-shingle roof. two good and sufficient brick chimneys, with four fire-places below stairs and two above; the lower story to be divided into four rooms, two at each end, and a passage eight feet wide between them ; stairs to go up in the passage, and to be three and a half feet wide, and not to rise more than seven inches to each step; all the walls and ceilings to be lathed and plastered, except the two small rooms on the one end of said building and a small closet under the stairs; floors to be laid with tongue and groove joints; five windows and two outside doors in the lower story, four inside doors and a door to the stairway; eight windows in the second story, which shall all be left in one room ; all windows to be filled with twenty-four lights of eight by ten glass; all doors to be panel work; all joiners' work of every description to be finished off in neat but plain order; all rooms, fire-places, stairs, passage, windows and doors to be situated agreeable to the underneath plan. A subscription now in the hands of the com missioners, signed by thirty-four of the most credit able citizens of the town of Sandusky, amounting to eighteen hundred dollars, will be given for )he com pletion of said building, or so far as it may go to wards the same. The subscription calls for two hundred and thirty-five dollars in cash, three hundred and five dollars in labor, five hundred and fifteen in produce, and seven hundred and forty-five in ma terials. All enterprising men and industrious me chanics will do well, considering the depreciation of the times and scarcity of good jobs, by making their terms known oq said ryth day of July next. It is expressly understood that the seats such as is customary is to be finished off in court room, and the frame up and covered and underpinned with said stone wall, on or before the first day of December next. Thomas L. Hawkins, Auditor. Sandusky County, April 26, 1823. To this notice was appended a fronc view of the building, presenting seven windows, four above and three below, and one door below ; also a draft showing the plan of the court-room in second story, and the offices, hall, stairway and fire-places on the ground floor. Tradition says that when the letting of the job of building the house took place, on the 17th of July, 1823, Cyrus Hul- burt's proposal was accepted, but on re flection he declined to complete his con tract, and on the 20th of the same month Thomas L. Hawkins entered into a con tract to erect the building for two thou sand four hundred and fifty dollars. The commissioners, in payment of this sum, assigned to him the subscription list, amounting, as they called it then, to eigh- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 183 teen hundred dollars, and also agreed to pay him six hundred and fifty dollars in orders on the county treasury. The building was begun in the fall of 1823 ; the frame was raised and the chim ney partly built, but the work progressed slowly. The location proved unsatisfac tory to the subscribers, and the result was that the building, in its unfinished con dition, was moved out of the woods to the brow of the hill, a little north and west of where the city hall now stands, and was placed on lands now designated on the plat of the city as in-lots one hundred and three and one hundred and four. The building was moved on rollers, and was drawn from the old site to the new by twenty-four yoke of oxen. The exact date of this removal cannot now be ascer tained; but the house was finished off and ready for the holding of court as early as 1830 or before. The commissioners pro cured the title to lot one hundred and three from Samuel Treat, by deed dated January 13, 1829, and the title to lot one hundred and four from James Birdseye, by deed dated October 9, 1830. There is no doubt, however, but there were con tracts for titles before these dates. On the same premises the commissioners shortly after built THE FIRST JAIL was erected about 1832, by Elisha W. Howland, under contract with the county commissioners. The walls, and ceilings, and floor of this building were composed of hewn timbers eighteen inches square, laid one upon another and bolted through with iron bolts. The windows were se cured by iron grating of perpendicular bars one inch square, about three inches apart, and passing through horizontal flat bars about one inch thick, and with a space between them of about three inches. All these bars were deeply inserted into the timbers at the sides, and above and below the open space cut for the windows. This jail was completed about the year 1832. The court-house was completed earlier, probably about 1826. THESE BUILDINGS were used for their respective purposes — the one for the administration of justice and the county offices, the other for the confinement of criminals, until the year 1843, when another and better court-house and a better jail were built by the county. In the old jail above described, Sperry was incarcerated for the murder of his wife; in this old court-house he was tried, condemned, and sentenced to be hung. The same jail confined Thompson for the murder of a young lady at Bellevue. In this old jail Sperry committed sui cide, in the presence of Thompson, to es cape the gallows. The walls of this old court-house echoed the arguments of attorneys Hiram R. Pet- tibone, Peter Yates, Asa Calkins, Nathan. iel B. Eddy, Homer Everett, L. B. Otis, C. L. Boalt, E. B. Sadler, Brice J. Bartlett, W. W. Culver, and fairly shook with the crashing voice of Cooper K. Watson, in his prime, when he prosecuted Sperry with wonderful powers of eloquence and logic. These buildings served their purposes well, until the increasing population and legal business of the county required more room and structures more secure from de struction by fire. Soon after the erection of the brick court-house the lots on which the old court house and jail were situated were sold by the commissioners. The deed conveys the lots numbers one hundred and three and one hundred and four to John Karshner for the sum of eight hundred and ten dollars, and bears date January 13, 184s, and the county commissioners who executed the convey- 184 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ance were: Paul Tew, John S. Gardner, and James Rose. On the 14th day of March, A. D. 1845, John Karshner conveyed the same lots, for the same amount of consideration, to Daniel Schock, David Deal, John Stahl, John Heberling, and Frederick Grund, as trustees of "The United German Evan gelical Lutheran, and German Evangelical Reformed St. John's Church, of Fremont.'' Rev. Henry Lang, pastor of the church, took possession of the buildings soon after the sale. The jail was used for a stable, the court room was converted into a place of worship, while the room below served as a residence for the worthy pastor and his family many years. The two societies separated, and the property is now owned exclusively by the Lutheran Church of Fremont, and the whole building is used as a parsonage of the church. The jail was taken down several years ago, but the old first frame court-house is still standing, with all its tinabers strong and sound. THOUGHTS ABOUT THE OLD COURT-HOUSE. On the judge's seat in this old court house sat John C. Wright, and as one of the judges of the Supreme Court of the State under the old constitution, heard and determined causes with wonderful promptness and marked ability. It was here that Judge Wright heard a divorce case, the cause alleged being cruel treat ment of the wife by the husband. The testimony showed a chronic habit of in dulging bad temper by both parties, but the wife, who sought the divorce, was the greater and more talented scold of the two. Judge Wright patiently heard the evidence and arguments in the case. As soon as the arguments were closed, the judge, in his sharp, ringing voice began, and said: "This is a petition for divorce on the ground of extreme cruelty. The proof shows that the parties have been about equally cruel toward each other, and taking the evidence all into consideration, the Court is satisfied that in this case two people have been joined in the holy bonds of wedlock who are possessed of very un happy tempers, but if bad temper should be held to be sufficient cause for divorce, we fear that few matrimonial contracts in Ohio would stand the test. The divorce is therefore refused." More such decisions are needed to preserve the sanctity of the marriage relation in more recent times. In this old court-house Judge Ebenezer Lane sat and announced decisions as learned and sound as any since his day. In the old court room Brice J. Bartlett, Nathaniel B. Eddy, Lucius B. Otis, and Homer Everett first appeared in the practice of the law. The old house has served for a time as the temple of justice, then as a temple for illustrating God's mercy to man, and finally as the abode of a pious, peaceful, and happy family. THE SECOND COURT-HOUSE AND JAIL. The county, in 1840, had so increased in inhabitants and business that the old court-house, twenty-four by thirty-six feet in dimensions, no longer afforded room for the proper and convenient transaction of the public business, nor a safe reposi tory for the public records. Hence public opinion urged the county commissioners to the construction of a safer and more commodious building. It appears by the journal of the county commissioners, that the public desire put them in motion to wards this object in March or April, 1840. The first recorded action of the commis sioners is found in their journal under date of April 3, 1840, when they met at the auditor's office with Nathaniel B. Eddy, then county auditor. They met, as the journal entry shows, and not having completed their view and location of a HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 185 site for the court-house, adjourned until the next morning. The next journal entry shows that on the 4th of April, 1840, the commissioners met pursuant to adjourn ment, and having completed the survey and location of a site for a court-house, adjourned without delay. The commis sioners then were : Paul Tew, of Townsend township; Jonas Smith, of Ballville town ship; and John Bell, of Sandusky town ship. The commissioners, at their meeting under date of June 2, 1840, after having published for proposals, met, and opened and examined offers filed, and after having them under advisement accepted the pro posal of Isaac Knapp, to build the court house and jail, for the sum of fourteen thousand five hundred and fifty dollars. On the 4th day of June, 1840, the county commissioners ordered a levy on all taxable property of the county, of one mill and a half on the dollar valuation, for court-house and jail purposes, to be held exclusively for those purposes and no other. PLAN OF THE HOUSE. The contract between the commission ers and Mr. Knapp, and the plans and specifications of the building, were not made matter of record, and cannot now be found, but the following items respect ing the materials, form, and dimensions of the building as erected by Mr. Knapp, are gathered from those who are familiar with the court-house before any alteration was made. The length of the building east and west, was fully sixty-seven feet; the breadth north and south, was fully forty-five feet. The basement was the jail, built of large blocks of cut limestone, with a wide hall along the north basement wall, and the south side partitioned by thick walls of cut limestone into cells for prisoners. These walls were all of unusual thickness, and the cells closed by doors made of strong iron bars. The floor of the jail' was of very heavy limestone flagging, and the ceiling of the same material. Both floors, that is, first and second floors above the jail, were of sandstone flagging laid in mortar, on heavy timbers placed near to gether. The height of the wall from the eave- trough to the ground was forty-five feet; the roof, what mechanics denominate quar ter-pitch, covered with pine shingles, with belfry a little east of the centre. The style was plain Grecian, with a porch on the front, or eastern gable end, supported by four fluted columns of wood-work, about eight feet deep, floored with dressed limestone flagging. A flight of steps, ex tending north and south, and in front centre about thirty feet, led from the pavement to the porch, which was eleva ted about four feet above the sidewalk. The exact time when the building was completed, or when it was first used, is now, after the lapse of forty years, rather difficult to find. But certain facts of record serve to show a near approximation to the time the building was completed, so far as Mr. Knapp's contract had to do with it. For instance, at a meeting of the commissioners, under date of December 5, 1843, they ordered, as appears by their journal, that as soon as the new court house should be finished, the auditor should let, to the lowest bidder, a contract for finishing and furnishing the inside of the clerk's office, according to plans and specifications furnished by the clerk. This entry indicates very clearly that the court house was not completed at the date of the order, December 5, 1843. But under date of August 1, 1844, we find an entry in the commissioners' journal, reciting that a large number of taxpayers, being convinced that Isaac Knapp had lost largely in building the court-house and i86 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. jail for the county, asked the com missioners to make him an extra allow ance, to cover his losses, and they then ordered an allowance of two thousand dollars, to be paid out of the county treasury. This indicates that the job had been completed before the time this extra allowance had been made, and leads to the conclusion that the spring term of the court of common pleas, of the year 1844, was held in the new court-house. The building was intended to be safe against fire, but the stone floors were found to be objectionable, especially for the court room, on account of the noise produced by walking on the stone flagging. The stone floor in the court room, after a few years use was removed, and a wooden floor, with manilla carpet, put down, which was a great improvement. Soon after, the stone floors in the offices were removed, for reasons of health, and wood floors substituted for them, but the stone floor in the hall is yet kept in use as it was originally laid. The jail, made with so much care and cost, was, in a few years, found to be so damp and unhealthy that it was repeatedly reported by the grand jury to be a nuisance, and finally the com missioners built a jail on the rear of the court-house lot, above ground, with means of ventilation, which is now occupied for the purpose. COURT-HOUSE ENLARGED. On the 10th of September, 1870, the court room was again found too small for the convenient transaction of busi ness, and the commissioners on that date contracted with D. L. June & Son to extend the building westward a distance of forty feet, with dimensions of width and height, and style of work, to correspond with the main building. The June con tract was only for the mason work, and the agreed price was eight thousand nine hun dred dollars. After D. L. June & Son had finished the extension of the court-house, the com missioners contracted with Jacob Myers for doing the joiner work of the enlarged court room, who completed the work in the fall of 187 1, at a cost of about one thousand five hundred dollars. The court room was completed and occupied by the court in the fall of 1871. Hitherto the court room and offices had been warmed by stoves in each of the separate rooms and apartments. About this time two im portant ideas came over the county au thorities in the way of progressive means of economy and safety. One was the heating of the court-house by steam, and the other that of providing fire-proof and burglar-proof vaults for the preservation of the county records in the offices of the clerk, auditor, recorder, and probate judge; also a capacious time-lock burglar-proof safe for the county treasury. STEAM HEATING APPARATUS. On the 6th of September, 1871, the commissioners contracted with Sales A June, of Fremont, to put into the court house a boiler and furnace in the base ment, with a tank and heater sufficient to furnish steam to warm the court-house; and with Davis & Shaw, of Toledo, to furnish pipe and coils sufficient to warm the halls, offices, and the court room in the house. They contracted to pay Sales A. June, for his work, the sum of six hun dred dollars. The amount to be paid Davis & Shaw, for their work and materials, was two thousand seven hundred dollars. The steam heating apparatus was com pleted and used for the purpose of warm ing early in the winter of 1871-72, and has ever since worked satisfactorily, and is likely to be long continued in use. From the completion of the court-house to the year 1880, the county clerk's office had been kept on the first or lower floor of the court-house, in the northeast room. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY CO.UNTY. 187 This arrangement Was inconvenient, es pecially during sessions of the court, for to get access to the files and records of the office the clerk must leave the court room and descend the stone stairway. After the election of the present efficient and experienced clerk, Basil Meek, he sug gested an improved arrangement of the clerk's office, by removing it up stairs on the same floor as the court room, and adjoining it in the rear. This was done in 1880; and now the attorneys and all concerned feel gratified with the improve ment. A new fire-proof vault was con structed up stairs in the new office, for the preservation of the court records, and there is now a sense of convenience and safety in the well-arranged clerk's office. We have thus traced the building. of the second court-house in the county to its present condition; and if the reader shall be impressed that the account is tedi ous in unimportant and uninteresting de tails, we suggest that as time passes, and when the county in its multiplied wealth and population shall, in the progress of events, build a more commodious and ele gant structure in which to transact the business of an advanced generation, the particulars we have given will become more and more curious and interesting. The difference in cost, convenience, safe ty, and elegance, between the first simple framed court-house, we have described, and this second one we have given an account of will not be a tithe of the difference be tween the present building and the next one the people will erect for the same pur poses, THE COUNTY INFIRMARY. Order is heaven's first law, and this confess'd, Some must be richer, greater than the rest. Pope's Essay on Man. The Lord said when on earth in the flesh, For the poor always you have with you. In these utterances we see that the poet- philosopher simply and beautifully ampli fies what the Divine Master of humanity had tersely uttered centuries before the poet lived. The utterances are both true, and both enunciate, not only what was and still is true, but what is always to be true. The word poor is. applied to itiany objects, as our language is now framed, but no doubt in the quotations above given the word was used to signify pep sons who were destitute of money and property, and needed the assistance of others to obtain the proper means of sub' sistence, and would seem to embrace all who are found in that condition, whether1 by loss or lack of property, or by the mental or physical inability to acquire their own proper subsistence. When we con sider the number of imbecile, and deaf and dumb, and blind from birth, born into this breathing world, how many men and women, once able to do their full share of productive labor, are disabled by the lapse of time, and decay of their powers. When we observe how many who afe Well endowed with will, and brain, and muscle, and who have worked well to maintain, improve', and ornament the great fabric of civilized society, are by fire and^flood, cyclone and earthquake, and war, and all the minor accidents to which property, and life, and limb, and reason are subject, on sea and on land, society may well settle down to the conclusion that "the poor will be al ways with us," and that Christ in this, as on all other subjects he spoke of, uttered a truth which will not fail. The same . Christ who uttered the truth referred to, also taught the universal brotherhood of man, with the sublime doctrine of love toward all. Under the influence of such teachings, the human heart individually, as well as in the aggregate of communities and States, has been moved up higher in the scale of charity and good will towards men. Marked and wonderful as the pres- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ent age is, by its unparalleled progress in science, in explorations, in inventions for travel and transportation, and in the march of thought, the organized charities for the relief, maintenance, and comfort of the unfortunate, form the grandest, and at the same time the most beautiful work and proof of our progressive civilization. When one looks at the grand edifices raised by the people of the State, and given as homes for the deaf and dumb, and blind, and those who by birth or acci dent are deprived of reason, and the like, in the counties, for the poor and infirm, and considers the tender care bestowed upon them, all by kind-hearted and Chris tian men and women, the contempla tion fairly forces out the exclamation : " Surely the spirit of Christ is abroad in the earth." SKETCH OF THE POOR LAWS OF OHIO. The early settlers of the State were of that class of people, few of whom needed more than temporary relief, which the generous heart of the pioneer promptly furnished, without resort to legal methods. In those communities so thinly populated that the face of a man or woman is of itself a matter of cheer and pleasure when ever met, neighborly kindness rendered poor laws unnecessary. But as the popu lation increased and inhabitants began to crowd and cross each other in interest and design, that free heartedness which prevailed among old pioneers subsided, or took another form of manifestation. On the 5th of March, 1831, the General Assembly passed a law providing for the organization of townships, and for the election of officers thereof. Among the township officers, this law required the election annually of two overseers of the ' poor. In another act, passed March 14, 1831, and which took effect June 1, 1831, it was provided that when the overseers of the poor of any township in any county not having a poor-house, should be satis fied that any person having a legal settle ment (a residence of one year) in such township, was suffering and ought to be relieved at the expense of such township, they might afford such relief at the ex pense of the township as in their opinion the necessities of such person might re quire; and if more than temporary relief was required, then the overseers of the poor should give seven days' notice, by written or printed notices, posted up in at least three public places in the township, of the time and place at which they would attend and receive proposals for the main tenance of such pauper. The contract for maintenance was by the law limited to one year. This provision, therefore, required an annual advertising and con tracting for the support of each unfortu nate. Whatever service the pauper could reasonably perform was done for the ben efit of the person supporting him or her. BLACK AND MULATTO PERSONS EXCEPTED. In the act of March 14, 1831, the sec ond section reads as follows: Sec. n. That nothing in this act shall be so construed as to enable any black or mulatto per son to gain a legal settlement in this State. We mention this provision of the statute in a total absence of all admiration or ap proval of it, but for the purpose of exhibit ing a fact in history and preserving it as a point from which the progress of civiliza tion and humanity may be measured. Fifty years ago the people of Ohio drew the color line, and excluded the man "with skins not colored like their own," from the pale of public charity, and turned him out to die like a dog in a fence-corner, or beg his bread from the hand of some individual whose heart had been touched by the spirit of Christ, or by the natural iriipulse of pity. While we remember that the white people of Ohio, by solemn legislative enactment, denied HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 189 and withheld a crust of bread from a starving man on account of his color, in 183 1, let the people of Ohio be moderate in their condemnation of other people who resist being governed and ruled by the same race of people in 1877. Until the angel of mercy has blotted our statute with his tears, as he is said to have blotted out Uncle Toby's oath, let us have charity for a more justifiable sin. But God's great work is going forward apace. John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave, But his soul is marching on. On the 8th of March, 1831, an act was passed, authorizing the county commis sioners to purchase sites and erect a county poor-house in their respective counties, and to levy and collect taxes to pay for and maintain the same; but this did not supersede the poor laws requiring townships to support the poor, nor was the law to erect poor-houses compulsory on the commissioners. An act passed February 8, 1845, abol ished the office of overseers of the poor, and imposed their duties on the township trustees. Under these statutes the town ships of Sandusky county gave relief to the poor as from time to time they were required by circumstances, until the time when the commissioners resolved to BUILD A POOR-HOUSE. After considering the subject quite earnestly for some time, and calculating the cost of keeping the unfortunates by the township, and looking to the future increase of that class of persons as the population of the county should increase, the commissioners arrived at the conclu sion that, all things considered, the estab lishment of a county poor-house, with a farm connected with it, would be for the interest of the people, as well as the com fort of those whose condition or misfor tunes in life demanded help. Accordingly, on the 9th day of June, 1848, the county commissioners, namely, John S. Gardner, Hiram Hurd, and Eleazer Baldwin, ordered that there be levied on the taxable property of the county, to be collected by taxation on the duplicate, the sum of one thousand five hundred dollars, for purchasing a site and erecting a poor-house. At this time Homer Everett was county auditor, and his advice and influence with the commis sioners were earnestly used in favor of the measure, and there was no dissenting voice on the board. The tax was placed upon the duplicate, as directed, and so far col lected in the fall of 1848 that on the 16th day of January, 1849, the commissioners purchased of John P. Haynes, and partly paid for, the southwest quarter of section number twenty-five in township five, range fifteen, containing one hundred and sixty acres, and also the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of the same section, containing forty acres, making together a tract of two hundred acres of land, for the agreed- price of three thousand dollars. The object in purchasing this tract of land, which is situated about one-half mile east on a direct line outside of the city limits, was that those inmates of the institution who were able might till the land and thus contribute to their own support, according to their ability. The buildings on this land were fitted up and converted into a poor-house. From time to time the build ings were improved, as was also the farm. Experiment and observation developed the fact that there were instances of not uncommon occurrence, where men who had some property were without friends who would minister to them, and supply their wants, and that public relief ought to be afforded to such, as well as to those who were destitute of property. Hence, an attempt to soothe the feelings of those who might be compelled to accept relief, by changing the name of the institution. 190 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The dreaded poor-house was abolished by an act of the General Assembly, passed March 23; 1850, and thenceforth the name of "county infirmary" was substi tuted. There probably were some good reasons for this change of name, but black is black whatever name be given to it, even should the General Assembly pass an act that it shall henceforth be called white. The rose would smell as sweet by any other name and the odor of the skunk would be as strong. Still, it should be considered that in the early history of the country, in some of the States, the inmates of the poor-house were by law deprived of some of the civil rights enjoyed by other inhabitants of the town, or county, hence the charge of having been in the poor-house carried with it, in a popular sense, a charge of degradation and disgrace. The change of name was, therefore, not only polite, but proper, for it cannot be truly said now that there is a man, woman, or child, kept in a poor-house in Ohio, although many are relieved and maintained in our county infirmaries. It should be recorded that the State never, by law or decision of court, deprived a man of any civil right for being poor. Man's inhumanity to man Makes countless thousands mourn. We have already mentioned that the first legislation in Ohio making provision for the poor and unfortunate, denied all public relief to black and mulatto per sons. This fact shows the deep prejudice entertained by the white people of Ohio against the colored race, in 1831. The flutter of some angel's wing must have moved the air over the stagnant sea of mercy, and produced a little ripple of humanity, which reached the heart of Ohio, for, on the 14th of March, 1853, the General Assembly added a proviso to the then existing statute, whereby, 'al though black and mulatto persons were excluded from infirmaries, the law of exclusion should not be so construed as to prevent the directors of any infirmary, in their discretion, from admitting any black or mulatto person into said in firmary. SECOND PURCHASE OF LAND. The farm, though good and commodi ous, was not large enough to afford full and profitable employment for all the in mates, and it was thought good economy, in 1870, to acquire more land. There fore the commissioners, on the 30th of January, 1870, purchased of F. S. White, and took a conveyance in fee simple for the following described other tracts of land: The northeast quarter of the southeast quarter, and north part of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section twenty-five, township five, range fifteen, containing together seventy acres of land, and paid for it the price of four thousand five hundred and fifty dollars. This last purchased tract is about eighty rods east of the main body of the tract first purchased by the commissioners for poor-house purposes. The infirmary farm now embraces two hundred and seventy acres of excellent land near the city limits. This land has cost the county an aggregate sum of seven thousand five hundred and fifty dollars. Improvements in clearing, fencing and draining have, from time to time, been made on the property, which are so mingled with the profits and products of the land, that it is now impracticable to tell the exact cost, or the precise amount of the people's money from taxes which has been expended on the farm. The commissioners have sold a small parcel of the land, and recently the continuation of the Lake Erie & Western Railway from HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 191 Fremont to Sandusky, appropriated land for a track through the farm, leaving now about two hundred and sixty-five acres of the land, the title to which remains in the county. Good judges estimate the land, without the buildings, at one hundred and thirty dollars per acre. The buildings are estimated now to be worth twelve thou sand dollars. The infirmary, at the pres ent time,- is of sufficient capacity to re ceive and accommodate continually sixty- five persons, with a separate building for the insane which has a capacity to keep from five to seven persons. NUMBER MAINTAINED IN THE INFIRMARY. A statistical and detailed statement of the names, ages, and the particulars of birth, nationality, and circumstances of the persons who have been received into the institution and cared for by the county, does not seem to be necessary in a work of this kind, nor would such matter be in teresting to our readers. Unfortunately the early reports of the directors do not afford the data for a detailed statement of the infirmary affairs and management, and some of the reports cannot now be readi ly found. We have, however, been able to find sufficient documents on file, and books from which to glean sufficient facts and figures to give some idea of the av erage number of persons supported at the infirmary in certain years. These facts will furnish some part of what has been done by the county for the unfortunate portion of men, women, and children. Beginning with the year 1869, for in stance, we find the average number of in mates to be 135; 1870, 42; 1871, 40; 1874, 40; 1875, 50; 1876, 56; 1880, 57. The report for the year 1870 shows that one hundred and thirty transient persons were furnished with temporary relief such as a night's lodging, and supper and break fast, and then sent on their way to some other place they wished to reach. These persons do not, by the report, appear to be considered inmates, nor estimated in calculating the average number of those maintained at the institution. The report for the year 1880 is the most complete and satisfactory of all on file, and furnishes some facts of interest to those who are engaged in works of charity. While the average number of inmates for the year is given at 57, the total for the year is given at 122; the number received was 39; born in the infirmary, 3; deaths in the infirmary, 14; removed to other counties, 5 ; removed to other institutions, 9; children under sixteen years of age, 12; children placed in homes, 3; hope lessly crippled when received, 1 ; number of inmates at date of report, September 1, 1880, 53. Idiotic males, 7; females, 3: to tal, 10. Taken together the reports show that of the inmates there are only about half as many females as males. But no doubt the proportion of females assisted is much larger, for more outside assistance is given#to the women at their residences, then to men in like circumstances. CARE OF THE POOR. We cannot now state in detail the an nual expenses for each year which has elapsed since the purchase of the poor- house farm. But it is well to place on record some facts and figures concerning the cost of administering relief, as data for reference and comparison with the fu ture. We find, by reference to the audi tor's books, that for the years 1858, 1859, and i860, the average expenditure of the poor fund for all purposes, was eighteen hundred and sixty-seven dollars per year. For the two years ending September 10, 1874, the total for all purposes was seven thousand five hundred and thirty-three dollars and sixty-one cents, or at the rate of three thousand seven hundred and sixty-six dollars per year. For the single year ending September IQ2 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 21, 1865, the total expenses were five thousand and five dollars. For the year ending September 2, 1867, the total was four thousand two hundred and thirty-two dollars. For the year ending September 2, 1872, eight thousand five hundred and ninety- six dollars. For the year ending September 1, 1873, seven thousand six hundred and forty- three dollars. For the year ending March 1, 1877, five thousand eight hundred and ninety- five dollars. For the year ending March 1, 1878, seven thousand one hundred and thirty- three dollars. For the year ending March 1, 1879, seven thousand six hundred and thirteen dollars. For the year ending March 1, 1880, the total is about double that of the preceding year, and amounted to fourteen thousand and sixty dollars. For the year ending March 1, 1881, the aggregate expenditures amounted to four teen thousand two hundred and thirty-five dollars. Of this sum of expenditures for the year ending March 1, 1881, seven thou sand two hundred and ninety-three dollars were spent in giving relief to necessitous persons outside of the county infirmary. Thus we see that more than half the total expenditures go for what is called in the report, outside relief. TRAMPS CAUSE INCREASED EXPENDITURE. Following quickly after the financial panic of 1873 came the suspension of bus iness in almost all its various departments, especially in the different branches of manufacturing and their dependent indus tries. The water was turned from the wheels of the great factories, the spindle ceased to revolve, and the inside of great mills for the production of fabrics for clothing, were silent receiving-vaults for dead industry there. The great engines which furnished the driving power for ma chine shops ceased to puff and pulsate, the fires went out, and the boiler and the driving-wheel stood cold and motionless; the mines were closed, and the fires went out in the furnaces, and silence reigned in and around them. In short, the great manufacturing industries, on the employ ment in which so large a portion of our people depended for bread, were suddenly paralyzed. The workers in coal and wood, and cotton and brass, and iron and steel, had their bread and raiment, as it were, snatched from their hands by the terrible revulsion. Hundreds of thousands of workingmen were thus suddenly thrown out of employment, without food, without money, without property or other means to procure the necessaries of life. There were three things which they could do : starve, seek other and new employment which they knew nothing about, or appeal to the charity of their fellow men. Some were assisted to live by acquaint ances, neighbors, and relatives, and many by organized charitable institutions and kind-hearted strangers. Still, there was a vast army who took the road to find em ployment, and beg for bread until they found it. Some time in the year 1877 these travelling seekers after employment became rather numerous in Sandusky county. At first they were well treated, relieved by our kind-hearted people, and some found employment among our farm ers and in other pursuits. This wave of labor-seekers rolled from East to West, and touched every city, town, hamlet, and house in its course. In time the really idle, vicious vagabonds of the cities and towns saw their opportunity to travel with out expense, and plunderas they went along by joining in the inarch and adopting the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 193 habits of the travellers. These vicious re cruits tramped from place to place and house to house, and obtaining victuals and clothes without work became a regular pur suit, and the vagabonds had their system atic communications, with cabalistic signs and ceremonies, by which they knew each other, and one could tell by marks upon the door, fence or gate-post where another visited, -and whether the visit was success ful, and also the character and circum stances of the occupants of the house. Although the men who first started out in search of employment and bread were honest men and deserving of charity, and succeeded in obtaining it, when it became a regular occupation, and the scoundrels and vagabonds who adopted it began to develop their real characters by the com mission of thefts, outrages, and crimes, the name became odious. The name formerly was applied to all travelling workmen who went from one place to another seeking employment, and was in no way disgrace ful, but the name in 1879 and 1880 be came the synonym of all that was vile and criminal. Numerous instances of theft, ar son, and outrages upon unprotected women committed by tramps, were put before the public by telegraph and print, until the States were stirred to legislation for the suppression of their business. The Gen eral Assembly of Ohio passed an act on the 5th of May, 1877, to take effect July 1, 1877, to punish vagrancy, and therein declared that a male person physically able to perform manual labor, who had not made reasonable effort to procure em ployment, or who had refused to labor at reasonable prices, who is found in a state of vagrancy, or practicing common beg ging, shall be fined not more than fifty dollars, and be sentenced to hard labor in the jail of the county until the fine and costs of prosecution are paid; and, for his labor, such convict shall receive credit upon such fine and costs at the rate of seventy-five cents per day. This law was never very effective, nor very rigidly en forced. The city of Fremont, in 1878, built a lodging house for tramps, and also an en closure where they could be put at work breaking stone for the public. But the expenses of this, establishment were borne by the infirmary directors, and this, with the temporary relief to such tramps as could not work, greatly increased the ex penditures of the infirmary fund for the years ending March 1, 1880, and March i, 1881. Although the additional ex penses for the relief of tramps in part occurred before 1880, the increased ex penditures did not, in the regular course of business, appear in the reports until the years mentioned. While the report of 1881 shows that the average daily number of inmates in the infirmary was only fifty-seven, the same report shows that relief was given to one hundred and thirty persons outside of it. COST OF SUSTAINING THE INFIRMARY. It is difficult to arrive at the exact cost of maintaining each person in the infir mary, but it may be approximated by taking the report of March 1, 1881, and estimating the present value of the land and buildings devoted to the purpose, and stated thus: Total value of lands at forty six thousand three hundred and forty dollars. Interest on value of farm for the year. $2780 00 Add total expense account for the year. . . . 14235 00 Total expenses $17015 00 Deduct amount used for outside relief 7293 00 $9722 00 Deduct for furnace and other improve ments, say 500 00 Cost of supporting average number of fifty- seven inmates $9222 00 The average cost is therefore within a few cents of one hundred and sixty-two dollars per year, or three dollars and seven cents per week for each inmate. CHAPTER XVIII. TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. Soil — Surface — Timber. LOOKING at the county as it appears now, covered with fields and mead ows, orchards and woodland, yielding rich support to vegetable and animal life, all contributing to and culminating in the support of an intelligent and orderly pop ulation of men, women, and children, in the full tide of plenty and prosperity, and enjoying all the delights of social life, it is difficult to realize that this region was once the bottom of an ocean. Yet science says it was so, and spreads out before the mind many and convincing facts to prove the assertion. The granite boulders which are found thickly scattered in various parts of the county, testify that they have been transported from some granite shore, and rounded into the form we find them by some of nature's forces. They bear no relation to any strata of rock found in the vicinity, but correspond with rock found in the highlands in the Northern and Western mountains. The best solu tion of the presence of the boulders, is that vast glaciers were formed in some remote period of unnumbered years, on the sides of the granite mountains North and West of this locality. That the action of frost and water had first detached large and small pieces from the mountain side, and they had tumbled down to where the action of the waves rolled them against each other until the sharper angles were worn away. Then, in the colder seasons, these huge masses of stone were grappled by the frost, in icy holdings, and when the glacier was full-formed the whole mass was by its own gravity precipitated down the mountain side into the deep waters, when it floated away to a southern shore, or shallow water, where it grounded and dis solved, leaving at the bottom its mass of debris. This debris consisted not only of the loosed stone, but also of the finely ground particles which had been worn from them, which were left to the action of the waters, washed from place to place to finally settle in the deeper and therefore calmer portions of the sea, and formed the clay beds so fre quently met with in this part of the State. The coarser particles were not held in so lution, but like the sand we see on the shores of our present lakes, were with pebbles washed to the shore lines and left as the water subsided. Another proof of the assertion that this region was submerged is found in the rocks of the period. When uncovered these rocks show stria, or grooves, in parallel direc tions, which geologists trace directly to the action of glaciers, icebergs, and water. Still another proof may be seen in the sea shells (mollusca), which are found in the lime rock at the highest point on Kelley's Island, in Lake Erie. By some process of nature the waters, as generally stated in Genesis, subsided, whether by upheaval of some part of the earth, or by the depression of another part, is matter of speculation which does not properly form a part of this work. The subsidence of the water was slow, and the geological survey of Ohio, especially the district including the Maumee Valley, re veals several distinct shore lines of the re- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 195 ceding waters, one of which sweeps through a part of Michigan and Indiana, as far west as Fort Wayne, thence down through Van Wert, Allen, and Hancock, and including Sandusky county; another sweeping southward only as far as Defi ance, but also including Sandusky county. By this we see that the land in Sandusky county, and all north of it to the lake, was amongst the latest to appear above the waters in this region of country. Finally, after the lapse of ages, the sea, which once covered this goodly land, sub sided into the confines of the Atlantic Ocean, and the trough of its bottom formed the chain of great lakes, with their tributary rivers draining the fresh waters from the rains and snows of nearly half a continent. FORMATION OF THE SOIL. As the water receded, the land, thrown under the direct influence of the rays of the sun, produced vegetation, which decay ing upon the surface of the clay, gravel and sand deposited by the water, formed our soils. West and north of the sand ridge, called York North Ridge, north of Clyde, and Butternut Ridge, south of it, so much of this vegetable deposit had ac cumulated that the land would not pro duce wheat for the first white settlers. It was too rich for wheat farming. This was the case especially with that portion of the county lying in what has been known as the Black Swamp, which us ually designated that level portion of the county west of the Sandusky River and to the Maumee. The soil in this part, now including the townships of Scott, Madison, Woodville, Rice, and the west part of Sandusky, was of this character. The township of Riley and a part of Townsend was similar in formation and soil to the Black Swamp proper. On these soils when first plowed, es pecially the Black Swamp proper, corn, grass, and potatoes were produced in won derful abundance; but wheat and oats would over-grow, fall down and blast, and sometimes rot before harvest time. It was found, however, that after from five to ten years of tillage -and drainage, this same land produced such crops of wheat as made the heart of the farmer glad, and now, this once forbidding and often con demned Black Swamp, ranks as one of the most productive portions of the State for all kinds of grain, grass, .roots, and fruit. It was no holiday amusement, however, to make a good farm in the Black Swamp. Real stalwarts were required to contend with water and mud under foot, while lev eling and burning great tall trees, which spread out their branches overhead, al most entirely excluding the rays of the sun from the earth. The horse was little used in the clear ing of the Black Swamp; that animal was too fiery, nervous and thin-skinned to en dure the mud, brush, flies, and mosqui toes which hindered, fretted, and tortured horses. The more patient, stolid, and thick- skinned ox was preferred, and almost al ways used to drag the logs together for burning, and drawing the loaded cart or wagon through the mud and water. For many years of the early settlement the Black Swamp was the favorite local ity for the fever and ague and intermittent fever, then so common in all parts of the West, and was a bonanza for the physi cian. Now, however, an ox team can hard ly be found ; horses are universally used, and this once sickly locality is as healthy as any other portion of the county. The first lands entered and settled upon in the Black Swamp were those along the creeks and Portage River. Between these streams lay level land and shallow swails, where 196 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the water stood from the fall rains until July or August annually. These were considered of little value for some time afterward. Excepting the courage, indus try and perseverance of the settlers, noth ing has contributed so much to the recla mation of the Black Swamp as the system of public ditches, ' introduced into the county in 1859, under an act of the Gen eral Assembly of that year. This act gave the county commissioners of all the counties in the State, on the petition of inhabitants, the right to locate and cause ditches to be constructed, and have the expenses charged upon the land according to the benefits conferred on the several tracts. William Driftmire, of Madison town ship, a native of Germany, has the distinc tion of first petitioning for a ditch under the law. The system of ditching which followed this first experiment of Mr. Drift- meir may be noticed more in detail in this work under the head of improvements. The eastern portion of the county, es pecially that part lying south and east of the sand ridge on which Clyde is situ ated, presented to the earlier settler a more inviting soil, not so heavily timbered, and most of it well drained by reason of its undulating or rolling surface. The sandy soil quickly absorbed the surface water, or collected it into limited spaces, connected frequently with what were com monly called sink-holes, where the water was conducted by a natural funnel down into the fissures of the lime-rock under lying that part of the county for a consid erable distance east of Bellevue, which is situated on the east line of Sandusky and West line of Huron county, which divides that enterprising and wealthy village. These features of the eastern portion of the county account for the fact that that part was settled and developed much earlier than the western part. This eastern portion when first settled, unlike the western, was good wheat land from the first breaking up and tillage of the soil, and by proper farming is still producing superior crops of wheat, in both quantity to the acreage and qual-y ity of grain. For fruit, no better region can be found than the eastern portion of the county. There is, perhaps, less poor and waste land in Sandusky county than in almost any other county of like dimensions in the State. On the whole, then, it may be said, that for richness of soil, and capacity for agricultural and horticultural productions, the county takes high standing among the best counties of the State. GENERAL INCLINATION OF THE SURFACE. The general inclination of the surface is from south to north, while the most au thentic measurements of altitude indicate also a descent from west to east. Belle vue is stated to be one hundred and nine ty-one feet above the average level of Lake Erie, Clyde one hundred and twenty-seven feet, and Fremont, at the site of the court house, where it is presumed the meas urements were taken, only sixty-two feet above the surface level of the Lake. Notwithstanding this result of measure ments, which are probably correct, the Portage and the Sandusky River bear strongly to the east or north as they flow, the former into the lake and the latter into Sandusky Bay, and all the creeks have the same general direction. This apparent difference between the altitude, ascertained by measurement, in indicating the general inclination of the surface, can no doubt be reconciled. Various causes may be as signed for the direction of a creek or river differing somewhat from the general in clination of the surface — as a ledge of rock, the tenacity of the soil, and especially minor inclinations of the surface in a di rection opposite to that of the general in clination. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 197 TIMBER. The county when first formed included nearly all of what now composes the county of Ottawa, the territory of which was part prairie land. Ottawa county was organized in the year 1840, and left San dusky with its present boundaries. The county, as now formed, was originally tim bered land. In the south part of York township were found oak openings where the timber was not heavy, but all the other parts, saving a little prairie in Scott and Rice townships, were heavily timbered. Among the trees were found white, black, red, yellow, pin, and burr oak, white and red elm, shell-bark and smooth-bark hick ory, black, white, and blue ash, poplar, cottonwood, black walnut, butternut, some mulberry, maple, honey-locust, beech, iron- wood, dogwood, and in two localities, one about three miles north of Fremont, on the east side of the river, the other on the ridge south of Clyde, in Green Creek township, a few chestnut trees ; occasion ally was found a tree of pepperidge. Of all these kinds of timber the black walnut is now the most sought for as well as the most valuable. The primitive forests along the streams, especially along the Sandusky River and Green Creek, were largely made up of grand black walnut trees. On the river, in the vicinity of the mouth of Wolf Creek, in Ballville town- ship, on quite a scope of land, this was the only, or nearly the only, timber. The farmers who first settled there used the best and straightest of these grand trees for rails with which to fence their farms. The timber split easily, and the rails were durable, it is true, and there was then no market in this region for either the logs or the lumber made from them, and besides, at the time of the earlier settlement, there were no saw-mills to make the logs into lumber. Therefore, what of this now val uable timber was not used for rails was burned up or girdled in clearing the land. No doubt the walnut timber thus de stroyed, if standing now, would buy the land and fence many of the farms in that locality with costly iron fences. But the settler must have bread, bread must be raised by tilling the earth, and the land to be tilled must be cleared, and so the tim ber, whatever it was, gave way to the necessities of the time. But that necessity is now past, and the now gieat value of timber, if it was here again, admonishes the people to wisely care for what is left, and guard against future costliness of tim ber by preserving what is left, -and also looking to a judicious reproduction of it for future use. The history of the county, without some mention of its geological structure, would be incomplete. This science, which has done so much within the half century last past to reveal and interpret to the pres ent age the various forces engaged, and the different periods occupied in the forma tions of the earth's present surface, pre sents some subjects of interest in almost every locality. In fact, it may be said that the geological structure of the United States, and that of Canada also, was a sealed book until visited by Sir Charles Lyell, the British geologist, in 1841, when he made many interesting observations which he published on his return to Eng land. He again visited America in 1845, and made further investigations. The publication of Mr. Lyell's works awakened so much interest in the public mind, es pecially those fond of that line of study, that it stimulated investigation, and the investigations revealed the utility of the science, not only in solving theories about the earth's formation, but for practical pur poses, in discovering the location of valu able mineral deposits, wherever located. Especially has this science been of great service to mankind in determining the 198 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. locality of coal deposits, so necessary for the comfort and business of the people of the present day. It is worthy of remark that since Sir Charles Lyell drew attention to this geology, in 1841, the efforts made under its teaching and practical applica tion have been such that almost all our States and nearly all civilized nations have prosecuted investigations under its teach ings, with great results to wealth and com fort for the world at large. At present no State, is satisfied without a thorough geo logical survey, by which the people are almost as well and as certainly informed of what is hidden deep down in the earth, as they are of the geography or topography of their surroundings on the surface. This grand science has of late years been well and thoroughly applied to every county in the State with results which make Ohio proud and rich in mineral resources. So far as the geological survey of San dusky county is involved, it may be said, that it presents not so many remarkable features as some other parts of the State. But some particulars are interesting and worthy of notice, among which are, that this survey and report convinces the careful reader that the clays and gravels of our soil are what is called in geological phrase, drift, that is, the matter brought first in the ice period by glaciers, and then afterwards supplemented with the deposits from icebergs, and the remainder of the soil is either vegetable matter which grew upon and decayed on this drift, or deposits by the succeding waters which prevailed ; that Lake Erie at one time covered the lands of the county and from its waters came further deposits ; that the sands and gravel found in heaps and beds in the southeastern part of the county, in parts of York, Townsend and Green Creek townships, were washed and heaped there by the action of the waters of the lake after the sea had subsided; that the prairies in the southwestern part of Scott township were formed by undulations in the surface of what is denominated the limestone, which underlies the soil a little below the surface. This rock is called by geologists the Niagara limestone. A depression of this rock, with a raised rim on the northern inclination, held the water in pools, so that vegetation grew and decayed until it be came a wet prairie. The prairies north of Fremont, beginning six miles north on the road to Port Clinton, and on to the north line of the county below Big Mud Creek, must have been of a different ori gin. The soil of these prairies is but little above the still waters of the mouth of the river and Sandusky Bay, and no doubt emerged from the water at a comparatively late period ; hence the soil, being a wet, tough, bluish-colored clay, was unfavorable for the growth of timber. This prairie, as you travelled down the river, made its ap pearance about the present residence of Grant Forguson, esq., on the north half of section two, township five, range fifteen. At this point the traveller going north, as late as 1825, perhaps later, emerged from the heavy timber-land south of it into an open prairie, with a few scattering trees of burr oak and elm, and occasionally a lim ited grove or single tree. The grass was thick and tall, much of it what was called blue-joint, rising above a horse's back, and almost walling in the narrow wagon way for the greater part of the distance from Lower Sandusky to the present site of Port. Clinton. The present county line of Sandusky, next to the south line of Ottawa county, crosses this road now about half a mile below Mud Creek bridge, and does not include a very large portion of this once prairie land. OF THE ROCKS IN THE COUNTY. It has often happened that persons trav elling through the western part of the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 199 county would find localities where in the forest they would see water and rock on the surface, and the same surface covered with a growth of trees whose roots seemed to draw nourishment out of the crevices and depressions in the surface rock. This rock was coarse limestone, and the sur face of it rough and seamed by the action of the elements and frost. Such persons would generally remark that they never be fore saw such trees growing on rock which was almost bare, nor such a formation of land. Several such spots were found in Woodville township, some in Washington, Madison, and Jackson; but those most marked by the characteristics mentioned were probably found in Woodville, where many were deceived in the selection of their land when there was snow on the ground. The timber, often sugar and beech of good growth, indicated a good soil, but in fact, the land when cleared was of little value and could not be tilled. Geology, though it does not make such land valuable for farming, explains how these tracts came by this deceptive pe culiarity. First, there is limestone, called the Niagara group, which underlies a large portion of the county. Second, the drift which had been deposited on this rock in former ages by the sea, when it prevailed over the land and subsided, was eroded or worn and eaten away by the action of the waters of Lake Erie, and in many places the rock left bare. There are out cropping;; of this rock in the townships of Woodville, Madison, Washington, Ballville, and Jack son. The most conspicuous exhibition of this outcropping is at Moore's Mill, a little above the village of Ballville, at the south ern termination of the dam nf Dean's woollen factory in the village. These out cropping rocks, however they may, in some degree, impair a small portion of the land for tillage, are not without a com pensating benefit when fully considered. Immense quantities of superior white lime and good building stone, especially for foundation and cellar walls, also stone for paving and for macadamizing roads are conveniently distributed over the county. Mr. J. S. Newberry expresses the opinion that quarries could be opened into this Niagara limestone, in the west part of the county, and stone taken out equal in value for building purposes to the famous Dayton stone. If this be so, the time may not be far distant when the advancement in the re quirements of business and improvements, and the increase of permanent structures at Toledo, Detroit, and other cities of the country around will demand the opening of these quarries and show them to be beds of immense value. HARD-PAN. This substance, the great dread of those who dig wells, underlies deeply a large portion of the county. People often won der what it is made of, and how it came where they find it. Geology answers by informing us that the finely ground particles of rock were pulverized and depos ited by the glaciers and icebergs during the period when the sea covered the land, a part of which time this latitude was subjected to an arctic temperature. This debris was most probably brought from the highlands of the Canadas, and being ground into extreme fineness settled to the bottom when the ice which brought it melted away, leaving the fine sediment to compact into a solid mass. Excepting solid rock, we find no portion of the earth's element so impervious to water and so well adapted to resist the action of it as hard-pan. Over this lies the deposits of the lake, which together form the drift. This drift, the geological survey informs us, covers the whole county with nearly a uniform spreading, but thicker in the eastern than in the western part, because 200 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the rock in the western part was more stripped or denuded by the action of the waters of Lake Erie. The average depth of this drift, or these deposits, it is(. esti mated, would not be more than one hun dred feet. CHAPTER XIX. IRON BRIDGES AND DRAINAGE. Bridges — When Built — Cost of Bridges — Ditching — Underground Draining and Tiling. THE preceding chapters give the reader to understand that the early settlers of the county, especially the western part of it, travelled through mud, and crossed the streams by ferry or fording. The first method resorted to for over coming the inconveniences resultin from a soft, wet soil, was the making of corduroy road over the portions where the swail or very deep mud made the passage most difficult. The corduroy road was made by laying round logs across the track, side by side, in contact with each other. The wagon was trun dled over these logs, and the motion was healthy for dyspeptics. That formed the purely primitive corduroy, but the highly finished road of this kind was made by throwing a little earth or rotten wood over the logs, to break the jolt, in some meas ure. These corduroy roads abounded in the west part of the county, and in parts of Riley and Townsend townships, as late as 1840, or say forty years ago. At the date mentioned the Greensburg road, the macadamizing of which we noticed in a preceding section of this chapter, consist ed, in great part, of the corduroy. But we were to give an account of the iron bridges in the county. As everyone would naturally expccv, the county, as soon as strong enough, began to bridge the streams where the roads crossed them. Sometimes the bridges were built by vol untary labor, and contribution of mate rials by those most deeply interested in the improvement. At other times, in the early settlement, the supervisors of roads would apply the two days' labor of each able-bodied resident of his district, which the law of the State required him to per form, to the building, in whole or part, of a much needed bridge. The bridges thus built were of the simplest form and cheap est construction, but they answered the purpose for a time. Then came the day of framed bridges, with stone work for abutments, which was a long step in ad vance; but these would decay and require rebuilding every few years, often in conse quence of flood, and if not by flood or fire, then from natural decay of the timber. Meantime the increase in the manufacture of iron, and the uses to which it was found to be economically applicable, were going on, while the price of iron was reduced by the development of the vast iron de posits in the hills of Ohio; and iron bridges were one of the results of the con sequent progress in the utilization of the wonderful substance. While the earth has stored away and preserved for unknown HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 201 ages, the evidence that a race of men in habited its surface who did not know the uses of iron, and, although it was known to men, and utilized to a limited extent in times of great antiquity, the knowledge of it antedating the composition of the Old Testament writings, still, the uses to which it is applied, the facility with which it is now found and produced, and the quantity used in the present age, entitles it to the just appellation of the age of iron. Happily for us, these advances in the manufacture and the uses of iron, evolved the iron bridge for common ways amongst the inhabitants of Sandusky county, and we record the erection of the FIRST IRON BRIDGE IN SANDUSKY COUNTY. The first iron bridge erected in the county, was built over Mud Creek near the village of Millersville, in Jackson township, in the year 1870, and on the macadamized road called the Greensburg road, described in a former chapter. The stone work for this bridge cost about four hundred dollars, and the iron superstructure cost precisely eight hun dred and seventy dollars. The bridge was put up by the King Bridge Company, of Cleveland. The length of this bridge is twenty-seven feet span, and width about eighteen feet. The county commissioners who are en titled to the honor of first introducing the iron bridge into the county, were Benja min Inman, Samuel E. Walters, and Henry Reiling. The next iron bridge in order of time, put up in the county, was over Wolf Creek, near Bettsville, and on the line be tween Seneca and Sandusky counties, June 26, 1872. This bridge was erected under a joint contract between the com missioners of Seneca and Sandusky coun ties on one part, and the Wrought Iron Bridge Company, of Canton, Ohio, on a6 the other part. The iron work alone cost eight hundred and thirty-eight dollars and fifteen cents, of which amount each of the above named counties paid one-half. John P. Elderkin, sr., was the agent of the Wrought Iron Bridge Company in the contracts with that company. The third iron bridge in the county was built over Mud Creek, in Washington township, near the residence of Levi Fought. This was also put up by the Wrought Iron Bridge Company, of Can ton, Ohio, at a cost of seven hundred and ninety-five dollars, for the superstructure alone, and was erected in the fall of 1874. The commissioners were John Morrison, Martin Longenbach, and William F. Sand- wish. The same year, 1874, another iron bridge was put up over Mud Creek, in Scott township, near the residence of James Inman, at a cost of seven hundred and seventy-five dollars for the iron super structure, contracted for between the same commissioners last above named, and Mr. Elderkin as agent for the Wrought Iron Bridge Company, of Canton. In the fall of the year 1876 an iron bridge of the same make was erected over Mud Creek, where it is crossed by the road from Fremont to Oak Harbor, con tracted for by the same commissioners, namely: John Morrison, Martin Longen bach, and William F. Sandwish. The cost of the iron superstructure for this bridge was eight hundred and sixty-two dollars and fifty cents. Another iron bridge was built over Sugar Creek, in Woodville township, completed and paid for January 3, 1876, at a cost of eight hundred and fifty dollars. Con tracted for by same commissioners last above mentioned, with same bridge com pany. At the same time was completed and paj[di for t:he^ jron bridge oyer Toussaint; HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Creek, in Woodville township, at a cost of seven hundred and eighty-one dollars and twenty-five cents, by the same commis sioners and company. The bridge over Mud Creek, near Frank Fought's, was completed and paid for January 5, 1877, at a cost, for the iron su perstructure, of six hundred and seventy- five dollars. On the 30th of July, 1877, another iron bridge over Mud Creek, near the res idence of Noah Snyder, in Washington township, was completed and paid for, at a cost, for the iron superstructure, of six hundred and five dollars. December 18, 1877, an iron bridge was erected over Mud Creek, near the resi dence of Luther Winchell, in Scott town ship, at a cost, for the iron superstructure, of five hundred and fifty-two dollars. The Portage River bridge, on the Mau mee and Western Reserve turnpike, in Woodville township, was finished in No vember, 1878, under a joint contract be tween the State and county commissioners, on one part, and the Bridge Company on the other part. The county contributed over half the costs, and paid towards the structure over two thousand dollars. The bridge over Green Creek, near Mr. Huber's residence, in Green Creek town ship, was completed and paid for by the county alone, August 15, 1879, by Com missioners John Morrison, Martin Lon- genbach, and Herman Sandwish, under contract with the Smith Bridge Company, of Toledo, at a cost for the superstructure alone of eight hundred and sixteen dol lars. The bridge over Muskalunge Creek, in Sandusky township, on the Port Clinton road, is a combination of wood and iron, constructed by the Smith Bridge Com pany, of Toledo, finished and paid for August 16, 1879, and is thought to be a good and durable structure for the place. The exact cost of this bridge is not ascer tained. The foregoing mention of the date of the introduction of iron bridges into the county, will enable future observers to de termine the relative economy between building the superstructure of bridges on our county roads of wood and of iron. The comparative cost with comparative durabil ity of the two materials, will, in time, settle the question with mathematical certainty. The present outlook indicates that timber for such purposes will, a few years hence, be much higher in price, and more dif ficult to obtain, while on the other hand the rapidly extending discoveries of seem ingly exhaustless deposits of iron, and the daily improvements for mining and manufacturing it, indicate that not many years hence iron will be almost as cheap as wood, and with its far greater durability of the metal as a material for the super structure of all our bridges, will settle the question in favor of iron superstructures for the purpose. IRON BRIDGE OVER SANDUSKY RIVER. The - bridge built over the Sandusky River, in Fremont, on the line of the Maumee and Western Reserve Road, by Cyrus Williams, as master mechanic, un der the employment of Rodolphus Dick inson, Member of the Board of Public Works, in 1841-42, was, as has been men tioned, a wooden structure. The sup porting trestle-work erected across the Sandusky Valley, built by the Ohio Rail road Company, which failed in 1840, fur nished the timber for the bridge. This bridge was of good material, and was well roofed with pine shingles. The roof was renewed once during the time it stood, which was near thirty-five years. At the end of this period it was pronounced un safe by engineers, and the Board of Pub lic Works was importuned to construct a new bridge. The board had not suffi- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 203 cient money at its disposal to rebuild it, and an appropiiation by the State was petitioned lor. But there were objections, and consequent delay. Meanwhile the old bridge, though condemned and much slandered, continued to do duty while agitation for a new bridge continued. STATE APPROPRIATION FOR THE BRIDGE. After being urged for two previous ses sions, the General Assembly, by the per sistent and wise efforts of Hon. Benjamin Inman, then our representative, passed an act on the 27th day of February, 1877, en titled "An act to aid the Board of Public Works to build a bridge on the line of the Western Reserve and Maumee road, over the Sandusky River. The preamble to the act, in substance, set forth that the bridge over the San dusky River, on the line of the Western Reserve and Maumee road, one of the public works of the State, a wood struc ture built by the State over thirty-five years ago, is now unsafe and so far decayed that the Board of Public Works say it will be an injudicious expenditure of money to repair the same; therefore, Section i. — Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That the sum of nine thousand dollars be and hereby is appropriated out of any moneys paid into the State treasury by the lessees of the public works, and also the sum of nine hundred dollars that tbe lessees have paid into the State treas ury for the repair of said bridge. SEC 2. — That the sums thus .appropriated shall be expended by said Board of Public Works in erecting such iron bridge of such plan and dimensions as they may deem best for the interest of the State; and the fund hereby appropriated by the State shall be drawn from the treasury from time to time accor ding to law. Sec. 3. — That there shall not be any money drawn out of the State treasury for the building of said bridge until the county commissioners of San dusky county shall enter into bond to complete said bridge, after the sums above mentioned have been expended by the Board of Public Works. Said bond shall be made payable to the State of Ohio, and de posited in the office of the Secretary of State. Sec. 4. — This act shall take effect and be in force rom and after its passage. On the i6th of March next after the passage of this act, the county commis sioners, namely, Martin Longanbach, Wil liam F. Sandwish, and John Morrison, were in regular session, when, on motion of Mr. Longanbach, it was resolved that the bond a quired by the above act be filed. To this all the commissioners agreed, and recorded their votes in the affirmative. This bond was so framed as to bind the county to complete the bridge after the expenditure of the nine thousand nine hundred dollars appropriated by the act. The reader may notice that the act ap propriates nine thousand dollars of money paid into the State treasury by the lessees of the public works, and nine hundred dollars which the lessees had paid into the State treasury, for the repair of the bridge. How this sum of nine hundred dollars came to be thus separately mentioned in the appropriation, perhaps ought to be ex plained. The reader may remember that, prior to the date of this appropriation, the State had leased all her public works, which, of -course, included the Maumee and Western Reserve road. The lessees paid an annual rent into the State treasury for the use of the works, and out of this fund the nine thousand dollars mentioned in the appropriation bill was to be paid. These lessees, like all other lessees, so managed the Maumee and Western Re serve road as to clear a nice little sum from the tolls upon it; this saving, how ever, was made the greater by neglecting to repair the road and permitting it to run down. They were bound by the terms of the lease to keep tbe road in repair, and seeing this neglect, the people along the road began to clamor for the State to com pel the lessees to repair the road. The State authorities were convinced finally that in the management of the road the lessees had violated their contract, and 204 History Of sandusky county. were about to force a forfeiture of the lease and put the Board of Public Works in authority over it, and sue the lessees for damages for breach of the conditions of the lease. A compromise was, how ever, effected, by which the lessees agreed to put a covering of stone on parts of the road most worn, and to put a new roof on the old bridge, or pay nine hundred dol lars into the treasury in lieu of the roofing, as the State should elect, and then surren der their lease so far as this road was con cerned, and let the State take charge of it. When it was determined to build a new bridge, the authorities elected to have the nine hundred dollars paid into the treasury, and apply the amount towards the erection of the new structure; this will explain how this peculiarity in the appropriation act was induced. WORK BEGUN. The filing of the bond by the commis sioners secured the immediate application of the nine thousand nine hundred dollars appropriated by the State. A conference between the county commissioners and the Board of Public Works soon resulted in a plan of the bridge and an estimate of the cost. The letting of the mason work took place June 22, 1877, and the con tract was awarded to John P. Elderkin, for four thousand six hundred and fifty-one dollars and forty cents. The contract for the iron superstructure was awarded to the King Bridge Company, of Cleveland, Ohio, for the sum of fourteen thousand nine hundred and seventy-five dollars and five cents. The work was pushed rapidly during the summer and autumn of 1877, and the bridge was formally opened for travel on the 25th of December of the same year in Which it was begun. The total cost, in cluding engineering and all incidental ex penses, was twenty thousand three hundred and fifty-seven dollars and seventy-six cents, of which the county paid ten thou sand four hundred and fifty-seven dollars and seventy-six cents. The bridge is three hundred and twenty and one-half feet in length, resting on two abutments and three piers. The width affords two tracks, or ways, on each of which teams can pass each other. The structure is convenient, capacious and durable, at the same time presenting an ornament to the city of Fre mont which is a monument testifying to the merit and enterprise of the people of the county, and especially to Hon. Benja min Inman and the county commissioners named. The passage of this bridge appropria tion bill, through the persistent urgency of Mr. Inman, was his last act in public life. In the election for representative in the county he was opposed by Daniel L. June, whose friends claimed for him greater ability to get the bill through, while Mr. Inman's friends claimed equal ability for him, and the matter entered in this form largely into the canvass. Therefore, Mr. Inman felt under special obligations to procure the passage of the law. During the session of 1877 his health failed, but he remained in his seat and worked and waited for his bill to pass, when prudence would have bid him home for rest. As soon as the bill was passed he hastened home, and soon after died amidst all the tender cares and affectionate surroundings which a devoted wife and loving children could bestow. His death was much re gretted by the people of the county. REMARKS ON THE DRAINAGE OF THE WET LANDS IN THE COUNTY, WHEN BEGUN, BY WHOM, AND THE RESULT. And God said, Let the waters under the heaven be gathered into one place and let the dry land appear, and it was so. — Genesis i. 9. This was commanded and was done on the second day. Science, as illustrated by geologists and accepted by enlightened HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 205 theologians, gives us to understand that this second day was a very long one, that it was in fact an indefinite period of time, so vast that the finite mind can nei ther count or comprehend the number of years. Hugh Miller, in his Testimony of the Rocks, and other geologists give us some idea of the progressive steps in the formation, and how, in obedience to the command quoted at the beginning of this subject, the dry land was by the process and forces of nature, slowly but surely made to appear, and was finally prepared for the abode of man. Now, without any feeling of irreverence or wish to express any such feeling, it may here be said in support of the conclusions of geology as to the slow ness of the process, that notwithstanding the great antiquity of the order quoted, it is a fact that the west part of Sandusky county, called in early times the Black Swamp, was not all dry land in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty-nine. Yet that there was such a command,- and that it was executed as as serted at the close of the verse, "and it was so," must be true, for man could not fish from the banks of the waters nor con struct floats to fish from without land, nor could he capture his living in the forests. And as fishing and hunting are claimed to have been his earliest pursuits, we con clude that the formation of land preceded the existence of man. -There need be no strife of argument about the when and the how of the matter under consideration. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Waiving all argument and speculation, however, it is very clear that the Black Swamp, or a great part of it at least, could not be tilled so as to produce bread and meat, or at least the larger por tion of it could not, without draining. The first settlers in the western part of the county selected their lands along the streams where the banks afforded a strip of dry land, which, when cleared of the timber, could be tilled without artificial drainage. But the structure of the surface and nature of the soil were such, that generally a little way from the bank ar tificial drainage • necessarily preceded til lage. It must be' confessed that the pio neer residents of the county were slow, indeed, to adopt the system of draining even the surface of their wheat fields in a proper manner to insure a good crop. When, however, a few German and Eng lish farmers located in the county, they brought with them the habit of more thor ough drainage of their wheat fields, as practiced in the countries from which they came. The increase of the quantity and the certainty of the crop under this treat ment soon demonstrated to all observers that it paid, and paid well, to keep the surface water from standing on their wheat fields. At first this was effected on the better class of land by plowing into nar row lands with deep furrows between, into which the water settled and was thence absorbed by the earth without covering so much surface. This arrangement, with a deep furrow entirely around the field, con necting with the dead furrows between the plowed strips, was found to be a great help to the crop. From these furrows, where sufficient fall could be found, sometimes you would see a deep furrow traced aw'ay from the field, forming an outlet for the whole field, but much of the land was so level and so widely surrounded with other level land, that this plan could not be put in opera tion without trespassing on a neighboring farm. Neighbors could not always agree; in fact, in a mixed settlement of Germans, English, and Yankees, they, seldom would agree or sacrifice a jot or tittle of their own for another. But the water must be drained away or the labor of the farmer would be lost. If Mr. Mean owned a 2o6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. quarter, section, including the banks of a creek into which the wet land back of him might all be drained, Mr. Poor, who had taken second choice land in the rear of Mr. Mean, would ask in vain for the privilege of cutting a small ditch across Means' land that he might raise his bread or get a reward for his labor. If some Jonathan Spikes, from the land of the ter rible Yankees, had a piece of dry land through which, only, the waters could be taken off the land of Mr. Vonslaughter- laugh, Mr. Spike would never let a ditch be made through his land to accommo date a foreigner, or if he could be brought to consent, he would demand four times what he should, even though the ditch would be a benefit to his own land. If Mr. Johnson owned a piece of wet land near Mr. Jones, and wanted to get the water off by draining through Jones' land, he could not obtain it because, perhaps, Johnson, ten years before, threw a club at Jones' yellow dog to drive him out of the road and keep himself from being bitten. Standing water, stagnant water, and stink ing water were destroying crops and breed ing disease and pestilence in the land, and yet such is the perversity of men's nature, that they would not, even for -their own benefit, abate the nuisance. Finally a remedy was given by law. On the 24th of March, 1859, the Gen eral Assembly of the State of Ohio passed an act to provide for locating, establishing, and constructing ditches, drains, and water courses. This act authorized county com missioners throughout the State to lo cate, establish, and construct ditches, drains, and water courses in their re spective counties, and it was the first law enacted in Ohio. It is a little re markable that such a law was not put in force at an earlier period in the settlement of the State. Our State Constitution of 1852, jealous ly guarded the citizens of Ohio in their rights of property, by incorporating in it by clear language, " Private property shall ever be held inviolate, but subservient to the public welfare." It appears, that in 1859 some statesman discovered that draining a*ay stagnant pools of water, and thus preventing mala rial and deadly diseases, would be subserv ing the public welfare, and justify the ex ercise of the right of eminent domain; that is, take the land of a private citizen sufficient for a ditch or drain, to promote the public health. Hence the act of 1859 conferred upon county commission ers, the right to enter upon and appropri ate the land of any person for a ditch, drain, or water course, whenever, in their opinion, the same would be conducive to the public health, convenience, or welfare. With this law in force Mr. Jones could no longer deny Mr. Johnson the right to have a drain over his land, if Mr. John son's swail or pond could be found injuri ous to the public welfare. True, Mr. J ones had to be paid for the land, but he could no longer refuse to sell it, nor put on it a price so high as to forbid the improvement. Three impartial landhold ers fixed the value of the land to be taken, also the amount of damages, if any, to his premises over and above the mere value of the land taken. Ditching was by this law made practicable, and judicious county commissioners could make it effective in the improvement of the county. THE FIRST COUNTY DITCH CONSTRUCTED. According to the records in the office ot the county auditor, which, no doubt, present the truth, the first application for a ditch under the first ditch law of the State was made by William Driftmire, an enterprising and determined German, who had settled on wet land in Madison township. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 207 On the tenth day of September, 1859, William Driftmire, with a number of others, he, however, being prime mover and principal petitioner, filed a petition, under the act above mentioned, in the county auditor's office, praying for the es tablishment and construction of a ditch on the following route: Commencing in Madison township eighty rods north from the southeast corner of section twelve, thence north along the township line road on the west side of the centre of said road to a swail called Wolf Creek, about one mile and a half. This swail or creek, which was to be the terminus of the ditch, entered the land of C. H. Damschroeder, also of Eber- hard Myers. These men claimed that Driftmire's ditch would greatly increase the collection of water in the swail, and subject their lands, now dry, to overflow and consequent injury. Litigation fol lowed by Eberhard Myers and C. H. Dam schroeder on one side, and the county commissioners on the other. The case was taken to the probate court — John Bell, judge; a jury of twelve good men was selected, who viewed the premises and heard testimony and the arguments of counsel, and after due deliberation re turned a verdict, and finding that Eber hard Myers and C. H. Damschroeder would sustain no damage by reason of the construction of the ditch. The case was taken on error to the Court of Common Pleas, where it was decided that persons owning land below the terminus of the ditch, could not, under the statute, claim damages, nor prevent the construction of a ditch. This decision, whether right or wrong, had a salutary effect on the utility of the ditch law, for, if it had been held that an increase of the flow of water in any swail, creek, or outlet, in which a ditch should terminate, would be good cause for re straining the construction, very few ditches could be made. The natural tendency of all draining and ditching is to increase the flow of water in the natural channels, at least for a time. The result of this litigation was a cost bill for the plaintiffs, Myers and Dam schroeder to pay, of one hundred and eight dollars. The total cost of constructing the ditch, aside from the cost of litigation, was one hundred and eighty-six dollars. From this time on parties were rather careful how they entered into litigation against the construction of ditches, al though there were a few cases where projects were started under the law, in which perpetual injunctions were after wards granted for irregular proceedings, or where the object was simply to make some man's land more convenient or valuable without any bearing or benefit to be con ferred on the public welfare. The ditch law was modified and amended from time to time, as practice under it developed defects in its provisions, and under its improved provisions ditching in the county has gone steadily on without much litigation, although not without some controversy before the county commissioners, to the present time. The whole number of ditches established in the county previous to July 18, 188 1, is two hundred and seventy. A minute description of each ditch and its cost, and the contentions arising from the constructions, would swell our history beyond proper limits, without be ing interesting to the general reader. INTRODUCTION OF DITCHING. Probably, if the beneficial consequences be made the criterion of decision, there has been no improvement introduced into the county so beneficial and at the same time so remunerative in a pecuniary point of view as ditching and draining. The improved statutory enactments provided 208 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. for not only ditching but also for clearing out obstructions to natural water courses, and thus facilitating the passage of the surface water from the swamps and swails, to the rivers and thence to the bays and the lake into which they empty. The re sult of this surface draining in the in creased productiveness of the soil, cannot now be easily calculated or given in figures. But that there has been a vast increase, not only in the product of the land per acre in all kinds of cereal crops, but great addition to the acreage of good farming land in the county, is plain and undeniable. These added acres of good land are not merely an addition of the value of the reclaimed land to the wealth of the county, but they are exhaustless mines of wealth out of which skill and industry will bring perpetual supplies of food more valuable than gold or silver. IMPROVED SYSTEM OF DITCHING. The object of the ditch law, so called, under which the system of ditching has hitherto been prosecuted, was to drain the water from the surface of the land. This was done, as has been said, to effect two purposes, one of which was to promote the public health by removing the stag nant waters by which malarial diseases were produced; another was to adapt the surface of the country to the more easy construction of good roads. These are both matters of a public nature. In carry ing out the plan to serve these purposes, lands of many persons were incidentally drained and greatly benefited; but the ditches were laid out and constructed with the single purpose of drawing off the sur face water. The county commissioners are now, however, pursuing a different plan. In a recent conversation with Mr. Brian O'Connor, one of the commissioners, he informed us that the board was now mak ing their ditches much deeper than form erly. The reason given by Mr. O'Connor for this change of plan, is that the old or first ditches were generally too shallow to admit of complete tiling or underdraining of the lands along and in the vicinity of the ditches. CHAPTER XX. SANDUSKY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. IT has been often said, and will bear repeating to each generation of men, as they succeed each other, that he who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before, is a benefactor to mankind. The enlightened mind readily consents to the truth of this assertion. But it is equally true that he who invents the method of extracting from the earth six heads of wheat where five grew before, or of obtaining four pounds-of meat from the same space of earth which before pro duced only three, or from the area raises ten pounds of wool, or cotton, or sugar where before only eight pounds were pro duced, is equally a benefactor to the hu- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 209 man race. The same may be said of all those whose observations and reasonings result in the improvement of our fruits and vegetables, and our domestic animals. Agriculture and horticulture of late years have made rapid advances toward the front rank of the sciences, but they still fail to stand where their real importance demands them to be placed, in the social and scientific scale. Among the noblest works of the earnest, thinking men of Sandusky county, is that to improve agri culture and bring the pursuit of it into a proper position in the opinions of high- minded and scientific men, by the organi zation of the society named at the head this chapter. COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. In the summer of 1852 Doctor La- Quinio Rawson, who had become the owner of valuable farming lands within the city limits, began to turn his attention to the cultivation of the soil. He at once began to call the attention of neighbors and friends to the advantages which would be derived to the farmers of the county, and the people generally, by the formation of an agricultural society. His reasonings and persistent urgency of the movement, soon brought others to his support, and resulted in a meeting at the court-house in Fremont, on the 31st day of August, 1852, at which the society was organized. At this meeting Hon. John Bell was chosen chairman, and Daniel Capper secretary pro tem. Sardis Birchard and Jonas Smith were made a committee for the appointment of a board of directors for the ensuing year. This committee, after consultation, reported as directors for the ensuing year the following names ; LaQiiinio Rawson, president of said board; Samuel Hafford, vice president; Stephen Buckland, treasurer; Daniel Cap per, secretary; and James "Vallette, Isaac Glick, Samuel Skinner, Alvin Coles, and 27 D. Adams, managers, which appointments and report, on motion, were adopted and approved by the meeting. The meeting then adopted a constitution, which pro vides, in substance, as follows: First. — That the officers of the society should be a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and five managers, who together constituted a board of directors for the general management of the affairs of the society, to be elected annually by the members of the society, and hold their respective offices until their successors should be chosen. Second. — That the members of the society should be residents of the county, and pay the sum of one dollar annually to the treasurer. Third. — That competitors for premiums must be members of the society. Fourth. — That notice of the articles for which premiums would be awarded by the society should be published in a newspaper, or in hand-bills, at least one month previous to the day of exhibition. Fifth. — That all articles offered for premiums must be owned by the persons offering the same, or by members of their families, and products of the soil or manufactured articles must be produced within the county. Sixth. — That awarding committees to examine the articles offered for premium, and award premiums thereon, should be annually appointed by the di rectors. Seventh. — That awarding committees should com ply with the provisions of the law requiring competi tors for premiums on crops and other improvements to furnish full and correct statements of the process and expense of cultivation, or expense of manufac ture or production, etc. Eighth. — That competitors for the premiums on crops be required to have the ground and its pro duce accurately measured by not less than two dis interested persons, whose statements must be verified by affidavit. Ninth. — That premiums on crops of grain and grass should not be awarded on the crops of less than one acre of land, and those on root crops on noj less than one-fourth of an acre; the whole quantity produced and the amount of land specified shall be measured or weighed — the root crops to be estimated by weight, divested of the tops, and sixty pounds to be considered a bushel; and grain crops to be meas ured or weighed according to the usual standards; the rules in relation to other crops and productions to be agreed on by the directors of the society. Tenth. — The tenth and last article of the constitu tion provided that the annual exhibitions should be held at some period between the first day of Septem ber and the first day of November, the premiums on crops to be awarded if thought necessary. 2IO HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The foregoing is the substance of every provision in the first constitution of the first agricultural society in the county. The names of the members of this so ciety when this constitution was adopted, are recorded in this work as upon a roll of honor, to be hereafter remembered with gratitude by the future patrons of hus bandry in the county. They are: Matthew M. Coe, Samuel Hafford, James Parks, Edward Leppelman, Daniel Capper, John Bell, F. I. Norton, James Vallette, Isaac Glick, Samuel Skin ner, Jonas Smith, J. F. R. Sebring, L. E. Boren, Jacob Lesher, David Garvin, Jacob Bowlus, Peter Burgoon, LaQ. Rawson, J . S. Olmsted, Alvin Coles, F. S. White, S. Birchard, C. D. Hall, George R. Haynes, L. B. Otis, E. F. Dickinson, C. Edgarton, S. Buckland, J. P. Haynes, James Mitchell, J. L. Greene, William Kepler, Horace E. Clark, F. Van- dercook, R. P. Buckland, G. M. Tillotson, B. J. Bartlett, A. J. Dickinson, C. O. Tillotson, George Engler, J. R. Pease, D. Adams, J. S. Fouke, J. B. G. Downs, John S. Tyler, Homer Everett, John Moore, Samuel Thompson, Jesse Dorcas, Aaron Loveland, John Lefever, Daniel Tindall, Henry Nichols, J. C. Wales, J. Justice, Philip King, Paul Tew, Samuel Fennimore, C. J. Orton, Dean & Bal lard, James Moore, William A. Hill, W. M. Stark, Isaac Knapp, Daniel G. Shutts, Joseph R. Clark, Christian Doncyson, H. Shiveley, James H. Hafford, Jacob Kridler, Thomas L. Hawkins, W. B. Steven son, John Orwig, Seneca Hitt, J. F. Smith, N. P. Birdseye, Adam Jordan, Norton Russell, F. Lake George Cogswell, A. B. Taylor, John Younkman, W. C. Shutts, Hiram Haff, Miles W. Plain, Jesse Emerson, Martin Bruner, Sidney Forgerson, Lyman Miller, C. King, Orlin Sylva, John Whitmore, Isaac Mowrer, Henry Bowman, Hiram Miller, A. J. Hen- per, Edwin Doud, S. H. Tibbals, F. M. Clayton. FIRST MEETING OF THE DIRECTORS. The board of directors of the Sandus ky County Agricultural Society, chosen as we have mentioned above, met at the of fice of the secretary on the 4th day of Sep tember, 1852 ; present, LaQuinio Raw- son, Samuel Hafford, Stephen Buckland, Daniel Capper, James Vallette, Samuel Skinner. The board, after due consultation and deliberation, resolved that the first fair of said society should be held at Fremont, on the 13th day of October, 1852; and they also then and there resolved to in vite all the members of the society to ex hibit at said fair horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, field crops, fruit, dairy products, and manufactured articles, and at the same time fixed the premiums on the various articles to be exhibited. Although it might be interesting in the future to publish a detailed statement of the premiums offered at this first county fair, we omit the details, because we in tend giving the premiums actually awarded, what for, and the amounts, which will give all the facts the reader will desire, and will avoid, at the same time, a repetition of matter in this connec tion. AWARD OF PREMIUMS. At the first annual fair of the Sandusky County Agricultural Society, held in 1852, premiums were awarded as follows: Class A, Cattle. — Best yoke of working oxen over four years old, to Isaac Glick, of Ballville, $•;. Best bull over four years old, William Hill, of Scott township, $3; second best bull, Otho Lease, of Jack son township, $1. Best bull over three years old, D. Seaman, Ballville township, $3; second best over three years old, Lyman Miller, Green Creek town ship. Best bull over one year old, James Vallette, of Ballville township; second best bull, John Lefever, Green Creek township, $1. Best milch cow, John Moore, of Ballville township, $3; second best milch cow, James Vallette, Ballville township, $2. Best fat ox, John Moore, Ballville township, $3. Best two year old heifer, George Cogswell, Sandusky town ship, $2; second best two year old heifer, Samuel Fennimore, of Ballville township, $r. Best yearling heifer, William Kessler, of Sandusky township, $2; second best yearling heifer, D. Seaman, Ballville township, $1. Class B, Horses. — Best stallion, S. H. Tibbals, York township, $3; second best stallion, John Colvin, York township, $2. Best brood mare and colt, P. Burgoon, Sandusky township, $3; second best brood mare and colt, John Whit more, Townsend township, $2. Best pair matched horses, J. C. Wales, of York township, $3; sec ond best pair matched horses, H. Haff, Townsend township, $2. Best gelding over four years old, J. Hale, Sandusky township, $3; second best gelding over four years old, B. J. Bartlett, Sandusky. Best work horse over four years old, Otho Lease, of Jack son, $2; second best work horse over four years old, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 211 E. Doud, York, $r. Best carriage horse, William Tew, Townsend township, $2. Best three year old colt. C. G. Green, Ballville township, $3; second best three year old colt, N. Bowlus, Sandusky town ship, $2. Best two year old colt, W. Shutts, York township, $2; second best two year old colt, Hiram Haff, Townsend township, $1. Best yearling colt, John Whitmore, Townsend township, $2; second best yearling colt, John Whitmore, $1. Best three year old stallion, J, Gibbs, Riley township, $3; sec ond best three year old stallion, William Shrader, $2. Best jack, Joseph R. Clark, Riley township, $2. Class C, Sheep. — Best, buck, Hiram Haff, Town- send township, $2; second best buck, S. Hafford, Ballville. township, $1. . Best pen of five ewes, D. Capper, Sandusky township, $2; second best pen of five ewes, S. Fennimore, Ballville township, $1. Class D, Hogs. — Best boar over one year old, James Vallette, Ballville township, $2. Best breeding sow, John Moore, Ballville township, $2; second best breeding sow, James Vallette, $1. Best fat hog, S. Thompson, Sandusky township, $2. Best pen of pigs, William Kepler, Sandusky township, $2. • Class E, Fowls. — Best lot five domestic fowls, P. Brush, Ballville township, $2; second, James F. Hults, $1. Class F, Dairy and Kitchen — Best roll five pounds butter, Mrs. Treat, Ballville township, $2; second do. Mrs. S. Buckland, Sandusky township, $1. Best lot cheese, Mrs. P. Tew, Townsend township, $2. Best bread, Mrs. P. Brush, Ballville township $2 ; second do. Mrs. S. Buckland,. Sandusky town ship, $1. Class G, Fruit. — Best variety table fruit, Lyman Miller, Green Creek township, $2; second do. A. Loveland, Sandusky township, $1. Best lot winter fruit, H. Bowlus, Sandusky township, $1; second do. William King, Ballville, $1. Best lot grapes, Mrs. L. B. Otis, Sandusky township, $1. Best -quinces, Mrs. Russell, Green Creek township, $r ; second do. Mrs. S. Treat, Ballville township, $1; third do. Mrs. R. P. Buckland, Sandusky township, $1. Class H. — Best acres of corn, H. Haff, Town- send township, $5; second do. William Hyatt, Ball ville township $2. Best variety garden corn, Mrs. Dickinson, Sandusky township, $1. Best potatoes, George Brim, Woodville township, $1. Best turnips, George Hyatt, Ballville township, $1. Best squashes, Miles W. Plain, Greek Creek township, $1. Best beets, Mrs. Vallette, Ballville township, $1 Best honey, Mrs. S. A. Loveland, Sandusky township, $r. Class I.— Best farin wagon, J. C. Wade, York township, $3; second do. M. Halderman, Rice town ship, $2. ' Best straw cutter, William Ofr, Sandusky township, $r. Best dressed calf skin, Dickinson & Co., Sandusky township, $1. Best side harness leather, same, $2; second do. M. Justice, $r. Best buggy, William Raymond, Sandusky township, $3. ^Best barrel flour, James' Moore, Ballville township, $2. Best bacon, M. W. Plain, Green Creek town ship, $2. Best two-horse buggy harness, James Kridler, Sandusky township, $2. Best farm harness, M. W. Plain, Green Creek, $2. Best lot fruit trees, J. A. Watrous, Green Creek, diploma. Best tin roof, Canfield & Co., diploma. Best sofa, J. W. Stevenson, Sandusky, $3; second do. same, $2. Best card table, same, $2. Best panel door, F. Luke, Sandusky, $2. Best domestic carpet, M. W. Plain, Green Creek, $2; second do, S. E. Edgerton, San dusky, $1. Class K. — Best woollen stockings, Mrs. Tew, Twonsend. $2; second do. Mrs. Tyler, Sandusky, $r. Best comforter, Mrs. Norton, Sandusky, $1. Best made quilt, Mrs. Hyatt, Ballville, $2; second do, Mrs. Zimmerman, Sandusky, $1. Embroidery, A. M. Olmsted, Sandusky, $2; do. Miss E. Knapp, $2; do. Miss A. Kepler, $1; do. Mrs. Thorndyke, $r; do. Miss E. Ball, $1. Needlework, Mrs. Thorn- dyke, $2; do. Mrs. Parker, 2; do. Mrs. Boren, $i;do. Mrs. J. Nyce, $2; do. Miss Taylor, $r; do. Mrs. Momeny, $2. Best coverlet, Mrs. Younkman, $2; second do. Mrs. Treat. Embroidery, Miss Justice, $1; do. Miss S. E. Ball, $1. Drawing, Miss A. Nor ton, $1; do. MissO. Dickinson, $r; do. Miss S. Dick inson, $1. Best variety house plants, Mrs. J. W. Wilson; second do. Miss Olmsted. Best collection wax work flowers, Mrs. Orton, $1. Best basket of flowers, Mrs. C. - King, $1. Needlework, Mrs. Wells, $1; do. Miss Montgomery, $1; do. Miss Ray mond. RECEIPTS. From voluntary subscriptions and donations, and from fees $236 54 From the county treasury under the law to encourage the formation of agricultural societies , 200 00 For lumber sold after the fair 58 88 Total $495 42 DISBURSEMENTS. For lumber $ro5 00 For laborers 88 00 For printing 23 00 For brass band r5 00 Premiums awarded 205 00 Total expenses $436 00 Balance in the treasury on settlement $59^ 42 This detailed statement of premiums awarded, to whom and what for, and the statement of the receipts and disburse ments of the first agricultural fair in the county, may not now be of much interest to the reader. But the time is coming when, like the incidents of early pioneer 212 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. life, to the present age, all the particulars of the first fair will be deeply interesting to those who would watch the progress of the society in all its phases, and more especi- . ally to that portion of the people of the county who would measure the progress of the county in the most important of all the industries pursued by man. WHERE THE FIRST FAIR WAS HELD. The society had acquired no land on which to hold the fair of 1852. However, it procured the right to sufficient room to begin. If the reader will take the map of Fremont, find State street, and follow it to the east end of the bridge over the San dusky River, and find lots number four hundred and sixty-four and four hundred and sixty-five, fronting that street on the south side of it, and notice numbers four hundred and thirty and four hundred and thirty-one in the rear of them, they will find the ground where the first agricultural fair was held, beginning on the thirteenth day of October, 1852. The memoranda of the finances of this first fair are worth preserving in history, and the names of the men and women who organized or patronized the society, are worthy of preservation, and will receive the honor due them for the starting of an institution which has been productive of so much good already and promises so more in the future of the county. fair OF 1853. A meeting of the board was held on the 15th day of September, 1853, at which it was resolved that the second fair of said society be held at Fremont on the 12th and 13th days of October, 1853; also a resolution fixing the premiums for differ ent articles, animals, and agricultural prod ucts, and works of art and domestic in dustries. This fair was held on ground, the use of which, for the purpose, was donated by General John Bell, on the east side of the river, on an out-lot since sub divided, and about where in-lots eleven hundred and sixty-two and eleven hundred and sixty.three now are in the third ward of the city, as now bounded. The receipts for this year were as fol lows: Balance in treasury, 1852 $ 59 42 Amount received by voluntary subscriptions and fees imposed on members 356 78 Received from county 200 00 From sale of lumber, etc 62 45 From sale of bull 41 76 $720 41 EXPENDITURES. Payment on premium list $188 00 Paid lumber, labor, printing, etc 325 22 Loss on county bull 11 25 Unpaid bills last year 55 67 5^3 7i Balance in treasury $136 67 At a meeting of the society held at the court-house in Fremont, on the 8th day of July, 1854, the following officers for the ensuing year were chosen, to-wit: Horatio Adams, president; W. H. Rey nolds, vice-president; Hiram Hurd, treas urer; A. Thorpe, secretary; C. G. San ford, John Moore, Lewis Wright, Stephen Buckland, and Jeremiah Gibbs, managers. At a meeting held at the court-house in Fre mont, June 17, 1854, the next fair was ap pointed to be held in Clyde, Ohio, on the 26th and 27th days of September, 1854. At a meeting in Clyde in July, 1854, a premium list was made out and published. The fair for that year was accordingly held at Clyde on the days appointed, with the following results : Total receipts, including two hundred dol lars paid by the county and balance from the preceding year, amounted to $483 45 Total disbursements 413 41 Balance in treasury $ 70 04 On the 25th day of April, 1855, the board met in Fremont; present, LaQ. Rawson, president; William Russell, vice- president; C. R. McCulloch, treasurer; HISTORY" of sandusky county. 213 D. Capper, secretary, and Paul Tew, Henry Nichols, and Samuel Skinner, man agers. On motion it was ordered that James Vallette be and is appointed one of the managers of the society, in the place of Samuel Treat, deceased. At this meeting the society took the first step towards purchasing a suitable parcel of land on which to build proper structures, whereon to hold their future fairs, and LaQ. Rawson, Daniel Capper, James Vallette, and C. R. McCulloch,were appointed a committee to negotiate for or purchase the ground, and also to make out and publish a premium list for the next fair. THE FAlR OF 1855. The annual fair of the society for the year 1855, was held on the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of October of that year, on the ground bargained for by the committee above named, being what was then known as the east part of Out-lot number one hundred and sixteen, in the city of Fre mont. The purchase was made of Downs & Company, and consisted of seven and two one-hundredths acres, bounded by the river on the east, and situated east of their mill race. The result of the fair held in 1855, was financially as follows : Receipts from certificates of membership . . $ 366 82 From donations to purchase and improve fair grounds 646 00 From county treasury 489 08 From unpaid subscriptions 148 50 J. C. Wales' note from former treasurer 5 00 Donations from publishers of papers 14 20 Total $r,669 60 EXPENDITURES. Paid expenses of fair $ 39 99 Paid printing 27 00 Paid premiums 16280 Paid silver cups 24 06 Paid improvement of fair grounds 564 33 Paid Morgan & Downs on land. . . 691 89 Total 1,510 27 Balance $ 159 33 The society from this time had a local habitation as well as a name. At a meeting of the members of the society, held pursuant to notice at the of fice of John Bell, in Fremont, on the 1st day of March, A. D. 1856, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: LaQ. Rawson, president; William Rus sell, vice-president; C. R. McCulloch, treasurer; Daniel Capper, secretary; James Vallette, Samuel Skinner, Martin Wright, Nathan P. Birdseye, Paul Tew, managers. On the 2 2d day of August, 1856, at a meeting of the board, it was ordered that the annual fair for the year should be held on the 7th, 8th, and 9th days of October. A premium list was made out and pub lished soon after, and the annual fair held accordingly. The financial results of this fair were a total expenditure, including two hundred and twenty-three dollars and seventy-five cents for premiums, and two hundred and eighteen dollars for fitting up the grounds, amounting to six hundred and thirty-nine dollars and thirty cents. Receipts, six hundred and thirty-eight dol lars and forty-fhree cents. Being an ex cess of expenditures over receipts of eighty-seven cents. At a meeting of the members of the society, held at the office of John Bell, on the 28th day of February, 1857, John Bell chairman and B. Amsden secretary, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: L. Q. Rawson president; Jacob Winters, vice-president; J. F. R. Sebring, secretary; Daniel Capper, treas urer; H. R. Adams, James Vallette, James Parks, Daniel Smith, and Peter King, managers. fair of 1857. The board met at the office of John Bell, in Fremont, Ohio, on the 18th day of April, 1857, and ordered that J. F. R. Sebring, Daniel Capper, James Vallette, 214 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. and L. Q. Rawson, be appointed an exec utive committee to prepare and publish a premium list, and fix the day, and to pre pare the grounds for the next fair. The journal of the society hitherto re corded the premium list, the premiums awarded, and the financial results of the year's transactions, but no such record is made for the fair of 1857, and therefore the figures in these respects are omitted. But it is quite apparent that a fair was held in 1857, because the record- shows that on the third day of the fair in that year, the society, at the office of the secretary, on the fair ground, pursuant to public notice, elected the following officers for the ensuing year: L. Q. Rawson, presi dent; S. Buckland, treasurer; Daniel Cap per, secretary; James Parks, Charles Powers, A. Thorp, J. Vallette, and Jacob Winters, managers. We have thus given the meetings, officers, and financial results of the society and its fairs up to the year 1857, and the election of officers for the ensuing year. FAIR OF 1858. The fair of 1858 was successfully held on their ground in FremOnt, and on the last day of this fair, according to notice, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: James Vallette, president; James Parks, vice-president; S. Buckland, treasurer; William E. Haynes, secretary; L. Q. Rawson, U. B. Lemmon, and Charles Powers, managers. Each year of the fair produced an en larged premium list, and increased pre miums for the various articles exhibited. THE FAIR OF 1859. This fair was duly and successfully held on the same ground purchased by the so ciety, but the minutes of the proceedings do not show who were elected officers and managers for the ensuing year. FAIR of i860. On the third day of the fair, held on the society's grounds, in October, i860, the following officers were elected for the ensuing year: Daniel Capper, president; John M. Smith, secretary; Theodore Clapp, treasurer; John S. Gardner, vice- president; Jesse Emerson, Benjamin In man, Saxton S. Rathbun, Timothy Wil cox, and Alfred Black, managers. On the 8th day of January, 1861, the society had paid for, and received a deed from Morgan & Downs, conveying to the society the east part of out-lot number one hundred and sixteen, in Fremont, con: taining seven and two-hundreths acres of land, for a fair ground. For this ground the society paid the sum of one thousand and fifty-three dollars. It was a very good location, affording shade and convenient access to the Sandusky River for water. But time afterwards showed the ground was subject to inundation by the river, and the fences and other structures were sometimes swept off by flood. For these reasons and also to accommodate the ex pansion of the society in the future, this land was sold, and other ground bought, as will be noticed further on. On the 5th day of June, 1861, the board met at the store of Theodore Clapp, in Fremont. At this meeting there were present, D. Capper, [president; Theodore Clapp, treasurer; and Piatt Brush, Benja min Inman, Saxton S. Rathbun, and Jesse Emerson, directors. At this meeting John M. Smith was elected secretary, to fill the vacancy caused by the absence of A. J. Hale, former secretary, and Amos R. Carver was elected vice-president, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of John S. Gardner, former vice-president, the persons so elected to serve in the re spective offices for the ensuing year, and until their successors should be elected. At this meeting Theodore Clapp, Piatt Brush, and John M. Smith, were appointed a committee tO' make out a premium list HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 21S for the year, to be submitted to the board at their next meeting. On the 22d day of June, 1861, the board again met at the store of Theodore Clapp. At this meeting those present were D. Capper, president; Theodore Clapp, treasurer; John M. Smith, secre tary ; and Piatt Brush, Benjamin Inman, Saxton S. Rathbun, Jesse Emerson, and Timothy Wilcox, directors. The committee to make out a premium list for the annual fair made their report which was read and approved by the board. The fair was appointed to be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of October, 1861, and the meeting then ordered the premium list published. On the 26th day of August, 186 1, the board met and appointed Jeremiah Gibbs director, in place of Timothy Wilcox, ab sent. The premium list of this year was extensive and more elaborate than those of former years, and the fair was a suc cess. But the financial results are not given on the journal of the society, and we therefore omit any statement of them. WHO FITTED UP FLORAL HALL IN l86l. As a matter of history, already interest ing in the county, and to become more and more interesting as time rolls on, we give the names of the committee desig nated by the board of the society, to fit up floral hall for the fair of 1861. We record them here for two reasons. First, because it gives some idea of the interest the jjeople took in these annual exhibi tions. Secondly, because it preserves for future mention the names of a number of the men and women then jirominent in our social circles, for their taste and de votion to the cause of improvement in all directions. The committee named by the board for fitting up floral hall, for the annual fair of 1.861, were as follows: J. W. Failing, O. W. Vallette, Henry Buckland, Willard Norton, L. Morehouse, E. Simpkins, Mrs. G. Grant, Mrs. L. Q. Rawson, Mrs. G. Canfield, Mrs. Nat Haynes, Mrs. John Magee, Miss Eliza Simpkins, Miss Beckey Simpkins, Miss Isabella Nyce, Miss M. Justice, Miss Martha Raymond, Miss Ellen Hafford, Miss Jennie McLellan, Miss S. Bote- fur, Miss E. A. Morehouse, Miss Mary Canfield, Miss Amelia Norton, Miss Sarah Jane Grant, Miss H. Thompson, Miss Myra Kepler, Miss L. Kepler, Miss Emma Downs, Miss A. Sharp, Miss Sarah Wilson, Miss Mary Durand, Miss Eva Bartlett, and Miss Bell Maxwell. To the resident of Fremont in the year 1 86 1, who was familiar with the social or ganization at that time, the names on this committee will awake reminiscences of in tense interest. The list of young, and beautiful, and cultured ladies, embraces what was, at that time, the cream of our collected beauty of person, and culture of intellect, and, no doubt, those who resided in Fremont in the fall of 1861, and wit nessed how these earnest, and beautiful, and good women labored to make the fair of the society for 1861 interesting and profitable, will trace the history of each gentleman and lady of this committee through the checkered scenes of their after life with intense interest. On the third day of the fair held in 1861, the members met according to notice, and elected officers for the ensuing year, as follows: Daniel Capper, presi dent; Hiram Haff, vice-president; O. W. Vallette, secretary; Theodore Clapp, treas urer; S. S. Rathbun, C. G. Greene, Jere miah Gibbs, Samuel Hafford, and Daniel Waggoner, managers: A premium list for the next fair was prepared by Daniel Capper and O. W. Vallette, and submitted to the board, and approved at a meeting held on the 31st of May, 1862. At this meeting it was re solved that the next annual fair should be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Fri day, the 1st, 2d, and 3d days of October, 1862. 2l6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. DURING THE WAR. From the formation of the society in 1852, to the year 1862, although the civil war broke out in 1861, the annual fairs had been held without a single failure in any year. True it is that in the year 1 86 1 the war cloud hung heavy over all the land, but so remote were the people of Sandusky county from the contending armies and the battlefields, that our busi ness was not seriously interrupted until the summer of 1862. Then the cloud, thicker and darker than before, spread over the whole sky and enveloped us in darkness, gloom, and fear. After the premium list was published and the days for the fair selected, we find the following entry on the journal of the society, in the handwriting of the secre tary, Vallette: Owing to the unsettled state of the county on ac count of the war, and the fact that the draft in our county came on the days appointed for our fair, it was decided by the officers of the society to postpone the fair for this year. O. W. VALLETTE, Secretary. Fremont, August, 1862. Hence, the society held no fair in the year 1862. At the meeting of the members of the society held at the store of Theodore Clapp, in Fremont, in January, 1863, the following officers were elected, to serve the ensuing year: Daniel Capper, president; Piatt Brush, vice-president;. Theodore Clapp, treasurer; O. W. Vallette, secre tary; S. S. Rathbun, U. B. Lemmon, C. G. Greene, and Daniel Waggoner, man agers. An extended premium list was made out and published, and the fair was held successfully on the 7th, 8th, and 9th days of October, 1863. The premiums were regularly awarded and paid. At a meeting of the members held on the 16th of January, 1864, the following officers of the Sandusky County Agricul tural Society were elected to serve the ensuing year: J. L. Greene, sr., presi dent; John Moore, of Ballville, vice- president; John P. Moore, treasurer ; O. W. Vallette, secretary ; Daniel Waggoner, Jasper King, William E. Lay, Jason Gibbs, and Warren G. Hafford, managers. At a meeting of the officers of the soci ety held on the 26th day of March, 1864, the president, J. L. Greene, sr., and Sec retary O. W. Vallette, were appointed a committee to prepare a premium list for the next fair. On the 16th of April, 1864, the board met and appointed the fair to be held on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, the 1 2th, 13th, and 14th days of October. The financial results of the fair of 1864 are not recorded, and therefore not pub lished. On the 1 8th day of January, 1865, the members of the society met at the office of John L. Greene, sr., and elected the following officers to serve the ensuing year: Theodore Clapp, president; William E. Haynes, vice-president; DeWitt Krebs, treasurer; O. W. Vallette, secretary ; Ed ward Tindall, U. B. Lemmon, James N. Campbell, B. Amsden, and Charles Pow ers, directors. On the 27th of March, 1865, the board met at the office of Theodore Clapp. At this meeting William E. Haynes, DeWitt Krebs, and O. W. Vallette, were appointed a committee to revise and prepare a pre mium list for the next fair and report the same to a future meeting of the board. The premium list was approved and pub lished, and the fair again successfully held on the 6th, 7th, and 8th days of Septem ber, 1865, and the premiums awarded and paid. On the 27th day of January, 1866, the society met at the office of Theodore Clapp, and elected the following officers for the ensuing year. Theodore Clapp, president; William E. Haynes, vice-presi- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 217 dent; D. W. Krebs, treasurer; O. W. Val lette, secretary; Edward Tindall of Ball ville, James N. Campbell of Washington, B. Amsden of Sandusky, Hiram Haff of York, managers for one year; O. W. Val lette of Ballville, D. W. Krebs of Sandusky, J. P. Elderkin of Woodville, Benjamin Inman of Scott, S. S. Rathbun of Green Creek, and David Betts of Sandusky township, managers for two years. In May, 1866, the board met and or dered that Theodore Clapp superintend the building of a new fence around the fair grounds, and put the grounds in good condition. On the 28th of September the board met and made the following entry on their journal: Fremont, September 28, r866. Owing to the late floods, and the damage done on the fair grounds, it has been decided to postpone the fair for this year. O. W. VALLETTE, Secretary. Therefore no fair was held in the year 1866, on account of a flood. Thus we see the society was prevented from holding its fairs twice in the first fourteen years of its existence, first in 1862, by the war, and, second, in 1866, by a flood which over flowed and damaged its grounds. On the 14th of February, 1867, the members of the society met at the office of Theodore Clapp, and elected the fol lowing officers to serve the ensuing year: Piatt Brush, president; Charles H. Bell, vice-president; E. Walters, Charles Pow ers, George W. Beck, and J. V. Beery, managers. On the 7th of March following, the board met, and elected J. V. Beery secre tary, and J. P. Elderkin treasurer. Let it be remarked that about this time some enterprising gentlemen who were fond of cultivating speedy horse-flesh, had organized the Fremont Driving Park Asso ciation, and had rented some out-lots on the hill, on the east side of the river, pn 28 which a fine track was formed, on which the speed of trotting and running horses could be tested and compared. Let no one think or suspect that anything like vulgar horse-racing was connected with this Driving Park Association. The out-lots rented by this association were very finely situated for a fair ground. Hence, at the meeting of the board in March, 1867, on motion of Mr. Rathbun, Piatt Brush and Charles H. Bell were ap pointed a committee to confer and make arrangements with a committee of the Driving Park Association, to hold the county fair upon their ground. On the 23d day of May, 1867, the board met; present, P. Brush, George Beck, D. Betts, B. Inman, E. Walters, and John V. Beery. The committee, C. H. Bell and P. Brush, reported that they had rented the driving park for nine years, at a yearly rent of seventy-five dol lars, for the purpose of holding the fairs of the society. After the adoption of this report, the president appointed Charles H. Bell and Saxton S. Rathbun, a committee to attend to the removal of floral hall from the old fair ground to the driving park. At this same meeting the premium list was arranged, and the next fair of the society appointed to be held on the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of October, 1867, the days of the week being Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. The fair was held, accordingly, on the grounds of the Driving Park Association, the premiums awarded and paid, and the fair was now established on the east side of the river, on the hill and above the reach of floods. But the facilities for procuring a supply of water were lacking, and there was no shade. Still the fair was well attended, and was reasonably successful. On the 1 st day of February, 1868, the society met at the office of Theodore Clapp and elected the following officers: 2l8 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Charles H. Bell, president; Oscar Ball, vice-president; J. P. Elderkin, treasurer; , J. V. Beery, secretary; B. Inman, John P. Elderkin, jr., Samuel Skinner, Piatt Brush, William McPherson, and David Fuller, managers. On the 6th of February the board met and appointed Samuel Skinner, Oscar Ball, Benjamin Inman, Piatt Brush, and William McPherson a committee to pre pare a premium list for the fair of 1868. The fair was held on the 17th, 18th, and 19th days of September, 1868, and the premiums were awarded and paid as usual. This fair was held on the Trotting Park ground, east side of the river. The officers and directors of the society for 1868, met on the 13th day of January, 1869. Present— C. H. Bell, Piatt Brush, Benjamin Inman, David Fuller, George Beck, J. P. Elderkin, jr., and John V. Beery. The object of this meeting was to con sider on the disposal of the old fair ground, and to arrange the distribution of the finances, and pay out the funds on hand. It was, on motion of Piatt Brush, resolved that the old fair ground be offered for sale, provided that over fifteen hundred dollars should be offered for it, and the motion was carried unanimously. Here crops out the intention of the so ciety to abandon the old fair ground, pur chased of Morgan & Downs long before. The reasons for this movement were suf ficient justification for abandoning the location. First, all the fences and build ings the society might erect there were subject to be annually swept away by the floods in the river. Second, the quantity of ground was insufficient to accommodate the growing demands of the society. The secretary was ordered to advertise the ground in both the county papers, to be sold on the 29th day of January, 1869, at 2 o'clock p. m., at the east door of the court house in Fremont, and that it should be sold to the highest bidder. After or dering the payment of certain sums out of the treasury, the meeting adjourned. On the 30th of January, 1869, the members of the society met pursuant to published notice, and elected the following officers for the ensuing year: Benjamin Inman, president; Charles H. Bell, vice- president; Frederick Fabing, treasurer; James S. Vanvalkenburg, secretary; Elijah Kellogg,' George Beck, James Parks, and John K. Richards, managers. This meet ing appointed the time for holding the next fair to be on the Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, the 7th, 8th, and 9th days of October, 1869. The old fair ground was sold at auction at 2 o'clock p. m., January 29, 1869, to Canfield & Co., for sixteen hundred and five dollars. Such is the mention of the record on the journal of the society. But the record of deeds shows that the old fair ground was conveyed to Downs & Co. (which is probably another name for Canfield & Co.), by deed dated February n, 1869, for the consideration of one thousand six hundred and fifty-five dollars. On the 2d day of June, 1869, the board met upon notice, and Charles H. Bell, George Beck, Benjamin Inman, and Frederick Fabing were appointed to pre pare a premium list for the year 1869, which they did. For this year the results of the fair are summed up as follows: Amount received from former treasurer $ r 32 Amount from State Board of Agriculture ro6 00 Amount from rents of ground and tickets sold 741 45 $848 77 EXPENDITURES. Paid expenses and repairs at fair $219 47 Paid printing 66 oo Paid secretary's salary 50 00 Paid assistants 9 00 Paid treasurer's assistants 10 00 Paid premiums to date 454 55 $809 02 Cash balance on hand $39 75 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 219 The foregoing exhibit of the financial transactions of the year was reported to a meeting of the board, held on the 29th of January, 1870, and was then approved On the same day of the above men tioned meeting of the board, after the ap proval of the treasurer's report above given, the members of the society pro ceeded to the election of officers for the ensuing year, with the following result: President, Benjamin Inman; vice presi dent, Beman Amsden; treasurer, Chris tian Doncyson; secretary, William H. Andrews. The directors were David Ful ler, for one year; for two years, W.. W. Cooper, Green Creek; James Havens, Jackson; H. B. Hineline, Rice; Peter Burgoon, Sandusky; and Samuel Skinner, of Washington township. At this same meeting, held on the 29th January, 1870, James Parks, Samuel Skinner, and George W. Beck were ap pointed a committee to report on the pur chase of fair grounds. PURCHASE OF NEW GROUNDS. At a meeting of the board of directors of the society, held at the county audi tor's office, on the 17th day of March, 1870, the board received the report of the committee above named on the purchase of a fair ground, and by a unanimous vote selected the site proposed to be purchased of LaQ. Rawson, and appointed B. Ams den to survey the same under the direc tion of a committee consisting of James Parks, Peter Burgoon, and Samuel Skin ner. The board then adjourned until the 23d day of April, 1870, to meet at the county auditor's office at 10 o'clock a. m. A meeting was duly held at the time and place appointed. The committee and surveyor made their report. Without narrating tedious details, we may state that the survey and report offered the society twenty acres of land, fronting west on Elm street, and going- near the brow of the hill overlooking the Sandusky valley, but did not include the side-hill. The society desired the hill, and hill-side, and on further negotiation relin quished a strip about fourteen rods wide on Elm street, and took about twenty-seven acres covering the side-hill, for the sum of about seven thousand dollars. By this purchase the society acquired one of the most convenient and beautiful sites for a fair ground in the State. Pursuant to notice the members of the society met at the court-house, in Fre mont, on the 10th day of February, 187 1, and elected the following officers for the ensuing year. William E. Haynes, president; Oscar Ball, vice-president; William H. Andrews, secretary; John M. Smith, treasurer; David Fuller, B. W. Lewis, Elijah Kellogg, Ben jamin Inman, Jacob Stetler, and James Parks, directors. At a meeting held March 11, 1871, Peter Darr was added to the list of di rectors to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of H. B. Hineline. The board at this meeting also appointed Oscar Ball, B. Inman, David Fuller, B. W. Lewis, Peter Burgoon, and William E. Haynes, an executive committee to transact all business of the society in the absence of the board, and this executive committee was instructed to prepare a premium list for the next fair. At this meeting, it should be noticed, the society adopted a new constitution, the particular changes in which from the former one it is not deemed necessary to particularize, but it made some changes which time and ex perience had proved necessary to the more successful management of the affairs of the society. At a meeting of the board, held May 13, 1871, it was ordered that the next fair be held on the 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th days 220 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. of October, 1871. Vigorous measures were adopted to prepare the new grounds, and erect suitable buildings for the fair of 187 1, the first held there. The fair was held according to appoint ment, and the popular verdict was that the society had done a good thing in se curing such an admirable location. The results of this fair were reported to the next meeting, held February 3, 1872, and may be briefly stated as follows. The re port was made by the treasurer, Isaac M. Keeler, successor to John M. Smith, and shows RECEIPTS. Citizens' loan $2500 co County agricultural fund 2745 00 Nineteenth annual fair and excursion 2465 66 $7710 66 DISBURSEMENTS. Improvement of new grounds $5490 00 Old debts prior to r87i 571 60 Premiums to date 848 50 Expenses of nineteenth fair 498 07 Cash on hand 302 49 $7710 66 At a meeting held at the court-house on the 3d day of February, 1872, the follow ing officers were unanimously elected: William E. Haynes, president; Oscar Ball, vice-president; Joseph Waggoner, Peter Burgoon, William J. Havens, Peter Darr, W. W. Cooper, and R. P. Buck- land, managers. On the 23d of April, 1872, William H. Andrews was elected secretary, and Isaac M. Keeler treasurer for the year. At this meeting it was resolved to hold the twen tieth annual fair of the society on the 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th days of September, 1872. The following committee was then appointed to arrange for the fair, namely : William E. Haynes, Oscar Ball, B. W. Lewis, David Fuller, and William H. An drews. The fair was successfully held at the appointed time. Mr. Edward Tindall reported and proved to the board, accord ing to the rules of the society, that at the harvest of 1872 he raised two hundred and twenty bushels of wheat on six and thirty-one-hundredth acres of his land. The land was measured by J. L. Rawson, surveyor, the wheat was measured and the quantity sworn to by Mr. A. Mosier. Mr. Tindall was awarded the premium. Pursuant to published notice the mem bers of the society met at the court-house in Fremont, on Saturday, February 1, 1873, and elected the following officers: William B. Sheldon, president; J. R. Gep- hart, vice-president; Z. Brush, B. W. Lewis, T. H. Bush, J. Fairbanks, and Frederick Smith, managers. Mr. Sheldon refused to serve, and on the 22d of Feb ruary, 1873, Piatt Brush was elected presi dent, and on the same day F. J. Giebel, jr., was elected secretary, and John P. El derkin, jr., treasurer, for the ensuing year. Mr. Brush declined serving as president, and, on the 3d of May, 1873, the society elected John R. Gephart president. By this election a vacancy was caused in the office of vice-president, and T. H. Bush was eleced to that office, which left a va cancy in the board of managers, which was filled by the election of Charles H Norton. An executive committee was chosen, and the time for holding the next fair fixed for the 1st, 2d, 3d, and 4th days of October, 1873, and the fair was held accordingly. This fair was a financial failure, for an entry on the journal shows that afterwards the executive committee met, and ascer tained by the treasurer's report that the disbursements exceeded the receipts by the amount of seven hundred dollars, and that the treasurer had paid the excess of expenditures out of his own private funds. The committee authorized a loan to be made by the society for the amount, to be paid, with eight per cent, interest, on the 2d day of November, 1874. history OF Sandusky county. On the 7th day of Febtuary, 1874, pur suant to the provisions of the constitution of the society, and to printed notice, the society met at the county auditor's office, in Fremont, and received the treasurer's report, which shows the following receipts and disbursements : RECEIPTS. 1873- March 22, cash on hand $ 23 63 August 27, cash from excursion 208 75 October, cash receipts from fair 2,687 °° Cash, city of Fremont roo 00 Cash, loans 689 50 $3,708 88 DISBURSEMENTS. Paid interest on loan $ 200 00 Paid premiums on class 17 617 00 Paid improvements on grounds.. 538 56 Paid premiums 818 00 Paid expenses during fair 425 00 Paid band for music 50 00 Paid sec'y salary and expenses... 90 00 Paid L. Q. Rawson on land 56r 06 Paid printing, etc 222 55 Steamer and band for excursion. . 185 00 Balance on hand 73 $3,708 88 On the 27th day of February, 1874, the society met at the county auditor's office and elected the following officers, to serve the ensuing year, namely: R. P. Buck- land, president ; W. W. Stine, vice-presi dent; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary; W. H. Andrews, treasurer. The president was instructed to appoint an executive committee, to consist of five members. The committee was afterwards appointed, and consisted of the following persons: C. A. Norton, W. W. Stine, B. W. Lewis, Joseph Waggoner, and E. W. Amsden. During the summer and autumn of the year 1874 an amphitheater or grand stand was erected on the fair ground, which af forded visitors an excellent view of the ground, and all the proceedings of the fair to be seen by the eye. It also afforded shelter from the rain and shade from the often uncomfortable rays of the sun. The contract for this building was awarded to Mr. A. Foster, of the city of Fremont, at the price of one thousand two hundred and seventy-five dollars. It was also arranged and ordered by the board that there should be several new features in the fair of 1874, such as a special premium for the best pair of draught horses, and mules, also for single horse or mule. The first were offered a premium of twenty dollars, and the second ten dollars, to be tested on the ground by the dynamometer. Premiums were also offered for plowing, dragging, and drilling contests, to be put under the charge of D. C. Richmond, of Erie county, then mem ber of the State Board of Agriculture. The fair of 1874 began September 30, and continued four days, with the follow ing financial result: RECEIPTS. Received from former treasurer $ 179 96 From loan of C. Norton 3,000 00 From loan of W. W. Stine 350 00 From loan of Bank of Fremont 175 00 From annual fair 4,291 40 From J. M. Raymond, pasture. ........ 24 00 From State Board of Agriculture * 227 52 $8,047 68 DISBURSEMENTS. Paid F. J. Geibel, secretary, 1873 $ 21 50 Paid F. S. White, trustee citizens' loan. . . 2,500 00 Paid F. S. White, interest on citizens' loan 200 00 Paid C. A. Norton, interest on loan 45 00 Paid L. Q. Rawson, -on ground 1,088 00 Paid B. Donahue, for loan 400 00 Paid B. Donahue, loan interest 23 29 Paid Bank of Fremont, loan and interest 318 20 Paid W. W. Stine, interest 6 53 Paid I. M. Keeler, expenses to Columbus 15 00 Paid premiums to date 1,682 00 Paid fair expenses 253 71 Paid permanent improvement on grounds 840 40 Paid Bank of Fremont on note 150 00 $8,042 68 Cash on hand February 5, 1875 $ 3 28 Here it will be noticed that the fair of 1874 shows a marked increase in the re- 222 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ceipts and disbursements of the society. In an elaborate report made by the secretary, Isaac M. Keeler, of the fair of 1874, to the State Board of Agriculture, held at Columbus, Ohio, January 6, 1875, he says, among other things: The exercise of horses on the half mile track dur ing a portion of each day, attracted a large crowd, and some excellent time was made. Further on the report says: The results of the fair of 1873 were unfortunate to the society, for instead of decreasing the sum of its indebtedness, it added considerably thereto, and It ft a bad feeling among former friends of the society. The officers of 1874, therefore, felt the greater neces sity for economy in expenditures, and at the same time to make the exhibition so attractive as to induce the people from all parts of the county to show their interest in the society by being present at the annual fair. The total indebtedness of tbe society at this time cinnot be far from four thousand five hundred dollars. On the whole, the fair of 1874 was a success, and awakened a new interest in its support. Pursuant to notice, the society met at the county auditor's office, and, after hear ing the treasurer's report, and ordering it referred to a committee, a resolution was passed at this meeting to amend the con stitution, so that thereafter there should be thirteen directors of the society. One thereof should be chosen from each township, there being twelve townships, and also one director at large. There upon the following persons were unani mously chosen directors for the ensuing year: J. K. Richards, of York township; Levi Cowell, of Riley; W. G. Hafford. of Ballville; Piatt Brush, of Sandusky; Adam Bair, of Scott; John Sandwish, of Woodville; Casper Stausmire, of Madi son; David Fuller, of Townsend; R. B. Hayes, Premont, director at large. Of the preceding board the following directors held over and were also part ot the board for 1875, namely: Henry Lud- wig, of Jackson township; Joseph Wag goner, of Washington; S. S. Rathbun, of Green Creek; and Fred Smith, of Rice township. On the 13th of February, 1875, tne board met and elected the following offi cers : William W. Stine, president ; Charles A. Norton, vice-president; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary; Henry Baker, treas urer. A premium list was prepared and adopted by the board at their meeting, May 1, 1875. The board of directors appointed the time for holding the annual fair to be Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, Sep tember 21, 22, and 23. An extended premium list was prepared and the fair was held according to ap pointment. This year the fair was not as successful as the year before. The entries for exhibition were about one hundred and fifty less than at the fair of 1874. Another injurious fact was the unfavorable weather of the first two days, which greatly reduced the entries, the attend ance, and the amount received at the en trance gstes. RECEIPTS. Cash received from treasurer $ rr 78 Cash received from city of Fremont 100 00 Cash received from annual fair 3,438 14 $3,549 92 DISBURSEMENTS. Paid interest on loans $ 182 67 Paid premiums on class 18 417 00 Paid annual premium list 818 25 Paid L. Q. Rawson, on land 615 95 Paid permanent improvements 575 00 Paid printing and stationery 180 00 •Paid Light Guard Band, music 75 00 Paid secretary, for services 50 00 Paid Bank of Fremont, note 101 75 Paid bills of 1873 and 1874 72 00 Paid expenses of the fair 437 00 Paid cash in treasury 30 00 $3,549 92 The wheat crop of 1875 was reported not to be as good nor as large as that of 1874, but was, notwithstanding, above an average crop. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 223 The fair was actually held four days, the last two of which brought fine weather and greatly increased the attendance and swelled the receipts, and also rescued the society from the losses of the first two days. SHADE TREES. This year the board, to encourage the planting of shade trees along the high ways in the county, offered premiums for their planting. To the owner planting the best row of not less than forty trees, twenty dollars. For best row containing not less than twenty-five trees, ten dollars. The trees were to be planted during the year ending June, 1876, and the premi ums to be awarded at the annual fair, in 1876. Pursuant to notice published, the mem. bers of the society met at the auditor's office, on the 5th day of February, 1876. A committee was duly appointed to report the names of seven directors, whose time had expired, and one director at large. This committee consisted of Henry H. House, Joseph Waggoner, James Wickard' William J. Smith, and Nehemiah Engler, who reported the following names : W. B. Lewis, director at large for one year; W. D. Stine, one year; Casper Stausmire> William J. Smith, James D. Benner, S. S. Rathbun, W. H. Hineline, and E. A. Beebe, each for two years. The directors holding over were J. K. Richards, Levi Cowell, W. G. Hafford, P. J. Gossard, and John Sandwish. This board met on the 12th of February, 1876, and elected the * following officers for the year : Gen eral R. P. Buckland, president; J. P, Elderkin, vice-president; Henry Baker, treasurer; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary. Afterward, Vice-President Elderkin be ing about to remove from the county, re signed his office, and Henry Coonrod was elected to fill the vacancy. The premium list was agreed to and duly published. The fair was held October 3, 4, 5, and 6, 1876. The number of entries for pre miums was eleven hundred and seventy- five. The membership tickets, at one dollar each, were twelve hundred and sev enty-eight. The total receipts of this fair amounted to three thousand two hundred and seven dollars and forty cents. The premiums paid, including races, amounted to one thousand four hundred and thirty- seven dollars and seventy-five cents. The more particular items of disbursement are not given, but the fair was a success, as the receipts appear to embrace no loans. On the 2d day of November, 1876, at night, floral hall, the pride of the fair grounds, was totally consumed by fire, which was said to be no doubt the work of an incendiary. It was, however, fully insured. In the secretary's report to the State Board of Agriculture, on the fair of 1876, the following showing is made: RECEIPTS. Amount received for tickets of member ship, single tickets and tickets to the grand stand, $2,672 90 For booths, refreshments, stands and per mits 357 00 From other sources. ; 437 25 On hand from 1875 39 42 DISBURSEMENTS. $3.S2° °4 Paid premiums $1,438 00 Paid permanent improvements 1.057 *6 Paid fair expenses 928 00 Paid balance to new account 103 48 $3,526 64 This must have been a prosperous year for the society, for the fair made by this showing more than a thousand dollars' worth of permanent improvements, paid all expenses and left a balance of one hundred and three dollars and forty- eight cents, in the treasury. Besides the items of receipts given in the secre tary's annual report to the State Board of Agriculture, the State Board had paid 224 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the society one hundred and twenty-seven dollars and fifty-one cents, and the insur ance on floral hall was paid into the treasury on the 3d day of February, 1877, amounting to one thousand dollars, which amounts do not appear in the secretary's report, and were no doubt standing to the credit of the society for the succeeding year, or promptly applied to the society's indebtedness. These two items were probably received too late to be included in the financial report of 1876, though paid in before the annual election of offi cers. This fair was remarkable for a better exhibition of horses, cattle, and sheep than any preceding one, also for a better ex hibit of mechanic arts, and of machinery, among which latter the Hubbard mower and reaper, manufactured by the Fremont Harvester works, was prominent; also June & Company's portable engine, man ufactured in Fremont, and invented here. Lehr Brothers, also of the city of Fremont, had on exhibition agricultural implements and other articles, which did great credit to the growing manufactures of the county. At this fair it was shown that the farm products of grains, seeds, vege tables, butter, cheese, etc., were greater and better than ever before. Fruits, ex cepting peaches, were fine and in great variety. The hay crop was unusually abundant and good. Potatoes were what is commonly expressed as a short crop. In the report of 1876, the secretary es timates the value of the fair grounds and improvements, the land being about twenty-eight acres, at fifteen thousand dollars, which is generally thought to be a low estimate. Lewis Balsizer, of Riley township, raised on seven and one-eighth acres, two hun dred and forty-eight hushels of wheat by weight, and on seven and one-eighth acres five hundred and thirty bushels of corn, and being the only one who made an entry for premium on these crops, took a premium of ten dollars on each. It is not improbable that other farmers raised an equal and even greater quantity per acre than Mr. Balsizer, but did not see fit to make the entry for the premium. We have mentioned that the property of the society was estimated at fifteen thousand dollars at the close of the year 1876. On the 17th of February, 1877, the secretary, Mr. Isaac M. Keeler, en deavored to ascertain accurately the entire indebtedness of the society, and . after doing so stated it to be, on the 17th of February, 1877, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight dollars and thirty-two cents. This showing indicates a healthy financial condition, which prom ises well for the future. Assets in real property $rs,ooo oo Debts , 1,900 00 Net balance on real estate $13, 100 00 At a meeting of the members, held at the auditor's office, on the 17th of Febru ary, 1877, the following directors were elected, to-wit: At large — Hiram Pool, Ballville township. For two years — W. D. Stine, Sandusky; Fred Smith, York; Joseph R. Clark, Riley; James Wickard, Ballville; D. S. Tinney, Scott; Henry Herman, Woodville. For one year — T. D. Stevenson, Madison, to fill vacancy. The diiectors holding over were: Wil liam J. Smith, Jackson; James D. Benner, Washington; S. S. Rathbun, Green Creek; W. H. Hineline, Rice; David Fuller, Townsend. This board of directors met on the 3d day of March, 1877, and elected the following officers: L. Q. Rawson, presi dent; W. W. Stine, treasurer; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary. The executive committee was then chosen, consisting of the following-named persons: C. H. Bell, W. W. Stine, W. H. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.- «s Hinelfne, James D. Benner, James Wick- ard, and Hiram Pool. The board, at their meeting April 25, 1877, resolved to encourage the planting of Osage orange hedge, and offered a pre mium of twenty dollars for the best forty rods, and ten dollars for the best twenty rods. At the same meeting the president and vice-president were appointed a committee to select the place and decide upon a plan for a new floral hall. The plan for the hall was made by J. C. Johnson, architect, and the place chosen near the site of the one destroyed by fire. The contract for building the hall was awarded to Henry Shively on the 2d day of June, 1877, at the price of one thousand six hundred and fifty-nine dollars. Floral hall was insured while being built, and was ready in time for the fair. On the first day of the fair of 1877, be ing October 2, at 9 o'clock in the evening, fire broke out at the northeast corner of the fair grounds, a locality occupied by trotting and running horses. In a very short time a block of stalls, twenty-two in number, were consumed. The loss on the stalls was fully insured. Mr. J. H. Harley, of Huron, lost a valuable mare, and some valuable harness, and some sad dles were also burned. This fire was said to have been caused by fire communicated to straw in the halls from candles used by men who were sleep ing in the stalls, and who went to sleep without properly caring for the light they had used. Perhaps the man fell asleep while reading. The damage done to the property by this fire was less than one hundred dollars, and was repaired by vig orous work the next day, without inter rupting the proceedings of the fair. The receipts and disbursements of the society, for the fair of 1877, were as fol lows: RECEIPTS. Amount in treasury from 1876 $ 161 8i Gate fees and entrance. . .- 3.714 84 Stand rents 463 00 Permits 75 25 Pasturage, racing, etc , 455 55 3,872 46 DISBURSEMENTS. Amount of premiums paid $1,400 00 Paid on real estate and improve ments 1,288 95 Current expenses other than pre miums r,2i7 75 3,87a 46 Funds in treasury December 14, 1877 IS76 The society, at the date of this report, had a membership of fifteen hundred and fifty persons, with an indebtedness of two thousand five hundred and seventy-one dollars and sixty cents. Directors were elected on the 2d day of February, 1878, for the ensuing year, as follows: Henry Filling, Madison town ship; Joseph D. Benner, Washington township ; W. H. Hineline, Rice town ship; W. J. Smith, Jackson township: E. A. Beebe, Townsend township; Henry Herman, Woodville township, each for two years, and Henry Coonrod, of Fre mont, director at large. On the 16th of February, 1878, the board of directors met and elected the following officers: L. Q. Rawson, presi dent; Charles H. Bell, vice-president; W. W. Stine, treasurer ; J ohn Landgraff, jr., secretary. The president then appointed an exec utive committee, as follows: L. Q. Raw- son, C. H. Bell, Henry Coonrod, W. W. Stine, and William J. Smith. This committee, on the 5 th of March, ar ranged a premium list for the next fair. In this list, for the first time, a premium was offered to encourage bee culture. This year the board designed and com pleted a building for the use of the officers of the society, on the grounds. The.'fair was held on the 1st, 2d, 3d, 226 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. and 4th days of October, 1878, and was attended by an estimated number of ten thousand persons. The weather was of the most favorable character for the exhi bition. The arrangement was good, the grounds in better order than ever before, and the fair a success in all respects. The Driving Park Association were permitted to use the race track for a consideration, which no doubt contributed to swell the attendance. The receipts and expenditures for the fair of 1878 are as follows: RECEIPTS. Amou.it in treasury February, 1878 $ r5 76 Received from State allowance for 1877 127 52 Received from sale of tickets 2,888 40 Received from stands and permits 852 00 Received from county 50700 Received from other sources 402 66 $4,793 34 DISBURSEMENTS. Premiums paid $1,609 50 Paid for permanent improvements 860 2r Paid on old indebtedness r,32S 82 Paid for current expenses 992 51 Balance on hand December 19, 1878 5 30 $4-793 34 The great financial success and the suc cess in other respects of this fair, encour aged the society to hope that in another year it would free itself entirely from debt, and be on the highway of advancement clear of all obstructions. This year's statistics showed that there were forty thousand acres of wheat raised in the county, and that the average yield was twenty-two bushels to the acre. The exhibition of machinery exceeded any thing done in that way on the ground at any previous fair. The inventions for binding grain were first exhibited at this fair, and attracted much interest and close attention. On the 1st of February, 1879, 'he members of the society met at the court house in Fremont, for the election of direct ors. At this meeting, before proceeding to the election, the president, as a matter of advice, wished an expression of the sense of the members on the question of allow ing the sale of beer on the fair grounds. After considerable discussion, on motion of L. W. Ward, a vote was taken to ex press the opinion of the meeting on the question, but not to be binding on the directors, nor to take away their control of the matter. The vote was taken by • ballot. The whole number of votes was forty-three ; of this number thirty-two were in favor of allowing the sale, and eleven against it. The members then proceeded to the election of directors lor the ensuing year, with the following result: Sandusky town ship, Manual Maurer, two years ; York, T. E. Gardner, two years; Riley, Joseph R. Clark, two years; Ballville, James E. Wickert, two years; Scott, D. S. Tinney, two years; Woodville, H. Herman, two years; director at large, Joseph Waggoner, one year. Directors holding over one year were Joseph D. Benner, W. H. Hineline, William J. Smith, E. A. Beebe, S. S. Rathbun, and Joseph Waggoner, the di rector at large. On the 8th of February, 1879, the board met, and elected L. Q. Rawson, president; John L. Greene, jr., vice-presi dent; William B. Kridler, secretary, and E. B. Moore, treasurer. The executive committee for 1879 con sisted of the following named gentlemen, who were appointed by the president, namely: Manuel Maurer, John L. Greene, jr., and William J. Smith. At this meet ing the rule of the State Board of Agriculture, requiring the exhibitors of thorough-bred animals to furnish the secretary of the society a pedigree of the animal at the time of making the entry, was adopted. At the same meeting the board resolved to hold the next annual HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 227 fair on the 30th of September and the ist, 2d, and 3d days of the month of Oc tober, 1879. The premium list was revised and pub lished, and the fair was held at the appointed time. The receipts and expen ditures of this fair, according to the treas urer's report, were as follows. RECEIPTS. Balance in treasury, February, 1879 $ 35 89 From sale of 4, 500 tickets r, 127 75 From sale of 251 half-tickets 25 10 From sale of 856 grand stand tickets 58 60 From sale of 1,543 membership tickets. .., ±, 543 00 Received from other sources 81 80 $3,601 14 DISBURSEMENTS. For current expenses $ 1,157 TS For permanent improvements 958 96 For premiums paid 1,977 10 $4,093 21 The total indebtedness of the society on the ist day of January, 1880, as stated in the journal of its proceedings, was one thousand three hundred and nineteen dol lars and eighty-three cents. While appar ently the expenditures of the society for the fair of 1879 exceeded the receipts by the amount of four hundred and ninety- two dollars and seven cents, it must be remembered that nine hundred and fifty- eight dollars and ninety-six cents were invested in permanent improvement of" its property. This shows, in fact, a net gain of four hundred and sixty-six dol lars and eighty-nine cents, which is doing well. It should also be noticed that the amount of premiums paid in 1879 is much greater than that paid at any preceding fair. At a meeting of the society held at tbe court-house on the 7th day of February, 1880, Joseph Waggoner was elected di rector at large, but declined to act as such, and William J. Smith was elected to the office. The directors for the year 1880 were a"5 follows : For Fremont township, M. Maurer, one year; York, T. E. Gardner, one year; Riley, Joseph R. Clark, one year; Ballville, James E. Wickert, one year; Scott, D. S. Tinney, one year; Woodville, H. Herman, one year; Madi son, J. Marvin, two years, Jackson, Dan iel Sueckert, two years; Washington, N. Engler, two years; Green Creek, Joseph Lutz, two years; Rice, Peter Darr, two years; Townsend, Frank Dirlam, two years; Sandusky, Fred Smith, two years; direc tor at large, William J. Smith, for one year. Amongst the proceedings at this meet ing was the passage of a resolution forbid- ing the sale of beer or any intoxicating liquors on the grounds of the society, which was passed by a unanimous vote of the members of the society present at the meeting. At this meeting another resolution was unanimously passed, that the directors be requested to obey the laws of the State of Ohio in the matter of gambling, and that no wheel of fortune or gambling device of whatever kind be permitted upon the society's grounds at their annual fair. On the 14th day of February, 1880, the board of directors met at the city council chamber, and elected the following officers, namely: J. L. Greene, president; Joseph Waggoner, vice-president; William B. Kridler, secretary, and E. B. Moore, treasurer. At this meeting, February 14, 1880, the time for holding the next annual fair of the society was fixed for the 28th, 29th and 30th of September, and the ist of October, 1880. The fair was held according to appoint ment, and was a success, as the treasurer's report to the board, made on the ist of February, 1881, will show, and which is as follows : HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. RECEIPTS. Balance in the treasury February i, 1880. .$ 189 17 Received from sale of tickets 2,622 27 Received from sale of stands and permits . . 347 00 Received from other sources 188 00 Received from pasturage 95 50 Received from county 479 48 $3,921 42 DISBURSEMENTS. Amount paid for premiums $i,86r 17 Amount paid for permanent improvements 8r3 n Amount paid for current expenses 794 09 Amount paid for interest on certificates . . 63 co Amount paid on principal of debt 72 62 Balance in treasury 316 86 $3,921 42 At the meeting on February 1, 1881, the total indebtedness of the society was ascertained, and stated to amount to six nundred and sixty dollars. This shows the society to be on a solid financial basis, with the good will of the people to support it in the future, and in possession of one of the most attractive county fair grounds in the State. Note. — The reader will find inaccuracies in the figures forming the tables of receipts and disburse ments, but wherever they occur the publishers have followed the manuscript exactly, and are not respon sible for the errors and discrepancies. CHAPTER XXI. THE PRESS. History of Newspapers Published in Fremont, Clyde, Bellevue and Green Spring — Their Editors, Polidcs' Changes, &c. — A Mistake and its Consequences. THE first step toward a complete civil ization of a people is to open a way by which facts and ideas can be conveyed to and deposited in the storehouse of each one's heart and memory. This pro cess may be likened to the removal from a highly productive region of country to other and new regions, rich by nature but unimproved and yielding nothing. To clear the way and prepare the track to such new region of undeveloped hearts and minds of the people is the peculiar office and result of common education. And here the simile ends, for the whole earth may, within some vast period of time, be reached and subdued, and put in direct or indirect communication with every other part. But new territory to be reached and developed in the cause of civilization will be found in every succeeding genera tion of men, and will be as perpetual as humanity itself. When education has opened the way to the hearts and understandings of the peo ple, then next in importance comes THE PRESS, which may be likened to the locomotive and train attached, transporting rich car goes of fact, science, thought, and infor mation from the old to the new region; and when the new region is developed, the train returns with rich freights from the new to the old, thus establishing a vast exchange of new thought and facts to en rich the world. The later inventions of the telegraph and telephone have not yet superseded the newspaper. The first is used for busi ness chiefly, and beyond that is the hand- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 229 maid of the press only; the second is too limited in its capacity for communication with the great masses of the people. Notwithstanding the wonderful progress of invention, the newspaper yet remains the great engine for the rapid diffusion and transportation of facts and thoughts from mind to mind, and to-day stands the strongest helper in the great work of ele vating mankind to a higher plane of sym pathy and civilization. It is probably true that the press has not always raised those seed thoughts of progress which have produced so much good. These have in part come from the scientist's laboratory, the advanced think er's brain, or the pulpit. But the press has sown the good seeds of progress, from whatever source they came, further, wider, and more broadcast amongst the people than any other instrumentality among men. It is, therefore, fitting that, whatever has been done toward establishing and sup porting the press here should be made part of the county's history. Such a rec ord will furnish interesting matter for ref erence and comparison in the future, and at the same time be only an act of justice. to those who worked so hard, under finan cial discouragements, to establish this great medium of communication amongst the people of the county. LOWER SANDUSKY GAZETTE. The first printing press brought to Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), was a small hand press, introduced by David Smith. The first paper printed on it was called the Lower Sandusky Gazette, edit ed and published, and in fact printed by the proprietor himself, alone, he being the only hand about the office. The first number was issued in July, 1829. The size of this paper when opened and en tirely spread out, was seventeen by twenty- one inches, by exact measurement. The editor and publisher, type-setter and press man, all in one person, was a thin, pale, slip-shod specimen of humanity. He' al ways wore his shoes, or rather slippers, broken down at the heels, and his socks were ragged. He was afflicted in the au-, tumn of the year 1829, soon after the commencement of his brave enterprise, with fever and ague, which at that time no person of fashion was without in the dread month of September, who resided at Lower Sandusky. The editor and pub lisher's wood-pile was always out doors in front of his office, and the pieces were eight feet long, to be chopped by himself into proper lengths of about four feet for the fire-place, from which the whole office was to be warmed in the winter. He would leave the care of the press when ever the temperature of his office fell near the freezing point, and go out to chop wood to replenish his fire, warm up the office, and then resume his place at the press, or case, or the editorial table, as the case might be. While, after a sudden, cold snap in the weather, Smith was cut ting wood one winter in the snow, his heels being bare, were frozen before he could cut sufficient wood for the night, and his feet remained sore for a long time, during which kind friends volunteered to cut and carry in his fire-wood. Smith found after a while that the pa per would not pay, and being generally dis gusted, left the country with his press, and the Lower Sandusky Gazette died of ma laria and hard times at the age of about eighteen months. The future life and fate of Mr. Smith is not obtainable at the present day, but wherever he may be, whatever his fate, David Smith stands as the pioneer newspaper editor and publish er of the county, and we cheerlully give him the honor in return for his daring and sufferings in the attempt to establish a pa per at that early day in Lower Sandusky. 23° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Mr. Reuben Rice, now deceased, late of Ottawa county, near Elmore, in a communi cation to the Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical Society, on the 26th of August, 1875, said he was a practical printer, and settled on Portage River in 1823, after spending some time at Lower Sandusky and trading there. Mr. Rice, in this com munication, further said: That in the year 18 — year not recollected — there was a man by the name of Smith started a paper at Lower Sandusky, called, I t link, fie Lower San dusky Gazette. He was taken s'ck and he — no, he didn't, — but his paper drooped and- died, not a natural death ; but Sandusky being at that time a place infested with theefnuviaarisingfrom themp.rshes and stagnant waters, jeopardised almost every thing that had life, and some things inanimate as well as animate, suffered from the malaria of a sickly place, so the printing of the paper died out though the piinting materials he removed. I had the honor of printing s^id paper for a few weeks while tbe edit or and proprietor was sick, but whether this had a tendency to bring about a more speedy termination of the malady with which said paper was afflicted, I know not, but this I do know, that the paper was to no great degree benefited by the operation, as the sequel goes to prove. It is not known now that the Lower Sandusky Gazette was the organ or advo cate of any political party, church, or sect. It was probably only a newspaper and ad vertising medium of no marked proclivi ties or objects except to live, and in this primary object it failed. From some time in 1831 to the. month of June or July, 1837, a period of more than six years, no paper was printed in Lower Sandusky, and newspapers published in other locali ties and townships, which, in a small vil lage is about equal to a daily paper, fed the appetite for news. The next venture in the way of news paper publication in Lower Sandusky was the publication of THE LOWER SANDUSKY TIMES. The press for this paper was brought here by Alvin G. White, who edited and published it for a time, under the auspices of some leading politicians of the county who were opposed to the administration of Martin VanBuren. The first number was issued in June or July, A. D. 1837. It was, under the management of Mr. White, a very useful medium for advertis ing, and in advocating moral order in so ciety. Mr. White published the Lower Sandusky Times several years, when ill health caused him to retire, and Peter Yates succeeded him in the management and editing of the paper. Mr. Yates was a bitter partisan and a most acrimonious writer, and under his management the paper lost ground in popularity and pat ronage. The Democratic party being in the ascendancy in the county, it had no public patronage, and was printed at a loss to those interested. Mr. Yates' sharp, per sonal attacks on men, and the bitterness in the treatment of the feelings and opin ions of the party opposed to him, finally resulted in a transfer of the management, and a change of the name of the paper. In 1839 Clark Waggoner, then a young printer, was placed in charge of the press and materials of the office, and com menced the publication of the. LOWER SANDUSKY WHIG. At this time events were tending to a great political excitement. Mr. Ogle, of Pennsylvania, had made his remarkable ex pose, in Congress, of the extravagance of the administration of Martin VanBuren. His great speech about the gold spoons and other golden furniture of the White House, and the immense defalcations which had taken place under his adminis tration, amongst which was the notable defalcation of Swartwout, collector of cus toms in New York, were being exposed, and party spirit was being aroused under the cry of reform. The Lower Sandusky Whig, printed and published by Mr. Wag goner, was the organ of the Whig party of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 231 the county, through the memorable cam paign of 1840. It had the patronage and support of such men as Ralph P. Buck- land, who was an active leader in the Whig party, with many other able and in fluential men, such as Revirius Bidwell, John A. Johnson, Dr. L. G. Harkness, Barney Kline, Amos Fenn, Fredeiick Chapman, Alpheus Mclntyre, William S. Russell, Norton Russell, Caleb H. Bid- well, Elisha W. Howland, Thomas L. Hawkins, Dr. Thomas Still well, and many others, whose names do not now occur to the wiiter, who took an interest in the sup port of the paper, and many of whom be came contributors to its columns. Some of these men still live, and will remember the political contest; but most of them have "passed to that bourne from whence no traveller returns," unless they return to communicate with the Spiritualists. It was in the heated campaign of 1840 that the now veteran editor of the Fremont Jour nal, Isaac M. Keeler, took his firstjlessons in the art of printing. The paper became an effective one in the campaign of 1840, and was rewarded for its labors by the tri umph of its party in the election of Wil liam Henry Harrison to the Presidency. It is proper here to place on record a description of the printing press on which the Lower Sandusky Whig was printed. It was what was called a "Ramage," almost a fac-simile of Benjamin Franklin's old press, now so carefully preserved in the patent office in Washington, and the same one on which, years before, the Albany Argus had been printed. With three pulls to print one side of the paper, it was no small job to work off an edition. The Lower Sandusky Whig was, after a few years, transferred to John Shrenk and changed to the LOWER SANDUSKY TELEGRAPH. Mr. Shrenk edited and published the paper with fair success until March, 1849, when it was purchased by James S. Fouke, who changed the name and edited and published it under the title of the LOWER SANDUSKY FREEMAN. When, at the October term of the Court of Common Pleas, the name of the city was changed from Lower Sandusky to Fremont, of course the name of the paper was changed accordingly. Mr. Fouke edited and published the paper until No vember 6, 1852, when it was transferred to Mr. J. M. Main, who issued about six numbers, when he sold the office. On the 27th of January, 1853, Mr. I. W. Booth commenced, with the same press, the publication of THE FREMONT JOURNAL, and continued it until December 24, 1853, when John Mastin, became the sole proprietor. On the 26th day of May, 1854, Isaac M. Keeler purchased a one-half interest in the press and paper, and became the editor of it, and continued the publica tion under the firm name of Mastin & Keeler. On the ist of December, 1854, Mr. Keeler bought out Mr. Mastin's interest and became editor and sole proprietor. Under Mr. Keeler's management the paper flourished, and became not only a paying concern, but the best record of passing events, local and national, in the county. He managed it carefully and ably in the interest of the city and county, and was always stalwart and able on the side of morality, law and order, and the right in politics, as he understood the right. The paper was born a Whig, and under his management did good service to that party, and also the Republican party since its organization.. Mr. Keeler continued to publish and edit the Journal until the 15th of Septenv 232 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ber, 1865, when he sold the establishment to Redway Brothers, under whose man agement the paper was published until the 5th of October, 1866, when they sold out to Messrs. Wilcox and Greene. On the 2 2d of May, 1868, Mr. Wilcox sold his interest in the paper to his part ner, J. H. Greene, who managed it some months, when he sold the establishment to A. H. Balsley. Mr. Balsley continued in the management of the paper until No vember 12, 1875, when Messrs. Harford & Grove became the proprietors and pub lishers, and conducted the Journal until December 12, 1877, when Mr. Keeler again became the owner of the Journal office, and resumed control of the paper, after having been out of the publishing business for more than twelve years. The frequent changes in the manage ment of the paper had not improved it in either popularity or profit in the publi cation of it. Mr. Keeler says that in all the twelve years he was engaged in other business he had a yearning for the Journal office, where, for a period of twenty-five years, he had labored almost continuously. Since Mr. Keeler resumed the manage ment of the Fiemont Journal, it has been much improved in all respects. It is now on a sound financial basis. The Journal is now printed on a Wells' cylinder power press, moved by steam power. It has in the job-room two steam power-presses, and has a full patronage. Mr. Keeler, it is true, continues to edit and manage the paper, but has associated with him his son Samuel, who is local editor, and who is now in well advanced training in the newspaper business. The father now regrets that he ever left the management of the Journal. He intends, however, when the course of human events shall disable him from the proper discharge of editorial labors, that his son, who is already a promising proficient in the business, shall become the editor and manager of the Journal, and the indica tions are now quite plain that whenever the Fremont Journal shall pa;s to the con trol and management of the son the paper will be fully sustained in all those qualities which make it an able, and pure, and popular county newspaper. The Lower Sandusky Times, the Lower Sandusky Whig, the Lower Sandusky Telegraph, and the Lower Sandusky Free man were all staunch advocates of the Whig party and its principles, and the Fremont Journal has always been an earnest Republican paper, and has been consistent in urging the party to organ ize and contend for its principles. It opposed the election of Buchanan, and supported the war for the Union with zeal and great effect. THE SANDUSKY COUNTY DEMOCRAT. It should be noticed that the Lower Sandusky Times, which by sundry mutila tions and changes of name became the Fremont Journal, was first issued in Lower Sandusky in June or July, 1837. It soon appeared that A. G. White, the editor, was opposed to the Democratic party. After a few months the political course became clearly apparent, as it grew more and more pronounced in its political inclinations. This at once aroused the attention of the dominant Democracy, and they at once began to counsel, and devise the ways and means of meeting the advantages which the opposition had acquired by the establishment of a party organ in the county. About this time Adolphus Kreamer had purchased a tract of land at the head of navigation of the Portage River, then in Sandusky, but now in Ottawa county, and had laid off and platted a town there, which was named Hartford, and was to become a great city. Among HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 233 other wise things, Mr. Kreamer, in order to make known the existence of the future city of Hartford, had determined to start a newspaper there, and had obtained for that purpose a printing press and type for a newspaper and moved them from Toledo to Hartford. It was an old and second-hand press, as was also the ma terial. Mr. Kreamer was a good Demo crat, and Hartford was then in the bounds of the county. The newspaper material had lain there some time but the paper did not make its appearance. A financial crisis occurred, and the sale of town lots in a wilderness, as Hartford was at that time, was cut off and the future prospects of the embryo town were shadowed by thick, dark clouds. In the fall of 1837, about three months after the advent of the Lower Sandusky Times, the leaders of the Democratic party were called together for consulta tion upon the question of establishing a Democratic paper in Lower Sandusky. John Bell was perhaps foremost in this enterprise and was chairman of the meet ing. An association was formed to pur chase a press and publish a Democratic paper. Stock was liberally subscribed, and a committee appointed to visit Hart ford and endeavor to negotiate with Mr. Kreamer for his press and printing ma terial. In due time the committee re ported, and the press and printing material were finally purchased for twelve hundred dollars. The press, etc., was hauled by wagon from Hartford up the Portage River to the Maumee and Western Re serve road, and by that to Lower Sandus ky. The paper was to be published by the joint stock company, not incorporated, and was to be under the control of a committee, of which John Bell was chair man. A young printer by the name of William Davis was employed to superin tend the mechanical department, and theed- iting was to be done by anyone who wished to write for the paper, the matter subject to the admission or rejection of the com mittee. The first number of the paper, under the title of the Sandusky County Democrat, was issued in the fall of 1837. The paper was managed in this way for a year, perhaps a year and a half, when it was found not to pay expenses. The office was, during this time, on the second floor of the old building on the southwest cor ner of Front and Croghan streets, where the First National Bank now (1881) stands. The company afterward gave the publication of the paper entirely into the hands of William Davis, the printer, on his agreement to faithfully publish and edit the paper, and to keep the stockhold ers from further charges and expense. Mr. Davis took charge of the paper on these conditions, and managed it to some profit for himself until after the October election of 1838. At this election Homer Everett, then a young man not quite twenty-five years of age, was elected sheriff of the county. Everett had written for the paper during the campaign, and on his election to the office, of course, be came the dispenser of considerable adver tising patronage. For, be it remembered that the financial crisis of 1836 and 1837 produced more sheriff's sales than any period before or since in the history of the county. The stockholders by this time had be come willing to donate their subscription for the benefit of the party, if the paper could be continued without further charge upon them. There was about four hun dred dollars still due from the committee who had given their notes for the press, and they offered it to Mr. Davis if he would print the paper and pay that sum, or keep the signers harmless from the notes. On these conditions Everett and Davis bought the paper in the fall of 1838, or early in 234 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the year 1839. From this time Everett & Davis published the Sandusky County Democrat until 1842, when they dissolved, and at which time Everett was admitted to the bar, and entered the practice of the law in partnership with Nathaniel B. Eddy. Mr. Davis continued to publish the paper until some time in the year 1842, when he sold it to Charles J. Orton, who, for a time, had sole charge of it, after which Edward F. Dickinson bought an interest in the paper, and it was published a while by the firm of Orton & Dickinson, who transferred it to John Flaugher. Mr. Flaugher was a high-minded, honorable man, and a true Democrat, but his views on slavery and the war of the Rebellion were not satisfactory to the anti-war and pro-slavery portion of the Democratic party, who gave it a rather poor support and the paper lost patronage and influence. In fact, as early as 1856, during the great discussion over the extension of slavery, the leaders of the extreme pro-slavery por tion of the Democrats of the county started another paper, which drew off a large part of the patronage formerly enjoyed by the Sandusky County Democrat, and it had a hard struggle for life until, sometime in the spring of 1856, Mr. Flaugher sold the press and materials of the Democrat to Isaac M. Keeler, and the publication of the paper caused the radical pro-slavery Democrats of the county, who were dis satisfied with the principles advocated by the Democrat, to combine and bring about the establishment, in 1856, of THE DEMOCRATIC MESSENGER. This paper was started in 1856, under the editorial control of Jacob D. Botefur, who came from Boston. Mr. Botefur suc cessfully conducted the paper for several years, but he had been reared where De mocracy was composed of men of different characteristics from those of Sandusky county. Although his Democracy was radi cal enough, he did not understand the men tal and moral condition, or tastes of those who 'supported the Messenger, and it was thought best for the party to put the paper in charge of men to the manor born, and Mr. Botefur accordingly sold out and retired from the editorial charge of the Messenger, and it passed to the hands and control of John B. B. Dickinson. After managing the paper for "some time suc cessfully, and with more talent than the paper before had shown, he was willing to retire from the charge of the paper, and sold it to Messrs. Tohn and Frank Foulke brothers, and young men of some literary aptness, but of too romantic proclivities to make a solid Democratic paper. The Foulke Brothers, after a short experiment, failed to please the Democracy, and failed financially. 'this condition of things resulted in a transfer of the press and materials for the printing of the Democratic Messenger to Mordecai P. Bean, who assumed the edit orship and publication of the paper. For a time Mr. Bean conducted the paper and gave it considerable party popularity, but the patronage declined and the party then placed the paper in charge of J. S. Van Valkenburg, who conducted it until about the ist day of April, 1872, when the estab lishment passed to the control of James M. Osborne, who had been a partner with Van- Valkenburg about one year before, and who took charge as editor and publisher. Since Mr. Osborn took charge of the paper it has been a well-conducted politi cal journal, thoroughly and decidedly Democratic. It is well received as the organ of the Democracy of the county. The Messenger office has a steam power- press, and a large job office attached, which is doing a thriving business aside from the patronage of the county officials, who are all of the Messenger's political party. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 235 THE FREMONT COURIER. This is a weekly paper published in Fremont, in the German language, to sup ply the reading wants of a large, indus trious, and intelligent portion of the in habitants of Sandusky county. The Courier was founded and first published in Fremont, March 10, 1859, by Dr. Ferdinand Wilmer, a German physician by birth and education. Dr. Wilmer was a man of much learning, a ready translator of the English and German languages, and became at once, through his paper, the ad vocate of the most extreme party measures of the Democratic organization. Dr. Wil mer was not a practical printer, and Mr. George Homan was the printer of the Courier until the 14th of June, i860, when Mr. Homan withdrew from the firm, and Dr. Wilmer assumed' sole control of the paper until August 28, 1862, at which time Mr. Paul Knerr took charge of the mechanical department of the office. Dr. Wilmer, however, continued as editor un til the 6th day of November, 1862, when he sold the office to George Homan. It was during the day of the 18th of April, 1 86 1, when the excitement pro duced by the Rebellion was kindling into flame, and many patriotic Democrats were going into the service to fight for the Union, that one forenoon the Fremont Courier, printed that day, fell into the hands of Frederick Fabing, a prominent German citizen of Fremont and a thor oughly patriotic man at heart. Mr. Fabing read and translated an editorial article to the bystanders. The Courier was, at the time spoken of, printed in the third story of what is now known as White's block, cor ner of Front and Croghan streets. The effect of this article in the Courier so well illustrates the temper of the times, that we give it as a part of the history of the Courier, as well as to show to future generations the true state of feeling at that memorable time. This can not better be done than by a simple and brief narration of what followed Mr. Fabing's interpreta tion of the Courier's article. In thirty minutes after the nature of the article was made known by Fabing, Front and Croghan streets, facing the Courier office, were filled with men. There were men with set teeth, and pale countenances, and eyes that expressed unutterable in dignation ; in fact, the whole crowd, num bering from five hundred to a thousand determined and angry men, had congre gated under the windows of the office. One of the most pallid countenances in that crowd was our cool, level-minded fellow- citizen, Stephen Buckland, as patriotic a man as the city contained, and it contained many good ones. As he saw the crowd swelling and every moment becoming more threatening, he secured a location on the northwest corner of Front and Croghan streets. Colonel R. P. Buckland and Charles O. Tillotson took a position about half way up the outside stair leading to the Courier office. When the storm was about to burst, and a movement of the crowd, and the utter ances from below indicated a rush up stairs, with threats looking to the destruc tion of the office, and to serious personal injury, if not the life of the editor of the Courier, Stephen Buckland mounted a railing running along the street, near the northwest corner of Front and Croghan streets, and holding by an awning post, called the meeting to order, saying, that if the paper had done wrong, as was claimed, he was in favor of doing all that was fair to suppress it. "True,'' said he "the paper can speak to thousands while by our words we can speak to few. Now," said Mr. Buckland, "we must not do anything un manly or rash. I move that Judge John L. Green be chosen chairman of this meeting, that we may deliberate in an 236 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. orderly manner." The crowd listened, and Mr. Green was chosen chairman. This firm and manly stand by Mr. Buckland had the desired effect. A com mittee was chosen, consisting of William E. Haynes, Charles O. Tillotson, Doctor Robert S. Rice, and Jacob Snyder, who were at once' petmitted to pass up the stairs to perform the duty assigned them. In less than five minutes alter the com mittee passed Tillotson and R. P. Buck- land on the stairs, a window of the Courier office was raised, and the whole edition ol the Courier, containing the offensive ar ticle, came whirling down like leaves upon the pavement. The papers were carefully piled near the middle of the street, and every one burned to ashes. None of the edition had been sent beyond the city limits, and the angry multitude was satis fied when the committee announced fiom the window that the whole edition was destroyed, and the type which printed the offensive article distributed, and that the paper would print no more articles to prevent the enlistment of men in the Union army. The following is the translation of the offensive article, which appeared as edito rial in the Courier of April 18, 1861 : The Union in its past proportions is irrevocably lost. The Republicans will be answerable at the judgment seat of history for the annihilation of the freest republic in the world, and the curse of the op pressed, whom they have robbed of the last place of refuge, and last hope that could become their part. The Republicans are now everywhere calling meet ings of all citizens, irrespective of party, to devise means how to support the Government. They suc ceed in their ruse to get some easily deceived Demo crats into their trap. We caution all our Democratic friends to take no active part in such meetings, for after the first heat of the excitement is over, they will repent of having been caught in such a dull way. The next day, April 19, 1861, the Fre mont Journal published the foregoing in terpretation of the Courier's article, with the following comment: When the liberty-loving citizens of our town and vicinity, without distinction of party, understood the above, their indignation knew no bounds. They at once secured an American flag and took it to that office, and saw that it was flung to the breeze from out of the window. The edition of the Courier, which had just been printed, was destroyed, and the editor requested to issue an extra, both in the English and German lan guage, giving some explanation of his treasonable and palpably false article, which he did. DOCTOR WILMER'S CARD. A CARD TO THE PUBLIC. — An article which ap peared in my paper of this morning, it seems, has created an immense excitement in our town. But few papers have been circu ated, the balance of the edition has been destroyed. I declare to the public, upon my honor as a man, that it never has been, and is not now, my intention to write or publish a word, or to commit any action, against the General or State Government, or advise it to be done by others. F. Wilmer. Isaac M. Keeler was, at the time spoken of, when this affair occurred, editor of the Fiemont Journal, and appended to Dr. Wilmer's card in his paper, the following fair and manly editorial comments: The above explanation seems to have satisfied the people. We do not think Mr. Wilmer is a seces sionist, or that he really had any intention of injur ing the Government, but that he has permitted the partisan to get the upper hand of his patriotism. Let us all now throw aside party feeling, and unite in an endeavor to save the country at this serious crisis of its existence. Neither party, nativity, or sect, should now stand in the way of a hearty union of the peo ple for putting down treason and rebellion, and of restoring peace and civil liberty to the whole country. Mr. Homan continued the publication of the Courier until July, 1865. He, however, labored under some disadvan tages, arising from the war, and the posi tion he had taken on that question. He therefore concluded to discontinue the publication of the paper, and its issue was suspended for a period of about eighteen months, when Messrs. Anthony Young and Paul Knerr bought the office, and re-commenced the Courier, which again appeared. In 1867 Mr. Young sold his interest in the paper to Mr. Knerr, who remained the sole owner until HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 237 1870, in which year Dr. Wilmer, who all the time edited the paper, became a partner with Mr. Knerr. Dr. Wilmer stood thus connected with the paper until his death, which took place on the 17th of July, 1879. Mr. Joseph Zimmerman, an editor from Cleveland, at once took charge of the editorial management of the paper. Mr. Knerr, meantime, bought of Dr. Wilmer's widow the interest his estate held in the paper, and continued to be sole proprietor of the Courier until July 1, 1 88 1, at which date Mr. Zimmerman, by purchase, became sole proprietor of the concern, and so remains sole editor and proprietor of the paper. The Courier is now doing well. Mr. Zimmerman is a fine writer, as well as a gentleman of winning manners, whose management and talents will make the Courier welcome to the German reading citizens of the county and elsewhere. While thoroughly Democratic, Mr. Zim merman is not of that bitter partisan nature which will make his paper odious to his opponents; on the other hand, he is a gentleman of such broad views and intelligence, that no doubt the paper will prosper under his management. THE CLYDE TIMES. Mr. Joseph C. Loveland has the honor of making the first attempt to establish a newspaper at Clyde. He issued the Clyde Times in April, 1866, sold it in 1867 to J. M. Lemmon and Mr. Notly, who con tinued the publication about one year, and sold out to parties from Elmore, in Ottawa county, who moved the press and material away. THE CLYDE NEWS was the next paper printed in Clyde. It was started by Clark Brothers, from Be- rea, in 1868. Six months afterwards one of the brothers died and the printing of the paper was for a time suspended. In the fall of the year 1868, George E. Sweetland & Brothers bought the material and resumed the publication of the paper. In 1869 H. H. Sweetland became the sole owner, and for a time published the paper; then L. D. Sweetland bought an interest in the business. The two Sweetland brothers last named carried on the paper until 1870, when it was discontinued for want of support. THE CLYDE INDEPENDENT. This paper was started by W. W. White in 1870, who conducted it until 1874, when he sold the paper, and material for printing it, to F. J. Tuttle, on whose hands the paper lost patronage and died within a year. Mr. White emigrated to Canada, and, after his departure it was revealed that he had so badly dealt with the patrons of the paper as to ruin it, hence the chief cause of its failure in the hands of Mr. Tuttle. THE CLYDE REVIEW. In 1873 Mr. George E. Sweetland re turned to Clyde and commenced the pub lication of the Clyde Review, and carried it on until August, 1877, when he sudden ly removed the press and material, and himself also, to the State of Michigan, and the publication of the Review was discontinued. In August, 1881, Mr. Sweetland came back to Clyde and re- sumedthe publication of the Review, be ginning where he left off in 1877. It is a small sheet, printed in an amateur office owned by William Frederick, publisher of an insurance paper, Mr. Sweetland having no office or printing material of his own. THE CLYDE SENTINEL. In the winter of 1874-75 A. D. Ames, who was publishing a paper at Green Spring, came to Clyde and began the publication of the Clyde Sentinel. George J. Holgate afterwards became his partner, and, in company with his brother, R. P. 238 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Holgate, subsequently bought the paper and material. The Sentinel was discon tinued in May, 1880, when it became merged in the CLYDE ENTERPRISE. The Enterprise was established in March, 1878, by Mr. H. F. Paden, with whom H. N. Lay was a partner until May, 1880, and A. D. Kinney from that date until July, 1881. In May, 1880, as above mentioned, the Clyde Sentinel was discontinued as a distinct publication, and its material and subscription list trans ferred to the Enterprise. The Enterprise, under the management of Mr. Paden, has become a public favorite. He wields a free, graceful, and fluent pen, and is a genial gentleman, of straight-out Republi can principles, though courteous to oppo nents when duty will permit him to be so. The Enterprise under his editorial control has obtained a much larger circulation than any former paper of Clyde, and seems to rest on a solid foundation, not only financially, but in public favor. While we acknowledge ourselves under obliga tion for much information concerning the press at Clyde, we must clear him of ego tism by saying that the favorable com ments on Mr. Paden and his paper are made by the writer, and must not be at tributed to himself. THE PRESS OF BELLEVUE. Although the wealthy, pleasant village of Bellevue is not wholly within Sandusky county, it may be interesting to some of the people of the county to have the his tory of the whole press of that place put on record in this work, and we therefore do so. The first venture .was made by G. W. Hopkins, in the fall of 1851. He opened an office in the old Howard house — now defunct — on Monroe street, and issued THE BELLEVUE GAZETTE, with the still more pretentious title of Huron, Seneca, Erie, and Sandusky Ad vertiser, having a spread eagle at its mast head, bearing a scroll with "open to all" emblazoned upon it. The paper was a five-column folio, in coarse type, devoted to current news and the ventilation of such ideas as contributors were ambi tious to furnish. C. C. Cook, at present deputy postmaster, served in the ca pacity of "devil," thus being the first "printer's devil." His most vivid re membrance is that of his duty to ink the forms on an old wooden Franklin press — a duty with little sentiment and no poetry to allure him on to continued service. The people felt disposed to give the paper a fair support, but its editor was a victim to that human bane — strong drink; so, after a brilliant but brief career of six months, the fledgeling perished. In April of 1861, Mr. O. B. Chapman opened a printing office in Squire's block, corner of Main and Sandusky streets, and issued THE BELLEVUE INDEPENDENT, a seven-column folio, devoted to general and local news. This was the first year of the great rebellion, and it would seem that the stirring events of those times would furnish the necessary pabulum to make it a success. But it continued only a short time, and then perished for rea sons not now apparent. We now come to consider the first suc cessful paper established in the village — one to which the town is largely indebted for many of its most valued improve ments, being always intensely devoted to the welfare of the place and the advocacy of such public works and measures as would secure its greatest prosperity. We therefore think its editor worthy of more than a passing notice. Mr. E. P. Brown says of himself that he was born at Oxford, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 239 Ohio, March 5, 1842, of distressingly poor but outrageously honest parents, and claims that the laws of hereditary trans mission have not, therefore, allowed him a fair chance. His early life was one of toil, with little advantage in the way of education, an old darkey preacher being his best tutor, but was successful in ob taining a "sheepskin" in a public school and valedictory honors. He learned the trade of printer in the office of the Oxford Citizen at the age of fourteen, when he obtained employment in a Cincinnati job office. He enlisted in the Thirteenth Ohio volunteer infantry at Urbana, Ohio, in 1861, and fought the enemies of his country for two years, lacking a week, serving in all the engagements of that regi ment until the battle of Shiloh, when a rebel bullet between the eyes placed him hors du combat. He was left for dead, and was thus reported, and had the pleas ure of reading his own obituary, contain ing much of a laudatory nature, a privilege seldom accorded the human family; but subsequent events show him to be an ex ceedingly lively corpse. His wound gave him an honorable discharge from the Thirteenth, but he finally re-entered the army in the one hundred day's service as substitute for a Dutchman, in the One Hundred and sixty-seventh regiment, re ceiving three hundred dollars therefor. After the close of the war Mr. Brown casually made the acquaintance of William L. Meyers, of the Tiffin Tribune, who proved a fast, firm friend, and proposed that, since Bellevue was an excellent place to establish a paper, they embark together in the enterprise. They did so, but at the end of the first six weeks Mr. Meyers be came discouraged and sold his interest to his partner for four hundred and fifty dol lars, on a year's time. Mr. Brown him self had had but two years' experience in editorial work, and never managed an office on his own responsibility, hence he entered upon it with fear and trembling, almost certain he would fail inside the first six months. The outfit of type was purchased of the Franklin foundry, amount ing to eight hundred and twenty-three dollars. A six-column Washington hand press and a half-medium Wells' jobber was purchased second hand of other par ties, for two hundred and thirty-seven dollars. This comprised the outfit. On Saturday, August 10, 1867, the first num ber of THE BELLEVUE GAZETTE saw the light. The interest taken by the business men in the success of the paper is shown by the material aid they accorded it. C. A. Willard, a leading business man, solicited all the subscriptions. Business men pledged one thousand two hundred dollars, deposited in Sinclair's bank, to be paid at the first issue, and taken in adver tising during the first year, which was con scientiously done, and made the capital used by the energetic, intelligent, and careful management of Mr. Brown, insur ing success. At the time the first number was print ed, an all-absorbing interest gathered around the press. Indeed, the room was full, and as the clean, handsome twenty- four-column sheet was taken off the press, Mr. Willard's rhapsody was beyond ex pression. Peter Brady, present village mayor, was present, and as deeply inter ested as any until, in looking over the churqh notices, the blunder was discovered of dubbing him Rev. Peter Brady, pastor of the Catholic church. This was too much, and any idea that the editor may have had that Mr. Brady was a member of the clerical profession was immediately dispelled then and there. Proper correc tion being made, the printing of the edi tion proceeded. 240 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Under Mr. Brown's careful manage ment and the fulfillment of every anticipa tion the citizens may have had as to the benefits the village would derive from the paper, it proved an unbounded success, and all fears on his part of a failure were dispelled like clouds before the morning sun. In the course of the next three years Mr. Brown purchased a Hoe cylinder rail road press at a bargain, one which origi nally belonged to Dan Rice, and was used to print his show bills. This enabled him to branch out in the business. He, there fore, engaged in furnishing ready-prints for other offices, and introduced steam. Busi ness increased on his hands until Mr. Aiken, the originator of the ready-print method of publishing newspapers, made him a very advantageous offer to accept the management of a new establishment in Cincinnati, which he did, and ultimately became, as he is now, the sole proprietor — only another example of what pluck, en ergy, and good management will do. Mr. E. J. Hammer bought the Gazette when Mr. Brown went to Cincinnati, en tering upon its management July 1, 1874. Mr. Hammer was not a large man, but had large ideas, aspiring to greater things than the conduct of a one-horse country pa per. Although that was very well done, yet his more ambitious views led him to unite with Geogre B. Pratt to start the Norwalk Chronicle, which, being a county paper, was a step, at least, in the direction of ex celsior. He finally turned the Gazette over to his father, Rev. George Hammer, of Van Wert, Ohio. The old gentleman, though very kindly disposed, had little or no practical skill in the publishing busi ness, hence found it an elephant on his hands. In the spring of 1877, he sold it to Messrs. C. D. Stoner and S. C. Thomp son, under whose care the paper throve, finding a cordial, generous support among the people of the community, whose at tachment for an old friend was proof against mismanagement of the former pro prietors, as well as the machinations of enemies. In the fall of 1879 Mr. Thomp son retired from the paper, and C. D. Stoner conducted it until the following year, when he associated with himself Mr. C. R. Callighan, a promising young man, under the firm name of Stoner & Callig han, who continue the publication with a fair degree of success. At the time, Mr. E. J. Hammer had started the Chronicle, and therefore con templated the sale of the Gazette, as well as removal to Norwalk, H. F. Baker, son of Hiram Baker, one of the early pioneer settlers in Lyme township, proposed to buy it, but, unable to agree upon the price, he decided to purchase new material and start another paper. He had really no experience in the printing business, but his son, H. L. Baker, had mastered some of the intricacies of the trade in the Gazette office, and having a natural tact for it, they together hoped to make their venture a success. This determination was acted upon ; an office was opened in the new Union block, and on Thursday, October 21, 1875, tne nrst number of THE BELLEVUE LOCAL NEWS was issued. The paper flourished from the start. Being managed with full ayer- age ability, and by those brought up in the community, well versed in all its lore, it represents the local interests of the town with greater intensity than any other has been able to do. In April, 1878, Mr. Baker purchased the old Burlington stone building, contiguous to the new city hall, and tearing down the old front, rebuilt of brick in the same style of the city hall, which together make as fine a block among the many fine business houses as the town can boast. The proprietors put steam presses and engine into their new quarters and are conducting a flourishing business. . __ — The McPherson Monument at Clyde, Ohio. CHAPTER XXII. MILITARY HISTORY. The War of I8I2— Mexican War— Volunteers of the ments Recruited in whole or War of the Rebellion, with Brief Histories of Regi" in part in Sandusky County. THE war of the Revolution was history, the Indian wars in which Wayne's memorable campaign occurred, the mem orable battles at sea, the battles of Tippe canoe and the Thames under Harrison, the last gun fired by Jackson at New Or leans had .ceased to reverberate, Packen- ham had surrendered, and the War of S812 brought to a glorious termination by American valor, before Sandusky county, as a civil and political organization, came into existence. Although the county was not organized until several years after the close of the War of 1812, a number of the soldiers of that war were pioneer settlers and aided in the organization. Amongst these we are able to give the following names, not doubting that there were others whose names cannot now be obtained. Among those soldiers of the war with England ;ommonly designated as the War of 181 2, who are known to have been here when the county was organized, we give the fol lowing: David Gallagher, Jeremiah Ever ett, Thomas L. Hawkins, Charles B. Fitch, Captain Jonathan H. Jerome, Israel Harrington, Josiah Rumery, and James Justice. The county, however, embraces ground rendered memorable by the War of 1812, p.nd such localities as Fort Stephenson, in the present city of Fremont, and Ball's battle ground, in Ballville township, are places of which our people are proud, and from which they still inhale the inspiration of true patriotism. The war with Mexico offered the citizens of the county their first opportunity to display their zeal in the military service of the country. In the spring of 1847, a company of infantry was promptly recruited by Captain Samuel Thompson, a veteran who was wounded in the battle of Lundy's Lane, in the War of 181 2. The members of this company were : COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Samuel Thompson. First Lieutenant Isaac Knapp. Second Lieutenant George M. Tillotson. Second Lieutenant Lewis Leppelman. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Orderly Sergeant Isaac Swank. Sergeant Thomas Pinkerton. Sergeant Michael Wegstein. Sergeant James R. Francisco. Corporal John Williams. Corporal John M. Crowell. Corporal Benjamin Myers. Corporal Edward Leppelman. Musician Charles Everett. Musician Grant Forgerson. PRIVATES. William Scothorne, David Beery, C. D. Bishop, David Mowry, Joseph Stout, John Quinn, David Sane, David Beagel, John Beagel, Charles Faught, Charles Dennis, Samuel Faught, Timothy Wilcox, Franklin Dirlam, Frank Rathbun, Hosea Maxham, Henry McMillen, George A. Wheeler, Byron Wheel er, David Westfall, Albert Stinson, W. L. Engst, George Smith, Henry Swint, Sebastian Smith, John Deterly, Christian Steblin, Jacob Gugle, Jacob Ful ler, Alexander Hartdrink, G. F. Wisner, L. D. Bunce, John Linebaugh, Darwin Clark, David Morton, Mar-. tin Zeigler, George Newman, William Parrish, Elias Shawl, Lewis Barkimer, Levi Hufford, Holly New ton, Elias Lowens, John McConnel, Samuel Hartly, John Stull, David Garret, Monroe Coffin, Erastus Honeywell, John G. Bartow, John J. Clark, Henry Lovejoy, Evan Davis, George Beem, Barzillia Inman, Holly Seeley, Theodore Fitzgerald, Frank Robbins, Charles Michael, Jacob Vanny, John Davis, John Fabing, James Van Pelt, Henry Fisher, Daniel Ben- ' der, George W. Jiershner, Frederick Grider, Fred- 24! 242 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. erick Weiker, Jacob Sabley, Lewis Newcomer, Pat rick Dougherty, Richard Cowper, Thomas Mason, Charles Cook, Charles Fitch. After Captain Thompson had enlisted the required number of men for his com pany, he was ordered to report at Cincin nati.- The company travelled by wagons from Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, to Perrysburg, where canal-boats were fur nished for their further movement. Thence they were transported through the Miami Canal to Cincinnati on the' same boats. They arrived at Cincinnati in due time, and in June, 1847, were mustered into service in the Fourth regiment of Ohio Volunteers, then forming in that city. The Fourth regiment of Ohio Volun teer Infantry, of which this company, C, now formed a part, were : Colonel Charles H. Brough. Lieutenant-Colonel Augustus Moore. Major William P. Young. Surgeon Oliver M. Langdon. Assistant Surgeon Henry E. Foote. The regiment was transported by steam boat down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to a place called Carleton, eight miles above New Orleans. From New Orleans the regiment was transported by steamer to Brazos Santiago, Texas, thence it marched to - the mouth of the Rio Grande River. From the mouth of the the Rio Grande the regiment moved by water transportation to Matamoras; thence to Vera Cruz, where the regiment was in corporated into, and became part of Brevet Major-General Joseph Lane's brigade. At Vera Cruz Captain Thompson re turned home, on account of age and dis ability, and from that time the command of the company devolved upon Lieuten ant Knapp through the entire war. The company, with the brigade, left Vera Cruz on the afternoon of Sunday, September 19, 1847. At this time Gen eral Lane's brigade consisted of a battery of five pieces from the Third regiment United States artillery, under Captain George Taylor, also a battery of two pieces from the Second artillery, under First Lieutenant Henry C. Pratt, Lewis's cav alry, Simon's battalion, Fourth regiment Indiana volunteer infantry, and Fourth regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry, com manded by Colonel Charles H. Brough. A part of the road between Vergara and Puentade Marino, lay through sand ridges almost destitute of verdure, and the sol diers were obliged to push the artillery carriages up many of the steep ascents, on account of the large, deep ruts which had been formed. General Lane and his staff accompanied the brigade. About night-fall the brigade halted for the night at a little hamlet called Santa Fe. Here were found signs of the ravages of war, in the blacked and charred remains of the beautiful little hamlet. It had been the scene of a fight on the 25th of March, 1.847, between Harney, with his dragoons, and a body of Mexicans. At this place the command camped for the night. The brigade marched thence with vari ous interesting incidents, to the National h/ridge. This bridge is an ancient struc ture, and a brief description of it will be interesting to the general reader, and especially so to those who have an in terest in what the volunteers from San dusky saw on their march, as well as where they went. The National bridge of Mex ico is a magnificent structure, and crosses the Rio Antaiqua, a swift stream which rises near the base of Mount Orizaba, and rests on a number of arches. The mason ry is of the most durable character. It was finished in the year 1776, and at that date, 1847,. near three-quarters of a cen tury after its completion, showed no sign of decay or displacement. At the middle of the bridge is a monument giving the date of its commencement and its com pletion, and by it are stone seats for weary HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 243 travellers. There is a strong wall on each side of the bridge, running the whole length of it, which is between three and four feet high. Midway between the east and west ends of the bridge there is a high rocky eminence on which a fort was built by the Mexican empire. The bridge was formerly called Puente del Rey, or the Bridge of the King, but after Mexico became a republic the name was changed to Puenta Nacional, or National Bridge, and was a point of great military impor tance during the revolutions in Mexico. This bridge, with surrounding scenery, travelers say without doubt forms one of the most sublime landscapes in Mexico. The brigade of which the San dusky volunteers formed a part, arrived at the National bridge about the 23d of September, 1847. The bridge was then under the control of the American forces, but the possession of it had cost several severe struggles and the loss of more than a hundred brave men. Finally Colonel Hughes, in command of a battalion of Maryland, District of Columbia troops, after a hard struggle obtained possession of the fort at the summit of the rocky ele vation, and thenceforward there was no more trouble from that fort. This action took place on the 9th of September, and about two weeks before General Lane's brigade arrived at that point. The ascent of this eminence, which was necessary to dislodge the Mexicans, was, if possible, more difficult than that of Lookout Mountain. Historians say that the only way the men could get up, was to pull themselves up by clinging to the roots and branches of the shrubs which covered the rocks on the sides of the steep acclivity. The brigade pushed forward, passing the battle ground of Cerro Gordo, and reach ing the city of Jalapa on the afternoon of the 30th of September, 1847. Although it would be interesting to de scribe minutely the marches, incidents, country, and scenery through which our Sandusky boys passed, still such narration would involve a portion of the history of the Mexican War, and would hardly be perti nent to our history of the county — still, to show the true state of affairs, and why Lane's brigade was urged on to Pueblo, it is proper to say, that when General Scott advanced upon the city of Mexico, which is seventy miles from Pueblo, he left Colonel Childs, of the artillery, at Pueblo with a body of men to guard the city, and protect the sick who were in the hospitals to the number of eighteen hundred men. The force left under the command of Colonel Childs numbered in all three hun dred and ninety-three men. The cured from the hospitals afterward swelled this force to the number of fourteen hundred effective men. Everything was quiet about Pueblo while Scott was fighting at the city of Mexico, but as soon as the Mexicans there were overcome, they turned their attention toward Pueblo. On the 24th of Septem ber a large body of Mexicans came into Pueblo, and commenced the siege of that place which lasted until the 12th of Octo ber, when General Lane arrived with his column. On the 22d of September, 1847, Santa Anna arrived at Pueblo from Mexico, with a considerable force, and assumed com mand of the Mexican forces, which at this time amounted to eight thousand men. Childs was summoned to surrender, but politely declined to do so, saying that Americans were not inclined to do such things. And he did not surrender, but held the fort until the arrival of Lane with his brigade, which, after a fight in the streets of Pueblo, drove the Mexicans away, and relieved Colonel Childs. The Fourteenth Ohio regiment re- 244 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. mained at Pueblo until after the treaty with Mexico was ratified. On the 2d of June, 1848, the regiment left Pueblo on the return home. They reached Cin cinnati in the latter part of July, where they were discharged, and Company C, homeward bound, travelled to Tiffin by railroad, thence to Fremont by wagons, to be warmly and thankfully received by their friends. Although the company lost few in battle, there were few sound men in the ranks when they reached home. Nearly all were greatly enfeebled by the diseases incident to Mexico and army life, and chronic diarrhoea carried off a number after reaching home, and enfeebled many dur ing the remainder of life. Captains Amon C. Bradley and J. A. Jones also recruited a number of men in Sandusky county for the Mexican war. It has been ascertained that the following named were enlisted in the company of Captain Jones, whose company, however, was chiefly composed of men from Huron county, their headquarters being at Nor walk: Matthew H. Chance, JohnStahl, George Momeny, John Griffin, Nathan Griffin. The following other named men were volunteers from Sandusky county, and went into service, but whether in Captain Bradley's or Captain Jones' company, cannot be determined by the information within our reach, to wit : Jesse Herbster, Ephraim Herbster, Amos Crain, Frederick Noss, Michael Oberst, Amos Cumings, Aitkin Morton, George Fater, George Parrish, Joseph' F. Francis, Henry S. Francisco, and Andrew Kline. THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. The election of Abraham Lincoln in i860, gave offense to the leading statesmen of the South. The baneful teachings of Calhoun had planted deeply and widely in the minds of the Southern people the political heresy that the several States of the Union were each sovereign, and had the right to secede, and to be the judge of their cause for seceding, and when they might respect ively exercise the right. Not only did this doctrine prevail in the South, but the Northern Democracy, under the same, had for years given at least tacit assent to the teachings of Calhoun as the true theory of our Government. The Republican party rejected this theory, and claimed that we were a Nation, that for National purposes the Government of the United States must necessarily be supreme and the States subordinate. The right and wrong of slavery in the Southern States, and the question of its extension into the territories which were soon to become States, had for years been debated in Congress, by the press of the country, by orators on the stump, and by lecturers on the platform, until the public mind had become profoundly agi- tatedjjon the subject, both North and South. The election of Abraham Lincoln dem onstrated that the institution of slavery could not be extended, and Southern statesmen whose influence had dominated the Government so long, saw plainly that without an extension of their peculiar institution, their power was destined to pass away, and that the sentiment of freedom would dominate in all depart ments of the Government. They clearly foresaw that such a condition, coupled with the growing and aggressive anti-slavery sen timent in the free States, would not only take from them the ascendency in the Government and the benefits of its pat ronage, but threatened the very existence of their own peculiar institution of slavery in the States where it existed. Hence, we see, political convictions, State pride, love of power, and a tremendous force of self interest in the ownership of slaves, all converging to drive them to the terrible resort of a conflict of armed force. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 24S It is unnecessary heie to recite all the steps taken by the enemies of the Union anterior to the inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Fort Moultrie, when surrounded by scowling, deadly foes too numerous to be re sisted, had been wisely abandoned by Ma jor Anderson, who was compelled to trans fer his feeble force to Fort Sumter in the night of December 26, i860. John B. Floyd, Secretary of War, had resigned his post on the 29th of the same month. Jacob Thompson, Secretary of the Inte rior, had left his post with a heavy defalca tion of eight hundred and seventy thou sand dollars in his department. The Star of the West, carrying rein forcements and supplies to Major Ander son at Fort Sumter, had been fired upon by the rebels and compelled to turn back. General Twiggs,commanding the United States military forces in Texas, had, on the 23d of February, i860, treacherously, traitorously, turned over to the State of rebellious Texas, all the forces under his command, being nearly half the then reg ular army of the United States, with all the property and military stores in that State, amounting to near two millions of dollars in value. The ship Star of the West, which, after its return from the abortive attempt to re inforce and provision Fort Sumter, was dispatched, laden with supplies for the army of the frontier, went into the harbor of Indianola unsuspicious of the extent of the rebellion, and became an easy prey to the exultant rebels. The defensive fortifications located with in the seceded States, mounting over three thousand guns, and having cost more than twenty millions of dollars, had been seized and appropriated by the Confederates — all under the eyes of President Buchanan, without a hand raised to prevent the rob bery of the Nation, or to punish treason to the Government. There it no doubt but the naturally weak President, by accepting the doc trines of Calhoun, and by pledges to administer the Government according to the requirements of Southern statesmen, was fettered and bound hand and foot, and all his powers to save the Union were paralyzed. Hence he stood stupid, amazed, and hepless while the Union was crumbling, betrayed, and robbed, and an opposing confederacy formed with the purpose of overthrowing the Constitution of the fathers, and subjugating the North by armed force. While the later events above noticed were being enacted, and on the nth of Febru ary, 1 86 1, Abraham Lincoln left his home at Springfield, Illinois, for Washington City. The story of his journey, how the peo ple honored him on the way, how at Harris- burg his friends, having good ground to believe he would be assassinated at Balti more if he should pass through there at the appointed time, started him on his journey through that city twenty-four hours in advance of the contemplated time, that - he should escape from the assas sins lying in wait for their opportunity ; Ijow he arrived at Washington; how he was inaugurated, his pleading with the rebels to desist and accept his most gen erous offers for peace consistent with the existence of the Union, are all too familiar to' the people to need particularizing here. On the 15th of April, 1861, President Lincoln issued his proclamation for seventy-five thousand volunteer militia to be furnished by the several States accord ing to population. The apportionment to Ohio was thitteen regiments, of seven hundred and eighty men each. The intelligent people of Sandusky county had watched all the events preced ing this proclamation, with a burning, pat- 246 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. riotic indignation. And now, when this proclamation came to them, they fairly leaped into the service. The first oppor tunity offered was to form two companies of the Eighth Ohio volunteer infantry, to serve three months. Hundreds of able- bodied men of Sandusky county offered to volunteer, but the quota for Ohio was so suddenly filled that they were denied the coveted privilege of serving their country under this first call. The Eighth regiment Ohio volunteers was first organized as a three months' regi ment, at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio, and sent to Camp Dennison for equipment and drill, April 28, 1861. It was subse quently reorganized for three years, and left camp for West Virginia July 8, 1861, the following named officers and com panies having been mustered into the service : FIELD AND STAFF. Colonel Herman G. DePuy, Erie county. Lieutenant Colonel Charles A. Park, Lorain county. Major Franklin Sawyer, Huron county. Adjutant Joseph R. Swigout, Crawford county. Quartermaster Herman Reus1:, Huron county. Surgeon Benjamin Tappan, Jefferson county. Assistant Surgeon Samuel Sexton, Hamilton county. ^ Chaplain L. JSI. Freeman, Erie county. Surgeons B. Tappan, resigned; Thomas Mc- Ebright, resigned; Joseph L. Bunton. Assistant Surgeons — S. Sexton, resigned; T. Cul ver, resigned; Freeman A. Tuttle and James S. Pollock. Chaplains — Rev. L. N. Freeman, resigned, and Alexander Miller. Adjutants — Lieutenant Joseph R. Swigart, trans ferred to General Kimball's staff; Lieutenant D.ivid Lewis, promoted to captain, and Lieutenant John W. DePuy. Quartermasters — Lieutenant Herman Ruess and Lieutenant E. F. Dickinson, promoted to captain. The regiment was composed of ten companies: Company A, from Seneca county; Company B, Cleveland; Com pany C, Crawford county; Company D, Huron county; Comjiany E, Erie county; Companies F and G, Sandusky county; Company H, Medina and Lorain; Com pany I, Lorain, and Company K, Medina. Company. F was organized in Sandusky county. Captain George M. Tillotson died at Fremont, Ohio, March 4, 1863; First Lieutenant Charles M. Fouke, re signed; Second Lieutenant E. W. Cook, resigned; First Lieutenant Henry Farnum, promoted from sergeant, also promoted to captain, wounded at Gettysburg; Second Lieutenant Thomas H. Thornburgh, pro moted from sergeant, wounded at Mine Run. Company G was organized in Sandusky county. Captain William E. Haynes, pro moted to Lieutenant Colonel Tenth Ohio volunteer cavalry; First Lieutenant Ed ward F. Dickinson, promoted to captain, served as regimental quartermaster (since a member of Forty-first Congress from Ninth Congressional district of Ohio); Second Lieutenant Creighton Thompson, wounded at Antietam. The regiment left Camp Dennison for Virginia, July 8, 1861, and served in the campaign against Garnett's force; was present at an attempt on Romney, under Colonel Cantwell of the Eighty-second Ohio, at its capture under General Kelley. It was also engaged in a skirmish at Blue Gap and at Bloomey Gap. During the winter of 1861-62 it formed a part of General Lander's force, on the Upper Potomac, Patterson's Creek, and Paw Paw Tunnel. In November, 1861, Colonel DePuy and Lieutenant-Colonel Park resignedand Cap tain S. S. Carroll, of the United States Army, was appointed colonel. Major Sawyer was promoted to lieutenant-colonel, and Captain A. H. Winslow to major. Col onel Carroll was a graduate of West Point, brave, active, and devoted to his profes sion. During six weeks under his com mand, at Romney, the regiment attained a high state of proficiency in drill and tac- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 247 tics, and the esprit du corps for which it was afterwards greatly celebrated. In March, 1862, the regiment joined General Shields' division, in the Valley of the Shenandoah, and took part in the campaign against "Stonewall" Jackson ; and, on the 23d of March, in the battle of Winchester, Colonel Carroll, with part of the regiment, was at one time hotly engaged on the left of the position, losing three men killed, and receiving several balls in his clothing. Colonel Sawyer, with companies C, D, E, and H, was on the right, and charged the enemy in flank, in conjunction with the Fifth and Sixty- second Ohio. The loss in these four companies in killed and wounded was more than one-fourth the number engaged. After this battle Colonel Carroll was placed in command of a brigade, and did not again command the regiment, which was, during the balance of its service, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Sawyer, with brief exception. The regiment was at this time assigned to General Kimball's brigade, consisting of the Fourth and Eighth Ohio, Fourteenth Indiana, and Seventh Virginia. Shields' division now moved to Fred ericksburg, and left General Banks to his fate in the valley; and as soon as he had been driven back into Maryland, Shields marched back to the valley. Kimball's brigade retook Front Royal, the Eighth being in front, and Captain Haynes, of Company G, entered the town, capturing most of the force and supplies of the rebels, also capturing the famous Belle Boyd. After Shields' failure at Port Re public he was relieved, and Kimball, with his brigade, sent to join McClellan, on the James, where he arrived on the 2d of July, by steamer, and debarked at Harri son's Landing as McClellan was falling back from Malvern Hill. Immediately, under command of General Ferry, the brigade pushed out for the Chickahominy, constantly skirmishing with the enemy for several days. On the 4th of July the Eighth drove in the enemy's pickets, losing seven men killed and wounded. The regiment remained at Harrison's Landing until the line of the James River was abandoned, August 16, 1862, when, being organized with French's di vision, Sumner's corps, then and after wards known as Second Division, Second Corps, the regiment returned to Yorktown, thence to Newport News, whence, by transports, it arrived at Alexandria; thence marched to Centreville, where the retreat ing army of Pope was met. Here the corps protected the retreat of the army; supported Kearney at Chantilly, and moved on the left flank, crossing the Potomac at the chain bridge. .From this point the corps moved to the Monocacy, having a brisk skirmish, thence to South Mountain, where the corps supported Burnside, and witnessed the battle of the 15th September. The corps crossed the mountain next morning, and took position on the Antietam which it crossed early on the morning of the 17th, and attacked the enemy by divisions in front of Sharps- burg. ' .The First division, under Sedgwick, had been driven back, and our division, under French, was ordered forward, and finally carried an important position at the point of the bayonet. Kimball led his brigade gallantly to the work; not a man faltered, but the position was gained only at a loss of nearly one-half his men. But few over three hundred, rank and file, of the Eighth were present, and its loss in the battle was one hundred and sixty-two killed and wounded. Lieutenants Delany, Lantry, Bill, and Barnes were killed, and Lieutenants Shilletto Smith, company A, and Thompson, company G, each losing an eye, were carried from the field sup posed to be dead. Nine other officers 248 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. were severely wounded. Colonel Sawyer's and Adjutant Lewis' horses were both shot. Lieutenant Dickinson, then acting as quartermaster, was on the field during the day acting as aid-de-camp to General Kimball. The Fourteenth Indiana lost heavily, and in conjunction with the Eighth made a partial change of position under fire. The Seventh Virginia lost heavily also, and Colonel Oakford, One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, was killed. This regiment — One Hundred and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania — replaced the Fourth Ohio, which was at the time in convalescent camp at some distance from the battlefield. General French honored the brigade with the title of "the Gibraltar brigade." From this place the brigade was pushed rapidly to Harper's Ferry, and thence to Leesburgh, on a tedious and fruitless ex pedition. From Harper's Ferry the regi ment, with the army, marched to Falmouth, and participated in the battle of Frederieks- burgh, December 12, 1862. In this bat tle the Eighth and Fourth Ohio and First Delaware on the left, in command of Col onel Sawyer, formed a sort of forlorn hope, being ordered to drive in the pick ets and sharpshooters between the town and Marie's Hill, to cut and level the fences, etc. This was gallantly done, and the position designated taken by the troops, at a point beyond which no organ ization of troops passed during the terrible battle that followed. Captain Allen, company I, and Sergeant- Major Henthorn were killed, and seveial men were killed and wounded. Winter quarters were established at Fal mouth. General Kimball having been severely wounded was relieved from com mand. On the 10th of January, 1863, Colonel Carroll assumed command of the brigade, which he retained until wounded at the battle ofSpottsylvania, May 12,1864. The next battle was Chancellorsville. The Eighth regiment, though engaged in line of battle during the 2d, 3d, and 4th days of May, suffered but little, losing but one man killed and six wounded. Next came the Gettysburg campaign. In this battle the regiment showed con spicuous bravery. Midway between the two armies the turnpike is cut through a ridge, thus forming a good rifle-pit. This the rebels held, and from it their sharp shooters were picking off our officers and men. The Eighth was ordered to take and hold the place. Colonel Sawyer led the charge, mounted, and drove out and captured the rebels in fine style. They were soon reinforced and attempted to retake it, but were driven back with great loss. This was on the afternoon of July 2d. The loss in the regiment had been severe, but the order was to "hold the fort." At daylight on the morning of the 3d the rebels again made a determined attack, but were repulsed. About noon a tre mendous cannonade began, the shot from both a/mies passing overhead, and two of the men were killed. As soon as the artillery duel had ceased the rebel infantry began to move in force toward the line, the main body moving to our right, but three regiments confronting us. The whole regiment now remaining was drawm up in line and made a desperate charge with the bayonet as the rebel line approached, which broke and ran, leaving half its men and three battle-flags in our hands. One-half the regiment present were killed and wounded. Among the killed were Lieutenant Hayden, company H, Sergeant Kipko, company A, and Sergeant Peters, company G; among the wounded were Lieutenants Farnam and Thornburgh, com pany F, and Captains Pierce, Miller, Ried and Nickerson. The regiment, with its corps, followed up the rebels, skirmish- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 249 ing continually, to Harper's Ferry, and thence to Culpeper. At this point the regiment was relieved from the front, and sent, with other troops, to New York city, by steamer, to suppress the draft riots. This trip was, to all, a most pleasant epi sode in army life. Returning from New York the regiment joined its corps, still at Culpeper. Gen eral Lee had turned the right wing of the army and was forcing it back over the path of Pope's retreat of the year before. During the retreat the Eighth was en gaged in a severe skirmish at Auburn, and the brisk little battle at Bristow Sta tion. Colonel Carroll's horse was killed, our baggage horses captured, and several men wounded. Lee now fell back to Mine Run, and Meade, commanding our army, followed. At a skirmish near Robinson's Tavern Colonel Sawyer's horse was killed, and several men killed and wounded. The army now went into winter quar ters. On the 8th of February the Eighth participated in the skirmish at Morton's Ford, crossing the ford with the division under General Alexander Hayes. On the 3d of May, 1864, the regiment, with its corps, the Second, still com manded by General Hancock, crossed the Rapidan for the final campaign. The corps struck the enemy on the afternoon of the 5th, and the Eighth recaptured a gun just taken from Sedgwick, in which skirmish Lieutenant McKisson was wound ed. The next morning the brigade was pushed forward, and the Eighth become hotly engaged in an almost hand to hand fight. Captain Craig, commanding com pany F, was killed, and Captain Lewis, commanding company G, was danger ously wounded, his left thigh bone being shot off. Several other losses occurred. Two wounded men fell into the hands of the rebels, and were carried to Anderson- ville. Following the enemy to Spottsylva- nia the Eighth was engaged on the 9th, charging the enemy's works, with the divi sion, which was repulsed. Lieutenant Huysung and Color-bearer James Conlan, were among the severely wounded. At a little after midnight on the morn ing of the 1 2 th, the Second Corps drew out of its position, and, amid profound darkness, passed noiselessly to ' the left, with the design of attacking the enemy's right wing. By daylight we were sup posed to be in its vicinity. The Eighth Ohio and First Delaware, in command of Colonel Sawyer, were ordered forward to clear out what appeared to be a few troops in an orchard and some negro huts in front. This developed the picket line, and the whole corps was soon in motion. The Eighth joined its brigade as it came up, and the whole division, moving for ward at a quick-step, came upon a rebel brigade, which surrendered with hardly a shot, and soon received the first volley from the real rebel line. The salient, as the rebel right was re pulsed, had been struck, and the whole corps, pushing forward at a double-quick, was soon master of the rebel works. The whole corps suffered fearfully, and the loss in the Eighth was terrible. Lieuten ant Manahan, Company D, was killed; the color-bearer, Sergeant Gallagher, mor tally wounded, with manv others. Colonel Sawyer was severely wounded, at the time it was supposed mortally; Colonel Coons, Fourteenth Indiana, with other officers of his regiment, were killed; Colonel Lock- wood, Seventh Virginia, terribly wounded ; Colonel Davis, Twelfth New Jersey, the captain commanding the First Delaware, and several officers of the Fourth Ohio, all from our little brigade, lay dead around us as the smoke of the battle for a mo ment cleared away. The enemy soon rallied, and the fight went on. During 25° HISTORY OFj SANDUSKY COUNTY. the day Colonel Carroll was severely wounded and carried fiom the field. Major Winslow now assumed command of the regiment. On the 19th it partici pated in the battle of the North Anna, crossing the river under fire, and losing several men. On the 26th it was again engaged at Hanover Court House, and on the 31st at Cold Harbor, in which bat tle the loss in the regiment was twenty- four killt-d and several wounded. The regiment was not again seriously engaged, but followed the fortunes of the Second Corps to the front of Petersburg, from which place it was relieved, and re turned home, its term of enlistment hav ing expired. It arrived in Cleveland on the morning of the 3d of July, 1864, and was mustered out on the 13th, numbering less than one hundred rank and file fit for duly. The ngiment had been engaged in foi- ty-eight battles and skirmishes. It had never wavered in its duty, never had lost its position in battle, had lost, all told, but six prisoners, and they were wounded and unable to be removed' from the field. It had taken four rebel battle flags and twice its own number of prisoners. It had frequently, as a regiment, been com mended by commanding generals for its bravery, and was complimented by Gov ernor Brough as one of the best of Ohio's brave regiments. COMPANY F. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain George M. Tillotson died March 4, 1863, at Fremont, Ohio. First Lieutenant Charles M. Fouke, resigned. Second Lieutenant Edward W. Cook, resigned. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Henry A. Farnum, promoted to first lieu tenant and captain, wounded at Gettysburgh, July 3, 1863. Sergeant Thomas H. Thornburgh, promoted to second lieutenant, wounded at Gettysburgh, July 3, 1863, and at Mine Run, December 4, 1863. Sergeant James Daugherty, jr. Segeant William H. Kirk, wounded at Antietam and discharged. Sergeant Joseph A. Fry, discharged January 16, r862, for disability. Corporal Alfred M. Brown, discharged February 4, 1863, for disability. Corporal Louis Mathews, killed at Antietam, Sep tember 17, 1862. Corporal Michael Halderman, killed at Antietam. Corporal Richard Smithurst, killed at Antietam. Corporal Joseph Fisher, killed at Antietam. Corporal Edward S. Cooper. Corporal Charles A. Klegin, wounded at Chancel- lorsville. Corporal William H. Myers. PRIVATES. Charles D. Atkinson, discharged for disability; Zenus Nye, wounded at Antietam; Michael Moore, killed at Gettysburg; Philip Andrews, wounded at Gettysburg; Rudolph Arman; Noah Alspah; John Ashnell; Jonas Bosler, killed at Antietam; William Burton, died SeDtember 21, 1872; Bernard Bondeli, discharged; John A. Bonnell, wounded at Winches ter, discharged (since has been county treasurer of Wood coun ' y , Ohio) ; Willia m W. Crandal, wounded at Antietam; Frank C. Culley, discharged for disability; Anthony C. Culver, discharged for disability; Isaac C. Chamberl.iin, wounded at Antietam; Vincent Dung- heet, wounded at Chanceilorsville, May 6, 1863; John B. Davis, discharged for disability; Benjamin D. Evans, discharged for disability; Josiah Fitzgerald; Joseph Fitzgerald; John S. Fields, killed at Antietam; Matthew Freek, discharged for disability; Theodore Foster, wounded before Richmond; John D. Francis, discharged for disability; Henry Fairbanks, dis charged for disability; Thomas W. Gordon, dis charged for disability; Charles S. Grant; George Grisshaber, discharged for disability; Charles Guss, discharged for disability; Henry Graback, wounded in battle; Simon Gobble wounded in battle; John Heller; Morris Hill, wounded at Antietam and dis charged; William Jones, promoted to sergeant; Christian Jacobs; Joseph Kihm, discharged for dis ability; Josiah Linton, discharged for disability; John E. Lemon, died November 2r, 1862; Balsar Leblo, wounded at Gettysburg; Emelius J. Leppleman, discharged for disability ; Devit C. Lloyd, discharged for disability; John C. Mason, discharged for disa bility; William McBride; William Mullen, killed at Fredericksburgh, December, 1862; William Miller; George W. Myers, wounded at Winchester; Anthony Magram, killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; Sophery Mayram; Jacob H. Milburn; Rufus M. Norton, wounded at Wilderness and Spottsylvania; James Olds, killed at Antietam; Samuel Paden, wounded at Cold Harbor; John Pepfer, discharged; W. S. Palmeter, killed at Antietam ; Eurotus A. Pel- ton, discharged; Francis B. Reynolds, killed at Antie tam; Julius Reynolds, killed at Antietam; James HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 251 Richmond, killed at Spottsylvania, May 12, 1864; George Saur, wounded at Gettysburg; Martin A. Shrenk, promoted to ordnance sergeant ; Eli Stanley, discharged; Emanuel Smith, wounded at Antietam and discharged; John Teel, wounded in Wilderness; Charles Taylor wounded at Fredericksburgh and dis charged; William A. Wilson, wounded at Gettys burg; Louis Zimmerman, wounded at Antietam and dischatged; Simon Louis, discharged; Andiew J. Beith; Myron Watts, wounded at Chancellorsville and died; George Meyers, wounded at Winchester and discharged; Joseph Gullant, died at Grafton, Virginia, August 27, 1861; George Douglass, died at Grafton, Virginia, August 31, 1861; David A. Lemon, killed at Mine Run, November 27, 1863; John Fisher, wounded at Antietam; C. Shoemaker, died in Ander- sonville prison. COMPANY G. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain William E. Haynes, promoted to lieu tenant-colonel Tenth Regiment Ohio cavalry. First Lieutenant Edward F. Dickinson, promoted to captain, and served as regimental quartermaster, Second Lieutenant Creighton Thompson, wouud- ed at Antietam, and resigned. NON-COMMISSONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Harrison Hoffman. Sergeant Morris Morrison, died December 9, 1862, at Cumberland, Maryland. , Sergeant Daniel Miller, wounded at Winchester and the Wilderness. Sergeant Philip Tracy, wounded at Gettysburg, and died July 6, 1863. Sergeant Cyrus P. Taylor, wounded at Antietam. Corporal Charles W. Arlin. Corporal John A. Bevington, wounded at Win chester and Gettysburg. Corporal Virgil J. Crowel, wounded at Antietam. Corporal Manville Moore, wounded at Gettysburg, and died at Baltimore. Corporal William Luckey. Corporal Samuel S. Thirwictor. Corporal Rodolphus Dickinson, wounded at Antie tam. Corporal James Hagarty, wounded at Gettysburg. Bugler Edward Sheetinzer. PRIVATES. Henry Hone, Charles H. Culp, Charles G. Aid- rich, Lewis S. Baker, Nicholas Frunkhouser, Wilbur G. Finch, Peter Grover, John Ghense, Michael Gas- sin; Charles Baker, George J. Bixler, John D. Brady, Charles F. Clark, Albert Fayo, Alvin R. Gossard, Anthony George, Peter J. Hershey, John J. Haynes, James Lordand, David Nighswander, John W. Stone, discharged for disability; David Biddle, died Febru ary 13, 1863 ; Christian Binkley, Peter Bolder, wounded at Fredericksburg; Orville B. Cole, killed at Antietam; Bartholomew Conner, George W. Cros- ley, Richard Clark, Tobias M. Edwards, killed at Winchester; Nathaniel G. Foster, wounded at Get tysburg; John Guither, wounded at Fredericksburg and Gettysburg; JohnGazin; John M. Hite, wound ed at Antietam and discharged; Henry Herman; Eugene A. Hodges, wounded at Gettysburg; Thos. M. Heffner, Peter Heidelman, Adam Innes, JasonJ. Jack, John W. James; Professor J ames , wounded at Antietam; William Jacobs, wounded at Fredericks burg; Matthias Knobble, killed at Fredericksburg; John Keran, killed at Antietam; John M. Roch; Samuel Kepfer, killed at Spottsylvania ; Henry Kaettz, John Keefer; Jacob Saemstcll, died March 12, 1862, at Cumberland, Maryland; D iniel S.rg, Cornilius Mulachi; Philip Michael, wounded at An tietam and discharged; Samuel Metzker, died at Cumberland, Maryland; Homer Millious, wounded at Gettysburg; James McKeefer, died in Anderson- ville prison; Anthony Moier, wounded at Antietam and discharged; Austin J. Moore, died at Falmouth, Virginia, April 17, 1863; John Miller, Henry Nahliz, Joseph Orr, Henry Pulaski; John G. Peters, pro moted to sergeant, and killed at Gettysburg July 3, 1863; George Reinhard, wounded at Antietam and Gettysburg; Francis M. Rivets, wounded at Gettys burg; Patrick Roch, wounded at Antietam; William Shuher; Jefferson Taylor, died at Grafton, Virginia, September 6, 1861; John M. Vail, Isadore Wentling; Lewis Winegardner, diedat Fortress Monroe; Hiram Wing, wounded at Gettysburg and Antietam; John A. Williams, died at Fremont, Ohio, in November, r862; John Walker, Morris Yates; Absalom Zeducer, wounded at Spottsylvania; Milton Miers, James M. Jo.insou, Myron Watts, wounded at Chancellorsville; Samuel Xafe. THE TWENTY-FIFTH OHIO VOLUNTEER IN FANTRY. Sandusky contributed a company, or nearly a company, to the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The regiment was organized at Camp Chase in June, 1861, and contained men from various localities in all quarters of the State. On the 29th day of July, 1861, it went into service in West Virginia, and was stationed along the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, from Oakland to the Ohio River. While there the regi ment paid attention to bushwhackers which infested the vicinity and broke up several gangs of them, to the great relief of the forces, as well as the loyal inhabitants. The regiment went through a long course 252 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. of suffering and arduous service. It was in the battles of Cheat Mountain, Green- briar, Camp Baldwin, Monterey; the .en gagements and marches in the Shenandoah Valley; in General Pope's campaign along the Rappahannock, in the second battle of Bull Run, at Gettysburg, and a great many battles, and many trying marches. It re-enlisted on the 15th of January, 1864, .and started for home, on veteran furlough, reaching Camp Chase on the sih of March, 1864. While there, many re cruits were added to the regiment, and were organized, and called Company B. On the 1 6th of February, 1864, the reg imental flags, which had passed through twenty battles, and under which eighteen color-bearers had been killed or wounded, were presented to Governor Brough, to be placed in the archives of the State, and the regiment received a beautiful new stand of colors. It served well in the Carolinas, and, in fact, all through the war; and on the 1 8Lh of June, 1866, when it held its last parade at Columbus, Ohio, surrendered again its sec ond set of colors to Governor Cox, and was then mustered out, and discharged, having been in active service over five years. The following are the men of Sandusky county who enlisted in the Twenty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and who are en titled to a share of its glory, and the thanks of the country: COMPANY E. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Moses H. Crowell, resigned. Captain Michael Murray. First Lieutenant Hezekiah Thomas. Second Lieutenant George W. Iden. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Peter Molyett. Sergeant Samuel Hoffman. Sergeant Henry Barnup. Sergeant Christian Joseph. Corporal Henry Overmeyer. Corporal Frederick Gilyer. Corporal John Wise. Corporal Edward J. Teeple. Corporal Richard Kenny. Corporal Daniel Potter. Corporal Frederick Holderman. Corporal Byron Hutchins. Wagoner Joseph Hess. Musician Bryan Carrigan. Musician Andrew J. Lake. PRIVATES. Obediah A. Bidgely, Gephard Rush, P. Duffey' Thomas J. Overman, Joseph Vallance, Samuel Black, George W. Algyer, John Bigley, James Bacon, Frederick T. Bigler, James W. Barnes, Charles Cim- merer, Elbridge Comstock, Frederick Cannell, Charles Caul, George W. Clelland, Thomas C. Coalwell, Samuel H./Deselms, Andrew J. Davis, George Dagan, Samuel Edgar, John Everingham, Isaiah Eastick, George C. Edgerton, Josiah Fought, Sam uel Frantz, August Freeh, " John";Ferrell, Monta Heath, , Harvey N. Hall, Thomas..C. Hemminger, William S. Hutton, Thomas Howell, John Q. Hutch ins, Frederick Halderman, Oliver P. Hershev, Vir gil Jacobs, John Jell, George Kessler, John Knap- penberger, Jesse Little, John Leary, John Lose, Lawson Marsh, Joseph Mitchell, William Meuser, Linnus Marsh, Darius'JMinnier, William Mackey, John Morris, Lewis Moore, Michael Mulgrove, Blando L Mills, Harrison I. Meyers, Peter Miller, Isaac Nye, Hiram Odell, Hiram Ostrander, Richard D. Phelps, Alexander. Pemberton, John E. Rearick, Joseph Riddle, Lewis Robber, Frederick Shultz, William R. Stump, Abednego Stephens, Norton G. Skinner, Joel Spohn, Levi S. Stewart, Henry Smuch, Florian Smith, Alexander Scott, Benjamin Staley, Charles Slaughterbeck, Edward Teeple, Christopher Thayer, John Tweedle, Decatur Whiting, George D. Wormwood, Joseph C. Wright, Lewis Zeigler, Volney A. Dubel. THE FORTY-NINTH REGIMENT, OHIO VOL UNTEER INFANTRY. This regiment, which did such conspic uous service in the war for the suppression of the Rebellion, was organized at Tiffin, in the county of Seneca. It left Camp Noble, near Tiffin, on the 10th of Septem ber, 1861, for Camp Dennison, where it received its equipments on the 21st of the same month, and moved for Louisville, Kentucky. The next day it reported to Brigadier General Robert Anderson, then in command at that place, and was the first organized Union regiment to enter Kentucky, where it met a most cordial re- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 253 ception on its arrival at Louisville. Two boats lashed together, conveying the regi ment, approached the wharf at Louisville, while the regimental band was playing National airs. Its arrival was a surprise to military headquarters, and as the regi ment debarked, the people received them with great enthusiasm. As they marched from the landing, the citizens formed in the rear and marched with them through the principal streets to the headquarters of General Anderson. The General appeared on the balcony of the hotel, and welcomed the regiment in a short address. To this address General Gibson responded, and tradition says that his response was full of that soul-stirring, heart-warming eloquence in behalf of the Union cause for which he is so celebrated wherever he speaks on the great theme of Union and liberty. A magnificent dinner for the regiment was given at the Louisville hotel by the citizens, and the men of the regiment were magnificently entertained. In the evening of the same day the regiment started from Louisville by railroad for Lebanon Junction, to report to General W. T. Sherman, then at that point. The next morning it crossed the Rolling Fork, wading the river, and marched to Eliza- bethtown and went into camp at Mulds- draugh's Hill. Here the regiment re mained until the ioth of October, when it moved to Nolan Creek, and went into Camp Nevin. The Forty-ninth regiment was soon after assigned to the Sixth Brigade under com mand of General R. W. 'Johnson, of the Second Division of the Army of Ohio. On the ioth of December, 1861, the Second Division moved to Mumfordsville, on the Green River, and drove the rebels to the opposite side of the river, and established Camp Wood. On the 17th of December the National pickets from the Thirty-sec ond Indiana Infantry, on the south side of Green River, were attacked by Hinman's Arkansas Brigade and Terry's Texas Ran gers. In sending troops to the relief of the pickets, the Forty-ninth Ohio was the first to cross the river, followed by the Thirty-ninth Indiana. The enemy was met and repulsed, Colonel Terry, one of the rebel commanders, being killed. The regiment remained at Camp Wood perfecting itself in discipline and drill until the 14th of February, 1862, when it left the camp for Bowling Green, Ken tucky. It marched thence towards Nash ville, Tennessee, which place it reached on the 3d of March, 1862, and established there Camp Andrew Johnson. From this camp it moved on the 16th of March with Buell's army, to join General Grant's forces at Pittsburg Landing, and arrived there on the 6th of April. Here Colonel Gibson took command of the brigade, leaving the Forty-ninth regiment under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel A. M. Blackman. The regiment went into the fight at 1 1 o'clock in the morning, occupying the left of the brigade, and next to Crittenden's division. This posi tion was maintained under a terrible fire from the enemy until 4 o'clock in the afternoon, when, with the enemy in full retreat, the regiment stacked arms and lay down to rest. In this battle the regi ment twice successfully performed the hazardous feat of changing front under fire. The Forty-ninth then moved towards Corinth. The other portions of the army had some severe fighting at -Bredges's Creek, and at other points on the way, and entered Corinth with the army on the 30th of May, 1862. From Corinth it was sent in pursuit of the enemy, passing through Jericho, Iuka, and other points to Tus- cumbia, Alabama, and Florence, crossing the river at Florence. Thence it marched to Battle Creek, Tennessee. At this time 254 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Bragg's army was found to be threatening LouisviUe, Kentucky, and Cincinnati, and the Forty ninth was put in pursuit of him. On the march from Battle Creek, Tennessee, the Union forces were urged forward with all the speed the men could endure, and they suffered ter ribly from exhaustion, intense hsat of the weather and from want of water and rations. These sufferings were, however, born with fortitude by the men, and the apprehension that their own Ohio might be invaded by rebels nerved them to most extraordinary endurance and hard marches. The regiment reached Louis ville on the 29th of September, where, after a few days rest, the march in pursuit of the enemy was resumed. Moving out on the Frankfort turnpike, through Shelbyville, driving the enemy before them, Frankfort was reached on the 5th of October in time to disperse the rebel troops gathered there to guard the inaugu ration of Captain Dick Hawes as rebel Governor of Kentucky. The march was resumed on the morning of the 7th of October, under orders to join the main army, the junction being made the day following the battle of Perryville. During the whole of the march from Louisville to Perryville, there was daily skirmishing. At Lawrence and Dog Walk brisk en gagements were fought, in each of which the Forty-ninth Ohio was conspicuously engaged, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel Levi Drake. Pursuing the enemy to Crab Orchard the regiment, with its brigade and division, marched to Bowl ing Green. Thence it marched toward Nashville, and on the 5th of Novem ber was with the advance that raised the siege of that city. The regiment then went into camp at Mill Creek, where it remained until the 26th day of December. On the 26th of Decem ber, 1862, General Rosecrans then, in command of the Army of the Cumber land, commenced his movement on Mur- freesboro. The Forty-ninth moved out of Nashville, on Nelsonville turnpike, with the right wing, under Major General- Mc- Cook, and after constant skirmishing found itself in line of battle on the extreme right of the Union army before Murfreesboro, on the evening of the 30th of December, 1862. At six o'clock the next morning Kirk's brigade was furiously assaulted by the enemy, and giving way was pressed back on the Forty-ninth, which at once became engaged, and was in its turn borne back by overwhelming numbers to the Nashville turnpike, a distance of a mile and a half from the point of encounter. In this resistance to the rebel forces the Forty-ninth sustained an incessant conflict of nine hours' duration. The following morning the regiment was sent to reconnoiter on the right and rear of the main army. Returning from this duty, it rejoined its brigade, and that day was more or less engaged, operating on the extreme right of the army, in con nection with Stanley's cavalry. On Fri day, January 2, it occupied a position in reserve to the centre until late in the af ternoon, when, upon the repulse of Van -Cleve's division on the left, it was ordered, with its brigade, to retrieve the fortunes of the day on that part of the field. It joined in a magnificent bayonet charge, which resulted in recovering the lost ground, and a severe defeat of the enemy. The Forty-ninth went into this battle with the entire field and staff officers pres ent. At its close it was under command of junior Captain S. F. Gray. The cap ture of General Willich placed Colonel Gibson, of the Forty-ninth, in command of the brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Drake was killed while bravely cheering on his men. Major Porter was wounded, and all the senior captains present were either HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 255 killed or wounded. It should be noted here that, before this battle, Captain J. R. Bartlett had been promoted to the office of major, and was not in the immediate command of Company F, but served dur ing the fight. For a time after this battle the Forty- ninth was engaged in various foraging ex peditions, wherein it had frequent en counters with the enemy, and lost a num ber of men. From Murfraesboro, the regiment marched, on the 24th of June, 1863, and found the enemy strongly posted at Lib erty Gap, to dispute the further advance of the Union forces. The Forty-ninth was attached to the First brigade, which was at once fornu d in line of battle, and, after some hard fighting, the Forty-ninth assaulted the enemy's works on a high hill, advanced upon him, scaled the heights in the face of severe fire, and drove the enemy from that position, and com pelled him to fall back upon another equally strong position about a mile in the rear. On the following day the National forces attacked the enemy again in the new po sition. The Forty-ninth was brought into action about 3 o'clock p. m., after other troops had been engaged several hours. The regiment was selected to attack . the enemy's centre, which rested in a valley, while the flanks restedupon the hill, on both sides. Here the Forty-ninth adopted a new method of attack, which had then lately been introduced, by the formation of four ranks, and to advance while firing. This method of attack proved efficient in this case, and the enemy's centre was soon broken, and the position occupied by the Union army. Without further fighting, the brigade, with the Forth-ninth, reached Tullahoma July 1, and the regiment then went into camp. At the bloody battle of Chickatnauga the Forty-ninth did great service, and dis played the fighting qualities of veterans. It made a charge on the right of the en emy, drove him out of a dense wood, and captured two pieces of artillery. The next day the Forty-ninth was con stantly engaged in various parts of the field, and accomplished a brilliant exploit in connection with Goodspeed's Battery, the Fifteenth Ohio, and other troops, which, it is claimed, saved Thomas' Corps from being swept from the field. In the battle of Mission Ridge the Forty-ninth shone with conspicuous gal lantry, and was amongst the first to plant its colors on the summit of the ridge. It next moved with Granger's Corps to the relief of Burnside's forces at Knoxville. This match was of the most severely try ing nature upon the troops. The weather was intensely cold, and snow was on the ground. The men were almost naked, and without shoes, and the rations were exhausted. Like the march from Valley Forge in the Revolutionary War, the army could be tracked by the bloody foot marks of the indomitable [patriots who went out to save the Union. And yet these brave men did not complain, but were eager to be led against the foes of their country who were also the foes of liberty. At Strawberry Plain they heard that Burnside had repulsed Long- street, and as he was no longer in need of relief the National troops returned to Chattanooga. At the heel of all this suffering, the men of the Forty-ninth were called upon the re-enlist for the war. To this call a prompt response was given in the affirmative. The regiment returned to Ohio to enjoy its veteran furlough of thirty days. At Tiffin, its place of organization, the regiment was received with every pos sible manifestation of respect and honor. Judge John K. Hord, now of the Cleve land Bar, but formerly a citizen of Tiffin, 256 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. welcomed the brave men in an eloquent speech in their praise, which was re sponded to by Colonel Gibson and other officers of the regiment. Thirty days, oh I how brief to the soldier who returns after three years' ab sence, to see his father, mother, wife, chil dren and friends, and meantime hear the plaudits, and enjoy the feastings and manifestations of honor from a grateful people, for whom he has encountered danger and toiled and suffered. Still true to country, with the instinctive patriotism of the Union soldier, the Forty-ninth in due time reported at the headquarters of the Fourth Army Corps at Cleveland, Tennessee. At this time the National forces were concentrating and reorganizing at Cleve land, Tennessee, and making all things ready for the campaign against Atlanta, Georgia. Here the Forty-ninth was incor porated into the Fourth Army Coqjs, and the history of that corps is the history of the Forty-ninth regiment Ohio Volunteer In fantry. The regiment participated in the engagements at Dalton, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, Chattahoochie River, and Atlanta, suffering severely in the loss of men killed and wounded in all these battles. The regiment pushed on with the army beyond Atlanta, and participated in the battles at Jonesborough, and at Lovejoy's Station, and after abandoning the pursuit of the enemy, returned to camp at Atlanta. The Forty-ninth from this time was assigned with the Army of the Cumberland to the command of Gen eral Thomas who was left to look after the rebel forces under General Hood, who was moving toward Nashville. In the movements of Thomas' forces the Forty-ninth Ohio, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Strong, fully sustained its reputation for bravery and military skill, and bore a prominent part in many skirmishes and displayed great courage and efficiency in the battles of Franklin and Nashville. The battle of Nashville occurred in December, 1864, and on the 15th and 1 6th of that month the regiment made several brilliant charges and suffered severely in killed and wounded. After this battle and after returning from the pursuit of Hood's army, the regiment went into camp at Huntsville, Alabama, where it remained until the middle of March, 1865. It then moved by rail into East Tennessee and went into camp at Greenville. On its return from the expedition to Nashville the regiment was, on the 16th of June, 1864, taken by transports to Texas, by way of New Or leans. Reaching Texas in July, the regi ment landed at Victoria, and moved to the interior as far as San Antonio, passing by way of Green Lake and Gonzales. After suffering great hardships in this ser vice for four months the regiment returned to Victoria, where it was mustered out of service on the 30th day of November; 1865. The whole number of names on the rolls of the regiment was fifteen hundred and fifty-two. Nineteen were born in Europe, seven hundred and sixty in Ohio, of whom four hundred and forty were from Seneca county. Eight officers were killed in battle, and twenty wounded (six of them mortally). Of the privates, one hundred and twenty-seven were killed in battle, seventy-one were mortally wounded, one hundred and sixty-five died from hardships or disease, and seven perished in rebel prisons at Andersonville and Danville. Six hundred and sixteen were discharged on account of wounds or other disability, five survived with the loss of an arm, and two with the loss of a leg. The killed and mortally wounded of the enlisted men were as one to seven and four-fifths, and the entire deaths as one to HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 257 five and one-sixth. The men of the regi ment suffered nine hundred and forty-two gunshot wounds. During two-thirds of his term of service, Colonel Gibson com manded a brigade by virtue of his rank. ^Although the Forty-ninth Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer infantry, engaged in the war for the suppression of the Southern Rebellion, was organized in the adjoining county of Seneca, and drew largely and chiefly from the patriotic and able-bodied citizens of that county, Sandusky county, in her exuberance of patriotism, contrib uted a company to the regiment, consist ing of some of her best and bravest men. The history of Company F cannot be fully and fairly written without giving an account of its organization, marches, bat tles, victories, achievements, sufferings and losses of the regiment, of which it formed an important part. We would here acknowledge that for many of the facts regarding this regiment we are indebted to Colonel J. R. Bartlett, also to Ohio in the War, by Whitelaw Reid, as well as from records kindly sub mitted for inspection by the Adjutant- General of Ohio. INCIDENTS AND PERSONAL MENTION. The following incident, which occurred in the battle of Shiloh, in front of the Forty-ninth regiment, illustrates the ap preciation which true soldiers entertain for bravery and desperate daring, when dis played by an enemy. The Forty-ninth made a dashing and sudden charge on the enemy in front of it, and drove them with great precipitation from their position. So sudden was the onset and the retreat,' that the rebels forgot their colors, leaving them standing on the ground from' which they retired. A storm of bullets were fly ing after the retreating foe, when the ene my discovered their forsaken flag, then but a little way in advance of the Forty-ninth. Suddenly a rebel on a white horse was seen to leave the ranks, coming at full speed back to the flag. As soon as the men of the Forty-ninth realized the object of the desperate attempt to rescue the flag, struck by the bravery and daring of the act, and recognizing his qualities as a sol dier devoted to his colors, they instinctive ly ceased firing and spared the life of the brave fellow while he took the flag and carried it back to his command, without harm. Had they not ceased firing as they did, the man would have been cut to pieces by their volleys. ORGANIZATION OF COMPANY F. Captain Joseph R. Bartlett began re cruiting, or rather enlisting men for Com pany F, in July, 1861. After obtaining about forty men recruiting became dull and it seemed impossible to obtain a full compa ny in any reasonable time. Charles A. Nor ton had assisted actively so far in procuring men, and expected to be first lieutenant of the company. Meantime Timothy H. Wilcox had enlisted about forty men to form a company of Home Guards, who were willing to join Captain Bartlett's company, and go into the service, on con dition that Mr. Wilcox should have the position of first lieutenant. Mr. Norton generously gave way to Mr. Wilcox, and the men enlisted by the latter entered, and this, with little further effort, soon completed the company, and it went to Camp Noble, near Tiffin, Seneca county, for equipment and drill. The generosity of Mr. Norton soon met with reward in his appointment to the office of adjutant of the regiment, in which capacity he proved a. good soldier and efficient officer during the service. About the middle of November, 1862, Captain Bartlett's soldierly qualities at tracted the attention of General I. W. Sill, who apj)ointed him Inspector-General of the Second Division of the Army of the Cumberland, of which General Sill 258 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. was then in command. In December, 1862, General Sill was assigned to another command, and on leaving the division ad dressed to Inspector Bartlett the following complimentary and friendly letter: Camp on Mill Creek, December 10, 1862. Captain Bartlett, Acting Division Inspector, Divi sion Aid-de-Camp : Sir: In parting with you I beg to express my thanks for the zeal and fidelity with which you have performed your duties, and to assure you that if as sociated in future it will be a souce of much gratifica tion, as it is now a source of regret, that I am obliged to separate from you. Whatever be your course hereafter, I doubt not it will be creditable in the highest degree, and I tender you my best wishes for your success and promotion. Very respectfully, your friend, I. W. Sill, Brigadier-General. General R. W. Johnson then took com mand of the division, and continued Cap tain Bartlett in the same position on his staff that he had held under General Sill, and, until after the battle of Liberty Gap, he acted as chief of staff and Adjutant- General of the division, in addition to the duties of Inspector-General. Captain Bartlett has numerous testimonials of faithful service, and also recommendations for promotion. Amongst these are found commendations and recommendations from Colonel Keufler, commanding Third Brigade, Third Division, Fourth Army Corps; Major-General D. S. Stanley, com manding Fourth Army Corps; Major- General O. O. Howard, formerly com mander of the same corps; Brigadier- General Thomas J. Wood, commander Third Division, same corps; also Colonel William H. Gibson, afterwards Brigadier- General commanding First Brigade, Third Division. COMPANY F. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Joseph R. Bartlett. First Lieutenant Morris E. Tyler. Second Lieutenant Timothy Wilcox. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant John J. Kessler. Sergeant Israel C. Totten. Sergeant Charles W. England. Sergeant Levi Laughlin. Sergeant Myron Sweet. Corporal James Maxwell. Corporal Edward Haff. Corporal Eli Lewman. Corporal William H. H. Wadsworth. Corporal David J. Wilson. Corporal William Whittaker. Corporal John W. Heason. Corporal Josiah Terry. Drummer James Michael. Fifer Thomas P. Folton. PRIVATES. (All of Fremont.) Isaac N. Anderson, David Armstrong, James M Dennison, John Wesley Ash, Lewis Baker, Austin O. Bolton, Gustavus Boesh, David H. Barber, George H. Bearss, Thomas Bovill, Charles S. Bon, James N. Campbell, Eli Chaney, Thomas Clarke, George Davis, Albert Dodge, Jonathan Durfee, Wilson S. Flaugher,1 LaQuino Fletcher, Benjamin S. Frank, John Frees, Richard Gallagher, George W. Gurst, Charles E. Haskins, Joseph Huntsinger, George W. Heberling, Oscar June, Daniel Jackson, Edward D. Kintz, Cyrus C. Laughlin, Henry O. Marsh, John D. Maine, Henry Markwalter, George Mears, Wes ley Miller, Lewis Michael, John L. McAfee, Daniel McSorley.John W. Maxwell, John A. Nash, CharlesA Norton, Jasper Palmer, John Charles Parrish, George H. Phillip, Joshua Powell, James Ragan, James Ramsey, Jeremiah Reed, Phillip Reiling, Moses Rog ers, Josiah Rollins, Josiah T. Russell, William B. Richards, George Skinner, Josiah Stocking, Charles Stull, Daniel Sweet, Albert Sweet, Joel G. Shutts, Jeremiah Smith, John H. Stoner, George J. Ferry, Luther White, George W. Yencer, William J. Yencer. THE FIFTY-FIFTH REGIMENT OF OHIO VOL UNTEER INFANTRY. This regiment went into camp at Nor walk, Ohio, on the 17th of October, 1861. On the 25th of January, 1862, it left Nor walk for Grafton, West Virginia, and after a short stay there it moved to New Creek. It moved by hard marches thence through Romney to Moorefield, where it partici pated in some skirmishing. It was raised chiefly by the exertions of Colonel John C. Lee, who afterwards became Lieuten ant Governor of Ohio. Colonel Lee re signed May 8, 1863, and the command of the regiment devolved on Lieutenant Colo- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 259 nel Charles Gambee, of Bellevue. Colo nel Gambee was killed at the battle of Resaca, on the 15 th of May, 1864. On the ist of January, 1864, three hundred and nineteen of the men of the Fifty-fifth had re-enlisted and returned to Ohio, ar riving at Norwalk on the 20th of the same month. On the 4th of March, 1864, it was again encamped in Lookout Valley. It marched through Atlanta with the Twentieth Army Corps, toward the sea coast, and entered Savannah, Georgia, on the 2 1 st of December and camped near that city. After much hard service and suffering, having passed through Golds- boro and Raleigh, on the 30th of April, 1865, it commenced its march to Wash ington, reaching Richmond on the nth of May, and on the 18th camped in the vicin ity of Alexandria. On the 24th of May, 1865, it crossed the long bridge and partici pated in the grand review and went into camp near Washington. On the nth of July, 1865, the Fifty-fifth was mustered out of service, was paid off at Cleveland, Ohio, and discharged on the 19th day of July, 1865. The fighting qualities of this regiment are displayed in a brief statement. Dur ing its term of service it enrolled one thousand three hundred and fifty men, and of these about seven hundred and fifty were either killed or wounded in battle. A number of good men for this regiment were recruited in Sandusky county in the vicinity of Bellevue. The memoranda furnished the writer gives the names of men of certain companies of the regiment, but does not designate those of Sandusky county from those enlisted from other counties. We therefore give the list as furnished, as the time allowed the writer to finish his work will not permit of further search or investigation into the places of enlistment. COMPANY A. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Charles B. Gambee. First Lieutenant Benjamin F. Eldridge. Second Lieutenant William H. Long. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Henry H. Moore. Sergeant John E. Kunkel. Sergeant Charles M. Smith. Sergeant Albert J. Demick. » Sergeant William H. Harringer. Corporal Lyman Ford. Corporal Martin O. Smith. Corporal John Stevens. Corporal John Ryan. Corporal James W. Saunders. Corporal George H. Stillson. Corporal Sidney F. Sinclair. Corporal Oren J. Stark. Musician Daniel Herring. Musician George W. Goodell, Wagoner William H. Cryder. PRIVATES. Horace B. Adams, Horace A. Bartlett, Nelson Barber, Philip Beckley, Thomas Beckley, Stephen Beckley, James Boughton, Lewis S. Bergstrener, Joseph Ball, James Carrer, John Chenrock, Howard M. Coleman, Albert Chapman, Albert P. Curry William Charrill, Nelson Crockett, Elliot A. Cobb, Alonzo Corser, Henry R. Carrer, Levi Close, Miles Duesler, John J. Duesler, Francis Davis, George G. Deitrich, Uriah M. Eckhart, Martin J. Ford, Benja min F. Fulkerson, Arthur Franklin, John Grubb William H. Goodson, Francis Gale, Henry Gale, John Gleason, Henry Gerring, George H. Gale, Charles Gale, Charles Haler, Henry J. Hayward Henry Hanney, Theopholis P. Howard, William Hartman, Samuel Henney, William J. Hanson, William Hyde, Dexter R. Jones, Rollin Jacoy, Henry C. James, Thomas A. Kunkel, Jesse Kline, William E. Miller, John Moyer, Charles Mathis, Mandus Mohr, Aretas Miller, James G. Millen, David McCormick, James C. Moon, George W Orning, John Peightle, Silas P. Riley, Elias Smith, William Stegman, Samuel Smith, Elias Stephens, Dewalt J. Swander, James Slinker, Jonas Shoema ker, William E. Sheffield, James Sowards, William Sowards, Ashael P. Smith, Ross C. Treamain, Ama- ziah Thorp, George W. Todd, Charles H. Welch, Eli C. Wright, George O. Winters, Jefferson Wright, Moses P. Wilt, Russell S. Williams. Benjamin Zimmerman, Martin Kinney, Samuel Hoofnagle, Francis A. Pixley, Moses H. Smithjames H. Bitting, Sylvester Hevelone, Martin Lauden- schlager, William M.. Giles, James J. Null, Milton Crockett, Edward Farnsworth, John Noriis, Robert Otis, John Ryan. 260 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. COMPANY E. PRIVATES. William Clinton, Joseph Hewitt. COMPANY A. Private Francis Pixley. COMPANY E. Private William Clinton. COMPANY D. Private William Upton. FIFTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUN TEER INFANTRY. The Fifty-seventh regiment Ohio Vol unteer Infantry was organized at Camp Vance, near Findlay, in Hancock county, Ohio, under authority of Governor Denni son, given September 14, 1861. Before its organization was completed the regi ment, on the 22d of January, 1862, moved to Camp Chase, where its organization was completed, on February 10, 1862. It numbered, when mustered in, nine hun dred and fifty six men, and thirty-eight 'commissioned officers. Sandusky county furnished a number of men for different companies of the Fifty- seventh, whose services cannot be properly known and appreciated without a brief sketch of the services of the whole regi ment. On the 18th of February, 1862, the Fifty-seventh was ordered to report at Fort Donelson, On its way, and while at Smithland, Kentucky, the order was changed, and it consequently reported at .Paducah, Kentucky. Here it was assigned to the Third Brigade, Fifth Division of the Army of the Tennessee. Thence it was moved, by the steamer Continental to Fort Henry, arriving there on the 9th of March, 1862. From Fort Henry it moved to Savannah, Tennessee, arriving there on the iith of March. After par ticipating in an ineffectual attempt to strike the Memphis and Charleston rail road at Iuka, Mississippi, they returned and went to Pittsburg Landing, where they arrived on the 16th of March. Here the Fifth Division was employed in recon- noitering towards Pea Ridge, and also towards Corinth. On the 19th it went into camp at Shiloh Chapel, three miles south of the Landing. On the ist of April the regiment in company with other troops and two gunboats, went to Eastport, Mis sissippi, about thirty miles from the Land ing. The Fifty-seventh was on the fore most transport. The boats shelled the woods and towns along the way, but elicited no reply. . Passing up as far as Chickasaw, Alabama, they there shelled the town and the rebel works, but the enemy had left, and the Fifty-seventh was ordered to debark and scout the surround ing hills and villages. In this scouting the regiment captured a few prisoners, men and boys, and then returned to camp. So much had the regiment suffered from sickness, that on the morning of the 6th of April there were but four hundred and fifty men for duty. Being posted with the right resting on the Corinth road im mediately south of the church, it was among the first to meet the advance of the rebel forces. About six o'clock a. m., of the 6th of April, 1862, the Fifty- seventh formed and advanced until it reached the little eminence upon which Shiloh church stood. It held this posi tion until ten o'clock, and successfully withstood the attack of the Mississippi Rifles, Crescent Guards from New Orleans, and the Fourteenth Tennessee, from Memphis. It was then ordered to fall back upon the Purdy and Hamburg road, which it did in good order. The Union line was pressed back three-quarters of a mile further. In three days fighting in and around Shiloh, the Fifty-seventh lost twenty-seven killed and one hundred and fifty were wounded (sixteen mortally), and ten captured. The regiment remained in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. camp at Shiloh Church until the 29th of April, and was engaged in drilling and preparing for the com ing campaign. On the 29th the regi ment started for Corinth, and did good service until the rebels evacuated that place. It did good fighting at camps Six and Seven, and at the Russell House was warmly engaged. While advancing on Corinth the Fifty-seventh was assigned to the First brigade of the Fifth division. Af ter various services in repairing roads and guarding bridges, the regiment, on the 12th of November, was assigned to the First brigade of the First division of the Fifteenth Army Corps. During the stay at Memphis the regiment was drilled thor oughly in the skirmish drill and bayonet exercise. The Fifty-seventh was part of a con siderable force sent against General Price on the Tallahatchee River near Wyatt, in Mississippi, which place it reached on the 2d of December, and finding the place evacuated the march was continued to wards Grenada. On the 9th of December the Fifteenth Corps returned to Memphis, where it ar rived on the 13th. Here the Fifty-seventh was strengthened by receiving one hun dred and eighteen volunteers and two hundred and five drafted men, which made the aggregate force six hundred and fifty men. Thence the regiment next moved, with the Fifteenth Army Corps, down the Mississippi, and reached Young's Point on the 26th of December. The corps next moved up the Yazoo River and disembarked at Sidney John son's plantation; marched thence to Chickasaw Bayou, where the corps, in try ing to effect a crossing, was for five days engaged with fhe enemy. In this action the Fifty-seventh lost thirty-seven killed and wounded. On the 2d of January, 1863, the corps moved down the Yazoo to the Mississippi, and up the Mississippi to White River, and up the latter river to the cut-off, and through the cut-off into the Arkansas, and up the Arkansas to Arkansas Post, disem barking there on the ioth of January, 1863. The Fifty-seventh led the brigade in the charge and assault of Fort Henderson where, after three days hard fighting, the enemy surrendered. In this action the regiment lost in killed and wounded, thirty-seven men. The regiment then moved back towards Vicksburg, disem barking at Young's Point on the 21st of January, 1863, and went to work on the canal. The regiment advanced . upon Vicksburg, participating in the battles of Raymond, Champion Hill, and Black River, and reached the works around Vicksburg on the 18th of May, and partic ipated in the general assault on the 19th, and after considerable hard fighting, was within seventy yards of the rebel line when, at 2 o'clock of the morning of the 20th, the entire brigade was with drawn to a position three hundred yards in the rear of the line of fortifications. Excepting a short time spent in reconnoit- ering between the Big Black and Yazoo Rivers, the regiment was in service in the trenches or on picket duty, until the sur render of Vicksburg. After much hard service, on the ist of January, 1864, it re-enlisted in the Fif teenth Army Corps. After spending a furlough of thirty days at home among friends, the regiment rendezvoused at Camp Chase with two hundred and seven recruits. On the 29th of March, 1864, it arrived at Nashville, and was there de tained until the 4th of April when it marched to Larkinsville, Alabama, where, on the 17th of April, it rejoined its brig ade. On the ist of May it moved with the corps in the Atlanta campaign, arriving 262 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. in the vicinity of Chattanooga on the 6th, and advanced through Snake Creek Gap to Resaca, where it participated in the battle at that place, on the 13th and 14th of May, 1864. This was one of the most severe contests in which the regi ment was engaged, and its loss was fifty- seven killed and wounded. It joined in the pursuit of the enemy, who made a stand at Dallas, where fighting continued for three days. The regiment here lost fifteen men. After several days skirmish ing, the regiment, on the 27 th of June, participated in an assault on the enemy's lines at Kenesaw. In this engagement it lost fifty-seven men in killed and wounded. From Atlanta the regiment was with Sherman's army, doing good service and enduring much hardship, until it reached Richmond by way of Petersburg. Thence it passed to Washington city and was in the grand review there on the 24th of May, 1865; was ordered thence to Louis ville, Kentucky, where it arrived on the 7th of June. On the 14th of June it was mustered out and paid at Camp Chase and finally discharged from the service. When the Fifty-seventh was first organ ized the regimental officers were : Colo nel William Mungen, Lieutenant Colonel William Mungen, Major Silas B. Walker, Surgeon John P. Haggett. There were many promotions and changes in rank and date of rank of these officers which are here omitted. The following list shows the men of Sandusky county who volunteered and served with the Fifty-seventh regiment and the companies to which they belonged. COMPANY C. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Samuel R. Mott. First Lieutenant John W. Underwood. Second Lieutenant John Doncyson. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant George Bush. Sergeant David W. Baker. Sergeant David C. Edmiston. Sergeant Anthony" Bentler. Corporal Hamilton Granville. Corporal Israel W. Giberson. Corporal Franklin Burden. Corporal Henry Bruntuter. Corporal David Clenger. Corporal Francis Ganther. Corporal William H. Kellison. Corporal John Schlegel. Musician John M. Lanning. Musician John T. Schawn. Teamster Andrew L. Donnelly. PRIVATES. George Casanova, Jacob Frank, Anthony Frees, Frederick Heltwein, Joseph Haberstock, Henry Link, Andrew Martine, John Malliet, Henry Winnes, Griffith F. Wilson, George Shriner, An thony Rendlez, David Ohhnger, William P. Ayres. COMPANY F. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Alva S. Skilton. First Lieutenant George T. Blystone. Second Lieutenant Edward E. Root. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Marcellus B. Dickey. Sergeant Henry H. Swisher. Sergeant Alexander K. Sipes. Sergeant Peter N. Gaberel. Sergeant William Berwick. Corporal Lewis Winemiller. Corporal William H. Pelton. Corporal Alonzo Blackson. Corporal William H. Green. Corporal David T. Bull. Corporal James Hathaway. Corporal Charles Hathaway. Corporal John Byers. Musician Sidney D. Briggs. PRIVATES. William Brown, Daniel Boyer, Peter Boyer, Moses Courchune, Thomas Current, John Current, John P. Franks, William King, John Matthews, John Mal- lett, Patrick Madigan, Frederick Picker, Lewis Peter, Edgar Peter, Frank Snope, Adam Sorg, Levi Smith, John W. Smith. COMPANY H. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Daniel N. Strayer. First Lieutenant John A. Smith. Second Lieutenant Lucius Call. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant William M. Newell. Sergeant Thomas B. McCormick. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 263 Sergeant Stephen H. Carey. Sergeant George M. Berger. Sergeant James R. Wilson. Corporal Robert J. Hemden. Corporal Jesse Meranda. Corporal William B. Carl. Corporal James R. McCormick. Corporal Bernard Poorman. Corporal Philip Hank. Corporal Henry Whitney. Corporal Henry Schultz. Musician Josephus Dodd. Musician John Botkin. PRIVATES. Levi Binkley, Melancthon Binkley, Eugene A. Chapman, Ernst Dippmin, James Hearl, Emanuel Lvburger, Daniel McMahon, James McMahon, Jacob Miniries, Michael Norton, Albert Overmier, William Poorman, Thomas Poorman, George S. Royce, Samuel Shannon, Samuel A. Shroud. COMPANY I. PRIVATES. Edgar Peter, Levi Smith, Perry Russell, John Mol- liett, William O'Neil, Tarleton Schultz, Frank Svvope, Daniel Boyer, Peter Boyer, Thomas Current, John P. Franks, John Matthews. COMPANY K. PRIVATES. Henry E. Charrs, Edwin Wrenn, George Wager- man, Philip Harck. THE SEVENTY-SECOND REGIMENT OF OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Although Sandusky county had fur nished quite liberally of her brave and patriotic men to the Eighth, the Twenty- fifth, Forty-ninth, and Fifty-seventh regi ments of volunteer infantry, all of which were organized in other counties, and also to the naval, artillery and cavalry service, and although these different organizations attracted those most ready and eager to go, there remained in the county many patriotic men whose business, family ties, or some particular temporary reasons held them back. But as the progress of events developed the dangers which environed the Nation and threatened more alarm ingly the existence of the Union, it became evident that another appeal must be made to the men of the county, and more sacrir fices offered to save the country's flag from disgrace and to rescue the Constitution from the hands of traitors. These grave apprehensions for the Nation's existence brought out that state of feeling which in duced the organization of the SEVENTY-SECOND OHIO VOLUNTEER IN FANTRY. The first formal public notice of such an undertaking appeared in the Fremont Journal of October 4, 1861. It was an editorial mention that Hon. R. P. Buck- land, of Fremont, had received orders from Governor Dennison, dated October 2, 1 86 1, to raise regiment number seven ty-two, and establish Camp Croghan in Fremont, of which he had been commis sioned Lieutenant - Colonel. Isaac M. Keeler, then editor of the Journal, made an appeal to the people to come forward and help to fill and organize the proposed regiment, and send it forward promptly to sustain the Constitution and the Union. The next issue of the paper, October n, 1861, contained a call over the signa ture of Colonel Buckland. He reminded the men of Sandusky county that Ken- tuckians fought for us at Fort Stephenson, and that Kentucky was now appealing for help from us to drive back the invad ing enemies of the Constitution and of liberty; of the obligations we owed them and to the cause of constitutional liberty, and urged men to enlist and fill up the regiment as soon as possible, and march to the aid of brothers and fathers who had preceded them to the scenes of conflict and danger, and assist in rescuing them from impending danger and destruction. On the 6th of December it was an nounced through the press that recruiting for the Seventy-second was progressing satisfactorily. At that date company A, Captain C. G. Eaton, of Clyde, Ohio, had eighty-four men ; company B, — Captain George Raymond, First Lieutenant Henry 264 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. W. Buckland, Second Lieutenant William T. Fisher — had eighty-three men; com pany F, — Captain S. A. J. Snyder, First Lieutenant Jacob Snyder, Second Lieu tenant Daniel Huffman — had eighty-four men ; that two hundred Enfield rifles for the flanking companies, A and B, had been received at camp. On the 19th of December, 1861, the cit izens of Fremont presented Colonel R. P. Buckland with a beautiful and trusty sword, which he still retains and treasures with great care. On the 20th of December, 186 1, the citizens of Clyde [presented a sword to Captain C. G. Eaton, with an appropriate address, to which Captain Eaton respond ed in a short address, full of patriotism and eliciting hearty applause. On Friday, the 17 th day of January, 1862, it was announced that the Seventy- second regiment was full and formed, and that the captains and lieutenants were as follows : COMPANY A. (One hundred men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain G. C. Eaton. First Lieutenant W. H. Gifford. Second Lieutenant S. Russell. COMPANY B. {Eighty-six men. ) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain George Raymond, First Lieutenant Henry W. Buckland. Second Lieutenant W. J. Fisher. COMPANY C. (Ninety men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain S. A. J. Snyder. First Lieutenant Jacob Snyder. Second Lieutenant D. W. Huffman. COMPANY D. (Eighty-six men.) Captain Andrew Nuhfer. First Lieutenant M. A. Fowler. Second Lieutenant Jesse J. Cook. COMPANY E. (Eighty-two men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain J. H. Blinn. First Lieutenant C. D. Dennis. Second Lieutenant W. A. Strong. COMPANY F. (Eighty-five men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Leroy Moore. First Lieutenant A. H. Rice. Second Lieutenant J. B. Gilmore. COMPANY G. (One hundred men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain T. C. Fernald. First Lieutenant J. Fernald. Second Lieutenant J. Poyer. COMPANY H. (Eighty-four men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Michael Weigstein. First Lieutenant A. Young. Second Lieutenant A. Kline. COMPANY I. (Eighty-five men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Jacob Fickes. First Lieutenant A. Bates. Second Lieutenant J. W. Donnell. COMPANY K. (Eighty-one men.) COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain S. A. Barron. Fiist Lieutenant W. C. Biddle. . Second Lieutenant T. W. Egbert. It was at the same time also announced that the regiment would be armed with Minnie rifles, which were then daily ex pected at camp. REGIMENTAL COLOR PRESENTATION. On Friday, January 17, 1862, it was announced that the next day, Saturday the 1 8th, would be a lively day at Camp Croghan. A picnic for the soldiers had been prepared by the ladies of Fremont and vicinity, to be served out to them at 12 o'clock of that day. There was HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 265 also notice that on the same day at 2 o'clock p. m., a beautiful regimental color, worked by the ladies, would be presented to the regiment by Homer Everett, on be half of the ladies, and to Captain Weig- stein's company (German) through the Rev. Henry Lang, a beautiful National silk flag, thus completing the stand of colors for the regiment. The picnic and flag presentation took place according to announcement, and the following extracts from the San dusky County Democrat, published on Friday, the 24th day of January, 1862, will show what: was done and the manner of the ceremonies on that occasion. These extracts will also awaken in the minds of the surviving soldiers of the Seventy-second regiment, and of the men and women who participated in the cere monies, many pleasing and many sad thoughts of persons and events connected with the regiment and the men who went out with it. PRESENTATION OF COLORS TO THE. SEVENTY-SEC OND REGIMENT. The presentation of a stand of colors to the Sev enty-second Regiment took place at Camp Croghan on Saturday last, and was witnessed by a large num ber of citizens from town and country. The day was very favorable, and the occasjon was one of deep and heart-felt interest to all, but more especially to the soldiers, their families, sisters, brothers, fathers, mothers, and sweethearts, who there greeted each other with words of counsel, encouragement, and affection, while their hearts were stirred by those feelings and anxieties which none but they can know. Through the enterprising liberality of the ladies of Fremont, a picnic dinner was served up at r2 o'clock, of which the soldiers partook with a hearty relish. They will never forget the kindness of the ladies, as evinced in this as well as other acts intended to pro, mote their comfort. After dinner, the chaplain of the regiment, Rev. Mr. Poe, assisted by Rev. Messrs. Bushnell, Lang' and Phelps, distributed to each officer and private in the regiment, a copy of the Testament and Psalms. Prayer was then offered by Rev. Mr. Bushnell. Homer Everett, Esq., on behalf of the ladies, then presented the regimental flag — a splendid one — pref acing the presentation by the following address, for a report of which, as well as the other addresses which follow, we are indebted to Mr. J. Burgner, teacher of the Fremont high school : MR. EVERETT'S ADDRESS. "Colonel Buckland : — The ladies of Fremont have observed your untiring energy and labor, and your exertions in enlisting and organizing the Seven ty-second regiment — the Fort Stephenson regiment. They are always patriotic, always quick to observe merit ; and they have observed, sir, how you have proved yourself willing to give up, for a time at least, the enjoyments of an ample competence, a. pleasant home, a dear family, and all the enjoyments of social life amongst us, and exchange them for the labors, the trials, and the dangers of a command like yours. They have observed, sir, how, when our county had sent to the service Captains Tillotson, Haynes, Crowell, Bartlett, and Amsden, furnished with men for the service, and had furnished many to ' other commands to fight the battles of this country, that when more help was called for, you came forward, and by the exertion of your widely extended personal influence, your personal efforts, your zeal, your stir ring appeal to the hearts and patriotism of the peo ple, which touched in them a deeper chord than had been touched before, you impelled them to come for ward and enroll themselves under your command, and they have observed that, under difficulties which would have prevented others from succeeding, by your perseverance the Seventy-second regiment is formed, and now ready for the field of action. Ob serving all these merits in you, they have determined to give proof of their appreciation and approval of these virtues, and to that end they have determined to present you with such proof as may be ever pres ent to you and your command, reminding you, and stimulating you to high and noble action; and, sir, as a means of this expression on their part, have bid me present to you this beautiful regimental ban ner. "You will see, sir, upon its azure field, that beauti ful, rich likeness of the soaring eagle, and that motto, ' The Seventy-second, Fort Stephenson regiment ; ' and, sir, it is an apt and beautiful inscription. Let the one be ever suggestive to you and to the noble men under your command, of fearless and lofty senti ments; while the other, by its historic recollections and associations, will inspire you to emulate, in deeds of valor and daring, the cherished hero of Fort Stephenson. Sir, the ladies, in presenting this to you, would have me say : ' Men of the Seventy-sec ond- regiment, of Fort Stephenson, officers, privates, and all : The ladies of Fremont have not been inat tentive to your merits. They know well that every one of you has sacrificed much and will suffer much in the cause of our country ; and they wish me to as sure you, each and all, that these sacrifices, these labors on the altar of the country, are seen and ap preciated by them, and will be remem ed, too. ' 266 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ' ' Colonel Buckland, in your regiment are those of extended relations amongst us. Fathers and broth ers, sisters, wives, and lovers, who refused and could not consent that their dear ones should go forward under any other commander, relying upon your jus tice, your courage, your kindness, and your reputa tion for all the qualities that fit you for the command, have consented that under you they may go and fight for the restoration of the Government that our fathers gave us, over the rebellious territory. 1 ' Sir, what higher expression of approbation of your character could we give ? What greater re sponsibility, sir, could you receive ? Your regiment, sir, is composed of those who, by the ties of kindred, acquaintance — father, brother, sister, wife — extends to every heart and hearthstone throughout our county. Not only so, but many of the other counties adjoin ing, and in distant portions of the State. More than this, your regiment embraces men who have come from Germany, from France, from Ireland, and per haps from other foreign lands, whose connections and sympathies stretch across the wide Atlantic itself. And, sir, the happiness of all this connection, by this voluntary act on the part of our people, is, for a great measure, committed to your hands; and these sympathies and sentiments on the part of the ladies, permit me to assure you, are entertained by all the people as far as the Seventy-second regiment is known. " Take, then, that beautiful banner; and the ladies bid me say that it is presented to you and to all the members of the Seventy-second regiment; and when you go hence, if it shall be your fortune to do serv ice, remember that the sympathies of all1 this people will follow you, and let that banner always be speak ing to you of their happiness and your responsibili ties. Let it be a beacon light, an assurance of the affection, respect, and confidence of the people who have given all these dear ones into your hands with such implicit confidence and trust. And when you are brought upon the soil of the enemies of this Gov ernment, whether upon the march, or in camp, or in the front of battle, remember, whenever that banner is unfurled, that the cords of affection in your regi ment reach back to us; and that every heart in San dusky county will thrill with the fortune of the Sev enty-second regiment; and if it be "its fate to be in jured and to fall, every household in Sandusky county will shed a tear over its loss. " Colonel Buckland, take this banner, and remem ber that the prayers of this extended connection will follow you through every trial, every day and every moment while you are in the service of the country, for your own welfare, and the welfare, safety, and honor of the Seventy-second, Fort Stephenson Regi ment." REV. MR. LANG'S ADDRESS. The flag of the German company, the gift of the German ladies of Fremont, was next presented to the regiment by Rev. H. Lang, who spoke as follows : "Colonel Buckland: It has fallen to my lot to present you this day, this standard, bearing the National colors. It was in the first instance the gift of the German ladies of Fremont to the German company of your regiment. In behalf of those ladies, and also of that German company, I bequeath it to you and your regiment, the noble band of pa triots whom you have gathered around you to assist in fighting the battles of your country. You will perceive, sir, that it is a true pattern of the old noble ensign of '76; and I believe that the patriotism of those who bequeath it, as well as those who receive it, is of the old stamp of '76. The German com pany of your regiment, Colonel, will take care that not a leaf of the laurels of the German revolutionary heroes shall be disgraced by their cowardice, their treachery, or their want of bravery. I am proud, sir, of my German countrymen, who have, al lover the land, rushed to the rescue. You will remember Sigel, Blencker, Willich, and other noble German patriots. You will expect bravery from this company as well as from the rest of your regiment, and be as sured, sir, you may depend upon them as long as you lead them to battle for the Constitution and the Union. The officers of the German company of your regiment have seen severe military service in Mexico. They have smelt Southern powder once be fore, and they are going to try it again. They will stand by your side in every contest. Give them an opportunity, sir, and they will show themselves worthy of your trust. "Accept then, this StarSpangled Banner; bear it on to victory and triumph; and be assured, sir, that my prayers and the prayers of this whole community shall follow you to the field of danger and honor; and, if called into actual service, see to it that not one star of this glorious constellation shall fall under the feet of those that have forgotten that they' who take the sword shall perish with the sword. May you return with this flag after glorious deeds of mill itary honor, and may history inscribe upon its broad stripes: 'The Ohio Seventy-second was as true as the patriots of '76.' God speed you, sir, and let this be the war cry in your regiment: 'The sword of God and our country." On account of the throng it was impossible to ob tain a verbatim report of COLONEL BUCKLAND'S RESPONSE. " I tender my heartfelt thanks to you, the noble donors of these flags, and also the thanks of the Seventy-second regiment, which I have the honor to represent; and I know that I express not only my own feeling, but the feelings of the officers and men under my command, when I say to you that, so far as bravery and courage will do it, we have pledged ourselves here to-day to sustain the honor of the flags which you have done us the honor to present to us. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 267 I heartily concur in the remarks made by my friend, Lang, in behalf of my German fellow-soldiers. It is true that incidents are recorded everywhere in the history of this country, in every war, proving that the Germans have been among the bravest, most loyal, and patriotic of our countrymen. They were such during the Revolution, and in the present war we have a Sigel, a Blencker, and a host of German patriots; and wherever the fight has been the hottest, there have been our German fellow-countrymen; — and nobly have they sustained the German character by their courage and patriotism. They are friends of liberty the world over, and when they are fighting under the stars and stripes, they are fighting under the emblem of liberty known wherever civilization has made any headway. They are here now, and we rely upon those in our regiment, as well as in others, to help sustain the honor of the regiment and the honor of the colors you have this day pre sented to us. I am well aware of the great responsi bility I myself have assumed as colonel of this regi ment; and I feel that I am not competent to the task; not so well qualified for the position as I wish I were. But all I can say in reply to that is, that I consented to supply that place, and that I will de vote all my energies and abilities, whatever they may be, to advance the interests, the comforts, and the glories of the Seventy-second regiment. It is per haps the greatest undertaking of my life, and I have pledged myself and my all to sustain the honor of this regiment. More than this I cannot do. I know it is one thing to propose what we will do, and an other thing to accomplish that promise when the day of trial comes; and it would be useless for me to de tain you here to-day with any promises. All I have to say is, look to these praying men who are sur rounding me, and ask yourselves if you have any fears of the result. I say no! you cannot. I believe, yes I have full confidence, that we shall some day return marching under these glorious banners; and when you come to examine them you will not find anywhere on them a single stain of dishonor. However much they may be shattered and torn, they will be untar- nised so far as honor is concerned. If I shall be mistaken, then I shall consider that my efforts have been in vain; but I have no fears, so far as the of ficers and men under me are concerned. When tney bear in mind by whose influence these banners have been conferred to-day, they will be prompted to deeds of bravery, and the presence of these flags will have an influence on every act and every duty which shall be performed by the Seventy-second reg iment. Whenever they go into the battlefield and behold these banners, the glorious stars and stripes under which our fathers gained their independence, and under which our men are now in the field fight ing for the honor and glory of this country — I say whenever they go into battle under these banners, they will go in with a shout, remembering the beauti ful donors, and be encouraged to acts of heroism by the recollection that they are fighting not only for themselves and the regiment, but for the honor of the ladies who have presented these banners to them. Therefore, ladies, I say I have no fear but that when these banners are returned to you, which I hope they will be, they will be returned covered with honor, and that there will be no spot of dishonor'anywhere within their folds. 1 ' Mr. Everett has referred particularly to the part I have taken in getting up this regiment. I wish in re ply to that barely to remark that I owe very much to the officers and men who have taken hold with me and worked so faithfully and energetically in this cause. I do not wish to assume to myself the whole honor of getting up the Seventy-second regiment; it does not belong to me. I only say I have done what I could, and I will, give honor to those who have done what they could. We have raised a regiment where it was thought none could be raised. It has been well remarked that many of these men have left families and kindred at home. They have made greater sacrifices than I have made. Some can not well leave their families ; and I wish now on this occa sion to ask you to look well to the families of the men who have assembled here to do battle for our country and for your benefit. In our absence let them not suf fer for want of the necessaries of life. I will not detain you longer, but will return you the heartfelt thanks of the whole regiment for these beautiful flags. "And now, fellow soldiers! Attention battalion | I propose that the whole battalion give the donors three hearty cheers. " (Cheers by the regiment.) In the afternoon of Friday, the 24th ot January, 1862, the Seventy- second left Camp Croghan, and travelled by railroad to Clyde, Ohio, and thence by the same conveyance to Camp Chase. The soldiers were apparently in good spirits and cheerful. But the very heart strings of social life and love throughout the county quivered with suppressed an guish while the men cheered, and the women waved them- on to duty. The Infinite God alone can ever know and measure the secret anguish that found relief in tears shed in secret, and the inarticulate prayers which followed the march of the brave boys of the regi ment, as they took their departure for three years to expose their lives to all the chances of war. Companies A, B, C, D, E, F, H, and I 268 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. were formed almost entirely of citizens of Sandusky county; company G, with a small portion of companies H and A, were recruited in Erie county, and com pany K was mostly recruited in Medina county, while a few men in companies C and E were of Wood County, Ohio. As the regiment did not, when it left Fremont, contain the maximum number of men, company K was broken up, and distributed among the other companies, and the officers of that company dis charged. A company originally recruited for the Fifty-second Ohio Volunteer In fantry, was assigned to the Seventy-second at Camp Chase, and denominated com pany K, which made the regiment full. *The regiment was fully equipped in February, and was ordered to report to General Sherman at Paducah. Here it was assigned to a brigade composed of the Forty-eighth, Seventieth, and Seventy- second Ohio regiments, and Colonel Buck- land placed in command. The Seventy- second proceeded with Sherman's division to Fort Henry on the steamer Baltic, by way of the Tennessee River. This move ment was early in March, 1862. From Fort Henry the main army proceeded to Savannah, but Sherman's division was or dered up to Eastport, Mississippi, for .the purpose of cutting the Memphis & Charles ton Railroad, and thus prevent General J. S. Johnson from reinforcing Beau regard. Heavy rains and consequent high water defeated the plan, and after a deten tion of sixteen days On board of the boats Buckland's brigade disembarked at Pitts!. burg Landing, and encamped near Shiloh Church. From the long confinement on the transports and bad water at Shiloh, the troops under General Buckland suffered *For the following account of the services of the Seventy-second regiment we are indebted to Reid's Ohio in the War. greatly in health, and the Seventy-second was weakened and greatly reduced in numbers. On the 3d of April Buckland's brigade was engaged in a reconnoissance, in which the Seventy-second met the rebel pickets, and exchanged shots. On the next day (the 4th of April) companies B and H were ordered to reconnoiter the front of the picket line. These com panies became separately engaged, and Major Crockett and two or three men of company H were captured, and several were wounded. Company B was sur rounded, but it fought for an hour against great odds, and was saved by the fortu nate arrival of companies A, D and F, which were sent forward to their relief. Company B lost four men wounded. All this time the rebels were massing near Shiloh, and preparing to sweep away the Union forces there, by an unexpected attack in force. But General Buckland, by reconnoitering, had felt the enemy, and was too vigilant to be prepared for an at tack at any moment, so far as he was concerned. Whatever has been said, or may be said about our forces being sur prised at Shiloh, sure it is that General Buckland was not surprised. His brigade was ready, from the time of Crockett's capture, and all that prudence and bravery could do, General Buckland did to be ready for the enemy at any and every moment. He felt sure from the 3d of April, that the rebels intended an attack in force on the army at Pittsburg Land ing, and acted accordingly. And when, on the morning of the 6th of April, 1862, the onset came, he was up and ready. His brigade met the enemy on that memor able morning, and withstood the furious onset of three successive lines; and not withstanding the defection of the brigade on his left, he held his position for two hours, when General Sherman ordered his brigade to retire. Therebels had advanced HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 269 on the left, and threatened to cut off the retreat, but Buckland's brigade made a rapid detour to the right through a dense wood, and at 11 o'clock was in posi tion to the right of the National line. The regiment was constantly at the front, and acted with great bravery and coolness throughout the day, and on the 7th effect ively participated in the charge which finally swept the enemy from the field, and that night rested in the camp from which it had been ordered to retire the day before. In this action the regiment lost Lieutenant-Colonel Canfield mortally wounded, and two company officers killed, one of them being the brave cap tain of the German company, H, and one officer missing. Thirteen men were killed, seventy were wounded, and forty- five were missing. The Seventy- second participated in the pursuit of the enemy as far as Monterey. At the siege of Corinth the Seventy- second bore a conspicuous part, and al though its losses in the action were not great, it suffered great loss by disease and consequent disability. During the siege General J. W. Denver assumed command of Buckland's brigade, and Colonel Buck- land returned to the command of his regiment. After the evacuation of Corinth, Sher man's division moved along the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, in a westerly di rection, and on the 21st of July, 1863, en tered Memphis. When the regiment ar rived at Memphis it presented a dilapida ted condition; the men were worn, sick, weary, and ragged, having drawn no cloth ing since the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Here the Seventy-second was brigaded with the Thirty-second Wisconsin, Ninety- third Indiana, Ninety-third Illinois, and the One Hundred and Fourteenth Illinois. This brigade was designated the First brigade of the Third division. The di vision was placed under the command of General Lanman, while Colonel Buckland command d the brigade under the new organization. On the 26th day of November the reg iment marched toward Wyatt, on the Tal lahatchie. The rebels retreated, and Sher man's forces were ordered back to Mem phis. When the Memphis & Charleston Railroad was reached, the regiment was ordered to Moscow, to hold the bridge over Wolf River. Here the regiment fell in with Richardson's guerillas, but expe rienced no loss. It remained at Moscow about two weeks, in the performance of picket duty there, until the 9th of January, 1863, when it was ordered to Corinth. The march to Corinth was made by way of Bolivar and Purdy. In the night next after arriving at Corinth, the weather be came intensely cold, from which the men suffered severely. Here Buckland's bri gade was assigned to the Sixteenth Corps, and was concentrated near Memphis. The Seventy-second reached White's Station, nine miles east of Memphis, on the 31st of January, 1863, and was en gaged in picket duty, and in work on the fortifications. It moved to Memphis on the 13th of March, embarked on the steamer Champion, and on the 14th pro ceeded down the stream. The regiment had been reinforced by about forty nine-months recruits, which, with returning convalescents, somewhat increased its effective strength. On the 2d of April the regiment went into camp four miles above Young's Point. Here it was for a time engaged in working on the canal, and in preparations for the coming campaign. It commenced its march for a position in the rear of Vicks burg on the 2d of May, 1863, moved seventy miles southward, through Louisi ana, and reached the Mississippi opposite Grand Gulf. It crossed the river on the 270 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 7th of May, and on the 8th moved toward Jackson, Mississippi, and was in the battle there on the 14th of May. The next day the regiment continued the march toward Vicksburg, and arrived there on the 18th. The regiment took a part in the assault on the rebel works at Vicksburg, on the 19th and 2 2d days of May, and then be gan the labors of the siege. The position of the regiment was on the right of Tut- tle's division, and within a half mile of the Mississippi River, and north of Vicksburg. On the 2 2d of June the Seventy-second formed part of the force ordered to Big Black River to intercept Joe Johnson, who was attempting the relief of Vicks burg. After this the Seventy-second was thrown out on the advance picket-line, and continued to hold that hazardous po sition until the surrender of Vicksburg. The regiment then moved against Gen eral Johnson at Jackson, and after the battle pursued the rebels to Brandon, where it had an engagement. After de stroying a portion of the railroad it re turned to Big Black to rest and refit. In the latter part of the summer the regiment moved to Oak Ridge, twenty-one miles distant from Vicksburg and near the Yazoo River, and in September it participated in a four days' scout to Me- chanisville, in which it experienced some very hard marching, and lively skirmishing. On the 15 th of October, 1863, it took part in General McPherson's expedition to Can ton, Mississippi, and on its return went into camp eight miles in the rear of Vicksburg. About the middle of November the regi ment was ordered with its division to Memphis, to guard the Mississippi and Charleston railroad, and was stationed at Germantown, fourteen miles east of Mem phis. On the 2d of January, 1864, the regi ment re-enlisted and soon after moved to Memphis. In February it took part in the expedition under Colonel McMillen, to the Tallahatchie River, to create a diversion in favor of General W. S. Smith's cavalry expedition, all being part of Gen eral Sherman's Meridian expedition. This lasted thirteen days, and the regiment marched one hundred and fifty miles. VETERAN FURLOUGH. On the 23d of February, at Memphis, it received a veteran furlough and pro ceeded North. And it is the pleasing duty of the historian to follow the gallant veterans of the Seventy-second regiment, who had re-enlisted, from the scenes of their labors and suffering, their, marches, sieges, and battles," back to their homes and friends and dear ones, from whom they parted more than two years before. On Friday, the 26th day of February, 1864, a telegram to Fremont announced that the regiment was at Cairo the day previous, on its way home. This good news soon put the public mind in the city and county in motion. The brave men we had sent out more than two years be fore, and who had toiled and suffered, and marched and fought at the front so many weary days, were now coming home to greet those whom they left behind shad owed with anxiety and tears at their de parture. It may truly be said that the hearts of the whole county thrilled and throbbed with joyous anticipations at the meeting, and with a desire to honor the veterans on their arrival. The mayor of Fremont at once gave notice of a public meeting of the citizens to make arrange ments for a proper reception of the regi ment. A large meeting was held, over which the mayor, Captain John M. Kline, was called to preside, and D. W. Krebs was chosen secretary. On motion the mayor and common council of the city appointed a committee of arrangements, with power to appoint such sub-commit tees as they might think proper. The sub- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 271 committees were then promptly announced as follows: The committee on arrange ments and refreshments were: H. R. Shomo, Isaac E-. Amsden, John Flaugher, Captain A. Young, C. H. Burdick, and Isaac M. Keeler. The committee on reception were: Homer Everett, J. L. Greene, sr., John Bell, David Betts, James Justice, Dr. Thomas Stilwell, William N. Morgan, Isaac Knapp, Nathaniel Haynes, and William S. Russell. Dispatches were then sent to Columbus, Ohio, inquiring what time the regiment might be expected in Fremont,- and also to Governor Brough, asking that the regiment might be ordered to come here in a body, and be furloughed at Fremont instead of at Columbus. To this the Governor gave his assent, and the information came that it was expected to arrive in Columbus Saturday afternoon, and would leave that night at 10 o'clock, and reach Fremont at 10 o'clock a. m., Sunday morning. This left but a few hours to make arrangements to receive the brave men in a proper manner. The great Daniel Webster once proclaimed at Philadelphia during a great financial cri sis, that "there are no Sabbaths in revo lutionary times." All our statutes on the observation of the Sabbath, have an ex ception from the prohibition of labor on the Sabbath, which says works of neces sity and charity excepted. Here, in the reception of the brave boy's in blue, our people found a work of necessity and charity combined, and notwithstanding the fact that our people loved the Sabbath, and the common, quiet duties of that sacred day as well as any other people, on this occasion they made it a holy duty to feed the hungry and thank the brave defenders of our flag. Our people at once took hold of the preparations with a will. Union hall was procured in which to set the tables for re freshments. Word was immediately sent through the town and vicinity for provis ions to be sent in. The Ladies' Aid So ciety at once began work with an energy only known to the women of Fremont, who know no such word as faint or fail. Their efforts soon put the question of ample provision for the patriots beyond all doubt. Had there been twenty-four hours more time there would have been suffi cient to feed five times the number. Eight tables were set, each containing forty plates, besides, in the ante-room ad joining, about fifty more plates were set. Tables were never more tastefully ar ranged, nor more bountifully supplied. There were oysters, stewed and raw, hot coffee, turkeys, chickens, ham, beef, sliced tongue, slaw, pickled cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, peaches, cherries, bread, biscuit, cakes in quantity, pies, apples, canned peaches, strawberries, cherries, currants, with all other varities of fruits. No such sumptuous tables were ever before spread in Fremont; they were, in short, loaded with the best that could be provided. At half past eight o'clock Sunday morning a telegram announced that the train convey ing the Seventy-second had passed Ober lin at 8 o'clock that morning, on its way to Fremont. At Wakeman this train lay on the side track an hour and a half, wait ing for a freight train to pass. After this delay the train bearing our brave boys came thundering into the depot at Fre mont, a few minutes after 12 o'clock, Sunday, February 28, 1864. Acres of peo ple were assembled at the depot, and wel comed them with well rendered music from the Fremont band, and cheers and shouts from the glad multitude. The soldiers quickly left the cars and promptly took position in the regiment for the march. The reception committee conducted them down in good order, through Croghan street to Main, on Main street down to State, down State to Front, and up Front 272 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. street to Union hall, on the corner of Front and Garrison streets. Here the regiment standing amidst a throng of men, women, and children, were wel comed on behalf of the citizens by Homer Everett, esq., in a brief speech, which was as follows: Brave Men, Patriots and Soldiers of the Army of the Union ; — The people of Fremont and vicinity, by the mayor and common council of Fre mont, desire me to say that during your absence in the field of active military duty for more than two years, they have watched your conduct with intense interest. We have all observed your sacrifices, hardships, suffering, and sympathized in them all. Our best wishes and prayers have been constantly offered in your behalf. We feel that the honor and glory you won on the bloody field of Shiloh, and at the laborious and trying siege of Vicksburg, is in a measure reflected back on us, and we rejoice to share it with you. We thought and believed when we parted with the Seventy-second, that we were sending into the field as fine, intelligent and brave a regiment as ever adorned the service of any State or Nation. Now we know it to be so. You left as volunteer citizens unused to war; you return sol diers, veteran soldiers, with banners soiled and tat tered in the storms of battle. It is the Sabbath day ; we hope we do not violate it in discharging our solemn duty to thank you on the only occasion we can have to do so. We remember that on the Sabbath of the 6th of April, 1862, you beat back the assailing foe, that we might enjoy this day in peace. Hence to-day you see this great assemblage of men, women and children here to thank you. You went away a thousand strong, you return with less than half that number. Battles and disease have thinned your ranks. Many dear and once familiar faces no longer answer to the roll call. Many cheering voices, once animating your ranks, are heard no more. To all those who fell or died of wounds received in bat tle, as Canfield, Weigstem, Witmer, Wonders, Glass, and many others; to all those who died of disease in the service, as Crocket, Caldwell, and many others of the Seventy-second, as well as to all who have perished in this great war, we here pay our grateful tribute of dear remembrance, holding them as priceless offerings on the altar of Freedom and Union. They have not died in vain. Your brave and beloved Colonel Buckland, so devoted to the honor and welfare of the Seventy-second, though not present on this occasion, we rejoice to know still lives to serve the country in another and advanced sphere of service. Brave men, notwithstanding your sufferings and services, with a full knowledge of all the privations and dangers of war, you have further proved your devotion to the great cause by re-enlisting, by volun tarily promising to fight the battle through. This noble act crowns your merit, proves you worthy of the country's confidence and excites our admiration to the highest point. We thank you! We are proud of you! You are weary and hungry; fathers, mothers, wives and sisters, and other dear ones, are yearning to embrace you; your hearts are bounding to embrace them. It is not the time to hold you here to recount all, all you have done for us. Brave men, veteran soldiers of the Grand Army of the Union! The people with open arms gratefully, thankfully welcome you to our hearts, our homes, and the best cheer we can give. After heartily cheering the welcome, the regiment inarched in order into the hall for refreshments. The men had eaten nothing since 8 o'clock the Saturday night previous to their arrival. They were, as may be properly supposed, in a condi tion to appreciate the repast prepared for them. Never did men eat with a better relish, or with more earnest, heartfelt thankfulness take a feast of good things amidst smiling and grateful faces of beau tiful and good women than did the veter ans of the Seventy-second on that mem orable day. Such expressions of gratitude by both the entertained and the entertainers were never heard before in the county. The hearts of all the soldiers, and all the citizens, were never before so manifestly sympathetic and tender. It was a scene and a time long to be remembered in Fre mont, and in fact throughout the county of Sandusky. In two hours after the men had sur feited on the good things, all but forty or fifty had left town for their homes in the country. The remaining ones took sup per at the hall, and about thirty were present at breakfast on Monday morning. There were three hundred and fifteen men who re-enlisted. About one hundred were left behind who had not re-enlisted, and were, of course, not entitled to the veteran furlough. No accident occurred to mar the joys of the occasion, and no impropriety was manifested during the day. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 273 As the men marched along their way from the .depot to the front of the hall, between lines of cheering citizens, they appeared grave, silent, and almost sad. In fact, they were travel-worn, weary, and hungry. Their march was not a holiday parade; they moved steadily and slowly along, without noise or demonstration of emotion whatever. As they took position in front of the hall, and listened to the words of welcome, some countenances in the ranks were momentarily lighted by an expression of satisfaction. There was a total absence of everything gay, or gaudy, or frivolous about them. But behind those bronzed faces could be seen the deep determination of brave, patriotic men, who had tasted war and knew its perils, and were still determined to en dure more for the flag and the Union. Beneath the soiled and battered caps on their heads there were brains sufficient to organize and conduct the affairs of a State; underneath the ragged blouses were big, brave, noble hearts, ready to dare and to do for their country. And, al though the external appearance of the men as they stood plainly indicated that they were in want of the bath, the barber, and the tailor to fit them for parlor enter tainments in the lives they had led in the homes they had left for the tented field, there were thousands present who knew that each man was a precious jewel, whether placed in the storm of battle for his country, or in the discharge of civic duties in social or political life. "God bless the boys," was the heartfelt utter ance of thousands on that day. No doubt equal merit should be awarded to hundreds of thousands of our volun teers from other localities, but as we are writing the history of Sandusky county, of course it is our special duty to mention our own soldiers. AGAIN TO THE FRONT. On the 5th of April, 1864, the regiment reassembled at Fremont and moved to Cleveland, Ohio. During the furlough considerable recruiting was done, and the regiment returned to the front with nearly five hundred men. It next moved, April 8th, to Cairo, by railroad, and arrived there on the ioth of the same month; and while there, awaiting river transportation, it was ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, to assist in the defence of that place against Forrest, whose forces made a slight attack on the place, which was repulsed. It re mained at Paducah until the 2 2d of April, 1864, when it embarked for Memphis, and arrived there the next day. ' The regiment here remained quietly in camp, drilling the new recruits, until the 30th of April, when it joined an expedition under General Sturgis, against Forrest. They moved by rail nearly to Wolf River, thirty- eight miles from Memphis, and from there marched to Bolivar, arriving just in time to see the place evacuated. From there the regiment marched with the expedition southward, toward Ripley, Mississippi, but finding no enemy, turned back, and on the 9th of May reached Memphis. The regiment formed part of an expedi tion which started June 1, 1864, against Forrest. The forces sent on this expedi tion consisted of twelve regiments of in fantry and a division of cavalry. The force encountered Forrest's men at Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, and the cavalry began skirmishing. The enemy was in a well chosen position at and behind Tisho mingo Creek. The infantry was brought up on the double-quick for several miles, and at once went into action. No attempt was made to establish a line, and the regi ments were hurled against the enemy one at a time, and thus each regiment was sub jected to great odds, and was badly cut up. To make matters worse, an attempt 274 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. was made to advance the wagon train across the creek, directly under the en emy's fire. This attempt brought great confusion; a retreat was ordered, and the retreat became a panic. A portion of the train was . destroyed, and the remainder fell into the hands of the enemy, and the National troops were left without ammuni tion and without rations. No attempt was made to cover the rear or to secure an orderly retreat. It was a regular stam pede, and on the same day of the fight the expedition fell back twenty-three miles, to Ripley. Here an attempt was made to reorganize, but to no purpose. The Seventy-second was the last to retreat from the fight at Guntown or Tishomingo Creek, and the last to reach Ripley. Whitelaw Reid's History of Ohio in the War, says the officer in command of the expedition surrounded himself with cav alry and started for Memphis, leaving the infantry, as he expressively said, "to go to the devil." Why any historian could sup press the name of the wretch who would so imprudently lead — no, not lead, but order — his men to certain destruction, and coward-like ride away and leave them to their fate, seems to be an emphatic omission. The name of the miserable mismanager of this expedition was General Sturgis, and his name should always be connected with that terrible disaster, to shut out all chance for inference that some worthy man who was there might be charged with the slaughter and terrible imprisonment of the brave men who were there sacrificed. In this expedition Gen eral Buckland took no part, but was at the time post commander in Memphis, and faithfully doing duty as such, while the immediate command of the Seventy- second devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Charles G. Eaton, a brave man and noble commander. The only safety to the infantry from death or rebel prison lay in reaching Memphis, and to do this the men on foot must outmarch the rebel cavalry. In credible as it may seem, nine officers and one hundred and forty men of the Seven ty-second, reached Germantown on the morning of the 12th; thus marching at the close of a battle without a morsel of food, one hundred miles in forty-one hours. Eleven officers and two hundred and thirty-seven men of the Seventy-second were killed, wounded, or captured. The greater portion were captured, and of these very few returned to the regiment. Many of those who reached Germantown were broken down completely, and On reaching Memphis, where the regiment was trans ported by rail, many of the men were ut terly helpless and could neither walk nor stand. On the 15th day of June, 1864, five days after the sad affair, Captain Leroy Moore, of Company F, wrote from Meri dian, Mississippi, to the Fremont Journal, as follows : Meridian, Mississippi, June 15, 1864. Mr. Keeler, Sir : — The following is a list of prisoners from the Seventy-second regiment Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, now at this place. We arrived here this (Wednesday) morning, June 15. The greater number of these men were taken on the nth and 12th of June. Quite a number have un: doubtedly been since taken, and perhaps some have been killed and wounded, but I have no account of any but the above named. The health of the men is good and they are in excellent spirits, but are very hard up for clothing — about one-half being without shoes, and a less number without blankets or coats. Knowing the anxiety which our friends feel for our welfare, I have concluded to send this to you for publication. Very respectfully, Leroy Moore, Captain Company F, Seventy-second Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry. A more complete list was furnished a few days later by Captain J. M. Lemmon, which is published below: On the 1 8th of June, 1864, Lieutenant Colonel C. G. Eaton, who commanded HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 275 the Seventy-second regiment in this ex pedition, made the following report to his superior officer. Of course military dis cipline would not allow him to criticise General Sturgis' conduct, but the facts stated in the report are sufficient for the purpose. Headquarters Seventy-second Regiment, ") Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, y Memphis, Tennessee, June 18, 1864. J Lieutenant O. H. Able, Acting Assistant Adju tant-General First Brigade, First Division, Six teenth Army Corps : Sir : — In compliance with special order No. 39, headquarters First Brigade, First Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, dated Memphis, Tennessee, May 31st, 1864, this regiment, as part of the infantry force com manded by Colonel W. L. McMillen, reported at the Memphis & Charleston depot, at 6 o'clock A. M., June ist, 1864. From the depot we were transported by rail to a point about three miles east of Colliers- ville, from whence we proceeded, by slow and easy marches, to our camp on the side-hill, about four miles north of the Hatchie bottom, where we arrived the evening of June 9. The march of the command of which the Seventy-second Ohio formed a part, from Colliersville to this camp, was slow, on account of rainy weather, muddy roads, and being encum bered with a train of some two hundred and fifty wagons. At 6 A. M., June 10, we moved from this camp, marching at a good pace for about nine miles, when I was notified by Captain Buckland, of Colonel McMillen's staff, that the cavalry command was en gaged with the enemy in front, and that it would be necessary for me to hurry up my regiment. Accord ingly, I moved my regiment at a very rapid pace, some three miles, to the battlefield, where we arrived between 2 and 3 P. M. The day being extremely ' hot and sultry, quite a number of my men fell out before we arrived there, being overcome with heat and fatigue. Upon arriving at the battlefield, by order of Colonel W. L. McMillen, commanding in fantry division, the Seventy-second regiment was stationed on the left of the line, to support Miller's battery — which was immediately on its right — and cover the road to the rear. The battery was sta tioned on a hill in front of a log house, the right of the Seventy-second resting near the battery, and the regiment extending to the left nearly to the foot of the hill. In front of the Seventy-second, about two hundred and fifty yards, was another hill, on top of which were stationed a. few rebels, concealed by bushes and a rail fence. The space between the Seventy-second and the rebel line was an open field, giving us a good opportunity to see any advance' on the part of the enemy. I had five companies deploy as skirmishers to the front, and to the right. They kept up a little skirmishing with the enemy for about an hour and a half, when Colonel Wilkins, com manding brigade, ordered me to withdraw my regi ment from the position on the left of the line, and to form it in line, so that the left would rest about one hundred yards to the right of Miller's battery. Col onel Wilkins informed me that the object of this movement was to protect the cavalry while they should retreat across the bridge to the rear. Accord ingly, I withdrew my regiment, with the exception of the five companies which had previously been de ployed as skirmishers, but had not arrived at the po sition where I was ordered to establish my regiment, before the five companies deployed as skirmishers were heavily engaged with the skirmishers of the enemy. I suggested to Colonel Wilkins the propriety of moving my regiment back to its former position, for the reason that, if the enemy should drive back my five skirmish companies, it would enable him to pass up the road to our rear, thereby cutting us off from retreat in case of disaster, and also enable him to destroy the large train of ammunition and com missary stores. Colonel Wilkins, seeing how much damage the enemy could do by forcing back the left of our line, consented to my returning to my first po sition. As soon as my regiment arrived at the first posi tion, a heavy line of the .enemy's skirmishers, which extended quite a distance beyond the left of my skirmish line, was seen advancing across the open field. I formed my command so as to give my men a good range of that part of the enemy's line of skirmishers which extended heyond the left of my line of skirmishers. A few volleys fired by my com mand caused the enemy to withdraw. Just at this moment I discovered that the whole infantry com mand, with the exception of my regiment, was re treating. In a very few minutes, Colonel McMillen, in person, ordered me to hold my position until all of the other regiments should have crossed a creek and swamp to our rear, to the end that they might have time to form a new line of battle about half a mile in the rear. By the time the last regiment had crossed, the enemy was advancing from the right, .left, and front of my position, and it was almost by chance that my regiment escaped being captured. After crossing the creek and swamp, Colonel McMil- in ordered me to march my regiment along with the train, keeping the right hand side of the road, This I -did until I arrived at a house on a ridge about half a mile to the rear of the battlefield, where General Grierson suggested that I should station my regiment behind a rail fence, to protect the train until it should all have passed this point. This suggestion I con sidered <* good one, and immediately formed my regiment in line on the right hand side of^ the road, where I remained until the last wagon passed. Again I moved my command to the rear, keeping the right hand side of the road, as directed. We had gone 276 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. but a few rods when the teamsters near the middle of the train began to destroy their wagons by setting them on fire, thus blockading the road so that all the wagons in the rear of those destroyed had to be abandoned. Seeing that no new line of battle was established, and that all the rest of the command were continuing to retreat, and receiving no order from my superiors in command, I continued to march to the rear, until I arrived on the hill on the north side of the Hatchie bottoms, where I ordered my regiment to halt, intending to allow the men a rest of about an hour, as they were getting very much fatigued, having marched about eight miles from the battlefield without rest. The regiment had hardly halted when an aide to General Sturgis, in the name of the General, ordered me to keep up the retreat still further to the rear. In obedience to these orders I again moved my command to the rear until I arrived on the ground where my regiment had bivouacked the night previ ous. My men, overcome by fatigue, having marched some twelve miles from the battlefield, without rest, I ordered a halt intending to remain until I should receive orders from some of my superiors in com mand. About half an hour afterward Colonel War ren's brigade of cavalry came up and the-command- ing officer ordered to move my command to Ripley. I enquired by what authority he gave me such or ders. He replied, "By order pf General Sturgis." Again I moved my command to the rear, and came up with General Sturgis and Colonel McMillen at a bridge crossing a creek about six miles south of Rip ley. Colonel McMillen ordered me to continue the retreat to Ripley, which I did, arriving there at 5 o'clock the following morning, — having, in twenty- three hours, marched a distance of thirty-eight miles, and engaged the enemy two hours. At a little before 7 o'clock Colonel McMillen sent an aid (Lieuten ant Livings), ordering me as the senior officer of the brigade then present, to immediately move the brig ade on the Salem road following the cavalry, with in structions to have the armed men organized so as to be available at a moment's warning. Only three reg iments were in motion before Colonel D. C. Thomas, Ninety-third Indiana infantry, came up and assumed command. After marching about two miles Cap tain Fernald, of Colonel McMillen's staff, ordered me to keep well closed up on the cavalry, which was the last order I received that day from any of my superior officers. About eight miles from Ripley the enemy fired into the centre of the regiment from the left, hand side of the road, which caused a slight delay, of the left companies, thereby forming quite a gap between the fourth and fifth companies. The cavalry in ad vance began to march at such a rapid pace that it became utterly impossible for infantry to keep closed up with them — but the organization of my regiment was still kept up, keeping as close to the cavalry in front as possible. After marching about two miles further, the Fourth Missouri cavalry, which was act ing as rear guard to the whole command*, suddenly made a rush to the front, riding through the ranks of my regiment, causing the men to scatter in all direc tions to avoid being ridden over; at the same time the enemy made an attack on the rear. My men, being wholly out of ammunition, and seeing that it was absolutely necessary to rid themselves of all in cumbrances in order to avoid being captured, broke their guns and destroyed their accoutrements by cut ting them in pieces. They then pressed rapidly for ward, with the intention of keeping up with the cav alry and saving themselves if possible ; but the ma jority of them being overcome by the excessive heat of the day and the long and rapid march, were com pelled to leave the road and seek safety in the woods. However, one hundred and forty-three of my command kept pace with the cavalry, and ar rived at Colliersville about 8 o'clock the following morning, having marched a distance of nearly ninety miles in forty-eight hours. After resting part of the day at Colliersville, these men became so stiffened as to require assistance to enable them to walk,— some of them, too foot-sore to stand upon their feet, crawled upon their hands and knees to the cars. When I left Ripley in the morning my command had three hundred and twenty guns, and averaged about eight rounds of ammunition to the man. Eleven officers and two hundred and thirty-five enlisted men have not yet returned to Memphis. They are most of them undoubtedly prisoners of war in the hands of the enemy. Of the officers and men under my command, I have just reasons for feeling proud. Not an officer or man did I see who failed to do his whole duty, and none of them surely are responsible for any part of the disaster. C. G. Eaton, Lieutenant Colonel Commanding Seventy-second regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On the 19th of June, 1864, Captain J. Mack Lemmon sent the following letter, which was published in the Fremont Jour nal of the following week: Memphis, Tenn., June 19, 1864. Editor Journal: Enclosed I send you a com plete list of names of missing officers and men of the Seventy-second Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, in the retreat from Guntown, June 10 and u, 1864. It is hoped — though hardly possible — that some may yet come in. Prisoners who made their escape from the rebels report that our men were well treated when they fell into rebel hands. The loss of the expedi tion will amount to very nearly two thousand killed, wounded, and missing; besides, we have lost one hundred and eighty wagons, sixteen pieces of artil- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 277 lery, about thirty ambulances, and two thousand animals. Major General A. J. Smith has been placed in command of the active forces here, and we may now look for better results. Respectfully, J. Mack Lemmon, Captain Seventy-second Ohio Infantry. The following is a list of the officers and men of the Seventy-second Ohio, who were missing: commissioned officers. Captain Andrew Nupher, commanding Compa ny D. Captain Leroy Moore, commanding Company F. Captain Charles L. Dirlam, commanding Compa ny K. First Lieutenant John B. Gillmore, Company F. First Lieutenant Lorenzo Dick, commanding Company H. Second Lieutenant Edward McMahon, Compa ny F. Second Lieutenant Zelotus Perrin, Company K. Second Lieutenant Jay Winters, Company B. Second Lieutenant Morris Rees, Company D. Second Lieutenant David Van Doren, Company G. Second Lieutenant Josiah Fairbanks, Company I. non-commissioned staff. Hospital Steward G. A. Gessner. Principal Musician James-Drinkwater. COMPANY A. non-commissioned officers. Sergeant Sergeant SergeantSergeantSergeant Corporal Corporal CorporalCorporalCorporal Musician S. K. Dwight. H. N. Lay, J. N. Wadams. W. Woolverton. C. N. Davis. W. G. Miller. A. L. Bush, A. Bradbury. Charles Boyd. S. Chadwick. William Fega. privates. A. Almond, T. Babcock, F. Babcock, G. Burkett, Andrew German, Jacob Helsel, Augustus Harris, Z. Hutchinson, William Hinton, Jesse Hemp, Frank Lay, A. Murry, L. McCarty, N. B. Mason, Henry Miller, Valentine. Ott, Morris Pilgrim, Noble Perrin, Almon Rodgers, E. Rorebach, William Ross, A. Simmerson, W. Sturtivant, L. Wentworth, Eli Whitaker, John Whitaker. company b. non-commissioned officers. Sergeant W. Millious. Sergeant W. F. McEntyre. Sergeant John Collins. Corporal Christ Bower. Corporal G. W. Camp. PRIVATE* J. F. Adams, D. Bruner, C. H. Bennett, H. Bischoff, M. Cowell, John Dardis, F. M. Engler, A. T. Fisher, T. H. Fisher, J. F. Faust, Peter Gurst, F. Hollager, Thomas Hearty, P. Mulrain, B. E. Mclntyre, S. P. Obermier, H. Overmyer, A. Polley, Sol Stage, H. B. Whitaker, M. Rubels. COMPANY C. non-commissioned officers. 1 Corporal A. Brackley. Corporal Jacob Huffman. Corporal Jeremiah Heath. Corporal Hiram Edgar. Corporal J. P. Heritage. privates. J. C. Beery, John L. Cook, Emanuel Smith, John Whitcome, Daniel Shoe, Ed Chapman, J. Hutchin son, Lewis Edgar, W. C. Team, David Henline, John P. King, R. Kelvington, M. Lattig, S. Over myer, Fred Smith, Henry Martin, H. E. Hassen- plug, Owen Hudnell, Jacob Bunket, George Lowe. COMPANY D. non-commissioned officers. Sergeant John Carbaugh. Sergeant Perry Chance. Sergeant William Duke. Corporal George Albert. Corporal Solomon Cook. Corporal Franklin Grove. Corporal Elijah Neible. Musician J. Sherwood. privates. Henry Basor, Joseph Beam, Orson Bower, M. Cuthbertson, H. Ewing, James Findley, George Grove, James Hales, Jacob Ludwig, J. McDaniel, Charles Piper, John Purcell, John Reese, Conrag Sheller, Fred Visher, John Walter. COMPANY E. non-commissioned officers. Sergeant L. A. Jackson. Sergeant J. P. Elderkin. Sergeant Jacob Snyder. Sergeant D. J. Hagarty. Sergeant Jacob Baker. Corporal Fred Stattler. Corporal William Furry. Corporal M. S. Haines. Corporal R. W. Medkirk. Corporal George Eslibe. B. C. Beach, J. Gullenbeck, C. J. McGurnsey, Henry Innus, Martin Lochner, Henry Potter, M. 278 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Stateler, A. Shoemaker, William Stewart, A. J. Zink. COMPANY F. non-commissioned officers. Sergeant E. B. Moore. Sergeant T. N. Russell. Corporal I. A. Entsminger. Corporal A. Brunthaver. PRIVATES. Andrew Barto, A. R. Ballard, Chris Beck, William Craft, Ira Crane, H. W. Chamberlain, J. S. Duer- ler, J. M. Gillmore, George Hawk, Louis Hawk, John Johnson, Thomas Jackson, William H. Kirk, Hiram Neff, James Nesbit, Sardis Patterson, Chaun Reynolds, William Repp, Orrin Russell, Henry Shook, Jerry Scanlon, Martin Staner, William Scrim- eger, T. Whittington. COMPANY G. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Joseph L. Turner. Corporal John Warner. Corporal Charles Kramb. Musician C. Engle. PRIVATES. S. Blackman, W. S. Crain, P. Eslewooder, W. H. French, E. Frankenburg, Charles Harley, A. Mulchey, Philip Moses, John Mowery, W. H. Mc- Enally, William Seitt, Piatt Soper, C. Thompson, DeWitt C. Vance. COMPANY H. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Charles Hobert. Sergeant J. S. Welch. Corporal Christ Molter. Corporal G. Everhardt. Corporal Fred Bimmick. Musician J. H. Rose. PRIVATES. Morris Aubrey, C. Benedict, Jacob Fessler, Wil liam Frank, Fred Frank, Chris Gardner, Martin Kil- lian, Theobald Kirsch, Louis Muth, John Michael, Michael Nice, Joseph Orth, Andrew Spaeth, Henry Stoll, Marcus Wolf, Fred Wermer, Michael Weaver. COMPANY I. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Chaun Walters. Sergeant Lewis Monroe. PRIVATES. Dan Brienman, Charles Caldwell, William Eckert, Thomas Flinn, D. A. Goodrich, H. K. Hurlbut, A. Hoilman, P. C. Miller, Perry Walters, Michael Walters. COMPANY K. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant H. B. Turrill. Sergeant J. W. Prickett. Sergeant W. Baumgartner. Sergeant L. Albershardt. Sergeant Michael Burns. Sergeant George W. Cox. Sergeant Thomas Cavanaugh. Sergeant William Chrisman. Sergeant Pat Donoughe. Sergeant Patrick Handley. PRIVATES. A. E. Inloes, Philip King, Henry McCabe, John- Ollendick, Elijah Purdy, Joseph Service, J. A. Woer- ner, R. Webster, E. Williamson. Enlisted men missing 237 Officers missing n Total. : 248 These communications present a sad view of the terrible consequence of a mili tary blunder in the officer — Sturgis — in command of the expedition. The indig nation of the returned men was such that General Sturgis found it prudent to keep out of sight and out of reach of their fury. And, although more than seventeen years have elapsed since this terrible scene was enacted, such is the indignation of the surviving men of the Seventy-second, that any insurance policy on General Sturgis' life would be collectable soon after any of them should find him in the county. Soon after the sad affair General Buck- land heard that Sturgis had tried to screen himself from accountability, by reporting that the men would not fight. General Buckland lost no time in writing a letter to General Sherman, indignantly denying the truth of any such charge as to the men of the Seventy-second, or of the brig ade he had commanded, asserting boldly that he had often witnessed their patient endurance of the hardships of the ser vice; had often led them in battle, and knew that truer, braver, or better soldiers never went into action; and that if properly HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 279 commanded no men would do better any where than the men of the Seventy- second. In an interview with the writer in Sep tember, 1881, Archibald Purcell, who was color-bearer for the Seventy-second in the Guntown fight, related, the following inci dent: He said that the Seventy-second regi ment was the last to cross the bridge over Tishomingo Creek on the retreat. They arrived in a body and in order at Ripley about 3 o'clock in the morning of the 12th of June. Colonel Watterhouse's Board of Trade Battery, of Chicago, lost their battery about half a mile from Ripley, the guns being stuck in the mud and aban doned. Purcell had brought away the flag and staff safely as far as Ripley, but when the men left there, after daylight, he found that he, with the flag in view, was a con spicuous target for the shots of the pursu ing rebels. Concealing himself as well as he could he took the flag off the staff and wrapped it around his body, under his shirt, so that it could not be seen. "I thought," said he, "if I got killed the flag might be undiscovered, or buried with me, and that if I escaped I would save it for the regiment, and prevent the rebels from getting it." He escaped, and after entering the depot at Memphis General Buckland asked him, with a sad counte nance, what had become of the flag. Not seeing it in Purcell's possession, he seemed to fear it was lost. Purcell finally told him it was safe, and pulling open his shirt he drew it forth, when the General's countenance brightened as he took it, and the men and women in the depot cheered and shouted as they realized the fact that the sacred emblem had been safely brought away. Having thus given the sad results of the disaster at Guntown, we resume the subsequent history of the Seventy-second, which happily was not destined to any more such reverses, but soon entered on a brighter career, in which the conduct of the regiment proved that the assertion of General Buckland was true, and the base insinuation of Sturgis was false. After a little rest, the Seventy-second regiment was assigned to the First bri gade, under command of General McMil len, and became a part of General Mow er's division of the Sixteenth Army Corps. On the 22d of June it was ordered on an expedition, moving in the direction of Tupelo, Mississippi. On the nth of July the rebels were found near Pontotoc. The corps made a feint against the enemy and then moved rapidly eastward toward the Mobile & Ohio Raihoad at Tupelo. In this move ment McMillen's brigade, only nine hun dred strong, was in the rear of the infantry • column, and just in advance of the wagon train. When about two miles west of Tupelo, Bell's brigade of N. B. Forrest's command, which was in ambush, attacked the column. This attack fell mainly upon the Seventy-second. They at once charged the enemy. The remainder of the bri gade was brought into action, and within . twenty minutes the rebels were driven from the field utterly routed. On the re turn march McMillen's brigade again marched in the rear of the infantry col umn, and just as it was about to bivouac for the night at Tishomingo Creek, Bell's rebel brigade fell upon the cavalry rear : and drove it into camp. McMillen's bri gade formed rapidly and advanced. A volley checked the enemy, and a charge drove the rebels from the field. It was in this charge that the brave, gallant, and much loved Major Eugene Allen Rawson, of Fremont, Ohio, lost his life while bravely leading his men in a charge upon the enemy. 28o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. HISTORY OF THE SEVENTY-SECOND RESUMED. Although the charge at Tishomingo Creek was fatal to the brave Major Raw- son, the rebels were driven from the field. Color-bearer Archibald Purcell says that some rebels, when they made the attack, were imprudent enough to shout, "Give them Guntown." This so exasperated our boys that in the charge and pursuit there was a spirit of vengeance and retalia tion manifested which, under other cir cumstances, would have been unbecom ing a cool soldier, but the provocation was great, and the men felt keenly, even to madness, the taunting mention of Gun town, and he could pardon them for the cruelties they committed. After the charge in which Major Rawson fell, and after the rebels were driven from the field, the ex pedition returned to Memphis without again encountering the enemy. The Sev enty-second had, however, lost nineteen men and two officers wounded, one offi cer, Major Rawson, and four men, mor tally. The regiment next moved, about the 27th of July, 1864, from Memphis in the direction of Oxford, Mississippi, but the Third division of the corps was ordered to Atlanta, and the troops returned to Memphis. Mower's division was ordered to Arkansas on the ist of September to resist General Price. The regiment embarked on the 2d on a steamer for Duvall's Bluff, but did not reach its destination until Price had passed north, and therefore failed to intercept him. From Duvall's Bluff the division moved northward. The march lasted eighteen days, and in that time the troops travelled three hundred and fifty miles, forded four rivers, and reached the Mississippi River at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. During this march the weather was hot and the troops on half rations. At Cape Girardeau the troops took transports for St. Louis, and from there moved to Jefferson City, from which point the division moved against Price. The troops made extraordinary marches, from early morning until late at night, making from thirty to forty-five miles each day? But Price's division was well mounted, and it [Droved vain to at tempt to overtake him. The pursuit, however, continued to Little Santa Fe, on the Kansas line, where the infantry turned back to St. Louis. The weather during this inarch became intensely cold, and the men had only the clothing which was on their backs and a rubber blanket. No wood was to be found, and snow fell twelve inches deep. After enduring many hardships the Seventy-second reached St. Louis on the 16th of November, 1864. . The division was next ordered up the Cumberland, and on the 30th of Novem ber it joined the forces under General Thomas, at Nashville, and was posted on the right of the line there. The com mand of the division now devolved on General J. A. McArthur, General Mower having been ordered to General Sherman. On the 7th of December the Seventy- second was on a reconnoissance, and was warmly engaged and lost eleven men killed and wounded. During the first day of the battle of Nashville, the regi ment participated in a charge, in which three hundred and fifty jnnsoners and six pieces of artillery were captured from the enemy. This, among many other brave acts, proved that the men of the Seventy- second would fight when properly com manded, General good-for-nothing Sturgis to the contrary notwithstanding. At night the Seventy-second was sent to Nashville with prisoners, but it returned in time to take part in the fight of- the 16th of Novem ber, 1864, and engaged in the charge on Walnut Hills. In this battle McMillen's brigade, numbering less than twelve hun- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 281 dred men, captured two thousand prison ers and thirteen pieces of artillery, while its total loss was only one hundred and sixty men. Here the Seventy-second proved again it would fight when properly commanded, as General Buckland assert ed, and that the assertion of the miserable sham of the regular army, Sturgis, that they would not fight, was a base falsehood. The division then moved to Eastport, Mississippi, and went into camp, where supplies were very scarce, and there the brave men of the Seventy-second, as well as the other soldiers of the division, sub sisted for days on parched corn and water In February, 1865, the regiment moved with the division to New Orleans, and there camped. February 28, it embarked .on the ocean steamer Empire City, and on the 3d of March landed at Fort Gaines, on Dauphin Island. On the 19th it crossed the east side of Mobile Bay, and moved up Fish River and landed about thirty miles east of Spanish Fort. Here a short time was allowed for bringing up supplies, and on the 27th Spanish Fort was invested. The siege lasted until the 8th of April, when the rebels evacuated the fort. In these operations the Seventy- second lost one man killed and three wounded. On the 9th of April it marched for Montgomery, Alabama, and after a toilsome march of thirteen days reached its destination. On the ioth of May the division moved toward Selma, and arrived there on the 14th. On the following day McMillen's brigade was ordered to Me ridian, Mississippi. Here the regiment re mained on garrison duty until June, when it was placed along the line of the railroad west of Meridian. About this time orders were received to muster out all men in the regiment whose term of service would ex pire before October 1, 1865. Under this order forty-one men were discharged. In September the Seventy-second moved to 36 Corinth, but was soon ordered to Vicks burg, where it was mustered out on the nth of September, 1865. It then at once embarked for Ohio, and was paid off at Camp Chase. AN ERROR CORRECTED. The hasty correspondents who sent to the press an account of the battle of Shiloh were inaccurate, and did injustice to the Seventy-second regiment. This corres pondence was hastily compiled, and thus the errors were incorporated into some early histories of that battle. These errors were a source not only of injustice to the , brave men of the regiment, but caused much mortification to all the officers and privates. No one, perhaps, felt so keenly the mortificaction of the mistake as Gen? eral Buckland himself, who always after ward labored to correct the error. Fi nally a most fitting opportunity to set the history right occurred. At a meeting of the Army of the Ten nessee, at Cincinnati, on .the 6th of April, 1 88 1, a paper was read on the battle of Shiloh by General Sherman. The state ments in this paper were such as to call from General Buckland a full and true statement of his part, and of the part of the Seventy-second regiment in that battle. General Buckland's statement was pub lished in the Toledo Blade of June 9, 1881, and copied into many other papers in different parts of the United States! The principal error which appeared in the correspondence first published giving an account of the battle, was in stating that the troops under General Buckland's com mand were surprised. General Buckland's communication refutes this statement suc cessfully. It has been submitted to Gen eral Sherman and many others, and has been adopted by the Society of the Army of the Tennessee as the true statement, and printed by it as the correct history of the battle of Shiloh. Therefore, as a mat- 282 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ter of justice to General Buckland and the men under his command, and especially the brave men of the Seventy-second regi ment, we give his statement in full in this history. THE BATTLE OF SHILOH.* At the Reunion of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee in Cincinnati, April 6, i88r, General Sherman read a paper on the battle of Shiloh, and submitted a map (made by himself) of the battle field and the location of the Union troops on Sunday morning, and at the close of the fighting at night. This map he sent to my seat, and requested my opinion as to its correctness. From a cursory ex amination I expressed the opinion that it was sub stantially correct. At the same time I said that the commencement of the battle of Shiloh had been grossly misrepresented, and the truth about it had never been properly understood by the public; that the first accounts published in the Northern papers from their correspondents, particularly the account of "Agate," (Whitelaw Reid) correspondent of the Cincinnati Gazette, stated that officers and men of my brigade, among others, were surprised in their tents, etc., and these accounts had been adopted by historians, whereas there was not one word of truth in such statement. I then made a brief state ment of the events which occurred within my own knowledge in front of Sherman's division during the three days preceding the battle, and the circum stances of the commencement of the battle on Sun day morning, and the position of my brigade at the close of the fighting at night. My remarks were very imperfectly reported in the papers, and have been criticized by the Gazette's correspondent, "H. V. B. " I had not read Agate's account for several years. Upon examination of it as published in The Re cord of the Rebellion, by Frank Morse, I find that he does not say that my brigade was surprised in their tents, but as this account of " Agate " has been quoted for history, I will give here the following ex tract: "About dawn Prentiss's pickets were driven in; a very little later Hilderbrand's (in Sherman's division) were; and the enemy were in the camps almost as soon as were the pickets themselves. "Here began scenes which, let us hope, will have no parallel in our remaining annals of war. Some, particularly among our officers, were not out of bed; others were dressing, others washing, others cook ing, a 'few eating their breakfasts. Many guns were unloaded, accoutrements lying pell-mell, ammunition was ill-supplied — in short, the camps were virtually surprised, disgracefully, it might be added, unless some one can hereafter give some yet undiscovered * By General R. P. Buckland, reason to the contrary — and were taken at almost every possible disadvantage. "The first wild cries from the pickets rushing in, and the few scattering shots that preceded their ar rival, aroused the regiments to a sense of their peril. An instant afterward shells were hurtling through the tents, while before there was time for thought of pre paration, there came rushing through the wood, with lines of battle sweeping the whole front of the di vision camp, and bearing down on either flank, the fine, dashing, compact columns of the enemy. ' ' Into the just aroused camps thronged the rebel regiments, firing sharp volleys as they came, and springing toward our laggards with the bayonet. Some were shot down as they were running, without weapons, hatless, coatless, toward the river. The searching bullets found other poor unfortunates in their tents, and there, all unheeding now, they still slumbered, while the unseen foe rushed on. Others fell as they were disentangling themselves from the flaps that formed the doors of their tents; a few, it was even said, as they were vainly trying to impress on the cruelly exultant enemy their readiness to sur render. "Officers were wounded in their beds, and left for* dead, who, through the whole two days' fearful struggle, lay in their agony, and on Monday were found in their gore, inside their tents, and still able to tell the tale. "Such were the fearful disasters that opened the rebel onset on the line of Prentiss's division. Simi lar were the fates of Hilderbrand's brigade in Sher man's division. ' ' Meantime what they could our shattered regi ments did. Falling rapidly back through the heavy woods till they gained a protecting ridge, firing as they ran, and making what resistance men thus situated might, Sherman's men succeeded in partially checking the rush of the enemy long enough to form their hasty line of battle. Meantime the other two brigades of the division (to the right) sprang hastily to their arms, and had barely done so when the enemy's lines came sweeping up against their fronts too, and the battle thus opened fiercely along Sher man's whole line on the right." This is certainly a most sickening and, if true, would be a disgraceful picture of a great army sur prised and slaughtered by its enemy, but I aver that as to the three brigades of Sherman's division camped near Shiloh Church, there is not a particle of truth in this story of surprise on Sunday morning. I have no personal knowledge as to Prentiss's divis ion ; but I have good reason to believe that the story as to that division is equally false. Again "Agate" writes to the Cincinnati Gazette, under the date of April 15, 1862, and after saying that other troops besides Ohio's run on Sunday, says: "The amount of that 'disgraceful' running of Ohio troops" on Sunday morning is substantially this: HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 283 the men were completely surprised; some of their officers were bayoneted in their beds, others were shot in their tents while sleeping; all were under heavy fire from an enemy fairly in their camps before they had an instant for seeking and grasping their weap ons. There may have been Spartan veterans , who under such circumstances would have stood to be shot down rather than ' disgracefully run,' but I sus pect that modern armies do not contain many of them." In Headley 's History of the Great Rebellion, among other equally absurd and false statements about the surprise of Shiloh, I find this : "The on-pouring thousands swept the camps of the front division like an inundation, and the dread ful spectacle of a. vast army in disorderly flight, before it had time to form a line for battle, was pre sented. So swift was the onset on Buckland's bri gade, of Sherman's division, that between the long roll of the drum and the actual presence of the shouting foe in the camp, the officers were not yet up and had not time to dress, and the troops seizing their muskets as they could, fled like a herd of sheep towards the rest of the division." Such are the first reports of the commencemeut of the battle of Shiloh, given by newspaper correspond ents, who must have obtained their information from the cowards who sneaked away to the rear on the first appearance of danger. These widely published newspaper reports have been adopted by several his torians as true, and are still believed by some peo ple. The facts which I shall give will show how utterly false and groundless are all such stories to these brigades of Sherman's division encamped near Shiloh Church. Sherman's division was organized at Paducah, Kentucky, about the ist of March, 1862, and con tained four brigades, each of three regiments of in fantry, as follows: First — Sixth Iowa, Colonel McDowell command ing brigade; Forty-sixth Ohio, Colonel Worthington, and Tenth Illinois, Colonel Hicks. Second— Fifty-fifth Illinois, Colonel Stewart com manding brigade; Fifty-fourth Ohio, Colonel Smith, and Seventy-first Ohio, Colonel Mason. Third — Seventy-seventh Ohio, Colonel Hildebrand commanding brigade; Fifty-third Ohio, Colonel Ap pier, and Fifty-seventh Ohio, Colonel Mungen. Fourth — Seventy-second Ohio, Colonel Buckland commanding brigade; Forty-eighth Ohio, Colonel Sullivan, and Seventieth Ohio, Colonel Cockerill. Most of these regiments were new and reported at Paducah, mostly unarmed. My brigade embarked on the steamers on the 6th of March, and our arms were sent on board in boxes and were distributed to the men on the boats after we left Paducah. We left Paducah on the morning of the 7th of March, in advance of General Sherman, with orders to report 'to General C. F. Smith, near Fort Henry, he then being in chief command. I reported , to General Smith, who brdered me to remain there until further orders. After some delay we steamed up to Savan nah, then up to the mouth of Yellow Creek, above Pittsburg Landing, for the purpose of cutting the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, but the extreme high water prevented the accomplishment of that purpose, and we came back to Pittsburg Landing. On the 18th of March we commenced disembarking at that point, and on the 20th we took our position at Shiloh Church, fronting towards Corinth. The road leading from- Pittsburg Landing to Corinth passes along close to, and on the left of the church. The right of Hildebrand's brigade rested on the road, and the left of mine at the church, there being only a few rods between the two brigades. The Seventieth Ohio on the left, Seventy-second Ohio on the right, and Forty-eighth Ohio in the centre. Mc Dowell's brigade was some thirty rods to the right of mine, there being a considerable ravine or valley between the two. Stewart's brigade was located, as I understood, about one mile to the left of Hilde brand's, and to the left of Prentiss's "aivision, to guard an important crossing of Lick Creek. In front of our line was Owl Creek, which is a crooked stream and ran nearer our line at the church than at any other point. According to my recollection the creek was about thirty rods from the left of my brig ade and about twice that distance from the right. The space between my color line and the creek was covered with woods and underbrush, but not very thickly. Along the creek and beyond it was densely wooded. There was a bridge across the creek on the Corinth road, and we built a bridge about in front of the centre and another to the front and right of the brigade. It seems to me that this latter brigade was near half a mile from the- right of my brigade. Something like a mile in front of our line were large, open fields, beyond which our picket line was estab lished, and beyond these fields were dense woods for several miles. I don't know whether any regular cavalry pickets were established in front of our picket line or not, but the Fifth Ohio cavalry were out in front of us and consequently had frequent skirmishes with rebel cavalry for ten days or two weeks before the battle. On Thursday, April 3, General Sherman ordered me to take my brigade to the front on the Corinth road four or five miles, send out scouting parties and see what I could discover ; but cautioned me not to be drawn into a fight with any considerable force of the enemy. I marched my brigade to the forks of the road about five miles from our line, where I halt ed and formed the brigade in line between the two roads facing towards Corinth. Both roads, as I un- derstood, led to Monterey, about two miles further toward Corinth. I then sent two companies of the Seventieth Ohio, under Major McFarran, forward on the left hand, and two companies of the Seventy-sec- 284 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ond Ohio, under Major Crocket, on the right hand road. They both encountered rebel cavalry pickets within less than half a mile, and commenced skirmish ing with them. Major Crocket soon after sent word to me that there was a large force of cavalry in sight, and that he would need reinforcements. In accordance with my instructions not to be drawn into a fight, I ordered Major Crocket and Major McFarran to return to the brigade. While there several of the soldiers report ed to me that they distinctly heard the long roll in the direction of Monterey. I did not. Soon after the scouting companies returned, -we commenced our march back to camp, where we arrived a little before dark, and I reported immediately to General Sher man. The next day, April 4, about 2 o'clock p. M., a considerable force of rebel cavalry attacked the left of my picket line, capturing a lieutenant and seven men of the Seventieth Ohio. Happening at the time to be near the right of the line, where the Seventy-second Ohio was drilling under Major Crocket, I rode in the direction of the firing, direct ing Major Crocket to follow with his regiment. On ascertaining what had occurred I sent Lieutenant Gear, of the Forty-eighth Ohio, acting as my aid, to inform General Sherman, who soon returned with word that General Sherman would send one hundred and fifty cavalry to pursue the enemy. In the mean time, on learning from Major Crocket that he had sent company B of the Seventy-second to scout out side the picket line, I told him that was wrong ; the officers and men being inexperienced, I feared they would get into trouble, and directed him to take company H, find company B and return with them to the regiment as soon as possible. Soon after we began to hear musketry firing in front. Colonel Cockerill arrived on the picket line with several com panies of the Seventieth .Ohio. The firing in front became constant and more regular. We therefore concluded that our men were intercepted and unable to return as ordered. I took three companies of the Seventy-second, A, D, and I, and started into the woods in the direction of the firing, directing Colonel Cockerill to come to my aid if he heard heavy firing. We had not gone far when we met some of Major Crocket's men, and learned that they had been inter cepted and attacked before reaching company B, the Major either killed or captured, and that company B was surrounded by a large force of rebel cavalry. About the same time there came upon us one of the severest rain and thunder storms I ever witnessed. My boots, worn outsideof my pants.filled full of water and ran over the tops. The storm stopped us and the fir ing for a time, but as soon as the storm was over the firing commenced again, and we pushed on with as much speed as possible, my men being deployed in line, and I riding eight or ten rods in front. About two miles from the picket line, on reaching near the top of something of a hill, I discovered through the thick underbrush that I was nearer a line of rebel cavalry faced from me than I was to my own line, and the rebels just at that moment gave a cheer, evi dently preparatory to charging on company B. I waived my hand to my men, indicating that I de sired them to hurry up. As they came in sight of the rebel line, distant only a few rods, they opened a de structive fire, taking the enemy completely by sur prise, and threw them into such confusion that they made but a short stand. My men charged upon them and drove them from the field, killing a con siderable number of horses and men, and capturing several prisoners, and company B was saved. I soon discovered that the enemy were reforming in great force, with the evident intention of charging back upon us ; and whilst I was getting my men in position to meet the charge, Major Ricker came up with his Fifth Ohio cavalry, and enquired where the enemy were. I pointed them out to him, and he im mediately charged them, dispersing them and cap turing several prisoners. I followed him as rapidly as I could. We pursued about a mile, when the ene my commenced firing artillery at us. Some of Ma jor Ricker's men charged right into a rebel battery, and one of his men was killed at the battery. We discovered that the enemy had a. large force of infan try and artillery in line. We thereupon deemed it prudent to retire to our own lines with as little delay as possible. When we reached our picket line Gen eral Sherman was there with several regiments in line of battle. When I rode up to him at the head of my column, with about fifteen prisoners close behind me the General asked me what I had been doing. His manner indicated that he was not pleased. I replied that I had accidentally got into a little fight, and there was some of the fruits of it, pointing to the prisoners. He answered that I might have drawn the whole army into a fight before they were ready, and. directed me to take my men to camp. 1 knew enough to know that my proceedings were ir regular, but consoled myself that I had saved one of my companies from annihilation, whatever might be the consequences to myself. Soon after reaching camp one of General Sherman's aids came and said, "The General desires you to send him a written statement of what you have done and seen to-day," which I did the same evening. General Sherman afterward informed me that he sent my statement to General Grant the same night. I was along the picket line several times during the day, and saw rebel cavalry at different points in front of the line. The pickets reported seeing infan try and artillery. I saw Lieutenant-Colonel Canfield, commanding the Seventy-second regiment, Colonel Hildebrand, and several other officers of the division, on the picket line watching the movements of the enemy in our front. I talked with Colonel Hilde brand and other officers about the situation, and it was believed by all that the enemy intended to at- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 28s tack us, either during the night or early in the morn ing, and I talked with Colonel Hildebrand particu larly about the measures we ought to take to prevent a surprise. Colonel Hildebrand went with me to General Sherman's headquarters, and we told him what we had seen and that we apprehended an at tack. I saw General Sherman several times during the day, and talked with him about the matter. He said we must strengthen our pickets, and instruct them to be vigilant, and keep our commands in readiness for an attack at any time. He said he was embarrassed for the want of cavalry, that his cavalry had been ordered away that morning, and that the cavalry he was to have in their place had not arrived, and that , as soon as his cavalry returned, he would send them to the front and find out what was there. My understanding was that by order of General Grant there had been a re-assignment of both cavalry and artillery, which was being carried into effect on Saturday. Late in the afternoon I had a consultation with the commanders of my regiments and it was agreed that several additional companies should be sent forward to strengthen and sustain the pickets, which was done accordingly. I also established a line of senti nels from my camp to the reserve of the pickets under command of an officer, with instructions to notify me instantly of any alarm on the picket line. Officers and men of my brigade were well aware of the near approach of the enemy; all were expecting an attack ; and such precautions were taken that a surprise was impossible. The same must have been true as to McDowell's and Hildebrand's brigades, for there could hardly have been an officer or soldier in the three brigades ignorant of the fight on Friday, or of the presence of the enemy in our front on Sautrday. Officers of my brigade were instructed on Saturday evening to be prepared for a night attack, and to have their men up and at breakfast as soon as daylight or before. As may well be imagined, I was very uneasy during the night, and slept very little. I was up be fore daylight and ordered my horse fed and saddled. Soon after daylight, before I had quite finished my breakfast, word was brought that the enemy was ad vancing in strong force. I immediately ordered the long roll, mounted my horse and rode toward the picket line. I found the reserve of the pickets had fallen back across the bridge in front of the right of my brigade, and the pickets were skirmishing with the enemy's advance, and slowly falling back. I in structed the reserve of the pickets to make a stand at the bridge, take to the trees and keep the enemy back as long as they could. I then returned and found my brigade formed on the color line, awaiting orders. I rode through and along the line, and spoke to Colonels Sullivan and Cockerill, and to Colonel Canfield and others in passing, telling them that the rebels were coming, and that we should soon have a big fight, and cautioning them to be ready. I rode to General Sherman's headquarters, eighty to one hundred rods to the left and rear of my camp, and about in the rear of the right of Hilde brand's brigade. I informed General Sherman that I had been to the front and found the enemy advanc ing in strong force, and my pickets falling back ; that my brigade was in line, ready for orders. He an. swered, ' ' You must reinforce the pickets. Send a regiment forward and keep them back." I returned, and met Colonel Sullivan and Lieutenant-Colonel Parker on their horses in rear of the Forty-eighth Ohio. I told them what General Sherman's orders were. They both requested me to send their regi ment, which I designed to do, it being the centre regiment. I ordered Colonel Sullivan to take his regi ment, as speedily as possible, across the bridge in his front, take position, in the woods beyond with the pickets, and keep the enemy back as long as possible. When the head of his column reached the bridge he discovered that the enemy was forming line of bat tle under the bank, on our side of the creek, to the" right. He fell back a short distance, and reported the fact to me. I first ordered companies A and B, of the Seventy-second, forward aS skirmishers, and in a few minutes after ordered the Seventy-second and the- Seventieth to advance, and the Forty-eighth to form on the advanced line. We advanced from thirty to forty rods, to within full view, and short musket range of the enemy's line, and the fight com menced simultaneously on both sides. The right of the brigade was considerably in advance of the left, to take advantage of the formation of the ground, the creek being much nearer the left than the right of the brigade color line. Up to this time there had been no artillery firing, or heavy musketry, on any part of the line. My brigade had been in line awaiting orders full one hour before it advanced, and before any fighting any where within our hearing, except skirmishing by the pickets, and the brigade fought, with great bravery, in this position more than two hours, driving the enemy back under the bank of the creek as often as they attempted to advance; and the right of the brigade was advanced considerably forward during the fighting to obtain a better position, which widened the space between my right and the left of Colonel McDowell's brigade. I sent an officer to say to Colonel McDowell that I feared the enemy would turn my right and get in between the brig ades, and asked him to look to it. Colonel McDowell sent Colonel Hicks, with the Fortietn Illinois, who took a position to the right and rear of my right Sank, where he remained at least one hour. I re member riding up to Colonel Hicks and speaking to him twice during the time he was there. The first time I asked if he did not think my men were fight ing bravely. He replied: "Yes, they are doing splendidly." The second time was after we had been fighting about two hours, and I found the 286 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Seventy-second was getting out of ammunition. I asked Colonel Hicks if 'he would hold my position until the Seventy-second could replenish their am munition. He replied that he was ordered not to engage in the fight unless attacked in his position. After we had been fighting about one hour one of General Sherman's aids came to me and said: "The General desires to know whether you can hold your position." I replied: "Tell General Sherman that my men are fighting bravely, and I will hold my position." At that time, I had not the least idea that we would be compelled to go back, although Lieutenant-Colonel Canfield, commanding the Sev enty-second, had been mortally wounded and car ried from the field, leaving the Seventy-second with out a field officer, and many company officers and men had been killed and wounded. During the re mainder of the battle the Seventy-second was com manded by myself, with the efficient aid of Adju tant Eugene Rawson, who displayed great courage from the beginning to the end of the battle. My adjutant's horse was killed, and my own horse wounded just in front of the saddle, and was bleed ing profusely. As I rode along the line, speaking to officers and men, I found them everywhere stand ing up to the work bravely, and when I saw that my brigade was making a glorious fight and beatingback every attempted advance of the enemy, I felt highly gratified and full of confidence. As the Seventy- second was without a field officer to command, the senior captains of companies A and B, were both sick and unable to command their companies , Cap tain Wegstein, of company H, was killed early in the fight, and other company officers had been wounded, I spent most of my time on the right of the line, the Forty-eighth and Seventieth having all their field officers. Consequently, I did not know what was going on in Hildebrand's brigade on my left. I discovered, however, that the enemy were bringing up heavy reinforcements in my front, and, after we had been fighting about one hour and a half, I sent word to General Sherman that the enemy were being heavily reinforced, and that I would need help. He returned for answer that he could not send me any reinforcements, and that I must do the best I could. This answer convinced me that matters were going wrong somewhere, and that sooner or later I would be compelled to fall back, and so informed my quartermaster, Lieutenant D. M. Harkness, and my surgeon, Dr. J. B. Rice, and directed them to make arrangements to take the sick and wounded to the rear as speedily as possible. We maintained our position, however, along the whole line for more than two hours, when the Sev enty-second was compelled to fall back for ammuni tion, finding it impossible to distribute it along the line under the fire of the enemy ; but the enemy did not advance at that point. The Seventy-second quickly filled their cartridge boxes, and were ad vanced into line again, and were about ready to re new the fight, when I received an order from Gen eral Sherman to fall back to the Purdy road. The Seventy-second marched by the right of companies to the rear through their camp. In the meantime, Hildebrand's brigade had been fiercely attacked and given way, so that my left flank was completely turned, and Colonel Cockerill was compelled to face his regiment to the left. We fell back in good order to the Purdy road, followed closely by the enemy in front and on the left We had formed our line on the Purdy road, and were ready to renew the fight, when we were shoved out of the road and thrown into confusion by Berk's battery of artillery, which came rushing along the road at full speed from the right, and a mass of flying men from Hildebrand's brigade on the left. The enemy were so close upon us that it was impossible to form again along the Purdy road. Back of the road was all woods and thick underbrush, and I found great difficulty in riding through it. Farther back — some forty rods — it was more open, and I succeeded in forming a new line, but in the confusion the Seventieth Ohio be came separated from the rest of the brigade, but was constantly engaged in the fight farther to the left, and rejoined me later in the day. Soon after leaving the Purdy road I received an order from General Sherman to go to the left, and as soon as I had suc ceeded in rallying and reforming my men, I at tempted to obey the order, but encountered a su perior force of the enemy and was compelled to fall back again. We were all day contending against superior numbers, and resisting their advance at every point as long as we could. Late in the afternoon, after the last repulse of the right of our line, my brigade was near a bridge across Snake Creek, which, I was informed by some staff officer whom I' did not know, it was very important to protect, as General Wallace would have to cross his division over it in coming from Crump's Landing. I placed my brigade in position to defend the bridge, but after remaining there some time and no enemy appearing, I was not satisfied that I was where I ought to be, and rode to the left to find General Sherman and get his orders. I had not gone far when I found a new line being formed, and not finding General Sherman I said to the officer in command that if desired I would form my brigade on the right of his line, which he said he would be glad to have me do. When I returned to my brigade, to my surprise, I learned that the Forty-eighth Ohio had marched away toward the landing. I immediately formed the Seventieth and Seventy-second on the right of the new line, about one mile and a half from the landing. Soon after my line was formed, General Sherman. came along our front and said to me, "You are just where I want you. Remain where you are until fur ther orders." HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 287 About dark General Wallace's division commenced arriving, and formed to the right of my brigade. About 10 o'clock my quartermaster, Lieutenant Harkness, came to us from the landing. I learned from him that the Forty-eighth Ohio was at the land ing, and had been ordered by General Grant in posi tion to defend his batteries, and that the regiment had done good service there. I sent orders by Lieu tenant Harkness to Colonel Sullivan to join me with his regiment forthwith, but owing to the rain and dark ness he did not arrive until just after day light. Col onels Cockerrill and Hildebrand and myself tied our horses to trees and lay down together for the night, in rear of and close to my brigade line. The rebels' line was only a short distance from us on the other side of a ravine. General Wallace opened his batteries on the enemy early Monday morning, and the three regiments of my brigade were formed in line of battle, with all their field officers present except Lieutenant-Colonel Can- field and Major Crockett, of the Seventy-second, the one having been mortally wounded on Sunday morn ing, and the other captured on Friday. Sherman's division during the day occupied a position on the left of Wallace's division, and we kept steadily up with his left, frequently under very severe fire from the enemy. General Wallace in his report says that at one time ' ' the right of Sherman's division fell has tily back." I think General Wallace is mistaken. I know that my brigade was not driven back one rod on Monday. On one occasion when General Sher man ordered an advance under heavy fire of musketry and artillery from the enemy, I gave the order; but at the moment the men seemed to hesitate. I im mediately rode to the color-bearer of the Seventy- second Ohio, took hold of the flag staff, and con ducted the bearer to the point indicated. The whole brigade quickly advanced and was on the desired ad vanced line as soon as I was. Colonel Sullivan was wounded and taken to the rear. Our forces drove the enemy back over the same ground- that they drove us the day before. The fighting was severe but not so destructive, at least to our troops, as on Sunday. We drove them back more rapidly than they drove us. About 4 P. M. the enemy were in full retreat, and about 5 p. M. my brigade took possession of its camp at Shiloh Church. The rebels took such articles as they could on their hasty retreat, but my tent and bed I found in good condition, and I enjoyed a good sleep in them Mon day night. Early Tuesday morning I, with others, visited the ground of our fight on Sunday morning. In a small space on the line of the enemy in front of the Seventy-second, were found eighty-five dead bodies, and the dead of the enemy were found thickly strewn all along the line in front of the brigade. General Wallace also visited that battle ground, and when he saw the number of dead bodies of the enemy in so small a space, asked what troops did that. When told that it was the Seventy-second Ohio, he said, "That was the best fighting on the field. " The number of the wounded in that Sunday morning fight with my brigade must have been very great, as the number of the wounded is always much greater than of the killed. The underbrush between the two lines was literally mowed down by musket balls. Not a twig could be found that was not hit; and every tree from the ground ten or fifteen feet up was literally peppered with bullets. I think more of the enemy's fire was too high than of ours, and, for that reason, more of the enemy were killed. The enemy in that fight greatly outnumbered my brigade, but our men, though inexperienced in war, were many of them used to the rifle at home, and took good aim. I have detailed incidents of small importance in themselves, perhaps, in order that the reader may better judge how much truth there is in the charge that my brigade was surprised, in any sense, on Sunday morning. Instead of being surprised we were all expecting an attack early in the morning, if not attacked during the night, and we took every precaution and made every preparation that one knew how to make to be ready for the attack when ever it should come, and we were ready when it did come, as the result abundantly proves. I feel per fectly justified in saying that no troops ever went into battle more deliberately or with more coolness, and none ever fought more bravely or effectively than did my brigade on Sunday morning. On the question of surprise I give the following ex tract from a recent letter to me from General M. T. Williamson, now United States marshal at Memphis, Tennessee, who was First Lieuteuant of company C, Seventy-second Ohio, and in command of the com pany at the commencement of the battle. General Williamson says: " On the morning of the 5th of April, company C furnished =» portion of the pickets for the Seventy- second, under Lieutenant Hoffman, and company E the remainder, under Captain Blinn. In the after noon I went out to the picket line and could distinct ly see some suspicious movements on the Confederate side. We were confident they were preparing for an attack, and I knew this was our conviction. We ex pected it before morning, and had arranged a line of communication from the pickets to the camp, so as to know when the forward movement began. I have forgotten the name of- Captain Snyder's company clerk at that time, but he communicated with me during the night. I was up early Sunday morning, and had breakfasted, as had the men of the regiment, before the long roll was ordered, and I do not be lieve there was a man in the regiment but expected the long roll before it came, and every man was ready to fall in when it did come." Since writing the foregoing I have read, with great z88 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. interest, the article on the battle of Shiloh, by Gen eral B. W. Duke, published in the Cincinnati Gazette of the 28th of May. The article evinces candor, and was evidently prepared with care and considera tion. He fully sustains all I have said in regard to the fight my brigade made on Sunday morning, but he is mistaken about McDowell's brigade partici pating in that fight, and as to some other matters. He says: " While McDowell's and Buckland's brigades of Sherman's division had not been fiercely assailed at the inception of the Confederate advance, they soon received their full share of attention. The ground which they occupied, however, was, perhaps, the strongest position on the line. Every demonstration against it was repulsed ; artillery was used in vain against it; someof the best brigadesof the armymoved on it, only to be hurled back and strew the morass in its front with their dead. The Confederate loss at this point was frightful. At last, after having held the position from 7 or 7:30 A. M. until after 10 A. M., everything upon its right (left) having been driven back , and the Confederate artillery having reached a point where the guns could play upon its rear, it was abandoned as no longer tenable. The tenacious de fence of this position, and the fact that, by massing on his own right, General Johnson turned it, when it proved impregnable to direct assault, ought to be of itself a sufficient explanation of the correctness of his plan of battle. Sherman falling back, formed on McClernand's right, the same relative position he had previously held." Now, the fact is, that McDowell's brigade was not attacked at all on the front line, and did no fighting until after we had fallen back to the Purdy road. As 1 have stated above, the Fortieth Illinois, Colonel Hicks, at my request, came and took position at the right and rear of my right flank, and remained there without firing a gun, until the Seventy-second went back for ammunition, when the Fortieth Illinois marched back to its own brigade ; and this was after my brigade had been fighting more than two hours, and only a. few moments before the whole line was ordered back to the Purdy road. What General Duke says about the fighting at that point is all true, and his is the first account I have seen that does full justice to my brigade. My brigade advanced to the front and commenced the fight before Hildebrand's brigade was attacked, and remained until ordered back to the Purdy road, after Hildebrand's brigade had been driven back and the enemy had completely turned my left flank. General Duke, in another part of .his article, says: " Hardee's line carried all before it. At the first encampment it was not the semblance of a check. Following close and eager after the fleeing pickets, it burst upon the startled inmates as they emerged, half clad, from the tents, giving them no time to form, driving them in rapid panic, bayoneting the dilatory — on through camps swept together pursuers and pur sued." I wish General Duke had pointed out which camps were thus surprised. They were certainly not the camps of McDowell, Hildebrand, or Buckland's brigades. Captain Skelton, of the Fifty-seventh Ohio, one of Hildebrand's regiments, informs me that the first alarm he heard was the long roll in my camp, which was immediately followed by the long roll in the camps of Hildebrand's brigade, and that the brigade was in line of battle very soon after. I saw the brigade in line when I was returning from General Sherman's headquarters with orders to send a regi ment forward to sustain the pickets. General Sher man says he rode to the front of Hildebrand's brigade into the woods, where his orderly, . Holliday, was killed. He then went to Colonel Appier, of the Fifty-third Ohio, and ordered him to hold his posi tion. It cannot be, therefore, that any of Hilde brand's brigade were surprised, bayoneted, or shot in their tents. It is a well-established fact, I think, that General Prentiss was well aware of the presence of the enemy in considerable force in his front. His cavalry had skirmished with them on Saturday, and at 4 o'clock in the morning of the 6th he sent to the front one of his regiments to look for the enemy. General Prentiss has made his statement, in which he says: "My division was in line of battle near one- fourth of a mile in advance of the color line, and re ceived the assault of the enemy at an early hour of the morning of April 6, 1862, and held them in check for hours, until the enemy appeared in our right rear, and, as I learned afterwards, aided by the misconduct of a regiment not of my division.'- He further states that his division fought gallantly during the day, and "at 5:30, completely surrounded by num bers so numerous, the gallant officers and soldiers, with myself, were compelled to surrender." It is quite probable that some sick and wounded men were left in the camps, but I cannot believe the enemy would have shot and bayoneted such, or any unarmed or helpless men. Private Smith, of company I, Seventy-second Ohio, was shot through the breast and left in camp, or near it, as too badly wounded to be moved, When we returned to camp on Monday evening, we found him alive in one of the tents. The enemy had taken good care of him, and he is now an inmate of the Soldiers' Home at Day ton. Therefore, I am compelled to believe that all these horrible stories about our officers and men being surprised, shot, and bayoneted in their tents are false. There has been a persistent effort on the part of newspaper correspondents and others, ever since the battle, to make it appear that Sherman's and Pren tiss's divisions were asleep on the morning of the 6th, ignorant of the approach of the enemy, and surprised and thrown into almost utter confusion by the first HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 289 onset of the enemy. I think the facts I have given ought to convince every candid person that such was not the case. ' It is true that Colonel Appier of the Fifty-third Ohio, of Hildebrand's brigade, after his regiment had fired a few rounds, ordered a retreat, and then abandoned his regiment to its fate. This was no fault of the regiment. Such conduct of a commanding officer would demoralize any troops. This gave the enemy such advantage over Hilde brand's brigade that, although Hildebrand heroically strove to maintain his position, he was unable to withstand the overpowering onslaught, and his brig ade was forced back and irretrievably broken to pieces. Yet a large portion of his officers and men rallied by companies and squads, joined other com mands and fought bravely during the day. But for this unfortunate conduct of Colonel Appier, of the Fifty-third, which is the regiment where bad conduct is referred to in the statement of General Prentiss, I have no doubt but Hildebrand's brigade would have maintained its position as did mine, and we would have held the enemy in check on the front line much longer and given McClernand's and other troops ample time to come to its support or place them selves in positions where they could best meet the enemy. The stubborn resistance of my brigade alone saved our army from greater disaster. The splendid fighting of our troops during the entire day is a sufficient answer to the charge that any considera ble portion of them were demoralized by being sur prised in their camps, or otherwise. The number that disgracefully fled to the rear was not much greater, if any, than in other great battles. Sutlers, teamsters, and all other non-combatants and hang ers on of the army were concentrated into a. small space at the landing, and mixed with the sick, the wounded, and runaways, and altogether they made a great, panic-stricken mob. No wonder Buell's men, in passing through such a mob, supposed the Army of the Tennessee was demoralized, but if they had been in front at any time during the bloody day, they would have come to a different conclusion. If General Lewis Wallace, with his division of eight thousand men, had continued on the road he started upon, which I think he ought to have done, and struck the enemy on the left flank and rear by two or three o'clock p. M., the tide of victory would have been turned against the enemy. It would have saved the disaster to Prentiss's division, and I think we would have driven the enemy from the field the first day. I will not undertake to say who was in fault for the course General Wallace took. It is not the purpose of this article to defend Generals Hal- leck, Grant, or Sherman, but to state facts within my own knowledge and observation, and such as I believe to be true, taken from other reliable sources, and leave to the reader to determine in his own mind, from the facts, where blame or credit should be awarded. We are indebted to Dr. G. A. Gessner for a record of the officers and men of the regiment.OFFICERS OF SEVENTY-SECOND OHIO VOL UNTEER INFANTRY. Colonel Ralph P. Buckland, appointed lieutenant- colonel October 2, 1861 ; appointed colonel October 30, i86r, mustered into service January 10, 1862; commission dated January n, 1862; appointed brig adier-general November 29, 1862. Lieutenant-Colonel Herman Canfield, appointed lieutenant-colonel October 30, 1861; mustered into service January 10, 1862; commission dated January 11, 1862; mortally wounded at Shiloh April 6, 1862; died April 7, 1862. Major Leroy Crockett, mustered into service De cember 10, 1861; commission dated January 11, 1862; taken prisoner April 4, 1862; promoted to lieutenant- colonel April 6, 1862; date of commission June 20, 1862; paroled at Richmond, Virginia, October 12, 1862; exchanged November, 1862; found regiment January 17, 1863, in obedience to Special Order No. 1, Headquarters Paroled Forces, Columbus, Ohio, January 5, 1863; died at home of disease December 10, 1863. Adjutant Eugene A. Rawson, appointed Decem ber 4, 1861; mustered into service December 12, 1861, commjjsion dated January n, 1862; promoted to major July 23, 1863; died of wounds received at the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July 15, 1864. Quartermaaster Daniel M. Harkness, ppointed October 8, 1861; mustered into service October 8, 1861; commission dated January n, 1862; resigna tion accepted January 16, 1863; Special Order No. 10, Headquarters Department, Memphis, Ten nessee, January 16, 1863. Surgeon John B. Rice, mustered into service No vember 25, 1861; commission dated January n, 1862; detailed surgeon-in-chief District of Memphis, Tennessee, Special Order No. 89, Headquarters Dis trict of Memphis, Tennessee, April 28, 1864. Chaplain Abraham B. Poe, mustered into service January n, 1862; commission dated January n, 1862; resignation accepted January 15, 1863, Special Orders No. 15, Headquarters Department of the Ten nessee, by order of Major-General U. S. Grant. Assistant Surgeon William M. Kaull, mustered in to service November 6, 1861 ; commission dated Jan uary 11, 1862; resignation accepted June 4, 1863, Special Order No. 150, Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, near Vicksburg, Mississippi. Assistant Surgeon John W. Goodson, mustered into service August 21, 1862; commission dated Au gust 21, 1862; deserted November 20, 1862, from Memphis, Tennessee; dismissed the service of the United States of America March 30, 1863; Special Order No. 205, War Department Adjutant-General's 290 I HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Office, Washington, District of Columbia, May 7, 1863. Steward William Caldwell, appointed steward February 6, 1862; mustered into service February 6, 1862; appointed assistant surgeon April 17, 1863 ; mustered into service April 27, 1863 ; re signed on account of disability January 7, 1865, Special Order No. 8, Par. 5, Headquarters Depart ment of Mississippi, Memphis, Tennessee. . Principal Musician Nicholas B. Caldwell, died at .Keokuk, Ipwa, in general hospital, June 5, 1862, of disease. COMPANY A. , Captain Charles G. Eaton, appointed and mus- ered into service as second lieutenant October 9, l86i ; appointed .captain November 30, 1861; com mission dated January 11, 1862; prompted to major April 6, 1862; date of commission June 20, 1862; ap pointed lieutenant-colonel July. 23, 1863; mustered as lie.utenant-polonel December 24, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee. First Lieutenant H. W. Gifford, appointed first lieutenant. November 30, 1861; mustered into service as private October 10, 1861 , date of commission as 1, first lieutenant January 11, 1862; promoted to cap tain April 6, 1862; commission dated June 20, 1862; died at Cincinnati, Ohio, July 27, 1862, of wounds .received, in the battle of Shiloh April 6 and 9, 1862. Second lieutenant Spencer Russell, appointed sec- , pnd .lieutepant November 30, 1861, commission dated January 11, 1862; mustered into service as private October 10, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant April 6, 1862; date of commission June 20, 1862; promoted to captain. May 17, 1862; resignation accepted August 31, ^863; Special Order No. 228, Headquarters De- , .partrnent of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, August 21, 1863. COMPANY B. Captain George Raymond, mustered into service as private October 9, 1861; appointed captain Dec ember 2, 1861, commission dated January 11, 1862; resigned May 23, 1862; Special Field orders No. 71, Headquarters Department of the Mississippi, camp in Corinth road, Mississippi, May 28, 1862. First Lieutenant Henry W. Buckland, mustered into service as second lieutenant October 8, 1861 ; mustered into service as first lieutenant December 2, 1861 ; commission dated January 11, 1862; promoted to captain May 23, 1862, date of commission June 20, 1862; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, Memphis, Tennessee, November 23, 1864. Second Lieutenant William T. Fisher, mustered into service as private October 23, 1861; appointed second lieutenant December *, 1861, commission dated January 11, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant May 23, 1862, date of cornmision June 20, 1862; re signation accepted July 27, 1863; Special order No. 198 Headquarters Department .of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 22, 1863. COMPANY C. Captain Samuel A. J. Snyder was mustered into service as second lieutenant October 16, 1861 ; ap pointed captain December 8, 1861, commission dated January 11, 1862; appointed major April 9, 1864; mustered as major July 27, 1864. First Lieutenant Milton T. Williamson was mus tered into service as second lieutenant October 29, 1861; appointed first lieutenant February 13, 1862, commission dated April 24, 1861; aid-de-camp to General Denver, General Orders No. 4, Headquar ters, Third brigade, Fifth division, Camp No. 8, June 2, 1862; mustered out by reason of expiration of term, Memphis, Tennessee, November 4, 1864. Second Lieutenant Daniel W.|Hoffman was mus tered into service as private November 19, 1861; ap pointed second lieutenant December 8, 1861, com mission dated January 11, 1862; appointed first lieutenant February 18, 1864; mustered March 1, 1864; wounded severely at the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July 13, 1864; left at Tupelo, Missis sippi, in hospital, prisoner of war. COMPANY D. Captain Andrew Nuhfer was mustered into ser vice as second lieutenant; appointed captain De cember 12, 1861, commission dated January 11, 1862; wounded severely at Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6, 1862; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, July 11, 1864. First Lieutenant Manning A. Fowler was mustered into service as private October. 18, 1861; appointed first lieutenant December 12, 1861, commission dated January n, 1862; appointed captain January 15, 1863; mustered into service as captain March 8, 1863; re signed July 23, 1863, Special Order No. 199, Head quarters Department of tbe Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 23, 1863. Second Lieutenant Jesse J. Cook was mustered into service as private; appointed second lieutenant December 12, 1861, commission dated January 11, 1862; resigned June 6, 1862, Special Field Orders No. 90, Headquarters Department of the Mississip pi, Corinth, Mississippi, June 6, 1862. COMPANY E. Captain John H. Blinnwas mustered into service as second lieutenant; appointed captain December 28, 1861, commission dated January n, 1862; resig nation accepted January 15, 1863, Special Orders No. 15, Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, Mississippi, General U. S. Grant. First Lieutenant Charles D. Dennis was mustered into service as private October 12, 1861; appointed first lieutenant December 28, 1861, commission dated January 10, 1862; appointed captain January 15, 1863; mustered into service as captain March 1, 1863, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 291 Special Orders No. 210, Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, Vicksburg, Mississippi, August 3, 1863. Second Lieutenant William A. Strong was mus tered info service as private November 10, 1861 ; ap pointed second lieutenant December 28, 1861, com mission dated January n, 1862; appointed first lieu tenant January 15, 1863; mustered into service March 1, 1863; resigned, on account of disability, August 1, 1864, Special Orders No. 172, Headquar ters Department of the Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 1, 1864. COMPANY F. Captain Leroy Moore was mustered into service as second lieutenant October 8, 1861; appointed captain January 4, 1862, commission dated January n, 1862; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864; mustered out of service, by reason of expiration of term, March 12, 1865, Washington, District of Columbia. First Lieutenant Alfred H. Rice was mustered into service as private November 2, 1861 ; appointed first lieutenant January 4, 1862, date of commission January 11, 1862; discharged at Washington August 18, 1863, by order of Secretary of War, for disability. Second Lieutenant John B. Gillmore was mus tered into service as private October 9, 1861 ; ap pointed second lieutenant January 4, 1862, commis sion dated January 11, 1862; appointed first lieuten ant February 18, 1864; mustered as first lieutenant April 24, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864; died in prison, October 9, 1864, at Charleston, South Caro lina. COMPANY G. Captain James Fernald was mustered into service as second lieutenant October 9, 1861; appointed first lieutenant January 10, 1862; appointed captain February 13, 1862, commission dated February 13, 1862; re-enlisted 1865. First Lieutenant William C. Bidle was mustered into service as second lieutenant November 12, 1861; appointed first lieutenant January 10, 1862, commis sion dated January 11, 1862; appointed captain April 9, 1864; mustered as captain April 23, 1864; mustered out, by reason 'of expiration of term, at Vicksburg, Mississippi, February 15, 1865. Second Lieutenant John H. Poyer was mustered into service as second lieutenant October 19, 1861, commission dated January 11, 1862; resigned De cember 10, 1862, Special Orders No. 43, Headquar ters Thirteenth Army Corps, Department of the Ten nessee. COMPANY H. Captain Michael Wegstein was mustered into service as private October 14, 1861 ; appointed cap tain January 10, 1862, commission dated January n, 1862," killed at Shiloh April 6, 1862. First Lieutenant Anthony Young was nrustered into service "as second lieutenant October 12, i86i; appointed first lieutenant January 10; 1862; commis sion dated January 11, 1862; promoted to captain- April 6, 1862, date of commission June 20, 1862; resignation accepted July 23, 1863, Special Order No. 199, Headquarters Department of the Tennes see, Vicksburg, Mississippi. Second Lieutenant Andrew Kline was mustered into service as private; appointed second lieutenant January 10, 1862, commission dated January 11, 1862; discharged at Washington, September 11, 1862, by order of Secretary of War, for disability. Special Orders No. 234. COMPANY I. Captain Jacob Fikes was mustered into service as second lieutenant October 12, 1861; appointed cap tain January 10, 1862, commission dated January 11, 1862; resignation accepted February 4, 1863, Special Orders No. 35, Headquarters Department of the Ten nessee, Young's Point, Louisiana. First Lieutenant Albert Bates was mustered into service as private, October 11, 1861; appointed first lieutenant January 10, 1862, commission dated Jan uary 11, 1862; resignation accepted August 7, 1863, Special Orders No. 215, Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, Vicksburgh, Mississippi. Second Lieutenant James Donnell was mustered into service as private; appointed second lieutenant January 10, 1862; commission dated January nj 1862; resigned September 3, 1862, at Memphis, Ten nessee, Special Orders No. 316, Headquarters De partment of the Mississippi. COMPANY K: Captain Thes M. Thompson was mustered" into ' service as second lieutenant, October 5, 1861; ap pointed captain January 11; 1862, commission dated March 13, 1862; mustered out by reason of expira tion of term, October 4, 1864, Memphis, Tennessee, First Lieutenant W. H. Skerrett was mustered in to service as private, November 2, 1861; appointed first lieutenant January n, 1862; detailed as division' quartermaster April 15, 1862, Special Orders No. 22, Headquarters Fifth division; mustered out by1 reason of expiration of term of service, January n, r86s. Second Lieutenant Caleb T. Goshom was ap pointed second lieutenant February 13, 1862; mus tered into service as second lieutenant February 19, 1862; resignation accepted January 15, 1863, Special Orders No. 15, Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, Mississippi, General U. S. Grant. COMPANY A. Second Lieutenant Charles Dirlam, mustered into service as private October 10, 1861; appointed sec ond lieutenant April 23, 1862, commission dated June 20, 1862; promoted to' first lieutenant Decern- 292 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ber 30, 1863; mustered as first lieutenant March i, 1863; appointed captain April 9, 1864; mustered as captain April 28, 1864; taken prisoner at the bat tle of Brice's Cross Roads June 11, 1864. COMPANY B. Second Lieutenant John M. Lemmon, mustered into service as private October 9, 1861; appointed second lieutenant April 23, 1862, commission dated June 20, 1862; appointed captain July 23, 1863; mustered into service as captain January 29, 1864. Second Lieutenant Alfred Putman, mustered into service as private October 12, 1861; appointed sec ond lieutenant September 1, 1862, commission dated September 16, 1862; promoted to first lieutenant February 18, 1864; mustered into service as first lieutenant March 2, 1864. COMPANY A. Second Lieutenant Jonathan F. Harrington, mus tered into service as private October 15, 1861; ap pointed second lieutenant January 1, 1863; mustered as second lieutenant March 1, 1863; appointed first lieutenant April 9, 1864; mustered as first lieutenant April 9, 1864; promoted to captain May 2, 1865; mustered as captain, May 25, 1865. Second Lieutenant Morris Leese, appointed sec ond lieutenant September 5, 1862; mustered into service as second lieutenant March 1, 1863; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads June 11, 1864. Second Lieutenant Merritt Sexton mustered into service as private November 7, 1861 ; appointed sec ond lieutenant November 1, 1862; mustered as sec ond lieutenant April 24, 1863; appointed first lieu tenant April 9, 1864; mustered as first lieutenant April 28, 1864; promoted to captain March 18, 1865; mustered as captain April n, 1865 Second Lieutenant Lorenzo Dick mustered into the service as private October 15, 1861; appointed second lieutenant April 6, 1862 ; appointed first lieutenant February 26, 1863; mustered as first lieu tenant March 1, 1863; taken prisoner at the battle of Brices's Cross Roads June 11, 1864. Joseph Seaford appointed second lieutenant Feb ruary 26, 1863: appointed first lieutenant Novem ber 20, 1864; mustered as fi-st lieutenant January 3, 1865, at Clifton; promoted to captain May z, 1865; mustered as captain May 25, 1865. Second Lieutenant James H. Stewart, appointed second lieutenant January 15, 1863; mustered as second lieutenant March 5, 1863; resignation ac cepted May 3, i863, Special Orders No. 123, Head quarters of the Department of the Tennessee, Milli- ken's Bend, Louisiana, May 3, 1863. Adjutant Alonzo C. Johnson, July 23, 1863; mus tered as first lieutenant and adjutant August 11, 1863; resignation accepted August 1, 1864, Special Orders No. 172, Headquarters Department of the Tennessee, Chattanooga, Tennessee. Captain Charles L. Hudson, appointed second lieutenant November 16, 1864; mustered into the service as a private November 8, 1861; . mustered as second lieutenant November 22, 1864; wounded se verely at the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July 15, 1864; appointedfirst lieutenant and adjutant March 18, 1865; mustered as first lieutenant and adjutant April 11, 1865; appointed captain September 4, 1865; never mustered into service. Second Lieutenant Joy Winters, appointed April 9, 1864; mustered as second lieutenant April 29, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads June 11, 1864. First Lieutenant Jacob Snyder, appointed Decem ber 8, 1861; appointment revoked by Governor Dennison, of Ohio, February 18, 1862; mustered into service as private October 25, 1861. Charles McCleary, second lieutenant, appointed April 9, 1864; mustered into the service as sergeant October 12, 1861; mustered as second lieutenant April 29, 1864; appointed first lieutenant November 16,1864; mustered as first lieutenant November 20, 1864; promoted to captain April 14, 1865; mustered as captain June 14, 1865. Rollin A. Edgerton, mustered into service as quar termaster-sergeant November 14, 1861; appointed second lieutenant February 26, 1863; mustered as second lieutenant April 24, 1863; resigned on ac count of disability September 28, 1864, Special Or ders No. 220 Headquarters Department of the Ten nessee, Eastport, Georgia. Andrew Unckle, second lieutenant, appointed April 9, 1864; mustered as second lieutenant April 9, 1864; mustered out ot service by reason of expir ation of term of service, December 10, 1864, Nash ville, Tennessee. Edward McMahon, second lieutenant, appointed April 9, 1864; mustered as second lieutenant May 14, 1864; appointed first lieutenant March 18, 1865; mustered as first lieutenant April n, 1865; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Missis sippi, June n, 1864. David Van Dora, second lieutenant, appointed Apsil 9, 1864; mustered as second lieutenant April 9, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. Josiah Fairbanks, mustered into service as a private October 3, 1861; appointed second lieutenant April 9, 1864; mustered as second lieutenant April 9, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864. Zelotus Perrin, mustered into service as private October 10, 1861; appointed second lieutenant April 9, 1864; mustered as second lieutenant April 9, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. John G. Nuhfer, mustered into service as a private October 16, 1861; appointed first lieutenant March HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 293 18, 1865; re-enlisted ; mustered as first lieutenant April 12, 1865. PRIVATES. John P. Aldrick, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 24, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 20, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran De cember 1, 1863, at Germantown, Tennessee. Spencer Ames, native of Connecticut, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio-, October 16, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 19, term three years; died in Cincinnati, April 20, 1862. Alexander Almond, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, February 26, 1864, by Z. Perrin; age 20, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died at Andersonville, July 23, 1864. Thomas Babcock, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 16, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 28, term three years; taken prisoner April 6, 1862, at Shiloh, Tennessee, paroled during guard duty at Co lumbus, Ohio; re-enlisted as a veteran at German- town, Tennessee, December 22, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864. William Blanchard, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of "service at Nashville, Tennes see, December 14, 1864. Frank Babcock, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 7, 1864, by Z. Perrin; age 18, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864, exchanged and returned to company for duty June 20, 1865. Huway W. Brown, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 8, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus, February 20, 1862, by order of supreme court, cause under age. Jacob Brant, native of Germany, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 18, 1864, by Z. Perrin; age 27, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Tu pelo, Mississippi, July. 15, 1864. Albert L. Bush, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 28, term three years; appointed third corporal December 2, 1861; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, June n, 1864; mustered out by reason of ex piration of term of service, January 13, 1865, at Co lumbus, Ohio/ Charles Barber, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 21, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 17, term three years; re-enlisted as a veteran at German- town, Tennessee, December 22, 1863; promoted to eighth corporal, December^, 1864. Nelson Barber, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio," November 15, 1861, by C. G. .Eaton; age 18, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Ten nessee, December r, 1863. George W. Brace, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by C.G. Eaton; age 24, term three years; discharged September 3, 1862, at Camp Dennison, Ohio, for disability. Thomas Bartlett, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 21, 1864, by Z. Perrin; age 21, term three years; died of chronic diarrhoea in hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, October 24, 1864. Andrew Bradbury, native of Maine, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 16, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 16, term three years; promoted to corporal February 26, 1863; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service; killed in rail road accident, December 2, 1878. Samuel Berger, native of Switzerland, enlisted at Tuckertown, October 21, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 37, term three years; died at Monterey, Tennessee, June 9, 1862, of fever. George Burkett, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, February 20, 1864, by Captain Strong; age 25, term three years; enlisted as veteran February 29, 1864; taken prisoner at battleof Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. Charles Boyd, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 15, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 19, term three years; promoted to corporal February 26, 1863; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, June 11, 1864; mustered out by reason of ex piration of term of service, March 20, 1865, at Colum bus, Ohio. Geoige Bolander, native of Ohio, enlisted at Atti ca, November 8, 1861, by P. Bolinger; age 40, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. Robert Barron, native of Ohio, enlisted at Lowell, Ohio, November 3, 1861, by Lieutenant W. Egbert; age 18, term three years; discharged August 9, 1862 at Columbus, Ohio,, for disability, William E. Colwell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, December 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 19, term three years; died at Cincinnati, Ohio, May 21, i862,- of fever. Williard Chapin, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, May 7, 1864, by Z. Perrin; age 19, term three years; died of typhoid fever at Memphis, Tennessee, September 14, 1864. David Collver, ha'tive of New Jersey, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 8, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age - 18, term three years')' discharged March 10, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee', for disability. William Chamberlain, age 19, term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, from Camp Croghan, Ohio. Samuel Chadwick/'native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 20, 1861, by C.G. Eaton; age 34, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, • Tennessee, January; k, 1864; promoted to corporal February 28, 1864; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. 294 HIST OKA? OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Seth Cloud. James' A. Drown, native' of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 16, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 22, term three years; discharged October 24, 1862, at Gblumbus, Ohio, for disability; William Dennis, native of Penh's'ylvania, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, Jantiary 5, 1864, by Lieutenant Per rin; age 30, term three years. Reuben Drinkwater, native of Ohio, enlisted in Adams' township, November 8, 1861, by L. W. Eg bert; age 21, term three years'; discharged atCincin-" nati, Ohio, January1 28, 1863, by General Order 65. John Davis, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio; March I,'i864, by Lieutenant Per rin; age 44, term three years; deserted at Clyde; Ohio, Match 5,1864.' James Drinkwater, ' native of Ohio, enlisted in Adams township, by L. W. Egbert; age 16, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Germa'ntown, Tennessee; transferred to field and 'staff aschief mu sician, January 2, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. Sidney Dwight, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 1, 1862, by C. G. Eaton; age 26,- term three years; promoted to sergeant January 15,-1863. Charles Durham, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton'; age 30, term three years'; appointed first sergeant - December 2, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant April 6, 1862, commission dated June 20, 1862; See officers. Richard Dalton, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio,' No'venv ber 12, r86i; term three years; "deserted January 1, 1862, at Camp Croghan, Ohio; John H.: Downs, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 18, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 31, terjn three years; mustered out by reason of expira tion of term of service, December 14, 1864. Nelson Dennis, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 29; term three years; discharged ' November 13, 1862, at Memphis; Ten nessee, for disability. David Doing, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October n, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 42, term three years; discharged at Camp Shiloh, Tennessee, March 24, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B. Rice, cause disability. David Denison, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by C. G. Eaton ; age 20, term three years deserted January 1, 1862, Camp Croghan, Ohio. Edward Loudenslager, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 26, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, December 13, 1864, at ¦ Columbus, Ohio. Peter Ernst, native of Germany, enlisted at Co lumbus, Ohio, January 30, 1862, by C. G. Eaton; age 45, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, August S3, 1862,-by order of the Secretary of War, cause disability. William Yeaga, native' of ' Maryland, enlisted at Seneca, Ohio', November 8, 1861, by L. W. Egbert'^ age 25, term three years; re-enliSted at Gefmantownj ' Tennessee, December 22, 1863'; taken prisonetat" the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. George Black, native of Ohio, enlisted at Homer, December 28; 1861, by Lieutenant Bidle; age 35, term three years; mustered out by reason of expira tion of term of service. Albert Fry, native of Switzerland, enlisted at San dusky, Ohio, March 1, 1864; by Lieutenant Perrin; age 26; term three years; died at home March 25, - 1864. Martin Golden, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde1, Ohio, October'18, 1861, by C. G. Eaton, age • 18,' term three yeafs^ discharged, place and date: un known; Andrew German, native of New York, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, February 29, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 18, term three years; taken prisoner at' Brice's Cross Roads, June 11, 1864. James Gessiriger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Me dina1, January -5/- 1862,- by W. C. Bidle; age 17, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Ten nessee,- JarruaTy 1, 1864; deserted near Sedaha; Missouri, October 19, 1864. Freedom S. Gates, native of New York, enlisted at Clydef Ohio, October 16,' 1861, by"C. G. Eaton; age 237 term three years; died at Clyde, Ohio, May 5, 1862, of wounds received at the' battle of Shiloh,1 Tennessee, April 6, 1862; appointed second sergeant J December 2, 1861. Thomas Genanan, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 17, term three years; discharged, date unknown. George H. Godfrey, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 29, 1864, by Lieutenant Per rin;" age 23, term three years; died of disease in gen eral hospital, Memphis; Tennessee, March 15, 1865. James Gorden, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, August 22, 1862, by A. B. Rut- man; age 22, term three years; deserted September 1, 1862, Memphis, Tennessee. Andrew Germar, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde; Ohio, October 18, 1861, by C. G'. Eaton; age 15, term three years; discharged, date unknown; re- enlisted as veteran February 29, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. William Gorden, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, Novem ber 21, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 28, term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, Fremont. Augustus Harris, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 5, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 39, term three years; taken prisoner at 'the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Missfs'sippir June -tttli86$." ? HISTORY OFuSAJsTDUSKY COUNTY. 295 . Emmpns Harkness, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 10, i.86i, by C. ,G. Eaton; age 16, ferm three years; mustered out by.reaspn of ex piration of term , of service, November 10, 1864, at Cplumbus, Qhio. George Gearhout, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 1, 1864, by Lieutenant Per rin; age 37, term three years. Charles L. Hudson, native, of Canada, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 8, 1861,; by C. G. Eaton; age 1,8, term three years; njustered out by reason of appointment as second lieutenant .(see commissioned officers' list). Benjamin F. Hannin, native of Ohio,, enlisted, at Clyde, Ohio, November 3, 1861, by C.G. Eatpn; age 23, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of. service, December 4, 1864. Zemira Hutchinson, native of Ohio, enlisted., at Clyde, Ohio, February 25, 1864, by C. G, . Eaton; age ig, term three years; taken prisoner at the bat; tie of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died at Anderspnyille,. Pptober, 1864. .Wilh'am Hassipgtinger,, enlisted,. at Clyde, Ohio, , October 17, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; aged 20, term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, Fremont. £)sljn Harrison, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, November 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; aged 18, term three years; discharged, at Cplumbus, Ohio, August 5, 1862, by order of the Secretary of. War; cause, disability. William Hinton, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 29, 1864, by Lieutenant , Perrin; age 33, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died at .Anderson ville, Octobers, 1864. David Hackett, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, December 20, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 25, term three years; discharged at Camp Shjloh, Ten nessee, March 24, 1862, by order, of. Surgeon Jphn B. Rice; cause disability. Epoch F. Jones, native pf Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 29, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 21, term three years; promoted, to corporal Decem ber 14, 1864. McFall Harkness, native pf Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 19, term three years; promoted to commissary ser geant January 17, 1864;, discharged, for djsability June 1, 1864. Jacob Heath,, native,., of Maryland, enlisfed at Clyde, Ohio, December 20, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; aged 53; term three yqars; deserted Camp No. 5, be fore Corinth, Mississippi; unfit for service. Henry W.( Kunsman, native of Pennsylvania, en- , Ustejd at Clyde, Qhio,- March 23, 1,864, age 4°- Harkness Lay, native of Ohio,, enlisted at Clyde, Ohip, October 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 25, term }hree years; appointed fifth cprporal December .9 •$$*'<¦ aRRoi»?ed! s^r0I?^sergeant ARiilfi, 1,862. James Hastings, native of Ireland, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 21, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; aged 49; term three years; re-enlisted at German- town, Tennessee; deserted November 26, 1864, Cairo, Illinois. John Hastings, native of Ireland, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 5, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 17, term three years; deserted March 19, 1862, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee. Jesse H. Kemp, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 12, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 31, term three years; taken prisqnerat battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864. Charles Hartman, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 23; term three years; deserted June i, 1862, Fre:mont. James Helsel, native of Ohio, enlisted, at Adams township, November 8, 1861, by Lieutenant Egbert; age 19, term three years; taken prisoner at the bat tle of Brice's Cross, Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service March 20, 1865, Columbus, Ohio. Henry Jax, deserted January 1, 1862, Fremont, Ohio. David Jones, native of New York,, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 15, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, August 5, 1862, by order of Secretary of War; cause disability. Frank M. Lay, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 25, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 18, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died at Savannah, Georgia. Joseph L. Jackson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 24, 1864, by C. G. Eaton; .age 29, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, May 31, 1864, by reason of wounds re ceived during the siege of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Jacob D. Lafever, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 28, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 25, term three years; wounded in the foot while on picket in front of Nashville, Tennessee, Decem ber 6, 1864, accidentally. Martin L. Jordan, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 24, 1861, byC. G. Eaton; age 29, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, on surgeon's certificate, date unknown. Rodolphus Lagore, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, December 31, 1864, by J, Winters; age 22, term three years; discharged on surgeon's certi ficate at Memphis, Tennessee, April 2 9, 1865. William Miller, native pf Pennsylvania, enlisted, at Clyde, Ohio, October 29, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 23, term three years; deserted January x, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio; returned from desertion May 1, 1863; , died in Fifteenth Army Corps hospital, Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 29, 1863. , William S. .Miller,, native pf Ohip, enlisted at 296 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Clyde, Ohio, October 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 25, term three years; appointed first corporal Decem ber 2, 1861; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, June 11, 1864. William Murray, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton. Charles H. McCleary, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant December 2, 1861; appointed sergeant-major Feb ruary 15, 1863; appointed second lieutenant April 9, 1864. (See officers' list. ) George Maltby, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, Novem ber 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, at Fremont Nathan Mason, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 24, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, June 11, 1864. Israel Mer, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 22, 1861, by C. G. Eatoh; age 40, term three years; de serted January 1, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio. Lafayette McCarty, native of Vermont, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October n, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 37, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Ger mantown, Tennessee, December 20, 1863; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mis sissippi, June 11, 1864. James. Miller, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Homer, Medina county, December 28, 1861, by E. Miller; age 43, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July, 1862, by order of the Secre tary of War; cause disability. Morgan Morse, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 22, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 56, term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio. Ezra Moe, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 20, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Germantown, Ten nessee, December 1, 1864; appointed corporal May 1, 1865. Ludwig G. Miller, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 7, 1862, by C. G. Eaton; age 21, term three years; died at Shiloh, Tennessee, March 31, 1862. Sherman Nivoman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 3, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 29, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, December 14, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee. Jacob Metz, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 4, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 26, term three years. Christopher Metz, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 24, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 22, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, December 22, 1863; drowned in White River, Ar kansas, September 5, 1864. Samuel B. Mason, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 25, 1864, by Lieutenant Per rin; age 37, term three years. Edwin O'Connor, native of Ireland, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, December 6, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 15, term three years; deserted at Camp Chase February 25, 1862, Zelotus Perrin, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 36, term three years; appointed sergeant; ap pointed second lieutenant April 9, 1864. Henry Miller, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde Ohio, January 5, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 27, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864; exchanged and returned to company for duty, May 14, 1864. Nathaniel Pittenger, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 15, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 24, term three years; appointed fourth corporal December 2, 1861; mustered out by reason of expi ration of term of service, December 14, 1864, Nash- « ville, Tennessee. James H. P. Martin, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, March 23, 1864, by Captain Stein- er; age 30, term three years; wounded at Old- town Creek, July 15, 1864 Elihor Parker, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, December 10, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 16, term three years; discharged October 25, 1862, Co lumbus, Ohio, Julius W. Parmeter, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 24, term three years. George Pittenger, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 23, 1861, byC. G. Eaton; age 23, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, as veteran, December 31, 1863. Hiram Plain, native of Maryland, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 15, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 41, term three years; killed at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Peolo Coy, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, May 25, 1864, by Captain Steiner; age 30, term three years; substitute. Charles Reminger enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, No vember 24, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, Fremont. Almon Rogers, native of New York, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 24, term three years; taken prisoner at the bat tle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; exchanged; mustered out of service by reason of expiration of term, June 13, 1865, Columbus, Ohio. Jeremiah Stage, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 20, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 22, term three years; deserted, May 5, 1862, camp Number Five before Cenewth. Samuel L. Shuck, native of Ohio, enlisted at Re public, November 20, 1861, by P. Bollinger; age 25, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 297 term three years; killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Noble Perrin, native of Ohio, enlisted at Mans field, Ohio, November 18, 1862, age 42, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died atAnderson- ville, August 12, 1864. Adam Stoner, native of Germany, enlisted at Sharon, January 9, 1862, by Captain Barron; age 45, term three years ; died at Monterey, Tennessee, June 2, 1862, of fever. Emil Roschach, native of Switzerland, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 5, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin ; age 27, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864. Solmian Stage, native of Ohio, enlisted at Medina, November 20, 1861, by Lieutenant Bidle; age 23, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 24, 1862, by orders of Secretary of War; cause disability. Henry J. Roush, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 29, 1864, by Lieutenant Per rin; age 27, term three years. Alonzo Simerson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 1, 1862, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Colum bus, Tennessee, January 1, 1864; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. Elisha Taylor, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 1, 1862, by C. G. Eaton; age 27, term three years; sent to general hospital unfit for service. William Ross, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandus ky, Ohio, March 16, 1864, by Captain Steiner; age 40, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. Jerome Wentassel, native of Massachusetts, en listed at Clyde, Ohio, November 6, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 19, term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, Fremont, Ohio. John Vantessell, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 21, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 21, term three years; died at Monterey, Ten nessee, June 15, 1862, of fever; appointed seventh corporal December 2, 1861. Russell Z. Sturtevant, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 5, 1864, by Lieutenant Per rin; age 43, term three years; died. William Weeks, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 10, i86i,by C. G. Eaton; age 43, term three years; appointed fourth sergeant De cember 2, 1861. Warren Sturtevant, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, by Lieutenant Perrin, February 29, 1864; age 18, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died at Andersonville, September 8, 1864. A. J. Whiteman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January ±, 1862, by C. G. Eaton; age 21, term three years ; died at Cincinnati, Ohio, July 9, 1862, of fever. George A. Stilson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 30, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 21, term three years; veteran. Abraham R. Whiteman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, December 21, 1861, by C.G. Eaton; age 23, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 24, 1862, by order of the Secretary of War, cause disability. Harmon Wright, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 3, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, August 5, 1862, by order of Secretary of War, cause disability. George Collom, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by C G., Eaton; age 20, term three years; deserted January 7, 1862, camp No. 8, before Corinth, Mississippi. David Suggitt, native ot England, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 5, 1862, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 44, term three years ; died at Camp Shiloh, Ten nessee, March 30, 1862, of typhoid fever. Jacob W. Duesler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. William S. Tuck, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 29, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 21, term three years. James S. Burroughs, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, September 15, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 22, term three years; died of disease at Young's Point, Louisiana, June 27, 1863. Luther Wentworth, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, March 3, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 34, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864; died at Andersonville, September 2, 1864. Robert M. Bercan, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, August 13, 1862, by A. B. Put man; age 34, term three years. Seth R. Cloud, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, September 10, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 18, term three years; discharged in rear of Vicks burg, Mississippi, September 7, 1863, on surgeon's certificate. Allen J. Wentworth, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, March 22, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 18, term three years. Ephraim F. Dwight, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, by A. B. Putman, August 22, 1862; age 41, term three years; discharged at general hospital, St. Louis, Missouri, January 25, 1862. James Gorden, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, August 22, 1862, by A. B. Put man; age 22, term three years; deserted October 21, 1862, Memphis, Tennessee. 298 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Eli Whitaker, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, January 5, 1864, by Lieutenant Perrin; age 24, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died at An dersonville rebel prison, February 4, 1865. John Whitaker, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 22, 1864, by Z. Perrin; age 18, term three years ; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; exchanged and returned to company for duty February, 1865. Valentine Ott, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, September 12, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 26, term three years ; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864; ex changed and returned to company for duty May 14, 1865. Samuel Persing, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, August 12, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 25, term three years ; appointed corporal Febru ary 29, 1864. Joshua Watterson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 26, term three years; appointed commissary ser geant November 24, 1861 ; appointed first lieutenant and regimental quartermaster January 17, 1863. Reuben W. Hess, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, by Captain Steiner, February 28, 1865; age 44, term one year. J. F. Harrington, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 15, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 20, term three years; appointed second corporal Decem ber 2, 1861; appointed first sergeant April 6, 1862; appointed second lieutenant January 15, 1863. Lymon Sturtevant, native of New York, enlisted at Sandusky, Ohio, February 24, 1865, by Captain Steiner; age 32, term one year. T. W. Egbert, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, February 19, 1862, by C. G. Eaton; age 39, term three years; appointed third sergeant February 20, 1862; discharged at Memphis, February, 1863, John A. Russell, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, Ohio, February 28, 1865, by Captain Steiner-; age 37, term one year. John Waclams, native of New York, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, November 6, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 28, term three years; appointed eighth corporal December 2, 1861. Stephen Rogers, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 21, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 24, term three years; appointed eighth corporal Decem ber 2, 1862 ; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service. Fredrick Metz, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, Ohio, February 24, 1865, by Captain Steiner; age 30, term one year. Harrison Whiteman, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, Oc tober, 17, 1861, by C. G. Eaton, age 20, term three years; deserted J anuary 1, 1862, Fremont, Ohio. John Fritz, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky, Ohio, February 13, 1865, by Captain Steiner; age 29, term one year. Sebastian Nice, deserted January 1, 1862, Fremont, Ohio. Leslie E. Sparks, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 21, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 18, term three years; deserted January 1, 1862, Fremont, Ohio. Seth Lovingood, native of Ohio, enlisted at Clyde, Ohio, October 18, 1861, by C. G. Eaton; age 23, term three years; deserted May 5, 1862, Shiloh, Ten nessee. Nathan Sewell, native of Tennessee, enlisted at Germantown, January 2, 1864, by Lieutenant Har rington; age 18, term three years; under cook, A. F. D. Dick Richards, native of Mississippi, enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, January 2, 1864, by Lieu tenant Harrington; age 18, term three years; under cook, A. F. D. Stephen C. Aiken, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 28, term three years; died at Monterey, Tennessee, June 4, 1862, of typhoid fever; appointed sergeant December 2, 1861. Anderson Anderson, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 30, term three years; deserted December 24, 1861, Fre mont, Ohio. Henry C. Barney, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 25, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 19, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862; died at Louisville April 18, 1862; appointed sergeant December 25, 1861. George J. Bixler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 45, term three years; died at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 23, 1862, of chronic diarrhoea. Charles H. Bennet, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land, age 38, term three years; discharged Septem ber 21, 1863, Columbus, Ohio, for disability; wound ed in a skirmish at Shiloh April 7, 1862. Samuel Burr, native of New York, enlisted at Fre mont, October 15, 1861, by H. W. Buckland;. age 45, term three years; died at Muscon, Tennessee, July 13, 1862, of chronic diarrhoea. David Burner, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 24, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 31, term three years ; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1863; died in prison Millen, Georgia, October 27, 1864, Chester A. Buckland, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 22, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 20, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; died on the boat near Cincinnati, April 18, 1862. Christopher Bower, native of Prussia, enlisted at HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 299 Fremont, Ohio, December 2, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 24, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, Decem ber 23, 1863; promoted from corporal to sergeant January 1, 1865; died at Andersonville. William Burr, native of Ohio ; enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 9, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 23, term three years; discharged November 22, 1862, Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Joseph B. Brush, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 28, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 17, term three years; discharged from ser vice at Fremont, January 24, 1862, by order of Judge Green; cause under age. John Collins, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 21, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 21, term three years; appointed sergeant De cember 25, 1861 ; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; exchanged and mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, January 21, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. Thomas H. Caffery, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 12, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 40, term three years; appointed corporal December 25, 1861; discharged March, 1863; cause disability. • Martin Cowel, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 32, term three years; appointed corporal December 25, 1861; appointed sergeant July 1, 1862; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mis sissippi, June 11, 1864; exchanged and mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, January 13, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. Nathan Cochrane, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 16, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 20, term three years;, mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service December 14, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee. John C. Colloph, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 44, term three years; discharged March 13, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee. George W. Clark, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 2, 1861; age 18, term three years; deserted April 10, 1863. Lawrence P. Cunnady, native of New York, en listed at Fremont, Ohio, November 21, 1861, by H. .W. Buckland; age 39, term three years; dis charged September 6, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability; wounded in a skirmish at Shiloh, Tennes see, April 4, 1862. John Dardis, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 2, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 35, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864. Thomas Donahoe, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October r3, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 20, term three years; appointed corporal February 1, 1863; mustered out by reason of expira tion of term of service, December 14, 1864, at Nash ville, Tennessee. Orrin England, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 21, term three years; appointed sergeant major December 2, 1861; appointed first lieutenant January i, 1863. Francis Engler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 2, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 20, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1863; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1863. Zooth S. Farrand, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 16, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 22, term three years; discharged December 1, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. John Fisher, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 2, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 23, term three years; died in hospital boat, on Mis sissippi River, between Memphis and Cairo, in the fall of r863. Arthur C. Fitch, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 5, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 25, term three years; appointed chief musician December 25, 1861; mustered out by reason of ex piration of term of service, December 9, 1864, at Columbus, Ohio. Samuel Frazier, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 18, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 34, term three years; deserted from Jeffer son Barracks, October 28, 1863. Peter P. Fussleman, native of Pennsylvania, enlist ed at Fremont, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 45, term three years; discharged March 12, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee, for dis ability. Joseph Fry, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 25, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 36, term three years; discharged Novem ber 11, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. James Gunning, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 4, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 33, term three years; deserted May 28, 1862, at Camp Number Six, before Corinth, Tennessee. Peter Gurst, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 25, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 40, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. Henry Hopwood, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, Octo ber 9, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 19, term three years; deserted December 5, r86i, at Fremont, Ohio. Thomas Hearly, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 16, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 19, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads; Mississippi, June 11, 1864; 3°° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. exchanged and discharged by reason of expiration of term of service, April 24, 1865, at Columbus, Ohio. William H. Hackenberry, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 22, 1861; age 19, term three years; died at St. Louis, Missouri, April 20, 1862, of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862. ZachinaHendrickson.nativeofOhio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 25, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 22, term three years; discharged October 11, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Michael Hearly, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 18, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1864; promoted to corporal January 1, 1865. Levi Hollinger, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, Octo ber 21, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 18, term three years; deserted November 15, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio. William H. Hawkins, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 11, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 20, term three years; wounded at the bat tle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; died at St. Louis, April 20, 1862. Martin Hoofnazel, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 11, 1861; age 21, term three years; appointed corporal March ±, 1863; re- enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 28, 1863; promoted to sergeant April, 1864. Henry Hunsinger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 30, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 17; discharged without pay or allowance, April 10, 1863, for absence without leave. Allen L. Halcomb, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 11, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 19, term three years; re-enlisted at Ger mantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1863; promoted to corporal January 1, 1865. Joseph Hunsinger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, January 14, 1862, by H. W. Buckland; -age 23, term three years; re-enlisted, as veteran, at Germantown, Tennessee, January 21, 1864. Samuel Jackson, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 32, term three years; mustered out by rea son of expiration of term of service. Jacob Klusman, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 29, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 22, term three years; died at Quincy, Illinois, July 19, 1862, of typhoid fever. Peter Kline, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 5, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 25, term three years; died in Sandusky county, Ohio, May 18, 1862, of typhoid fever. John M. Lemmon, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 21, term three years; promoted to second lieu tenant May 23, 1862. Marcellus Mellious enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 19, term three years; appointed corporal January 1, 1863; re- enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1863; promoted to sergeant April, 1864; taken pris oner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Missis sippi, June 11, 1864; escaped from prison September 19, 1864; returned to regiment October 17, 1864. James McDaniels enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, Octo ber 14, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 36, term three years; deserted November 21, 1861, Fremont, Ohio. David H. Mclntyre, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 24, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 24, term three years; died September 2, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, of disease; appointed corporal December 2, 1862. Peter Mulraim, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 15, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 39, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; ex changed and mustered out, by reason of expiration of term of service, March 2, 1864, Columbus, Ohio. William F. Mclntyre, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 15, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 25, term three years; appointed corporal January 1, 1863 ; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, June 11, 1864; blown up in Sultana, near Memphis, 1865. Frederick Martin, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 21, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 20, term three years; missing in action at Shiloh, April 6, 1862, reported killed. Jacob Myers, native of Virginia, enlisted at. Fre mont, Ohio, November 11, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 29, term three years; died January 2, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, of disease. Thomas Michaels, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 12, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 20, term three years; died at Cincinnati July 21, 1862, of chronic diarrhoea. Peter Mapus enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 23, term three years; mustered as deserter April 10, 1863; returned; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1863; deserted August, 1864, Clyde, Ohio. Samuel Maurer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 15, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 30, term three years; discharged December 15, 1862, for disability. Simeon Obermier, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 13, 1861, by H. W. Buckland;. age 36, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June n, 1864; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, March 22, 1865, by reason of expiration of term of service. Henry H. Olds, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, January 14, 1862, by H. W. Buck- land; age 21, term three years; appointed corporal January 14, 1862, sergeant January 1, 1862. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 301 Hiram Overmier, native of Pennsylvania, taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Crpss Roads June ; 11, 1864; discharged and mustered out, by reason of expiration of term of service, March 22, 1865, Colum bus, Ohio. Archibald Purcell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 11, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 19, term three years; re-enlisted at Ger mantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1863; promoted to corporal January 1, 1864. Thomas Pirson, native of England; enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 12, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 47, term three years; discharged September 2, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. George E. Ryan, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 25, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 36, term three years; discharged at Colum bus, Ohio, January 25, 1862, by order of A. B. Dod, for disability. Alonzo Rhine, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, Decem ber 15, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 30, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, December 14, 1864, at Nashville, Ten nessee. John Rady, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 2, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 21, term three years; deserted November 12, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio. James Ritchey, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 27, term three years; discharged December 13, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability; ap pointed sergeant December 2, 1861; wounded at battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Emanuel D. Smith, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Fremont, Ohio, October 16, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 25, term three years; appointed corporal December 25, 1861; wounded at battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862; discharged January 21, 1863, for wounds. Samuel H. Shutts, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 15, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 24, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 7, 1862; died at Pittsburg Landing. Matthias Swartzbauder, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 16, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 19, term three years; appointed corporal March 1, 1865; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 23, 1863; promoted to ser geant April, 1864. Henry M. Sargeant, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 25, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 22, term three years; discharged January, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee, for disability. Aaron Spohn, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 29, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 18, term three years, died in Sandusky county, Ohio, June 12, 1862, of consumption. Jacob Shoalts, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 9, 1861, by H; W. Buckland; age 22, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, by order of A. B. Dod, for disability. Lemuel Sparks, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 11, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 25, term three years; died at Camp No. 6, Tennessee, of typhoid fever. Elisha Sprague, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 10, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 19, term three years; died at Montery, Tennessee, June, 1862, of typhoid fever. John P. Thompson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 25, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 19, term three years; discharged at Colum bus, Ohio, July 14, 1862, by order of A. B. Dod, for disability. Edmond J. Thompson, native of Scotland, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 18, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 43, term three years; discharged at Sandusky, March 1, 1862, by order of surgeon; cause drunkenness. Aaron Thierwechter, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 2, 1861, by H. W. Buck- . land; age 17, term three years; discharged December 24, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio, by probate judge. Douglass Tucker, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 16, 1861, byH. W. Buck- land; age 30, term three years; discharged at Colum bus, Ohio, September 2, 1862, by order of A. B. Dod, for disability. James Titswood, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 16, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 26, term three years; died at Cincin nati April 29, 1862; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Joy Winter, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 22, term three years; appointed first sergeant December 2, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant April 9, 1864. Clarence Williams, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, byH. W. Buckland; age 18; term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; discharged for disability. Matthias Waber, native of France, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 20, term three years; mustered out by rea son of expiration of term of service. Asaph P. Webster, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 21, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 20, term three years; died at Coving ton, Kentucky, April 20, 1862, of typhoid fever. Jacob Worst, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 16, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 55, term three years; killed at the bat tle of Shiloh, April 6; 1862. George W. Vincent, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 12, 1861, by H. W. Buckland; age 42, term three years; deserted December 29, 1861, Fremont. 302 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Josiah Williams, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 25, 1861, by H. W. Buck- land; age 37, term three years; died at Memphis, Tennesee, August 21, 1862, of consumption. Jeremiah Yeagle, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 19, 1861; age 21, term three years; deserted April 10, 1863. George W. Camp, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Fremont, Ohio, January 21, 1862, by H. W. Buckland; age 27, term three years; taken pris oner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864. Martin Palk, native of Ohio, enlisted at Colum bus, Ohio, February 10, 1862, by H. W. Buckland; age 18, term three years; deserted May 26, 1862, Camp No. 5, before Corinth, Tennessee. William Herrigan, native of Ohio, enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, February 15, 1862, by H. W. Buckland; age 17, term three years. Villiam Whimer, discharged at Columbus, Ohio, June 24, 1862, by order of Captain A. B. Dod, cause disability. Austin Fisher, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, August 29, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 22, term three years; taken prisoner at battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died at Fremont, September, 1865. George W. Hufford, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, August 30, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 24, term three years; died of disease, at Mem phis, Tennessee, November 13, 1862. Christian Brinkley, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cleveland, October 10, 1862, by drafted man; age 30, term nine months; discharged by reason of expi ration of term of service. Roger Casmody, native of England, enlisted by drafted man, October 10, 1862; age 19, term nine months; discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. David Mooney, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cleve. land, October 10, 1862, by drafted man; age 29, term nine months; discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. Henry Rich, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cleveland, October 10, 1862; drafted man; age 21, term nine months; discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. John H. H. Caster, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cleveland, October 10, 1862; drafted man; age 21, term nine months; discharged by reason of expira tion of term of service. Michael Lynch, native of New York, enlisted at Cleveland, October 10, 1862; drafted man; age 23, term nine months; discharged by reason of expira tion of term of service. Jacob Seagur, native of Germany, enlisted at Cleveland, October 10, 1862; drafted man; age 32, term nine months; discharged by reason of expira tion of term of service. George W. Maurer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cleveland, October 10 1862; drafted man; age 26, term nine months ; discharged by reason of expira tion of term of service. Aaron Maurer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cleve land, October 10, 1862; drafted man; age 19, term nine months; discharged by reason of expiration of term of service. Charles Lautner, native of Germany, enlisted at Cleveland, October 10, 1862, by drafted man; age 18, term nine months; discharged by reason of expira tion of term of service. Henry Amsboch, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 21, term three years; died at Camp No. 5, Ten nessee, May 12, 1862. Allen Amsboch, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 6, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; discharged Septemper 2, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Harrison Anderson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 21, term three years; discharged December 25, 1862, at NJemphis, Tennessee, for disability. Weems P. Acton, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre- port, November 29, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 20, term three years; discharged September 4, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Henry Algnyre native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre- port, December 12, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; discharged at Fremont, Ohio, January 15, 1862, by probate judge. August Affel, native of Kentucky, enlisted at Cin cinnati, December 16, 1861, by M. F. Williamson; age 19, term three years; died at Pittsburg Land ing, April 8, r862, of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. John Bates, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 21, term three years; deserted May 12, 1862, at Camp No. 5, before Corinth; killed by rebel pickets before Corinth. Samuel Busket, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 26 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 22, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. Jacob Busket, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 34, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Ten nessee, December 22, 1863. Ezra Brayton, native of Vermont, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 46, term three years; died at Camp Dennison, April 30, 1862, of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Calvin Boardner, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years; died at Fort Pickering, Memphis, Tennessee, July 29, 1862. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY, 3°3 Alfred Buchtle, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 24, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, December 14, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee. Anthony Brackley, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, December 1, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 23, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown; Tennessee, December 23, 1863; promoted to cor poral Janurry 2, 1864; promoted to sergeant Decem ber 31, 1864. Elias Burkett, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by S. A.J. Snyder; age 22, term three years; mustered out by reason of expira tion of term of service, December 14, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee. William Ball, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 3, 1862, by M. T. Williams, age 41, term three years; discharged December 25, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, for disability. Joshua Books, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 38, term three years; discharged February 22, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio, by probate judge. William T. Cludy, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; discharged July 25, 1862, by General Order No. 36. John L. Cook, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. John Currigan, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 10, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. Lawrence Christ, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre- port, Ohio, November 27, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years; discharged August 2, 1861, at Columbus, Ohio. Joseph Christ, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 27, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 21, term three years; appointed fourth corporal De cember 8, 1861; discharged September 8, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. William Crossman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 35, term three years; mustered out by rea son of the expiration of term of service, December 14, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee. Duncan Carter, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 23, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. George Crafford, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, De cember 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 35, term three years; deserted at Camp Croghan, Ohio, De cember 31, 1861. Dennis Debany, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati, December 9, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 19, term three years; discharged February 3, 1863, at Memphis, Tennessee, for disability. John Dume, native of Indiana, enlisted at Cincin nati, December 31, 1861, by M. T. Williamson, age 21, term three years; mustered out by reason of ex piration of term of service, December 14, 1864, at Nashville, Tennessee. Henry Deal, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 13, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 17, term three years; deserted January 5, 1862, at Camp Croghan, Ohio. William Duglass, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 38, term three years; re-enlisted at Ger mantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. Amandis Derhamma, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 18, term three years; re-enlisted at Ger mantown, Tennessee, December 2, 1863. Charles H. Davis, native of Indiana, e"hlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 16, 1861, by M. T. Wil liamson; age 19, term three years; transferred to in valid corps February 15, 1864, by General Order No. 57, War Department. Nathaniel Ebersole, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 20, term three years; mustered out by rea son of expiration of term of service, December 14, 1864, Nashville, Tennessee. Corwin Ensmunger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years; appointed fourth sergeant, December 8, 1861; re-enlisted at German- town, Tennessee, as veteran, December 22, 1863; promoted to first sergeant March 29, 1864, to quar termaster-sergeant April 12, 1865. Hiram Edgar, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Ger mantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863; promoted to corporal February 24, 1864. Gotlieb Fisher, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service,- December 14, 1864, Nashville, -Tennessee. Solomon Peterman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 20, term three years; discharged July 23, 1862, Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Joseph Furgerson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 1, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 38, term three years; discharged December 25, 1862, Memphis, Tennessee. Milton Gilmore, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 17, term three years; discharged Febraary"3, 1862, in Fremont, by probate judge. 3°4 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Michael F. Fredrich, native of Spain, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 10, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 25, term three years; re-enlisted at Ger mantown , Tennessee, December 22, 1863 ; wounded severely at the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July 13, 1861. Reuben Gager, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 24, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July, 1862, by order of Secretary of War, cause disability. Charles Gumsey, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, No vember, 23, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 22, term three years. William Garber, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 23, term three years; appointed first corporal December 8, 1861, promoted to sergeant; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, as veteran, December 22, 1863; promoted to first sergeant April 12, 1865. David Orant, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 31, term three years; appointed fifth corporal December 8, 1861; discharged July 8, 1862, Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Robert L. Handy, native of Indiana, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, February 1, 1862, by M. T. Wil liamson; age 44, term three years; died at St. Louis, May 2, 1862, of chronic diarrhoea. Lawrence Higgins, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 22, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 24, term three years; deserted February 22, 1862, at Cincinnati, Ohio. Jerry P. Heritage, native of Kentucky, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 16, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 19, term three years; appointed corporal September 15, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863; promoted to sergeant May 1, 1864. Thomas Hemminger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 27, term three years; missing in action near Browns ville, Mississippi, while on the Canton scout; is sup posed to have been killed. Martin Homen, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 2, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 27, term three years; discharged July 30, 1862, for disability. Harrison Hemminger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 2s 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 27, term three years; deserted May 23, 1862, Clyde, Ohio. Jacob Huffman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 28, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran, at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863; pro moted to corporal; promoted to sergeant April 12, 1865. David Henline, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 29, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, June 11, 1864; died in rebel prison. Jacob Hutchinson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 24, term three years. Jeremiah Heath, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 21, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863; promoted to cor poral. John Hetrick, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 22, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, December 14, 1864, Nashville, Tennessee. John Jackson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 22, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 27, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant December 8, 1861; died at Fort Pickering, near Memphis, August 18, 1862. Charles Jeffreys, native of Canada, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 13, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 48, term three years; deserted at Camp Croghan, Ohio, October 10, 1861. A. P. Johnson, native of New Hampshire, en listed at Fremont, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 25, term three years; appointed first sergeant December 8, 1862; promoted to second lieutenant July 23, 1862. Christian Kiser, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service, Nashville, Tennessee, December 14, 1864. William H. King, native of Ohio, enlisted at Port Clinton, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 46, term three years; discharged Decem ber 25, 1863, Memphis, Tennessee, for disability. Joseph Kibby, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, Oc tober 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 30, term three years; discharged February 2, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio, by probate judge. Robert Kelrington, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 27, term three years; re-enlist ed as veteran at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. Washington Lewis, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Cincinnati, December 26, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 26, term three years; deserted Au gust 7, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee. Michael Latty, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 20, term three years; mustered out by reason of expiration of term of service. William Myres, native of Ohip, enlisted at Fre- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 305 mont, Ohio, December 5, i86r, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 22, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863; pro moted to corporal February 24, 1864. James Monaghan, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 20, term three years; re-enlisted as veteran at Germantown, Tennessee, December 22, 1863. William H. G. Meng, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 13, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; died at Monterey, Tennessee, J une, 1862, of fever. James Madden, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, De cember 12, i86i,byS. A. J. Snyder; age 17, term three years. William Naylor, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, December 1, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 21, term three years; discharged November 5, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability; wounded in the thigh at battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Joseph Myres, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 25, term three years; appointed third corporal December 8, 1861 ; died at Evansville, Indiana, May 24, 1862, of fever. Devault W. Miller, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Freeport, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 32, term three years; appointed second sergeant December 8, 1862; killed May 20, 1863, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Benjamin Olinger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; promoted and transferred to field and staff as commissary sergeant November 23, 1864. Samuel Obermier, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 17, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years; died in prison. Henry Orindorf, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 1, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; died at Camp Shiloh, May 6, 1862. John Parish, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 7, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 30, term three years; died at Monterey, Tennessee; June, 1862, of fever. Mahlon Penn, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, December 13, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 21, term three years; died at Fort Pickering, Mem phis, Tennessee, August 17, 1862. Ezekiel Penn, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 30, 1861, by S. A.J. Snyder; age 25, term three years; appointed sixth corporal De cember 8, 1861; discharged September 14, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Joseph Reed, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 29, term three years ; re-enlisted as veteran at German- town , Tennessee, December 22, 1863. 39 William Pierce, native of Maine, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 32, term three years; appointed thii d sergeant December, 8, 1861; discharged for promotion March, 1864. Demitrius Rood, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October iq, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; re-enlisted at Germantown, Tennessee, as veteran, December 22, 1863; died at Easlport, Mississippi, January 31, 1865. George Rock, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 28, term three years; mustered out by reason of expira tion of term of service December 14, 1864, Nash ville, Tennessee. Emanuel Reed, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; discharged January 31, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio, by probate judge. Valentine Ran, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 1, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 23, term three years. Peter Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, November 11, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 20, term three years; deserted August 7, 1862, at Fort Pickering, Tennessee. Jacob Snyder, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 35, term three years. Nathaniel Sanderson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 18, term three years. Daniel Shoe, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years. Emamuel Shoe, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 20, term three years; in prison. Columbus St. Clair, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport. Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Sny der; age 18, term three years; discharged Septem ber 18, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Martin Smith, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, Novem ber 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 17, term three years; discharged January 31, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio, by probate judge. Emanuel Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 30, term three years. William H. Sharp, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 18, 1862, by M. T. Williamson; age 20, term three years; deserted August 10, 1862, Colum bus, Ohio, John Sevits, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 22, term 3 years; died at Camp No. 6, May 29, 1862, of small-pox. James St. Clair, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, Novem ber 25, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 35, term three 306 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. years; deserted January 15, 1862, at Cincinnati. v Frederick Smith, native of Ohio, wounded at Vicksburgh. Reuben Stephens, native of Pennsylvania, en" listed at Freeport, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 20, term three years; discharged September 2, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. William Stanton, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; discharged December 6, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Charles- Stanton, native of New York, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, December 1, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 21, term three years; appointed second corporal December 8, 1861. Edward Shorb, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, December 1, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 28, term three years; appointed eighth corporal Decem ber 8, 1 861. Solomon Snyder, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 41, three years; appointed seventh corporal De cember 8, 1861. William Stockhouse enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 25, term three years, deserted November 18, 1861, at Camp Croghan, Ohio. Emanuel Sbreffler enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 241 term three years; deserted December 31, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio. Thomas Smith enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, November 11, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 22, term three years; died in Memphis, Tennessee; shot by provost guard July 22, 1862. John Underwood, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, November 30, i86r, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 22, term three years; killed at Vicksburg May 19, 1863; shot through abdomen. James Underwood, native of Ohio, enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 22, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years; died on hospital- boat City of Memphis. Charles W. Seame, native of England, enlisted at Cincinnati December 16, 1861, by M. T. William son; age 16, term three years; deserted August 7, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee. John Vandercook, native of Ohio, enlisted at Free- port, Ohio, December 2, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 19, term three years. John Wise enlisted at Freeport, Ohio, November 26, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 18, term three years. Reuben Wood , native of Virginia, enlisted at Cin cinnati, Ohio, November 17, 1861, by M. T. Wil liamson; age 24,. term three years. George Worley, native of Germany, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 26, 1861, by M. T. Wil liamson ; age 22, term three years. William Wallace enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, Octo ber 28, 1861, by S. A. J. Snyder; age 32, term three years; discharged July 31, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. John Witcolmb, native of England, enlisted at' Cincinnati, Ohio, January 16, 1861, by M. T. Wil liamson; age 42, term three years. John P. King, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, August 30, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 26, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Brice's Cross Roads, Mississippi, June 11, 1864; died while enroutefor our lines from rebel prison. William Camnity was appointed fifth sergeant August 17, 1862. Andrew Abel, native of Germany, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, December 2, 1861, by Andrew Nuh- fer; age 18, term three years; discharged at Colum bus, Ohio, September 6, 1862, surgeon's certificate. George Albert, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, November 3, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 19, term three years; wounded in the battle of Shiloh. William Allen, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 19, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862; died at Pittsburg Landing April 9, 1862. Henry Basor, native of Ohio, enlisted at Pember- ville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 24, term three years; deserted from general hospital May 5, 1862; returned; re-enlisted. Joseph Beem, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, October 15, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 37, term three years. Michael Beckly, native of Germany, enlisted at' Fostoria, Ohio, December 2, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 19, term three years. Hyman Billings, native of New York, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 41, term three years. Nelson Bowen, native of Ohio, enlisted at Mar seilles, Ohio, December 30, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 27, term three years. Orson Bowers, native of Ohio , enlisted at Mar seilles, Ohio, December 30, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 18, term three years. Thomas G. Campbell, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Arcadia, Ohio, November 13, 1861, by An drew Nuhfer; age 28, term three years. John Carbaugh, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, October 31, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 28, term three years; appointed third corporal January 28, 1862; appointed fourth ser geant June 1, 1862; died in Andersonville prison. Perry Chance, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fosto ria, Ohio, November 5, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 21, term three years; appointed eighth corporal January 28, 1862; appointed fifth sergeant July 1, 1862. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3°7 Solomon Cook, native of Ohio, enlisted at Mar seilles, Ohio, December 20, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 18, term three years. Jesse J. Cook, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 39, term three years. Samuel Crais, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, November 18, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, October 15, 1862, for disability. John W. Dale, age 25. Charles R. Davis, native of Vermont, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, November 17, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 30, term three years, appointed third corporal July 1, 1862; discharged at Memphis. Matthew Degroft, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 21, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, August 14, r862, for disability. Theodore Dern, native of Maryland, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, November 19, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 30, term three years. Thomas Divine, native of New York, enlisted at Pemberville, November 28, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 18, term three years. Thomas Drumheller, native of Ohio, enlisted at Pemberville, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 19, term three years; died at Overton hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, 1863. ' William Duke, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years; appointed sixth corporal July 1, 1862. Henry A. Ernst, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, November 6, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years; killed at the bat tle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Samuel Eriom, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fosto ria, Ohio, November 10, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years; discharged at Fort Pick ering, September 14, 1862, by surgeon's certificate. Joseph Finley, native of Ohio, enlisted at Pember ville, Ohio, November 24, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years; killed at the battle of Guntown, Mississippi, June 15, 1864. Manning A. Fowler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, October 18, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 31, term three years Ezra Fowler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Nelson, Ohio, February 8, 1862, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 21, term three years. Franklin Fowler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Nel son, Ohio, March' 1, 1862, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years. Levi Gramling, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 24, term three years ; discharged at Fort Picker ing, Tennessee, September 14, 1862, on surgeon's certificate. William Grotie, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, December 12, 1862, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 24, term three years. Cornelius F. Groner, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, December 10, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years;. wounded at the battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July 18, 1864. George W. Grove, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fos toria, Ohio, October 31, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years. Franklin H. Grove, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, October 31, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 18, term three years. Charles Grove, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, February 8, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 44, term three years; deserted from general hospital April 11, 1862. John Horstman, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 22, term three years. J ames P. Hale, native of Ohio, enlisted at Arcadia, Ohio, December 7, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 24, term three years; deserted from , general . hospital February 11, 1862. Moses M. Hartsock, native of-Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, November 7, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 22, term three .years; died in the rear of Vicksburg,. 1863, probably at Bear Creek, Missis sippi. Henry Holtnomp, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 18, term three years; died at Covington, Kentucky, May 18, 1862, of typhoid fever. Arthur Householder, native of Ohio, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, November 28, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 24, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, August 20, 1862, for disability. David Huff, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, November 13, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 22, term three years; discharged at Cincinnati Au gust 28, 1862, for disability. Lafayette Halcomb, native of Ohio, enlisted at Nelson, Ohio, March 1, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 19, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 23, 1862, on surgeon's certificate, for disa bility. William Hutson, age 18; discharged at Fremont, Ohio, December 27, 1861, by John Bell; cause under age. Frederick J. Jaeger, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, December 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 25, term three years. Morris Jones, native of Ohio; age 18; term three years; discharged at Camp Shiloh by order of R. P. Buckland, colonel of the Seventy-second regiment, March 22, 1862, cause disability. Benjamin Jones, native of Wales, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, December 30, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 38, term three years. Charles A. Johnsmyer, native of Germany, enlisted 3°8 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. at Woodville, Ohio, December 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 26, term three years; appointed fifth corporal January 27, 1862. William Reil, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 23, term three years; appointed seventh corporal January 28, 1862; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 15, 1862, by surgeon's certificate. Jacob J. Ludwig, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fos toria, Ohio, November 18, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years; wantonly murdered by being shot through the breast by a rebel prison guard, at Meridian, Mississippi, June 14, 1864. He had been captured near Guntown, June 10. Charles H. Lightner, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Woodville, Ohio, October 30, 1861, by An drew Nuhfer; age 34, term three years. John Logan, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, November 12, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer, age 30, term three years. Oren Levisee, native of New York, enlisted at Woodvilie, Ohio, December 31, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer, age 28, term three years. Isaac Mincks, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, January 7, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer, age 21, term three years. John G. Naehtierb, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 25, term three years; died at Camp Shiloh, Tennessee, May 2, 1862, of typhoid fever. Elijah Neibel, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 22, term three years. John G. Nuhfer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 16, 1861 , by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years. Alexander J. Ogle, native of Ohio, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, November 3, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years. Charles Piper, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, December 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 30, term three years ; died at Anderson ville prison, 1864. Morris Rees, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer, age 23, term three years. Edward C. Owens, native of Ohio, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years. Jackson Peoples, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 36, term three years. Frank Percell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Pember ville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 18, term three years; died in 1862. Alexander Perkey, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fos toria, Ohio, November 6, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years; died on board steamer Empress, June 17, 1862, cause rheumatism, Archibald Ried, native of Ohio, enlisted at Pem berville, Ohio, November 18, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 20, term three years; appointed fourth cor poral January 28, 1862; died after return home in 1865. Even Rees, native of Ohio, age 42, term three. years; discharged at Camp Shiloh by order of Col onel R. P. Buckland, March 22, 1862, cause dis ability. John W. Reinhardt, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 35, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 17, 1861, on surgeon's certificate of disability. George H. Rice, native of New York, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 24, term three years; appointed third sergeant January 28, 1862; died at Vicksburg in 1865. William Richards, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fostoria. Ohio, December 28, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 33, term three years. Lewis Ruppert, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 22, term three years; appointed second cor poral January 28, 1862. Jerome A. Roytt, deserted from Camp Croghan, Fremont, Ohio. Charles H. Rood died at Camp Shiloh, April 10 1862, of typhoid fever. Conrad Sheller, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fos toria, Ohio, October 31, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 26, term three years; died in Andersonville prison in 1864. Henry Sheller, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, October 31, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 28, term three years; discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, by order of Major Granger, July 19, 1862, cause disability. John Stadle, native of Germany, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 33, term three years; wounded at Shiloh in 1862; died soon after the siege of Vicksburg in 1865. Henry Stinkamp, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, October 23, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 19, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; died at Pittsburg Landing, April 10, 1862. William Lains, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 28, term three years; discharged at.Fort Pickering, Tennessee, Sep tember 23, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability. Emery M. Sanders, native of Ohio, enlisted at Pemberville, Ohio, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 23, tenn three years. Hugh Vanelten, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, October 14, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 21, term three years; appointed second sergeant January 28, 1862; died after the siege of Vicksburg, while at home on a furlough. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3°9 Charles Sanders, age 18. Jacob Vanelten, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, December 9, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 45, term three years. Christian Whitmer, native of Switzerland, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 23, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer;" age 44, term three years; appointed first corporal January 28, 1862; killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 7, 1862. Uriah J. Whitmer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by Andrew Nuh fer; age 18, term three years; appointed sixth cor poral January 28, 1862; died at New Albany, In diana, May 17, 1862, of typhoid fever. Rans Whiteman, native of Michigan, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, November 4, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years; died at Camp Dennison, Ohio, April 25, 1862, of camp fever. Ami Whiteman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, November 3, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 28, term three years; died at Camp Dennison, Ohio, April 25, 1862, of camp fever. John Walter, native of Virginia, enlisted at Wood ville, Ohio, November 9, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 20, term three years; died aftei the siege of Vicksburg, 1863. Andrew J. Wenner, native of Germany, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, December 5, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 28, term three years; died about the time of the seige of Vicksburg, 1863. George W. Warner, native of Maryland, enlisted at Fostoria, Ohio, November 15, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 28, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant January 28, 1862; died at Monterey, Ten nessee, June 17, 1862, of typhoid fever. Simon Wiseman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fos toria, Ohio, November 9, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 31 years, term three years; appointed fourth ser geant January 28, 1862; died on board steamer Su perior May 10, 1862, of typhoid fever. Samuel Wiseman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fos toria, Ohio, November, 11, 1862, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 37, term three years; died at Fostoria, Ohio, May 12, 1862. David Wineland, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fostorio, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 36, term three years; deserted from gen eral hospital May 15, 1862. John Wininger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fos toria, Ohio, December 31, 1861, by Andrew Nuhfer; age 22, term three years; died. Abram Sams, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, September 12, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 21, term three years; living near Wauseon, Ohio. William Buffington, native of Ohio, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 21, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 22, term three years; died at Louisville, Kentucky, April 19, 1862, of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, April 5, 1862. John Rees, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 20, term three years; taken prisoner at the battle of Guntown, Mis sissippi, 1864; paroled at Goldsboro February or March, 1865; died at Grant's general hospital, Wil- lett's Point, New York, April 3 or 4, 1865. Anthony Branard, native of Michigan, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 7, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 32, term three years. George Buffington, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Elmore, Ohio, November 24, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 45, term three years. Benjamin C. Beach, native of New York, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 25, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 25, term three years. Charles H. Baird, native of Ohio, enlisted at Per rysburg November 20, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 30, term three years; appointed fourth sergeant Feb ruary 25, 1862; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 18, 1862, for disability. Jacob H. Baker, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Bridge October 21, 1862, by John H. Blinn; age 21, term three years; appointed fifth corporal January 28, 1862. John Clauser, native of Switzerland, enlisted at Stone Ridge October 21, 1861, byJohnH. Blinn; age 24, term three years; deserted from Memphis, Ten nessee, August 7, 1862. John Clapper, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 21, 1862, by John H. Blinn; age 27, term three years. George Cramer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge, November 10, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 19, term three years. John Croft, native of Ohio; age 18; discharged July 5, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Henry Cook, native of Germany, enlisted at Co lumbus, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by H. W. Chid- sey; age 44, term three years. Lawrence Cremernig. David G. Dean, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge November 10, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 22, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 28, 1862, for disability. Benjamin Davison, native of Vermont, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, December 4, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 30, term three years. Gideon F. Draper, native of New York, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, December 28, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 39, term three years; died July 15, 1862, at New Albany, Indiana, of disease. John P. Elderkin, jr., native of Ohio, enlisted at Woodville, Ohio, October 2, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 19, term three years; appointed third sergeant December 28, 1862. Morman Easterly, native of New York, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 16, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 18, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, September 16, 1862, for disability. 3i° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY John P. Daily. Richard Elder, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge December i, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 18, term three years. Simeon Eversole, native of Ohio, enlisted at El more, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 39, term three years. Emanuel Fink, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, October 20, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age — , term three years; appointed first corporal January 28, 1862; died at Louisville, Kentucky, April 20, 1862, of wounds re ceived at battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. John Furry, native of Ohio, enlisted at Perrys burg, Ohio, October 19, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 24, term three years. Jacob H. Furry, native of Pennsylvania, enlistea at Stone Ridge October 19, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 30, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant February 25, 1862; wounded at Shiloh April 6, 1862; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, August 21, 1862, for disability. William Furry, native of Ohio, enlisted at Perrys burg, Ohio, November 10, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 20, term three years. John Furgurson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Perrys burg, Ohio, November 10, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 23, term three years. Harmon G. Fortress, native of Ohio, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 20, term three years. Christopher Finkbinder, native of Germany, en listed at Perrysburg November 4, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 18, term three years. Francis Gagin, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 22, term three years; died at Stone Ridge, Ohio, April 20, 1862, of rheumatism. Alexis T. Garril, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge December 4, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 19, term three years, Charles T. M. Gunsey, native of Ohio, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 10, 1861, by John H. Blinn ; age 21 , term three years. Mathias Garnhart, native of Germany, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn ; age 42, term three years. George Gossman, native of Germany, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H, Blinn; age 28, term three years; deserted from Memphis, Tennessee, August 4, 1862. John Gullingbuck, native of Germany, enlisted at Columbus, Ohio, December 26, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 31, term three years. George Hazel, native of Prussia, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 28, 1861, by John H, Blinn; age 21, term three years. George Icelep, native of Germany, enlisted at El more, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 39, term three years. Richard Hays, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, October 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 39, term three years; died July 15, 1862, at New Albany, Indiana, of disease. Henry Hyde, native of New York, enlisted at. El more, Ohio, November 25, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 41, term three years; died June 8, 1862, at New Albany, Indiana, of disease. Levi Heberling, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, January 20, 1862, by John H. Blind age 24, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, September 16, 1862, for disability. Orin S. Harris, native of New York, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, October 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 26, term three years;" appointed eighth corporal January 28, 1862; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 22, 1862, for disability. William Johnson, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 40, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, September 16, 1862, for dis ability. Jerrit Johnson, native of Germany, enlisted at Stone Ridge December 4, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 21, term three years. John M. Jeffreys, native of New York, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 20, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 37, term three years; appointed first ser geant December 28, 1861; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, August 18, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B. Rice, cause disability. Sherman A. Jackson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge, November 10, 1862, by John H. Blinn; age 29, term three years; appointed fourth corporal January 28, 1862. Frederick Kepler, native of Germany, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 28, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 21, term three years; discharged at Columbus, September 19, 1862, for disability. David Kinney, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 21, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 30, term three years; deserted from Pa ducah, Kentucky, March 6, 1862. Harrison Kinney, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 21, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 24, term three years; died July 4, 1862, at Cincinnati, Ohio, of disease. John Krais, native of Germany, enlisted at El more, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 18, term three years; died June 13, 1862, New Albany, Indiana, of disease. Isaac Kaufman, native of Germany, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 9, 1862, by John H. Blinn; age 30, term three years. John Lodge, native of Germany, enlisted at El more, Ohio, November 29, r86i, by John H. Blinn; age 39, term three years; appointed third corporal January 28, 1862; died May 20, 1862, at St. Louis, Missouri, of wpunds received at Shiloh. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3n Barnard H. Krampleber, native of Germany, en listed at Cincinnati, Ohio, July 31, 1862, by John H. Blinn; age 40, term three years; discharged at Co lumbus, Ohio, October 1, 1862, for disability. Samuel Loosher, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 27, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 20, term three years. Augustus Lodge, native of Germany, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 37, term three years; died September 17, 1862, at Elmore, Ohio, of disease. Martin S. Luchman, native of France, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 13, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 42, term three years. Henry Lohi, native of Germany, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, December 28, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 28, term three years. Wallace Maine, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 19, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 22, term three years; died at Camp Shiloh, Tennessee, May 1, 1862, of typhoid fever. Jacob Mayer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 22, term three years. Henry Maas, native of Prussia, enlisted at Cincin nati, Ohio, December 26, 1861, by M. T. William son; age 39, term three years. Robert W. Medkirk, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Cincinnati, Ohio, November 1, 1861, by M. T. Williamson, age 29; term three years. John March, native of England, enlisted at Stone Ridge, December 25, 1861, by John H. Blinn ; age 21, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 12, 1862, for disability. Lewis Otto, native of Poland, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 39, term three years. Edward Otto, native of Poland, enlisted at Elmore, November 29, 1861, by J. H. Blinn; age 20, term three years. Frederick Snider, native of Switzerland, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 22, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 21, term three years; deserted from Memphis, Tennessee, August 7, -J862. Alexander Shoemacker, native of Ohio, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 19, term three years. John G. Suifert, native of Germany, enlisted at El more, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; ag« 34. term three years; deserted- from Memphis, Tennessee, July 21, 1863. Michael Statler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 18, term three years. Francis M. Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at El more, Ohio, December 21, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 18, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, August 13, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B. Rice, cause disability. Ferdinand Stoller, native of Germany, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 27 , term three years. Jacob Stall, native of Germany, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November, 29, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 36, term three years. Michael Shinier, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 18, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 19, term three years; died at New Albany, Indiana, May 15, 1862, of disease. Jacob Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 19, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 36, term three years. George Scott, native of England, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October ig, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 25, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, October 15, 1862, for disability. Jacob Snider, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 12, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 22, term three years; appointed sixth corporal, January 28, 1862. Mathand Tryand, native of Connecticut, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by John H. Blinn ; age 45, term three years. Miles Treat, native of New York, enlisted at Stone Ridge, October 19, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 18, term three years; died November 26, 1862, at Mem phis, Tennessee, of disease. William Trimer, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Elmore, January 6, 1862, by John H. Blinn; age 25, term three years. John J. Thornton, native of New York, enlisted at Perrysburg, October 19, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 27, term three years. Franklin Tucker, native of New York, enlisted at Woodville, October 30, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 30, term three years; appointed seventh corporal January 28, 1862; died at Corinth, Mississippi, Jan uary 1, 1863, of disease. Francis Yarger, native of Switzerland, enlisted at Cincinnati, December 14, 1861, by M. T. William-' son; age 23, term three years; discharged at Mem phis, Tennessee, September 16, 1862, for disability. Louidus Whitmore, native of New York, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 21, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 33, term three years; appointed second corporal January 28, 1862; appointed first sergeant September 1, 1862. Edgar H. Bowen, native of New York, enlisted at Elmore, Ohio, November 2r, 1861, by John H. Blinn; age 35, term three years; appointed second sergeant December 28, 1862. James M. Madden, native of Massachusetts, en listed at Fremont, Ohio, October 3, 1862, by drafted man; age 18, term nine months. George Sminer, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, Octobers, ^62 ; drafted man; age 43, term nine months. Martin Willeck, native of Germany, enlisted at 312 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Fremont, Ohio, October 3, 1862; drafted man; age 39, term nine months. Jacob Springer, native of Germany, enlisted at Norwalk, Ohio; drafted man; age 27, term nine months. Henry Wapse, native of Germany, enlisted at Norwalk, Ohio; drafted man; age 20, term nine months. Alfred Marshall, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 12, 1861, by L. More; age 39, term three months; appointed fourth ser geant January 10, 1862; died at Fremont, Ohio, April 19, 1862, of fever. John Bates, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek, Ohio, November 1, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 29, 1862, by order of surgeon for disa bility. David Bates, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek, Ohio, November 1, 1861, by L. More; age 20, term three years; discharged October 9, 1862, Camp Chase, Ohio, for disability. Abraham Bates, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek, Ohio, December 6, 1861, by L. More; age 22, term three years. Robert Bowland, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 4, 1861, by L. More; age 44, term three years; appointed third corporal January 10, 1862. Adam Brunthara, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 15, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads June 10, 1864; died at home. Andrew Broto, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green- creek, October 26, 1861, by L. More; age 22, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads June 10, 1864. William Croft, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted October 9, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio, by L. More; age 22, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads June 10, 1864. Edgar Carnell, native of Ohio, enlisted October 26, 1861, by L. More; age 25, term three years; died in Camp at Oak Ridge, rear of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Lafayette Carnell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 2, 1861, by L. More; age 19, term three years; wounded at Guntown June 10, 1864. N. B. Cadwell died at Keokuk, Iowa, April 27, 1862, of fever. Harvey M. Chamberlain, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 25, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; killed on the retreat from Guntown June, 1864. C. Hubbard Cross, native of Canada, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 16, 1861, by L. More; age 45, term three years; deserted from general hospital July, 1862. Leandet Clark, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 16, 1861, by L. More; age 22, term three years. Shellock Cook, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 16, 1861, by L. More; age 19, term three years; died at home. Ira Crain, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek, Ohio, November 1, 1861, by L. More; age 15, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads June 10, 1864; blown up on the Sultana in 1865. Joel Crain, native of Ohio, enlisted November 11, 1861, age 29; discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 30, 1862, by order of surgeon; cause disability. N. B. Clark, nat ve of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek, Ohio, November 6, 1861, by L. More; age 20, term three years. Abraham Durfee, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 18, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years; deserted from general hospital May, 1862. Isaac Etsminger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fie- mont, Ohio, October n, 1861, by L. More; age 27, term three years; appointed second corporal January 10, 1862; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads June 10, 1864; died at Andersonville. William Entsminger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by L. More; age 31, term three years; discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 25, 1862, by order of surgeon, cause dis ability. David Entsminger, native of Ohio, enlisted *at Fremont, Ohio, December 2, 1861, by L. More; age 29, term three years; died at Monterey, Tennes see, June 8, 1862, of fever. Lewis Entsminger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, January 28, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years; died in hospital in 1862. Rollia A. Egerton, native of Vermont, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 14, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years; appointed quartermaster sergeant November 15, 1861. John England. Christopher Esminger, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 19, 1861, by L. More; age 191 term thres years; discharged, October 24, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Andrew Fisher, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 2, 1861, by L. More; age 23, term three years. W. A. Frances, native of France, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 18, 1861, by L More; age 23, term three years. James Frances, native of France, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 7, 1861, by L. More; age 23, term three years; wounded at siege of Vicksburg, May, 1863, died at Chicago. John Fitzgerald, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 23, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years. Henry Grant, native of Ohip, enlisted at Frempnt, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3i3 Ohio, October 26, 1861, by L. More, age 23, term three years. John B. Gillmore, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by L. More; age 23, term three years. Peter A. Glass, native of Ohio, enlisted at Ball ville, Ohio, October 28, i86t, by L. More; age 24, term three years; appointed second sergeant January 10, 1862; killed at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Christopher Glos, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 7, i86i,by L. More; age 32, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 16, 1862, by order of Captain A. B. Dod, cause, disability. Marcellus Gray, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 20, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years. James Gilmore, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 18, 1861. by L. More ; term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, Septem ber 19, 1862, by order of Captain A. B. Dod, for dis ability. M. K. Hite, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by L. More; age 20, term three years. Noah B. Huss, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by L, More; age 21, term three years; appointed sixth corporal January 10, 1862; discharged December 4, 1864; deserted July 20, from general hospital. Michael Huffman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 16, 1861, by L. More; age 24, term three years. Jesse Harpster, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 26, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; severely wounded in the assault at Vicksburg May 11, 1863. George Hawk, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek November 1, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10, 1864. John A. Harris, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 3, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; deserted from general hospital, June, 1862. Jasper Johnson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Ball ville, Ohio, October 30, 1861, by L. More, age 20, term three years; killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Daniel Johnson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Ball ville, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; sent to general hospital at Shiloh, discharged December 14, 1861. Albert Jones. Charles Jones. William W. Jones, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, January 21, 1862, by L. More; age 25, term three years; discharged October 31, 1862, Mem phis, Tennessee, for disability. 40 David Kaull, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, January 23, 1862, by L. More; age 18, term three years; wounded at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. John Lary, native of Ireland, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 29, 1861, by L. More; age 19, term three years. Cyrus Lockwood, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek; age 18, term three years; died at New Al bany, Indiana, May 23, 1862, of fever. James Logan, native of England, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, December 14, 1861, by L. More; age 33, term three years; discharged October 31, 1862, Mem phis, Tennessee, for disability. Daniel Mcintosh, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 9, 1861, by L. More; age 25, term three years; discharged. W. G. Mclntyre, native oi Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; appointed fifth corporal January 10, 1862; appointed fourth sergeant April 12, 1862; discharged August 28, 1862, for disability, at Mem phis, Tennessee. John Miller, a native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 7, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years; appointed third sergeant J anuary 10, 1862; died of fever at Cincinnati, May 14, 1862. Elias B. Moore, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 26, 1861, by L. More; age 20, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant January 10, 1862. Ezekiel Mott, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, December 31, 1861, by L. More; age 56, term three years. William E. Neason, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, October 26, i86i,T>y L. More; age 25, term three years; appointed first sergeant January 10, 1862; died in 1864. Hyram Neff, native of Ohio, enlisted in Ballville, November 2, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10, 1864. Sardis Patterson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October n, 1861, by L. More; age 19, term three years; captured at Guntown; died at Andersonville rebel prison. George Patterson, native of Fremont, Ohio, en listed November 12, 1861, by L. More; age 25, term three years; deserted from general hospital, July, 1862. John Purney, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 30,1861, by L. More; age 23, term three years; died at Whitestone, Tennessee, No vember or December, 1863. Danforth Patterson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, Ohio, November 30, 1861, by L. More; age 23, term three years; deserted February 1, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio. Chauncy Reynolds, native of Ohio, enlisted atFr-,- 314 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. mont, October 19, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years. Enos Reynolds, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, October 26. 1861, by L. More; age 20, term three years; died October 12, 1862, at Memphis, - Tennessee. Jefferson Russell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Ball ville, Ohio, October 28, 1861, by L. More; age 20, term three years; appointed first corporal January 10, 1862, taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads. T. M. Russell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, November 15, i86i,by L. More; age 22, term three years; appointed eighth corporal January 10, 1862. A. H. Rice, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, November 2, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years. Burton Rathbun, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, November 15, 1861, byL. More, age 18, term three years. Wilson Robinson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, by L. More, December 19, 1861; age 18, term three years. Henry Shook, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont October 11, 1861, by L. More; age 27, term three years; died at Andersonville prison of gangrene. Ezra Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont November 6, 1861, by L. More; age 28, term three years; died at St. Louis, Missouri, June 16, 1862, of fever. William Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont November 16, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years; died at Louisville, Kentucky, May 28, 1862, of fever. Augustus H. 'Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont November 20, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years. Peter Smith, enlisted October 24, 1861, died at Cincinnati May 15, 1862, of fever. Absolom Shell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont November 19, 1861, by L. More; age 22, term three years; appointed seventh corporal January 10, 1862, discharged at Camp Chase, Ohio, July 17, 1862, by order of surgeon, cause disability. Alrymen Stine, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 22, i86i,byL. More; age 22, term three years; discharged November 11, 1862, at Camp Chase, Ohio, for disability. David Stiges, enlisted December 18, 1861. David Stager, enlisted November 7, 1861. Wesley Tillotson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Green Creek, Ohio, November 1, 1861, by L. More; age 18, term three years. David Werner, enlisted November 7, 1861. Lewis D. Williams, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, November 12, 1861, byL. More; age 34, term three years; died July 30, 1862, at Fremont, of disease. James Tillotson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, Ohio, November 1, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years. Joseph M. Tillotson, enlisted Novembers, 1861; appointed fourth corporal January 10, 1862; sent to general hospital April 13, 1862; deserted. Thomas M. Withington, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Harrisonville by E. Miller, January 9, 1862; age 44, term three years. Reuben Westman, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Harrisonville, December 27, 1861, by E. Miller; age 43, term three years; died at Harrisonville. Andrew J. Culp, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont February 5, 1861, by A. H. Rice; age 19, term three years; deserted June 10, 1862, at Chu- walla, Tennessee. David Vandoren, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre- montt February 7, 1861, by L. More; age 27, term three years; appointed second sergeant April 10, 1862. Orin Russell, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont February 5,1861, by L. More; age 20, term three years; taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads June 10, 1861. William Henry Signs, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont February 7, 1861, by L. More; age 21, term three years. William Rapp, native of Ohio, enlisted at Harri sonville December 15, 1861, by E. Miller; age 21, term three years. Edwin Miller, native of New York, enlisted at Harrisonville December 15, 1861, by E. Miller; age 28, term tin ee years. Francis Mansin, native of Ohio, enlisted at Harri sonville December 15, 1861, by E. Miller; age 29, term three years; died at Harrisonville, of fever. Peter Mates, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Harrisonville December 13, 1861, by E. Miller; age 4T, term three years; discharged November 20, 1862, for disability. Joseph Vandermark, native of Indiana, enlisted at Harrisonville December 31, 1861, by E. Miller; age 19, term three years. Benjamin Vandermaker, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Harrisonville December 16,-1861, by E. Miller; age 58, term three years; died at Hairison- ville May 25, 1862, of fever. Alonzo L. Trapp, native of Ohio, enlisted at Har risonville December 15, 1861, by E. Miller; age 29, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennes see, September 14, 1852, by order of surgeon, with certificate of disability. George Park, native of Ohio, enlisted at Harrison ville December 30, 1861, by E. Miller; age 20, term three years. Harlow Underhill, discharged. Martin Stann, taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10, 1864; died at Andersonville, of gan grene. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3iS Jeremiah Scantlan, enlisted November 16, 1861. William S. Rhodes. James Gilniore, taken prisoner at Btice's Cross Roads ; died at Annapolis, Maryland, in the winter of 1864, shortly after being paroled. George Loveland, term nine months, died in the vicinity of Vicksburg in 1863. James H. Morrell, discharged with regiment Sep tember 19, 1865. Lewis Hawk died in Monterey in 1862. James Peudy, discharged with regiment Septem ber 19, 1865. John Deusler, • taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10, 1864. Thomas Purcell, discharged with regiment Sep tember 19, 1865. James Necbit, taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10. 1864. H. H. Rozell, discharged with regiment September 19, 1865. Christian Beck, taken prisoner at Brice's Cross Roads, June 10, 1864. William H. Sheets, discharged with regiment Sep tember 19, 1865. Edward Scanlan, discharged with regiment Sep tember 19, 1865. Rollin Ames, died at Memphis, Tennessee, in gen eral hospital, July 4, 1864, cause chronic diarrhoea. Timothy Sullivan, sent to general hospital June 9, 1865; discharged from hospital. Peter Andrew, mortally wounded near Tupelo, Mississippi, July 12, 1864. Chesney Van Dyke, died at Fremont, February 10, 1865. Bensinger Joseph, mortally wounded at battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July 13, 1864; taken prisoner and died in rebel hospital Mobile, Alabama, 1864; one arm and one leg mangled. John C. Yonkman, discharged with regiment Sep tember 19, 1865. Louis Bolack, wounded at Tupelo, Mississippi, July 13, 1864; discharged September g, 1865. Marion Spohn died at Jefferson general hospital, near St. Louis, Missouri, September 17, 1864. Peter Byers, discharged at Columbus, September 19, 1865. Henry England, discharged at Columbus, Septem ber 19, 1865. Gill Jacob, sent to general hospital at Memphis, Tennessee, September 2, 1864. Archibald Grubb, discharged at Columbus, Sep tember 19, 1865. J. M. Hite, discharged at Columbus, September 19, 1865. David M. Hite, sent to general hospital at Nash ville, Tennessee, December 3, 1864; discharged. Samuel Hague, taken prisoner at Tupelo, Missis sippi, July 12, 1864; blown up on steamer Sultana, 1865. George Jackson, mortally wounded at battle of Tupelo, Mississippi, July 13, 1864; taken prisoner, died in rebel hospital in 1864, one arm and one leg shattered by musket balls. Charles Joseph, discharged with regiment Septem ber 19, 1865. Daniel Lary, discharged with regiment September 19, 1865. Sidney Adams, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence, October 26, 1861, by J. H. Poyer, age 43, term three years. John R. Akins died May 14, 1862, at general hos pital. Erasmus H. Andrews, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence December 23, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 38, term three years; discharged at Columbus, by order of post-surgeon, June 28, 1862; cause dis ability. Ebenezer G. Allen deserted February 17, 1862, at Camp Chase. John Ammon, native of Germany, enlisted at Florence December 2, 1861, by W. C. Bider; age 20, term thiee years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 7, 1862. Burrell Butman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence October 25, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus, by order of Captain A. B. Dod; cause disability. Peter Burns, deserted at Camp Chase January 20, 1862. David Brownell, native of New York, enlisted at Sandusky November 1, 1861, byO. J. Fernald; age 26, term three years. Jacob M. Bucher, native of Michigan, enlisted at Sandusky November 11, 1861, by O. J. Fernald; age 20, term three years. Lewis Clark, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky November 18, 1861, by O. J. Fernald; age 20, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. John Coon, deserted January 20, 1862, at Camp Chase. Nelson S. Crum, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence October 25, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 24, term three years. John Call, deserted January 8, 1862, at Camp Chase. Samuel Dailey, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky October 28, 1861, by O. J. Fernald; age 18, term three years. Robert Dalzell, native of Michigan, enlisted at Sandusky October 28, 1861, by O. J. Fernald; age 18,' term three years. Edward Daniels, native of Michigan, enlisted at Sandusky November 10, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 26, term three yeats. Willard Dike, native of Vermont, enlisted at Florence November 14, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 33, term three years. 316 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Cornelius Dunivon, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence November 21, by J. H. Poyer; age 18, term three years. William Davie, native of England, enlisted at Sandusky December 14, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 34, term three years. Henry W. Dakin, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sharon December 12, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 21, term three years. George Downing, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Sandusky October 21, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 23, term three years. Christian Engle, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky December 12, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 15, term three years. Lewis A. Ervine, deserted February 7, 1862, at Camp Chase. Erastus Erskine, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence October 23, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 22, term three years. W. M. McEnally, enlisted at Sandusky October 23, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 23, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Christopher Edwards, native of New York, enlisted at Sandusky October 26, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 28, term three years. Henry Ewing, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence October 20, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 21, term three years. Henry French, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence October 25, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 21, term three years. Eugene Franklin, deserted December 12, 1862, at Camp Chase.- Hiram B. French, native of Maine, enlisted at Florence, October 23, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 44, term three years; missing since the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Edward B. Fuller, deserted February 1, 1862, Camp Chase. Elihu Fernald, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandus ky November 8, 1861, by J. Fernald; -age 19, term three years. Norman Foster, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence November 11, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 27, term three years, John Flanigan, native of Ireland, enlisted at Flor ence November 19, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 35, term three years; missing since the battle of Shiloh, April 6 and 7, 1862. Wickeler Groves, deserted Februarys, 1862, Camp Chase. Edward Gibbs, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky December 2, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 18, term three years. Joshua Geiger, native of Germany, enlisted at Liverpool November 18, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; term three years; deserted from camp before Corinth, Tennessee, and died near Corinth, Tennessee. Charles Harm, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence November 20, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 22, term three years. John Harm, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence November 7, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 21, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Alfred Harm, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence November 7, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 42, term three years; died at Moscow, Tennessee, July 14, 1862; cause fever. Solomon Hower, deserted February 7, 1862, Camp Chase. Charles Harley, native of England, enlisted at Florence November 7, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; term three years. James Hagely, deserted January 20, 1862, Camp Chase. Wesley Howard, native of Ohio, enlisted at Liv erpool November 27, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; term three years; deserted April 8, 1862, Shiloh, Tennes see. W. B. Halsey, native of New York, enlisted at Liv erpool November 27, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 32, term three years. Francis Higgens, discharged February 1, 1862, Columbus, for disability. Charles Hawes, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky October 27, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 23, term three years. Joseph Imhof, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky November 8, 1861, by J. Fernald; term three years; discharged at Columbus, by order of Captain A. B. Dod; cause disability. John Jefferson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence November 11, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 22, term three years; discharged at Columbus September 11, 1862, by order of Captain A. B. Dod; cause disa bility. David H. Jones, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky October 26, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 20, term three years; discharged from Memphis, Tennessee, by order of Captain A. P. Dod, August 18, 1862; cause disability. Charles Kromb, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky October 27, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 21, term three vears. Frantz Kramer, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky January 10, 1862, by J. Fernald; age 43, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. John Ladd, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky October 20, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 27, term three years. Andrew Laughlin, deserted February 7, 1862, Camp Chase. George Lewis, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor- ance, November 20, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 22, term three years. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3i7 Comfort Lewis, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence November 4, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus by order of Captain A. B. Dod ; cause disability. Charles Lanson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor- ance, November 22, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 22, term three years; wounded at battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862; died on board hospital boat April 28, 1862, of wounds received'at the battle of Shiloh. Dennis Lawler, native of Ireland, enlisted at San dusky, December 23, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 34, term three years. Rufus W. Lawrence, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence, October 26, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 18, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Joseph L. Lumer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence, October 21, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 26, term three years. Dennis Mack, native of Ireland, enlisted at San dusky, October 27, 1861, byj. Fernald; age 48, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, Sep tember 14, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B, Rice; cause disability. Augustus Mulchy, native of New York, enlisted at Sandusky, October 27, 1861, by J. Fernald; agn 18, term three years, wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Michael McCarty, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, November 17, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus, by order of Captain A. B. Dod; cause disability. Phillip Moss, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky, November 23, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 22, term three years. |ohn Melery, deserted January 18, 1862, Camp Chase. Robert Meek, native of Ohio, enlisted at Copley, December 31, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus July 24, 1862, by order of Captain A. B. Dod; cause disability. George Metcalf, deserted December 20, 1862, Camp Chase. Calvin Porter, native of Ohio, enlisted at Shar on, Decenfber28, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 34, term three years. James Porter, deserted February 7, 1862, Camp Chase. William Perry, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, December 25, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 18, term three years; deserted June 3, 1862, general hospital. John Plumb, discharged at Columbus July 24, 1862, by order of Captain A. B. Dod; cause disa bility. William L. Robertson, discharged February r, 1862, Columbus, for disability. Jacob Rath, deserted November 25, 1863, Liver pool, Ohio. Albert Rice, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky, November 23, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 19, term three years. Augustus Rice, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, January 4, 1862, by J. Fernald; age 18, term three years. George W. Reed, deserted February 7, Camp Chase. William Rood, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence, December 7, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 22, term three years ; died at Monterey, Tennessee, June 8, 1862, of typhoid fever. J. Y. Right, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky, Decembers, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 21, term three years. George Sutherland, native of New York, enlisted at Florence, October 23, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 43, term three years. James M. Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, October 26, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 28, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, by order of Colonel R. P. Buckland, August 18, 1862; cause disability. John C. Stewart, deserted December 1, 1862, at Camp Chase. Frederick Shafer, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky, October 26, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 26, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. William Seitt, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky, October 31, i86i,byj. Fernald; age 34, term three years. Morris Sweet, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandus ky, December 10, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, by order of Captain A. B. Dod, cause disability. Ephraim Squire, discharged January 25, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. Henry Sprow, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky, December 9, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 19, term three years. John Shoddock, enlisted at Sandusky, December 25, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 30, term three years. Merrill Sexton, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence, November 7, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 24, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Jonas Stanbury, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, November 4, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 20, term three years. W. P. Sheik, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence October 23, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 22, term three years. George Taylor, native of Germany, enlisted at Florence, October 23, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 18, term three years. John D. Turner, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, November 23, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 18, term three years. 3" HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Michael Tashner, native of Hungary, enlisted at Sandusky, December 4, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 18, term three years; promoted to principal musician; died in hospital train, near Lunieda, Kentucky, of wounds received December 6, 1864; buried from Clay United States hospital, Louisville, Kentucky. Jonathan Taylor, enlisted at Sandusky, December 25, 1861, by J. Fernald; term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Dewitt C. Vance, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, December 4, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 36, term three years; wounded in the thigh at the battle of Guntown, Mississippi, June 10, 1864, captured, and died in a rebel prison. William M. Walker, native of Tennessee, enlisted at Sandusky, December 16, i86r, by J. Fernald; age 37, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. En Warner, native of Ohio, enlisted at Liverpool, January 11, 1862, by W. C. Bidle; age 48, term three years. John Warner, native of Ohio, enlisted at Liverpool, December 2, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 19, term three years. Henry Will, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky, October 27, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 21, term three years; died April 10, 1862, on board boat on the Tennessee River, of wounds received at the battle of Sliiloh, April 6, 1862. Harrison Warner, native of Ohio, enlisted at San dusky, December 26, 1861, by J. Fernald; age 20, term three years; died at Camp Shiloh, Tennessee, April 11, 1862, of diarrhoea. John R. Akens, native of Ohio, enlisted at Flor ence, October 25, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 19, term three years; died on board boat near Madison, In diana, of typhoid fever, May 14, 1862. Benjamin Thurlby, native of Ohio, enlisted at Florence, October 29, 1861, by J. H. Poyer; age 18, term three years; killed at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Lucian Abel, died January 2, 1862, at Camp Number Five, before Corinth, of disease. John Buchman, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, November 25, 1861, by A. Young; age 22, term three years; appointed second sergeant January 10, 1862; killed during reconnoissance, December 6, 1864, on Franklin Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. John Burger, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont November 20, 1861, by A. Young; age 45, term (hree years. Christian Benedict, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont December 4, 1861, by A. Young; age 32, term three years. Bernard Brost, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont December 15, 1861, by A. Young; age 26, term three years ; deserted June 14, 1862, Moscow, Ten nessee. Jackson Benter, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont October 29, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; wounded 'at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Michael Bauman, native of Germany, enlisted at York December 4, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; term three years; discharged August 1, 1862, at Columbus, for disability. John Buider, enlisted at Fremont November 15, 1861, by A. Young; term three years ; deserted Jan uary 16, 1862, Fremont. Simon Cable, enlisted at Fremont November 23, 1861, by A. Young; term three years. Lorenzo Dick, native of New York, enlisted at ' Fremont October 15, 1861, by A. Young; age 22, term three years; appointed first sergeant January 10, 1862; promoted to second lieutenant April 6, 1S62; died of consumption June 20, 1862. RudSlph Dilger, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky December 28, 1861, by A. Young; age 37, term three years; died October 12, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, of disease. Louis Durr, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont November 1, 1861, by A. Young; age 35, term three years; died September 7, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, of disease. Henry Dickman, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky January 5, 1862, by A. Young; age 21, term three years; died June 23, 1862, at Lafayette, Tennessee, of disease. Martin Engle, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont January 16, 1862, by A. Young; age 22, term three years; killed at siege of Vicksburg. John Engle, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont November 21, 1861, by A. Young; age 18, term three years. Clemans Eckhorn, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont December 14, 1861, by A. Young; term three years. Gotthelf Eberhard, native of Germany, enlisted at Akron December n, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; term three years. Jacob Pessler, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Fremont October 28, 1861, by A. Young; age 29, term three years; died in Andersonville prison 1864. John Fileman, native of Gel many, enlisted Decem ber 28, by A. Young; age 28, term three years. Philip Fertig, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 7, 1861, by A. Young; age 24, term three years; appointed fourth sergeant January 10, 1862. Frederick Frank, native of Liverpool, enlisted at Liverpool November 25, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; term three years; discharged September 3, 1862, at Colum bus, because of wound received at Shiloh. George Frideritzi, native of' France, enlisted at Fremont October 25, 1861, by A. Young; age 35, term three years; died April 28, 1862, at Shiloh, Ten nessee, of disease; wounded at Shiloh in April. Gustavus A. Gessner, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont December 9, 1861, by A. Young; term HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3i9 three years; appointed fourth sergeant January 10, 1862; appointed third sergeant April 6, 1862. George Grumbauer, native of Germany, enlisted atWadsworth December 20, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; term three years. Joseph Griner, deserted January 6, 1862, Fremont. John Glohr, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 14, 1861, by A. Young; age 44, term three years; died May 10, 1862, at Shiloh, Tennes see, of wounds received at Shiloh. John Gerstenberger, native of Germany, enlisted at Medina November 16, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 28, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant Janu ary 10, 1862; appointed fourth sergeant April 6, 1862. Christopher Gardner, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont November 25, 1861, by A. Young; age 33, term three years. Simon Gieble, discharged April 2, 1862, at Shiloh, Tennessee, for disability. William Holderman, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont December 7, 1861, by A. Young; age 18, term three years; died June 17, 1861, at Padu cah, Kentucky, of diseased George Holderman, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont October 23, 1861, by A. Young; age 20, term three years; discharged October 11, 1862, at Columbus, Ohio, for disability. George Hobart, deserted December 15, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio. Fridolin Haid, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky December 30, 1861, by A. Young; age 44, term three years; discharged September 14, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, for disability. Charles Hobart, native of Germany, enlisted at Columbus January 8, 1862, by Able Dod; age 23, term three years. Nichlaus Huber, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont October 30, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; killed by a comrade at Memphis, Tennessee, November 13, 1862. George Hubbard, enlisted at Sandusky January 5, 1862, by A. Young; term three years. Christian Hauer, enlisted at Sandusky January 8, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; deserted Janu ary 13, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio. Lucas Haas, enlisted at FremonJ November 20, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; discharged April 2, 1862, at Shiloh, Tennessee, for disability. John Carley, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 30, 1861, by A. Young; term three years. Andrew Kline, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 24, 1861, by A. Young; term three years. Frederick Lamnus, enlisted at Sandusky Novem ber 14, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; desert ed January 25, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio. Lewis Lehr, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont Npvember 16, 1861, by A. Ypung; term three years; died May 9, 1862, in general hospital, of dis ease. Jacob Lang, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky December 28, 1861, by 'A. Young; age 28, term three years; appointed sergeant January 10, 1862; died of wounds received May 20, 1863. Abel Lucan, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 19, 1861, by A. Young; term three years. Rochus Link, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky December 14, 1861, by A. Young, age 18, term three years. Francis Mittler, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky November 15, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years; deserted June n, 1862, at Moscow, Tennessee, Frederick Mittler, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky November 16, 1861, by A. Young; age 18, term three years; murdered Nichlaus Huber Novem ber 13, 1862; was arrested, escaped from prison and deserted. Henry Markwalder, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont January 11, 1861, by A. Young; age 27, term three years; killed accidentally by discharge of his gun, July 25, 1862, near Memphis, Tennessee. Lorenzo Miller, native of Germany, enlisted at Re public November 25, 1861, by Egbert; age 36, term three years. John Mailed, native of Ohio, enlisted at Liver pool November 25, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 18, term three years. Jacob Mohler, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont November 16, 1861, by A. Young; term three years. Fred. Moerder, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont November 20, 1861, by A. Young; term three years. George Moll , native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont December 7, 1861, by A. Young; age 29, term three years; killed at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Adam Michal, enlisted at Fremont November 1, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; deserted Janu ary 24, 1862, at Fremont. Andrew Mollock, enlisted at Liverpool November 30, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; term three years; dis charged April 2, 1862, at Shiloh, Tennessee, for dis ability. Jacob Naas, native of France, enlisted at Fremont October 30, 1861, by A. Young; age 35, term three years; appointed first corporal January 10, 1862: deserted August 10, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee. Lewis Mouth, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 28, 1861, by A. Young; age 40, term three years. . John Momany deserted December 17, 1862, at Fremont. Sebastian Nice, native of France, enlisted at Fre mont October 14, 1.861, by A. Young; age 18, term 320 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. three years; died July 27, 1862, at Memphis, Ten nessee, of disease. Michael Nice, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 14, 1861, by A. Young; age 19, term three years. Anthony Ottne, native of Germany, enlisted Oc tober 26, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years. Joseph Orth, native of France, enlisted October 26, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years. John Oblinger, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont December 2, 1861, by A. Young; age 29, term three years; died of wounds received at Shiloh May 14, 1862. Christian Ostermerir enlisted at Fremont Decem ber 25, i86r, by A. Young; term three years; deserted January 16, 1862, at Fremont. John Rertzenger deserted December 9, 1861, Fre mont. Louis Rapp, native of Germany, enlisted at Har- risville December 30, 1861, by W. C. Bidle, age 41, term three years; appointed eighth corporal January 10, 1862; discharged September 16, 1862, Columbus, for disability. Charles Ruemele, enlisted at Fremont, January 10, 1862, by A. Young; term three years; deserted February 2, 1862, Camp Chase. John Row, enlisted at Sandusky, January 6, 1862, by A. Young; term three years; deserted December 15, 1862, Fremont. William Roos, enlisted at Sandusky, January 5, 1862, by A. Young; term three years. John Ritz, native of Germany, enlisted at Liver pool, December, 1861, by A. Young; age 32, term three years. Louis Ran , native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky, December 28, 1861, by A. Young; age 18, term three years. Joseph Remele, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, November 21, 1861, by A. Young; age 18, term three years. Joseph Seiffert, native of France, enlisted at Fre mont, October 23, 1861, by A. Young; age 24, term three years; appointed second sergeant January 10, 1862; appointed first sergeant April 6, 1862. Jacob Shreiber, native of Bavaria, enlisted at Fre mont, October 26, 1861, by A. Young; age 29, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant April 6, 1862. Charles Smith, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, October 13, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years; deserted June 14, 1862, Moscow, Tennessee. Andrew Spaith, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, December 14, 1861, by A. Ypung; age 20, term three years. Martin Swartzen, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, November 2, 1861, by A. Young; age 32, term three years. Nicholas Stimert, native of Germany, enlisted at Medina, December 10, 1861, by W. C Bidle; age 40, term three years; discharged November 15, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, for disability. Frederick Shuler, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, October 15, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; appointed fifth sergeant January 10, 1862; died at Macon rebel prison, date unknown. Jacob Stirtz, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont, December 15, 1861, by A. Young; age 49, term three years ; died November 15, 1862, in South ern hospital, of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh. Henry Stoll, native of Ohio, enlisted at Sandusky, December 30, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years. Jacob Stoll, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont, November 15, 1861, by A. Young; age 24, term three years; died April 30, in general hospital, of disease. John Shatymann, enlistedat Fremont, October 31, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; discharged December 20, 1861, at Fremont, Ohio, by probate judge. Charles Smith, enlisted 'at Sandusky, January 6, 1862, by A. Young; term three years; deserted De cember 15, 1862, at Fremont, Ohio. Andrew Shoemaker, enlisted at Sandusky, Decem ber 29, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; de- seated February 9, 1862, at Camp Chase, Ohio. George Unkart, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, October 17, 1861, by A. Young; age 19, term three years. John Urich, native of Germany, enlisted Novem ber 25, 1862, by A. Young; age 31, term three years; wounded at Vicksburg May 19, 1863. Andrew Unkel, native of Germany, enlisted at Sandusky November 17, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; appointed third sergeant January 10, 1862; appointed first sergeant April 6, 1862. John S. Welch, native of France, enlisted at Fre mont November 7, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years. Frederick Werner, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont December 14, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years. Markus Wolfe, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont November 10, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years. M. Wegstine, native of Germany, enlisted at Fre mont October 14, 1861, by A. Young; age 43, term three years; killed at battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Joseph Willi, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky December 9, 1861, by A. Young; age 21, term three years. G. E. Young, native of France, enlisted at Colum bus February 7, 1862, by A. Dod; age 37, term three years; deserted May 22, 1862, at Camp No. 5, before Corinth, Tennessee. George Yeaerger, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont, October 16; 1861, by A. Young; age 41, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 321 term three years; died April 10, 1862, in general hos pital of disease. Joseph Youngel, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont November 6, 1861, by A. Young; age 25, term three years; died of wounds received at Shiloh, Tennessee, in hospital at Cincinnati. George Vangauzte, enlisted at Fremont October 14, 1861, by A. Young; term three years; deserted October 17, 1862, at Fremont. Anthony Young, native of France, enlisted at Columbus October 12, 1861, by John Eddie; age 34, term three years. Lucian Greihch, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont December 14, 1861, by A. Young; age 34, term three years. Martin Kilian, native of Germany, enlisted at San dusky December 30, 1861, by A. Young; age 28, term three years. Leonard Keller, native of Germany, enlisted at Fremont November 20, 1861, by A. Young; age 36, term three years. Louis Snyder, deserted January 14, 1862, Mem phis, Tennessee. John Denning, drafted man, term nine months. John Hine, drafted man, term nine months. Frederick Hogrif, drafted man, term nine months. Julius Luders, drafted man, term nine months. George Stolts,' drafted man, term nine months. Henry Schloman, drafted man, term nine months. George Gemaka, drafted man, term nine months. George Kiseling, drafted man, term nine months. Wisefield S. Ache, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg December 16, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 19, term three years. Otis Atwell, native of New York, enlisted at Greensburg December 30, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 34, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Ten nessee, August 13, 1862, on surgeon's certificate of disability. Samuel Aldstadt, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg October 15, 1862, by J. Fickes; age 23, term three years. Samuel Boar, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 24, term three years. Norman Brean, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg October 29, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 19, term three years. William Bates, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens- burgh November 5, 1861, by J. Fikes; age 18, term three years. Daniel Breneman, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg December 5, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 23, term three years. John Berile, native of France, enlisted at Greens burg December 19, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 40, term three years; died on the march between Corinth, Mississippi, and Grand Junction, June 15, 1862. F. Bowers, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, December 20, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 20, term three years. Joel Bungeret, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg, October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 31, term three years. Jeremiah Baker, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg January 3, 1862, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years. Jefferson Baker, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg December 31, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 20, term three years. Jackson Brawn, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg Januaiy 2, 1862, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years; deserted. Albert Bates, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg October 11, 1862, by J. Fickes; age 19, term three years. Abel H. Campbell, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Greensburg November j., 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years. Levi Clinge, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg November 1, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years. Charles Cadwell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg November 1, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 20; term three years. Hobart Cole, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Liverpool December 9, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 36, term three years. William Donnell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg October 30, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years. Christian Dater, native of Germany, enlisted at Greensburg November 11, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 19, term three years. Jerry W. Doubt, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg December 31, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 19, term three years. Uriah A. Dunkes, native of Ohio, enlisted a( Greensburg December 31, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 27, term three years. Henry Dickson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Co lumbus January 24, 1862, by A. B. Dod; age 18, term three years; died at Paducah, Kentucky, April 2, 1862, of fever. James Donnel, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg October 22, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 32, term three years. Martin Eckhart, native of New York, enlisted at Greensburg November 21, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 22, term three years; discharged at Paducah, Ken tucky, March 22, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B. Rice, cause disability. Abraham Eldridge, enlisted at Greensburg No vember 9, 1861, by J. Fickes; term three years. Henry Friar, enlisted at Greensburg October 16, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years; dis charged at Columbus by order of Secretary of War July 12, 1862, cause disability. 322 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Jacob Fickes, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Columbus October n, 1861, by J. R. Eddie; age 39, term three years. William C. Fancey, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 23, term three years; appointed eighth corporal Janu ary 10, 1862; died at Cincinnati May 14, 1862, of typhoid fever. Jesarah Frantz, enlisted at Greensburg December 21, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years. Thomas Flinn, enlisted at Groton December 9, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 34, term three years. Alexander Games, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years; died at general hospital October 23, 1862, of disease. William Graves, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg November 21, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 21, term three years. Martin V. Garn, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg November 24, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 22, term three years; discharged at Columbus August 5, 1862, for disability. William Gilger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, October 21, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 21, term three years; died at Camp Shiloh, May 3, 1862, of typhoid fever. Jackson Gossard, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg, February 12, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 22, term three years. D. L. Goodrich, native of Connecticut, enlisted at Medina, November 21, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 24, term three years; appointed first sergeant, Janu ary 10, 1862. Henry K. Hulbert, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg, October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years. John Holland, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years; died at Cincinnati, April 12, 1862, of typhoid fever. Isaiah Huff, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg, December 9, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 43, term three years; discharged at Columbus, July 21, 1862, by order of the Secretary of War, cause disability. John W. Hoils, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, November 13, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 38, term three years. Minniah Hyatt, enlisted at Harrisville, December 18, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 42, term three years. William A. Hill, jr., native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg, October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 21, term three years; appointed second sergeant January 10, 1862; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, August August 13, 1862, on sergeon's certificate of disability. Milton Hazzer, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, October 21, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 21, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant, January 10, 1862; reduced to ranks September 1, 1862; deserted at Moscow, January 9, 1863. Solomon B. Heberling, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg, October 21, 1861, by J. Fickes;! age 21, term three years; appointed seventh corpora] January 10, 1862; discharged at Columbus July 20, 1862, by order of the Secretary of War; cause disa bility. Henry Jokes, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg November 23, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 35, term three years; appointed first corporal Jan uary 10, 1862. William Koutz, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, November 23, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 31, term three years; died. Edward Kermerling, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg, October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; aged 18, term three vears. John Kemmerling, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Greensburg, October 10, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 23, term three years; appointed sixth corpora] January 10, 1862; discharged at Indianapolis Sep tember 10, 1862, for disability. John T. Koontz, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens, burg, November 23, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 25, term three years; appointed fovrth corporal January 10, 1862; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, July 11, 1862, by order of A. B. Dod; cause disability. Christian Monarchy, native of Germany, enlisted at Greensburg, October 12, i86i,byj. Fickes; age 44, term three years; died at Fremont, Ohio, of fever. John Moses, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg, October 16, i86i,byj. Fickes; age 18, term three years. Jacob Martyn, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, October 29, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 22, term three years. Eli Metcalf, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, December 28, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, October 5, 1862, for disability. Louis Monroe, native of New York, enlisted at Medina, J anuary 8, 1862, by W. C. Bidle; age 36, term three years. James Mansfield, native of Ohio, enlisted at Chip pewa, January 8, 1862, by W. C. Bidle; age 18, term three years; arrested for murdering a negro woman in June, 1864; escaped and deserted to enemy. Ephraim Metcalf, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Greensburg, October 21, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 20, term three years; appointed second corporal January 10, 1862; discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 12, 1862, by order of A. B. Dod; cause wounded received at the battle of Shiloh April 6 and 7, 1862. Emanuel Plains, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg, November 14, 1861, by J. Fickes; HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 323 age 21, term three years; wounded at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862; died April 7, 1862. Franklin Plants, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg November 20, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 18, term three years. James Park, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted December 15, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 52, -term three years; discharged at Columbus Septem ber 24, 1862, for disability. A. B. Putman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg October 12, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 23, term three years; appointed fourth sergeant January 10, 1862; promoted to second lieutenant September 1, 1862: date of commission September 16, 1862. William Ream, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, October 19, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 21, term three years. Samuel Raush, native of. Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, October 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 19, term years. Charles Robinson, enlisted at Greensburg, Octo ber 15, 1861, by J. Fisher; age 22, term three years. John C. Rhodes, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg January 4, 1862, by J. Fickes; age 44, term three years. John M. Reinhart, enlisted at Greensburg Novem ber 16, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 23, term three years; died at Memphis . Joseph Shell, enlisted at Greensburg October 2^, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 21, term three years. Daniel D. Snyder, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Greensburg, November 16, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 27, term three years. Edwin Smus, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg, November i, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 22, term three years. William Scott, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg October 21, 1861, byj. Fisher; age 36, term three years. Godfrey Stahl, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg November 15, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 44, term three years; died in camp near Corinth, Missis sippi, May 29, 1862. John Stahl, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg October 31, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 26, term three years. Joseph Smith, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg November 25, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 33, term three years; discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, June 28, 1862, by order of Major Granger, for disa bility caused by wounds received at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6 and 7, 1862. George Shafer, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Homer December 23, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 50, term three years. Charles D. Trego, enlisted at Greensburg, No vember 14, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 31, term three years. Henry Unger, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greens burg December 30, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 21, term three years; died at Fremont March 7, 1862, of fever. Henry Spangler, native of Germany, enlisted at Homer January 14, 1862, by W. C. Bidle; age 42, term three years; discharged at Paducah, March 22, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B. Rice, for dis ability. Andrew Wanders, enlisted at Greensburg October 22, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 28, term three years; killed at the battle of Shiloh April 6, 1862. Jacob Whitmore, enlisted at Greensburg Novem ber 22, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 25, term three years. John Whitmore, enlisted at Greensburg October 22, 1861, byj. Fickes; age22, term three years. Charles Woodrough, enlisted at Greensburg No vember 11, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 21, term three years. Chauncey Walters, native of Ohio, enlisted at Greensburg November 13, 1861, by J. Fisher; age 19, term three years. Cyrus F. Wing, enlisted at Greensburg, Novem- 18, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 21, term three, years; mortally wounded at the battle of Spanish Fort, near Mobile, in April, 1865. Michael Welch, enlisted at Greensburg December 17, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 40, term three years. Joel Woodruff, enlisted at Paducah February 14, 1862, byj. Fickes; age 19, term three years; dis charged at Columbus, Ohio, June 28, 1862, for disa bility. Josiah Fairbanks, native of Massachusetts, en listed at Greensburg October 31, 1861, by J. Fickes; age 31, term three years; appointed third sergeant January 10, 1862; appointed first sergeant September 1, 1862. John O'Brian, native of Pennsylvania, enlisted at Greensburg October 25, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 28, term three years ; appointed third sergeant January 10, 1862. Jacob Wagner, native of Germany, enlisted at Greensburg October 26, 1861, byj. Fickes; age 30, term three years ; appointed fifth corporal January 10, 1862; appointed fifth sergeant September 1, 1862, Andrew Baker, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont August 13, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 18, term three years. Solomon Baker, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont August 13, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 21, term three years. Samuel Frazier, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Fremont August 30, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 31, term three years. Solomon J. Munsell, native of New York, enlisted at Fremont August 29, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 30, term three years. Jacob Putman, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont August 28, 1862, by A. B. Putman; .age 18, term three years; killed in the assault on Vicksburg May 19, 1863. 324 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Hiram Philipps, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont, August 29, 1862, by A. B. Putman, age 21, term three years. John Riley, native of England, enlisted at Fremont September 13, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 18, term three years. Charles Riegler, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fre mont September 6, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 24, term three years. David F. Shoe, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont August 28, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 22, term three years. Joseph Strause, native of Ohio, enlisted at Fremont August 30, 1862, by A. B. Putman; age 18, term three years. Louis Albershazdt, native of Germany, enlisted at Cincinnati December 11, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 18, term three years. Michael Bardin, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati, Ohio, December 19, 1861, bv L. M. Thomp son; age 29, term three years; appointed fourth ser geant April 30, 1862. Edwin R. Beach, native of Ohio, enlisted at Medi na November 4, 1861, by W. C. Bidle; age 23, term three years; appointed first sergeant February 12, 1862. Henry Bookshon, native of Kentucky, enlisted at Cincinnati December 14, -1861, by M. T. William son; age 19, term three years; deserted November 26, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee. William Baumgartner, native of Kentucky, en listed at Cincinnati December 5, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 16, term three years; murdered by rebel prison guard for picking up a small piece of wood for fuel on entering the rebel stockade prison at Millen, Georgia, in September or October, 1864. Michael Byrns, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati November 20, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 23, term three years. Henry Cook, native ot Germany, enlisted at Cin cinnati, by L. M. Thompson; age 45, term three years; became insane and wandered away. Edward Costello, enlisted at Cincinnati December 9, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 17, term three years; died in hospital prison at Camp Chase. John Carlisle, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincin^ nati December 9, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 44, term three years. George W. Cox, native of Ohio, enlisted at Miami December 25, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 19, term three years. Jackson Cox enlisted at Miami December 25, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 17, term three years. Thomas Cavanaugh, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincinnati January 9, 1862, by M. T. Williamson; age 32, term three years. Andrew H. Crawford, native of Kentucky, age 45, term three years; discharged March 22, 1862, at Shi loh, Tennessee, for disability. William Dutton, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati November 7, by W. H. Skarrett; age 37, term three years. John J. Dugans, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati January 25, 1862, by L. M. Thompson; age 37, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Ten nessee, August 20, 1862, by order of John B. Rice; cause disability, by account of wounds received at the battle of Shiloh , April 6 and 7, 1862. Patrick Donahue, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincinnati December 10, 1861, by M. T. William son; age 19, term three years. Peter Eagan, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincin nati December 4, 1861, byL. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years. Thomas Eries, died June 9, 1862, at Evansville, Indiana. William Emasing, native of Prussia, enlisted at Cincinnati November 29, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 40, term three years; appointed sixth corporal January 11, 1862. John B. Emerking, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati December 17, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 20, term three years; appointed third corporal Janu ary 11, 1862. Isaac Finley, enlisted at Chillicothe November 5, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 50, term three years; discharged January 14, 1862, at Camp Dennison, for disability. Patrick Faman, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati Decembers, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 26, term three years; deserted July 21, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee. Henry F. Frank, native of Germany, enlisted at Cincinnati December 6, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 36, term three years. Jesse Flinn, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincinnati December 12, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 53, term three years; discharged September 20, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, from wounds received at Shi loh. James Farrell, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati December 7, 1861, by L. M. Thompson, age 36, term three years. James Foley, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincin nati, January 20, 1862, by M. T. Williamson; age 20, term three years. Leopert Goldsmith, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 17, 1861, by L M. Thompson; age 18, term three years; discharged December 20, 1861, by probate judge. Patrick Gallagher, native of Ireland, enlisted at Chillicothe, November 13, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 33, term three years; taken prisoner April 6, 1862, at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee. John Graham, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, Decem ber 30, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 33, term three years; deserted January 9, 1 862, Camp Den nison, Ohio. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 32S Ephraim Grant, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, January 21, 1862, by L. M. Thompson; age 23, term three years; deserted January 30, 1862, Camp Dennison, Ohio. Peter. F. Glardin, native of France, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 35, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; "age 43, term three years. Samuel Green, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati, Ohio, January 28, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 52, term three years;, died at Moscow, Ten nessee, July 16, 1862. John Harley, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati, Ohio, December 3, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 45, term three years ; deserted at Cincinnati, February 19, 1862. John Henry, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, Octobei- 7, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 21, term three years; deserted January 25. 1862, Camp Dennison, Ohio. Isaac B. Holman, native of Massachusetts, en listed at Chillicothe, November 8, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 45, term three years; appointed seventh corporal January 11, 1862; deserted April 14, 1862, Cincinnati. John Hinson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Chilli cothe December 10, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 56, term three years. Patrick Handly, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincinnati, Ohio, December 12, 1861, by L. M. Thompson ; age 24, term three years. Henry Hokkman, native of Germany, enlisted at Cincinnati December 13, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 39, term three years. Thomas D. Homer, native of Pennsylvania, en listed at Cincinnati December 12, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 36, term three years; taken prisoner at Shiloh, April 6, 1862. George W. Howell, native of Maryland, enlisted at Cincinnati November 30, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 41, term three years. William Isdell, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati, January 16, 1862, byL. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years. Edward Ireland, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati November 4, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years. Alexander Inloes, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati October 17, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 19, term three years. Charles Johnston, enlisted at Cincinnati November 6, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 21, term three years, deserted January 15, 1862, Camp Dennison, Ohio. John W. Jeffries, native of New York, enlisted at Cincinnati December 7, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 25, term three years; appointed fifth cor poral January 11, 1862; deserted August 4, 1862, Memphis, Tennessee. Daniel Lucas, native of Pennsylvania, age 23. Philip King, native of Germany, enlisted at Ham ilton November 25, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 30, term three years. William Kelley, deserted February 19, 1862, Camp Chase, Ohio. John Miller, enlisted at Cincinnati November 19, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 29, term three years; deserted February 7, 1862, Camp Dennison, Ohio. Peter Michels, native of Prussia, enlisted at Wil- liamstown November 20, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 17, term three years. Joseph Maier, native of Germany, enlisted at Power Station December 4, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 26, term three years. Joseph McMakin, enlisted at Cincinnati Decem ber 10, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years; deserted January 11, 1862, Camp Dennison. Alexander Mathews, native of Louisiana, enlisted at Cincinnati December 12, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 18, term three years, William McMillen, enlisted at Cincinnati Decem ber 7, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 17, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, Au gust 20, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B. Rice, cause disability. James McNeal, native of Massachusetts, enlisted at Cincinnati, October 22, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 18, term three years; discharged March 22, 1862, Shiloh, Tennessee, for disability. Henry McCabe, native of New York, enlisted at Cincinnati December 25, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years. ' Alleck Moore, native of England, enlisted at Cin cinnati November 26, 1861; by L. M. Thompson; age 49, term three years; taken prisoner April 6, 1862, at Shiloh , Tennessee. Edward McMahn, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincinnati, November 16, 1861, by M. T. William son; age 25, term three years; appointed second sergeant April 30, 1862. Theodore Murray, deserted July 10, 1862, at Mos cow, Tennessee. James Musser, native of Maryland, enlisted at Cincinnati December 8, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 30, term three years; appointed eighth corporal April 30, 1862; deserted August4, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee. Thomas Neville, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincinnati November 13, 1861, by L. M. Thompson ; age 33, term three years. Patrick Norton, "native of Ireland, enlisted at ,. Chillicothe November 26, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 43, term three years. John P. O'Connell, native of Massachusetts, en listed at Cincinnati October 28, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 25, term three years; discharged at Memphis, Tennessee, August 22, 1862, by order of Surgeon John B. Rice, cause disability. Dennis L. O'Connor, enlisted at Chillicothe, No- 326 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. vember 16, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 45, term three years; deserted February 7, 1862, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. John O'Connor, native of Lower Canada, enlisted at Chillicothe, December 9, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 16, term three years; discharged August 20, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee, for disability. William O'Donnell, enlisted at Cincinnati, De cember 26, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 26, term three years; deserted February 1, 1862, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. David O'Connor, killed at the Battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, April 6, 1862. Jeremiah O'Donnell, native of Ireland, enlisted at Chillicothe, December 6, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 23, term three years. Dennis O'Connor, jr., native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincinnati, December 5, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years. John Ollendick, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati January 6, 1862, by M. T. Williamson; age 19, term three years. Orlando P. Pierce, native of New York, enlisted at Cincinnati by L M. Thompson, October 29, 1862; age 43, term three years. Henry Pulse, native of Indiana, enlisted at Miamitown January 3, 1862, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years; discharged August 15, 1862, at Cincinnati, Ohio, for disability. William Payne, native of Indiana, enlisted at Cin cinnati November 25, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 21, term three years; discharged October i, 1862, at Louisville, Kentucky, for disability. James Palton, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincin nati December 14, 1861, by M. T. Williamson; age 22, term three years; deserted November 26, 1862, at Memphis, Tennessee. William Rooten, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati December 5, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 35, term three years; appointed first corporal De cember 13, 1861; died September 27, 1862, at Cin cinnati, of disease. William F. Smith, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati October 24, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 24, term three years. Edward St. Helens, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincinnati November 5, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 41, term three years; discharged November 13, 1862, Memphis, Tennessee. Joseph G. Service, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati November 13, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, 1861, term three years; sent to general hospital June 3, 1862, John Shifflett, enlisted at Chillicothe December 6, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 49 term three years; died at Camp Dennison, January 7, 1862. Alonzo Stewart, enlisted at Xenia December 16, 1861; discharged July 20, 1862, at Cincinnati, for dis ability. John Sullivan, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincin nati December 31, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 45. Henrick Siefert, native of Germany, enlisted at Cincinnati January 4, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 31, term three years. George M. Schlundts, native of Germany, enlisted at Cincinnati October 14, 1861, by L.-M. Thomp son; age 27, term three years. John Stapleton, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati January 6, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 46, term three years. Henry Shefer enlisted at Cincinnati January 2, 1862, by L. M. Thompson; age 39, term three years. Isaac Stem, enlisted at Cincinnati, November 30, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 17, term three years; discharged December 28, 1862, Cincinnati, probate jndge. William H. Skarrett, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincinnati November 2, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 26, term three years. James H. Stewart, native of Virginia, enlisted at Cincinnati, September 28, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 37, term three years; appointed first ser geant October 5, 1861. Michael Lerry, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cin cinnati November 29, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 29, term three years; discharged October 6, 1862, Cincinnati, of wounds received at Shiloh. Granville Log, enlisted at Cincinnati December 13, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years; deserted February 5, 1862, Camp Dennison, Ohio. Theodore M. Thompson, native of Ohio, enlisted at Columbus October 5' 1861, by J. R. Eddie; age 34, term three years. Horatio B. Lurrill, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cin cinnati October 31, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 26, term three years; appointed third sergeant Oc tober 31, 1861. John Loy, native of New Jersey, enlisted at Cin cinnati December 31, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 53, term three years; appointed eighth corporal January 11, 1862; died at Cincinnati, May 7, 1862. Peter Hernick, native of Ohio, enlisted at Cincin nati December 11, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 18, term three years. David S. Vallette, native of New York, enlisted at Chillicothe December 15, 1861, by W. H. Skarrett; age 50, term three years. James Wright, native of Vermont, enlisted at New Haven November 23, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 44, term three years; killed at the battle of Shi loh, April 3, 1862. James Thomas Wickershany, enlisted at Cincin nati November 12, i36i, by L. M. Thompson; term three years; deserted January 10, 1862, Camp Den nison, Ohio, unfit for service on account of disease contracted before enlistment. John Warner, native of Germany, enlisted at Cin cinnati, December 12, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3«7 age 22, term three years; appointed fifth sergeant December 26, 1861. W. C. Wright, enlistedat Cincinnati December 21, 1861, by L. M. Thompson; age 21, term three years; appointed first sergeant January 11, 1862. * Francis Whilter, native of Maine, enlisted at Cin cinnati, December 25, by L. M. Thompson; age 53, term three years. Richard Webster, native of Ireland, enlisted at Cincinnati, November 16, 1861, by L. M. Thomp son; age 25, term three years. THE ONE HUNDREDTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. Sandusky county contributed a company to the One Hundredth regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and to record the ser vices performed by these men it is neces sary to give some account of the services of the entire regiment. It was organized at Toledo in July and August, 1862, and was mustered into service in September of that year, and moved to Cincinnati on the 8th of the same month for the purpose of defending that city. The next day it was put in position on Covington Heights, near Fort Mitchell. It marched thence for Lexing ton, Kentucky, on the 8th of October, where it remained for drill and took a thorough course of instruction in the science of war until the ist of December of that year. It then moved to Danville, and on the "3d of January, 1863, moved to, Frankfort. About the last of February, .1863, the regiment marched to Lexing ton to intercept a rebel raid, and from that point it marched to Crab Orchard, Mount Vernon, Somerset, and to various other points where the presence of the enemy seemed to require. On the 13th day of August, 1863, it went into camp at Danville, Kentucky, to be ready for a march into East Tennessee. Upon reach ing Knoxville a portion of the regiment was sent up to the Virginia State line to guard the railroad. The portion so de tached, being two hundred and forty in number, were captured by the enemy on the 4th of September, and the men sent to Richmond, Virginia. This regiment participated in the defence of Knoxville, and was on active duty during its stay in East Tennessee. In the spring of 1864 the regiment marched in the Twenty- third Army Corps to join General Sher man, then at Trumbull Hill, in Georgia. Thence it moved on in the Atlanta cam paign, and was present at almost every battle, from Rocky Face Ridge to At lanta. On the 6th of August, 1864, it was en gaged in an assault on the rebel works in front of Atlanta, with a loss of one hun dred and three men out of three hundred taken into the fight. Thirty-six men were killed on the field, and eight more died from wounds within the next thirty days. The colonel was disabled for life. After the evacuation of Atlanta the regiment joined in the pursuit of Hood, and partici pated in the battles of Franklin and Nash ville. With the Twenty-third Army Corps it then Went to Wilmington, North Caro lina, and was there actively engaged. Then it marched into the interior and from Goldsborough to Raleigh with Sher man's army. Next it moved to Greens- borough, and fiom there to Cleveland, Ohio, where it was mustered out of the service on the ist day of July, 1865, having served two years and ten months from the time it was mustered into the service. LOSSES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH. This regiment lost during its term of service : Sixty-five men killed in action, one hundred and forty-two wounded; twenty- seven died of wounds; one hundred and eight died of disease; three hundred and twenty-five were captured by the enemy, and eighty-five died in rebel prisons. It gloriously participated in the battles of Lenoir Station, Knoxville, Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Etowah Creek, Atlanta, Columbus, Franklin, Nashville, 328 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Town Creek, and Wilmington. At the or ganization of the regiment the following were the officers: John C. Groom, col onel; Patrick Slevin, lieutenant-colonel; Edwin L. Hayes, major; George A. Col- lamore, surgeon; Henry McHenry, assist ant surgeon. There were a number of changes by resignation and promotion of these offi cers, which are not necessary to be stated in this history. The officers and privates of company K, of this regiment, were from Sandusky county, and were as follows: COMPANY K. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Nathaniel Haynes. First Lieutenant Sanford Haff. Second Lieutenant William Taylor. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Joshua H. Green. Sergeant Zeno T. Brush. Sergeant William Ferguson. Sergeant Ephraim Wheeler. Sergeant Frank W. Russell. Corporal Horatio W. Allen. Corporal William Harris. Corporal John Elliott. Corporal Henry Donneyson. Corporal William Wotcott. Corporal Henry B. Nichols. Corporal Edward Heath. Corporal William G. Parks. Musician Richard Moore. Musician William Young, Wagoner Frederick Brown. PRIVATES. Cornelius Abbott, William H. Anderson, George Ames, George L. Bixler, John Berkley, Charles Ben nett, Henry Adams, William H. Batesole, Bliss Baker, Samuel Binkley, Cyrus T. Call, Corto Call, Daniel Carnicomb, P. Carnicomb, Evander Dunning, Edwin R. Dunning, John Donmire, John Dillon, James Dymond, John A. Ensperger, Taylor Fuller, James H. Fowler, John Fowler, Peter Fleagle, John Fleagle, William Gambere, Jonathan Herbster, Nor man Hill, George J. Hill, Charles Hardy, Hiram L. Hines, James E. Hislet, Christian Hoopnail, Abra ham Hoopnail, Charles F. Hiseman, Lyman K. Jones, William H. Jackson, Cyrus W. Jones, Eliph- alet Jackson, Rodolphus Kepfer, Reuben Klose, Barney Kline, Joseph A. Loveland, Henry Lance, Philip Lutes, William Mowrer, Daniel Munger, Orin Mott, McCreary, Hiram May, Thomas McKil- lips, John McKillips, William Midcup, Hezediah McDowell, Judge T. Metcalf, Carlol Nash, Joseph M. Parish, William Parish, George Pierson, Joseph Pierson, Sylvester Peasley, Lyman G. Richards, Silas L. Richards, Alexander Reigurt, Williarr? Rogers, Michael Stull, Alexander Scrymger, John A. Shively, Frederick Shahl, Henry T. Smith, John F. Schwartz, Henry Shultz, John Sevibeck, Benjamin Smith, Reuben Stine, John W. Stone, Joseph Sharp, John M. Steward, Joseph Wentting, Sheldon West- over, Samuel Whitehead, Nathan Warring, Hiram Stull, William H. Havice, William Young. ONE HUNDRED AND ELEVENTH OHIO VOL UNTEER INFANTRY. FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS. Colonel John R. Bond, honorably discharged October 18, 1864, and succeeded by Lieutenant- Colonel Isaac R. Sherwood, February 2, 1864. Lieutenant-Colonel B. W. Johnson, resigned Feb ruary 6, 1862. Lieutenant-Colonel Moses R. Brailey. Lieutenant-Colonel Isaac R. Sherwood. Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas C. Norris, mustered out as Major. Major Moses R. Brailey. Major Isaac R. Sherwood. Major Benjamin F. Southworth. Major Henry J. McCord. Surgeon Lyman Brewer. Chaplain A. Hollington. The following will show the men of this regiment from Sandusky, and a history of the services they performed with the regiment during the war for the suppres sion of the Southern Rebellion. 'The sketch is prepared from information furnished by Captain J. V. Beery, and the diary of Corporal Joseph Schwartz, kept by him while in the service, and also from informa tion given by private Robert Long, of company A, of the regiment, and was compiled by H. Everett, esq., as a part of hisjntended history of Sandusky county, in the year 1876, and published by him in February, 1877. Sandusky county furnished one full company, A, for this regiment, and also a major part of company G. Company A, usually designated as Captain Beery's company — because its enlistment and or- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 329 ganization were accomplished chiefly . by his zealous labors — was organized at Fre mont, August n, 1862, mustered into the United States service at Camp Toledo, Ohio, September 5, 1862, and moved thence to the front with the regiment, September n, 1862. The following named officers and pri vates constituted this company: COMPANY A. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain John V. Beery. First Lieutenant Joseph H. Jennings. Second Lieutenant Orin B. Frome. NON-COMMISSIONED' OFFICERS. Sergeant William Beery. Sergeant Charles Abies. Sergeant Charles Baker. Sergeant David Fausey. Sergeant Merrit Holcomb. Corporal Zemira G. Burton. Corporal Charles F. Edwards. Corporal Christopher C. Wonders. Corporal James L. Tindall. Corporal George D. Evans. Corporal John P. Walker. Corporal Henry VanBuskirk. Corporal John R. Ramsey. Musician James Current. Musician Isadore Shell. Wagoner John A. Grant. PRIVATES. William H. Arlen, David A. Andrews, James Ben nett, John Boyer, John Buchold, George W. Beery, Henry H. Baker, William S. Baldwin, Isaac Baugh- man, Elias Babine, Eli Bruner, Martin Bumthaver, John Burns, James C. Carpenter, William Craig, George Charter, George Dixon, Linden Donalds, Jacob Decker, John D. Evans, Nelson R. Forster, John K. Farver, Charles F. Flowers, Frederick Geisicker, John Gillard, James B. Garten, Manning- ton Garten, George Grace, Louis Hemminger, John Hatler, Harmon Hazleton, Sylvanus Hathaway, William H. Huffman, Charles A. Hamshur, Elias Holenbaugh, Herbert L. Hathaway', Anson L. Hariff, Charles A. Hariff, Samuel Jackson, Joseph Jackson, Joseph C. King, Nicholas Kihn, Jared .M. Lern, Robert Long, Franklin Lance, George W. Long, William Little, Henry Leflar, Edward Myers, John Mosier, Henry C. Munson, John Madden, George Myers, Herman McDaniels, John H. Mc- Nutt, Anthony Nonnemaker, Jonas Neff, Orin Overmyer, Theodore Ogle, John R. Parker, Joseph A. Porter, Elisha Prior, Emanuel Roush, Samuel Ridley, John K. Rickard, Edward Sibrell, David H.: Speaker, John Scomlon, Joseph Stephenson, A. Smart, Charles E. Sheffer, Richard Smith, Jacob Smith, John Stoll, Joseph Swartz, George W. Van- Sickle, Martin Vanhorn, John White, Jacob Parker. For the organization of company G, of the One Hundred and Eleventh regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, this county fur nished the following named officers and privates : COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain H. J. McCord. First Lieutenant M. P. Bean. Second Lieutenant George W. Moore. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. First Sergeant Robert Lattimore. Second Sergeant G. B. McCord. Third Sergeant P. F. Dalton. Fourth Sergeant Moses P. Boose. PRIVATES. R. B. Alexander, James H. Boore, Eli Brough, Daniel Beekley, Coonrod Cramer, Jacob A. Crawn, Jackson Cuisno, George N. Crowell, Henry Disler, R. K. Dalton, Silas B. Dymond, Isaac Down, Addi son Fulton, David Gemberliz, Bradley Gould, John Geshart, William Groves, Cyrus Hoff, Mathias House, William Vadersoll, William Winters, David Warner, Erastus Alexander, Philip Mathia, A. Hine line, Jack Shepler, Robert W. Parks, Isaac M. Gam, Herman Ickes, William Fought, Thomas H, Meek, James L. Miller, Henry Oswalt, John Payne, James Park, Peter Rickle, Perry Ritter, Isaac Shole, John A. Siler, Lewis Smith, John Shepler, John Schuster, Orison Smith, Daniel I. Ickes, Josiah Jones, James Keeran, Jonas L. Klure, William Kime, Absalom " Mowry, William Garn, Jeremiah Sherer, William H. Stokes, Frederick Wilbur, A. T. Hineline, Nicholas Dewyer, Jeremiah Everett, Allen McKillop, Frank O'Rork, Porter B. Woods, Henry Weston, Jacob Disler. The foregoing list is furnished by Cap tain J. V. Beery, and is doubtless correct. Corporal Joseph Schwarts and Private Robert Long, both of this city, gave the following incidents relative to this regi ment and the men from this county, which are worthy of mention : In the winter of 1863 and 1864, while retreating from Strawberry Plains, Ten nessee, and at the siege of Knoxville, the regiment was often on short rations. In ten successive days rations were drawn only four times — and these rations 33° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. consisted of, one day, half a pint of corn meal; one day about two pounds of fresh pork; another day half a pint of corn meal again,- and another day about half a pint of wheat — and on duty all the time, and part of the time on the march. These supplies were obtained by foraging, sup plies from Union sources being cut off by the position of the enemy. Eli Babied, Ballville, was wounded at Strawberry Corners. At Resaca, May 14, 1864, John D. Evans, Madison township, was killed, and Edward Myers, Hessville, wounded. Charles T. Flowers, ' of Green Creek, was wounded by bushwhackers on the train to Chattanooga, where h'e was sent for injuries received at Burnt Hickory. Charles Smith .(Scott), wounded at Burnt Hickory May 27, 1864. Joseph Schwartz also wounded at the same place, and John Scanlon and John Tarver, wounded near Dallas, Georgia, June 3, 1864. Scanlon lost the use of his arm. James Jackson (Ballville), killed at Franklin. Charles Baker (Clyde), wound ed at Franklin, December, 1864. David Plants (Scott), wounded shortly before the battle of Franklin. At Nashville, Lewis Hominger was wounded. Of this company, A, the following died in the service : Franklin Lantz, at Bowling Green, Kentucky; David Carpenter and J. C. Carpenter, of Washington township; Joseph Stevenson and James Current, of Riley. The following extract from Reid's Ohio In the War will show the marches of this regiment and the battles in which these men- were engaged : This regiment was organized in the month of Au gust, 1862, and was mustered into the service on the 5th and 6th of September. It was a Northwestern Ohio regiment, having been raised in Sandusky, Lucas, Wood, Fulton, Williams, and Defiance counties. It took the field at Covington, Kentucky, on the nth of September, 1862. The regiment remained in front of Covington until the 18th of September, when, in company with four regiments and a battery, it made a reconnoissance to Crittenden, Kentucky. After driving out the cavalry of Kirby Smith from that place, the regi ment returned to Covington. It remained at Coving ton until the 25th, when it took transports for Louisville, where it was assigned to General Buell's army, being in the Thirty-eighth Brigade, Twelfth Division, under command of General Dumont. The regiment moved on Shelbyville October 3. On the 8th of October it took the advance in the move ment on Frankfort, where a slight skirmish took place. It moved on Lawrenceburg October n, and camped at Crab Orchard, where it joined with General Buell's whole army. After General Bragg's army had escaped through Cumberland Gap the One Hundred and Eleventh moved by rapid marches to Bowling Green, Kentucky, where it remained gar risoning forts and guarding the railroad from that place to Nashville. On the 29th of May, 1863, the regiment was ordered to Glasgow, Kentucky. At this place the One Hundred and Eleventh was as signed to the Second Brigade, Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, and remained in this brigade, division, and corps until mustered out of the service. From Glasgow it took part in the movement on Scottsville and Tompkinsville. About this lime John Morgan's cavalry made a raid into Indiana and Ohio. The regiment took part in the pursuit. On the 4th of July, 1863, it marched from Tompkinsville to Glasgow, a distance of thirty-two miles, in one day, carrying guns, equip ments, and forty rounds of ammunition. On the 6th of July the regiment marched to Mumfordsville, and remaining three days, it took the cars for Louis ville. Morgan having crossed the Ohio River, the One Hundred and Eleventh was ordered to New Albany, Indiana. It then marched to Jeffersonville and took transports to Cincinnati. On an island ten miles above Louisville the regi ment was landed, and a detachment ot Morgan's command was captured. It arrived at Cincinnati on the 13th. From this city it proceeded to Ports mouth, arriving at that place on the 18th. After the capture of Morgan the regiment re turned to Kentucky. Arriving at Lebanon, Ken tucky, it marched to New Market, where the Second division, Twenty-third Army Corps, rendezvoused preparatory to the march to East Tennessee. On the 19th of August this movement commenced. The command arrived at Jamestown, Tennessee, on the Cumberland Mountains, eighty-five miles dis tant from Knoxville, on the 26th. From this point the command moved, by rapid marches, through Yarman's Gap, and arrived on the 30th of August at Montgomery. On the 2d of September it forded HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 331 the Big Emery River, and arrived at Loudon, Ten nessee, on the Tennessee River, on the 4th. The regiment remained at Loudon until November 14, and took part in the movement north of New Market to check the rebel advance from Virginia. It also took part in several forced marches, scouts, and skirmishes along the Tennessee and Holston Rivers. The advance' of General Longstreet's army ap peared in front of Loudon on the 22d of October, and considerable skirmishing was kept up between the two armies. On the 14th of October the com mand marched to Lenoir, but meeting reinforce ments here a counter-march was ordered, and the Seeond brigade was ordered to march to Huff's Ferry, three miles below Loudon, and prevent the crossing of General Longstreet's troops. Owing to the almost impassable condition of the roads it was nearly dark before arriving at the ferry. On a1 high bluff, about half a mile from the river, a brigade of rebels was encountered. The Second brigade was immediately formed in single line and ordered to charge. The charge was successful. In it the One Hundred and Eleventh only lost a few wounded, as it was on the right flank of the brigade, and partly under cover of dense woods. The brigade stood to arms all night in the pelting rain, without food or shelter. At daylight the entire division fell back, and the One Hundred and Eleventh covered the re treat. At Loudon Creek a brisk skirmish took place between the regiment and the Sixth South Carolina Sharp-shooters, composing General Longstreet's ad vance. The stand was made to enable Henshaw's Illinois battery to get its caissons up a hill above the creek. In this engagement the One Hundred and Eleventh lost four killed and twelve wounded. After this skirmish the command marched rapidly to Le- noii unmolested, On this night all camp and garri son equipage and transportation were destroyed, and on the morning of the 16th, at 3 A. M., it moved out for Knoxville, Tennessee. At daylight on this morning Lieutenant O. P. Norris and fifty-two men of company B of the regi ment were captured by the rebels while on picket. Of these fifty-two stalwart men thirty-six died of starvation and exposure at Andersonville prison. Campbell's Station was selected by General Burnside as the point at which to give battle to Genera] Long- street. In this engagement the One Hundred and Eleventh occupied the front line, directly in front of two batteries of rebel artillery, and was for six hours exposed to the shells of the enemy's concentrated fire. The loss in killed and wounded was only eight, as the enemy used percussion shells, which mostly fell in the rear of the first line. The regiment marched with the command into Knoxville, a dis tance of six miles, having been three nights without sleep, food, or rest, and having participated in three separate engagements. It passed through the siege of Knoxville, occupying the fort on College Hill, and lost six men killed and wounded. After Gen eral Longstreet's retreat it took part in the skirmishes at Blain's Cross Roads, Danville, and Strawberry Plains, and occupied an outpost six miles in front of the city when General Schofield fell back the second time on Knoxville. It protected the crossing- of the Second division at Strawberry Plains on the 21st of January, 1864, los ing one man killed. On the 9th of February, Gen eral Schofield arrived at Knoxville and took com mand of the department. On the 24th of February the Second division marched to Strawberry Plains ; on the 27th crossed the Holston River, and march ing some distance, counter-marched at night as far back as Mossy Creek. On the 14th of March the regiment moved to Morristown, East Tennessee. On the following day it was on the picket-line, and had a brisk skirmish with the rebel cavalry. The One Hundred and ¦ Eleventh was moved back to Mossy Creek, where it remained until the 26th of April, when it marched to Charleston, on the Hiwas- see River, a distance of one hundred miles. This it accomplished in four days, arriving at Charleston on the 30th. From this point it marched to Red Clay, Georgia, arriving on the 6th of May. At this place the army of the Ohio united with the left wing of General Sherman's army to participate in the Atlanta campaign. It marched to Tunnel Hill on the 7th of May, and on the following day skirmished into a position in front of Buzzard's Roost. On the 9th, in the advance on Rocky Face Mountain, the regiment was assigned the front line of the skirmishers, and during an advance of three-quarters of a mile lost nine men killed and wounded. On the 12th of May the One Hundred and Eleventh marched through Snake Creek Gap, and arrived in front of Resaca on the evening of the 15th. The brigade made a charge on the enemy's works on the following day. Being unsupported by artillery, the charge was unsuccessful, and the loss heavy. The One Hundred and Eleventh had but seven com panies engaged, three companies being in the rear guarding transportation. Out of the number en gaged, seven men were killed and thirty wounded. The regiment took part in the second day's fight at Resaca, but being in the supporting column, it sus tained no losses. After an unsuccessful assault at midnight upon the National lines, the rebels evacua ted. On the 16th of May the regiment participated in the pursuit ; had a skirmish with the rebel cavalry the 20th, and captured six prisoners. On the 27th a brigade of rebels made an advance on the National lines. The One Hundred and Eleventh was ordered out on _the double-quick, made a charge, and broke the rebel lines. In this engagement the regiment lost fifteen men killed and wounded. It took part in the entire campaign against At lanta. It actively engaged in the siege of Kenesaw, 332 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the battles at Pine Mountain, Lost Mountain, Dallas, on the Chattahoochie River near Nicojack Creek, Decatur, Peachtree Creek, and in the seige of Atlan ta, and the skirmishes at Rough-and-Ready, Love- joy's Station, and Utoy Creek. It started on the Atlanta campaign with three hundred and eighty men, and of this number lost, in killed and wounded, two hundred and twelve. On the 8th of September the regiment went into camp at Decatur, Georgia, and remained until the morning of the 4th of Octo ber, when the movement against General Hood's forces commenced. During the stay at Decatur the regiment made a reconnoissance to Stone Mountain, where it encountered rebel cavalry, and lost a few of its men. The One Hundred and Eleventh marched rapidly to Allatoona Pass, and to within eighteen miles of Chattanooga, where the corps was ordered into Alabama in pursuit of General Hood's army. It marched south as far as Cedar Bluffs, on the Coosa River, where, in a skirmish with rebel cav alry, one officer and three men of the One Hun dred and Eleventh were captured on picket. From this point the regiment marched to Rome, Georgia, where a brisk skirmish took place. From thence it moved to Resaca, where it arrived on the ist of No vember, 1864. At Resaca the regiment took the cars and was moved to Johnsonville, on the Tennessee River, eighty-five miles west of Nashville, to protect that place against a rebel raid. It remained at Johnsonville until the 20th of November, when it was again moved by rail to Columbia, Tennessee, to assist in checking General Hood's advance. It par ticipated in the skirmishes at Columbia, and was de tailed to remain in the rear to guard the fords of Duck River while General Thomas' army fell back on Franklin. The regiment guarded a wagon train to Franklin , and was twice attacked. Each time it repulsed the enemy. The regiment at night marched by the outpost of General Hood's army in bringing up the rear. It arrived at Franklin on the morning of the 30th of November, and was immediately as signed to the front line of works, on the left flank of the Second Division, Twenty-third Army Corps, to the right of the Franklin turnpike. In the fight of that day the regiment, out of one hundred and eighty men engaged, lost twenty-two men killed on the field and forty wounded. Many were killed by rebel bay onets. The contest was so close that once the flag of the regiment was snatched from the hands of the color sergeant, but the bold rebel was instantly killed. The troops on the immediate left of the One Hun dred and Eleventh fell back during the charge, and the rebels, holding this part of the line for an hour, poured an enfilading fire along the line of the whole brigade. Owing to the large losses of officers in this and previous engagements, a detail from other regi ments was necessary to command the companies. On the morning of the ist of December the One Hundred and Eleventh marched back to Nashville, where it was assigned a. position on the line of de fenses on the left. It was severely engaged during both days of fighting in front of Nashville. In a charge on the second day it captured three rebel bat tle flags and a large number of prisoners. The loss was seven killed and fifteen wounded. The regiment took part in the pursuit after General Hood. It was marched to Clifton, Tennessee, where, on the 17th of January, 1865, it took transports to make the cam paign of North Carolina. It passed through Cin cinnati January 23, and arrived at Washington, Dis trict of Columbia, on the 31st. From Alexandria the regiment took an ocean steamer for Fort Fisher, where it joined the army under General Terry, and took an active part in the capture of Fort Anderson, and in the skirmishes at Moseby Hall and Goldsbor- ough. After the surrender of General Johnston the regiment was moved to Salisbury, North Carolina, where it remained on garrison duty until ordered home for muster out. It arrived at Cleveland on the 5th of July, 1865, and was mustered out on the 12th. The One Hundred and Eleventh re-enlisted as vet erans in February, 1864, in East Tennessee; but, owing to the demand for troops in the field, the veteran furlough could not be granted. Again (in October, 1864), after the Atlanta campaign, more than two-thirds of the regiment re-enlisted as vet erans; but, after General Hood's campaign to the rear, the order to furlough it was revoked. The One Hundred and Eleyenth numbered one thousand and fifty men when it entered the service, and received eighty-five recruits. Of these men two hundred and thirty-four were discharged for disability, disease, and wounds; two hundred died of disease contracted while in the service; two hundred and fifty-two were killed in battle or died of wounds, and four hundred and one were mustered out. The regiment was on a steamer being transported from Alexandria to Fort Fisher January or February, 1865. The boat, in a violent storm lay rolling in the troughs of the immense waves, while rounding Cape Hatteras. The stoves in the upper cabin upset and fired the boat. Captain McCord, while others left the cabin, remained and with great coolness and activity collected blankets, overcoats, and other woollen gar ments at hand, and by great efforts smoth ered the fire and saved the boat. "But for this act," says company Commissary Robert Long, "the boat would have per ished." At the battle of Franklin the One Hun- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 333 dred and Eleventh was complimented for gallant conduct, in holding the right of the turnpike, while other regiments gave way. Here the One Hundred and Eleventh saved the important position by its firm ness and pluck. ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-EIGHTH REG IMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. To this regiment of Ohio volunteers, Hoffman's battalion, Sandusky county fur nished the following named soldiers : COMPANY c. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Philetus W. Norris. First Lieutenant Amon C. B,radley. Second Lieutenant George Carner. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Sergeant Lewis D. Booth. Sergeant George W. Hollenback. Sergeant James L. Camp. Sergeant Shelly A. Gish. Sergeant Styles Rich. Corporal Nathan Tefft. Corporal Jonathan L. Smith. Corporal Charles N. Mallery. Corporal Emery Bercaw. Corporal Samuel M. Alexander. Corporal Meron M. Starr. PRIVATES. Israel H. Bittner, Josephus Gaver, Rodolphus La- gore, James Williamson. THE ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.* That we may more fully understand the history of the One Hundred and Sixty- ninth Ohio National Guard, it will be necessary to commence this narrative with the formation of the Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from which the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth was formed. The Fiftieth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was recruited in Sandusky county in the fall of 1863, under the militia law of Ohio, the object being the protection of the borders of the State from raids and inva sion. The regiment held its first meeting *To Sergeant-Major I. H. Burgoon we are in debted for many of the facts in the history of this regiment. at the court-house in Fremont, to elect officers and transact other business. Na thaniel Haynes was elected colonel; C. G Sanford, lieutenant-colonel"; Jacob Fickes major; W. B. Dimick, quartermaster; J L. Greene, adjutant ; I. H. Burgoon, ser geant-major; Peter Beaugrand, surgeon S. B. Taylor, assistant surgeon; Wesley Vandercook, hospital steward; Theodore England, quartermaster-sergeant; Fergu son Greene, commissary sergeant, A general meeting for parade and drill was held in Fremont the same fall. The regiment was ordered into camp at Camp Lucas, Toledo, Ohio. Transportation was obtained by railroad' to Toledo, where they arrived on the 18th of September, 1863, remaining about one week. Early in the spring of 1864 the regi ment was called into service by John Brough, Governor of Ohio, to serve for the term of one hundred 'days unless sooner discharged. The time named in the proclamation was the 2d of May, 1864, and so anxious were the boys to be on .hand at the appointed time that by 12 o'clock noon, of the 2d, every company was reported for duty. They were camped on the old fair ground, where they re mained until the 7th of the month, drilling during the day, and at night ' they were quartered in the court-house, engine-house and the different halls of the town. Marching orders were received on the evening of the 6th, and at 10 o'clock on the moining of the 7th the regiment was in line ready to start for the depot, which , they did at 1 1 o'clock, and after waiting, finally started at 2:30 p. m., — Lieutenant- Colonel C. G. Sanford commanding, the colonel having been left behind on account of an accident, which befell him while rid ing down Front street. The destination was Sandusky City. Further than that no one knew. This suited the boys so far as ra tions were taken into account, they having 334 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. foraged there during the fall of 1863. Most of them, however, were anxious to get into active service, and see more of the country. They arrived at Sandusky at 5 p. m., via Clyde. The several companies were distributed in various places about the town, A and F in the court-house, D and I in Massey's block, C and H in the armory, K and G in council-room, B in a lumber-room. Company E did not go with the command. It was disbanded at Fremont on account of being composed mostly of minors. May 8 was Sunday, and the boys put in the time going to church and seeing the sights. The citizens provided them with supper which was re ceived and relished with thanks. As no particular provision had been made for rations the men were getting short, and stood very much in need of a warm meal, On Monday, May 9, the Eighty-second battalion, from Van Wert, Ohio, the Seventy-first battalion from Ottawa, and the Ninety-fifth from Defiance were consoli dated with it, making the regiment over one thousand strong. It received orders to report at Camp Taylor, Cleveland, Ohio, but on account of not getting trans portation did not get started until 10 a, m., on the nth. The regiment was mustered into the service of the United States on May 15 and 16, and on the 17th the organ ization was completed. The battalion' from Van Wert was thrown out, and four companies from Wayne county assigned in their stead. These four companies were under the command of Lieutenant-Colo nel I. Robinson, from Wooster, who, for some reason not known to the writer, was relieved, and. J. H. Carr, his adjutant, placed in charge by the consolidation at Cleveland. Companies I and Kwere dis banded, their officers either given command in other companies, or sent home. The men were distributed and attached to other companies. Lieutenant-Colonel Sanford was also relieved, which the men regretted very much, as he was a genial gentleman, and they had become very much attached to him. After so many changes the newly fledged regiment was named the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio National Guard, and as finally organized, was officered as follows: FIELD AND STAFF. Colonel Nathaniel Haynes. Lieutenant-Colonel I. H. Canv Adjutant J. L. Greene, jr. Quartermaster H. J. Kauffman. Surgeon Peter Beaugrand. Assistant Surgeon S. B. Taylor. Sergeant-Major I. H. Burgoon. Quartermaster Sergeant Ferguson Greene. Commissary Sergeant Theodore England. COMPANY A. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain A. Beideer. First Lieutenant David W. Hardy. Second Lieutenant Jesse W. Fleckinger. COMPANY B. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain M. J. Tichenor. First Lieutenant W. M. Bacon. Second Lieutenant Emanuel Sanders. COMPANY C. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Harry C. Shirk. First Lieutenant Thomas I. Robinson. Second Lieutenant Samuel B. Hughs. COMPANY D. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Abram Gift. First Lieutenant Henry McGill. Second Lieutenant David Hoitzer. COMPANY E. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain W. K. Boone. First Lieutenant W. H. Fleck. Second Lieutenant Benjamin F. Baltzley. COMPANY F. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Charles Thompson. First Lieutenant Charles Baldwin. Second Lieutenant George J . Krebs. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 335 COMPANY G. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain I. H. Jennings. First Lieutenant John Lichty. Second Lieutenant C. S. Long. COMPANY H. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Jacob Thomas. First Lieutenant W. J. Havens. Second Lieutenant Solomon Warner. COMPANY I. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain A. C Anderson. First Lieutenant W. H. Goodson. Second Lieutenant Sidney Sinclair. COMPANY K. Captain Hanson R. Bowlus. First Lieutenant Jonathan Loveberry. Second Lieutenant Philip Overmyer. On the 1 8th marching orders were re ceived, but owing to a lack of arms suffi cient to equip the whole regiment they were detained and did not get away from camp until 2 p. m., of the 19th. They left the Cleveland depot at 5 p. m., via Cleve land & Pittsburg and Pennsylvania roads to Harrisburg, and from there via North ern Central to Washington, where they arrived at 12 o'clock Saturday night, May 21. They were marched to some old army barracks near the depot, where they were quartered until 2 p. m., Sunday, when they ' took up their line of march down Pennsyl vania avenue and over Long Bridge to Arlington Heights, in Virginia, but ow ing to some' misunderstanding they were marched over Aqueduct Bridge to George town, then up the Potomac on the Mary land side, several miles to Chain Bridge, where they recrossed to the Virginia side to Fort Ethan Allen, the place which was designated as the home of the regiment for the coming three months. They arrived at the fort at 10 o'clock Sunday night, and turned into quarters on the bare ground in an open lot, after a march of some dozen or more miles — pretty good for the first march. In justice to the men it ought to be mentioned here that the regiment was applauded and congratulated frequently while in transit, as being one of the most orderly and civil which had passed through. On inspecting the location it was found that they were posted in one of the largest and strongest among the forts on the line of defence around Washington. The ordnance consisted of forty can non, a dozen or more mortars, some large enough to throw a twenty-two inch shell, a large store of small arms, magazines filled with ammunition, and a garrison of two thousand men, seated on the highest hill which could be found in the vicinity, with a commanding view of the surround ing country. From the top of the parapet encircling the fort could be counted a dozen or more flags floating in the breeze, from the top of so many flag staffs, show ing the location of so many forts, and each in supporting distance from the other. A nice brook of clear water on either side wended its way down among the ravines toward the Potomac, with innumerable springs in the valleys, several in close proximity to the fort. The 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, and 29th, were spent in getting settled and putting things to rights in the fort and on and about the parade ground. May 30th Grant Holcomb, a member of company G, died. This was the first death in the regiment. He was taken sick while in Washington, but bore up until his arrival here, when he was sent to the hospital and died, having been sick one week. His remains were forwarded to his home near Fremont, Ohio. The writer cannot refrain from inserting a few lines written by one of his comrades on the occasion. Then weep not, friends, though he is gone, A righteous cause has called him hence; He died as heroes die — alone; He died in freedom's just defence. 336 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. On fame's eternal camping ground He occupies a tent of glory ; Though now he is lost, he will be found When e very thing shall pass away. Then sleep, brave soldier, take thy rest 'Til God shall call thee from the tomb; Then, with the saints and martyrs blest, Arise to thy celestial home, From the ist day of June until the ioth, the time was passed in the usual routine of camp life. About this time the regi ment began the practice of artillery drill on the guns and mortars in the fort, in which they became proficient in a very short time, so much so that the regiment was complimented very highly by General DeRussey, the commandant of this de partment, and, by him, placed on record as the best drilled regiment on the line of the defenses. The writer will relate an exercise of drilling which he witnessed one afternoon by a squad of Fremont boys among which he remembers our genial friend Captain Charley Thompson, and Lieutenant Baldwin. They fired six shots from a thirty-two pound Parrot, at a target stationed at a distance from the fort of one and one-third miles, cutting off the tree against which the target rested, at the second fire, and dropping four balls out of six within twenty feet of the target. This would be hard to beat by the oldest and most experienced of gunners. On the morning of the nth the boys were called out in double-quick, in antici pation of a raid from rebel cavalry, but luckily for the cavalry they did not put in an appearance. One hundred men were detailed daily to work on the bomb proofs of the fort, and the rifle pits surrounding it. This was not very desirable for the boys, as the sun's rays would dart down on them day after day, making them long for the cool, shady breeze of some friendly and familiar shade tree in the corner of the hay or wheat field at home. This work continued through the months of June, July, and August; and, with the early and unseasonable hour at which the regiment was called out (usually at 3 A. M.), and the miasms arising from the Potomac, caused a great deal of sickness. On June 23 they recorded the second death — Jacob Schuster, of company H, whose re mains were sent home to Green Spring, Ohio. On the 30th they were mustered for pay, which the boys were very anxious to get, but did not have the pleasure of seeing until after being mustered out at Cleveland, Ohio, several months later. On July 3 Silas Bowlus, a member of company K, died. His remains were sent home, several miles from Fremont, Ohio. On the 4th Charles Risley died. He was a member of company G. His re mains were buried near Fort Ethan Allen. This being the glorious Fourth of July, it was decided to celebrate it in some ap propriate manner, as they had been taught from childhood, even if no better way than to steal away and go swimming in some creek or stream running by the homestead. Aftergetting permission from headquarters, companies A, C, D, E, F and K marched down to Colonel Lee's headquarters, a distance of three or four miles, where several other Ohio regiments joined in an old-fashioned celebration, consisting of music, speeches, etc., after which the boys tramped back over a dusty road, hungry and tired, feeling that the fewer celebra tions the better humor they could be kept in, and the better they could enjoy them. On the 5 th they recorded the death of David Marion, of Ottawa county. His remains were sent home, near Port Clin ton, Ohio. July 6th, George Karbler, of company G, died. His remains were buried at Fort Ethan Allen. Early on the morning of the 8th the • camp was thrown into considerable excite ment by a report from the outer picket HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 337 posts that the enemy were concentrating their forces near Brownsville, which turned out, as do a great many reports in the army, as unreliable. However, it had a tendency to show the efficiency of the men, and the promptness with which they could be got ready for action in case of necessity. Four companies were quickly detached from our command and dis patched to Fort Marcy to strengthen that garrison and give them a helping hand in case of an assault. But happily once more for the rebels, they did not come. On July 9 Joseph Field died and his remains were sent home. He was a mem ber of company B. On the night of July nth and morn ing of the 1 2th, the long looked for enemy made its appearance on the Maryland side of the Potomac, and in front of forts Stevens and Slocum. Early on the 12th the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth regi ment, from the garrison, was dispatched across the river to strengthen those forts, while the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth was left to take care of matters at home, and as no enemy ventured in reach of their guns, all they had to do was to keep quiet and look on. On the morning of the 18th, at 1 o'clock, Jerome Seibert died.- He was a very worthy young man. His father came and took his remains home, to be buried near West Fremont. Here the writer wishes to introduce, by way of quotation, a beau tiful poem written to his memory by a lady friend : Carefully fold his cold arms O'er his heart, forever stilled. Gently close his loving eyes, Never yet with anguish filled. O, gently speak and softly tread, For Jerome, our noble boy, is dead. Only three short months ago He went at his country's call; And, oh! how little we realized That our Jerome, too, could fall, Can it be that death so soon Has called away our brave Jerome? Yes, it has, his brow is cold; Hushed the music of his voice. Never more with songs to make Every heart that thrills rejoice; Yet his songs in Heaven will be From all earthly passions free. Father, mother, sister, brother, Mourn not for your Jerrie dear, But remember God released him From the cares and trials here. Peacefully in the Saviour's arms Jerrie rests from war's alarms. Never more shall bugle's call Rouse him from his soldier's bed, Till the trumpet that summons all Wake the nation of the dead. Sweetly sleep — thy work is done, And thy Father calls thee home. Oh, it was hard to give him up. None but loving hearts can know How you wrestled with your grief, How you stuggled with your woe. But the Saviour hears your prayer, Gives you strength your grief to bear. July 20 John Stahl died. He had been detailed to go to Arlington with a corps of engineers, for the purpose of sur veying an addition to the National Cem etery, which now contains eighteen thou sand Union dead, and covers the famous Arlington property, which was General Lee's home before the rebellion, and an inheritance from the Washington family. While there he was taken sick, and re turned to the fort and hospital to die. The writer met him on the afternoon of the 1 8th, on his return, at the captain's headquarters near the parade ground, and again at the hospital on the morning of the 19th. He conversed pleasantly and freely of home and friends, not thinking that his sickness was anything serious. But alas! on the morning of the 20th he was reported with the dead. On the 2 ist the color sergeant, Edward Holcombe, died. He was as generous and whole-souled a fellow as ever lived. His sickness and death were similar to 338 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. that of Stahl's. The writer met him only a few hours before he passed away. His voice was clear, and his grip strong, and, in answer to the question, " How do you do this morning, Sergeant?" he said : "I am all right this morning, Sergeant-Major." The reader can imagine the writer's sur prise when, within a few short hours, he, too, was reported among the dead. From this time forward, until we were relieved and ordered from the fort, on the 2 ist day of August, the death list increased daily. Death seemed to lurk in every part of the fort and barracks, and none knew what the morrow would bring forth. On some days scarcely a well man could be found in the regiment. It was said at the time that only one man of the one thousand strong and able-bodied men could say, on his departure, that he had not been sick a single day while at the fort. Owing to an attack of malarial fever at this time, the memoranda of the writer became lost, and we are, therefore, unable to give the names and date of death of the remainder of the forty-three men who died, and were daily carried by the tent door, to be sent to their several homes, where many sad hearts were waiting to re ceive them. Among the many sad deaths. which occurred was that of John Downey, a clever, good-natured fellow, a member of company H, whose home was near Fre mont. On the departure of the regiment, when the sick were taken from their re spective hospitals, preparatory to starting for home, he was accidentally left be hind, at Mount Pleasant hospital, near Washington. There is no doubt but that he received the best of treatment from good nurses, but as soon as he found out that the regiment had departed for home, he probably became homesick, and died. The writer is of opinion that, had he started home with his comrades, he would have recovered. We took out of the same hospital three hundred or more sick, two- thirds of whom were as bad off as Mr. Downing, — men who, apparently not able to help themselves, on being told we were to start for home on the morrow, at once seemed to be miraculously cured, or much improved, and, like the sick mentioned in Holy Writ, could get up and walk without any assistance and get about, packing their knapsacks, with a cheer, and saying: "Count me in; I'll be ready at 8 a. m. sharp." That was the time set to leave" the gate of the hospital, where the sick were all to assemble preparatory to leaving for the depot. The regiment was all in readiness to march from the fort at an early hour on the morning of the 22d of August, 1864, which all seemed to dS without any re gret. They got under way at 9 a. m., via Baltimore, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, ar riving at Cleveland on the 25th at 9 p. m., having been on the road eighty-four hours, and a tedious ride it was, with over five hundred sick men to feed and take care of on the route. A great many accidents occurred which would be worthy of note. One of a ludicrous nature transpired while waiting on a siding for a down train. Some of the boys spied an old oil well near the track, and, being inquisitive, had the audacity to apply a lighted match, when the flames, like a flash, shot high in the air. Just then the train started, to the great relief of the thoroughly frightened men. The regiment was finally mustered out of the service on Sunday, the 4th day of September, 1864, and left Cleveland for home on Monday, the 5th, where they arrived at 4 p. m., having been absent one hundred and twenty-six days. They received pay for one hundred and twenty- five days' service. The following is the list of names of privates furnished by Sandusky county to HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 339 the several companies of the One Hun dred and Sixty-ninth regiment of Ohio Volunteer Infantry: COMPANY B. PRIVATES. Alonzo Aldrich, Murray Brown, Franklin Bower- sox, William H. Bowersox, Nathaniel Bush, Samuel Boyd, James Clark, George Carleton, Reuben Chap man, Robert Clapp, Jacob Close, Martin W. Cem- ple, George W. Colver, Edward D. Curtis, William Dymond, Theodore Dirlam, Nathaniel Everhart, George Ellis, Alva Fenn, James Fields, David Felty, ¦Isadore Gilbert, Charles Hess, Henry Hatfield, Enos Hoofnale, Kneeland Hamden, John Hardin, Orlin W. Harrison, Rudolph B. Hineline, Peter Hutson, John Heffner, Josiah Jackson, William Jackson, Am brose Kernahan, William Loudenslager, Burton Lemmon, Byron O. Leslie, George Mugg, Josiah Miller, Hiram Monger, Oscar Miller, Philip Michael, Henry Parker, William L. Richards, Charles G. Rising, George Supner, Albert Stark, William Scott, Lyman Sturtevant, Edward Streetor, Theodore Strickland, D. R. Sutton, Joseph Sparks, John Stull, John Thorp, Bradford Tuttle, Theodore Thomas, Scott Thomas, Sandford Terry, Samuel H. Tibbells, Milton Weeks, Elijah West, Edgar Woodwordi, Ed ward Waltz, Asaph Walters, Samuel D. Wykoff, William Wise, Tobias:' Watson, William Whitehead, Robert Tuel. V;' COMPANY F. Harvey Arling, Selah E. Anderson, Henry Alex ander, Forest Bixler, George Barlheimer, James Briggs, John Burg, Lewis Bolan, Hiram W. Blood, Isadore H. Burgoon, Harrison Clayhorn, Henry Cochran, Darwin Clark, Thomas Durfee, Flavel W. Downs, John P. Deal, Theodore England, Henry Ernst, Calvin Freeman, James Fowler, John Garvin, Stephen Green, Thomas E. Gilmore, Daniel Golden, William- Helt, Frederick Hilt, Abraham R. Hall, Benjamin I. Hall, Otto Hecke, David Halter, Burr Huss, William I. Hughes, E. Holbrook, Edwin Hol comb, Henry I mler, William Ice, .Samuel Ice, John Ice, Oliver P. Jenks, Isaac Joseph, Peter Kessler, David Leppleman, John B. Lott, Sardis B. Lock- wood, Joseph H. Mourer, William C. Meek, Hiram Mock, Wilbur F. Manning, Benjamin Mooney, Eli Maurer, Joseph Myers, Leander Myers, Joshua E. Mellen, Joseph Maggrum, William Ott, John Patter son, John Pease, Sylvanus P. Parker, Eugene Pelton, Joseph Parkhurst, John Quinn, James Russell, Chap Rathburn, J. Ridley, Daniel Rice, William Rowe, Henry C. Stacy, Joseph L. Shueereman, A. Stuller, George Shriner, E. Shields, Tilghman Siegfreid, Charles B. Stillwell, Russell Smith, Andrew J. San ford, Samuel Shannon, Darling Trail, John Treat, Wesley Vandercook, Hixton Vansickles, Alexander Walters, John Washburn, Austin Whittaker,, Gilbert Williams, David Younkman, Washington Younkman. COMPANY G. PRIVATES. Jacob H. Anderson, Isaac Anderson, Henry W. Angus, John W. Angus, Francis H. Boor, Canfords Buckland, Thomas Bracy, John L. Cook, Haman Carr, Tateman Clary, William Cook, Joshua Cook, William B. Callihan, Harrison Cobb, Henry Clink, Matthew Duke, Isaac Duke, Thomas Dunlap.Demce Drain, Charles Dawley, Frank Decker, George W. Davis, Everett Evans, Joseph Evans,- ¦ Charles Ents minger, Martin Eckhart, Henry Frear, Richard Fickas, Joseph I. Gam, David Gam, Tobias Gam, Orin Greesman, George Grivel, Rodney Gardener, Rodney Golden, Jacob Geiger, John W. Hutchinson, VictorJ. Hoffman, Samuel Hoff, Jerome Herrick, George Hedrick, Samuel Harley, Isaac Harley, Oliver P. Hoffman, Stanton Hoffman, Henry C. Holbrook, Grant Holcomb, Solomon Immel, John W. Jomes, James Jomes, Samuel Klute, Andrew J. Keller, George Karbler, Samuel S. Longi William H. Lemmon, William H. Layman, William Lem mon, John W. Manning, Calvin Miller, Thomas Madden, Adam Miller, Peter Plantz, Jonathan Reams, Charles Risley, Robert Ruthford, Theodore Rinehart, Philander H. Smith, Isaac Sanders, Solomon Shusly, Henry -W. Sentz, William Sting, Alexander H. Thorn, Charles T. Thompson, Adam W. Taylor, Herbert Thomas, William Totten; Jacob Yeasling, Philip Zimmerman, Milton Garn, Daniel Gam. COMPANY H. PRIVATES. Pierson Abel, Abraham Bruner, Martin Bruner, Isaac Bruner, Henry Beckman, William C. Boor, William C. Brerman, Daniel F. Babb, William Bow lus, Christian Batesole, Joseph Burkett, Jacob-Burg- ner, Dwight Bement, Philip Cole, Jacob Cherrier, James Campbell, Alfred Cobb, JohnL. Daniels, John Doll, Samuel Doll, Darius Drake, George Daniels, Franklin Durlem, Thomas J. Eldridge, John Fabings, Lewis Freese, James Fuller, Phineas Gilmore, Marcellus Gray, Lester L. Holcomb, David Harley, Hugh Harnes, Hubbard Hill, Em- mett Hubbert, Lucian Hull, Chaplain R. Husse, James Jones, Isaac W. Krotzer, John Kemmerley, Thomas J. Kenan, Peter Kenan, William D. Lee, Henry Lance, William Lightner, Amos Ladd, William Lute, Newton Long, Henry A. . Mowry, Jrvin Michael, Joseph T. Myers, Jacob E. Moary, William Miller, John Miller, Jackson McDonald, James A. Mills, Winfield G. Mclntire, . Martin Mowry, Samuel Myers, John Ira Overmire, Thomas Price, Joseph Putas, John Bozell, Jacob Sampsel, Adam Strout, Rariah Shasteen, Peter C. Smith, 34° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Daniel Spoon, Valentine Shale, Jacob Shale, Leonard Smith, Steward F. Shoup, John M. Stall, John Shutts, Isaiah VanDersole, Daniel Warner, Taylor G. Wickersham, Samuel Warner, Andrew Whit more, Levi Wall, Francis M. Winters, Cyrus Wise, Henry Walters, Joseph Whitehead, Nelson Winters, Lafayette Wright, Benjamin Wright, Gustavus Young. COMPANY I. PRIVATES. John R Bulger, Samuel Lutz, James M. Lindsey, John T. Meek, Samuel McCormick, Pierson Milan Parson, Charles M. Richards, Sylvester Robinson, Jacob Remelshosher, Edwin Stone, Abel Willis, Edwin Van Doren, Abram Van Doren. COMPANY K. PRIVATES. Melancthon Albert, John Q. Andrews, William Benner, James Benner, Silas Bowlus, Edward Bower- sox, Levi Bowersox, William Boyer, Amos Boyer, Simon Bowersox, Romanus Binkley, Emanuel Bow ersox, John Cochran, Amos Comicom, George Cross, William Deemer, David Davis, Joseph Druck- enmiller, John Downing, Noah Eversole, Frederick Friar,, Solomon Fetterman, Peter Fisher, Sardis Fisher, Daniel Gam, David Geesman, Ernest Gree- per, Wesley Hullinger, James Hartgrove, Zacheus Hendricks, Charles Haccum, Adam Ickes, Charles June, John Koons, Samuel Sinton, William Leo- malia, J.oseph Mapes, Harrison Mowrey, Daniel Miller, Solomon Manch, Aaron Mowrey, John Moyer, Edward Overmeyer, Henry Overmeyer, Michael Overmeyer, Amos Overmeyer, Isaac Over meyer, Homer Overmeyer, George Oliger, Lafa yette Ridout, Franklin Ridout, George Rearick, Joseph Rearick, William Reckerd, Daniel Reed, Samuel Reed, Park Rickele, John Remsburg, Jerome Seibert, Daniel Stutts, Levi Smith, George Skinner, Gustavus Schert, Aaron Stufler, Henry Shively, Monroe H. Seibert, Moses Ulch, Israel Walborn, Emanuel Walter, Joshua Walter, Josiah. Wolf, Peter Woolcot, Andrew J. Wolf, Fer dinand Wilson, Charles Zichraft. The following named men, members of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth regi ment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, died during their term of service, as shown by the records of the Adjutant General's office : COMPANY A. Peter Eberly, July 17, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Ross Myers, July 27, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Walter M. Myers, July 30, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. COMPANY B. James Field, July 9, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Joseph Sparks, August 20, 1864,, at For Ethan Allen, Virginia; Elijah West, August 31, 1864, at Clyde, Ohio; William Whitehead, July 18, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. COMPANY C. E. C. Beistle, July 21, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; John Smith, August 1, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. COMPANY D. Isaac N. Bricker, August 7, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; David Lichty, August 9, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; James Y. Orr, August 9, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; George H. Snyder, July 29, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. COMPANY E. Samuel Joyce, July 12, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Elias D. Martin, July 12, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Allen K. Rohrer, August 7, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. COMPANY F. David Halter, July 25, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Edwin Holcum, July 21, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Daniel Rice, July 14, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Gilbert Williams, August 6, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. COMPANY I. S. W. Hollingshead, August 12, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Viginia; David Marion, July 5, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. COMPANY K. Silas Bowlus, July 3, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Jacob Hausborger, July 21, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; John Karnes, August 12, 1864, at Defiance, Ohio; Harrison Mowery, August 23, 1864, at Washington, District of Columbia; Lafayette Ridout, July 25, 1864, at Fort Fthan Allen, Virginia; William Reckerd, August 1, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Jerome Seibert, July 17, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia; Ferdinand Wilson, August 5, 1864, at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. Of the sad accidents which occurred none was more regretted than the over looking of John Downey (or Downing), a private of company K. He was ac cidentally left in the hospital at the Soldiers' Home, near Washington, and died September 6, 1864, and is buried in the National cemetery at Arlington, Vir ginia, in grove eight thousand three hun dred and forty-six. He rests in a beauti ful spot, beneath the foliage of an over hanging oak tree, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 34i ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHTY-SIXTH REGI MENT OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY. This regiment was one of those raised under the last call of the President, to serve for one year, and was composed of men gathered from all parts of Ohio, the great majority of them having already seen ar duous service — of the regimental officers, all but two had seen service. At 1 2 o'clock on the 2d day of March, 1865, the last company to complete the regiment was mustered in at Camp Chase, and placed under the command of Colonel Thomas F. Wildes, who on the nth of the same month was made a brevet brigadier-gen eral. Its rendezvous was Camp Chase. It moved in boats to Louisville, and there, taking the cars, was soon at Nashville. On the 8th of March it left Nashville for Mur- freesborough, arriving there on the ioth of March, 1865. The march of the night of the 9th of March was one which will long be remembered by the men of the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth. There was not a tent in the command — the regimental quartermaster had not yet been mustered in and could not legally draw them, if they were to be had. There was rain and snow during the day, and at night the weather turned very cold. In all their three years' previous service the men had never experienced such a night. The cold was intense, but not a murmur of com plaint was heard. The destination of the regiment was Cleveland, Tennessee, where it went into camp, and, following the ex ample of the old soldiers, soon erected comfortable quarters. On the 2d of May, 1865, the regiment moved from Cleveland to Dalton, and re mained there a few days. General Wildes, meantime, had been assigned to the com mand of a brigade at Chattanooga, and, on his request, the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth was transferred to his brigade. At Chattanooga Lieutenant- Colonel Wil- helm disciplined the men to such profi ciency that the regiment became the best drilled of the command. On the 20th of July the One Hundred and Eighty-sixth was ordered to Nashville. This consequently returned General Wildes to the command of his regiment. Sep tember 13, orders were received tO' pre pare the rolls for the muster out of the regiment. On the 25th of September they were mustered out, and paid, at Co lumbus, Ohio. The regiment faithfully and earnestly performed every duty re quired of it, and bore a'll its privations without a whisper of complaint, and, if the continuance of the war had required, they would have been found equal to the best and bravest of the defenders of the Union. To this regiment Sandusky county fur nished the following named men, most of whom as has been said, had seen service before : COMPANY E. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain John L. Greene. First Lieutenant Edward Cook. Second Lieutenant James Daugherty. PRIVATES. Alonzo Aldrich, Edmund R. Ash, John Applegate, Austin Applegate, Seldon Arnold, Peter H. Baker, Henry Baker, Isaac Carl, Harrison G. Claghorn, Edward S. Cooper, John M. Davis, Henry Dyer, Isaac M. Dickens, Jacob Doll, Edward P. Daharsh, George Drew, Henry Delling, George Endsley, Mar tin Eckhart, Henry W. Ernst, Thomas Fowler, Na than Foster, Orin M. Geisman, George W. Greener, Orville R. Hine, William S. Hammond, Henry Hunsinger, Eugene A. Hodges, Isaac H. Hughes, Isaiah Hague, Henry W. Imler, Francis N. Kinney, Henry Lopp, William McCraw, John G. Michael, George Miller, Philip Michael, Adam Miller, Calvin F. Miller, Henry Oberhouse, George B. Overmyer, Calvin Pratt, William Pike, Barnard Poorman, Gil bert Perna, John O. Quince, George W. Roush, George Ryan, Frederick Riser, Conrad Sennert, Joseph Strasbaugh, Henry Spade, Jacob Snyder, Benjamin F. Sprout, Philip Shafer, Jacob Steinard, Martin Shroily, Henry Tucker, Luke Tuttle, Ezra B. Tuckerman, Charles I. Tyler, John W. Tyler, James Walden, William A. Wilson, George Wir- 342 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY mess, George Wright, Rufus Lybarger, Joseph Kihn. THE THIRD OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. The Third Ohio Cavalry was organized in September, 1861, at Monroeville, in Huron county, Ohio. Captain William B. Amsden recruited a company designated company D, in .Sandusky, Colonel Lewis Zahm being the moving spirit of the organization of the regiment. It moved from Camp Worces ter, near Monroeville, to Camp Dennison on the 14th of January, 1862. From there it went to Jeffersonville, Indiana, op posite Louisville, Kentucky, in the follow ing February. Then it moved on the 2d of March, 1862, to Nashville, Tennes see, and arrived there March 18. On the 20th of March it left Nashville for Pittsburg Landing. On the 4th of April, 1862, General Buell detached the first battalion and sent it to Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, to oppose Biffle's rebel cavalry there. The rebels were met and driven out of Lawrenceburg. Several rebels were wounded and one man killed and six horses captured. Another detachment, under Major John H. Foster, was sent to Mount Pleasant on the 6th of April to seize a quantity of bacon, which was duly captured and turned over to the quarter master. It then joined the regiment at Savannah, whither the Third had moved in advance of Buell's army. On the 25th of April it marched up to Pittsburg Land ing and went into camp four miles from the river. During the first year of its service the Third Ohio Cavalry was attached to Gen eral T. J. Wood's division, and most of the time was under his immediate com mand; and the history of. Wood's division is referred to for the gallant acts the regi ment performed. From this time on the regiment did faithful service. It fought many hard battles and displayed those qualities which reflect honor to every in dividual, whether officer or private, who was so fortunate as to be on its rolls. To give a detailed account of the marches, charges and services of the brave and gal lant body of men, would need a whole book. It fought, and marched,- .and charged with unflinching obedience to orders. . It suffered without complain ing all through the war. It finished its long career of arduous service at Macon, Georgia. It was, during the latter part of its service, under command of Captain E. M. Colver, and under him did some glorious work. Under orders from Gen eral Thomas the Third turned over its horses and arms at Macon, and was ordered to report at Nashville, Tennessee, for muster out. Proceeding to Louisville, Kentucky, and thence to Camp Chase, Ohio, the regiment was there paid off and discharged on the 14th day August, 1865, having served four years lacking twenty days. The following is the roster and roll of the men furnished to this grand regiment from Sandusky county : COMPANY D. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain William B. Amsden. First Lieutenant Richard B. Wood. Second Lieutenant George F. Williams. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Quartermaster Sergeant Henry H. Sears. Sergeant Edward Haines. Sergeant Joseph A. Hill. Sergeant Paul Deal. Sergeant George W. Butler. Sergeant William L. Stackhouse. Corporal John Linebaugh. Corporal Jacob Stahls. Corporal Charles S. Kelsey. Corpora1 William Meredith. Corporal Michael Farmer. Corporal George Walcott. Corporal Dennis D. Glass. Corporal William A. Blanden. Blacksmith Oliver Mallerne. Blacksmith Gabriel Burrough. Teamster John L. Dickinson. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 343 PRIVATES. George Abel, Hezekiah Albee, William Albee, Stephen Bice, Edward Cavil, John Clary, Joseph Deitrich, John A. Deitz, Hezekiah Edwards, Wheeler Ferguson, Aaron Fought, Peter Grigwire, Lewis Grigwire, Alanson Grover, Henry Grayback, Levi Hair, Maricfn Hawk, Philip C. Huffman, Allen Holcomb, Jacob Helmkee, Benjamin F. Hill, Thomas Jackson, Milo James, James Kelsey, Rich ard Lemmon, Daniel H. Lentz, Sardis B. Lock- wood, David O. Lucas, Jacob Miller, Abel Miller, Reuben Miller, Marion Minkley, George W. Muney, Samuel Heff, George Heff, Thomas Odell, Joseph Parrish, Jefferson Peck, Obid C. Russell, Henry Stahl, Isaiah Stout, Joseph G. M. Stackhouse, Da vid West, George D. Walker, James White, Henry Yeasting, Julius Beck, John R. P. Foster, William A. Gregg, Hiram Arlin, Hiram Aldridge, Silas C. Boor, James S. Donnell, William Eno, William H. Fawsy, Augustus Graback, Dennis Gem, Samuel Games, Thomas M. Hill, Gilbert W. Hill, Philip Hathaway, Barzillai Inman, William L. Long, George Michael, John Sweet, Emanuel D. Smith, George W. Smith, Solomon Shively, John Temons, John Buck, John C. Curry, Harvey Kerns, Henry P. Pope, Franklin Ream, Charles Ferguson. COMPANY F. PRIVATES. Samuel Riggs, Martin Rowe, James Watson, John Young, Barkdall Arnott, James Arnott, James H. Green, John Wall. COMPANY K. PRIVATES. William Jones, James McCormick. THE NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. This regiment was recruited in the fall and winter of 1&62. The nucleus of the regiment was raised in the central and southern portion of the State, with ren dezvous at Zanesville. It did faithful ser vice, for the particulars of which the reader may consult the history of Ohio in the War. The following is the list of names given the writer from records as men from San dusky county: COMPANY 1. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. Sergeant James Turner. PRIVATES. Francis H. Bartlett, Ferdinand Bates, Jefferson Baker, Oscar T. Lefever, William H. Nortrip, Henry D. VanFleet. COMPANY K. PRIVATES. Henry W. Baker, Winfield S. Ballard, Benjamin F. Bolus, Henry C. Dicken, Curtis S. Elder, William Fisher, Elias Howard, Valentine Lybarger, Samuel G. Martin, Daniel S. Moses, John Momyshaffer, Alexander J. Ogle, Francis Overmyer, Benjamin Philips, Joel G. Woodruff, James R. Wilson, Wil liam M. Wyant, Jacob Yourts. TENTH OHIO VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. The following is a list of men who volun teered from Sandusky county and enlisted in the Tenth Ohio Volunteer Cavalry. For the services performed by this regiment the reader is refered to Ohio in the War, by Reid. COMPANY G. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICER. Corporal Jehial Halliday. PRIVATES. Francis Howell, Uriah Mitchell, Andrew Powers. This list is defective because it fails to mention Lieutenant James H. Hafford, who was afterwards promoted to captain, was taken prisoner, his horse being killed and so falling on his legs as to prevent his escape from the enemy; a brave soldier and worthy commander of his company. Sandusky county also contributed patri otic and brave men to other military or ganizations as follows: ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-SIXTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY COMPANY F. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Martin Edgar. First Lieutenant Samuel W. Curtis. Second Lieutenant Sterry H. Cole. PRIVATES. David Acker, Larry Arnold, William H. Ames, Jacob Burden, Simon DeGraff, Peter R. Draper, Isaac N. Degraff, Peter D. Norris, Edmund J. Hus- ted, Abbot Jones, William M. Jenkins, Joseph W. Lee, Marshall Lester, Robert Lester, Marshall W. Lowe, Thomas Millman, John Tenney, John B. Per kins, Walter Pitayo, David M. Pelton, William Rice, Dwight Ruggles, Henry Sayers, John Sly, Lyman J. Swift, Van Renssalear Swift, Wilber Waldron, Giles Yapel, Andrew J. Lockwood, Thomas W. Mil ler, Horace Draper, Allen D. Owens, Henry C. Owens, William S. Smith, Sperry Green, Cornelius S. Plue, George W, Steele, 344 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ONE HUNDRED AND THIRTY-NINTH OHIO VOLUNTEER INFANTRY — COMPANY H. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain L. W. Davis. First Lieutenant L. B. Shafer. Second Lieutenant George A. Hall. PRIVATES. John Barr, James Bradshaw, Clark Daniels, Jere miah Daniels, Henry Garvin, William N. Golden, Christian Heisy. COMPANY I. COMMISSIONED OFFICERS. Captain Thomas J. Davis. First Lieutenant Samuel H. Eckelburg. Second Lieutenant Abraham Balyeat. PRIVATES. William Adams, George Bashaw, James Babcock, Matthias Earney, Joseph Ellis, Hessy Edwards, George Fitzgerald, George Higley, John Lance, James Pearson, William Pearson. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTY-FOURTH OHIO' NATIONAL GUARD — COMPANY H. PRIVATES. William J. Raymond, Merritt C. Beymer. SEVENTEENTH BATTERY, LIGHT ARTILLERY. Private Edwin Snyder. TWENTY-SECOND BATTERY. PRIVATES. Andrew J. Culp, William H. Deal, John W. Knapp, Charles Neff, Andrew J. Paden, Daniel M. Shiveley, Clarence Williams, Thomas M. Hill, Jo seph C. Knapp. TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. COMMISSIONED OFFICER. Major Rutherford B. Hayes. THIRTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT, OHIO VOLUN TEER INFANTRY — COMPANY B. Corporal Nicholas Messer. Private Jacob Kopp. COMPANY G. PRIVATES. Henrich Boesinger, Frederick Emseh, Carl Heim- burger, Jacob Loesch, Philip Loesch, John W, Loesch, Jacob Mueller, Valentine Oetzel, John Buener, Ernst Saupe, Joseph Twaerenbold, Samuel Zimmerman. SIXTIETH REGIMENT. COMPANY I. NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS, Corporal George Runnion, Drummer William K. Thomas. privates. . Job Runnion, George Weaver. FOURTH REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEERS. COMPANY B. Private Andrew J. Bitle. SEVENTH COMPANY OHIO VOLUNTEER SHARP-SHOOTERS. Corporal Benton Deyo. Private Andrew Hush. SECOND REGIMENT OHIO VOLUNTEER HEAVY ARILLERY — COMPANY L. PRIVATES. Jacob Hoover, Byron Holly, Albert E. Ingham, Jacob Smith, Nelson R. Forester. Sandusky county gave to the Naval Service in United States Mississippi squadron, Lysander C. Ball, Charles E. Everett and Peter Parker. OUR WOMEN AS "HELPMEET" IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. No fair or true history of the war to suppress the Southern rebellion, and to save the Constitution and the Government, can be written without placing on record, by the side of the heroic deeds of the men, the noble acts and the uncomplaining en durance of suffering and privation patiently borne by the patriotic women of Sandusky county, as well as everywhere in the country. In the autumn of 1861, President Lin coln and General Scott became convinced that the war would be prolonged through the approaching winter, and convinced also that, with all the efforts Government could make with the resources then in its hands, there must be much suffering in the army necessarily to be kept in the field, for want of clothing and other sup plies, made an appeal to the mothers and daughters of the republic for help. They were requested to make an effort to fur nish shirts, drawers, socks, mittens, etc., to the soldiers in the field, and also ¦snch HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 345 articles as the sick and wounded might need. And now we pause to consider and ask : What could a whole volume upon the then alarming condition of the country say or prove better than an appeal of this kind, made by the commander-in-chief of the army and navy of the United States, and his venerable, war-worn lieutenant-general, to the women of the country? Alarm and fear, and want of resources to carry on the war successfully, are all implied in this appeal to the women. The wisdom and experience of the men who made this ap peal are obvious. They knew well the organism of the two sexes — that man is strongest in intellect and reasoning, while woman is more affectionate and intuitive than man; that her intuition often leads her to safer conclusions in the practical affairs of life, than the slow judgment and reasoning of man. They knew also that, while love is the controlling influence in woman, when the object of her love was placed in a position of danger and suffer ing, her labor to rescue and relieve was intense, sleepless, and knew no bound but the limit of life itself. These wise ones knew also the power of woman in the do mestic and social circles of life to stimulate man to action. This wise and timely ap peal to mothers and daughters was well made and most nobly responded to, es pecially by the women of Sandusky county. On the 14th of October, 1861, at a meet ing held in Buckeye Hall, in Fremont, for the purpose of recruiting for the Seventy- second regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, among other proceedings resolutions were passed noticing this appeal to the mothers and daughters of the country, and requesting that they organize a society for the purpose indicated. SOLDIERS' AID SOCIETY. Promptly after publication of the reso lutions, the wprneri 0f the vicinity were called together, and on the 19th day of October, 1861, about one hundred of the best and most influential women of the city met at Birchard Hall to consider the matter, and organized a society, adopted a constitution, and elected officers, as fol lows: Mrs. R. P. Buckland, president; Mrs. James Vallette, vice-president; Mrs. Geo. C. Canfield, treasurer; Mrs. A. Phelps, secretary. Mrs. S. Buckland, Mrs. Isaac E. Ams den, Mrs. Dr. St. Clair, Mrs. James W. Wilson, Mrs. James Graham, Mrs. A. Norton, Miss M. Raymond, and Miss Eveline Ball, directors. The visiting committee was as follows: Mrs. F. I. Norton, Mrs. L. Canfield, Mrs. William B. Sheldon, Mrs. Oscar Ball, Mrs. Piatt Brush, Mrs. M. W. St. Clair, and Miss Bell Nyce. The receiving and distributing commit tee was composed of Mrs. J. B. G. Downs,, Mrs. George Raymond, and Mrs. Lewis Canfield. The object of the society was to collect arid forward to the Union soldiers cloth ing, medicine, and food fit for the sick soldiers, lint, bandages, and every other article available to relieve our soldiers from the sufferings incident to the war. The society at once made its organiza tion and objects known through the press of the county, and gave notice that any donations to the soldiers might be de posited with Stephen Buckland, or R. C. McCulloch, of Fremont. At a meeting of the Soldiers' Aid So ciety, held January 30, 1862, the follow ing officers were elected for the ensuing year: Mrs. A. H. Miller, president; Mrs. J. L. Greene, vice-president; Miss M. Ray mond, secretary; Mrs. George C. Canfield, treasurer. The board of directors was as follows; 346 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Mrs. S. Grant, Mrs. Isaac Sharp, Mrs. A. B. Taylor, Mrs. Henry Lesher, Mrs. Wil liam B. Sheldon, Mrs. P C. Dean, Mrs. I. Camfield, Mrs. Theodore Clapp, Mrs. Oscar Ball, and Miss Alvira Ball. Mrs. F. I. Norton, Mrs. Piatt Brush, and Mrs. Benjamin Flint, composed the receiving and distributing committee. To give a detailed account of all that our women did for the safety and comfort of our soldiers in the service, whether in the field or hospital, or in prison, would fill a book, but is not necessary to a fair appreciation of their works. From the day the society was organized, they worked for the comfort and health of the men in the army. They worked as only women can work for country, and for loved ones away, and in danger. Their minds and hands were busy in contriving and execut ing plans for the most good, and how much good they accomplished the Infinite alone can ever know and measure. Women whose hands had before been strangers to work, and whose circum stances in life then were such as to free them from toil at home, cheerfully met and mingled with .those who had known toil all their lives, on a common level in their great work, and toiled together and earnestly for the soldiers of the Union army. And the soldier in prison, or in hospital, or in camp on duty, received the letters from the noble women at home, bearing messages of recollection, kindness and encouragement, accompanied with the free offerings of things needed for their comfort, —the soldier was not only relieved and comforted, but was inspired with fresh and higher courage to fight and suffer on to a glorious close of the war. The records of the society are not at hand, but we have gathered sufficient facts to give future generations the kind of work they performed all through the war after the society was first organized. Al most every week, and sometimes oftene shipments were made of articles needed. One or two would capture a horse and spring wagon, drive through the country, calling on every one they met for dona tions. They would enter a well-to-do far mer's residence. The good wife on being informed of their object, would at once throw open closet, larder and cellar, and whatever the callers wanted they took, and the donor was happy in the giving. Her store of preserves, jellies, pickles, blankets, old sheets, in fact anything they wanted was at their disposal, and the wagon would soon return loaded with good and com forting . things for the boys in the war. These collections and the donations from those nearer the head of the organization were packed in boxes, and promptly sent by railroad to where they were most needed. We here append the quarterly report of the Soldiers' Aid Society of Fremont, made February 4, 1864,' to give a sample of the articles collected and forwarded, also a re port ot a similar organization at Clyde, in September, 1864, which are as fol lows : During the quarter, one box, containing 8 woolen shirts, 26 pairs socks, 7 pairs drawers, 3 sheets, 6 towels, 8 cotton shirts, 9 double gowns, 29 hand kerchiefs, 3 pounds compresses, 5 cans peaches, 28 pounds dried apples, 5 pounds dried cherries, 4 pounds peaches (dried), 1 pair miitens, 2 pounds sugar, 4 pounds soap, 2 cans of apple-butter, 1 can of tomatoes. This box contained also the Woodville donations, viz.: 17 shirts, 4 pairs socks, 8 pillows, 6 pillow slips, 4 pounds old cotton, and 9 pounds of dried fruit. Also two other boxes, containing 14 flannel shirts, n cotton shirts, 13 pairs drawers, 10 pillow slips, 7 sheets, 7 towels, 21 handkerchiefs, 12 pairs socks, 7 jats apple butter, 16 pounds dried apples, 6 po'unds dried peaches, 5 pounds soap, '2 rolls cotton, 3Jars cherries; 2 boxes, 3 cans, and 2 bottles tomatoes; 1 bottle wine, 1 jar cherries, 1 jar peaches, 1 jar quinces, 1 jar raspberries, and 1 gallon boiled cider. Mrs. Dougherty, President. Mrs. B. Amsden, Secretary. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 347 CLYDE AID SOCIETY. Clyde, September 23, 1864. The second financial year of our society has come, and we still find ourselves in a cruel war. Though at present we rejoice over our victories, and were it not for Northern rebels we might think the work almost done; but they will meet a fall one day that will tell them and their children the doom of traitors. In casting up our proceedings we find as follows : Money received during the year $266 01 Paid out 258 91 Leaving in treasury $ 7 10 We return pur thanks to Mr. H. Adams for his donations — four hundred and fifty dollars, — also for the melons; thanks to Mr. Hatfield for money re ceived from taking pictures on Thursdays. All who want a good picture call on Mr. Hatfield on Thurs days, and you will not only have a good picture but will help the Aid, as half of the proceeds of that day go to the society. To Messrs. Lemon, Mook, Streeter, Russell, Nichols, Tichnor, Birdsey, and Steward for fleeces pf wool, our thanks. And to all who have so kindly donated during the year, we say keep oh, as we shall need all the help we can have in these times of high prices. We have shipped to the Commission at Cincinnati during the year the follow ing: Two coats, 4 pair mittens, 2 sheets, 74 shirts, 54 pair drawers, 9 comforts, 215 handkerchiefs, 45 double gowns, 33 pillows, 35 pillow-cases, 64-' pairs socks, 77 towels,.- 293 pads, 1,492 yards bandages, 1,967 compresses, 19 rolls linen, cotton and flannel, g napkins, 6 arm-slings, 24 rolls wide bandages, 3 vests, 6 pair slippers, 4 packages hops, 3 of sage, 374 magazines and papers, 3 dozen buttons, 1 ounce linen thread, 17 quires letter-paper, 13 packages envelopes, 56 combs, 47 cakes of soap, 4 dozen lead- pencils, one dozen pens and holders, bunch tooth picks, a fans, 1 can sugar, 1 package beans, 163 pounds apples, 80 pounds small fruits, 3 pounds canned "beef, 1 keg pickled cabbage, 3^ bushel potatoes, 1 box blackberry root, 29 quarts cucum ber catsup, 1 quart wine, 8 quarts canned blackber ries, 1 quart candy, 1 quart crab-apple, 1 quart cur rant jelly, 1 quart canned gooseberries, 2 quarts canned raspberries, 8 of peaches, 12 of cherries, 2 boxes mustard, 4 pounds com starch, 1 can fruit, kind not known. , At a reorganization meeting September 22, the following officers were elected: Mrs. Nathan P. Birdseye, re-elected president; Mrs. Dr. Weaver, vice-president; Mrs. Colonel Eaton, secretary; Mrs. Dr. Seeley, treasurer; Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Jack son, directors. Mrs. Nathan Birdseye, President. Mrs. Bradley Tuttle, Secretary. These are mere specimens of what was done, and bv no means indicate the extent of shipments made during the four years of the war after the women's movement was inaugurated. The women of Fremont did not limit their work to sending good things for ward for the soldiers. As the hardships, exposure, and the bloody work on the fields of battle went on, during 1863, 1864, and part of 1865, thousands of men were discharged for disability and; sent home. Such women as Mrs. John R. Pease, Mrs. R, P. Buckland, Mrs. Dr. Stillwell, Mrs. Grant, and probably others in concert with them, discovered these soldiers making their way homeward in destitute circumstances. They at once seized the opportunity for doing good, and rented a house and furnished it with comforts for needy, returning invalid sol diers. They watched for these needy patriots and when one was found he was at once taken to their impromptu home for needy soldiers. They would place him there and furnish him with medicine" if needed, and food and lodging until he was refreshed and able to go on his jour ney; and if he had no means to travel with, the means also were furnished hirh through their efforts, and the thankful sol dier, sick, wounded, or needy, was sent towards his home rejoicing. Such women need no words of praise; their acts praise them better, before God and man, than language can. 348 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. BI0GRAFH1CAL SKETCHES, GENERAL CHARLES GRANT EATON. As a soldier, physician, and citizen, Col onel Eaton is alike favorably and honor ably remembered. He was one of those peculiar men whose ability commanded respect, and whose qualities ingratiated him into the affections of his companions. Since people are naturally interested in what is said of their friends, this sketch is sure to receive a general reading. Charles Grant Eaton was a son of Abel and Julia Eaton, and was born at Lowell, Massachusetts, September 27, 1825. His parents removed to Ohio in 1828, and settled in Licking county. Charles worked on a farm and attended the common schools of that community until young manhood, when he began the study of medicine in Granville, under the tutorage of Dr. Austin. He attended lectures at Cincinnati College of Medicine, where he graduated in the class of 1847. Dr. Eaton began practice at Savannah, Athens county, Ohio. He married, May 15, 1849, Mary H. Conant, who was born in Worcester county, Massachusetts, July 8, 1825. Her parents, Lot and Mary Conant, settled in West Virginia in 1830. In 1853 Dr. Eaton began the practice of his profession in Clyde. His tact and skill soon found favor, and a full share of the practice of the eastern part of the county came under his care. His pro fessional career was unintuirupted until the opening of the Rebellion. The politi cal storm had not been raging without his notice. He felt that patriotism demanded political activity, and responded heartily to the call. When the country was aroused by the sound of battle, Dr. Eaton abandoned his practice and began recruiting troops for the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer In fantry, then being formed mainly through the efforts of General Buckland. Dr. Eaton was complimented for his activity with the captaincy of company A, com posed mostly of citizens of the east part of the county. The biography of Dr. Eaton from now until the close of the war is closely inter woven with the history of the noble Sev enty-second Although his commissioned rank in the service did not obtain higher than the lieutenant-colonelcy, he was in command of the regiment during many of its most perilous expeditions. The regi ment, soon after enlistment, was ordered up the Tennessee River. At Shiloh Cap tain Eaton was quite sick, and in conse quence was unable to participate actively in this engagement, in which the lieuten ant-colonel was killed and the major cap tured, The command then devolved up on Colonel Eaton, until the regiment reached Camp No. 6, in front of Corinth, when Colonel Buckland, who had been in command of the brigade, reassumed command of the regiment. Captain Eaton was promoted to major July 23, 1862. In November, 1862, Col onel Buckland being again called to the command of a brigade, Major Eaton was given command of the regiment on Grant's Mississippi campaign, and several independent expeditions, until the return of Lieutenant-Colonel Crockett in Janu ary, 1863. He served with credit through the Vicksburg campaign, and was soon after commissioned lieutenant-colonel. In the absence of the colonel he commanded the regiment until it was mustered out, September 11, 1865. Colonel Eaton commanded his regi ment on McPherson's expedition to Can ton, Mississippi, and in Sturgis' fight with Forrest near Tupelo, Mississippi, where his bravery and devotion saved many men GENERAL CHARLES G. EATON. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 349 from capture. In General A. J. Smith's fights with Forrest; on Mower's raid through Arkansas into Missouri after the rebel General Price; at the battle of Nash ville, December, 1864, where the Seventy- second won distinguished honor; in the attacks upon the forts around Mobile in the spring of 1865, he bore himself like a true soldier. When hostilities had finally ceased, he marched with his command, by way of Montgomery and Selma, to Vicksburg, where the regiment was mus tered out. "He came out of the service," says the memorial of the Army of the Tennessee, "without a blemish on his military record, and at the close of the war was breveted brigadier-general for gallant and meritori ous services." Colonel Eaton was firmly attached to his regiment. He was a man of heart as well as courage. While he was ambitious to honor his regiment, he at the same time protected them so far as possible from rash and hazardous undertakings. An incident illustrating his character as a military commander occurred on the field of Nashville. The lines were drawn up in front of the enemy's position, the Sev enty-second being placed before a strong point. Brigadier-General McMillen sent his aide to Colonel Eaton, ordering him to lead the advance. Eaton saw at once that the execution of this order would be the certain destruction of the regiment. He told the officer to present General McMillen his compliments, and to tell him that he was not going to advance. The aide communicated Eaton's reply to McMillen, who rode in person to the front and repeated the order. Eaton, in his characteristic way, said, in effect: "Gen eral, you can't see the situation. I am here in front where I can, and I tell you this regiment is not going to advance on that position." General McMillen com promised his order, and saved the regi ment from foolish destruction. Colonel Eaton, as it is popularly ex pressed, was "one of the boys"; always ready to join in their amusements, exert himself to relieve their suffering, and make the burdens of army life as light as possible. No body of men could help but be attached to such an officer. Friend ship heightened into love, which has not yet been forgotten by comrades in arms. On one occasion, at a reunion, a veteran caught his old colonel by the hand, and, as he remembered the multiplied kind nesses shown the rank and file on the field, his eyes filled and tears drowned the words with which he wanted to ¦express himself. A similar feeling of affection is cherished by his entire command. After the war Dr. Eaton resumed the practice of his profession in Clyde. He died October 13, 1875. I" ms profession, General Eaton was not bound by any school of practice. He was practical in the treatment of cases, never wanting in resources, and always prompt in their ap plication. While his knowledge of the science of medicine covered a wide range, he relied more upon his own judgment and experience than upon books and rules. He perceived quickly and accu rately, and discriminated finely. A reten tive memory was his faithful servant, and made a diversified experience valuable. As a citizen, General Eaton was enter prising and influential. He was free handed with his money, and loved associ ation. His affable manner, generosity, and interesting conversation caused his companionship to be sought and appreci ated. Although without early training, and never a hard student, he was a well- informed man. His was one of those peculiar minds which absorb the acquire ments of minds with which they come in contact. Having engaged in a corjsulta- 35° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tion of physicians, or social conversation, he came away possessed- of all the infor mation called out. Dr. Eaton was buried with Masonic honors, having been connected with that fraternity from the age of twenty-one years. He was also a member of the' Odd Fellows lodge. Mrs. Eaton is yet a citizen of Clyde. The family consisted of three children — Charles: Henry, born March 14, 1850, lives in Colorado; Mary Julia, born Oc tober 31, 1851, married August 6, 1875, to John H. King, lives in Michigan;' Fred erick C, born January 13, 1861, died March 14, 1862. CHESTER AVERILL BUCKLAND, son of Stephen and Lucy Buckland, was born January 6, 1841, at Edinburg, then in Portage, but now in Summit county. He came with his parents, while quite young, to Fremont,- lind at an early period determined to learn a trade, and be inde pendent. He accordingly served an ap prenticeship at the printing business in the Fremont Journal office, under the in struction of Isaac M. Keeler, the then ed itor and publisher of the paper. He evinced so much manliness and intelli gence that his parents determined to give him an education, and for that purpose sent him to Hudson College. Here young Buckland made rapid progress in his studies,- and developed qualities which promised a high and noble manhood. From the time the war of the Rebellion first broke out, he had a burning desire to en ter the Union army, but could not obtain the consent of his loved and loving mother. When his older brother, Henry W. Buckland, enlisted, and became lieu tenant of Company B, of the Seventy- second regiment, Chester made further appeals to his mother by writing to her from Hudson, asking her to con sent to his enlistment. The' letters he wrote are so full of expressions of filial obedience, and yet so earnest, that they honor both parents and their child. They are given here, not specially to praise young Buckland, but to show the spirit of a representative young man of our county : Hudson, November 10, 1861. Dear Parents: I write home, at the present time, for your permission to enter the army. Not withstanding my great and burning' desire to go and help overturn the rebels, I have held back by your advice, and in accordance with your wishes. You do not know how many times I have regretted I was not in the army, and often I think I seem a coward that I have not gone. But I gave my promise that I should not go without your consent, and I do not wish to break it. A great many of my friends have gone, and to me it seems as if I should be with them. You think me unable to undergo the life of a soldier. I, as well as others, have sound and un blemished limbs, fine-textured muscles, capable of great development, and which can be taught to bear fatigue. To be sure, I am small in stature, but it has been proved that small men make the best sol diers, capable' of enduring more fatigue, excitement, hunger, thirst, and danger than large men, being sounder, and more compactly made. I have calcu lated, the costs, the danger, toil, and privation I will have to undergo, and with your consent, I will most gladly endure them all. Do not refuse me. I know it will cause you many an -anxious hour, but you will love to boast of me, as well as of my brother. I would, of course, want to go with Henry. Besides, I should no longer be a burden to you, but could let you have the most of my money which I would draw from the Government, instead of drawing from you, which you can scarcely spare. Do not think this is a sudden streak in me, for it is not. It has long been forming, and every day becomes stronger and more powerful, and many times I have almost said I would go. You well know that long since I should have gone had you not restrained ine, and now it requires but one word, and I will go. Do not withhold it. The more I see of the hardship, pain, and suffering in this war, the more I want to go and help punish the causes of it. I have delayed long enough, and I feel that I can not do so very long. I think it my duty to go. There are none who are dependent on me, and I can afford, as well as others, to leave my home and all I love for my country's welfare. Now that I have gone thus far, do not refuse me. There are many men who have left their wives and children HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 35' to go. I have neither, and there are none who would suffer should I fall. Besides, I should be in far better health after I got used to it. I had a let ter from Lieutenant Tyler yesterday. He said all were well. I had a letter from Fred Collins during the week; he sends love. I had one from Pollie Stratton Wednesday. I must close now. So good bye, and soon return a favorable reply to your son, Chester A. Buckland. MOTHER, CAN I GO? I am writing to you, mother, knowing well what you will say, When you read with tearful fondness, all I write to you to-day ; Knowing well the flame of ardor, on a loyal mother's part, That will kindle with each impulse, with each throb bing of your heart. I have heard my country calling for her sons that still are. true ; I have loved that country, mother, only next to God and you, And my soul is springing forward to resist her bitter foes; Can I go, my dearest mother? Tell me, mother, can lgo? From the battered walls of Sumter, from the wild waves of the sea, I have heard her cry for succor, as the voice of God to me; In prosperity I loved her, in her days of dark distress; With your spirit in me, mother, could I love that country less? They have pierced her heart with treason ; they have caused her sons to bleed ; They have robbed her in her kindness ; they have tri umphed in her need ; They have trampled on her standard, and she'calls me in her woe. Can I go, my dearest mother? Tell me, mother, can lgo? I am young and slender, mother ; they would call me yet a boy ; But I know the land I live in, and the blessings I en joy. I am old enough, dear mother, to be loyal, proud, and true To the faithful sense of duty I have ever learned from you. We must conquer this rebellion ; let the doubting heart be still ; We must conquer it or perish ; we must conquer, and we will. But the faithful must not falter ; and shall I be want ing? No! Bid me go, my dearest mother. Tell me, mother, can I go? He who led His chosen people, in their efforts to be free From the tyranny of Egypt, will be merciful to me; Will protect me by His power, whate'er I undertake,- Will return me home in safety, dearest mother, for your sake ; Or should this, my bleeding country, need * victim such as me, I am nothing more than others who have perished to be free. On her bosom let me slumber ; on her altar let me lie; I am not afraid, dear mother, in so good a cause to die. There will come a day of gladness, when the people of the Lord Shall look proudly on their banner which His mercy has restored, When the stars, in perfect number, on their azure field of blue, Shall be clustered in a union , then and ever firm and tree. I may live to see it, mother, when the patriot's work is done, And your heart, so full of kindness, will beat proudly for your son ; Or through tears your eyes may see if, with a sadly thoughtful view, And may love it still more dearly for the cost it won from you. I have written to you, mother, with a consciousness of right ; I am thinking of you fondly, with a loyal heart, to night. When I have your noble bidding, which shall bid me to press on, I will come and see you, mother, come, and see you and be gone— In the sacred name of freedom and my country as her due ; In the name of law and justice, I have written this to you. I am eager, anxious, longing, to resist my country's foe. Shall I go, my dearest mother? Tell me, mother, shall I go? — Chester A. Buckland. Camp Shiloh, West Tennessee. ) Saturday April 5, 1862. j Dearest Mother : You may glory in us now. Yesterday, while drilling about'a mile from here, our pickets were fired upon. In a very few moments the Seventy-second was on its way to battle at a double quick-step, company B in the rear. When we arrived at a convenient place, we were deployed as skirmishers, and were to try and surround the rebels. We wandered along a couple of miles. I and Henry were near the end of the company. The 352 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. company was in groups of four, each group twenty paces apart. An order was given to rally on first group, .when the front commenced to fire, but ceased before we could get up. We wandered in a body for near an hour, making frequent halts. Every ear was listening and every eye watching eagerly .for sound or sight of the enemy. Nearly an hour from the first fire we got sight of them again, and nearly all got a chance to fire. We think one was killed or badly wounded. Here we found there were more than we thought, and so we retreated to a kind of a pen built of rails, and then to a big tree on the brow of a ravine. In a little time the rebel cavalry rode up in sight, and then the fight began. I could hear the balls go "whip" through the air, and hear them strike the trees around us. There were a hundred and fifty rebels against forty-four of us ! Once in a while one would drop from his horse or a horse would fall dead or wounded. We would load, run up where we could see, drop on our knees, take aim and fire, and then run back to load. In this manner we made them believe there were a good many more than there were of us. In this part of the fight two of our men were wounded, Charles H. Bennet, in the right leg and James Titsword through the left breast above the heart. When we had fought about three-fourths of an hour, it commenced to rain and hail, which made it diffcult to load without wetting the power. Then the rebels retreated. 'In a very little time it rained so hard we could not see more than a couple of rods, which was just exactly the time for them to ride on to us and cut us in pieces. We threw out guards to watch for them. I never knew it to rain so hard. When the rain had ceased, we saw them forming on a sort of prairie beyond the reach of our Enfields. In a short time they gave a great shout and advanced on us. As soon as they were within good reach, we commenced to drop them again. Thev. had been reinforced to about four or five hundred, beside what may have been in reserve. We fought here about a quarter of an hour more, during which three more were wounded, and several had holes shot in their clothes, one having a thumb broke, two shots in his arm, one through his clothes and one in his boot. Now was the desperate time. The rebels fired a volley, drew sabres and began to advance. They were on three sides of us. Our hearts began to sink. We rallied round the old white oak, each one firmly grasping his gun with its powder-stained bayonet, and determined to give as good as we got. How fierce we felt. Our last chance seemed gone, when a volley sounded in the rear of the rebels. It was the Seventy-second ! How loud the hurrahs sounded then I It was the sweetest music I ever heard ! The rebels turned and fled. We were saved. We fired as long as we could reach them and then took TitSword in care, and then we went over to where part of the rebels had been. We found two mortally wounded ones. Our Enfields make wicked holes. The first was a young boy about eighteen. He was afraid of us, and wanted to know what we would do with him. We promised to take care of him, as we would of our own men. He was assured of this, for one wanted to kill him, .but we raked him so the boy was encouraged. The other was a. man about twenty-five. We carried them as far as the pickets, where we had to leave them, for we could carry them no farther. Each one said there were four or five hundred of them. They were from Alabama, were well dressed and pretty well armed. These two men died last night. The rebels had carried all their wounded and dead away, but our cavalry say they saw about twenty dead rebels in the woods, and there must have been many wounded. I saw four dead horse. Company A passed over the ground where our heaviest fire was aimed, and found a great many sabres, pistols, guns, blankets, and everything they couldn't take away. They had a battery not far from where we were, and the cavalry followed them nearly into it. I have heard our men took two pieces of artillery, but am not certain if it be true. None on our side were killed, but Major Crockett, I fear, is a prisoner. The last seen of him, he was riding like a flash through the woods, fol lowed. by a dozen rebel horsemen. He had no arms with him, and couldn't fight them. A sergeant and a corporal were taken prisoner from company H. Company H had four wounded, one the color-ser geant, old Dr. Gessner's son. He was taken prisoner and told to climb behind one of the rebels, which he would not do. The rebel drew a revolver and snap ped it at him, but it missed fire. He ran while the rebel was cocking it again, when the fellow shot and hit him in the shoulder. Our men took nine or ten prisoners, who said they hadn't thought we could shoot so well. We must have killed about as many as there were of us, for every man took aim, and there are some who don't miss often. Orin England and Eugene Rawson were with our company, and neither one of them had even a pistol; but as soon as Titswood was wounded, Orin took his gun and car tridge box and fought well, while Eugene stood up with the boys and talked and laughed, and told them to keep cool and take good aim. It was no light matter to stand up unarmed, and a lot of fellows shooting at one. While we were bringing in the wounded there was a heavy battle not far from where we fought. Our fight will not probably appear in the papers, but we had a hard straggle, and against most fearful odds. Ten to one is a great disadvan tage. Two minutes more and company B, Seventy- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, would have been no more. We would have all been killed, for each one would have died fighting. It would have been a barren victory, for there would have been a dead rebel or two for every one of us. Our bayonets were HISTORY *OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 353' ;/ ) fixed, and they are sorry things to run upon. We were willing- to stop fighting. How soon we will have another fight I don't know, but any minute the loiig roll maV sound for the battle. ' We may : fight and die? but, mother, your; sons will never quail,: , . , It ^sy getting too dark to , write, so I must close, Good-bye, dear mother, and remember if I die it is for' my couritry. Your son, , i -. Chester A., .Buckland, , That these appeals were successful the above letter shows. The patriotic mother could no longer withhold her con sent. On the 22d day of November he enlisted in company B, of. the Seventy-second regiment, at the age , of twenty years. He went with the regiment to Shiloh, and there, early in the day of the 6th of April, he was wounded in the knee. by> a rifle shot from the enemy. ; The news of his being wounded reached home. : Lists of the wounded; who. had been sent homeward were published- in the papers. The anxious parents watched eagerly thelist of those sent to Ohio, but Chester's name was not found. It ap peared subsequently that by mistake his name was in; the list of those sent to Indiana, which i the friends here did, not search with so much interest. Our people at once, after the battle of Shiloh, sent, a committee there and an other to Cincinnati, , to .look after the rer turning wounded. Dr. L. Q. Rawson, while at Cincinnati, found that young Buckland had ,' died ,qf his wound oh a steamboat which was bringing him to that city from Cairo, < Dr:. , Rawson at once placed the body, in a metallic case, and sent the remains homeward, and informed the parents by telegraph what had hap pened. The remains arrived in due, time, and, after solemn services, were deposited, by a large collection , of mpurning, patriotic citizens in Oakwood cemetery, where he rests. .Who did more, for, the -country, ,, than 45 Chester A. Buckland, who gave: to it a d?arer,: offering than did his father and mother?,, . i . MICHAEL WEGSTEIN. The first man qf the Seventy-second regiment to give his life qn the field pf battle fqr our Union and liberty, was Captain Michael Wegstein,, of company H. , He was born in Baden, Germany, in the year 1818. ,, He emigrated to the United States in 1834, and, as soon as time allowed became an American citizen by naturalization. He was an industrious and useful citizen, and in 1859 was elected sheriff of Sandusky county. In the year 1 86 1 Doctor A. R. Ferguson was elected his successor, whose term of service began on the ist of January, 1862. After the Oc tober election of 1861, Mr. Wegsteihj being defeated in the election by Dr. Ferguson, at once set himself about re cruiting a company of Germans, to form a part of the Seventy-second regiment. He succeeded, notwithstanding' a por tion of his party, the Democratic, was much opposed to the war at that time. Captain Wegstein was a brave, honest; and patriotic man. He ably and faithfully commanded company H, of the Seventy- second regiment, and was with it in all its movements until the morning of the mem orable 6th of April, 1862. At the first ofiset of the rebels in that battle ; he was found. ready and at the head of his com pany. As he was forming them into line for a charge upon the enemy, a minie rifle ball, from the enemy's ranks struck him in the throat, a little, above, the breast bone, and/ he fell dead upon the field pf battle. He was certainly the first man of the Sev enty-second killed in battle, and probab(ly the first life, offered up by the patriots t of Sandusky -in the great struggle for the Na tion's life. Michael Wegstein was an bpn^st 354 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. man, faithful in the discharge of all the social duties of life — a good citizen in all respects. He was always a brave man, and a patriot who gave his life for his adopted country. If Sandusky county shall ever perform her sacred duty in honoring her soldiers with a monument to them, the name of Michael Wegstein should have a promi nent place, and justly and truly record the fact that of all the men the county gave to the Seventy-second regiment, he, an hon est, brave, and patriotic man, was the first to die in battle. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HERMAN CANFIELD, of Medina county, was the next offering of life on the field of battle from the Seventy- second regiment. He was a scholar, a graduate, a lawyer, and left a good and lu crative practice to enter the service. By his efforts a company was enlisted in the eastern portion of the State. A few min utes after Captain Weigstein fell, Lieuten ant-Colonel Canfield was shot through the breast while riding in front of his com mand, on the morning of the 6th of April, 1862, in the battle of Shiloh, and died on the 7th of the same month. MAJOR EUGENE ALLEN RAWSON. Among the noble men who have earned the gratitude of a Nation, by giving their strength and their lives to its defence, few there are whose memory deserves to be more warmly cherished than he whose name stands at the head of this article. While at school at Homer, New York, and just about finishing his academic course, pre paratory to entering Yale College, the President's first call came for volunteers, and young Rawson, not stopping to count the cost of the sacrifice he was about to make, joined the Twelfth New York regi ment as a private. In that capacity he took a noble part in the battle of Bull Run, evincing great coolness and bravery. When the fortunes of the day went against General McDowell's army, and when, in the confusion that followed, regiments were thrown into disorder and scattered, he and a tried companion sought the pro tection of a tree, from behind which they loaded and fired until his friend fell dead by his side. In December, 1861, he was appointed adjutant of the Seventy-second Ohio Vol unteer Infantry by the Governor of Ohio, and was accordingly transferred to it by the War Department. He could have received no transfer more agreeable to his feelings, and none more complimentary. The Sev enty-second was chiefly raised in his own county, and was composed in a great meas ure of those who had been the compan ions of his boyhood. Entering upon the duties of his new field, he at once exhibit ed a peculiar fitness for the position to which he had been called, and, from his previous experience in the service, was of great advantage in the early training of the regiment. He left Fremont with the regiment in January, 1862, when it moved to Camp Chase, preparatory to setting out to its final destination, Paducah and the Southwest. When, joined to the Army of the Tennessee, the Seventy-second disem barked at Pittsburg Landing, the men composing the command were mostly sick, suffering terribly from the effect of their transit and with the disease peculiar to that Southern climate, to which they were un used. Major Rawson's natural buoyancy of spirit, and cheerful, sprightly manner could not otherwise than revive the droop ing spirits of the boys, amongst whom, in their hour of calamity, he went about "doing good." On Friday preceding the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 355 battle of Shiloh, Major Crockett, with company A and company B, was sent for ward by Colonel Buckland on a recon- noissance to ascertain the reason of the unusual firing heard in the direction of the picket -line. Advancing some distance and failing to discover the cause, Major Crockett separated his little command, moving himself with one company to the left, while he sent company B, accom panied by Adjutant Rawson, to the right. Major Crockett's company, after proceed ing but a little way, was met by a superior force of rebel cavalry. The Major and some of his men were captured, while the balance barely made good their retreat. Company B, continuing its course to the right, unconscious of the fate of their gal lant Major and his men, were confronted at a distance of a mile or two farther by the same cavalry which had so summarily disposed of their companions, now largely reinforced. Comprehending at a glance their situation, they discovered at once that retreat was impossible, and that the alternative remained to surrender or at tempt to hold the enemy at bay until rein forcements should arrive. The latter course was unhesitatingly adopted. Choos ing an elevated piece of ground, covered sparsely by trees, they prepared for the attack. Their position placed the enemy in front, the ground being unfavorable for a flank movement. Making a fallen tree their breastwork, those forty men, who had never before stood face to face with an enemy, who, for the first time were re quired to point a gun or pull a trigger — held in check, for hours, six hundred rebel cavalry, by emptying the saddles of the advance until, to their great relief, a volley in the rear of their enemy announced the arrival of part of the Seventy-second regiment, led by Colonel Buckland, who, becoming alarmed at their long absence, hastened to their rescue at a double quick, and arrived just in time to defeat a charge the rebels had drawn sabre to make.-- Although Major Rawson was not in command of the detachment, yet owing to the feeble health of Captain Raymond, the conduct of the defence devolved principally upon him. Under his direc tion a volley of only ten guns was fired at one time, so that a sufficient reserve should remain to mete out with steady aim another and still another volley, if the dashing chivalry should choose to follow up their advance after receiving the first round. After the fight was over, the enemy's dead of men and horses counted, and the few wounded prisoners cared for, all, both officers and men, were lavish of the praise they bestowed upon their young adjutant. Without a musket himself, he picked up that of a wounded comrade, and fired his rounds with a composure that did no dis credit to his exploit at Bull Run. When the battle opened on the 6th of April, two days afterwards, and the rebels came like an avalanche upon our unsus pecting troops at Shiloh,' Buckland's brigade responded to the beat of the long-roll with such alacrity that I hey stood in the very front of Sherman's divis ion, ready to meet the coming shock be fore the enemy had gained rifle distance of their position. Colonel Buckland be ing in command of the brigade, the com mand devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Canfield. Major Crockett, the only other field officer of the regiment, being a pris oner, by common consent Adjutant Raw- son assumed his position for the occasion. At the first or second fire Lieutenant- Colonel Canfield fell mortally wounded, and he alone remained to command and cheer the undaunted boys who stood steadfast amid the storm of leaden hail that mowed through their ranks, until Col- 356 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY oriel Buckland, seeing the disaster that had befallen his own brave regiment, put himself at their head, and led them through the fight. The horse of our young adjutant was shot from under him, and another that had been sent forward for him being captured before it reached him, his duties !were no less bravely or efficiently performed on fobt. The history of the Seventy-second; of the part it bore in the three days' fight at Pittsburg Landing; in the seige of Corinth; in the pursuit of Forrest through Tennes see; of its marches, skirmishes and battles from Memphis to Vicksburg; of its pur suit of Johnson, under Sherman, to Jack son; of its return to Memphis, and of the part it enacted in the great expedition of General Sherman into Mississippi — is the history of Major Rawson. After the Seventy-second had re-enlisted as veterans, and after the main body, composing Sher man's expedition, had moved southward* a small force, consisting of not over six teen hundred men, was sent out on the venturesome expedition of making a feint into the enemy's country, who were holding a position on the bank of the Tallahatchie, to intercept and defeat the crossing of the reinforcements moving to the support of General Sherman. Of this comparatively small force the Seventy-second formed a part under the command of Lieutenant- Colonel Eaton and Major Rawson, Adjut ant Rawson having been promoted to the rank of Major by the unanimous recom mendation of the officers, and in accord ance with the known feeling of the regi ment, although he stood not in the regular line of promotion. Arriving at the Tallahatchie River in the evening, and finding the enemy en camped in large force on the opposite bank, they lit up their camp fires in such profusion as to deceive the rebels into the belief that they were a body of some six or eight thousand' strong.. ¦ Sq well did they play their part ! that they kept the enemy beguiled and at rest untiltime enough had elapsed for General Smith to cross the river above, at the point chosen, without interference. The1 object of the expedi tion attained, they were ordered to return to Memphis. But they were in the enemy's country, out of reach of reinforcements, numbering less than sixteen hundred, with the rebels in strong force on the oppo site side of the river. To render less haz ardous their retreat it became necessary to burn two bridge's. Colonel Eaton received the order from the general in command to execute the task. Dividing his regiment, he marched before morning with the main body to the one supposed to be the most strongly guarded, assigning to Major Raw- son two small companies with which to proceed to the other, where it was thought but few would be found to offer resistance. The reverse proved to be the case. The Major it was who encountered the largest force. Having arrived at the bridge Major Rawson sent his pickets across to reconnoiter. No sooner had they gained the Opposite side than from a point out of sight, came dashing up a large body of rebel cavalry, who commenced firing on the pickets. Veterans as they were, they knew too much to run across the bridge, where they would be sure to receive the raking fire of the rebel carbines. So they jumped over the sides into the water. This gave them the protection of the bank, as they well knew the trusty rifles of their companions would make a near ap proach to the bank a place where a rebel would hardly venture to "make ready, take aim, fire," even at the command of a major-general himself. A brisk little fight ensued — the bridge was destroyed without the loss of a man on Major Raw- son's side, while more than one rebel grave marks the site where the old bridge HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 357 stood — the commanding; rebel general's own son being one of the slain. From the badly managed- expedition, of which the Seventy-second formed a" part, sent out from Memphis under ' General Sturgis, which ended so sadly at Guntown and Ripley, in Mississippi, Major Rawson reached Memphis with such, of the1 officers and men of his regiment as were saved from the general disaster, marching over eighty miles, without food or rest, in less than forty-eight hours. The Seventy-sec ond, acting as a rear guard, of the fleeing troops, valiantly beat back the pursuing foe until out of ammunition, and their supply train destroyed by the rebelsj they were forced to make good their escape by flight, which they did, but two hundred and fifty of the regiment ' being captured. Scarcely rested from the terrible scenes and' suffering through which they had passed, the regiment, now over half re duced in number, in command of Major Rawson, started again, under General A. J. Smith, to encounter the same foe. Coming up to the enemy at Tupelo, Mis sissippi, Major Rawson was > mortally wounded at Oldtown Creek, six miles beyond, while gallantly leading a charge against the rebel lines. Borne- from the field he was conveyed back to Memphis. Major Rawson was the son of Dr. La- Quinio and Sophia Rawson. He was born at' Fremont on the r4th ! of March, 1840; was married to Miss Jennie Snyder, an amiable and accomplished young lady of Gouttland county, New York, on the 3 ust of August, 1863, while absent from his regiment on a short furlough. He died at Memphis, Tennessee, on the 2 2d of July, seven days after he received the fatal wound,1 aged twenty-four years. Em balmed, his remains were sent to his home^ — Fremont — and with appropriate funeral services were interred in Oakwood cemetery; followed thither by a very large concourse of his friends and feHdw-citi- zens, who loved the boy, arid fnburned the death of the young, hero, and, patriot.., At a meeting of the officers and soldiers of the Seventy-second Ohio Veteran Volun teer Infantry, held at Memphis, Tennessee, the 28th day of July, 1864, for the pur pose of expressing their feelings in regard to the death of Major Eugene A. Rawson, Lieutenant-Colonel C. G. Eaton was elect ed chairman, and Lieutenant J. Wells Watterson, regimental quartermaster, sec retary. The meeting was called to order and the following members appointed a committee on resolutions:' Lieutenant A. B. Putman, company A; Lieutenant. J. F. Harrington, .company. A; Sergeant Corwin Ensminger, company C; Sergeant Abraham Eldridge, company. I; Corporal Samuel Persing, company A. The fol lowing resolutions were presented; and unanimously adopted. by the meeting: Whereas, It has pleased Almighty tiod to re move from us our brother officer and soldier, Major Eugene A. Rawson, by death on the 22d of July inst-, of wounds received on the r5thinst., while bravely leading his regiment in a charge against the enemy's lines at the battle of Oldtown Creek; and l Whereas, We, the offiders and soldiers of the Sev ~ enty-secopd Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, desire to express in a suitable manner our respect for the noble dead, and our deep regret for his untimely fall, therefore ' . Resolved, That in the death, of Major.Eugene A. Rawson our regirnent has lost a brave, heroic, and devoted officer and soldier,, the nation one of her most ardent patriots and defenders, his family a dis. tinguished member, his friends and brothers 'in arms a dear and valued companion. i ffisofved, That we declare our conviction that the life of the deceased , while connected with the Sev enty-second Ohio, has been one of unwearied devo tion to duty and to the service of his country, and whether in the quiet camp or, the toilsome, march, or .in the blaze and fury of battle, he alike ably, patiently, and heroically performed with untiring energy all that fell to his lot; and when struck by the fatal ball, was found at his post fearlessly offering his life that his country might live. Resolved, That we tender the family and friends of the deceased, and especially' the yoting wife who has thus early been called to mourn the death of ; her 358 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. husband, our deepest sympathy and condolence in this, their sad bereavement. Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be fur nished the friends of the deceased; also a copy to the Fremont Journal and Sentinel and the Courtland County Journal, of Homer, New York. C. G. Eaton, Chairman. J. Wells Watterson, Secretary. KESSLER AND BELDING. And yet 'tis true Sweet romance follows after Grim visaged, bloody war. John J. Kessler was a promising joung man of Fremont, Ohio, who volunteered in company F (Captain Bartlett). He be came a second lieutenant, was promoted to first lieutenant and then to captain. He was then chosen aide on General Rose- crans' staff, in which capacity he did good service in the battle of Chickamauga. Captain E. B. Belding, of Medina county, Ohio, volunteered in battery A, First light artillery, and was on duty in the same battle. The two men had become acquainted, although in different branches of the service. Belding was that day on horseback doing duty, when his horse was -wounded in one hind leg by a ball from the enemy, and became frantic and almost unmanageable. While struggling with his horse Captain Belding found it necessary to put both hands to the bridle, which movement brought his hands and wrists close together. While the horse was struggling and turning round, a rifle ball struck the upper part of his hand and passed through both wiists. Notwith standing this wound the Captain managed to use one thumb and finger on the rein to keep the horse in a circle, for if he had dashed off straight in his then condition, the rider would have been thrown or dashed against a tree. While the horse was circling Belding freed himself from the stirrups but still held one rein of the bridle when assistance, in the form of a single man, came up, to whom he surrendered the horse. Captain Belding was then in a very unsafe position, where the enemy's fire from the .front was cutting down wounded men w£o were under orders re tiring to the rear for safety and surgical aid. He started to the rear to find a surgeon. When the shock of the wound gave way to reaction, he found himself weak from pain and loss of blood, but he continued walking, and sitting down occasionally to rest. He finally concluded that he could not hold out and sat down upon a log, faint and with the desperate conclusion that he could not move any farther, and would there await his fate. Captain Kessler fortunately discovered him in this condition, rode up to him, dis mounted, placed Belding on the horse and took him back to a ravine where a surgeon was at work among the wounded. Here Captain Belding's wounds were hastily bandaged, and soon after he obtained an ambulance which took him back and into the hospital. This incident produced a friendship between the two men, for Belding believed he owed his life to Kessler's kindness. Kessler had two sisters at home, whose pictures Belding happened to see although he was ignorant of their relationship to the Major. One of them struck his fancy and he told the Major if he could find that girl he would marry her. "I don't know about that," replied the Major; "that is a picture of my sister Louise, now in Fremont. She may have something to say about that." "We shall see," said the Cap tain. About a year after, Captain Bel ding, while on a furlough, found Fremont, accidentally, of course, and found the Kessler House, then the leading hotel in the city. Of course Captain Belding recognized the girl whose picture he had seen and fancied. When the war was over, as was very natural, Captain Belding must 1 fini'/n llc.i)li<''(,)vit. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 359 see his brave friend who had saved his life. Major Kessler told his sister the story of their acquaintance, and, Captain Belding was warmly welcomed by Major Kessler and by his family. Well, what next? married, of course. A fine, bright youth, the exact miniature of Captain Belding, called Willie, with father and mother, make a most happy trio for a family. A more thoroughly de voted, trustful, and affectionate husband cannot be found than Captain Belding, and himself and wife are as happy as human faith and affection can render man and women, and this forms what Bob Ingersoll says is the best heaven he has ever fp'und. But what of Major Kessler? The ex^ posures and hardships of the war hurried consumption upon him, and, like hundreds., of thousands of other brave^men, he came home to linger and hope a.- little white! He sleeps in our beautiful Oakwood cem etery, where a fine and well deserved monument marks the spot where the brave and good man is at rest. Often you may. see fond friends lingering there, and every returning annual decoration day sweet, beautiful flowers are seen, giving fragrance to the last resting place of the remains of John J. Kessler. Captain Belding and his noble wife are among the fifst^tp visit Major Kessler's grave, and there drop the sweetest flowers, and bedew them with the tears of gratitude and affection. MAJOR-GENERAL JAMES B. PHERSON. Mc- The only Federal major-general who perished on the field of battle was James B. McPherson. His ability as a com manding officer has been variously esti mated. His career, brilliant and crowded as it was, was prematurely cut off before his capacity had been fully tested. One fact, however, is significant. He gained, in an unprecedentedly short time, the con fidence of commanders justly celebrated for their accurate estimates of men. With the meagre field experience of one cam paign, he was given command of as noble an army as ever marched to defend the Union. Every man in that army admired him for his superb gallantry, and for his open, generous heart. The feeling of friendly affection and admiration was not confined to the tented field. Those here, who knew him from childhood, and called him "Jimmie," those who had been his play-fellows and knew his boyish fancies, watched his career and applauded his triumphs with affectionate interest. The . .J^ttnyof the Tennessee and his friends at .home have fittingly shown their apprecia tion of a noble friend and gallant general, by seeking to preserve in moulds of im perishable bronze, the features of his hand some ;bod$r. He is idolized by his old neighbors i|at Clyde. The story of his life, frbfni childhood to the gallant but fatal exploit on the field before Atlanta, is afarhilaar topic of conversation. James Birdseye McPherson was born at Hamer's Corners (now Clyde), November 14, 1828. His father was of Scotch-Irish descent, and married, in New York, Cyn thia Russell, a native of Massachusetts, and came to Ohio, the first time, in 1822, on foot, his travelling companions being Norton Russell and James Birdseye, whose name was given to the first-born as a mark of friendship. Mr. McPherson entered land and built a cabin. A year later his wife joined him and the pair began house keeping. He was a blacksmith, but found it difficult to earn a livelihood on account of the sparse settlement of the country and scarcity of money. He was consti tutionally nervous and excitable, but had the reputation of being a skilled trades man, until overthrown by the nervous dis- 360 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY, order which eventually terminated his life. James was known among' the mothers of the backwoods settlement, as a " good baby," happyi good-natured, healthy. He seemed to enjoybeing petted, but wasnot peevish when neglected. Tall Chief once visited the homely McPherson residence, during one of his strolls from the Seneca reservation, four miles south. After fond ling the babe< then just beginning to prat tle, the Indian was asked by the proud mother what he thought of her boy. "Fine boy, fine boy," was the prophetic reply of the red-skin. ' "Be big man.'! This remark, which only amused the mother at the time, was recalled after the fall of Vicksburg. The child grew into a healthy and strong boy, full' of spirit and never idle. ; He delighted in, and always sought the praise1 of his parents and neigh bors. An incident is told which shows that that caution which, in after life, char acterized all his actions, was the product of maturer years. Wheri seven or eight years1 old, he visited his uncle, Norton Russell, whom he found in the field cut ting corn. The boy was anxious to help, and was finally permitted to, but cautioned to be careful and not try to cut more than onestalkata time. The future general soon became impatient. He raised the heavy knife high over his head and- said : "Uncle, I am going to cut like men do." A half-dozen stalks of corn tumbled to the ground, but a severe wound of the knee punished the lad's rash disobedience. It was the father's desire that his son should have a good education, but finan cial embarrassment prevented 'sending him away. James, however, attended district school, which was held in a. log house oc cupying almost exactly the same spot now occupied by the base of his statue. Here he mastered, by the age of thirteen, the common branches taught at that time, and became a good writer. While not in school,1 "his( time was employed! on the farm. 1 But at the ' age of thirteen there came awisis; his father was no longer able to work, and James felt called upon not only to earn his own living, but also to give assistance to his mother, struggling against poverty, < < ¦ He obtained a situation as store boy in. the establishment of Robert Smith, at Green Spring; five miles ¦ south of his home. He has himself described this' first farewell to his home and mother. "The whole family were in tears when he bade them gqod-bye ; and ' taking up his little bundle, commenced his journey of five miles; afoot and alone. After walking boldly forward for some distance, he looked back and saw them all at the door, watch ing and weeping. To shut out the pain ful sight he ! clutched his bundle tighter and ran as fast as his young feet would catry him; until he reached the woods, when he sat down and wept abundantly. Then he took up his bundle' again and came on to Green Spring." Here is exhibited that tender sympathy and affection which were such important elements of 'his character. Even in the blaze of military triumph, home and mother occupied his first thoughts. Young McPherson worked faithfully, and seemed contented while under the em ploy of Mr. Smith at Green Spring,' but his ambition never permitted him to settle up on merchandizing as an employment. Hd devoured the contents of the well filled lit tle bookcase of his employer, and received with heartfelt thankfulness the promise pf an appointment tp, West Point. He had for a long time desired to make more out of himself than a country store-keeper, and a way was now open to the realization of his aspirations. Two seasons were spent in the academy at Norwalk, prepar ing for the dreaded entrance examination; which he passed with credit. He entered the famous class of '53, composed of fifty- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 361 two members, among whom were Sher idan, Sill, Schofield, Bell, Tyler, Chandler, Vincent and others, who achieved renown during the Rebellion ; also his antagonist at Atlanta, James B. Hood. At the end of the frrst year McPherson stood second, and from then till the end of the course was always at the head of the class. He was not only a fine scholar, but a popular, kind-hearted, generous cadet. He was fa miliarly called "Mac" by his classmates, who never asked of him a reasonable favor in vain. His principal offence while at the institution had for its cause a desire to relieve a part of the class of unnecessary burdens. He had been promoted, on the ground of merit, to the Cadet Captaincy, but his rank was reduced to the lieuten ancy for the grave offence of permitting a part of his class to ride in an omnibus to engineering drill. Eighteen other marks of delinquency stand against him at West Point, showing that, although a per fect student, he, like others, was sometimes derelict according to the strict rule of West ¦ Point conduct. But his promotions at the academy followed each other in almost as quick succession as, a decade later, his promotions in the army. Graduating at the head of his class, McPherson, according to the rules of the academy, was appointed to the engineer ing corps. He was retained the first year at the academy as assistant instructor of practical engineering — an honor never be fore conferred upon so young an officer. From a private letter we learn that Mc Pherson felt, keenly, this splendid com pliment, although the duties of the posi tion did not suit his tastes. For the next three years he was engaged on engineering duty on the Atlantic coast; for three and a half years at Alcatraz Island, one of the defences of San Francisco harbor. Then came the war. While in New York he came in contact with the finest society in 46 the city, which, private letters show, en grossed a fair share of his attention. A promising young officer, handsome, ac complished, and cordial in his bearing, there was no reason why he should not be a welcome guest in any home. He at length found his "pearl of great price" in the person of a Baltimore lady, whom he was to have married early in 1864, but the plan of the Atlanta campaign rendered it impossible to spare time from the army long enough to meet the engagement. Sherman, in a letter to the betrothed lady, explained affairs, and the marriage was postponed. We naturally have an interest in the woman whom a man of McPher- son's culture and character would select for a wife. In a letter, written from Cali fornia to his mother, he pictures in one sentence his idea of feminine loveliness. He says: "You will love her as I do, when you know her. She is intelligent, refined, generous-hearted and a Christian ; this will suit you as it does me, for it lies at the foundation of every pure and ele vated character." The spirit of West Point during the period when the Abolition sentiment was organizing into an active movement, is well remembered. McPherson, like so many young officers of his day, imbibed the prejudices of the institution, and his opinions during the formative period of the Abolition movement are expressed in unmistakable language. In 1853 he writes to a friend in Ohio: "I believe, if I were to meddle with politics, I would be a Know Nothing." A year later he openly rejoiced in an Abolition defeat. He writes : Not a few are highly gratified at the result of the recent elections in Massachusetts and in this State, which have been such a signal rebuke to Seward and his Abolition supporters. It is very seldom that military men meddle with politics, except when broad national principles are assailed; and then they feel it a duty to place themselves in the van and rally to tbe support of the Union. I have felt a good 3«2 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. deal of interest in politics since I have seen the ef forts which have been made to form a sectional party, — a party with but one idea, and that one cal culated to awaken a feeling of animosity from one extremity of the Union to the other, the fatal effects of which neither you nor I can predict. When I see men, endowed with superior powers of mind' and occupying high stations, putting forward their utmost energies to excite dissension, and not only dissension but absolute hatred between the different sections of our country, I feel that it is time they should be shorn of their strength and rendered powerless to commit evil. Could I believe in their sincerity or patriotism, and that motives of humanity actuate them, I might be a little more charitable. But when such men as Salmon P. Chase, whose position gives him influence, gets up before a public assembly in Maine, or any other State, and declares that there is a deep feeling of hatred between the North and the South, that the Allies do not hate the Russians or the Russians the Allies any more than the people of the North hate the people of the South or the people of the South hate the people of the North, it is time all candid men should unite to deleat the schemes and machinations of such demagogues. I do not hesitate to say that I am gratified at the result of the elections; and I believe every Union Whig — Henry Clay and Daniel Webster Whig — can say the same.'' The young engineer, it will be noticed, emphasized his devotion to the Union. It was not until the first overt acts of rebellion that McPherson saw his mis take as to who the real assailants of the Union were. A manly letter, written shortly after the beginning of secession, to his mother (published first in Hours at Home) shows that West Point training, although it had affected his prejudices, had not sullied his ardent patriotism. He says: However men may have differed in politics, there is but one course now. Since the traitors have initi ated hostilities and threatened to seize the National capital, give them blow for blow, and shot for shot until they are effectually humbled. I do not know whether I shall be kept here, or ordered East ; but one thing I do know, and that is, that I am ready and willing to go where I can be of the most service in upholding the honor of the Government and assisting in crushing out rebellion; and I have faith to believe that you will see the day when the glori ous old flag will wave more triumphantly than ever. I wish I were at home now to join the Ohio Volun teers. I swung my cap more than once on reading the telegraphic message of Governor Dennison : "What Kentucky will not furnish, Ohio will. " Now that the fires are kindled, I hope they will not be permitted to die out until Jeff. Davis and his fellow-conspirators are in Washington to be tried for treason, or, in the language of old Putnam, "tried, condemned and executed." After such a letter, there is no mistak ing the position of McPherson. He was ready to devote his energies and talent to the preservation of the Union. He be came a martyr on the field of battle. At the opening of the rebellion Mc pherson's talent did not receive proper recognition. He was a capable engineer, but little known. Incompetent drill mas ters were receiving promotion, while he was compelled to solicit a transfer to the service in the East. There he was given but a junior captaincy of engineers, and assigned to duty at Boston harbor. He was always modest, and refrained from actually seeking appointment, but we have information from private sources that he was ambitious to enter upon field duty. The time came when his well trained fac ulties were to have a broad scope and se vere test. The result subsequent events show. In November, 1861, he was ap pointed aide-de-camp to General Halleck, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel. Pro motions followed rapidly. From assistant engineer of the Department of Missouri, he became chief engineer of the Army of the Tennessee in the expedition against Forts Henry and Donelson. He engi neered the expedition against Corinth, with the rank ofcolonel. On the 15th of May, 1862, he was appointed brigadier general of volunteers, and the following June was assigned to the general superintendency of military roads in East Tennessee. On his return from Corinth after the battle he was given a commission as major general of volunteers, to date from October 8, 1862 — a position to which he had risen in little more than a year, from junior captaincy of engineers. His first experience as a com- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3^3 mander was at Corinth. His subsequent operations were under the direction of Grant, in the campaign which terminated in the capture of Vicksburg. McPherson in this campaign bore a conspicuous part. Port Gibson, Clinton, Jackson, and Champion Hill, first brought him into public notice and favor. After the fall of Vicksburg he was generally credited -at the South with the planning of the whole campaign. This was certainly a mistake, but Grant owed a large meas ure of his success to McPherson's care, bravery, and ability in executing com mands. While his private letters show that he was not insensible to the honor which promotion implied, yet he never permitted his ambition to lead him into expressing official reports in any other than the most simple and matter-of-fact terms. At Raymond, just as the issue of the bat tle seemed plain, his adjutant approached him with a dispatch to Grant, ready for the signature. It said that "he had met the enemy in immensely superior force, and had defeated- him most, disastrously, and was now in full pursuit." McPherson quietly tore up the paper and wrote: "We met the enemy about 3 p. m. to-day; have had a hard fight, and up to this time have the advantage." Grant generously acknowledged Mc- . Pherson's services in a letter recommend ing him for promotion to the rank of brig adier-general in the regular army. The letter reviews his record thus far and will be of interest at this time: He has been with me in every battle since the com mencement of the Rebellion, except Belmont; at Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, and the siege of Corinth, as a staff officer and engineer his services were conspic uous and highly meritorious. At the second battle of Corinth his skill as a soldier was displayed in suc cessfully carrying reinforcements to the besieged gar rison when the enemy was between him and the point to be reached. In the advance to Central Mississippi, General McPherson commanded one wing of the army with all the ability possible to show, he having the lead in the advance, and the rear retiring. In the campaign and siege terminating in the fall of Vicksburg, General McPherson has filled .a conspicuous part. At the battle of Port Gibson it was under his direction that the enemy was driven late in the afternoon from a position they had suc ceeded in holding all day against an obstinate attack. His corps, the advance always, under his immediate eye were the pioneers from Port Gibson to Hankin- son's Ferry. From the north fork of Bayou Pierre to the Black River it was a constant skirmish, the whole skilfully managed. The enemy was so closely pursued as to be unable to destroy their bridges of boats after them. From Hankinson's Ferry to Jackson the Seventeenth Army Corps marched on roads not travelled by other troops, fighting the entire battle of Raymond alone, and the bulk of Johnston's army was fought by his corps, entirely under the man agement of General McPherson. At Champion Hills the Seventeenth Corps and General McPherson were conspicuous. All that could be termed a battle there was fought by the divisions of General McPherson's Corps and General Hovey's division of the Seven teenth Corps. In the assault of the 22d of May on the fortifications of Vicksburg and during the entire siege, General McPherson and his corps took unfad ing laurels. He is one of the ablest engineers and skilful generals. I would respectfully but urgently ¦ recommend his promotion to the position of briga dier-general of the regular army. The request was granted and he was confirmed as such in December, 1863. McPherson was given command of the district of Vicksburg, a well-earned com pliment. During the winter his old chiefs, Grant and Sherman, were advanced, and in order of merit the command of the Army of the Tennessee fell to McPherson. He assumed the duties of his new position March 26, 1864. He repaired at once to Nashville and was present when the Geor gia campaign was planned, before the glorious results of which were realized he was sleeping, in an honored grave. The Army of the Tennessee was at this time widely scattered. The Seventeenth Corps was absent on veteran furlough; the Fif teenth and Sixteenth Corps were stationed from Huntsville to Memphis, while a por tion was reinforcing Banks in the Red River campaign. McPherson at once concentrated these scattered forces and 364 History OF sandusky county. by the 5th of May had his columns in hand at Ringgold, Georgia. Two days later he commenced his march on Resaca, making the first flank movement of the celebrated Atlanta campaign. We can not detail this whole campaign in which the Army of the Tennessee took so conspicuous a part. Nowhere in the Rebellion was finer generalship displayed than by Johnston in blocking the progress of Sherman's superior army. But John ston was succeeded at a critical point by Hood- — McPherson's classmate at West Point. On the 17th of July, after a long series of engagements, generally success ful, we find Sherman's army thus disposed before Atlanta, ready to move on the de fences of the city: The Army of the Cumberland, under Thomas, occupied the right and the right centre, resting on the river northwest of the city; the Army of the Ohio, under Schofield, occupied the left centre, and the Army of the Tennes see took a position on the left, thus throw ing Thomas and Schofield in front of the enemy's main line of fortifications. On the 1 8th McPherson, by a rapid swing, struck the Georgia railroad about fifteen miles northeast of the city, at Stone Moun tain, and broke up four miles of road which brought supplies to the besieged city from the east. Schofield occupied Decatur, six miles east of Atlanta, and Thomas moved his forces toward Peach Tree Creek, north of Atlanta. On the 19th McPherson and Schofield passed eastward of Decatur, while Thomas, though meeting strong opposition, crossed from the north of Peach Tree Creek, in front of the enemy's entrenched lines. The Fed eral forces on the morning of the 20th then lay in a curved line from the railroad running northwest across the Chattahoo chee, to beyond the Georgia railroad east of Atlanta. The position of the armies changed little during this or the following day, although on the afternoon of the 20th Hooker, after a severely contested battle, repulsed an attempt of Hood to force through a gap between the armies of Scho field and Thomas. On the 21st Leggett's division of the Seventeenth Corps, under McPherson, carried a strong point com manding the city and the two main roads leading north and south. This was a strongly fortified hill which the rebels made two desperate but unsuccessful at tempts to recover. On the morning of the 22d the advance lines of the enemy were found abandoned, which led Sherman to believe that Hood meant to evacuate the city. He ordered a general advance, but McPherson was more prudent. He well knew the charac ter of his old classmate and antagonist. Orders had been received from Sherman to employ the Sixteenth Corps, under Dodge, to break up the railroad, and with the rest of his command to move rapidly upon the city. Skirmish lines were ad vanced and McPherson, in company with Logan, made a personal examination of 1 the fortifications from the crest of the hill overlooking the works and the city. Few persons could be seen either behind the fortifications or in the streets. Suspecting Hood's design to suddenly fall upon the advancing columns from the side and rear, McPherson, after giving some general directions to Logan and Dodge to main tain their positions, hastened to Sherman's headquarters to the right. His explana tion to Sherman of the situation was in terrupted by the sound of battle at the extreme left, which confirmed his suspi cions. At full speed he rushed toward the sound. He found the Sixteenth Corps facing the left flank and struggling firmly against an assault of terrible fierceness. The Seventeenth Corps was maintaining their fortified eminence, but between the two was a gap through which it was feared HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 365 the enemy would force his way and cut off the Seventeenth Corps. Behind this gap lay a wood, through which a narrow road led to the eminence occupied by the Seventeenth Corps. McPherson, after sending his staff on various errands, ac companied by a single orderly, dashed along this road to the wood. He was met by a staff officer and informed that the Seventeenth Corps was being severely pressed by an overwhelming force. After a moment's hesitation the staff officer, John T. Raymond, was hurried back with orders to General Leggett to form his lines with all possible speed, parallel to the road. McPherson then, at full speed, hurried along the fated road, but already the enemy was crowding down into the gap. A shrill "halt!" rang out from be hind the trees. The faithful steed, quickly obeying his master's bidding, dashed into the thick wood, followed by a volley from the skirmish line in gray. A minute later the riderless horse, with two wounds, came out of the thicket, while the brave, loved General of the Army of the Tennes see lay dying with lacerated lung and shat tered spine. The subsequent battle is best described by Logan, who succeeded to the command: The news of his death spread like lightning speed along the lines, sending a pang of keenest sorrow to every heart as it reached the ear. But especially ter rible was the effect upon the Army of the Tennes see. It seemed as though a burning, fiery dart had pierced every breast, tearing asunder the flood gates of grief; but at the same time heaving to their very depths the fountains of revenge, the clenched hands seemed to sink into the weapons they held, and from the eyes gleamed forth flashes terrible as lightning. The cry, "McPherson! McPherson!" rose above the din of battle, and as it ran along the lines swell ed in power, until the roll of musketry and booming of cannon seemed drowned by its echoes. McPherson again seemed to lead his troops, and where he leads, victory is sure; each officer and sol dier, from the succeeding commander to the lowest private, beheld, as it were, the form of their bleeding chieftain leading them on in battle. "McPherson," and " onward to victory, " were the only thoughts; bitter, terrible revenge their only aim. There was no such thought that day of stopping short of victory or death. The firm, spontaneous resolve was to win the day or perish with the slain leader on the bloody field. Fearfully was his death avenged that day. His army, maddened by his death and utterly reckless of life, rushed with savage delight into the fiercest onslaughts, and fearlessly plunged into the very jaws of death. As wave after wave of Hood's daring troops dashed with terrible fury upon our lines, they were hurled back with a fearful shock, breaking their columns into fragments, as the granite headland breaks into foam the ocean billows. Across the nar row line of works raged the fierce storm of battle, the hissing shot and bursting shell raining death on every hand. Over dead and dying, friends and foes, rushed the swaying hosts, the shout of rebels con fident of victory only drowned by the battle cry " McPherson " which went up from the Army of the Tennessee. Many thousand rebels bit the dust ere the night closed in, and the defeated and baffled enemy, after failing in their repeated and desperate assaults upon our lines, were compelled to give up the hopeless contest. Though compelled to fight in front and rear, victory crowned our arms. A detail of Union troops recovered the body, which was taken to the headquarters of the com manding General, and the following day was sent to its final resting place, in the beautiful cemetery at Clyde. Sherman wept bitterly, and Grant assured the broken-hearted, devoted mother, and affectionate grandmother, that their sorrow could not exceed his. But weeping was not confined to generals and friends at home. The rank and file of the Army of the Tennessee felt that they had lost a devoted personal friend. Their acquaintance was short, it is true, but so ¦ kind-hearted, so devoted to their comfort and safety had he been, that their admiration of his gentle manhood and splendid gallantry amounted to nothing less than love. Sherman, in his feeling of ficial announcement said: "General McPherson fell in battle, booted and spurred as the gallant knight and gentleman should wish." Not his the loss; but the country andgthe army will mourn his death and cherish his rnenWy as that of one who, though comparatively young, had risen by his merit and ability to the command of one of the best armies which the Nation had called into existence to vindicate its honor and integrity. History tells us of but few who so blended the grace and gentleness of the friend, with the dignity, courage, faith, and manliness of the soldier. But most deeply affecting was the funeral scene at Clyde a week later. The pure grief of a tender, devoted mother, and of a doting grandmother, was uncontrollable. 366 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The hundreds of strong men who had known the martyr hero from innocent boyhood, who remembered the friendly grasp of his tender hand which had always been extended to his old neighbors and friends during his annual visits home, these wiped with brawny hands from tanned faces, tears of profound sorrow. Mothers, friends of the grief-stricken parent, who had never known the young soldier by any other name than "Jimmie," dampened with weeping the sweet flowers with which fair hands had covered the sad but honorable tomb. THE M'PHERSON MONUMENT. General McPherson fell July 22, 1864. One year later the following circular was issued by General Logan : Headquarters Army of the Tennessee, I Louisville, Kentucky, July 7, 1865. J Many officers and soldiers of the Army of the Tennessee, having expressed a desire to pay some fitting tribute the memory of their late gallant com mander, the noble McPherson, who fell in the front of battle, booted and spurred, on the bloodv day of the 22d of July, I submit to the several corps and other commanding officers for their consideration the following plan of action : I would suggest that each regimental commander have lists prepared for subscription, and that those sol diers of the army who may desire to subscribe regis ter their names theron; as soon as the lists have been completed, that they, with the funds raised, be for warded to the brigade commander, and by him trans mitted for the purchase a nd erection of a suitable monument at the grave of that gallant soldier. As soon as the monument has been erected these lists should be deposited at the grave. I would further suggest as a member of the ex ecutive committee, Major General William B. Hazen, Brevet Major General M. D. Leggett and Brevet- Brigadier-General A. Hickenlooper, citizens of Mc Pherson's native State, and in every way fitted to discharge the duty of their position. Corps commanders will please take such steps in the matter as will insure the result desired. John A. Logan, Major General. These circulars were distributed, as directed, among the soldiers of the vari ous corps, at the first regular meeting of the Society of the Army of the Tennes see, in Cincinnati, 1866. Reports were received, showing that three thousand nine hundred and fifty-six dollars had been received for the fund toward erect: ing a monument to General McPherson. The minutes of that meeting also show that a strong effort was made to have the McPherson monument located at West Point instead of Clyde. General Hick enlooper strongly opposed the proposed change of location. In a letter to Gen eral Hazen he said: The subscriptions thus far received have been al most entirely from the rank and file of the army which McPherson commanded — probably two-thirds from his own corps — with the distinct understanding that the monument would be erected over his re mains at Clyde. The feeling which prompted this action on the part of his officers and men was not such as usually actuates men to subscribe to such an object; it was not so much for the purpose of per petuating his military success and renown, but as a testimonial of their love and affection for the man. The feelings of the mother, who gave such a son to her country, together with the remaining members of the family, should be consulted, and they are decidedly opposed to the removal of his remains to the Point, if a monument can be erected at Clyde. It appears very absurd to erect a monument at West Point, and leave the place where he was born and raised, and where his remains now lie, unmarked and uncared for. The matter of location was discussed at some length during the first regular meeting of the society, and finally a res olution was adopted: That we, the members of the Society of the Army of the Tennessee, pledge ourselves to the erection of a monument to the memory of Major General J ames B. McPherson, to be placed over his remains at Clyde, Ohio. CLYDE M'PHERSON MONUMENT SOCIETY. On the 3d of August, 1866, McPher son Monument Society of Clyde was or ganized. Its officers were General R. P. Buckland, of Fremont, president, and Captain John M. Lemmon, of Clyde, secre tary. The whole cost of the monument was to be eleven thousand dollars and the Clyde society pledged itself to raise three thousand dollars of the amount. This HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 367 money was all subscribed and most of it paid in. Besides supplying three thousand dollars of the monument fund, the Clyde society has greatly beautified the cemetery wherein lie the remains of the fallen hero. Through the efforts of General Buckland and Captain John M. Lemmon, Congress had been induced to grant an appropriation of four iron can non, four bronze cannon, one thousand muskets and twenty-five cannon balls, which have been placed in the cemetery by the side of the monument. General James- B. McPherson was born in a small frame house in the extreme northeastern limits of the city, and the cemetery wherein he now lies, with his father and two brothers, once formed a portion of the homestead of the McPher son family. His mother's neat, white cot tage now stands just at the edge of the graveyard, and through a latticed window she gazes with tearful eyes upon the stately monument erected to the memory of her hero son. The statue of General J. B. McPherson is pronounced a perfect piece of art. The pedestal is of granite, .nine feet in height and six and one-half feet at the base. The figure, which is also nine feet in height, and composed of bronze, represents the commander in full military uniform, with sword, belt, and hat. The left hand holds a field-glass, while the right hand and arm are extended, as if pointing to where the battle rages fiercest. The piece is from the Cincinnati art foundry of Rebisso, Mundhenk & Co., who are also the designers and sculptors of the equestrian statue of McPherson erected at Washington three years ago. The statue occupies a high knoll, the most commanding point in the beautiful little cemetery, just at the edge of the city, where it forms a most imposing central figure. The unveiling ceremonies, July 22, 1 88 1, were attended by about fifteen thousand people, a large number of mil itary societies and distinguished military men. A procession more than a mile long was formed at 1 o'clock, and at 2 o'clock marched to the cemetery, where the assemblage was called to order by the president of the day, General R. B. Hayes. The statue was unveiled by General W. T. Sherman; General M. F. Force delivered the dedicatory oration. Formal addresses were delivered by General W. E. Strong and General W. T. Sherman, followed by short addresses by Generals Gibson, Ha zen, Leggett, Belknapp, and Keifer. CHAPTER XXIII. COURT AND BAR OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Notice of the First Court in the County— The First Grand Jury— Some of the Early Judges— Organization of the Court — The Lawyers of Earlv Times — Their Characteristics, Habits, Talents, etc. — Also, Notice of the Present and Former Members of the Bar. TN the county clerk's office, carefully 1 preserved, is a little book, six inches wide and about nine inches long, bound in pasteboard covering, without ruling for line or margin. It is, in fact, a very plain book, without any numerical paging. On the top of the first page written upon are the following words, in a fine handwriting: "May Term, 1820." The record in this book then goes on to state: Sandusky County, May 8, r82o. In pursuance of a law passed by the Legislature of the State of Ohio, the 12th day of February, one thousand eight hundred and twenty, organizing the oun ly of Sandusky, the court was opened by the sheriff. Present, the Honorable George Tod, presi dent. Willis E. Brown produced his commission as sheriff, and was sworn to office. Israel Harrington, David Harold, and Alexander Morrison produced their commissions as associate judges of the court of common pleas of the county of Sandusky, which were read by the clerk, and the said Israel Harring ton, David Harold, and Alexander Morrison having taken the oaths required by law, took their seats as ' associate judges of said court. James Williams was appointed clerk pro tern. Whereupon the sheriff re turned the venire for the grand jurors, and upon it appearing that the venire did not issue thirty days before the return, the array being challenged, the pannel was quashed. Whereupon the sheriff was or dered to select a new jury from the bystanders, and the following, being legally called, appeared, to-wit: Joshua Davis, Elijah W. Howland, Jonathan H. Jerome, William Morrison, Josiah Rumery, Nicholas Whitinger, William Andrews, Ruel Loomis, James Montgomery, Caleb Rice, Robert Harvey, Thomas Webb, Elijah Brayton, Charles B. Fitch, and Reuben Bristol ; whereupon Charles B. Fitch was appointed foreman and took the oath prescribed by law, and his fellow jurors, after having taken the same oath, received a solemn charge from the court and retired. The next business of the court, after sending out the first grand jury, was the granting of a license to Israel Harrington to keep a tavern at his dwelling house in Sandusky township, for one year, and fixing the price of the license at fifteen dollars. The court then, on application, ordered the elec tion of two justices of the peace in the township of Thompson. The election was to be held on the first Monday in June, 1820, at the house of Joseph Par- meter. This Mr. Joseph Parmeter then resided in what is now Green Creek township, on the east side of Green Creek, where the road from Fremont to Green Spring now crosses the creek. He afterwards erected a mill there, and his son, Julius W. Par- meter, occupied the premises for many years after the father died. Upon application, David Gallagher was then ap pointed county inspector. Mr. Gallagher then en tered into bond, according to law, and assumed the duties, which were to see that barrels and packages of pork, whiskey, fish, flour, etc., were of proper quality and of prescribed weight. Then the court appointed Philip R. Hopkins clerk of the court for the time being, who entered into bond, as required, and was sworn into office after taking the oath of office in open court. This completed the first day's work of the first common pleas court ever held in Sandusky county. Tuesday, May 9, 1820. The court convened, and there were present the same judges as on the day previous. Letters of ad ministration were then granted as follows : To West Barney, on the estate of John Orr. The sureties for Barney were David Gallagher and George Halloway; bond, two hundred dollars; appraisers, Caleb Rice, Anson Gray, and J ohn Eaton. To Josette Vellard, on the estate of Gabriel Vel- lard; bond, five hundred dollars; sureties, Joseph Mominyand Charles Bibo; appraisers, AsaB. Gavit, Halsey Forgerson, and Thomas Forgerson. 36a HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 369 To Moses Nichols, on the estate of Aaron T. Kerr; bond, two hundred dollars ; sureties, David Gallagher and Jeremiah Everett. License was, on this second day of the court, May 9, 1820, granted to Morris A. Newman to keep a tavern at his dwelling in Croghansville, for one year, for the price of fifteen dollars. The court on the same day ordered two justices of the peace to be elected in the township of Seneca, on the first Monday in June, 1820, the election to be held at the dwelling house of West Barney, in said township. License to William Andrews to keep a tavern at his dwelling house in Sandusky township, for one year, for the price of fifteen dollars. License also to Samuel Cochran to keep a tavern for one year at his dwelling house in Sandusky town ship, for six dollars. Thereupon the grand jury came into and pre sented a bill of indictment against Almeron Sands, for assault and battery on the body of Calvin Leezen. To lawyers and to others who are fond of old-fashioned things, the record of the plea of Sands and the disposi tion made of it, will be interesting, not only for the matter of the record and the terms used, but as the first judgment of a court in the county. We give the pro ceeding, therefore, verbatim as found in the record, the indictment being indorsed, "A True Bill, by Charles B. Fitch, fore man of the Grand Jury : " Almeron Sands being arraigned at the Bar, and it being demanded of him how he would acquit him self of the charge in the Indictment contained and set forth, Pleads and says he is guilty thereof and puts himself upon the mercy of the court. There upon it is considered ordered and adjudged by the court that the said Almeron Sands be fined in the sum of fifteen dollars, to be paid into the treasury of Sandusky county, and also all the costs of this pros ecution, and that execution issue therefor. The Indians at that time, 1820, were quite numerous in and about Lower San dusky (now Fremont), as well as in other parts of Ohio. The red man, as well as the white, was almost sure to have his fighting proclivities waked into action by whiskey. After many sad tragedies result ing from the drunkenness of the aborig ines, the State Legislature made it a penal offence to sell intoxicating liquors to Ind- 47 ians. The untutored child of the forest loved whiskey as well as the white man, and every licensed tavern keeper could, at that time, sell intoxicating liquor to the white man by the drink or larger quantity, but he was prohibited from selling to the Indian. True, the white man then, as now, was more likely to fight when under the influence of liquor, but he was not so free in the use of deadly weapons when in that condition as the Indian, who always car ried his butcher-knife and tomahawk about his person, hence the discrimination in the law in the penalty between selling whiskey to the white man and the red. Whiskey plenty for the white man, Not a drop for the red. The Indian must keep sober While the whites lay drunk in bed. On the second day of the term, May 9, 1820, the grand jury returned six more in dictments, three of which were for selling intoxicating liquor to Indians. One against Calvin Leezen, a tavern keeper, one against George G. Olmsted, a mer chant, and one against Ora Bellows, a trader; one for nuisance against John Kirkendale and Guy Dudley, and one for same offence against Augustus Fexier; and one for riot against John Holbrook and others. The court then adjourned until May 10, 1820, at 10 o'clock a. m. The court journal for each of these two days is regularly signed by the presiding judge, George Tod. Judge Tod doubt less left the place after signing the journal of that day, for on the next morning court was opened and conducted by Associate Judges Morrison, Harrington, and Har old, who transacted the business of the day and adjourned the court without day. Amongst other things done by the asso ciate judges, after Judge Tod left, was the order fixing the charges for ferrying across the Sandusky River: 31 '9 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. For a footman 6% cents. For a man and a horse I2j^ cents. For a wagon and one horse 25 cents. For a wagon and two horses 37 \i cents. For a wagon and four horses 50 cents. Thus we see that at that early day, al though at the usual stage of water the trav ellers forded the river above the mill at the rapids, ferrying was resorted to in order to cross when the river was high. This ferry was located where the new iron bridge now crosses the stream. Philip R. Hopkins, at the above term, on the last day appointed Dennis L. Rathbone deputy clerk, and he was duly approved and sworn into office as such. And thus closed the first term of the court held in Sandusky county. The record does not show whether this first term was held on the east or west side of the river, nor at what house it was held. Tradition, however, places it at the house of Morris A. Newman, who then kept a tavern in Croghansville. THE OCTOBER TERM, 182O. The record of the next term, however, which was held October 9, 1820, does show that the court was held in Croghan- ville, on the east side of the river. The same judges were then present as at the May term next preceding. Charles B. Fitch and Jeremiah Everett, at a special term, held on the 17th of Feb ruary, 1 82 1, were severally sworn into office and took their seats, with Israel Harrington, as associate judges. Judge Tod was not rjresent at this term. The law then authorized the three associate judges to hold court and transact business. At this special term Philip R. Hopkins resigned the office of clerk and the judges appointed Alexander Morrison to fill the office. At this special term Elsey Harris was appointed administratrix of the estate of Joseph Harris, deceased. Joseph Harris was living on Portage River in 1818, and may have been there before that time. His cabin was near the east end of the bridge across the river at Elmore, and he was then the only settler between Lower Sandusky and Fort Meigs or Perrysburg, and travellers were entertained as at a tavern. Elsey Harris was the daughter of Morris A. Newman, an early settler in Lower Sandusky. She, after the decease of Harris, married Isaac Knapp, who is mentioned in this history. The next term commenced on the 7th day of May, 1821. George Tod, Israel Harrington, Charles B. Fitch, and Jere miah Everett were the judges composing the court. Picket Lattimer was ap pointed prosecuting attorney for the county, to hold the office during the pleas ure of the court. Mr. Lattimer was a resident of Huron county. The court also at this term appointed "McKinzey Murray inspector of flour, meals, biscuit^ pot and pearl ashes, beef, pork, butter, lard and fish." At this May term, 182 1, the grand jur ors, George Shannon, Daniel Brainard, Silas Dewey, Ebenezer Ransom, John G. Thayer, Seth Cochran, Joseph Keeler, and Ezra Williams, were regularly summoned, but not being a full pannel the court ordered the sheriff to fill it up to the num ber of fifteen, which he did by bringing into court the following talesmen, to wit: Josiah Rumery, Hugh Knox, Nicholas Whitinger, David Gallagher, Asa B. Gavit, Caleb Rice, and Abraham Townsend. Josiah Rumery was appointed foreman, and the grand jury charged and sent. These names and proceedings are noted and placed in our history for two reasons: first, to show that at that early day the forms of law were well observed; second, to show that the men named were residing in the county at the time, and active par ticipants in the affairs of society. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 37' Judge George Tod was father of David Tod, who was elected Governor of Ohio in 1859, and who proved to be a true patriot. Judge George Tod regularly pre sided over the court until the close of the October term, 1823. Judge Ebenezer Lane first presided in the county at the May term, 1824, which term commenced on the third day of the month. Judge Lane was afterwards ad vanced to the bench of the supreme court of the State, and is admitted to have been a pure, honest man, and a superior jurist. It was a decision announced by Judge Lane, from the supreme bench of the State, which first established the rights of the owners of property bounded by navi gable rivers in Ohio, and which declared as the laws of the State that such owner ship extended to the centre of the stream, subject to the right of the public to pass and repass. This decision may be found in the Thirteenth Ohio Report, in the case of the administrators of Gavit vs. David Chambers. The principle declared by Judge Lane in this case has been since contended against, but the court, as late as 1880, has held the decision sound, and enforced it as a rule of property. After the advancement of Judge Lane to the supreme court, there was a suc cession of able common pleas judges who presided at the court of the county with the associate judges until 1851, when the new constitution changed the organization of the court of common pleas, abolished the office of the associate judges, and left a single man to adjudicate and administer the law in the court of common pleas. The successors to the first two common pleas judges of the court above named will be found in our chapter on the civil history of the county. From the time the State was admitted into the Union, in 1802, until the present Constitution was adopted, in 1851, the judicial department of the State govern ment consisted of a supreme court, with three supreme judges for the whole State. These supreme judges held a circuit, at which one judge heard and decided causes. This circuit court was held once a year in each county. They also held a court at Columbus, at which all three were present, and heard and decided causes reserved from the circuit court and cases in error. Next in order came the court of com mon pleas, presided over by one common pleas judge assisted by three associate judges, in each county. This court had jurisdiction over all settlements qf the es tates of deceased persons and all guardian ships. Under the constitution of 1802 there was no separate probate court. The associate judges, or a majority of them, could be called together at any time to hear the proof of the execution of wills, or grant letters of administration or. guardianship, and to settle the accounts of such and order sales of real estate when necessary, in the settlement of es tates, and the records of their [iroceedings became part of the records of the court of common pleas. There were also jus tices of the peace, one, at least, sometimes three, in each township. The forms of pleading and practice, with a few exceptions where varied by statute law, were according to the English or common law, and this system of plead ing and practice continued in all our courts of record until the enactment of the code of civil procedure, in 1853. The new Constitution of 1851, and the code of civil procedure of 1853, reorgan ized the judicial department of the State government, and made very marked changes in the system of pleading and practice. However, under the new, as well as the old Constitution, crimes and offenses 372 History of sandusky county. were defined and punished by legislative enactment and not according to the com mon law. The Constitution of 1851 organized a probate court for each county, and took away from the court of common pleas jurisdiction over guardians, wills, and all testamentary matters, and conferred them exclusively on the probate court, except that petitions to sell real estate of deceased persons may be filed either in the common pleas or probate court, and appeals are provided for from the decisions of the probate, in some instances, to the court of common pleas. NOTEWORTHY TRIALS. There have been many interesting scenes and trials in the courts of the coun ty, and many displays of logical power and eloquence, as is the case in almost every county in the State. But our readers will not expect all these to be placed in history. We select, however, two remarka ble trials which took place in the county, and the incidents attending them, which are rather extraordinary and interesting. The accounts of these murders were published in the Fremont Courier (Ger man) and translated by Mr. L von Schloenbach for publication in the Fremont Journal, from which they are compiled: THE MURDER OF MRS. SPERRY. The year was 1842; the place was the farm of Joseph Sperry, an Englishman by birth, and it was situated between Green Spring and Clyde, Sandusky county, about one and one-half miles northeast of Green Spring, on the road leading to Clyde. Here Joseph Sperry lived, together with his wife, Cathatine Sperry, and two small children (a boy and a girl), seemingly in the best kind of harmonv and happi ness. Sperry always had been a hard-working, in dustrious man, and in course of time had succeeded in gaining a comfortable home for himself and fami ly. In the fall of 1841 he concluded to build him self a better and more comfortable dwelling-house, for which purpose he entered into a contract with a certain young and skilful carpenter, who, aside from having a rather prepossessing appearance, and being a captain of a militia company, was also counted as one of the prominent young men in that vicinity. Mrs. Sperry, the farmer's wife, was very industrious, and also a good-looking woman. In March, 1842, certain rumors with regard to criminal intercourse between Mrs. Sperry and this young carpenter gained considerable publicity, and finally reached the ears of Mr. Sperry. At that time, the young carpen ter had begun the work on Sperry's new house, and from casual observations, Sperry mistrusted that there might be good cause for these rnmors; from doubting his wife, he began to suspect her, and this led to very frequent family quarrels, which from that time on became an almost daily occurrence. These quarrels, inspired by the ominous poison of jealousy and misplaced confidence, reached their climax on the 9th of April, 1842, when Sperry took up a flat- iron, with which he inflicted a fearful wound about two inches long and. one inch deep upon the head of Mrs. Sperry, near the temple, from which she died almost instantly. This bloody deed took place in the kitchen of the old house, near an old-fashioned fireplace; near by stood a ladder, leading up to the garret. Gazing upon the dead body of his wife, and casting his eyes upon that fireplace and the ladder close by, this picture must have become transfixed in his mind like a flash of lightning, for it was in that moment in which he formed the combination of what afterward proved the entire basis of his defense. He ran at once for a neighbor, informing him of a fear ful accident that had befallen his wile, and which had resulted in her death. His story was, that she had fallen off the ladder, and struck her head against the corner stone of the fireplace, and had died from the effects. The news of Sperry's wife's death spread like wildfire through the vicinity, and the next day the coroner of Sandusky county, who then lived in Lower Sandusky, convened a jury and held an in quest. Among the jurymen (all residents of Fremont) we find Mr. Charles O. Tillotson and Judge Olmsted. The verdict of this jury was, that Mrs. Sperry came to her death by a wound caused by her husband, who had struck her with a flat-iron. Upon this Sperry was indicted for murder in the first degree, but the prosecuting attorney, Mr. W. W. Culver, effected Sperry's release upon a bail of two thousand dollars for his appearance at the next term of court. Sperry's counsel, the Messrs. Homer Everett and Bishop Eddy, tried their utmost to circulate the be- ¦ lief that there had been no murder committed at all, and that Mr?. Sperry had been the victim of a most unfortunate and terrible accident. Prosecuting At torney W. W.% Culver and his assistant, Mr. Cooper K. Watson (afterwards Judge of Common Pleas for the counties of Erie and Ottawa) were satisfied that it was a cool-blooded murder, and left nothing un done to have Sperry convicted. The defence per sistently kept up the theory of accident just as'it had come from the lips of the accused at first. The cor- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 373 oner's jury had neglected to give' an exact and de tailed description of the wound, and the prosecuting attorney, in order to avoid any doubt whatever, caused the body of Mrs. Sperry to be taken from the grave and brought to Fremont, where it was sub jected to a medical examination by Drs. Rawson and Anderson. Dr. Rawson's office at that time was near ¦ the old Dickinson dwelling (northwest corner Arch and State streets). Said physicians made a thorough examination and returns to the proscuiing altroney, who could now explain and satisfy the jury of the utter impossibility of an accident. The grand jury, which at that time was composed of the following gentle men, to-wit: Messrs. Warren H. Stevens, John Houts, Hugh Overmeier, Hugh Bowland, Michael Fought, Joshua B. Chapel, David Engler, Stephen Tenny, Orson Bement, Peter McNit, John Reed, George Donaldson, John Betts, Charles Lindsey, and Thomas Ogle, on the r4th day of September, 1842, found an indictment against Sperry for murder in the first degree, and on. the next day the trial commenced before Judge Ozias Bowen and his assist ants, Alpheus Mclntire, Isaac Knapp, and George Overmeier. Dr. L. Q. Rawson at that time held the position of clerk, with B. F. Fletcher as his assist ant. Mr. John Strohl was sheriff, and Peter Burgoon deputy sheriff. A jury, composed of the Messrs. John Bell, Michael Reed, Henry Havens, Daniel Tindall, Samuel Rose, David Chambers, Michael Overmeier, sr., William McGormley, Joseph Kelley, Lewis E. Marsh, Levi Marsh, and Samuel Skinner, was duly sworn, and upon the defendant's plea of "Not guilty" the trial commenced. The prosecu tion had no direct proofs, but the very strongest kind of circumstantial evidence, proving by their wit nesses" (especially the Drs. D. Tilden, L. Q. Rawson, and Anderson) that the theory of accident had abso lutely no foundation whatever, and came not even within the reach of possibility. The defence had substantially nothing else to counterbalance this tes timony but the defendant's good character; and, strange as it may appear, the question of jealousy was raised on neither side. Certain, however, is the fact that the young Adonis of a carpenter left the vi cinity shortly after the trial. The trial lasted five days, and on the 20th day of September, 1842, the jury returned a verdict of guilty in the first de gree. A motion on the part of the defence for a new trial was overruled by Judge Bowen, who thereupon sentenced Sperry to be hung on Wednesday, No vember 2, 1842. Sperry received his sentence with perfect calmness, and Sheriff Strohl took him to jail, into a cell already occupied by George, Thompson, also a murderer. The jail at that time was where now stands Rev. Mr. Lang's house, and here Sperry was given ample time to brood over his crime and repent, but all to no good, since he rejected all religious consolation, and remained 'the hard-hearted man he was up to the time of his death. Sperry had made several attempts to take his own life, but was frustrated in this by the constant vigilance of Sheriff Strohl and Deputy Sheriff Burgoon, but it was des tined that he should succeed after all. It was on Sunday, October 30, (he was to be hung on the following Wednesday) when Sperry's children, Jefferson and Mary Ann (a boy seven years, and a girl eight years old), were brought into his cell to take a final parting of their father. The children were too young to comprehend the situation, and their father was too reluctant and hardened to give way to any emotional feelings whatever, and 30 of course their conversation was turned entirely upon minor affairs. Sperry, who had noticed a small pen knife in the boy's hands, asked to look at it, and then returned it again with a part of the blade broken oft, but which was not noticed by the boy at that time. After taking leave of their father, the children were then taken to what is now called the Kessler House, where for the first time the boy noticed the broken blade. This soon became known, and the sheriff made a most thorough search for the missing part of the blade, but all in vain, since Sp erry had concealed it in the lining of his coat. This broken off blade it was which cheated the gallows of its prey, for that very night Sperry cut open some main arteries, and was found dead in his cell the next morning. But we are told that his death was a dreadful one, and in the presence of such a fiend as George Thompson, whom he had begged repeatedly to kill him, so as to end the agony of uis sufferings, but wuich Thompson refused to do, and answered only with mocking laugh ter. When Thompson was asked why he had not tried to prevent Sperry from killing himself, Thump- son (who also was an Englishman) answered, with the air of a bravado, "I rather see a countryman of mine kill himself than see him hung." Thus ended the life of a once good and industrious man, and it goes to show that the terrible fangs ol jealousy will sometimes netlle around the best ot human kind, and drag them down to the lowest degradation. THOMPSON MURDER IN BELLEVUE, 1842. Almost daily we read accounts of some brutal mur der, when the motive was nothing else but an unhap py love affair. Thirty-eight years have rolled by since this murder took place at Bellevue. We have under taken to 'acquaint the public with the facts of these two murders, that appear like two dark and ominous spots in the history of our county. It was on the 30th day of May, 1842, when the inhabitants of Bellevue were thrown into a fearful state of excitement by the news that a murder had been committed right in their midst. The victim was a Pennsylvania German girl, by the name of Catharine Hamler, and the murderer was an Englishman by the name of George Thomp son. Both parties were in the employ of Robert O. Pier, who at that time kept the Exchange Hotel in Bellevue (built by Chapman & Amsden). This 374 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Thompson, who had paid considerable attention to the girl (who at that time was but eighteen years old), had finally approached her with a proposal of mar riage, but was refused by the girl, who emphatically told him that she entertained nothing but friendship toward him. Instead of taking this hint, Thomp son kept up his love proposals in a still more per sistent manner, until finally, seeing all his efforts crushed to pieces, the thought of murdering this girl entered his mind. The 30th day of May, 1842 was destined to become reddened with the blood of his victim. On this day he took a gun, loaded it properly, and so armed, he proceeded to execute his terrible deed. In order to get up the proper cour age and strengthen his nerves, he took several drinks of whiskey, and then went to the hotel, into a back room, close to the stairway leading to the cellar kitchen. Catherine Hamler, who was in this very room, busy with ironing, upon noticing Thompson with a gun in his hand, became frightened at once, ran out of the room and down the stairway. She was followed by Thompson, and before she had ar rived at the last step of the stairs she received the unlucky discharge of Thompson's gun into her back, in the upper part of the shoulder blade, killing her instantly. The hotel keeper's wife, who had been busy in the cellar kitchen, hearing some one coming down stairs in such a hurry, ran out to learn the cause of it, and arrived just in time to catch the girl, who exclaiming: "I'm shot!" expired in her arms. The medical examination proved that the wound was half an inch wide and ten inches deep. We may well imagine what kind of an uproar and gen. eral consternation this foul murder created. Thomp son was immediately arrested and brought to Fre mont, where he was taken to jail and locked in the same cell where Sperry was then awaiting his trial. This was in the summer of 1842, and in September of the same year the grand jury, whose foreman was Mr. Charles Lindsey, found an indictment against Thompson for murder in the first degree. Shortly afterward Thompson made his es cape from jail, but was retaken in Woodville town ship and brought back to jail. He remained in jail until shortly after Sperry's suicide, when he and several other prisoners again made good their escape. Before we proceed any further, we will give our readers a detailed account of Thompson's escape, which was furnished us by Mr. Michael McBride, of Woodville, to whom, and also to Mr. Stephen Brown, of Woodville, we feel greatly indebted. Mr. McBride's letter to us reads as fol lows: "On the first occasion of Thompson's breaking jail, in his journeying to escape, he leached a house about a half-mile to the westward of my place, then owned and occupied by John P. Elderkin, sr. , now a resident of Fremont, and, in knocking for admis sion, he was met at the door by Mr. Stephen Brown, of Woodville, who at that time was a boarder at El- derkin's. Thompson then told Mr. Brown that he was hungry, and would like to get something to eat, and then disclosed the fact that he was Thompson, the murderer, and at the same time expressing him self as lacking in hope in the prospect of making good his escape; in consequence of which he re quested Brown to be instrumental in returning him to jail, telling him at the same time that a reward, without doubt, would be offered for his arrest, and therefore he might as well obtain the same as any body else. After listening to this conversation, Brown remarked that he was only a boarder at said house, (Elderkin being absent at the time,) therefore he had no rightful authority to give him anything to eat; 'but,' said he, 'I will accompany you to Woodville, and there you can obtain eatables, and the matter of your return to jail can be settled also. This proposition was accepted and carried out, and it was arranged, when at the village, to have Mr. Wood return the prisoner to jail, which he accord ingly did. From the [reported] fact of Wood having expected a reward for the return, and failing in this, he was so chagrined that he told Thompson, upon separating from him in Fremont, that if he suc ceeded in escaping again, he desired him to make for his (Wood's) home, and, if he reached it in safety, he would use his endeavor to further his escape by letting'him have one of his horses in order to accel erate the same. The two individuals then bade each other good-bye, Thompson at the same time telling Wood that he might expect him with him again just one week from that date, and this he fulfilled to the very day. So much for Mr. Stephen Brown's information, and now the thread of this story is followed still fur ther by what I elicited from a conversation with Cap tain Andrew Nuhfer, of Woodville, who says that Thompson, when making his second escape, arrived in Woodville in the night and entered a blacksmith shop belong to said Nuhfer, and there cut the fetters from his wrists by means of tools in the shop. Nuh fer plainly discovered traces of some one having used his forge and tools when he entered his shop next morning. It seems that the prisoner, after having rid himself of his fetters, carried the same, with the connecting chain, and threw them behind a barn belonging to Wood, and soon after, having procured a horse from Mr. Wood, he set out on horseback to make good his escape. The horse, upon proving to lack endurance, was soon abandoned, and the es cape continued, otherwise successfully, until the stage-driver informed on him. The chain and hand cuffs, lying behind Wood's barn, were subsequently appropriated as the property of Mr. Wood, and Nuhfer says that Mr. Wood conceived the idea of putting the same to some use he had in view, by, in the first place, having the same remodeled into a complete chain by the blacksmith. This idea was carried out and Nuhfer did the work of remodeling." HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 375 Mr. I. K. Seaman's information upon this subject coincides in the main with that of Mr. McBride. Mr. Seaman was, during the years of 1842 and 1843, toll-gate keeper near Woodville, and remembers distinctly that Thompson had been seen close to an old oak tree, about half a mile north of Wood ville. Seaman says that he and Amos E. Wood had taken the prisoner to the jail in Fremont. A week later Thompson again came back to Woodville, where he met Wood and Seaman, whom he begged to stick to the promise they had made to him and further his escape. Mr. Wood told Thompson that his promise should be kept, whereupon he and Sea man went with Thompson to Nuhfer's blacksmith shop, where Thompson got rid of his fetters. Thompson staid at Seaman's house over night, and the next morning, sufficiently provided for with eat ables and other necessaries, he went on his journey. A part of the distance from Woodville to Perrys burg he made in a sleigh. From Perrysburg he travelled west until he reached Ottawa, Illinois. Mr. Seaman is of the opinion that the name of the stage- driver who finally discovered Thompson, was J ack- son. He also says that Thompson after this last capture never attempted another escape. He had free access to Sheriff Strohl's yard, where he split wood and made himself generally useful, and that Thompson, had he chosen to do so, could have es caped very easily, especially where nearly all the farmers in the neighborhood rather sympathized and pitied him and would have furthered his escape; but Thompson was prepared to die, and continually thought of his victim, poor Catharine Hamler, whom he never could forget and whom he professed to love up to his death. We now proceed to acquaint our readers with the final capture of George Thompson. It was in the fall of 1843 when a certain stage-driver left this vicinity in order to take mail matter to the far West. In the fore part of October this stage-driver came to Ottawa, county seat of La Salle county, Illinois, and stopped, with some of his passengers, at the same hotel where at that time George Thompson was employed as hostler. As chance would have it, one of the passengers had a conversation with the stage-driver about what time they intended to go back home. George Thompson, who happened to stand near by, became an attentive listener to their conversation from the fact that he heard the names of Bellevue and Lower Sandusky mentioned. The stage-driver, although acquainted in Ottawa, still did not know Thompson personally, and when he noticed the sudden change in Thompson's face from a living red to a deathly pallor, he exclaimed, "Well! what is the matter with you?" Thompson, finding it hard to control his emotion, begged the stage- driver not to betray him, telling, him at the same time that he was the murderer of Catharine Hamler. The stage-driver, astonished over the discovery he had made, immediately sent this information to Sheriff Strohl, who, after receiving the same com municated it to Pi osecuting Attorney W. W. Culver. In consequence of this, the county commissioners, Messrs. Paul Tew, Jones Smith and James Rose, (A. Coles was auditor at that time,) on the 8th day of December, 1843, ordered the sum of one hundred dollars paid to Sheriff Strohl to enable him to go and get Thompson. In the meantime the necessary papers of requisition had been made out by Gov ernor Thomas W. Bartley, whereupon Thompson had been imprisoned in Ottawa until the arrival of Sheriff Strohl, who finally returned with his prisoner in the fore part of March, 1844. His trial com _ menced in June before a jury composed of the follow ing persons, to-wit: Joseph Reed, James P. Berry, Benjamin Inman, Archibald Rice, James A. Fisher, William Boyles, Abraham Gems, Washington No ble, Michael McBride, Stephen Lee, John Weeks, and Amos K. Hammond. Thompson was defended byBriceJ. Bartlett (father of Colonel Joseph R. Bart lett) and Cooper K. Watson. The State was rep resented by W. W. Culver and L. B. Otis. The presiding judge was Ozias Bowen, assisted by the Messrs. Isaac Knapp, Alpheus Mclntyre, and George Overmeier. During the trial the counsel for the defendant tried their best to show that Thompson, at the committal of the murder, was not in his own mind and not capable of distinguishing right from wrong. This was corroborated by the testimony of a young Irishman, who said that he and Thompson had once been employed together as sailors upon the same ship, and upon landing on a British isle in the West Indies, Thompson there had had a severe case of sunstroke, the effects of which, in his opinion, Thompson never could have overcome. The theory of temporary insanity was prepared and skilfully worked upon by the able coun sel for the defense. The State, on the contrary, proved by sufficient testimony, that during his stay in Bellevue Thompson never had shown the least signs of insanity, and had not only talked good common sense but had proved himself an upright and industrious man. Mr. Robert O. Pier, the keeper of the Exchange Hotel in Bellevue, testified that while in his employ Thompson had behaved admir ably, and had fulfilled promptly all duties required of him, and that in his opinion Thompson knew perfectly well to tell right from wrong. After the arguments on both sides were concluded Judge Bowen instructed the jury, who then retired about noon. They remained out about four hours, and at their first ballot the jury stood ten for guilty in the first degree; one, William Boyles, for acquittal, and Michael McBride for guilty in the second degree. Boyles kept hanging back for several hours but finally consented, and shortly after three o'clock on the 20th day of June, the jury brought in their verdict of guilty in the first degree. The defense filed a mo- 376 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tion for a new trial, but the judges overruled said motion, whereupon the accused was asked to arise, and when questioned whether he had anything to say why judgment should not be passed upon him, Thompson answered that he had nothing more to say. Then Judge Bowen addressed the prisoner as follows: " George Thompson, you have been ac cused, tried, and found guilty of the greatest crime known in the annals of the law in this State. You have been tried by a jury of twelve men, chosen by yourself; you have had a decidedly impartial trial ; you have been defended by the most able counsel, who have tried the utmost on their part to withhold a verdict of guilty; you have tried to show that you were afflicted with temporary insanity, but for the sake of ' humanity, it has been clearly proven that on the 30th day of May, 1842, you wilfully, maliciously and knowingly killed Catharine Hamler. The laws of this State for the crime of which you have been found guilty punish with a dishonorable death on the scaf fold; but the law in this is more merciful than you have been toward your victim, and gives you ample time to repent of your terrible crime. Do not resort to any vain hopes of pardon but use your short time for repenting, for which purpose you may have the religious consolation of a minister of your own free choice. And now there remains nothing else for me to do but to pronounce sentence upon you ac cording to the laws of our commonwealth. Thus reads the sentence: 'That you George Thompson, prisoner before the bar, be taken back to jail, whence you came, and there remain under close confinement until Friday, the 12th day of July, 1844, on which day, between the hours of ro o'clock A. M. and 2 o'clock P. M. , you shall be taken to the place of exe cution, and there hung by your neck until you are dead, and may God have mercy upon your soul.' " Thompson, who was quite overcome with emo tion by the reading of his death warrant, was then taken back to jail. What a change had taken place in this man, for it was but two years pre vious, that this very George Thompson had shown and proved himself such a perfect brute, deprived of all human affection, at the time of John Sperry's suicide, and henceforth he became an entirely changed and repentant man. There were many persons who visited him during his last confinement, to whom he talked and conversed freely about the murder and its victim, poor Catharine Hamler, who, he said, was constantly before his eyes and troubled his mind considerably. Once upon being asked by Mr, David Betts whether he sincerely repented of his terrible deed, he answered: " I have loved this Catharine Hamler more than any other person in the world, and since she rejected my love I concluded to make certain that no other person should have her." Thompson was a member of the English Protest ant Episcopal church, but he refused to see any Protestant minister and demanded a Catholic priest. His wish was complied with and he received occa sional visits from a French priest by the name of Josephus Projectus Macheboeuf, the present apos tolic vicar at Denver, Colorado, ana also from Father McNamee, of Tiffin. Rev. Macheboeuf at that time had charge of several parishes, as Peru, Sandusky, and several other places. At the begin ning of the year 1880 he was in Rome, where he had an interview with Pope Leo XIII., who, accord ing to the London Tablet, is said to have expressed very favorable comments on the ministerial efforts of this # Rev. Macheboeuf. The day of execution drew near, and Sheriff Strohl made the necessary preparations for the same. Mr. John Sendelbach took the measure and made the coffin, and Mrs. Sarah Barkimer, nee Parish, who still resides here in Fremont on Elliott Street, on the east side of the river, made a white shroud, to which a white cap was attached. Thompson was hung in this very shroud. Sheriff Strohl, who himself was a carpen ter by trade, erected the gallows, enclosing the space (twenty bv thirty feet) with a board fence, twelve feet high. The day before the execution Rev. Macheboeuf held holy mass in the prisoner's cell, on which oc casion Mr. Ambrose Ochs assisted, who at that time was learning the wagonmaker's trade with Mr. Bait. Keefer. Thompson expressed great fear that after the execution his body might come under the eager hands and knives of science-hungry physicians, and he therefore begged of Rev. J. McNamee, who lived at Tiffin, to see to it that his body was laid in consecrated earth, which was solemnly pledged to him. The 12th day of July, 1844, the day set for the execution, had finally come. The prisoner awoke early and after partaking of a light breakfast was visited by Rev. J. McNamee, who administered the holy sacrament, after which Thompson put on the white shroud, of which we have spoken already. In the mean time a great crowd of people had con gregated around the outside enclosure (the very place where now stands the new addition of the court-house) and some desperate fellows, eager to become eyewitnesses of this sad spectacle, tried their best to break down the enclosure. Sheriff Strohl, after having become aware of these facts, concluded to have the prisoner executed in the morning instead of in the afternoon, as had been his first intention. Shortly after ir o'clock he led Thompson, accom panied by the priest, out of his cell to the fatal plat form of the gallows. All at once some one cried: "Heis coming!" andat that moment, Mr J. R.Fran cisco, from Ballville, who was stationed inside the enclosure as a custodian and armed with a gun. ob served that some one was trying to cut a hole through the board fence, and before he could prevent it, one of the boards had been torn off, and in less than no HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 377 time at all, other boards followed until finally the whole fence had disappeared, there'.iy exposing the sad spectacle to the entire public. After prayer by Rev. McNamee, he was asked by Sheriff Strohl whether he had anything more to say, to which Thompson simply shook his head. His arms and legs were then tied, the fatal noose laid around his neck, the white cap drawn over his face, and upon a given signal the trap was sprung and Thompson dangled in the air between heaven and earth. Thomp son's neck was not broken but he died of strangula tion, the knot of the noose having slipped under the chin. He still breathed after a lapse of fifteen min utes, and the moving of the muscles of the different parts of the body gave sufficient proof of the dread ful death agony that was taking place in that man. In twenty minutes Thompson was pronounced dead by Drs. L. Q. Rawson and Peter Beaugrand, and fifteen minutes before 12 o'clock the body was taken from the gallows, put into the coffin, and given in charge of Rev. J. McNamee, who had it taken to Tiffin and buried in the Catholic cemetery, thus keeping the solemn pledge he had given to Thompson. It is said that after the crowd had dispersed certain rumors went afloat that Thompson had not been dead at the time he was cut down, and that on the way to Tiffin Father McNamee had made successful attempts at bringing Thompson back to life again. These rumors found their culminative point in the statement that Thompson had been seen near Fort Seneca. Of course these were only rumors, based upon the stupidity and sickly imagination of some foolish people, and certainly must have added greatly to the amusement of the above-named and certainly well-learned and skilful physicians. In the early history of the practitioners at the bar we find a peculiar class of men, of which the present day does not furnish a correct likeness. From the date of the or ganization of the county in the year 1820 until as late as 1840, or thereabouts, the larger portion of the litigated cases in the courts of the county were conducted by law yers from other and sometimes remote lo calities. They were chiefly men who had at tained a wide reputation for talent and abil ity in the profession, and whenever plaintiff or defendant retained one of such a repu tation the other side was sure to emjjloy another of similar acquirements and ability to match him. The early local lawyers were poor, and there were in fact no law libraries worth noticing, and they of course could not refer to authorities on many questions which arose. But attorneys from older towns and cities had access to law books and could therefore make a better display in arguing cases to court or jury; hence they were preferred by liti gants in the early times of the jurispru dence of the county. For such reasons, at every term of the earlier courts there came to attend court such men as Picket Lattimer, Ebenezer Lane, Phillip R. Hopkins, Ebenezer Andrews, of Huron county, and later, Charles L. Boalt, and Samuel T. Worcester, Cortland Lattimer, Thaddeus B. Sturges, Francis D. Parrish, John R. Osborn, E. B. Saddler, and Joseph M. Root, of the same county. Though F. D. Parrish and E. B. Saddler were resi dents of Sandusky and placed outside of Huron county by the erection of Erie county, they were, at the time spoken of, within the limits of Huron county. There were, at every term of the court, John M. May, of Mansfield, Richland county, Orris Parrish, of Columbus, Ohio, Andrew Coffinberry and John C. Spink, of Wood county, Ohio, and occasionally such men as Thomas Ewing and Willis Silliman were found in the court-room, though not often in this, to them, remote part of the State.. Excepting Ewing and Silliman, in their early practice here, all travelled on horseback with the common pleas judge from county seat to county seat, and during their stay made a home at the best tavern at the county seat. They all travelled in company on horseback and carried copies of pleadings, briefs, and a change of shirts in saddle-bags or valise. When on the road or off duty at the tav ern they were a social, often a convivial collection of talented men away from home. In court they were as earnest and talented on behalf of their clients as any lawyers of the present day can be. Cards, whiskey, story telling, and dancing, and 378 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. singing songs were the alternate amuse ments, and the whole tavern was kept happy where they stopped. After charging and sending out the grand jury, the presiding judge would next take the docket and call the cases for trial in the same order as they stood upon the docket, and every case was disposed of, for that time at least. The cases were con tinued, tried or dismissed when called. This practice compelled attorneys and clients to be ready for trial at all times during the term. Therefore all clients and witnesses attended constantly until their cases were disposed of. The attend ance upon court, therefore, was much greater than at present. In fact, for a few days after opening court there was usually a large gathering of country people, some thing like what we now see when a men agerie .or circus is on exhibition. Woe to the attorney who was not prepared to try , his case. He usually found no indulgence from the court. There was in the earlier courts far more prompt and rapid disposal of cases than there is at present by the court. In looking for the causes for this change in the transaction of business, two facts appear: First, under the Constitution of 1802 all the judges were elected in joint ballot of the General Assembly, and not by popular vote of the same peojjle to whom he must administer justice. The popular and widely influential attorney had no ter rors for him, because he looked to the General Assembly for his re-election if he desired it. Second, under the common law system of pleading almost every case was narrowed down to a single issue of fact or law, and the scope of the jury's enquiry was much less than the scope under the present system. Another cause may have had some influence. Then there were fewer judges to do the work, and a rapid dispatch of the business in each county in short terms was an absolute necessity. EARLY RESIDENT MEMBERS OF THE BAR. Benjamin F. Drake was the first law yer who settled in Lower Sandusky. He came there in 1817, and was for a time clerk of the court of common pleas, but resigned his office and removed to Dela ware county, probably in 1823. Nothing further of his history or fate can now be obtained for record. Harvey J. Hahmon was the second law yer who settled in Lower Sandusky. Mr. Harmon was a well educated man and a good lawyer, and at one time had consid erable practice. He loved political dis cussion, however, and during the latter years of his life gave most of his time and efforts in that direction. He was an ar dent Jackson Democrat in the election of 1828, and afterward received the appoint ment of postmaster at Lower Sandusky. Mr. Harmon was father of one daughter, nowl iving, who is the wife of our esteemed citizen, Colonel William E. Haynes. This daughter was a small child when her father died. He died in August, 1834, of Asiatic cholera, in Lower Sandusky. The way he contracted the contagious and fatal disease reflects much credit on his character as a man and a Mason. There had been no case of cholera in Lower Sandusky, and no thought that it would stray from the great thoroughfare to attack the people of as small a village as Lower Sandusky. A small steamboat then ply ing between Sandusky City and Lower Sandusky, about the 4th of August, 1834, brought a number of passengers and landed them about three-quarters of a mile north of where the court-house now stands. Among the passengers were two or three families of German emigrants, who had recently arrived in the United States. These people camped out near the landing and did not enter the town. A very respectable stranger in appearance HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 379 came from the landing in the evening and took lodgings in the Western House, then the best hotel in the country and kept by a Mr. Marsh. In the early part of the night this stranger was taken sick, and was in need of help; he inquired of the landlord if there were any Free Masons in the place, and was told that Mr. Harmon was reputed to be a member of the order. A messenger was sent to give word and returned with Mr. Harmon, who recog nized the stranger as a brother in the order. Mr. Harmon stayed with and ministered to him through the night, and until the stranger died early the next day. Harmon was taken with the dread disease the following day and died in about twenty-four hours after the attack. Increase Graves came to Lower San dusky and began the practice of the law as early as 182 1, if not before. He married the daughter of Israel Harring, an early settler, and died after about three years of married life, leaving a widow and one child. Rodolphus Dickinson was in order of time probably the fourth resident lawyer who settled in Lower Sandusky. There are better means at hand to furnish a history of Mr. Dickinson than of thosp who preceded him. From these sources of information we gather and place in this work the following facts concerning him and his career: Rodolphus Dickinson was born in the State of Massachusetts, December 28, 1797. He graduated at Williams College and soon thereafter repaired to Columbus, Ohio, where he taught school for a time. He then entered upon the study of the law with Gustavus Swan, of that city. After completing his studies and after being admitted to the bar, Mr. Dickinson removed to Tiffin, the county seat of the then new county of Seneca. Here he commenced the practice of the legal pro fession, and was appointed prosecut ing attorney of that county at the first term of the court of common pleas held. In 1826 he removed to Lower San dusky (now Fremont) and in the fol lowing year was married to Miss Mar garet Beaugrand, daughter of John B. Beaugrand, one of the early settlers in Lower Sandusky. He was for a time prosecuting attorney for Sandusky,, and soon gathered a profitable practice. He continued in practice for several years, but like .many other lawyers was event ually called into the arena of political and party contention. Here Mr. Dick inson displayed all the qualities neces sary to a politician without the sacrifice of integrity. In the schemes for the early public works and finances of the State he became, and was for several years, the master mind. The Wabash & Erie Canal and the Maumee & Western Re serve road are monuments of his abil ity and energy. He was a member of the Board of Public Works of the State from the year 1836 to the year 1845, which dates include an era of financial embarassment the most severe ever known in the State. Mr. Dickinson's in fluence with the Board of Fund Commis sioners of the State and with the State Legislature was generally potential, and during a series of years when the credit of the State was so prostrated that the bonds sold as low as fifty cents on the dollar (the proceeds of sale being realized in the paper of suspended banks, which was de preciated ten or twelve per cent.), his prudent counsels contributed largely to save the prosecution of the public works from indefinite suspension. In 1846 Mr. Dickinson was elected to Congress, and re-elected in 1848. He died in Washing ton city soon after his re-election, and on the 20th of March, 1849. Mr. Dickinson, for his private virtues and his public services, is still held in 38o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. grateful remembrance by the people not only of Sandusky county but throughout Northwestern Ohio. Hiram R. Pettibone was born in Gran ville, Connecticut, on the 20th of May, 1795. In 1830 he served one term in the Legislature of his native State. -He studied law with Judge Fouscey, of great repute in that State as a jurist. He came to Lower Sandusky and entered the practice of the law in the year 1835, and was a popular and successful practitioner until 1849, when he removed to Wisconsin, where he still resides with his son Chauncy. While residing here Mr. Pet tibone enjoyed the high esteem of the moral and intellectual portion of our peo ple. In practice he was faithful to his clients, and was engaged in many of the important cases tried in the county. While practicing law in Lower Sandusky Mr. Pettibone and his wife reared and fitted for useful lives a family, consisting of Mr. Chauncy Pettibone, who was an accom plished business man at an early age, and was at one time a partner in the mercan tile business at Lower Sandusky with Mr. James Vallette. His eldest daughter, Delia, married Austin B. Taylor, one of our early and successful merchants, and a man of ability in business circles. His second daughter, Harriet, was married to C. G. McCulloch, an early druggist of Lower Sandusky, but now of Chicago. A son, Milo, and son William, were next in order of age. Then a daughter, Jane, who married Dr. Kramer, of Sandusky City; a son, Alfred, now residing in Ripon, Wisconsin. Dr. Sardis B. Taylor, now practicing medicine in Fremont, is a grandson of Lower Sandusky's early and able lawyer, Hiram R. Petti bone. This venerable member of the Bar of Sandusky county is now eighty-six years of age, and comfortably enjoying the sunset of life with his oldest son, Chauncy, an active and successful mer chant at Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. After or about the time Mr. Pettibone settled in the practice of the law at Lower Sandusky, came Asa Calkins, Peter Yates, W. W. Culver, and William W. Ainger. Little of the history of these men can now be gathered. They are either long ago dead, or in other States, and in un known locations, excepting William W. Culver, who, at last accounts, was still living and resides at Penn Yan, New York. But the means of giving his birth place, where he was educated, and where he studied his profession, are not at hand. Mr. Culver was prosecuting at torney for the county, being appointed first in 1839, and continued four succes sive years. In his addresses to a popular assembly, or to a jury, Mr. Culver exhibi ted wonderful brilliancy and acumen and always commanded the close attention of the jury and the court, and if not always right in his views of the law, or his deduc tions from facts in the testimony of a cau;e, he was always listened to with in terest and pleasure by all who heard him. Mr. Culver left the practice about 1847, and afterwards went to California where he taught school. He accumulated consider able property, and finally settled with a sister in Penn Yan, New York. Ralph P. Buckland's history is so fully written in other parts of this work that our notice of him as a lawyer may be made brief without doing him injustice. We will, there fore but briefly sketch the life of this distin guished citizen in its connection with the practice of the law. He came to Lower Sandusky in the summer of 1837, and commenced the practice of the law. He has frequently told the writer that when he arrived at Lower Sandusky to com mence the practice of his profession he was without means, and his only monetary resources were seventy-five cents, which HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 38i he brought with him in his pockets. His subsequent success, and the eminent char acter he achieved, stands as a monument to his industry and integrity, as well as an enduring encouragement to all young members of the profession that by imitat ing his noble and virtuous example they may succeed in life. We commend the life of General Buckland, as given in an other chapter, to the reading and consid- ation of all into whose hands this work may come. General Buckland is now en gaged in practice in partnership with his son, Horace S. Buckland, and Wilbur Zeigler, and is the only lawyer now in practice who practiced in Fremont before 1840, and is also the oldest member of the bar in the county, both in years and in practice. Lucius B. Otis was born March n, 1820, at Montville, Connecticut, and was educated in Ohio at common schools in Berlin, Erie county, at Huron Insti tute, Milan, Ohio; the Norwalk Seminary, Norwalk, Ohio, and at Granville College, Granville, Ohio. He commenced the study of law at Norwalk, Ohio, in August, 1839, in the law office of Hon. Thaddeus B. Sturgis and John Whitbeck, and during the fall and winter of 1840 and 1841 at tended the law school of the Cincin nati College, at Cincinnati, Ohio, from which he graduated in April, 1841. At the August term of the Supreme Court, held in Huron county in 1841, he was duly ad mitted to the Bar as a practicing attorney. On September 1, 1841, he took up his residence in Lower Sandusky, Sandusky county, Ohio. For the first year or two he practiced law in partnership with the late Brice J. Bartlett, and subsequently for several years with Hon. Homer Ever ett. He was married to Miss Lydia Ann Arnold, of East Greenwich, Rhode Island, in January, 1844, and has seven children living, four married and. well settled in life,. and the three youngest living with their parents at the family home, No. 201 1 Michigan avenue, Chicago. At the close of his term of office as judge of the court of common pleas in Ohio, in December, 1856, he removed to Chicago, Illinois, which is still his residence. He has never practiced his profession since he took his seat upon the bench as judge in Ohio, in February, 1852. When he located in Lower Sandusky, in September, 1841, Mack Bump kept the old historic corner tavern, at which he boarded for a long time at two dollars and a half per week. It was a well kept hotel. He recalls the following names as fellow boarders at that time : Elisha W. Howland, Charles O. Tillotson, Dr. Thomas Stilwell, Clark Waggoner, C. G. McCulloch, John A. Johnson. That so many are still living after nearly forty years have elapsed is quite remarkable. To show how Judge Otis succeeded in life after he left Fremont, we give the fol lowing from a correspondent of the San dusky Register in Chicago, under date of January n, i88r, which details his life. with more particularity : Judge Lucius B. Otis is a typical Ohioan in physical proportions and mental acquirement. It is often said that sons of Ohio, particularly Northern Ohio, are men of large frame and fine physique; whether this is true or not I cannot say, but it certainly is true in this instance, and is true of the family, a numerous one. While L. B. Otis was born in Connecticut, he is essentially an Ohio man, having come to the State when two years of age. He comes of rare old New England stock, his father and mother possessing fine native abilities, rare attainments, force of character, integrity and many Christian virtues, which qualities were inherited by the subject of this mention in a marked degree. He was born in r820, and his par ents moved to Berlin, Erie county, Ohio, in 1822, which has been the home of the family since. Lucius attended the common schools of that place, dividing his time between study and farming, until eighteen years of age, when he attended the Huron Institute at Milan, later the Norwalk Institute and Granville College, when he commenced the study of law in Norwalk, with Sturgis & Whitbeck, and attended the law school at Cincinnati, returning to Norwalk in 382 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 1841, where he was admitted to the Bar by the su preme court. Soon after this he established himself in practice at Lower Sandusky, now Fremont; was elect ed prosecuting attorney in 1842, and re-elected each two years and served until 1850. In 1851, under the new Constitution, he was elected judge of the court of common pleas, his circuit comprising the counties of Huron, Erie, Sandusky, Ottawa, and Lucas, and involved a vast amount of work, often holding court ten months of the year, besides sitting as one of the district judges. In r85o, with Sardis Birchard, he established the banking house of Birchard & Otis, at Fremont, which enterprise proved a decided suc cess, and in 1864 developed into the First National Bank of Fremont. At the expiration of his judge ship, in 1856, having accumulated considerable means and believing Chicago was destined to become the great metropolis of the West, he moved here in De cember of the same year, and at once began operat ing in real estate, buying, building, and renting; ex ercising that tact, sagacity, and judgment which had previously characterized his course, and have to this day, and he has become one of our largest real estate owners and among our most enterprising and suc cessful business men. One of the finest and most conspicuous marble front blocks, known as the "Otis Block," is owned by him and his brother James. He was a large property owner before the fire, and being in the burnt district, his property was nearly all destroyed, but, being well insured in re sponsible companies, he was not as heavy a loser as m my, and was able to rebuild and almost wholly re place his buildings with new ones of a much better class. He was president of the Grand Pacific Hotel Company, and superintended the finances when it was rebuilt after the fire, and had a general super vision of its building. Among the many responsible positions he has been called upon to fill, financial and otherwise, is that of receiver of the insolvent State Savings Institution, which had a deposit ac count at the time of failure of over four million dol lars, to the credit of poor people almost wholly. The court sought to protect this vast interest and save as large a per cent, as possible to the depositors, and to accomplish this object selected Judge L. B. Otis for receiver, knowing his eminent fitness for such duty. He has more than met the expectations of both court and depositors. He has realized on the real estate assets a full quarter of a million dollars more than almost any other man could have done, and will be able to pay over forty per cent., in place of fifteen or twenty, which was only looked for, hardly expected. This is the result of his sagacious management of the assets. His bond is two million dollars, signed by ten of the best men in the city. I instance this fact to indicate to his former friends and neighbors the kind of man Erie county has furnished Chicago. His name is identified with some of our best corners, as to property, and our best institutions of all descriptions. He is one of our most prominent citizens, and his fine and varied literary attainments and refined social qualities make him a most agreeable and edifying member of the social circle. He has a large library, filled with a choice collection of books. He is a law yer of the highest standing in the profession; has not been an office seeker, though office has often sought him, but, being a Democrat, his friends have been unable to put him in high State positions (for which he was fitted) in this Republican stronghold. He supported Lincoln both terms, but has returned to his first love, no doubt being conscientious in his views and belief. In religion he is an Episcopalian, and a noble layman in the matter of expounding the laws and canons of that church. In 1873 and 1874, with a portion of his family, he visited Great Britain and the Continent, making an extensive tour. He was married in r844, and has had eight children, seven of whom are now living. His wife is an estimable lady. His sons are among our prominent business men, engaged in banking and other business. Ohio, and Erie county in particu lar, may point with pride to Judge L. B. Otis as one of her sons. John L. Greene, sr., was born in St. Lawrence county, New York, July 16, 1806. In August, 1815, he moved with his father's family to Ohio, and located at Newburg, on the Western Reserve. He shortly after went to Plattsburg, New York, where he spent two years, and there began the study of the law, under the in struction of his uncle, John Lynde. He spent some time in the University of Burlington, Vermont, but was compelled to relinquish his course on account of ill health. Returning to Ohio he was soon invited to take charge of an academy at Cleveland, which position he accepted for a short time. While engaged in teaching he still pursued the study of the law, under the tuition of Leonard Case. After the termination of his engagement in the academy, he gave himself more ex clusively to the study of law, and while giving his days to that purpose, employed his evenings in keeping the books of the mercantile house of Irad Kelley. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3»3 On the 16th of July, 1828, he was married to Miss Julia L. Castle, of Cleve land. In this year he also engaged in various speculations, by which he accumu lated a handsome property. In 1833 he came to Sandusky county and purchased some fourteen hundred acres of land, and in the spring of the fol lowing year moved with his family here. After a failure in mercantile business at Greensburg, a village named after him, in Scott township, which failure was caused by the financial crisis of 1836-37, Mr. Greene, in 1840, came to Lower Sanduskv and commenced the practice of the law. His earnings for the first year were forty- five dollars. He had a wife and six chil. dren to provide for. At this juncture he received aid from an old Samaritan named Riverius Bidwell. The next year his earn ings amounted to sixteen hundred and fifty dollars. From this time he had a successful practice until 1855, when he was elected Representative in the General Assembly, by the people. In 1861 he was elected judge of the court of common pleas, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Hon. Samuel T. Worcester, which position he held until February, 1864, at which time he resumed the prac tice of the law. He afterwards formed a partnership with his son, John L. Greene, jr., in which relation he continued until the time of his death. He was the father of eight sons and four daughters. One of his peculiarities was a fondness for horses, and, at the bar, wherever he practiced, he was king of all attorneys where the value, or quality, or disease of horses were drawn into litiga tion. In social life, and as a citizen of good example, public spirit, and liberality, Judge Greene had few superiors in Fre mont. The fact that Mr. Greene was chosen as a judge and elected to that position by the people of the subdivision of the judicial district in which he resided, fully certifies his ability and standing as a lawyer and a man. Cooper K. Watson came to Lower Sandusky to attend court occasionally as early as 1841. He had studied law in Marion, Ohio, and recently been admitted to the Bar. At that time he was a man of unusually clear and quick perception of legal principles and with great argument ative power. He assisted in the prosecu tion of Sperry for the murder of his wife, and his management of the case, and es pecially his argument to the jury, at once placed him in a high position in his pro fession, which he maintained through life. Of his birthplace, parentage, and early life, we are not informed. Mr. Watson served two successive terms in the House of Representatives in Con gress, being first elected in 1856, and after he had become a resident of Tiffin, in Seneca county, having changed his resi dence about the year 1850. Subsequently he located and practiced his profession in Sandusky. After the death of Judge Lane, of Sandusky, he was appointed to fill the vacancy in the judgeship of the court of common pleas, and was twice elected to the office, in which he continued until his death, in 1880. He was buried in the cemetery at Sandusky, and his funeral was attended by a large concourse of people, including judges and lawyers from various distant parts of the State, also a large con course of Knights Templar, of which order he was a prominent member. John A. Johnson was born in Canfield, Trumbull county at that time, but now in the county of Mahoning. After receiv ing a fair academic education he studied law in the office of Judge Newton, in Canfield. He came to Lower Sandusky and commenced the practice of the law in the latter part of the year 1839. In 1842 he formed a partnership in practice with 384 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Cooper K Watson, under the name of Watson & Johnson. This firm had the benefit of Mr. Watson's growing reputa tion, and for a time did a large legal busi ness. In 1842 Mr. Johnson married Almira B. Hafford. In 1849 he left his prac tice and his family, in Fremont, and, with several other citizens of the place, went, to hunt gold in California, and was absent about fifteen months. A few months after his return he sold his farm and residence near the town, and moved to Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, where he died many years ago. His wife and four chil dren — three sons and one daughter, are Still living. Mr. Johnson was in every way an exem plary man. While residing in Lower San dusky he was a member of the Presbyte rian church, and acted as its trustee in building the first brick house of worship for the society. Nathaniel B. Eddy, a native of the State of New York, came to Lower Sandusky and commenced the practice of the law sometime about the year 1839. Mr. Eddy was well educated and had thoroughly studied his profession. His brother, Azariah, had settled in Lower Sandusky previously, and at the time men tioned was, perhaps, the leading merchant of the town. His influence at once helped his young lawyer brother into practice and into social standing in the community. Mr. Eddy practiced successfully alone for about two years. Homer Everett had for some years been studying law at leis ure times, and was then sheriff of the county. In December, 1842, Mr. Eddy persuaded Everett that he was qualified to be admitted to the Bar, and proposed that if he would do so, he would accept him as a partner in the business on equal terms. Mr. Everett at once travelled to Columbus and was there, after due exam ination, found qualified, and admitted to practice in all the courts of the State. After returning from Columbus he at once resigned the office of sheriff, which had some months to run, and entered into partnership, under the firm name of Eddy & Everett. This firm continued a prosperous business until some time in 1844 or 1845, when Mr. Eddy was seized with a desire to become suddenly rich, and entered into mercantile business with Frederick Wilkes, his brother-in-law. The firm of Eddy & Wilkes occupied a store near the law office used by Eddy & Ever ett. On the retirement of Mr. Eddy from practice, Lucas B. Otis and Homer Everett formed a partnership, and did a successful business as lawyers until the close of the year 1847, when Mr. Everett retired from practice and settled on his farm on the Sandusky River, about five miles below town. Mr. Eddy closed up his business a few years after, and moved to Madison, Wis consin. There he was chosen county judge, and held the office many years, and died in the capital of his last adopted State. Thus far we have mentioned only the lawyers who practiced in Lower Sandusky prior to the year 1842, who with the ex ception of General Buckland, are all dead or have removed from the State. How ever, while the ranks of the practicing lawyers of the olden time have been thinned by death and removal, the re cruits have been abundant since, and the force not only kept up but largely in creased from time to time by the settle ment in the county from abroad, and by admissions to the Bar of those who lived and studied within its limits. Of those who came into practice in 1842, and since that time, we have to mention the follow ing: J. W. Cummings is now a resident of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 385 Green Spring. He was born in Richland county, Ohio, in 1836, and in 1838 re moved with his parents to Lagrange county, Indiana, where he resided until 1864. He was educated at Ontario Academy, Indiana, and Michigan Univer sity, at Ann Arbor, Michigan. Mr. Cum mings studied law at Lagrange, Indiana, and was admitted to the Bar there in the year i860. He was elected to, and held the office of district prosecuting attorney for the five northeastern counties of the State; was afterwards a candidate for circuit prosecuting attorney for the circuit composed of the ten counties in the northwestern part of the State. This can didacy was in 1864, and Mr. Cummings was not elected. In 1864 he went to Washington, and there held a position in the land office until 1866, when he left Washington and located at Toledo, Ohio, and resumed there the practice of the law. Here Mr. Cummings' merits and talents soon gave him prominence, and he held public office several terms. He in the meantime married a daughter of the late Robert Smith, of Green Spring, and in 1876 retired from the practice of the law and engaged in other business. While Mr. Cummings was engaged in practice at Toledo he was frequently seen attending to business in the courts of San dusky county. He always commanded the close attention of Court and Bar wherever he appeared. He was made ad ministrator of his father-in-law's estate, and the large amount of property and the widely extended business thus thrown on Mr. Cummings' care and management, to gether with the fact that he has a large share of this world's goods, will probably prevent a good lawyer and admirable man from returning to the drudgery of practice. John H. Rhodes, now in practice in our courts, and residing in Clyde, in the eastern part of the county, was born in Februarj', 1836, in Westfield township, then Delaware, but now Morrow county, Ohio. He was educated at Wesleyan Uni versity, Delaware, Ohio. Mr. Rhodes commenced the study of the law in the year i860, with O. D. Mor rison, at Cardington, Ohio, and completed his study under the teaching of Homer Everett, of Fremont, Ohio, in the year 1870. At the April term of the district court of Sandusky county, he was admit ted to practice and at once opened an office at Clyde, Ohio, where he has since done, and still is doing a good business. Mr. Rhodes was married on the 28th^ day of December, 1867, in Brooklyn, New York, to Miss May Antoinette Brown, also a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University. They now have a happy family of three children. Mr. Rhodes served a term as Repre sentative of Morrow county in the General Assembly of Ohio. He had also served in the Union army in the War of the Re bellion, having volunteered. In purity of life, in gentlemanly con duct and courtesy, and in pleasing man ners, Colonel Rhodes has no superior in the Sandusky county bar. As a lawyer, he ranks well and is a good and faithful attorney. Mr. Rhodes enlisted as a private in company B, of the Forty-third Ohio Volun teer Infantry, in 186 1. He served with his regiment through the entire war, being mustered out as lieutenant-colonel. He was promoted in obedience to the desire of the officers and men of his own regi ment. After returning from his honorable service in the army, the people of Morrow county elected him to represent them in the General Assembly for the sessions of 1866-67. He filled the office with satis faction to the people and credit to himself. Henry R. Finefrock, now an esteemed member of the Bar of Sandusky conuty, <86 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY was born at Lancaster, Fairfield county, Ohio, on the 16th day of October, 1837. He was educated in the common schools and high school in Lancaster, Ohio. He became an approved and efficient school teacher, and spent some years in that pro fession in Marion county, Ohio, and per haps in other counties. His brother Thomas P. Finefrock, had been in suc cessful practice for a number of years at Fremont, and while he was a partner witl John L. Greene, sr., Mr. Henry R. Fine. frock studied law with them. In 1862, Henry R. Finefrock was ad mitted to the Bar at Fremont, Ohio, at the April term of the district court. He< however, did not really commence prac tice as a lawyer until 1867, when he locat ed in the city of Fremont, for the purpose of entering into practice. Mr. Fine frock is highly esteemed among the mem bers of the Bar, as an upright, moral man, and an attorney with excellent business qualifications. He has rendered good ser vice to the county, and helped much to improve our schools, while acting as a member of the board of examiners of school teachers. For this position his ac. curate learning and his experience as a teacher, gave him good qualifications, and he exercised them happily in advancing the qualifications of our teachers. Mr. Finefrock is still in active practice at Fre mont, in partnership with Colonel Joseph R. Bartlett. M. B. Lemmon, now an active member of the Sandusky county Bar, located at Clyde, Ohio, was born August 7, 1847, in Townsend township, Sandusky county, and therefore "to the manor born." He is the youngest son of Uriah B. Lemmon, one of the pioneers of the county. The subject of this sketch was educated in early life in our common schools, and at tended quite regularly until 1864, when he volunteered in the military service of his country a little before coming to the age of eighteen years. He enlisted as a private in company B of the One Hun dred and Sixty-ninth regiment Ohio Vol unteer Infantry. He served with this regiment until it was finally mustered out. On his return young Lemmon determined to obtain a better education and to that end promptly entered Hillsdale college at Hillsdale, Michigan, which he attended one year. After leaving Hillsdale, he taught school several terms, after which he began service as a railroad engineer, which he followed for a time, and then began reading law. He commenced the study with Stephen A. Powers, esq., at Fremont, in the State of Indiana, and was admitted to the Bar September 5, 1876, at Angola, Indiana, and at once went into practice. In March, 1877, he entered into partner ship with his brother, John M. Lemmon, of Clyde, and remains an active member of the firm. He was married October 11, 1871, to Miss Emma T. Stewart, of Fremont, Indi ana, and is now the happy father of three children. Wilbur G. Zeigler is the son of Henry Zeigler, formerly a prominent merchant and business man of Fremont, who, after the war, located in the South with his family, and returned a few years ago, bringing his son Wilbur with him to Fre mont. Wilbur G. was born at Fremont, Ohio. While in the South, he, though compara tively a young man, displayed unusual literary ability in his correspondence with various newspapers, which marked him for a literary career. For some time he read law with Henry McKinney, now judge, in Cleveland, Ohio. However, he came back to Fremont, and finished his legal studies in the office of Ralph P, & Horace S. Buckland. He was admitted to practice under the lately established rules, in the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 387 supreme court at Columbus, in March, 1881. Mr. Zeigler was educated in the public schools of Fremont, graduating in the high school in the class of 1876. On his admission to the Bar, Mr. Zeigler at once entered upon the practice of his profes sion and was received into partnership with the Bucklands, with whom he had finished his studies. He is unmarried, but His future career is full of promise whether he shall devote himself exclusively to his profession, or strike off into a literary career. F. R. Fronizer was born October 15, 1852, at the city of Buffalo, New York, and emigrated to Ohio with his parents in the spring of 1853. He was educated in the common schools of Ohio. For some time Mr. Fronizer was a school teacher, and while so engaged, taught the high school at Woodville, Ohio. He commenced reading law in the law office of John T. Garver in Fremont, in the fall of 1874, and was admitted to the Bar in Sandusky county in the fall of the year 1877. He has since been elected a justice of the peace for Ballville township, which he resigned, and is now engaged in practice at Fremont. P. O'Farrell was born at Sandusky City, Erie county, Ohio, May 24, 1856. In the spring of i860 he moved with his parents, and settled in Scott township, Sandusky county, Ohio. Here young O'Farrell worked on the farm of his father, attending a district school in the winters until the spring of 187 1, when he went to the Northwestern Normal School, then located at Republic, Seneca county, Ohio, to prepare himself for teaching. The ensu ing winter he taught his first school for a term of four months in Montgomery town ship, Wood county, Ohio. At this time Mr. O'Farrell was not sixteen years old, yet he taught with good success, which indi cates an aptness to acquire learning which is quite unusual. He continued to teach in the winter, and attend school in the summer until he commenced the study of the law, which was in the summer of 1876. He, however, taught the Hessville graded schools when studying, and there closed his career as a school teacher in April, 1880. In June, 1880, Mr. O'Farrell passed examination under the new rules of the supreme court at Columbus, Ohio, and was there admitted to practice. He was elected a justice of the peace for San dusky township in the spring of 1879, but resigned the office on the 16th of August, 1881. He was appointed a member of the board of county school examiners on the 3d day of July, 1881, which office he still creditably fills. On the 24th day of May, 188 1, Mr. O'Farrell married Miss Catharine O'Con nor, daughter of Bryan O'Connor, who is now one of our most popular county commissioners. Mr. O'Farrell has fine, natural gifts of perception, memory and language, which, if properly used, will make him a good advocate and lawyer. Marcus D. Baldwin was born at Fre mont, Ohio, on the 25th day of Septem ber, 185 1. He received his early educa tion at Toledo, Ohio, finishing a course at Oberlin, attending the latter institution about four years. He commenced read ing law at Toledo, Ohio, borrowing the books he read from Messrs. Dunlap and M. R. Waite. He subsequently was located at Green Spring, Ohio, and while there read law under the tuition of Hon. T. P. Finefrock, of Fremont, Ohio. He was admitted to practice at Fremont by the district court on the ist day of March, 1874, and began practice at Green Spring, May 1, 1874. He subsequently removed to Fremont and opened a law office. He 388 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. was chosen city solicitor .for the city of Fremont soon after settling in the city, and satisfactorily discharged the duties of that office for several years. At this writ ing (May i, 1881,) Mr. Baldwin is still in practice, doing quite a successful business as an attorney, and dealing in real estate, but contemplates a removal to Shelby, Ohio. At one period Mr. Baldwin re sided and taught school at Mitchell, In diana. On the 31st day of October, 1874, he was married at Shelby, Ohio, to Sarah S. Rogers, by whom he has two living children, having lost one. Thomas P. Dewey, now residing at Clyde, Ohio, was born on the 27th day of December, 1852, in Crawford county, State of Pennsylvania, and was educated at the common schools, mainly at Kel- loggsville, Ashtabula county, Ohio. He commenced reading law at Painesville, Ohio, with Tinker & Alvord in the spring of 1876, came to Clyde in the spring of 1877, and finished his course of legal study in the office of Lemmon, Finch & Lemmon at that place, reading there until 1879. He was admitted to the Bar April 27, 1879, and commenced practice in Tiffin, Ohio, in September following. He, however, returned to Clyde, and is now practicing. Mr. Dewey was married on the 9th day of September, 1879, to Miss Jennie Stilwell. He is a young man of good faculties, and no doubt will in time make a successful lawyer. Byron R. Dudrow was born in Adams township, Seneca county, Ohio, on the ist day of March, 1855. He was educated at Baldwin University, Berea, Ohio, from which institution he received the degree of Master of Arts. He commenced the study of law in the office of Basil Meek, at Clyde, Ohio, on the 18th day of June, 1877. On the 26th day of April, 1879, he was admitted to the Bar by the district court of the county. He did not, how ever, at once enter into active practice. He served as deputy county clerk from the time of his admission to the Bar until April 26, 1880, at which time he com menced practice in Fremont. On the 2 2d day of November, 1878, he was married to Miss Mary E. Meek, daughter of Basil Meek, who is now the popular clerk of Sandusky county. Mr. Dudrow is a prom ising young member of the Bar, and with his excellent habits and genial good man ners will probably attain a high professional standing. He is now, by election, the city solicitor of the city of Fremont, .and is to all appearance on the road to pros perity in his profession. John B. Loveland was born in New Haven township, Huron county, Ohio, on the 20th day of February, 1827. At the age of nineteen years he left his father's farm for Oberlin College to supplement the education picked up in a pioneer dis trict school on the classic Huron River. On the 22d day of August, 1850, he was married to Miss Martha Jane Watts, of New Haven, by whom he has had three children. In 1854 he removed to Fre mont, Sandusky county, Ohio, to take a position as teacher in the Fremont graded schools. This position he held with credit to himself and to the entire satisfaction of all concerned for the term of ten years. From his position in the schools of Fremont he was called to the superintendency of the schools at Belle vue and Green Spring respectively, in which position he spent eight years. All this time he was one of the reliable mem bers of the board of county school exam iners, in which position he well and faith fully discharged the duties of the office for the term of fourteen years. He com menced the study of the law while super intending the schools of Green Spring, with Marcus D. Baldwin, esq., and was ad mitted to the Bar by the district court of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 3^9 Sandusky county at Fremont, Ohio, on the 20th of March, 1876, where he com menced the practice of law, and has con tinued to. practice until the present time. Although a member of the legal profes sion Mr. Loveland does not make the practice of the law a specialty, preferring the retirement of his farm, situated one and a half miles southwest of the city. In solid scientific attainments, and in that practical common sense which is the re sult of learning and original thought, Mr. Loveland has few superiors. His father, Mr. John Loveland, one of the oldest pioneers of Huron county, is still in good health at the advanced age of eighty-three years. Basil Meek was born at New Castle, Henry county, Indiana, April 20, 1829. In 1832 he removed with his parents to Wayne county, Indiana. In August, 1841, with his parents, he went to Owen county, Indiana, and there resided until September, 1864, when he came to Ohio and settled at Clyde. His school educa tion was that of the common schools. He was married to Cynthia A. Brown, in De cember, 1849, who died August 14, 1861, at Spencer, Owen county, Indiana. By this marriage he had four children, viz. : Minerva B., Mary E., Lenore Belle, and Flora B. Mary E., who is the wife of B. R. Dudrow, esq, and Lenore Belle, only, are now living. He was married to Mar tha E. Anderson, September 30, 1862, by whom he has had two children, both liv ing, viz.: Clara C. and Robert C. He served as clerk of the courts of Owencounty, Indiana, continuously from February 20, 1854, to February 20, 1862. At the No vember term, 1861, of the Owen county circuit court, he was admitted to the Bar, and formed a law partnership with Hon. Samuel H. Buskirk, practicing at Spencer till his removal to Ohio. In 1871, at Clyde, he resumed the practice of law, continuing in the practice until he entered the clerk's office of Sandusky county, February 10, 1879, t0 which office he was elected in October, 1878. He is at this timeserv ing as such clerk, and was, at the October election, 1881, re-elected 10 said office. Thomas P. Finefrock was born at Frank lin county, Pennsylvania, January 9, 1826. He came to Ohio and settled in Lancaster, where he studied law with Medill & Whit man. He was admitted to the Bar in August, 185 1, and came to Fremont and began practice with Brice J. Bartlett in the following September. He soon be came well known as a lawyer, and the firm- - became prominent in the legal business of the county. Mr. Finefrock was chosen to the position of prosecuting attorney in 1853, and served two successive terms. In 1857 he was the Democratic candidate for representative in the General Assembly, his Republican opponent being Ozias L. Nims, a prominent merchant of Fremont. After a closely contested campaign, Mr. Finefrock was elected by a small majority. During the war he took an active interest in politics, being a leader of the ultra- Democratic party. In 1 866 he received the Democratic nomination for Congress in the Tenth District, but was defeated by General R. P. Buckland, the Republican candidate. His practice from the time he located in the county was large and re munerative.- In 1874 he was elected judge of the court of common pleas, on the Democratic ticket, and served for the full term of five years, when he again re turned to the practice of law, entering in to partnership with Charles H. Bell, under . the firm name of Finefrock & Bell. The . firm is now in full practice. He has always maintained the reputation of a good jury lawyer. Mr. Finefrock was married in May, 1854, to Miss Emma E. ¦ Carter. They have raised a family of children, and reside east of the city. - 39° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. S. S. Richards is a native of Townsend township, this county, and was born Au gust 8, 1857. He was educated in Clyde, and graduated from the high school of that place in 1875. Just after graduating he went to California, where he spent about one year. Re turning; he began the study of law in the office of Basil Meek, at Clyde, in the fall of 1876. He was admitted to the Bar by the supreme court at Columbus in the spring of 1879, and immediately opened an office at Clyde. In June, 1879, he formed a partnership with D. A. Heffner for the practice of the profession, which partnership still continues. Mr. Richards is a promising young member of the Bar. D. A. Heffner came to Sandusky county with his parents, who settled in York township in 1856. He was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, May 20, 1849. He was educated in the common schools and in Hillsdale college, Mich igan, where he spent one year — 1869-70. From 1870 to 1875 he taught school in the winter and tkrmed in the summer. In the spring of 1875 he entered the Nor mal school at Lebanon, Ohio, where he re ceived the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1877. He then entered the office of J. H Rhodes and continued two years, teaching school each winter. In April, 1879, he was admitted to the Bar by the district court at Fremont. He began to practice in partnership with S. S. Rich ards in June, 1879. He was married May 27, 1879, to Miss Belle Haff, daugh ter of Hiram Haff, of Townsend town ship. He is an honorable and worthy member of the Bar. John T. Garver was born in Congress, Wayne county, Ohio, July 26, 1848; was educated in the common school and at the academy at Smithville, Ohio; taught school six terms. He commenced read ing law in March, 1846, in the office of Hon. H. G. Blake, at Medina, Ohio, where he remained until September, 1869, when he entered the Ohio State and Union Law college at Cleveland, where he took a reg ular course, and from which institution he was graduated on June 29, 1870, receiv ing the degree of Bachelor of Laws ; was admitted to the Bar by the supreme court of Ohio at Columbus, on March 17, 1870, and in June of the same year he was ad mitted to practice in the West Salem dis trict and circuit courts at Cleveland. He commenced the law practice at West Salem, Ohio, in July, 1870, where he remained until May, 187 1, when he re moved to Fremont, where he has ever since been engaged in the active practice of his profession. In politics a Demo crat, he was elected to the office of solic itor for Fremont in April, 1873 and re elected to the same'office in April, 1876, holding that position four years. In Octo ber, 1877, he was elected to the office of prosecuting attorney of Sandusky county, and re-elected in October, 1879, which position he now holds. He has been a member of the board of teachers' examin ers of this county since August 5, 1876, of which board he is now president ; was married, in February, 1878, to Miss Sarah E. Gilbert, of Medina county ; and is the father of two children. Mr. Garver has built up a good practice, and is now in part nership with his brother, S. C. Garver. James H. Fowler is a native of Fre mont, Ohio, and was born January 5, 1846. His father was, by birth, an Englishman, and his mother a Pennsylvania German. He attended common school and desired more extensive school privileges, but the financial circumstances of his father seem ed to forbid. James, however, met these circumstances honorably, by amply re munerating his father for the loss of his services, from the time of leaving home — eighteen — to the time of his majority. He HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 39 1 taught school for several terms and then learned the printer's trade in the office of the Sandusky County Democrat. He enlisted as a private in the One Hun dredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry April 24, 1 86 1. He was advanced from the ranks to the first lieutenancy. At Limestone Station he was taken prisoner, with many others of his regiment. For four months he suffered the hardships of prison life at Salisbury and Libby, the greater part of the time at Libby. While in prison he fell into association with a well-educated Frenchman, who was also a prisoner. Mr. Fowler indicated a desire to learn the French language, and was instructed by his fellow prisoner. He was an apt stu dent, and advanced rapidly until the time of his escape, which was really a romantic episode of prison life. The suffering in mates of Libby were detailed each day to gather wood to supply the prison. One damp day, while on this dreary mission, a companion and Mr. Fowler made a daring and successful attempt to escape. As soon as they reached the woods they speed on their way northward, being aided and guided by negroes. They slept dur ing daylight and travelled at night. Pur suing blood hounds were evaded by travel ling the rocky beds of streams. At last they safely reached the Union lines at Knoxville, and re-entered the service. At the close of the war he was mustered out with his regiment as first lieutenant, and returned to Fremont. He at once began the study of law in the office of Homer Everett, and was admitted to practice August 15, 1876. After a short time of practice, he formed a partnership with Mr. Everett, and the firm has been continued without change since that time. Mr. Fow ler has a fair knowledge of the French and German languages, has a large fund of general information, and by his own in dividual efforts has earned a good standing among members of the Bar of the county. Ernest B. Williams is a native of Salem, Oregon, and was born February 15, 1853; was educated at Willamette Uni versity, Oregon ; studied law at Portland, Oregon, with W. W. Thayer, now Governor, and was admitted to practice by the su preme court of the State, in August, 1874. He began practice at Salem immediately after his admission, and came to Fremont, Ohio, in May, 1880. He shortly after entered into partnership with M. D. Bald win, who has since removed from the county, and Mr. Williams is now practic ing alone. George W. Glick and Charles S. Glick for some time practiced law at Fre mont. Both removed to Kansas, and practiced there for some time. Charles S. died there several years ago. George W. is still living at Atchison, Kansas. He has been a member of the State legisla ture, was a centennial commissioner, and is a man of considerable local influence. George R. Haynes practiced in San dusky county during the early part of his life. He removed to Toledo where he enjoyed a high reputation as a lawyer and citizen. William Aunesly was a graduate of Oberlin College; studied law many years ago with Buckland & Everett and was ad mitted to the Bar in Sandusky county, and after a short term of practice here he re moved to Port Clinton, Ottawa county. He was elected prosecuting attorney of that county, and after acquiring considera ble reputation and a remunerative practice he died in the prime of manhood. William W. Ainger located in San dusky county for the practice of law about 1837, having come from the Western Re serve. He married, in Fremont, the daughter of Dr. Daniel Brainard. After practicing for a few years he removed to Chagrin Falls, where he died years ago. 392 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. John K Hord came from Tiffin to Fremont about 1856 or 1857 and began the practice of law. He practiced here successfully a few years, when, on account of ill health, he was induced to remove to Louisiana, and engaged in the manage ment of .a sugar plantation. When rebel- ion was threatened he came North and settled in Buffalo. After a short time he removed to Cleveland, where he has at tained a standing in his profession. He is still in practice in Cleveland. Edward F. Dickinson, son of Rodol phus Dickinson, was educated at Cincinnati and was admitted to the Bar at an early age. He was a bright scholar and well qualified for the profession. He is a man of talent, but has never devoted himself arduously to the profession. He was pros ecuting attorney for two terms, beginning in 1852. He was elected probate judge in 1866 and served three years. While in this office he was elected to Congress in 1868. He represented this district in Congress one term. He has also been mayor of the city. Alpheus P. Putnam was born in Wy andot county, Ohio, in 1837. At the or ganization of the Seventy-second he en listed, and was wounded at the battle of Shiloh. He rose in rank from private to captain. After the war he studied law in the office of T. P. Finefrock and was ad mitted to the Bar in April, 1867, and prac ticed in Fremont till the time of his death. He was prosecuting attorney four years. Hiram W. Winslow began practice in Bellevue, but afterwards removed to Fre mont about i860. He was a good advo- .cate and ranked well as an attorney. He was elected prosecuting attorney in 1864, and served two years. He afterwards rep resented the county in the legislature. He was for a time the law partner of Judge J. L. Green, sr. While in the General Assem bly his eyesight failed entirely, but he con tinued in practice with the assistance of a guide. His health finally failed, and after a protracted sickness he died. Mr. Wins- low never married, nor had he any rela tives in this vicinity. During his last sick ness, however, he was kindly cared for by personal and professional friends. John McIntyre Lemmon was born in Townsend township, Sandusky county, Ohio, July 25, 1839, his father being Uriah Blake Lemmon, and his mother Emily A. Mclntyre Lemmon. John Mclntyre remained with his parents until eighteen years old, and received a common school education. He taught a district school in the winter of 1857-58; attended school at Oberlin college in the summer of 1858; taught again the follow ing winter, and in the spring of 1859 went to Missouri, and began the study of law in the office of Knoll & Mclntyre. In No vember, 1859, he went to Jefferson City, Missouri, and studied with Mr. Knoll, who had been appointed attorney general of the State. In April, i860, Mr. Lem mon was admitted to the Bar by the su preme court of Missouri, and soon after returned to his home. July 12, i860, his mother died, after a lingering illness. In the winter of 1860-61 Mr Lemmon again tartght a district school. April 24, 1861, he enlisted in com pany F, Eighth Ohio, in the three months' service, and was discharged August 18, 1861. October 9, 1861, Mr. Lemmon again enlisted in company B, Seventy- second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and con tinued in the service until the close of the war; was promoted to second lieutenant May 23, 1862, and to captain Juty 23, 1863, and was mustered out at Selma, Alabama, June 21, 1865. During part of the war he was on detached duty as judge advocate of a military commission at Memphis, Tennessee. March 29, 1864, Mr. Lemmon was HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 393 married to Miss Annie Covell, of Perkins, Erie county, Ohio. In December, 1865, he settled in Clyde, and began the prac tice of his profession. He has met with good success in his practice and has for many years past enjoyed an extensive practice in the State and Federal courts. He has one child living, named Mack, born April 8, 1870. One child, Frank, born October 8, 1865, died November 9, 1867. When the village of Clyde was incor porated, in May, 1866, Mr. Lemmon was chosen its first mayor, and was re-elected in April, 1867. He has never held any other civil office. Mr. Lemmon is one of the most studi ous, active, and industrious members of the Bar now in practice in the county. He has accumulated money and property by his practice. His library at Clyde con sists of fifteen hundred well selected vol umes. Mr. Lemmon's energy and indus try have brought him into such prominence in the northwest portion of Ohio, that a bright career is opening before him. His practice already extends into Erie, Huron, Ottawa, Seneca, and other counties in northwestern Ohio. He also practices in the circuit, district, and supreme courts of the United States, as well as the su preme court of Ohio. Morris Elbert Tyler was born No vember 16, 1836, at Lower Sandusky. His father was Captain Morris Tyler, and his mother Sophia (Bristol) Tyler. He attended the common schools of his na tive place until qualified to enter Kenyon college, at Gambier, Ohio, where he grad uated. He began the study of law in the winter of 1853-54, in the office of Buck- land & Everett, at Fremont, and was ad mitted to the Bar in 1857. He at once opened an office in what is known as Buckland's old block, in Fremont. In the summer of 1861 he volunteered in com- ' pany F, of the Forty-ninth Ohio Volun teer Infantry, and was made first lieuten ant. Afterwards Lieutenant Tyler was promoted and commissioned as captain of company I, of the same regiment. Capr tain Tyler is naturally a brave man and soon after entering the service became a good soldier. On the 24th day of July, 1864, while fighting in front of Atlanta, Georgia, he received a severe wound from a rifle ball, which struck him in the mouth, knocking out some of his front teeth, and passing into the roof of his mouth passed on and out behind his left ear. This wound was received, it will be noticed, just two days after General Mc Pherson fell, he being killed on the 22d day of July, 1864. Captain Tyler, on the 24th day of November, 1864, was honor ably mustered out of the service on ac count of the disability resulting from this wound. On returning to Fremont he was for some time engaged as assistant editor of the Democratic Messenger. Captain Tyler was elected justice of the peace soon after he began practice in 1859, and has since held that office, with the excep tion of the time spent in the military ser vice of the country, and as a civil officer is as good and true as he was faithful and brave in the army of the Union. Horace Stephen Buckland was born in Fremont on the 21st day of April, 185 1. He is the son of R. P. and Charlotte (Boughton) Buckland. In early boyhood he attended the common schools of Fre mont. For a time he attended the pre paratory school at Gambier, Ohio, and afterwards a like school at East Hampton, Massachusetts. He then entered Cornell college, New York, and after remaining there about one year returned to Fremont and studied law in the office of Buckland & Everett about one year and a half. He then attended the law department of Har vard college about a year, when he re- 394 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. turned to Fremont and read law for a short time with Everett & Fowler. In September, 1875, he was admitted to the Bar after a close examination by a com mittee appointed by the district court at Elyria, Ohio. Upon his admission Mr. Buckland at once formed a partnership with his father, General Ralph P. Buck- land, in the practice of law, in which he is still engaged. Horace Buckland is a promising young member of the Bar, of peculiarly exem plary life and conduct, and already begins to develop those qualities of mind and habits of industry which will surely place him high in his profession. Mr. Buckland was married to Eliza C. Bowman, on the ioth day of June, 1878, with whom he is still living in Fremont. Hezekiah Remsburg was born in Ha- gerstown, Maryland, February 2, 181 2; emigrated with his father to Lower San dusky, arriving at the latter place on the nth day of March, 1822. His education was in the common school after he came to Ohio, and began in the first school house built between the Sandusky River and the Maumee. The house was a rude log structure which stood on the east bank of Muskalonge Creek and north of the Maumee and Western Reserve turn pike, and was probably erected about the year 1825. Mr. Remsburg helped his father to clear off a fine farm on Muska longe Creek, south of the turnpike above mentioned and adjoining it. The father of Mr. Remsburg was a mechanic, whose services were in much demand as a millwright, and the son learned the trade by working with his father in the prepara tion of the mills which were built in an early period in different parts of the county. Young Remsburg inherited his father's mechanical talent, and afterwards worked at various mechanical jobs when his services on the farm could be.dispensed with. Thus he passed his time, and also began the study of law in 1849, under the tuition of Judge John L. Green, sr., now deceased. He was admitted to the Bar at Fremont in the year 185 1, and has ever since practiced law, and is now so engaged. He was elected prosecuting attorney for Sandusky county, and performed the duties of that office four successive years with ability and diligence. Mr. Remsburg has been married, and has raised to man hood four sons now living, and has now been a widower for over ten years. He is a well preserved man, of good habits, and bids fair to be strong and active for many years to come. Merritt L. Snyder was born at the farm of his father, George N. Snyder, esq., in Scott township, Sandusky county, Ohio, on the 8th day of January, 1838. He was educated at the Ohio Wesleyan Uni versity, at Delaware, Ohio, where he re mained three years, having previously attended the common school of his town ship. After leaving Delaware he became a school teacher and taught twelve terms, and was a faithful and efficient teacher. In i860 he began the study of the law in the law office of Hon. Judge T. P. Fine frock, at Fremont, Ohio. He then went to Fort Wayne, in the State of Indiana, where he was admitted to the Bar in May, 1864. After his admission he returned to Fremont, Ohio, and shortly after that, in May, 1864, removed west and located at Holton, Jackson county, Kansas, where he at once commenced fhe practice of his profession. While in Kansas Mr. Snyder acquired a good standing as a lawyer, and for three consecutive years was chosen prosecutor for Jackson county, and also held the office of clerk of the courts. He left Kansas on the 12 th of November, 1874, on his return to his former home, arriving at Fremont, Ohio, on the 1 8th of the same month, and at HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 395 once entered upon the practice of the law in the same city where he had received his instruction in the science of the law, where he has ever since and still is en gaged in the practice of his profession. He was married to Miss Susan Bo- land, of Sandusky county, on the 14th day of June, 1866, who has proved a faith ful and devoted wife, and with whom he still lives, having three children living to cheer and beautify their home. Mr. Synder is a fair lawyer, an ingenious ad vocate, and a kind-hearted and courteous gentleman in his intercourse with men and in his practice at the Bar. Samuel C. Garver is a native of Wayne county, Ohio, where he was born on the 14th day of May, 1855. Mr. Garver in his early life attended the com mon schools of his native county, and obtained such instruction as they af forded. After leaving these schools he attended Smithville academy, where he made considerable advancement in the various branches taught in that institution. After leaving the academy Mr. Garver taught school two terms. He commenced the study of the law in the office of Wins; low & Garver, at Fremont, Ohio, in the year 1874. After reading two years he took a regular course of study and lec tures at the Ohio State and Union Law College at Cleveland, from which he graduated on the 25th day of May, 1876, receiving the degree of LL D. Mr. Garver was admitted to practice in the several courts of the United States on the 24th day of May, 1876, and about the same time admitted to practice in the courts of the State of Ohio. He has been a member of the law firm of Garver & Garver since his admission, and is still en gaged as such in active practice. Mr. Garver is a young man of much energy, and his present developments indicate that he will become a practitioner of good standing in the profession he has chosen. He remains unmarried, but his brothers in the order of "Haugastols" are in great fear that he will soon forsake them for a life of double blessedness. Charles F. Bell was born at Milwau kee, Wisconsin, on the 15 th day of No vember, 1856. He came to Fremont with his parents about 1864, and attended common schools for a time, then took a course of study at Hellmouth college, in London, Province of Ontario. Besides these opportunities for acquiring an edu cation, Mr. Bell was placed under the private tuition of the Rev. Richard L. Chittenden, pastor of St. Paul's church, Fremont, Ohio, who faithfully and suc cessfully taught him in Latin, mathe matics, and in fact, all the branches gen erally taught in institutions of learning in this country. He studied law with Ever ett & Fowler two years, and was admitted to the Bar by the district court of San dusky county, on the 19th day of March, 1878. After his admission young Bell continued to read in the office of Bartlett & Finefrock until Judge Thomas P. Fine frock left the bench and returned to practice. Mr. Bell then formed a part nership with the judge, and is still in prac tice with him at Fremont, with influential friends to help him on. No doubt Mr. Bell, with time and experience, will devel op into a popular and successful practi tioner. A few years ago he married the daughter of one of Fremont's prominent citizens, H. R. Shomo, esq. Joseph R. Bartlett, one of the most popular attorneys at the Bar of Sandusky county, was born in the county of Seneca on the 1 6th day of July, 1830, and came to Lower Sandusky with his father, Brice J. Bartlett, in the fall of 1833. Young Bartlett received his education in the public schools of Lower Sandusky and Fremont. He studied law with his father 396 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. and was admitted to practice in 1853. He began practice with his father. Joseph R. at first rather discouraged his father by a want of enthusiasm in the practice of his profession, but as time passed and he awoke to the responsibilities of life which were thrown upon him by his father's death, he devoted himself intently to study and practice. He has steadily advanced in practice and knowledge of the law, until there are few, if any, superior to him now in the management and trial of causes at the Bar of the county. Mr. Bartlett has continuously practiced law since his admission to the Bar, excepting the time spent in the service of his coun try in the war for the suppression of the Southern Rebellion, in which he was dis- 1 tinguished for bravery and efficiency in connection with the Forty-ninth regiment, and for a more complete notice of the military services of Colonel Bartlett the reader is referred to the history of the Forty-ninth Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry in another part of this histoiy. Mr. Bartlett was married many years ago to Miss Rachel Mitchner, but has no children living, having lost by death a few years ago a daughter who was one of the brightest and most promising young ladies in Fremont. Brice J. Bartlett, son of Samuel and Elizabeth Bartlett, was born in the county of Lincoln, State of Maine, on the 2 1 st day of September, 1808. His father, Samuel, with his family, emi grated to Ohio in 1824, and settled in Hamilton county, near Cincinnati, where he resided until November, 1824, when he moved and settled in Seneca county. Young Bartlett was in early life apprenticed to the trade of cabinet-making. He was married in 1829 to Phebe Ellis, and moved to Lower Sandusky, now Fre mont, in the fall of 1833. The next year, upon the breaking out of the cholera, he moved his family to Seneca county, and returned himself and rendered assistance. Upon moving to Lower Sandusky he for a time followed the business of painting, and afterwards watch repairing, and then engaged as clerk for Andrew Monhuse, in the grocery business. He commenced reading law in April, 1838, and in July, 1840, was admitted to practice. In September, 1841, he formed a partner ship with Hon. L. B. OtisN afterwards judge of common pleas, which part nership was dissolved in May, 1842. In 1843 ne formed a partnership with Hon. J. L. Green, afterwards judge of common pleas, and continued to October, 1845, when he formed a partnership with Charles Edylin, which was dissolved in August, 1846. In 1848 he formed a part nership with S. N. Wilcox, and afterward, in August, 185 1, with Hon. T. P. Fine frock, afterwards judge. In 1853 he formed a partnership with his son, and his health failing he retired from practice in July, 1854. His health afterwards im proved, and in July, 1855, he resumed practice in partnership with his son, Joseph R. Bartlett, under the firm name of B. J. Bartlett & Son, and continued in practice until March 23, 1859, at which time he died from pneumonia, resulting from a cold contracted at the March term of Sandusky common pleas. John L. Green jr., was born July 7, 1838, and was educated in the com mon schools of Sandusky county. He learned the printer's trade in the offices of the Fremont Journal and Cleveland Plain Dealer. He studied law under his father and was admitted by the supreme court of Ohio in January, 1861. He enlisted in company G, Eighth Ohio Volunteer In fantry, three months service, April, 1861. He enlisted in company D, One Hun dred and Twenty-fourth Ohio Volunteer In fantry in March, 1862, and was discharged HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 397 for disability, in January, 1863. He was appointed adjutant of the One hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry in May, 1864, and discharged in Septem ber 1866. He raised company E, One Hundred and Eighty-sixth, in December, 1864, and January, 1865; was discharged September 25, 1865. He was appointed probate judge by Governor Hayes in Jan uary, 1869; elected probate judge in Oc tober, 1869; served nearly six years on appointment and election. He married Emma Shaw, October 10, 1867, and has four children — three boys and one girl. CHAPTER XXIV. FREMONT. The Village and Village Life. TNTEREST clings around the old fort; J. memory carries us back to the scene of fast filling ditches, leaning pickets and de serted block-houses. Imagination, assisted by history and tradition, goes farther back, and the events of more than a century, which filled this little square with action and activity, rush upon a bewildered fancy. Going backwards in chronological order from the close of the war, here and there is seen a small cabin adjoining to which is a field of corn cultivated by men who were accustomed to keep one eye on their work while the other was watchful of the forest inhabited by savage men and wild animals. A commissary merchant lazily attended his easy duties, and a few sol diers day after day amused themselves with their guns, pipes, and bottles, and re counting past experiences. Cannon balls here and there washed from the embank ments, and scarred pickets are the souvenirs of battle. The scene of an heroic con flict fills the mind. What must have been the anxiety of Croghan and his brave lit tle band, when vessels laden with trained soldiery and improved instruments of de struction disturbed the Sandusky's still waters ? What fearful apprehension must have been added to anxiety when Tecum seh came at the head of a band of red warriors, wrought to rage by the memory of past grievances ? The battle ter minated most gloriously, yet sadly; for under what circumstances can we think of destruction and death without sadness ? Follow back the clear pathway of history to before the existence of Fort Stephen son, when Wyandots made this their own home, seeing white men only as traders or agents. Canoes glided over the still water's surface, where, on several occasions, might be seen the thoughtful, plotting face of Tecumseh. Indian cabins dotted the beautiful hill west of the river. Council fires lighted the evening sky, and night often resounded with the war-dance and revelry. Go back a quarter of a century further. When the Wyandots made the valley of the Sandusky the tribal seat of empire. What meeting within our corporation 398 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. in the importance of its deliberations equaled that assembled around a council fire in 1785, where the eloquent and masterly Brant formed the league and union which defeated two American armies and retarded nearly a decade the settle ment of the Northwest. White captives and their treatment appear, as the picture is fast fading in the distance, That dream of fact or fancy, as may be, paints two neutral forts upon the river's bank — peace ful resting places amidst the fright and blood of exterminating war. The fancied picture has at last faded, and, as we come back to our own time, we seek a reason why this one small tract has figured so conspicuously in history. We have an answer, at least partially satisfactory, in the geographical conforma tion of Northern Ohio. Much has been said of the pathless and almost impenetra ble forests. Even Indians made streams their highways, and the line of communi cation between Ohio and Detroit, a trad ing centre from the first exploration of the country. The Sandusky River, a friendly arm of the lake, stretched across flats and swamps to a range of sandy bluffs, admitting of navigation further south than any other point within the lake system. This reservation was there fore a beautiful inland harbor — a com mercial and military port of two races of men. After the treaty of 1815 had brought joy to every home in America, and every foreign troop had left our shores, men re sumed peaceful occupations, Western em igration revived, and every Eastern high way presented the spectacle of long trains of covered wagons, conveying families from cultured communities to pioneer homes Indian powtr, which had long held sway over northwestern Ohio, was broken, and the white settlements and improvement of this fertile region was the irresistible course of destiny. This historic reservation already had an inhabitance of as many as twenty families and a few squatters were encroaching upon the Indian domain. Negotiations were early set on foot looking toward the extinguishment of Indian titles, and there being no further apparent use of a military post in this quarter, Congress made pro vision for the sale of lands reserved for that purpose. The reservation was sur veyed into lots facing upon the river on both sides and running back to the limits of the tract. On the east side of the river Mr. Wormley, the United States sur veyor, laid out, in 1816, a regular town, which he called "Croghanville," in honor of the hero the scene of whose triumph triumph lay within sight of the prospect ive metropolis of the Northwest. The city of Croghanville, when this survey was made, commanded scenery of rare beauty which the settler's axe and the growth of a city have destroyed. There was nothing of the grand or sublime in the surround ings, but a rare variety of simple beauty, which interests the imagination and satis fies aesthetic longings. High above the surrounding country a green gulf of wav ing forest stretches far in the distance to where it meets the descending blue hori zon. Below, the Sandusky's sleeping water fills a tortuous bed, fringed with alternating prairie and underbrush, with here and there a cluster of plum or locust trees filling the air with the sweet perfume of their white blossoms. But a perfume yet sweeter was brought by northwestern breezes; and the eye, following the direc tion of its coming, found a fascinating rest ing place. The hill rising from a green sward, within the river's bend, was thickly covered by crab and plum trees mingling their branches, and in spring-time appear ed like a mountain of flowers. Toward the west could be seen something of life and human activity, and smoke curling HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 399 from the wooden chimneys of isolated cabins. The plowman's song was heard in the valley below, and toward the south and west, skirting cornfields, the sparkling river hurried over a bed of rock. Beyond, a steep, at some places, precipitous bluff intercepted the view. Such were the sur roundings of the site chosen for a city. That the location was deemed one of promise is indicated by the fact that a reservation was made by Congress of one lot for a ship-yard. At the time of the sur vey a boat was being built on the west side of the river, by the firm of Wilson & Disbrow. Surrounded by excellent inland timber, and the facilities for floating vessels to the lake being remarkably good, there was no reason why ship building should not become an important enterprise. War experience had taught the Government the necessity of having in the West secure facilities for recruiting an inland navy. Excepting the shtp-yard the town of Croghanville was held for sale by in- and out-lots, under the direction of the land commissioner. It was expected that a city, in fact, would soon cover this pictu resque elevation, regularly laid off in streets and squares. But a rival, almost within a stone's throw, changed the expected course of affairs and left Croghanville for many years with an existence only on paper. THE KENTUCKY COMPANY. Among the inhabitants of the reserva tion in 1817 were a number of men of good business capacity and keen foresight, who were able to command a limited amount of capital. Who they were and their characteristics as citizens and men, will be told subsequently. The Kentucky Company was formed June 9, 1817, and was composed of the following members: Israel Harrington, Thomas L. Hawkins, Ephraim Johnson, Morris A. Newman, William Andrews, David Gallagher, Aaron Forgerson, Randall Jerome, Thomas E. Boswell, John Drury, Joseph Mominne, Joseph Rumery, John A. de La Cost, Tohn Baptiste Mominne, and John Ander son. All became residents of the town they founded except Boswell and Anderson, the former being a Kentucky gentleman of means, who was afterwards associated in business with Thomas L. Hawkins, but never became a citizen. The reservation was originally surveyed into lots forty rods wide, facing upon the river, and numbered from north to south. The Kentucky Company appointed, in June, 1817, Israel Harrington, Thomas L. Hawkins, and Ephraim Johnson, agents of the company to attend to the land sales at Delaware and purchase lots (or ranges, as they are known in the old records) eight and nine, which "include all that part of the present city lying west of the river be tween parallels intersecting the river near the turnpike bridge and Lake Shore & Michigan Southern railroad bridge. The conditions of the sale provided that a per centage should be paid down and the bal ance in annual payments; that, in case of failure to pay, the land should revert to the United States. It was the policy of the Kentucky Company to divide their lands proportionately to the stock sub scribed, and to give to each member a separate title of ownership, thus making each individual responsible for future pay ments. This was a wise arrangement, for subsequent records show that much of the purchased tract reverted in consequence of non-payment. The causes of this are hinted at in a poem written by one of the associates, from which we shall presently quote. The tract was looked upon as especially eligible for a town, and it seems there were many bidders, each determined to have a piece. Mr. Thomas L. Hawk ins, in his poetical reminiscence, says : 4o6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Where now Sandusky rolls her lovely tide Few years since no human footsteps glide; One dark, dense forest for the bounding roe From Lake Erie to the pleasant Ohio; Where silence reigned with her old magic spell, Broken only by the wolf's or savage yell ; One spot was marked for Virtue's soft retreat, Where Proctor's legions met a sore defeat; Where the young Croghan won a deathless fame, Implanted honors on Sandusky's name. And oh1 ye warriors, venerate the dead, Nor fear in danger's path to take the lead; Shrink not, I say, at threats of Mexico, But for your country's glory go meet them, go. This great achievement rang throughout the land, For this favored spot Congress took a stand; In their wise council ventured to declare That in '17 should be sold two miles square; That in war's event they on arms relied, A conspicuous place should be fortified. Now what rushing to the public sale ! All emulous, tract too small, some must fail; Great speculators, ready to cut a dash, O'erbid each other, and felt the want of cash. Yet, keeping in view their first great intent, Each got a piece, advancing small per cent. Blessed their stars! weather superbly fine! Per acre a hundred and fifty dollars for lot number nine ! Oh! do you doubt your simple, plain narrator, And say no man would buy thus in a state of nature? Yet so it was, and they so deemed them blessed, Establishing emporium of the West. Did they misjudge? Do they stand convicted? Or is Sandusky what they then predicted? This poem from which we have extract ed was written in 1845. I* *s not proba ble that Mr. Hawkins foresaw the comple tion of a grand trunk line of railroad and other great public enterprises which have built a city of the second class from the small village which he knew and of which he wrote. But we return to the Kentucky Company. The purchased tract, lots eight and nine, was carved into town lots and equitably divided among the shareholders. The first town plat of "Sandusky" was made, and recorded at Norwalk in De cember, 181 7, attested by the following names: Thomas L. Hawkins, for self and Thomas E. Boswell; Morris A. Newman; William Oliver, for self and company; Israel Harrington, for self and L. E. P.; Josiah Rumery. The lots were appraised by commission ers for the purpose of distribution among the proprietors. They considered the land, even though it was in a state of nature, very valuable. For instance, the mill lot containing one acre was appraised at three hundred dollars. We will now cross the river to CROGHANVILLE. The original village was laid off in out- lots and in-lots, after the manner so suc cessfully adopted in the founding of towns during the early settlement of Ohio. One lot in each block of sixteen lots and two out-lots, containing about sixteen acres, were set apart for the support of public instruction; one large lot lying on the east bank of the river in the north part of the survey was reserved for a ship-yard. A large number of the village lots were purchased by Alexander Morrison, a very respectable citizen who lived on that side of the river for many years, and who filled with honor various local and county offices. Morris A. Newman, one of the proprietors of Sandusky, purchased a tract of lots in Croghanville, and erected a frame house in which he kept tavern. A school- house was erected on that side, in which also the first courts were held. After the seat of justice was removed to the west side of the river, Newman closed his tavern, but for many years resided in the house. With the exception of these and a few other scattering houses, Croghan ville remained a common, without fences, and even the stakes which marked the streets and lots of the prospective city rot ted away. In 1830, when Lower San dusky, which had become a flourishing village, was incorporated, it included with in its limits the platted village. Thus Croghanville, which had never existed in fact, passed out of existence even in name. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 401 LOWER SANDUSKY SIXTY YEARS AGO. We mean by this heading, Lower San dusky in the days of its incipiency. The town was always peculiar in its character, made so not only by being an emporium of trade, but a number of eccentric and brainy men gave interest to every street meeting and bar room gathering. The first frame house was erected by Israel Harrington in the year 181 5. It stood near the corner of Croghan and Front streets, on the ground now occu pied by the stores of Lewis Leppelman and Philip Dorr. The building, when first erected, was unique in appearance. There were no saw-mills, and the builder brought by water lumber only for the frame. The weather-boarding was, there fore, made of split white oak shingles, or clapboards. These were afterwards re moved and sawed boards took their place. Mr. Everett, in a lecture delivered many years ago, remarks: "A frame house at that time was a great curiosity in this part of the country, and Harrington's tavern was for some time the centre of attrac tion." The bar was handy and whisky cheap. The villagers made the tavern a frequent place of resort. The travelling public had to be depended upon for news, and loquacious emigrants and traders de tailed events and at times most astonish ing stories. In this tavern took place many events of revelry and joy, not un- mingled with the inspiration of spirits. The second frame house was the store building of J. S. and G. G. Olmstead, fully described in another chapter. The third frame building was built by Cyrus and Jaques Hulburd, on Front street, and was used for a store. This building was erected in 181 7. William Andrews built the fourth frame house in 1818 or 1819. It was three stories in height, and stood on the present site of June's foundry. In the third story of this building the Masonic lodge met. The fifth frame building is yet stand ing, and is one of the two oldest structures in the city, now known as the Peach House. It was built about 1821 by Nicholas Whittinger. In the upper story was a hall in which Hawkins' theater gave entertainments. The oldest house yet standing was also the first brick house in the town. For half a century it has been the Beaugrand residence. It was built about 1819 by a man named Williamson, who never be came a citizen, nor paid his building bills. The next brick building was erected by Josiah Rumery about 1820, on the hill just south of the old Catholic church. It was removed in 1857. Besides these frame and brick houses, there were about thirty cabins scattered over the tract now covered by substantial blocks and handsome dwellings. The buildings of the fort were sold in 18 18. These block-houses had been use ful resorts and stopping places for emi grants until houses could be built. One block-house was occupied by three families for a short time just after the war closed. One of the families who stopped in the fort before making permanent settlement was the Braytons. The capture and life of the eldest son, Matthew, is an episode in the early history of this region. The following is Doctor Daniel Brainard's ac count: Mr. Brayton, who lived in this village, moved to the country some time during the year 1824 or 1825, for the purpose of farming more largely. On the 20th of September, 1825, his eldest son , a boy of about fifteen years, and a younger one of about seven years named Matthew, started at evening when the sun was half an hour high, to hunt the cows. Not find ing them in their usual range, the oldest told his brother Matthew he had better return to the bouse, as they might be some distance off, and he himself would find them. On getting upon a log they both thought they could see the opening on their father's farm, and Matthew cheerfully left his brother to re turn, Some short time after dark the oldest brother 402 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. drove home the cows, when he was asked by his mother ' 'Where is Matthew?" He told the facts, which much alarmed and disturbed the parents. A com munication was immediately made to several of their nearest neighbors who turned out and helped to hunt for the boy till morning without effect. A general alarm was then given along the river for forty miles, and to all the settlements on the west side, for it was on the west Brayton lived. The whole people, or all who could leave home, became at once anxious about the fate of the boy, and showed their sympathy for the parents by joining in the task of hunting him. The weather was quite mild, and high hopes were entertained of their being able to find him alive. On the first morning after his absence, the place where the brothers had parted was carefully examined. He was barefooted and could be tracked a short distance towards home, then in a more westerly direction till the hardness of the ground admitted no further im pression. It was now the third day when the grand turnout took place. The neighboring Indian villages had been looked to. Many of them in a very kind man ner joined in the hunt. As it was thought that all per sons, and more especially children, would soon be come wild or partially deranged, and would hide or flee on hearing their name called, or the sound of a horn or voice, they thought it advisable to form two extensive wings at some distance apart, to penetrate the wilderness in perfect order, and meet at some given point, then circling in smaller and smaller com pass till they would all come together in the centre, that if he was encircled he could not escape. This, no doubt, was a rational plan, but unsuccessful. Many persons in the hunt imagined they had seen under logs, or in thickets, where the child might have bedded in leaves, etc., yet no certain trace could be found. The pursuit was continued daily and unre mittingly till the 20th of December, when some gave out from fatigue, and their places were supplied by others. Such was the anxiety of all to afford some relief to the almost distracted parents. If they could find the dead body, or some part of his cloth ing, it would mitigate their grief, even if they had proof he had been devoured by wolves, and that his sufferings were at an end. But no such consolation; not a foot trace could be discovered; the whole wilderness and settlement had been thoroughly searched from the Sandusky to the Maumee in width, and as much as fifty miles in length, and principally in the manner described, when further pursuit was abandoned in despair. From that day to this, the fine, active, promising little Matthew Brayton has never been heard of. The mystery will never be solved in this world. Two or three journeys have been made to the far distant tribes of Indians to the West and beyond the Missis sippi for the purpose of discovery, believing it pos sible that some straggling Indians might have come across him, and taken him to some remote tribe. No comments need be made on the unhappy, affair, or the affliction of the parents, brothers, and sisters; they can better be conceived than told. However, with regard to Matthew's fate, I am myself of the opinion that if the wolves had killed him, some part of his clothing and some portion of his body would have been found. My conclusion is that he wandered till life was nearly spent by want of food and exces sive fatigue; that in this exhausted state he laid him self down in some secret place and perished — though his death has been more generally ascribed to the wolves. Such is the account of the late Dr. Brainard, of the loss of Matthew Brayton, and the extensive search made for him by his friends and neighbors. It was not the Doctor's lot to live to see Matthew, after thirty-four years captivity among the In dians, return to his parents, and thus to clear up all doubts as to his fate. None would have rejoiced more with the family than he, for, undoubtedly, he had often seen Matthew, and dandled him upon his knee, for he was born in this town. The Sandusky River was, in the early history of Lower Sandusky, of great commercial and economic value. The settlers produced a surplus of corn and pork, but these articles of food were at first not exchangable for groceries and wearing apparel. Flour was also a scarce article, and salt was almost impossible to obtain, except occasionally when a schoon er ascended the river from Portland (now Sandusky). But in the village there was a man of enterprise, and remarkable in ventive genius, whose name we have men tioned and shall frequently have occasion to mention again. Lieutenant Thomas L. Hawkins was ever alive to the interests of the settlement, and his ingenious method for facilitating trade with Port land, for the accommodation of immi grants, is worthy of minute description. The boat constructed by Mr. Hawkins consisted of two large canoes placed at a proper distance apart, on which were placed a platform sufficiently large to carry . the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 4°3 superstructure of machinery, a large amount of freight, and several passen gers. The machinery consisted of a four- horse power, by which was turned wheels or paddles at each side of the boat. When freights were light only two horses were used. The boat was propelled in this way with facility, making trips when ever the demands of trade or travel re quired. This craft was built in 18 19, and during the following three or four years made many rounds trips without any seri ous accident, though occasionally an in cident relieved the monotony of tedious journeys. On one occasion a refractory horse made a successful attempt to escape his dreary work. He broke his halter and leaped over the railing, plunging head first into the water, and in that precarious situation hung until cut loose. He then swam triumphantly to the shore, "to the great delight and satisfaction of the whole crew."* Hawkins' boat was built the same year the first steamer navigated Lake Erie. The horse power boat brought goods, groceries, and salt, and carried away furs, flour and pork. Lower Sandusky being the most southern market of the lake, be came the trading emporium of a large part of Northern Ohio. Fish, which at times literally filled the river, gave Lower Sandusky a prestige in the trade with southern farmers. They brought their flour and pork here in exchange for fish, which cost practically nothing, for, as an old manuscript remarks, "every spring the pickerel and white bass were found in such multitudes lying (apparently wait ing to be caught) all along the rapids, that it was often found quite impossible to ride a horse across the ford till much exertion was made to drive fhem away to make room for his feet."* Did we not know the author of this statement to be Dr. Brainard's Manuscript. a man of sincere truthfulness, it might be accredited to Munchausonism. The tes timony of many others confirms the state ment. Such was the trade in fish that every spring many of the villagers became fishers and fish packers. From the mid dle of March till early in June other busi ness was practically laid aside. Shanties were built on the river bank, and as often as they cast their nets they drew forth fish in abundance. Early in spring time suckers were drawn forth; next came red horse. Pickerel was the choice quality, which came third during the season; and last, but in greatest numbers, were brought up out of the water white bass. The sight of these fishers at work was really an interesting one; A law required that all the offal should be buried. For viola tion of this law criminal proceedings were frequently brought. At the first term of court, held in May, 1820, three indict ments were found on the charge of caus ing nuisance. Fines for this offence were from one to twenty dollars. In" the board shanties those in the business kept salt, barrels and salted fish. Outside was a long scaffold or table of convenient height, on one side of which the men engaged at dressing stood, and on the other was a long trench in which the offal dropped and was . buried. Fish-dressing was a trade which required a quick hand and accurate eye to learn. By the side of the dresser stood a barrel in which live fish were pouied from the seine. They were seldom given time to die a natural death, but while yet fluttering were caught in the left hand of the dresser, thrown upon the board, when one cut of the knife severed the head and sent it flying into the trench. One more cut opened the back, and a single scrape sent the entrails into the trench. A barrel for the purpose received the dressed fish, and the operation, which required but a few seconds, was repeated. 404 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Barrels of fish were in this way dressed and salted down. Some men became notorious for their expertness. David Grant and John S. Tyler were known as leaders and masters of their trade. As soon as roads became passable in spring time, the scattered little village filled with teams from southern counties. Till long into the autumn the road from Urbana, Dayton, and Franklinton was thronged by great covered wagons, drawn by four, six, and sometimes eight horses! Coming down they were weighted with flour, linsey cloth, dried fruit, bacon, and other articles such as in older settled com munities were produced. Here they bar tered their commodities for fish, salt, and leather, often leaving much cash, occa sionally their tavern and whiskey bills. It is said that a marching army is greatly supported by display of uniform and music. Even horses catch the inspiration of display and^re enabled to bear extra ordinary fatigue. On the same principle the old-time* teamster surrounded his busi ness with attractive paraphernalia and glit tering pretension. There was something animating in a street scene, as we picture it on the imagination from a description be fore us. The horses were large and well trained. No elaboration was spared to make their strong gearing handsome. Broad straps and fancy housings, and an arch of small bells jingling at every step, gave the animal a proud consciousness of being an object of attention. The teamster, almost always a jolly fellow, oc cupied a saddle on the near wheel horse. In one hand he swung a long whip, which cracked with pistol shrillness whenever a horse was indisposed to pull his share. The other hand held a single line, guiding six horses over roads which, to our un trained eyes, would seem impassable for two. The accuracy attained by the team ster in whip craft is remarkable. It was an old-time hotel amusement to test each other's teamstership by snuffingwith awhip- lash a tallow candle, at a distance of twenty feet; the driver who outened the flame or missed the candle altogether was ruled out. We have heard tell of teamsters able to pick off with a whip-lash a horse-fly without hurting the animal on which it was sitting. The full-freighted wagon, arched over with canvas, was the driver's dwelling place as well as store-house. The typical teamster was jolly and full of good nature. Noth ing would ruffle his cheerful temper except inability to procure feed for his horses. He was willing to endure hardship for himself, but that the horses' in which he took an affectionate pride should suffer from hunger, was more than his manly heart could stand. These traders "made our roads, bad as they were, vocal and cheerful, and presented an animating spec tacle." During the early life of the village the arrivals and departures of these teams, — sometimes one alone, but frequently consisting of a train of five or six — was of daily occurrence, and the tavern nightly rang with the merry laugh of self-contented, fun-loving teamsters. Such was the beginning of trade in Lower Sandusky, and such were daily village scenes during the summer for a great many years. A decade later wheat and stave wagons crowded homely Front street, and oftentimes blockaded the way. Indians, from the beginning, made Lower Sandusky their principal trading point. The Senecas, and kindred tribes from the neighboring reservation, traded here ex clusively, and the Wyandots of Upper Sandusky often visited and traded with the white man at this ancient seat of their tribe. What change a quarter of a cen tury had made in the condition of this heroic tribe, whose dominion for more than a century had been acknowledged by all the West. Wayne's expedition was HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 4°5 the arrow which struck deep into the body of Indian power, and its deadly effect pen etrated the heart. Did the Wyandots who came here to trade ever picture the village home and corn-fields, the gauntlet track and the council fire of their heroic ances tors? We know that they were familiar with the history of their tribe, and we have a right to suppose that, as they sat upon store benches or reclined upon the smooth sod of the common, drawing from homely pipes dense mouthfuls of smoke, con sciousness of humiliation and degeneracy oppressed them. Little more than a quarter of a century before, their tribe headed a confederacy which defeated two American armies ; but the spot lighted by the council fire, around which these great campaigns were planned, was now the scene of busy traffic and trade. It is a pleasure to record the fact that the Indians who came to Lower Sandusky were treated with becoming courtesy. Scarcely a day passed without the appear ance of some of them, bringing furs, ven nison or sugar to exchange for tobacco. pork, ammunition, blankets and calico. A balance was usually due the merchants which was paid from the annuities. Once a quarter the head chiefs of the Senecas came to Lower Sandusky to transact tribal business and diaw their annuity. The Olmsted firm transacted their busi ness, and it is remembered that Hard Hickory, Coonstick, Tall Chief, Crow, Seneca John, and others, being detained late by business, often remained in the store all night. They slept on blankets with their feet towards the fire, the thought of theft or dishonesty never en- terering their honest heads. The chiefs of the Senecas were singu- laily honest and honorable in their busi ness transactions. They were abiding in their faith that no Indian could enter the happy hunting ground who left debts be hind. We believe, however, that purer promptings made these pagans honest. The Socratic death of Seneca John, told elsewhere, shows that he, at least, was a man of lofty character and capable of high moral convictions: The Senecas and Ottawas traded here till 1832. The Wyandots made occasional visits till they moved away in 1842. Of Seneca John, whe was murdered by his brothers, Coon stick and Steele, an account of which is given in the chapter relating to Ballville township, Mr. Everett, who knew him well, says: He was a man of remarkable power of mind, and head chief of the Senecas. When any difficult mat ter was presented in council Seneca John was looked to by all as the right man to solve and explain it; and, as the Indians said, he always made crooked things straight. At the age of 'about forty-five years his remarkable mind, with a brave heart, fine person and manly demeanor, had given him unbounded in fluence over his tribe. A VILLAGE NIGHT. While Lower Sandusky sixty years ago was a spot busy with enterprise and traffic, a forest oppressive in its shade, and deep gloom extended on all sides, wild beasts made night hideous and dangerous, and at times in their midnight prowlings ran through the village. Wolves were the boldest of all wild animals, and were often alarming to the settlers. They in habit almost all unsettled districts; climate has little effect upon them. From Mexico to Hudson's Bay the primitive forest echoed with their howls. Like the Indians they receded before white settle ment, but kept up a prolonged and an noying border war. The primitive village of Lower San dusky was especially troubled with these obnoxious animals. The packs driven from eastern and southern counties took refuge in Northwestern Ohio, adding greatly to the number already here. To the Indian wolves could do little injury, 406 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. and were of.no value. They consequently escaped the primitive hunters, being left to roam the woods at will and multiply rapidly. The bear was a choice mark, and in consequence they were more numerous around this Indian camping ground, and .soon disappeared after white settlers broke the stretch of forest. Wolves are natur ally thievish. Neither in town nor in country, during the period under con sideration, were young cattle, hogs, or sheep safe outside of secure stables. Dr. Brainard, an old resident of the village, remarks in his manuscripts that their hunger and rapacity knew no bounds, and fearing their ferocity, and knowing their peculiar and exquisite taste for sheep, for many years settlers did not attempt to keep this useful animal. They would very often prowl through- the village after night, to secure some more deli cious repast. This is shown by an inci' dent. A man living on the firsj; street from the main one, one evening be ing in a paroxysm of chill and fever, recol lecting that his horse, in the stable across the street nearly opposite, had not been fed his grain, requested his wife to carry his accustomed allowance to him. She being an accommodating partner in hard times, readily consented. She had pro ceeded about half way when a gang of wolves made an assault. Being yet young and active, you may conclude she was not long in retracing her steps; fear lent wings to her speed, the wolves close to her heels when she shut the door against them. They being thus foiled and disappointed, appeared to be in great rage, set up re peated and tremendous howls, and seemed unwilling to depart. In a few minutes, however, as the people had not yet retired to rest, nearly all the male part assembled at the scene of this wild confusion, armed with such weapons as they in the moment could most easily grasp. The common enemy, seeing they would be overpowered by numbers, fled, and all again was quiet, except their distant howls, which still sounded upon the ear. This is one of many similar attacks that occurred in our village during the hours of night. The only serious consequence of this was the husband being told by his affectionate wife that, sick or well, he would there after feed his own horse for all her. THE FIRST THEATRE. Thomas L. Hawkins, the village miller, was one of those useful men in a small community to whom we apply the phrase "universal genius." He was a mechanic and a landscape painter, a poet and a phi losopher, a preacher and a stage actor. As master of the village theatre, three of his many faculties were called into exer cise. He painted the scenery for the stage, wrote the prologue, and performed diffi-. cult and important parts. The Lower Sandusky theatre was formally opened in 1 819, by Goldsmith's play, "She Stoops to Conquer," acted by the young men of the village. Mr. Hawkins wrote a pro logue, in which he predicted the introduc tion of railroads, steamboats, and tele graphs. He also hints at the town's gen eral bad reputation for wickedness, and then proceeds to preach a sermon in verse. Here is the prologue in full: Sandusky Theatie, of tender age, Now makes its first appearance on the stage. Lord! what a crowd! I blush for what? These are but men, And fellow mortals every soul within. Then, first, my friends, — for friends you surely are,— As foes and critics have no business here, Yet, should they come, their astonished sense shall burn To find how youths in Lower Sandusky learn. But you, my friends, on your good sense I call, Oh, pray excuse our impel fections all. Your uneasy seats— on poles and wooden pins — May try your patience ere the play begins. Our paper scenes, and flimsy curtains new, May make you think our actors flimsy too. Not so. I hope, and hope you'll hope with me; HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 407 'Tis all I crave, — the exhibition's free. "That's false! I paid before I entered here! " You did? But 'twas to pay the music, sir. "What, free?" says one. " Upon my soul I thought These painted scenes, these candles bought! " They truly were, and dearly paid for, too ; Yet we live in hopes to get that pay from you. For, if our youths should now be blessed with skill, We'll force you here, though much against your will. Our time and talents we will devote to you; You cannot wish to take our money too ? "Oh!" cries the foe, "I see your whole intent; I've long wished to know what the deuce you meant. You think, by painting, pasting, rhyming, jokes, E'en to make money from us poor folks!" Not so, good sirs; let me begin again; Lend but your patience, I'll not long detain. Long has our place with crimson dies been stained, And counterfeiters' residences gained; Both far and near our character been lost, In the life of Spicer and death of poor La Coste. But now, thank God! a happy change succeeds; (With painful hearts we face those wicked deeds. ) 'Tis time, good sirs, those actions to despise, Since all around our tender offspring rise. In their blest lives let us re-live again A life of virtue, freed from conscious pain. Those are the pillars of expected state; As life declines, they will our souls elate. In future days, when snug on yonder rise Their once loved parents, fieedfrom toil, lies, In senates they, as statesmen bright, will stand, While arts and science roll at their command; Thy sons shall then in fond remembrance tell, And bless the sires that tutored them to spell. Blessed be the man, that friend, who taught me first From science's page, undaunted, to rehearse — To stand, regardless of the critic's sneer, And boldly speak, nor mortal face to fear. With thoughts like these, we anticipate delight; 'Tis this alone which brings us here to-night. Dear fathers, mothers, guardians, tutors too, Oh, what a task, good heavens! devolves on you. Look forward then, anticipate with joy, What prospects burst upon your infant boy! Behold yon wide, uncultivated plain, From ocean's wave to ocean's wave again; Where silence reigns, nor human face is found — All nature sleeps secure from human sound; Where bounds the deer, pursued by savage cries, Shall adventurous man with villages arise. Town after town and State on State unfurled, 'Til the proud Pacific hails a new-born world. When solitude sits with time and age grown gray, The arts shall flourish, e'en like the blaze of day. Hammers shall ring, and the anvil's lab'ring peal Shall cheer the maid that hums the spinning-wheel. Those hidden ores that line Superior Bay Shall quit their beds and shine in upland day; While o'er its tide sail after sail shall bend, And with proud cars of fire and steam contend. Rivers that have rolled since time itself began Shall lend their aid to bear adventurous man; While through the groves, uncultivated plains, They extend their arms, and meet with arms again. To unite their forks, oh! wonderful to tell! The uptnrown earth bespeaks the proud canal! With spreading sail, then merchantmen may go From Hudson's mouth through States to Mexico. The fluted railroad, with bars above, below, Thus man may speed a hundred miles a day, And leave the bird a lingering on the way. The speaking-tube, concealed beneath the ground, All news convey to distant seats around. These, fathers, these might cause e'en stones to speak , And thoughts like these might entertain a week; But I too long have trespassed on your time, — Strove to explain, in disconnected rhyme, Why we those scenes and exhibitions plan; Instruct the youth to thoughts and acts of man. Perhaps from these, to fill us with surprise, Some Newton, Milton, Washington may rise. I here would close, but, mixed among you all, The old bachelor sits, on whom I'm forced to call. In joys like those which sires anticipate, You have no share, nor can you, — 'tis too late; But if youthful strength there still remains in one, Who wishes to live immortal in a son, Rouse from your stupor! awake your torpid brain! And quick the heart of some fair maid obtain! A blight example for you we set to-night; Four happy souls we shortly will unite. To prepare for these, good-night, I won't intrude, But soon return in woman's attitude. Such was the prologue recited before the play opened. In a literary sense it is, of course, crude, but it has the high merit of being suited to the occasion. The play, considering conditions, was very well produced, and its reproduction on several occasions, and the presentation of other plays from time to time, gave a wholesome spice to village life. The hint at the slab benches, with pins protruding through them, and at the paper scenes and flimsy curtains, gives an interior view of the hall, which was the first place of public entertainment in the village. LAW AND ORDER. This is a delicate topic. It would be perverting the truth of history to represent the village from which this city has grown 408 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY as a moral paradise, and at the same time we are inclined to think there was no more depravity here than at other frontier trad ing posts. The leading citizens were not of the class lauded for piety, yet they were good people who, by example and execu tive action, endeavored to support law and order in society. But, being the leading village of Northwestern Ohio, it is not strange that a full share of knaves and villains made their temporary home here. There were petty thieves, common swin dlers, and a few of that class, one of whom, on a certain occasion, declared that he be longed to a society "for the transportation of horses and improving the currency." How much counterfeiting was done here no man knows nor ever will know; the expeditious method "for transporting horses" made the town somewhat cele brated. Evil report went out from here more than from otherfrontier posts because Lower Sandusky was made a well-known place by its precedence in trade. Very few of the villagers were close Sabbath observers. This is almost uni versally the rule of pioneer settlements. Those people who have persuaded them selves that the commandment setting apart a day of rest has been downtrodden by constant violation in ihese latter years, and that the world is daily becoming more Godless, will find in the history of Ohio communities, with but few exceptions, a refutation of their opinions. In Lower Sandusky, sixty years ago, a few of the residents observed the Sabbath, but a weekly day of rest, and worship, and thanksgiving was not on the calendar of the business men or an influential propor tion of the citizens. Now, as a rule, the Sabbath is observed; disregard is the ex ception. When Rev. Jacob Bowlus, an ardent Methodist, came here in 1822, he was very unpopular. The account given by his son, at a pioneer meeting a few years ago, is full of interest, for it reflects not only the moral status of the village at that time, but also the impolitic method of the preacher in his hasty zeal to reform the place in which he was a very new resi dent. People then, as now, became in dignant at interference with their private affairs, especially so when interference touched their method of living. Mr. Bowlus, in his address in 1878, said: I was with father when he came here in 1822. The first Sabbath after our arrival he thought it was his duty as a minister of the Gospel to use his influence to have the Sabbath properly observed. He went around town and told the people what he came here for — to live among them and have them live as Chris tian people. He went from house to house and from store to store, and induced the people to close their places of business and observe the Sabbath. Pre vious to that, Sunday had been to them like any other day. They did probably more business on Sunday than on other days. It is true, however, that some permitted smuggling goods through the back doors. Father noticed this, and talked to them about it frequently, but did not succeed in preventing the practice altogether. Several families were considered pretty rough folks. Among them, some of you remember old Mr. Dew and family. A man lived with this old man Dew named Sanford Maines. Father met him down in the village after Sabbath was over, and said to him: " Is your name Sanford Maines?" He told him it was. " They tell me, " said father, " you are a set of horse thieves, and I warn you to take care.V "What!" exclaimed Maines, apparently surprised. Father repeated the same words and passed on. The next night father's buggy was hauled back of where the court-house now stands, where there was a thicket of hazel bushes. A chip fire was started and the vehicle burned up. Many such instances occurred in those days. It was a wild country indeed. The forefathers of our city occasionally inflicted summary punishment upon those who trespassed upon the laws of society. One characteristic instance is remembered: A man by the name of Avery, some time during the year 1820, stole an axe. He was arrested, and, there being no jail to confine him in till he could be tried, the citizens decided to take him down to a locust tree about where the Fremont & Indiana railroad engine house now stands, and give him a sound thrashing. They HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 409 tied him up to the tree and gave him one hundred lashes, well laid on. After being released he swam the river, and never came back. The practice of stealing fire-wood is shown by the records of the village justice, to be a very old one. An eccentric old man by the name of Hawkins, father of the miller, poet, preacher and actor, spent a portion of the time from 1.816 to 1820 in. Lower Sandusky. He was interested in the mill with his son, Thomas L. Hawkins, and occasionally missed slabs from the log yard. Being convinced that they went for fire-wood, he prepared some slabs by boring, and then loading them with tremendous charges of powder. The next morning there was such an explosion, in a log-cabin near the mill, as to take the gable end and a part of the end wall out of it, besides frightening and somewhat injuring the inmates. This was considered dangerous, and although the man owned up to stealing the slabs, Hawkins was ar rested for an attempt upon his life. The old man, when arraigned before the justice, told all he had done, and, in justification, said his slabs were green, and wouldn't burn without some powder to help them, and he prepared his own slabs just as he pleased, and if they didn't quit stealing, he blow them all to . Hawkins was a party to another, novel lawsuit of the period. He kept a canoe in the mill pond. A Frenchman one day took the canoe to hunt ducks, and after landing it oh the other side, left his gun in the canoe, and went after plums. The old man waded the river, and took the canoe, fired off the Frenchman's gun, and paddled for the other shore. Fastening his canoe, he hastened to Esquire Har rington, a justice of the peace, and had the Frenchman summoned, to the tune of fifteen dollars damages for taking one canoe. But the old man found his match, 5* Frenchy came, and laid in a counter claim to same amount, in aoout this style: "Mr. Hawkin owe me for shoot my gun one time for noting, fifteen dollars." The justice suggested that that was a pretty high charge for one load of powder and shot. "Sacre," said the Frenchman, "sup pose he sharge me ver' high,T sharge him ver' high, too, aha! dat not right, sare." Whatever may have been the reputation inflicted upon the town by a coterie of rakes, outlaws and swindlers who were not citizens but only transient sojourners, there was much virtue here. People were gener ally hospitable and generous, honest in dealing with each other, and united heartily in the amenities, and sympathized with each other in the asperities of border life. POSTAL FACILITIES. We are unable to say just when postal facilities were provided for Lower San dusky, but it is altogether probable that military routes were established in the winter of 181 2-13 when the stockade was built. After the war a postoffice was es tablished, and according to our best in formation Morris A. Newman was commis sioned postmaster. Three mail routes were established — one up the river through Fort Seneca to Delaware, another east to Norwalk, and a third west to Fort Meigs. During the war mail-carriers were in great personal danger. Some of the Indians were hostile, and the • mail-bag was a tempting object of plunder. The first mail^carrier of whom we have any per sonal knowledge, was a man named Munger, whose route was from here to Fort Meigs. One mile from the fort he was attacked by a party of Indians, but made his escape with but slight wounds, leaving the mail-bag and his horse to the red robbers. The thick woods and swamp sheltered him while he travelled four days, as he supposed toward Fort Stephenson. 4ip HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. At the termini of his route he was sup posed to be dead, or' taken captive, but on the fifth day he made his appearance at Lower Sandusky, having wandered as far north as Port Clinton on the lake shore. During the early stages of the war it was sometimes necessary to give the mail- carriers a military escort. This was the mission of Colonel Ball's detail when at tacked by a party of Indians about one mile south of Fort Stephenson, in 1813, a full account of which is given elsewhere. It is difficult to realize the perils and hardships of the early mail-carriers. The most difficult and dangerous route was from, here to Perrysburg (Fort Meigs). There was no road, and the carrier was guided by blazes or scars made on the trees. The route was. from Lower San dusky down the river through the Whit taker farm, to where two large white oaks were blazed. These two trees were solid guides pointing to the thick, swampy forest westward. Muskallonge was forded some distance from the mouth, and from there to the site of Elmore was a, tortuous path, at places scarcely wide enough for a horse to pass through. From the Portage River at Elmore, a crooked path led to Fort Meigs. After leaving Mrs. Whit- taker's, there was not an inhabitant on the whole route. After Munger had been robbed, it was difficult to get any one to travel this route. In spring or winter time, when the ice was breaking, the journey could be performed only on foot. Isaac Knapp, a young man of distinguished bravery, who had located here in 18 14, undertook the perilous contract. He as sociated with himself his lion-hearted brother Walter, who carried it some of the time, Walter being selected chiefly on ac count of his lightness of body, and conse quent ability to walk lightly over their ice or frozen crust, which would break through with a heavy man or horse, and make progress extremely difficult It needed the Knapp sort of spirit to travel this lonely path during that dangerous period. One day, just before leaving Fort Meigs, Isaac Knapp saw from the fort two men who had just started out, waylaid and murdered by a party of Indians. With this terrible scene fresh on his mind, he, a few hours afterward, shouldered the mail- bag, and set off into the forest- By a devious route he evaded the watching red skins, and safely performed the journey. The Knapps had hearts for any fate. Isaac became a highly esteemed citizen of the town, and an associate judge of the county. Walter also located here in later years, where he raised a family and died. These two brothers were the heroes of a romantic adventure which illustrates their character, and proves their fitness for the public service performed during times which tried men's souls : Shortly after the War of 1812 closed, Walter Knapp, for speaking disrespectfully of the British Government, was arrested and imprisoned in Sand wich, Upper Canada, a town opposite Detroit. The crime charged to him was punishable by fine, and his brothers James and tsaac prepared to pay the fine, and went to Detroit to await the trial of Walter, pay his fine for him and bring him away. The court sat at Sandwich at this time, but, contrary to usage, the trial of Walter was not brought on, and the court adjourned leaving him in jail where he might stay another year. The brothers, James and Isaac, therefore resolved on rescuing him, for he was badly treated, and might die before trial day. They found friends enough in Detroit who were willing to go over and assist in the enterprise, but upon consultation it was thought best for only two to go over, as that number would not excite suspicion. At about 10 o'clock at night Isaac applied to the ferryman for the use of his canoe for three hours to go to Spring Wells, a place on the American side, but the suspi cious Frenchman refused to let hini have it until he promised three dollars for its use, and left ninety dollars as a pledge for its safe return inside of three hours. It was a good-sized pine canoe, light, and easily propelled. At a little after 10 o'clock that night Isaac Knapp left the American shore at Detroit. They selected a landing place on the Canada side under a high bank pear a church, whose steeple towered up visible in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 411 the gloomy sky. After landing and securing their canoe the brothers proceeded a mile through the streets to the jail, which they intended to enter, with the aid of saws, through a window. All was dark and quiet. The work at the window was commenced but a little while when the saw broke. They then tried the front door of the jail, and found it locked and immovable, and impregnable. They then pro ceeded to the rear of the jail yard, which was enclosed with pickets twelve feet high, set in the ground. A strip of scantling was spiked to the pickets about ten feet from the ground to hold them parallel at the top. By a run and a leap they found they could reach and hold to the scantling. After throwing over a sledge hammer, which they anticipated would be necessary for their purpose, they leaped the pickets and went to the back door of the jail hall. This door was not locked. They had learned from one McDonald, a tavern keeper in Detroit, the plan of the jail, and where the jailor hung the keys. The prison was on one side of the hall, and the room right opposite the jail door was occupied by the jailor and his family, and behind the door of the jailor's room hung the prison keys. Walter was awake, and James went to the prison door and whispeied to his brother, who informed him where the keys hung, and that the largest key was the one to his door. James entered the jailor's apartment into perfect darkness, and be gan feeling for the keys, but was some time in find ing the largest one. Isaac stood in the door of the room. James, in fumbling for the keys, unfortu nately knocked a large bunch of heavy keys from their suspension, which fell rattling like a log-chain upon the floor, rousing the jailor, who instantly sprang to his feet and exclaimed: "What in the name of God is that? Who's here?" Isaac Knapp, guided by the sound, sprang directly in front of the jailor as he stood at the bedside, and said, in a low, determined voice, " Not a word, sir. We have come for a prisoner; we must have him; and if you ntter one word of alarm I will dispatch you in a mo ment!" At this the jailor's wife and children were terrified, but the same command, backed by the command of the jailor himself, to save his life, soon quieted them. Meantime the key was found, and James and Walter were at the door of the jailor's apartment saying: "Wearehere." Isaac followed the sound and reached the door, joined his brothers, and proceeded to scale the pickets at a different point and over into an alley. As they were going through the yard, which was planted with potatoes, Walter lost his bundle of clothes, and began to search for them. Just then the jailor gave the shout for alarm, and they heard numerous voices at the front door of the jail. There was no time for hunt ing old clothes in the dark, and ] ames whispered "come," and instantly they scaled the pickets. Isaac siezed Walter by the collar, and with a bound threw him over to James, and with another scaled the pickets, bounding almost at the same time into the alley. Walter was weak from confinement and ill ness, and the brothers siezed each arm, emerged from the alley into the main road or street, which led to the church steeple, under which they knew their canoe was, a mile distant. By this time the alarm became loud, and the inhabitants were hurrying to the jail from every quarter. They met many, but when out of sight made such speed as permitted Walter to touch ground only once in a while. They reached the canoe, but Walter was exhausted, and they laid him in the bottom of it and shoved off. The canoe was furnished with oars and rowlocks. James and Isaac took their seats at the oars with their backs towards the Detroit shore, struck in thQ oars as strong and active men would in such a case, till they supposed they were in the middle of the river, and out of sight and hearing from the Canadian shore. At this point Walter, who had been rendered breathless and fainted in the race, came to, and fold them to give him a paddle, as he was able to steer. The Judge, in narrating this adventure, said that it seemed to him as if the canoe leaped out of the water at every stroke" of the oars. At the middle of the river they slacked their exertions to rest a little and take observations. They soon gained breath and found their direction, and then pulled leisurely to the landing from which they had started. Isaac's ninety dollars would be forfeited if he kept the canoe over three hours, and he found the Frenchman, who hoped for the forfeit, loth to wake, but finally suc ceeded to make him acknowledge that he was awake, receive the canoe, and refund the ninety dollars, less three, the agreed price for the use of the craft. After half an hour spent at this place and in reaching John Halmer's tavern, they found it lacked five minutes of two hours from the time they left the landing on the American side. With the Judge himself, and others who knew the facts, it is still a mystery how Isaac got Walter over the pickets of that jail yard; and this rescue was considered one of the most daring and successful of Northern adventures. The Judge said: "I was in Major Holmes' command on the Thames when we were one hundred and fifty surrounded by about five thousand British , and yet entering that jail in the dark was more trying to my nerves than that battle. But as soon as the jailor waked and spoke, and I had something to do , my courage and coolness came to me at once. I was cool and determined. I did not wish to injure the jailor, but I had determined to save my brother, and we did."* In 1818 Jeremiah Everett was ap pointed mail-carrier on this route, which was somewhat changed, but reached the * Judge Knapp himself communicated this adventure, substantially as detailed, to Hon. Homer Everett. 412 History of sandusky county. Portage River as formerly, at Elmore, where there was now a solitary cabin, occupied by the family of a Mr. Harris, who kept the mail-carriers overnight. Hon. Homer Everett gives the following account of his father's experience while in the service : .' From two to three days, often four, were required to perform the trip. I have heard my father fre quently mention his disagreeable experiences in this service, being often compelled to camp out between Maumee and Portage River at night and alone. He told of a fallen hollow sycamore tree which he used as a protection on these occasions, when the state of the roads, or accident prevented him from reaching Portage River on his return trip, which frequently happened.. If on foot, the mail; and a blanket made into a pack, .were slung upon his shoulders,, with bread and meat for the journey, —and with a hatchet arid knife in his belt, he would set out. If pn horse back, which the roads permitted only a part of the year, a more, ample outfit was carried, and grain for the animal. At the sycamore tree the axe, steel and flint, aided to build. him a good. fire, in front, which ; kept off cold and wolves. The wolf's howl near by ! was familiarmusic then, and he was. waked in the i morning, and found a path beaten in the. snow ! around him by the feet of these prowlers. He was always anxious to have a good road from Lower Sandusky to Fort Meigs, and lived to be eminently useful and influential in having one made. One of the old mail-carriers on the route up the river to Delaware was named Brush. . Samuel Cochran was stationed near the mouth of Wolf Creek, in Ballville township, to ferry the mail-carriers over the creek during times of high water. The route from the east, Opened soon after the war clostd, came from Nor walk across Strong's ridge to Amsden's corners (Bellevue); from thence by a crooked path through the southern part of Green Creek township to the old. Rumery place and thence to Lower Sandusky.' ' A fourth route was established during the period which we are describing, from Lower Sandusky to Venice on the bay shore. After the Maumee road was completed a stage line was established, which carried east and west mails. Mails from the south were brought down the river on horse back for a number of years afterward. Harvey. J. Harman succeeded Newman as postmaster, and after his death in 1834, the office' was placed in charge of Grant Jf, FjPBgefSon, Jesse S. Olmsted succeeded. 'Homer 'Everett, who had charge of the office during Olmsted's administration, was commissioned postmaster in 1837. His successors have been Benjamin F. Meekef, Wilson M. Stark, Isaac M. Keeler, L. E. Boren. We are unable to conclude the list, no record having been kept. George Krebs is the present effi cient incumbent. . CHAPTER XXV, F R EM 6 N T CONTINUED. Civil Government. THE first organization of local govern ment on the soil of Sandusky county followed in consequence of an order direct ing the erection of the township of Sandus ky, in August, 1815. The first page of the record has been torn out of the musty old book and is destroyed. On the cover of the book is written in a large, clear hand: i This book was presented by Israel Harrington, es quire, to the township of Sandusky for the purpose of keeping the records of said township. August 15, 18T5. For seventeen years this book, con taining less than two hundred pages, is the only record of the township. Israel Harrington was the first justice of the peace. The other officers elected August 15 were: Isaac Lee, clerk; Isaac Lee and William Ford, fence viewers; Jeremiah Everett, Randall Jerome, and Israel Harrington, trustees; William An drews and Morris A. Newman, overseers of the poor; David Gallagher, treasurer; Henry Disbrow and Charles B. Fitch, ap praisers of property; Thoda A. Rexford and. William Hoddy, constables. At the'succeeding election, held October 10, 1815, twenty-eight votes were cast. The following was the poll: William Andrews, Thoda A. Rexford, Daniel McFarland, Asa Stodard, William Ford, Israel Harrington, Elisha Har rington, Randall Jerome, Jeremiah Everett, Moses Nichols, Anthony Arndt, Joseph Done, Obediah Morton, Jonathan Jerome, Joel Thomas, Thomas D. Knapp, Peleg Cooley, Antoine Laurent, Isaac Lee, JosejjhJMominne, Charles B. Fitch, John M. Clung, Henry Disbrow, James Whitta ker, Nathaniel Camp, Samuel Avery, Peter Menare, Lewis de Leonard. There seemed to be. great unanimity at this election. None of the candidates voted for or received less than twenty-six, votes, and four of them received the full twenty-eight. Partisan bitterness was not yet born and an election was much like a council of friends. It seems, too, that it was a council in which all were pretty much of one mind. The first appraisement of property was made by Charles B. Fitch and Daniel Hill, May 23, 1816. Only eight houses were appraised, as follows: Morris A. New man, one, $250; Moses Nichols, one, $100; Israel Harrington, one, $300; Aaron Forgerson, one, $200; Randall Je rome, three, $450; Thomas Brown, one, $150. At the October election of 181 6 thirty- three 'Votes were cast. Since very few of the citizens whose names are given lived beyond the present corporate limits of the present city of Fremont, we give the poll as a census of the cluster of homes about old Fort Stephenson, just beginning to assume the appearance of a village : Joseph Harris, William Andrews, T. A. Rexford, Obediah Norton, William Avery, Moses Nichols, Almeron Sands, Daniel McFarland, Samuel Avery, Jonathan Je rome, W. S. Drake, Charles B. Fitch, Jere miah Everett, Daniel Hill, Thomas D. Knapp, Israel Harrington, William Downs* David Gallagher, Hugh B. McKner, Thomas Brown, Aaron Forgerson, Joshua Davits, Ruel Louis, John Payne, Morris 414 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. A. Newman, Peleg Cooley, John Robin son, John Cooley, Thomas L Hawkins, Thomas Forgerson, Holsey Forgerson, Aaron Willis, and John W. Tyler. We give one more list of elections of Sandusky township, taken from the rec ords of the October election of the year 1826: Samuel Treat, James A. Scranton, John Downs, Esbon Husted, Thomas Gal lagher, Richard Sears, Asa Bliss, Giles Thompson, Jacob Bowlus, Jesse S. Olm sted, James Fuller, Casper Remsberg, Francis Call, Mahlon Thomas, Jonathan Holcomb, Jacob Nyce, Ammi Williams, Phineas Ball, David Bowlus, Jacob Me lius, William McClelland, Elisha B. John son, Francis A. Wally, Merrit Scott, John Wolcott, Cyrus Hulburd, Thomas Haw kins, William Dew, Rodolphus Dickin son, George Shannon, Abram Bark, Har- very J. Harman, George Jackson, George J. Whitaker, Moses Wilson, John W. Ty ler, William Knapp, Jacob Bowlus,' jr., Charles Cole, John McLaughlin, Thomas Bonner, Michael Egan, Leonard Kider, Charles Runnels, Warren Waterman, Wil liam Suthorn, Peter Bellow, Eldridge A. Bristol, John Culbertson, John Andrews, Joel Van Doren, James P. Stephenson, Ferdinand Wilson, Joseph Mominne, David Grant, Abram Van Doren, Andrew Baker, Joseph Hall, Thomas Ware, Wil liam Ware, Benjamin Bailey, L. C. Ball, Joseph Connel, John Woods, Ezra Wil liams, Elisha W. Howland, Calvin Seager, David Gallagher, William Baker, Elisha Thompson, Daniel Brainard, Daniel Brain- ard, jr., Thomas Holcomb, Aaron Love land, McKinsey Mowery, Abner Loveland, and Thomas White. By 1 83 1 the number of votes in the township had increased to one hundred and forty-six. Previous to 1830 there was no corpo rate government for the village, which had now changed the name Sandusky for that of Lower Sandusky. Sandusky township had exercised exclusive jurisdiction over the village. By special act of the Legisla ture, passed February 11, 1830, so much of the reservation as is included in the sur veyed township number five, range fifteen, was set apart and granted the powers and privileges of a corporate town, under the statutes of the State. The complement of the two miles square reservation, being a strip about three-quarters of a mile wide off the south side, continued under the ju risdiction of Ballville township exclusively. In 1856^ the corporate limits were so ex tended as to include this strip, making the town of Fremont co-extensive with the an cient and historic reservation. John Bell was elected first mayor. CIVIL ROSTER. Previous to 1843 the records of the town are lost. The mayors of Lower San dusky, elected in the spring of each year, were: John Bell, 1830; R. P. Buckland, 1843;* John Bell, 1844; Cornelius Let- scher, 1845 and 1846; Chester Edgerton, 1847; L. C. Ball, 1848; J. G. B. Downs, 1849. That year the name of the town was changed to Fremont. At the expense of repetition we give the full council for each year : 1850 — Brice J. Bartlet, mayor; C. R. McCulloch, recorder; LaQ. Rawson, John R. Pease-, C. O. Tillotson, James Huf- ford, Samuel Wilson, trustees. 1851 — B. J. Bartlett, mayor; Alvin Coles, recorder; James Parks, Thomas Pinkerton, Frank Bell, Christian Doncy- son, John P. Haynes, trustees. 1852 — B. J. Bartlett, mayor; Thomas P. Finefrock, recorder; William Herbster, Christian Doncyson, Isaac Sharp, O. L. Nims, J. F. R. Sebring, trustees. 1853 — A. B. Taylor, mayor; T. P. Finefrock, recorder; Christian Doncyson, * From 1830 to 1843 unkno w n. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 4i5 O. L. Nims, Isaac Sharp, J. F. R. Sebring, M. Wegsson, trustees. 1854— A. J. Hale, mayor; Charles L. Glick, recorder; Thomas Pinkerton, J. F. R. Sebring, George C. Canfield, R. C. McCulloch, William E. Haynes, trustees. 1855 — B. J. Bartlett, mayor; Charles L. Glick, recorder; Thomas Pinkerton, J. F. R. Sebring, G C. Canfield, C. R. McCulloch, William E. Haynes, trustees. 1856— B. J. Bartlett, mayor; E. M. Hulburd, recorder; R. P. Buckland, S. Thompson, Jesse S. Van Ness, J. F. R. Sebring, Ira Smith, trustees. 1857 — John R. Pease, mayor; Nat Haynes, recorder; H. Cleland, C. Doncy son; Casper Smith, W. Beaugrand, John Joseph, trustees. 1858 — John L. Green, mayor; Oscar Ball, recorder; S. M. Ellen wood, C. Don cyson, Casper Smith, Joseph Stuber, Dan iel Capper, trustees. 1859 — Stephen Buckland, mayor; J. R. Bartlett, recorder; W. N. Morgan, Andrew Morehouse, Theodore Clapp, Detleff Thompson, Samuel Thompson, trustees. i860 — James Justice, mayor; Joseph R. Bartlett, recorder; Thomas Kelly, F. J. Geibel, Nat Haynes, Philip Dorr, Thomas Pinkerton, trustees. 1861 — Daniel L. June, mayor; D. W. Krebs, recorder; G. M. Tillotson, O. A. Roberts, Ira Smith, Joseph Chapman, Creighton Thompson, ttustees. 1862— John M. Kline, mayor; D. W. Krebs, recorder; O. A. Roberts, D. Cap per, Bryan O'Connor, C. Hodes, A. Ben nett, trustees. 1863 — John M. Kline, mayor; D. W. Krebg, recorder; O. A. Roberts, Bryan O. Connor, D. Capper, Casper Hodes, Aarpn Bennett, trustees. 1864 — LaQuinio Rawson, mayor; D. W. Krebs, recorder; D. Garvin, John Koons, Isaac Dryfoos, J. S. Van Ness, Charles Thompson, trustees. 1865 — Homer Everett, mayor; D. W. Krebs, recorder; Fred Fabing, A. J. Har ris, Oscar Ball, Charles Thompson, George Williams, trustees. 1866— John Bell, mayor; E. F. Dickin son, recorder; Ambrose Ochs, J. Stier- walt, William E. Haynes, Thomas Kelly, F. G. Geibel, trustees. The number of trustees in 1867 was increased to six, and one of their own number was chosen president. Previous to 1867 it was the duty of the mayor to act as president of the council. We give below the names of members of the council as they appear on the roll, the president always being named first : 1867 — John Bell, mayor; F. Wilmer, recorder; Jacob D. Botefur, Betts, Brush, Ochs, Quilter, and Keller, trustees. 1868— John Bell, mayor; F. Wilmer, recorder; C. H. Bell, Betts, Botefur, Brush, Engler, arid Quilter, trustees. 1869 — Jesse S. Van Ness, mayor: J. S. Van Valhenburgh, recorder; Charles H. Bell, Betts, Gores, Haynes, Horn, and Sheldon, trustees. 1870 — J. S. Van Ness, mayor; J. S. Van Valhenburgh, recorder; Paul Gores, Botefur, Kridler, McArdle, Haynes, and Sheldon, trustees. 187 1 — E. F. Dickinson, mayor; George J. Krebs, recorder; James Kridler, Shel don, Haynes, Thompson, McArdle, and Botefur, trustees. 1872 — E. F. Dickinson, mayor; George J. Krebs, recorder; James Kridler, Haynes, Sheldon, Thompson, Stuber and Geibel, trustees. 1873 — E. F. Dickinson, mayor; F. J, Geibel, jr., recorder; F. J. Geibel, Stuber, Kridler, Greiner, Fabing, and Bauman, trustees. 1874 — E. F. Dickinson, mayor; F. J. Geibel, jr., recorder, resigned, F. J. Smith 4t6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. appointed to fill vacancy; George W. Gurst, Fabing, Greiner, Elderkin, Heider, and Bauman, trustees. 1875 — E. F. Dickinson, mayor; H. B. Smith, recorder; J. P. Elderkin, jr., Fa: bing, Greiner, Bauman, Gurst, and Heider, . trustees. 1876 — E. F. Dickinson, mayor; W. W. Stine, recorder; A. Young, Bauman, Fa bing, Greiner, Dickinson, and McCulloch, trustees. 1877 — Jesse S. Van Ness, mayor; W. W. Stine, recorder; C. K McCulloch, Dickinson, Young, Sheldon, Haynes, and Parks, trustees. 1878— Jesse S. Van Ness, mayor; W. B. Kridler, recorder; James Parks, Haynes, Sheldon, Kridler, Reinick, West, Meng, and Thompson, trustees. 1879— C. H. Bell, mayor; W. B. Kri dler, recorder; S. P. Meng, Butman, Gei bel, Johnson, Kridler, Parks, Thompson, and West, trustees. 1880— Charles H. Bell, mayor; W. B. Kridler, recorder; F. J. Geibel, West, Baker, Loudensleger, Johnson, Bauman, Moos, and Butman, trustees. . . 1881 — Jesse S. Van Ness, mayor, (de ceased in July, E. Loudensleger appointed to fill vacancy); W. B. Kridler, recorder; E. Loudensleger,* J. V. Beery (vice pres ident), Geibel, West, Baker, Price, Moos, and French, trustees. One more change of local government remains to be spoken of. The township jurisdiction of Sandusky township extend: ed over the city until 1878, when, by act of the county commissioners, a new town7 ship, to be called Fremont, was erected. The b mndaries of the township are co extensive with those of the city. NAME OF THE CITY. As has already been seen, the first name of the capital city of the county was *Appointed mayor in place of J. S. Van Ness, de ceased. Sandusky. The postoffice was entered as Lower Sandusky, and by. 1830, when the incorporating act was passed, Lower San dusky had become the commonly accepted name. There was, however, endless con fusion in the mail service and among bus iness men, caused by the number of posts along the river bearing the same- name wiih but slight modifications. There were Upper Sandusky, Little Sandusky, Middle Sandusky, Lower Sandusky, and Sandus ky City. It was felt, therefore, not only expedient, but a business necessity, that the name should be changed. The town was already giving promise of that rapid growth which has since been fulfilled. What the new name should be was a mat ter, therefore, of no little interest and dis cussion. Croghanville was the natural choice of a certain class of citizens who delight to recall the past and memorialize great deeds and heroic characters. This, too, was the name of the original village surveyed under authority of the United States as early as 18 16. But there were practical business men who foresaw the difficulties which would follow the adoption of the historic name. Croghanville was a hard name to spell, and, should it be adopted, was almost cer tain to be the cause of many orthograph ical blunders. Discussion materialized into action' in 1849. A name, at that time, in every newspaper, in almost every mouth, was John Charles Fremont. Our interest in events of local history and admiration of heroic conduct compels us to regret that the town did not receive the name of the officer who made the ground over which it has spread, a place of National interest. In the firmament of history, brightened by many lustrous names, Colonel Fremont appears not as a brilliant star, but as a permanent light. His useful explorations and discoveries in the far West, were valua- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 417 ble contributions to geographical science, and gave a powerful impetus to the settle ment and development of California. John Charles Fremont was born in Georgia, entered Charleston college at the age of fifteen, and was noted for mathe matical genius. Before the coriipletion of his course he became infatuated with a West India girl, »hose raven locks and soft, black eyes interfered sadly with his studies. He was expelled from college. His first employment was as private teacher of mathematics, and in 1833 the situation of instructor in mathematics on a United States sloop of war was given him. He was subsequently given a professorship of mathematics in the navy, and a few years later was employed in the survey of sev eral Southern railroads. In 1838 he was commissioned second lieutenant and placed on the corps of topographical en gineers. While compiling a series of re ports in Washington, in 1840, he made the acquaintance of Miss Jesse Benton, daughter of Colonel Thomas H. Benton, then a leader of his party in the United States Senate. The lady was only fifteen years old, but youth is no barrier to love. Colonel Benton, taking advantage of his influence, had the young officer peremp torily ordered on an exploring expedition to the Des Moines River. Returning the following year, Fremont claimed his be trothed* whom he secretly married. Fremont made the first systematic ex ploration of the Rocky mountains, one of the highest peaks of which bears his name. His reports were of great value, as furnish ing information about overland routes to California, and setting forth the mineral resources of that region. During the troubles with Mexico, Colonel Fremont's services were of great value, in protecting American settlers in California, and ultimately in expelling Mex ican authority from the Territory. In 1847 he bought an estate in California, on which he determined to settle. In 1849 tne State was admitted to the Union, and as a mark of appreciation of his services as an explorer, and for having secured the annexation of the Territory to the United States, Colonel Fremont was elected by his State to represent her in the United States Senate. A cast of lots gave Fre mont the short term of three years. While he occupied a seat in the Senate, Califor nia interests received his close attention. He was author of the most important legislation relating to her early interests. He took a decided stand against the ex tension of slavery, which lost him a re election to fhe Senate. His ideas con cerning the "peculiar institution" con formed to the principles upon which the Republican party was established, and he became the party's first Presidential candi date. In a letter to the convention he said: I heartily concur in all movements having for their object to repair the mischiefs arising from violation of good iaith in the repeal of the Missouri compromise. I am opposed to slavery in the abstract and upon principle, sustained and made habitual by long set tled convictions. While I feel inflexible in the be lief that it ought not to be interfered with where it exists, under the shield of State sovereignty, I am as inflexibly opposed to its extension on this conti nent beyond its present limits. This was the platform on which the spirited campaign of 1856 was fought. Buchanan received one hundred and seventy-four votes from nineteen Slates, while Fremont received one hundred and fourteen votes from eleven States. Colonel Fremont, in 1858, removed to California, where he became identified with important measures of public im provement, but suffered financial misfor tune. In recognition of the high politi cal station to which he attained, he was appointed to the Governorship of Arizona, Territory, in which office he served ene term. 4i8 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. We have now sketched briefly the career of the man in honor of whom the county seat was named — a man who enjoyed im mense popularity while in the zenith of his career, and a man, too, who left the impress of his life upon an important section of our country. About the only opposition to changing the name of the town was made by Judge Howland, who was always odd. While the subject was under discussion he wrote the following poem: There is a prayer now going round, Which I dislike to hear, To change the name of this old town, Which I hold very dear. They pray the court to alter it, I pray to God they won't; But let it stand Sandusky yet, And not J. C. Fremont. Sandusky is a pleasant name, 'Tis short and easy spoken, Descending to us by a chain That never should be broken. Then let us hand it down the stream Of time, to after ages, And Lower Sandusky be the theme Of future bards and sages. Won't the old honest sachems rise And say to us pale faces : "Do you our ancient name despise, And change our resting places?" "Our fathers fathers slumber here ; Their spirits cry: ' Oh don't Alter the name lo us so dear, And substitute Fremont. ' " Therefore my prayer shall still remain Until my voice grows husky — Oh 1 change the people, not the name, Of my old home, Sandusky. i SURVEYS. Fremont now embraces several differ ent surveys or plats; First Croghanville, laid out and surv< y- ed by Lieutenant Wonnlev. United States surveyor, in 1816, and h 1 I for sale by in- and out-Lts, ihe title still being in the General Government. 'Then it was ex pected that a city, furt, and ship-yard would so jn be built on that elevated and beautiful site. Second. Sandusky, the first survey on the east side of the river, made, or dedi cated and acknowledged, December 6, 1817, by Thomas L. Hawkins, 'Thomas E. Boswell, Morris A. Newman, Israel Harrington, and Josiah Rumery. Third. The survey made by Quintius F. Atkins, in 1825. This was a survey of the unsold and reverted tracts and lots in two miles square, into in- and out-lots, to be sold for the purpose of constructing the Western Reserve and Maumee Road. At this time the east side of the river, along the turnpike, called East-town ; the lots along the river above and about the warehouses, North-town ; and the lots about the shipyard and around the late resi dence of Dr. M. E. Rawson, called Mid dle-town; a number of lots in the vicinity of McArdale's new planing mill and sash factory, called the Triangular Survey, were made. Fourth. The Brush survey, including that part of town where the court-house and the Episcopal Church now stand, dedi cated by Piatt Brush, Piatt Brush, jr., Samuel Brush, and John T. Brush, Apiil 4, 1840. Fi.th. Dickinson and Birchard's addi tion to the town of Lower Sandusky, in cluding the lots along the turnpike, on the hill, on the west side of the river, dedi cated September 6, 1840, by Rodolphus Dickinson, Sardis Birchard, and Richard Sears. These are the chief surveys made in the town, though a number of others have since been made. To mention them all would be tedious. 'These several surveys mlfde it expedient to re-number the whole city, which has been done, and each added plat has been numbered in the same series. The whole of two miles square is platted and numbered, either in in- or out lots. CHAPTER XXVI. FREMONT— BUSIN Mercantile, Manufacturing, and THE mercantile history proper of Fre mont begins in 1817 with the arrival here of a Jarge stock of dry goods, gro ceries, hardware, crockery, liquors and wines, shipped from Albany, New York, to J. S. & G. G. Olmsted. This miscel laneous assortment was one of no small proportions for a country store, the invoice amounting to no less than twenty-seven thousand dollars, and the transportation on the same being four thousand four hundred dollars. Even in those days it required men with something besides heavy bones and brawn> elements of endurance, strengthened by hardships, and a spirit of enterprise to build up towns and popu late the surrounding wilderness. Capital, then as now, was the principal motive power. The firm also brought with them a number of carpenters to erect a store building, and several coopers to make barrels to be used in the river fisheries. Pine lumber for building material was brought here from Buffalo by water. Im mediately on the arrival of men and ma terial, the construction of a commodious frame building was commenced on tract number six, as it was called, about on the present site of I. E. Amsderi's sawmill office. It was two stories in height, and presented a front of sixty feet towards the Sandusky River. Dormer windows jutted out above, and under ihem were project ing beams with pulley-blocks and "tackle for raising goods. The lower story was divided into two departments, one used for a general salesroom and the other for a warehouse in which to store away the pro- ESS PROGRESS. Banking— Business Directory. duce received in baiter for the necessary household wares and luxuries for the pioneers and villagers. The dimensions of the structure were thirty by sixty feet. It was considered a mammoth building, and the stock of merchandise, which soon piled high the counters and shelves, was greater than any other between Detroit and Cleveland, and Urbana and the lake. For a number of years the store was in truth a commercial emporium. The fol lowing prices, at that time demanded for goods, which, in comparison, now bring but a pittance, may be read with interest: Brown sheeting, three-fourths of a yard wide, fifty cents per yard; calico, from fifty to seventy-five cents per yard; satinet at two dollars and a half per yard. In articles of consumption there is not so much difference in the figures, for coffee sold at thirty-eight cents, tea for one dol lar and one dollar and a half, and tobacco at fifty cents. Powder sold for one dollar, and lead for twenty-five cents per pound respectively. Under such circumstances, to make it pay, every shot had to count In contrast to these prices, but still to our Own advantage, whiskey, which of like qual ity would.now cost from two to four dollars per gallon, then was easily purchased at seventy-five cents. It is curious what changes are brought about by the advance of civilization. Refined loaf sugar was the only article of that nature imported, as the sugar m:ip!e forests well supplied the inhabitants with this staple article, and also took the place of molasses and svr- ups. Probably the first manufacturing 419 420 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. done by the Indians was the converting of the sap of the maple into a portable pro duction — sugar. 'They exchanged this for the storekeeper's gew-gaws. It was put up in boxes made of birch bark, holding from thirty to fifty pounds, and the package called, in ihe musical language of the noble red man, a "mocock." These "mococks" formed a prime article of ex portation, as well as for local consumption. Foreign brown sugar, or that made from the cane, was not sold in the village until 1828 or 1829. At this early time (1817) the rivers and woods abounded in valuable fur-bearing animals, and it would seem from the following figures that the occupa tion of a trapper and hunter might then have been followed to exceeding great ad vantage. Soon a^ter opening business the Olmsted firm received in trade and shipped during one season, twenty thou sand muskrat pelts, worth twenty-five cents each; eight thousand coon skins, worth fifty cents each ; one hundred and fifty otter skins, worth five dollars each, and two hundred bear skins, worth five dollars each. The first wheat shipped East from this city, then the village of Lower Sandusky, was a lot of six hundred bushels, sent for ward by J. S. Olmsted in the year 1830. It was bought at the price of forty cents per bushel, and sold in Buffalo at sixty cents per bushel. The high rates of transportation consumed all the profits. In 1820 the first cargo of pork, to the amount of one hundred and filty bairels, was shipped to Montreal by the lirm of J. S. & G. G. Olmsted, where it was sold at a considerable loss. These latter state ments of shipments and prices of goods will give some idea of the nil rcanlile busi ness at an early day in Sandusky count)'. While ihe Olmsteds, as related, were the first m rchants here, in the true sense of the teim, they were not the earliest traders. Before the war of 181 2, Mr. James Whittaker had traded to some ex tent with the Indians, bartering with them a few goods for their own peculiar use. Hugh Patterson, a Scotchman, who had been a partner in these transactions wilh Mr. Whittaker, soon afttr the date last mentioned kept a store at Muncietown, on the east side of the river and about two miles from this city. There was one other trader, by name Augustus Texier, who kept a small stock of cheap goods in the village, and managed to gain a livelihood thereby. David Gallagher, another of the early merchants, came here before the war of 1812, and was employed for a number of years as an assistant commissary at Fort Stephenson. He was afterwards connected with the Olmsteds, both as a clerk and a partner. In 1823 Dr. L. Brown was selling gen eral merchandise in a frame building where Mrs. Tyler's block now stands. Richard Sears, a young man and accredited as having been one of the beaux of the vil lage, was a merchant at the same date, and afterwards on the same site. In 1831, re moving his stock from a frame structure on the present site of the Heffner block, he formed a copartnership with J. S. Olm sted, who in the meantime had dissolved partnership with his brother, and having left his original store house on the river bank below, was selling general merchan dise on the northwest corner of Front and State streets. 'The firm name was Olm sted & Sears. Four years the partner ship continued, dissolving on Mr. Sears engaging in business by himself. Mr. Olmsted, soon a:ter this dissolution, re moved to the old Harrington blot k, and from thence, in 1840, to a Luilding stand ing on a portion of the lot now occupied by the Fab:ng & Hime block. John W. Tyler was another of the cat Her storekeepers, and Esbon Husted, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 421 between 1820 and 1825, kept a general store, with drugs, on the southeast corner of Front and State streets. Isadore Beau grand and George Grant were his clerks. Rodolphus Dickinson, Sardis Birchard, and Esbon Hasted, in 1831* began the dry goods business on the same site, under the firm name of R. Dickinson & Co. From 1 841 to 1844 the firm of Cutter & Heywood sold dry goods and bought grain there. Among the other pioneer trades men, still well remembered by the older citizens, was Judge Knapp, who sold gro ceries in the old Knapp building, on the present site of White's block. In 1836 or 1837, John M. Smith commenced selb ing dry goods where Dryfoos Brothers & Bach now hold forth. Eddy & Wilkes succeeded him. Where the First National Bank is at present, John Bell and Merritt L. Harman kept a general store of dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc., between the years 1830 and 1840. John P. Haynes, J. K. Glen, and Austin B. Taylor were three more of the old merchants com mencing here early in the thirties. Richard Sears opened a store on the corner of. Front and Croghan streets shortly after dissolving with the Olmsteds. He made a fortune trading with the In dians, and in .1827 sold out to Sardis Birchard and left for Buffalo. Mr. Bir- chard's long and successful business life is traced in a biography elsewhere in this volume. Like his_ predecessor, he had a large trade with the Indians. The first pork was shipped from this place in 1820 by the Olmsteds, and was marketed at Montreal. It consisted of one hundred and fiity barrels. The cost here was two thousand dollars for the lor. The venture cost ihe firm considerable loss, but pork afterwards became an im portant and profitable commodity of trade. The first wheat was shipped from here in 1830, by J, S. Olmsted, and consisted of a lot of six hundred bushels. Mr. Olmsted's first venture in wheat was little more successful than the pork speculation of ten years previous. Forty cents per bushel was paid at the warehouse here and sixty cents the price received in Buffalo, Transportation was then so high that the margin of twenty cents per bushel was con sumed. But the trade in pork a,nd wheat frqm 1830 to i8-,o was enormous. Every day ihe streets were filled with teams of four and six horses drawing great wagons with high wheels, making it almost im possible to pass through town. About 1840 staves were in general demand, and stave wagons with high racks crowded among the produce wagons, altogether presenting a bewildering spectacle of busy, life and business activity. Those scenes \yill never be repeated in this country. A vast net-work of railroads gives to every community the means of rapid transporta tion, and consequently a steady market for all productions. Lower Sandusky and Milan were the main produce mar kets west of Cleveland. Both at the time were small villages. One is now a deserted town, the other a prosperous city, made prosperous chiefly by the good fortune of securing early railroad facilities. The largest store (one for general mer chandise of all descriptions,) that ever existed in Fremont, was started in 1846, by two enterprising merchants irotn Elyria, H. K. Kendall, and O. L. Nims. The lormer, the elder member of the firm, never resided here, the business being carried on by Mr. Nim<, then a young man twenty-six years of age. P issjsst ing remarkable business qualifications, an exemplary character, and a winning dispo sition, he soon built up a trade that ex tended around for a radius of fifty miles into the counties of Erie, Huron, Wyan dot, Seneca, Hancock, Ottawa, Lucas and Wood The building occupied by this, 422 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. firm was then owned by F. I. Norton. It was a frame structure of two stories in height, and faced on Front street. The salesroom covered the space now occupied by Rice's dry goods store and Strong's clothing establishment, being forty feet in width and extended back into the ware house that was soon afterwards added. This warehouse, at right angles from the original main building, extended in the rear of the old Lesher bakery building and Betts' corner store, and opened on Croghan street. It was used for produce, wool, and pork. The largest number of clerks employed, and the largest number ever employed by a single mercantile firm in Fremont, was twenty-one. Mr. Kendall died a few years after starting in business, and Mr. Nims remained sole proprietor until 1853, when Henry Zeigler and C. B. King removed their stock of goods from Findlay, where they had been in business a short time, and entered into partnership with Nims, under the firm name of O. L. Nims & Co. In March, 1854, this store, known as "Headquarters," together with Lesher's bakery and Betts' store, was entirely destroyed by fire. Mr. Nims im mediately purchased the ground on the northeast corner of Front and Croghan streets, and removing the shaky frame ten ements that covered it, he erected the brick building now owned by F. S. White. In the corner store-rooui the old " Head quarters'' store was opened anew by Henry Zeigler, David Garvin, and Michael Zeig ler, under the firm name of Zeigler, Gar vin & Zeigler, in the fall of 1854. Michael Zeigler died the same autumn, and soon after C. B. King resumed a partnership interest, the style being C. B. King & Co. Several changes were made from that time on to 1866, the firm name being success ively as follows: King, Zeigler & Co.; D. Garvin & Co.; Clark & Zeigler; D. Ganin & Co. Under the latter style Garvin and Zeigler continued partners until 1875. At tnat date D.ivid Wagner, of Ottawa, Ohio, purchased Garvin's inter est, and until 1878 business was transacted under the style of Wagner & Zeigler, when the latter sold out and Wagner be came sole owner. Besides those already mentioned, a number of others, at present business men of Fremont, were clerks in the old "Headquarters,'' that is, S. P. Meng, H. R. Shomo, William A. Rice, and Dan iel Ahaffer, who are mentioned under their respective business heads. In 1 84.7. David Betts, who had clerked for J. K. Glen for six or seven years, rented the room formerly occupied by his em- plover on Shomo's corner, and moving in a stock of goods, continued doing business on that site until June 7, 1849, when the building was destroyed by fire. The fol lowing month Mr. Betts purchased of Frederick Wilks, the corner lot now oc cupied by the Dryfoos block, and refitting the old building, made a new start that fall. The large fire of March, 1854, that destroyed the headquarters establishment and Lesher's bakery also burned out Mr. Betts. He rebuilt the same year, and, with D. W. Krebs as a partner, engaged again in business under the firm name of D. Betts & Co. In 1856 the stock was sold to Edgerton & Wilcox, who discontinued the year after, when D. Betts & Co. repur chased the whole interest. The next change was made in 1862, by Mr. Betts, who sold his interest to Krebs, Sargent & Price. Krebs & Board man were the suc cessors a year alter. The dry goods store of William A. & C. F. Rice was started at its present site some time in the fifties by P. C. Dean. In 1859 Dean sold out to William A. Rice. Alfred Rice, who was a partner for several years, closed out his interest in 1877. Condit Bros, was the firm title of the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 423 original proprietors of the dry goods es tablishment of their present successors, William W. Brandt & Co. In 1867 Wil liam Brandt went into business with the first company, the Co. being added. Brandt & Condit succeeded William W. Brandt, following as sole proprietor, and continuing as such until the present co partners were admitted. The present extensive clothing-house of Dryfoos, Bro. & Bach, consisting of Isaac and S. Dryfoos and S. Bach, was started by Isaac & M. Dryfoos, in 1852, on Front street near the corner of Garrison street. After a few years they removed to a room in Birchard block, where they continued do ing business till 1873, when the block, now partly occupied by them, was pur chased, and the stock transferred to the corner sales-room. M. Dryfoos sold out his interest in 1880. The merchant tailoring establishment of Philip Gottron and Charles Augustus, lo cated on Croghan street, was started three years since. The firm name is Gottron & Augustus. The first exclusive drug and book store, an offshoot from the general country store for dry goods, boots and shoes, drugs, hardware and jewelry, was started in a room of the old headquarters building on the present site of Lesher's grocery, in 1840, by C. G. McCulloch. In 1847 C. R. McCulloch succeeded his brother and two years after removed his stock to the site of the store room now occupied by him, where he was ever since remained in business. Stephen Buckland was a part ner for a few years. On the dissolution of the partnership of C. R. McCulloch & Stephen Buckland, the latter, in 1856, went into rival drug business in the room now occupied by him and his son, Ralph P. Buckland, jr. The firm, until 1859, was Wooster & Buckland, when Wooster retired, and Buckland's sons entered into partnership with their father. The Thomas & Grund drug house was established by Dr. E. Dillon & Son in i860. Lanman & Thomas purchased the business in 1868, and in 1872 Thomas, Grund & Long succeeded. On the death of the latter member of the firm some few years since, the title was changed to Thomas & Grund. Dr. L. B. Myers entered into the drug business in this city in 1876. His son, Kelley Myers, was a partner during a portion of the time. Previous to the above date, Dr. Myers was engaged with Strausmeyer and Kelley in the grocery business on Front street. The cigar and tobacco store of Charles Barth was started by his predecessor in the business, P. Poss, in 1856, who com menced the manufacture and sale of ci gars in a small frame building, where Bur- ley's restaurant now stands. No changes were made in the firm until 1877, when Mr. Poss removed to Chattanooga and the present proprietor took possession. The store was moved to where it now is, on the block being opened for occupancy. Where White & Haynes' office now stands the shop of the first harness-maker for Fremont, H. R. Foster, was started. J. C. Montgomery succeeded him, and in 1845 John Kridle, became a partner. In 1847 James Kridler, the present leading harness dealer and manufacturer, pur chased the interest of Montgomery, and with his brother continued in business under the firm name of J. & J. Kridler, in the old frame building covering the land now occupied by the 'Thompson & Com pany hardware store. When the frame structure was moved further south on the street they removed their business with it. Mr. McNeul was a partner for a few years. In 1859 James Kridler bought in all the interest. For five years he carried on his 424 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY business in the 1 nv brick building former ly occupied by the First National Bank, arid then moved, in the. early part of Sep teiriber, 1881, to the postoffice building. In 1835, when the country closely sur rounding the village of Lower Sandusky was still the veritable "howling wilder ness" spoken of in the Indian and early settler romances, Edward Leppelman lo cated in an old, yellow frame building that stood on the present site of Mrs. Heffer's block on Front street, and opened out a scanty stock of clocks, jew elry and groceries. As a watch-maker he also repaired the stationary and portable time-pieces of the worthy villagers and backwoodsmen. Business in the three branches increased, and in the course of a few years he removed to a one-story frame structure, standing on the site of John Horn's grocery. The next removal, was to the first frame building erected in Fremont, and occupied before the removal first as a hotel by Harrington, and imme diately preceding Leppelman's advent by J. K. Glenn. Edward Leppelman here re mained in the jeweliy business until he was succeeded by his son, Lewis Leppel man, the present proprietor. The old frame building was entirely destroyed by fire in February, 1857, and on a- brick block being erected in its place, the busi ness was resumed. It is now the largest jewelry house in the county; business, both wholesale and retail, being carried on, and an organ and sewing machine store con nected with the main salesroom. The first regular hardware store started in Fremont was opened on the pike by George Camfield and James Mitchell in the year 1850. After several changes they removed to the store-room occupied by the present successors of the old firm. The first change in the firm was occasioned by the withdrawal of Mitchell, and Lewis Carrifield taking his iriterest Camfield, Brother & Company succeeded this firrii, arid ori the successive deaths of the two senior partners, George and Lewis Camfield, the company has changed to the title of Hedrick & Bristol (Fred Hed- rick and E. A. Bristol). The corporation of Thompson & Co. hardware dealers, was formed in March, 1877, the being composed of Charles Thompson, John T. Thompson, John P. Bell, Robert Lucas, and Edward C. Gast The original house, of which this firm has been the outgrowth, was staited by Oliver Fusselman, on the east side of the river, in 1859. In i860, Fusselman having in the mean time removed to the present location, Charles Thompson purchased the business, taking in as partners Orin England and John T. Thompson, in 1865. Charles A. Norton was a partner a few years. England and he retired in order, the latter in 1876. Philip Dorr is the oldest of the boot and shoe merchants in Fremont. He commenced in 1841, on the east side of the river, and continued there a number of years, until he removed his stock and the tools of his trade to a store-room on the northeast corner of Front and Garri son streets. The present store is on Front street, just south of the First National Bank. His sons, Fred, Lewis, and Henry, are partners. In 1867 H. R. Shomo, immediately after the expiration of his term as post master, opened a boot and shoe store and has continued in the business since that date, occupying for the last twelve years his present site. The boot and shoe store owned and conducted by S. P. Meng, and now locat ed on the northeast corner of Croghan and Front streets, was started in 1862, under the firm name of S. P. Meng & Co. , A. Hoot was his partner until 1868. The original firm having dissolved,- in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 425 1870 Mr. Meng again opened up a boot and shoe store under the style of Meng, Altaffer & Co. This continued for two years, when Mr. Meng bought out the en tire interest. A. Hoot, the early partner of S. P. Meng, is at this date engaged in the boot and shoe business in Buckland's new block, on Front street. Perry Close is the oldest representative grocer of the city, having followed that business entirely since 1850, when he commenced with a stock in the room at present occupied by John Horn. Mr. Close has had no partners, with the excep tion of his son, Clarence Close, which partnership was dissolved a year ago. A glassware department is connected with the grocery proper. Pork packing, as a regular business, was commenced by Andrew Morehouse, in 1846 or 1847. For a number of years he carried on the trade on the southeast cor ner of Front and Garrison streets. He then removed to some buildings erected on Front street, near the railroad bridge, and continued there for ten or twelve years. In 1859 Mr. A. Gusdorf entered into the pork packing business in the ware houses where Rice & Co., and Strong are at present. Two years after he removed to the building still occupied by the firm, just north of the gas factory. The firm members are M. Gusdorf, A. Gusdorf, and S. M. Gusdorf, under the style of Gus dorf Brothers. Jacob Bauman is extensively engaged in the same business. ARDENT SPIRITS. The business of whiskey distillation, commenced at a very early date in Fre mont, was entirely discontinued before the year 1838, and has never since been revived. The earliest distiller was William R-. Coates, who came here from New Orleans, and about the year 1820 54 erected a great hewn-log building on the old Glenn farm, between the spring that still wells up there and the Edgerton prop erty. He carried on quite an extensive distilling business, keeping two sets of hands at work, one for the day, and one for the night. The whiskey was barrelled and shipped by boats to eastern markets. It was not the pure, unadulterated article; the proprietor was intent on making money, and used a good deal of water to dilute, then drugs to strengthen the weakened extract. Coates, when he came here, was considered very well off finan cially, and was coining money with the dis tillery, but he became entangled irr a series of lawsuits in relation to his mill property above Ballville, which consider ably embarrassed him, and he at length discontinued distilling, and left the coun try. Weed & Wilder afterwards * occu pied the vacated buildings, but after a few years the business ceased altogether, and the buildings were left to gradually rot and crumble away. Ammi and Ezra Williams began op erations in 1825, in a log building stand ing where Ammi Williams, jr., now re sides. Nothing now remains of the struc ture or the apparatus of the still, the last vestige — a great, heavy, black-walnut trough, into which the still swill was poured — having been chopped for firewood only two years since. Ammi Williams, sr., died suddenly in 1826. In the following year Ezra Williams, having completed a building at the foot of the east side-hill on the south side of State street, moved his still therein, and continued operations. The building was a substantial, un- painted frame one, of two stories in height. It was close to the foot of the hill, and afforded a fine basement in which the high-wines and whiskey were stored. The furnace and steam tubs were also below. On the main floor was 426 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. located the mash tubs and worm, and the second story was used as a grain floor. This structure was afterwards torn down in 1839. Ezra Williams was a very conscientious man. The whiskey he manufactured was absolutely pure, and although even preach ers drank in those days, no cases of de lirium tremens were ever known to result from even an over-load of this early-day liquor. The whiskey jug had its place with more necessary articles of consump tion in the cabin of the settler, and at meal time helped set off the table. The Indians were great imbibers of " fire water," and bought it at the distillery by the pint, quart or gallon. They were generally very much excited under its in fluence, and Williams avoided selling to them as much as possible, this course being 'agreeable to the old chief, Hard Hickory, who was desirous to altogether prevent the sale to them. The article manufactured was distilled from corn and rye — two-thirds of the for mer to one-third of the latter. Copper boilers were not used, but to render it better it was distilled by steam in air-tight wooden tubs or casks. Joseph Edwards was the head distiller, and under his ex perienced management one bushel of grain produced from eleven to thirteen and one- half quarts of whiskey. From twelve to thirty-three bushels of grain was distilled per day, the distillery running generally all the year round, with from two to three men in attendance. In those days corn was worth fiom twenty-five to fifty cents per bushel, and rye from sixty to ninety cents. The whiskey retailed at from thirty- five to fifty cents per gallon, and from twenty-eight to forty cents per gallon by wholesale. It was of the color of purest spring water, and held a good bead for the length of a minute. Burnt sugar was the only foreign material used in its composi tion, and this was introduced to give it the rich, yellow color, indicative of mellow old age. A tread-mill, to do the grinding, was connected with the establishment Wil liams also occupied himself with farming, and was necessarily a butcher, as he raised large numbers of hogs and kine on the refuse matter of the still. It seems that the subject of temperance was little discussed, at least not openly, in those days, and no demonstrations of a crusade nature ever disturbed the serenity of these primitive distillers; but about 1830 a temperance society, known under the name of the Washingtonians, began to exert some influence in the county. Re ligious revivals were held here in ensuing years, and with this movement the tem perance organization grew stronger. In 1837 Ezra Williams joined the church, and the same year, deeming that spiritual and spirituous matters (in spite of the seeming paradox), could not consistently blend together, he, in keeping with his recent profession of faith, abandoned a pursuit which was opening to him a sure road to wealth. The manufacture of whiskey was of con siderable benefit, in a commercial light, to the county. It was the chief source of revenue to the farmers. Corn was then the principal production, and the rales of transportation were so high that any under taking to convey it to the markets of the East assured financial failure on the part of the operator. The distillery acted as a medium. The corn was sold to the dis tillers; the whiskey was exchanged for goods with the traders and merchants, and then easily shipped to the metropolis. BREWING INTERESTS. The first Fremont brewer was Sarius Young, who, in 1851, built a frame brew ery on the east side of Ohio avenue, be low the brow of the hill. In the fall of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 427 1853 Anthony Young went into partner ship with him. One year later the original proprietor sold out his interest in the business to Lawrence Romer, who con tinued with A. Young until the spring of 1855, when the latter sold out. During 1856 and a portion of 1857, the Youngs, who still owned the building and property, rented it to Charles F. Giesin and C. Doncyson. After the withdrawal of the latter firm, Fred Her purchased the prop erty, who, after continuing brewing for a few years, sold it to John Paulus, who built the present brick building. For several years it has not been in operation, and at a sheriff's sale some time since, it was purchased by the Fremont Brewing Company. In 1857, Charles Giesin purchased the old packing-house below the gas works, and fitted it into a brewery. A few years after he sold the building to the Gusdorf Brothers, and in 1862 he built the brick brewery now occupied by the Fremont Brewing Company. In 1876 he sold out to Felix Stienley, William Mefort, Frank Hiem, Joseph Stuber, and Barney Casper. Mr. Casper has since died. The com pany is known under the style of the Fremont Brewing Company. They are making many improvements, and doing a considerable business. THE LIVERY BUSINESS. The first livery stable in the village was opened by David W. Gould in 1842. The primitive stables pf this first proprietor were located on Water street close to the bank of the river, and at the foot of the alley between Croghan and Garrison streets. In 1847 Mr. Gould removed his horses, carriages, and provender to a frame building on the site of the brick building now occupied by Charles Close. Three years after he commenced carrying the mail between Toledo and Cleveland, and, using his stock for that purpose, he was obliged to discontinue the livery busi ness. In the old stables vacated in 1847 by William Gould, Ira Smith and Henry Sweet carried on the livery and horse- trading business for a number of years. About this time Reuben Wood kept a rival establishment on Arch street, below the old Dickinson property that faces on the pike. The most prominent livery proprietor of Fremont is Timothy H. Bush, who came to this city in 1840. In 1855 he purchased John Pitman's entire interest in the business, at that time located on the river bank and facing on Front street, below the former Kessler House. William Bush became a partner in 1862. The death of the latter occurred six or seven years later, and Daniel Bunnell was taken in as an equal partner, under the firm name of Bush & Bunnell. Their business was carried on in the original stables until in 1875, when they removed to the brick building in the rear of the former Cooper House. These stables were built for the livery business in 1855, by Charles W. Moore, and run by him until his death, when Frank Gurney carried on the busi ness in connection with his hotel. Charles Close purchased Bush & Bunnell's inter est in 1879 and has continued there since. Mr. Bush is the only extensive horse dealer in the county, and also the only one who has made a comfortable fortune in that line. Besides Close's the present stables are: .Doncyson's, located on State street, near the bridge, and Bunnell's, in the rear of the Ball House. Dr. G. O'Harlan is the proprietor of the Fremont hack line. MANUFACTURING. The manufacturing interests of this city, as well as that of the county, like those of all other communities in a new and unsettled country, commenced with the erection of grist-mills and saw-mills 428 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. on the banks of the streams. These mills, necessary to supply food first, and then convenient shelter, were, very natur ally, succeeded by the factories for the •making of cloths, then by the foundries for manufacturing articles needed in an agricultural section of country, and so on, as the increase of population and variety of pursuits gave rise to different and more varied wants, or the peculiar situation and facilities for a certain branch of man ufacturing induced enterprising men to engage in it. In 1818, the same year that the Olm steds brought on their large stock of mer chandise and erected their frame store house, Thomas L. Hawkins and Thomas E. Boswell, full of the spirit of the early pioneers, and with an eye to business, dug the race that at the present day runs the water flouring-mill, built the dam, and erected, where the mill now stands, a diminutive, well ventilated grist-mill, which in every way merited the appellation of a primitive "corn-cracker." Here came the settlers for miles around, and patiently waited from sunrise till evening twilight for the slow-running mill-stones to empty the hopper and grind out their bushel of meal. In the course of time Boswell sold out to Elisha W. Howland. Here, as it is told in a happy manner by the oldest inhabitants, Howland, who was a cabinet maker and joiner, a man of good humor and made the best of all things, manufactured coffins, and often of evenings, with boon companions, played cards on these last re ceptacles for the dead. Some ghastly pic tures might well be drawn with graphic pencil, either of artist or writer, of the rude interior of a primitive mill. A work bench in one corner, the rafters overhead, the rough, white-coated mill-stones, all lighted up by a flickering, unsnuffed can dle, and the light of this candle flaming in the feces of a group of good-natured looking men gathered around the bench, and dealing cards in an exciting game of "old sledge" on the white top of a pine board coffin. One could^heaAhe roar^of the mill race below — a dead, ceaseless voice, and well imagined the spiritual form of the'destined inmate of the coffin, standing in silence and grave clothes in one of the*'cobwebbed corners of the room. Whiskey was cheap in those days, and it required but little money to brace the nerves. Some time in 1830 Revirius Bidwell purchased the mill property, and tearing down the primitive structure, he erected a substantial frame building in its place. The property has since that date gone through various hands, and been greatly en larged in room, and its facilities increased. Morgan & Downs succeeded Bidwell at an early date, and in 1857 or 1858, the business was carried on byj. B. G. Downs, F. S. White, and George Canfield Depp & Ensminger were afterwards sole propri etors, and Koons Brothers, who afterwards succeeded them, are now conducting the business. A saw-mill was, during the first years of its existence, connected with the mill. About the same year that Hawkins and Boswell commenced grinding corn in the valley by water-power, Ruel Loomis built a horse and ox grist-mill on Ohio avenue, upon the brow of the hill, on the east side of the river. This was not the nucleus of any lasting or extensive busi ness enterprise, and but few of the citi zens of Fremont will remember the fact of a mill being in operation there, and still less recall the tread of the yoked oxen as they prepared the grain for backwoods consumption. The first saw-mill in Ballville was built in 1822, by David Moore, a wealthy land owner, who came there in 182 1, and im mediately made his preparations and com- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 429 menced building, at the head of the race that now runs Dean's Woolen Mills, and on the space of ground now occupied by the old red tannery. While he actively employed his laborers in the mill, his wife, who came soon after his arrival, boarded them in a rough slab shanty near by. In 1827 John Bell commenced the carding of wool, giving an opportunity for woodsmen to purchase, at a reduced price, the goods for their clothes, and en abling them to discard the skin-tight breeches and coats made of hides. He run his carding machine in a part of the water-power flouring-mill in this city. His machinery was carried away by a disas trous spring flood a few years after. In 1 83 1 Charles Choate, a practical carder, came to this county from Milan, Ohio, where he had learned his trade in his brother's mill. He brought with him a double carding-machine and picker, and located it in a portion of the frame grist mill belonging to David Chambers, which stood on the river's west bank, about one- half mile above where Moore's stone mill, in Ballville, now stands. During the first year he carded a little over eight thou sand pounds of wool. Business kept in creasing, and in eight years he was run ning four double carding-machines, and carded that year forty thousand pounds of wool. At that date (1839) he closed out to a Mr. Otis. The first two years George Moore was a partner on shares with him. In the summer of 1834 Mr. Choate erected a large frame building close by the old yellow mill owned by James Moore, and occupied it for carding for one summer. About 1845 He sold out his in terest in the business to P. C. Dean. In the early days Mr. Choate commanded for his business an extent of country from Bellevue to the head of the rapids on the Maumee River, and from the Peninsula to Upper Sandusky. P. C. Dean con tinued in the woollen-mill business until his death some few years since, when his two sons succeeded under the firm name of Dean Brothers. A year ago they dis solved partnership, Philip Dean closing out his interest to W. Dean. The mill on the present site of the one erected by Mr. Choate, was built only a few years since upon the destruction by fire of the furst one. The manufacture of pottery was com menced in 1822 by Elijah Drury, in a rude log house that reared its unpretentious front on the corner of Front and Garrison streets, on the ground now occupied by Tchumy's block. Here Drury moulded his clay and baked his crocks and jugs for ten or more years, until succeeded in due course by Robert S. Rice. Rice contin ued in the business until he was elected justice of the peace. The earliest tanner was Moses Nichols, whose tannery was located by the lower road to Ballville, on the little stream that courses through the low lands adjacent to the property owned by the heirs of Jacob H. Hultz. George S. Brainard was probably the first tinner in Fremont. He started in business here about 1837. John R. Pease bought him out in 1840. The shop in which they did business was on the site where Pease, Perrine & Co. now carry on- their manufacture of carriages. After con tinuing here a few years Mr. Pease re moved to the east side of the river, and erecting a brick block on Front street, moved in his stock. In 1848 O. A. Rob erts went into partnership with Mr. Pease. In 1853 Mr. Pease sold out to Roberts & Sheldon, who continued in business to gether until 1869, when they sold out their interest to Charles Dillon. The brick block, on the site of the old Pease build ing, and now owned by Roberts & SheL don, was built in 1863. 43« HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. In 1840 F. I. Norton and Cornelius Letcher, recognizing the fact that they were in the centre of a rich farming coun try, that the inhabitants depended mainly for their existence upon the product of the soil, and that agricultural implements were the chief want of the community, decided to engage in the manufacture of plows, and with this end in view, en tered into a co-partnership under the firm name of Norton ,& Letcher. Their first foundry, a small frame structure, was erected in the rear of the brick block now occupied by William A. and C. F. Rice, on Front street. Here they remained for two years, increasing their business until it was found necessary to secure more space and enlarge their buildings. To meet these requirements they purchased the property close to the river's bank and cornering on River and Garrison streets, where stands the present foundry of D. June & Co. A brick foundry and frame shop was built on this land by them in 1842, and a four-horse power engine pur chased and put in place for blowing the blast. On the death of Mr. Letcher Mr. Norton became sole owner and proprietor, and continued running the business until in 1853, when he sold out to David June and Mr. Curtis. Curtis remained a mem ber of the firm only six months, closing out his interest to D. L. June, a brother of his partner, the firm name being changed to June & June, continuing until 1856, when Lyman Gilpin bought out D. L. June. June and Gilpin remained together as partners until November 1, 1859. At that time the firm consolidated in D. June, the present proprietor, who, immediately after the dissolution, took again into part nership, with him Curtis. Seven years elapsed, when Curtis retired, and three years after the present firm, composed of JJavid June, Robert Brayton, and O. S. French, formed a partnership under the style of D. June & Co. The changes in buildings and great increase in business speak well for the energy and business and financial qualifications of David June and his partners. In 1861 the old brick and frame structures of the original firm of Norton & Letcher were razed and a per manent block erected on the former's site. An addition of seventy-six feet front has since been added, and in 1877 a boiler shop proper and erecting shop were built on the opposite side of Garrison street. When D. June and partner purchased the con cern from Norton & Letcher the business yearly amounted to five thousand dollars. At the present time it amounts to one hundred thousand dollars, and from sixty to seventy-five men are constantly em ployed. Their work consists in the build ing of portable, stationary, and mill en gines, the Champion engine being their principal manufacture. This latter engine was patented in 1875, 1876, and 1877: At the time of the Centennial Exposition the attention of Russian manufacturers was called to the Champion, and shortly after they visited the works in this city and examined models for the purpose of introducing it in Russia. Francis Lake, of Milan, Ohio, came here in 1852 and commenced the manu facture of sash and blinds on the east side of the river, in a large frame building where the carriage shop of Pease, Perrine & Co. now stands. The manufacture was steadily continued for a number of years, McClellan, McGee, Nat. Haynes, N. C. West, George T. Dana, and Wil liam Haynes forming the successive firms until the business was discontinued. In 1859 J. H. McArdle and Chester E. Ed gerton, under the firm name of J. H. Mc Ardle & Co. built the brick sash factory next to the Fremont gas company's works on Front street. In 1864 Chester E. Ed gerton bought put McArdle's interest and HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 43i the same year G. G. Edgerton became a partner. Ambrose Ochs is the oldest wagon and carriage manufacturer in Fremont. In 1847, four years after his arrival here from Germany, Mr. Ochs and B. Keefe started a wagon shop in a two-story frame build ing on the present site of the brick block now occupied by the former. For five years this partnership continued under the firm name of Keefe & Ochs; then Ochs bought out the business, and in 1863 started a blacksmith shop in connection with the factory. The brick building was erected in 1872.' J. P. Moore is one of the most success ful carriage and wagon manufacturers in the county. From where he first started into blacksmithing, on the pike west of Fremont, he removed to the site of his present extensive works in 1851, where a small frame shop was erected and business done under the firm name of Samuel & John P. Moore. In 1854 Samuel sold out to John P. who soon after formed a partnership with his brother William. This latter firm was dissolved in 1854, the pres ent owner remaining in charge. The brick block now used as blacksmith shop, paint shop, and salesroom, was built in 1863. The addition occupied by the wagon and carriage manufacturing departments was erected in 1869. In 1873 tne 0^, dilapidated frame build ing on the east side of the river that had been used as a sash factory, was razed and a frame structure erected in its place. In this building Ed. Pease, John Pease and Frank H. Rummell, under the firm name of Pease, Rummell & Co., com menced the manufacture of carriages and wagons and blacksmithing, The partner ship dissolved in 1876, and Ed. Pease became the sole owner and proprietor, running the business till 1879, when G. A. Perrine and Jacob Harbrond were taken in as partners and business resumed under the title of Pease, Perrine & Co. The Star City flouring mill was built by David June for D. L. June in 1858. Curtis & Camfield succeeded and remained part ners till 1861, when Curtis sold out his interest to John Geeseman. Koons Brothers were the next partners, Bowlus & Beery succeeding, the former selling to Quale. The present firm is VanEpps & Cox. The elevator destroyed by fire in the summer of 1881, standing one mile south of the city, at the head of navigation on the Sandusky River, was built by I. E. Amsden in 1859. A half interest in it was owned by Dr. L. Q. Rawson and James Moore. The grain business trans acted by means of the elevator was one of great profit until the years of the great Re bellion, when the production of grain be came less with the years of the struggle, and dwindled down to an inconsiderable amount, in comparison to what it had for merly been. The elevator went through successive hands, and when burned be longed to the Lake Erie & Western Rail road company. Immediately after the sale of his interest in the elevator Mr. I. E. Amsden, in 1857, went into the lumber business. His first saw-mill was built near where the elevator stood, but about two years after he re moved to the north end of Front street, where he is now engaged in an extensive trade. The amount of lumber produced yearly at his mill averages one million five hundred thousand feet, and besides this he purchases largely to meet the demand.- N. C. West is the other large lumber dealer in this city. He commenced busi ness here in 1863 with George T. Dana as his partner, and doing business under the title of West & Dana. Their saw-mill was located three or four miles from town; at the present, and for many years past,, it 432 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. has been located a short distance west of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern de pot. Mr. West purchased Mr. Dana's in terest in 1876. In 1861 F. I. Norton began the manu facture of spokes in the sash factory built by Francis Lake on the east side of the river. In 1863 he built the brick building on Arch street, between Croghan and Garrison streets (which has since been en larged by trie Trommer Extract of Malt Co.), and continued the manufacture of spokes until 1874, when he sold the build ing to Edward Underhill. Williard Nor ton, his son, was his only partner. The first gas company formed for the manufacture of that article for this city, was organized in i860, by a Mr. Stephen son, who remained here but two years after securing stockholders and erecting works. At the end of that time a sheriff's sale became necessary to settle up the claims of creditors, and the business and works were purchased by Morris Gusdorf; interests taken by C. Doncyson, C. O. Til lotson, Fred Fabing, and D. June. For five years the company conducted business under the firm name of Gusdorf & Co., when it was changed to the Fremont Gas Co. D. June sold out his interest ten years since. One of the largest branches of industry in the city is the manufacture of Trom- mer's Extract of Malt. The company oc cupy for their works the large brick block and its adjoining buildings on Arch street, between Croghan and Garrison streets. The company was originally formed in 1874, between Hon. John B. Rice, Dr. Robert H. Rice, Dr. Gustavus A. Gessner, Stephen Buckland, and Ralph P. Buck- land, jr. The two latter gentlemen with drew from the firm in 1877. The article manufactured by them is an inspissated extract of malt, with a small proportion of hops, and consists of malt sugar, dextrine, resin and bitter of hops, tanin, diastase, phosphates of lime and alkaline salts. It is considered by eminent practitioners to be a valuable agent in pulmonary con sumption, dyspepsia, etc. Experiments were made for some time by Drs. J. B. Rice and Gessner, before they succeeded in making a satisfactory article. They have built up an immense trade, extend- ing^irough all the United States, and into Mexico, Central America, South America, England, Japan, Sandwich Islands, West India Islands, and Canada. This has been done by extensive advertising in all medical journals, and employing physicians as agents. The Fremont Cultivator Company was incorporated in September, 1881. The officers and stockholders are H. C. Stahl, president; Samuel Brinkerhoff, secretary; A. E. Rice, treasurer; and Henry Fine frock and J. S. Bower. Their works are located just south of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad, in the valley. The largest branch of industry in San dusky county is the manufacture of the Hubbard mowers and self raking reapers, by the Fremont Harvester Company. Their extensive works occupy a large tract of land on State street, in the west out skirts of the city of Fremont, and on the line of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad. The buildings are substantial brick structures and fully furnished with machinery and great engine power. One hundred and fifty men are the average number employed in the works. The business is increasing and the stock bids fair to soon being a rich paying invest ment. Movements were first made early in 1872, by William B. Sheldon, for the or ganization of an incorporated company for the manufacture and repairing of cars. An interest was soon manifested by the citizens, and on the 15th of Februaryv 1872, articles of incorporation, signed by HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 433 R. P. Buckland, L. Q. Rawson, F. S. White, James W. Wilson, and A. H. Mil ler, were granted, the company to be known under the title of the Fremont Car Co. The capital stock was placed at two hundred thousand dollars; the shares at one hundred dollars each. William B. Sheldon was elected president of the or. ganization; F. S. White, treasurer; and J. M. Smith, secretary. The board of directors were William B. Sheldon, F. S. White, James W. Wilson, R. P. Buckland, and LaQ. Rawson. No changes have been made in the officers or board, with the exception of the resignation of F. S. White from the position of treasurer, and the election of John M. Smith to fill this vacancy. The buildings were erected soon after the incorporation, and fitted up with all necessary machinery for the man ufacture of railroad cars, in accordance with the original intention of the organiza tion; but about this time the panic of 1873 began, and with it fell off the de mand for cars. The works were never put in operation for their manufacture, but in June, 1875, tr,e name of the com pany was changed to its present one of the Fremont Harvester Company, and the manufacture commenced of mowers and reapers. SHIP-BUILDING ON THE SANDUSKY RIVER. While the Sandusky River and the country along its banks bearing forests of grand oak trees were in a state of nature, few places afforded such facilities for ship building as Lower Sandusky. In fact, ship-building began at an early day and was continued many years. But the tim ber in time was cleared away from the banks, and each year made ship-building less profitable by reason of the lengthened haul of the timber. Then again, the advent of the iron horse, careering along the lake shore, has seriously dwarfed the commerce on the waters of Lake Erie and 55 its tributaries. Hence the ship-building at this, as well as all other points, has been of no magnitude for some years past, and ship-building at Fremont may probably be called one of the past indus tries of the pb.ce. Still, as time and change go on, it may be interesting, as in fact it is already, to know that ship-build ing was once carried on, and to obtain some idea of the extent to which the business was prosecuted. Hence, we place in this history such information on the subject as can now be obtained. THE NAUTILUS. In 1816 a small sloop was built on the west bank of the river, nearly opposite the lower end of the island, and launched about where the dock of the elevator lately burned now stands. The Nautilus was of twenty tons burden, and was built by Wilson & Disbrow. Little information can now be gathered about the vessel. No doubt, judging from her size, she was built for the bay and river trade, probably between Venice, now in Erie county, and Lower Sandusky. We are under obligations to Charles B. Tyler, esq., son of Captain Morris Tyler, deceased, for the following additional facts relative to the building of vessels at Lower Sandusky: Next after the Nautilus came the Horse Boat, built by Thomas L. Hawkins, which was a platform resting upon two large pi rogues or canoes, with a shaft across which worked a paddle-wheel on each side. Over the shaft was a circular plat form with perpendicular cogs on the rim of the circle, matching into cogs on the shaft on each side. Horses were placed on this circular platform and cog-wheel, hitched to stationary posts, and by pulling moved the circle and turned the main shaft to which the paddle-wheels were attached, thus propelling the boat. This boat could, in good weather, run from 434 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Lower Sandusky to Venice in one day and return ihe next. There was no cov ering over the platform and no hold in the boat. It was merely a floating platform propelled by horse-power. But this sim ple contrivance was quite useful, and per formed the carrying trade up and down the river for several years. The next vessel after the horse boat was the schooner Cincinnati, built by Cap tain Morris Tyler, in 1825 or 1826, and was a fair-sized vessel for that period. A Mr. Jones was the master-builder, and the vessel was built and launched about where the wagon-shop of Mr. Baltas Keefer now stands, on the bank of the river, perhaps fifty or sixty rods below the bridge on the Maumee and Western Reserve road, over the river. This vessel, under the com mand of Captain Morris Tyler in person, was a profitable investment, and plied for a number of years between Lower San dusky and intermediate ports. Her ton. nage was equal to about five thousand bushels of wheat The steamboat Ohio was the next vessel built on the river. She was built by a joint stock company, and launched near the same place where the schooner Cin cinnati was, in the year 1828. Captain Morris Tyler was placed in charge of this steamer, and remained in charge of her until 1833 or 1834, when she was sold to persons interested in the commerce of To ledo. She afterwards became old and un- seaworthy, and was laid up as useless, and her remains were covered up when the middle-ground was filled, and are buried under the Island House in Toledo. The schooner Wyandot was next built, and launched near the mouth of Muskal- longe Creek. Captain John L. Cole, now a well-to-do farmer residing about one mile north of Fremont, was master of this vessel. The schooner Home was the next vessel built on the fiver. She was built by Cap tain Morris Tyler in the year 1843, and placed in charge of Captain Sacket She was launched a little below where the steamer Ohio was, and near where John Pero's coal office now stands. Our fellow- citizen Charles B. Tyler remembers work ing on this vessel, in the building of it, at the rate of seventy-five cents per day, when quite young. The master-builder was William Redfield. The Home, after be ing in the carrying trade from Lower San dusky to Buffalo and intermediate ports, and sometimes in the upper lake trade, for a period of about six years, was sold to parties residing in Sandusky City, and was chiefly engaged afterwards in trade be tween that port and Buffalo and Detroit, although she occasionally came back to Lower Sandusky, her native place, with freights, after, she was sold. Her carrying capacity was probably about eight or ten thousand bushels of wheat. The schooner Almina Meeker was the next vessel built on the Sandusky River. The enterprise of building this vessel was jindertaken by Benjamin F. Meeker, after whose wife the vessel was named. After commencing the building of this schooner Mr, Meeker became financially embar- rased, and before the vessel was finished she was transferred on the stocks to the Messrs. Moss, of Sandusky City. She was built on the river bank and near the south bank of the mouth of Muskallonge Creek, and launched there in the year 1846 Her carrying capacity was eight thousand bushels of wheat or thereabouts. The next craft built on the Sandusky River was the Ben Flint, and received her name from her intended captain of that name, who afterwards was her captain in fact for several years. The proprietors were Nims & Tillotson, and Captain Wil liams was master-builder. She was built and launched near where the bridge of HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 435 the Lake Erie & Western Railway now strikes the west bank of the river. The carrying capacity of this schooner was equal to about sixteen thousand bushels of wheat. Captain Benjamin Flint sailed her for a number of years with great regularity and financial success. The next vessel built on the river was the schooner Dan Tindall. She was built by Captain William Totten, an experienced ship-carpenter and builder, who came from Staten Island, New York, and settled in Fremont, he choosing the place as an ad vantageous point for business. She was built and launched at about the same point on the river where the Ben Flint had been previously built The Tindall was built and launched in the years 1861 and 1862. Her carrying capacity was equal to twenty thousand bushels of wheat. Her first captain was Gordon Wilson, then Cap. tain James Hone commanded her, and Captain George M. Tyler was her master for several years. The Tindall proved to be a vessel of superior sailing qualities and was very successful while he com. manded her, clearing net by her earnings thirty-five thousand dollars in the three years the vessel was under his control The Cornelia Amsden was modeled built, and owned by Captain William Totten, and was another success of his skill in building and designing water craft. She was launched in 1863, from the west bank of the river, about one-fourth of a mile below the bridge of the Lake Erie & Western Railway. Her carrying capacity was one hundred and eighty-four tons. She was named after the wife of Isaac E. Amsden, then and now. one of the es teemed citizens and prominent business men of Fremont. After being in the Fre mont trade about two years she was sold to Messrs. Hubbard, of Sandusky City, and, thereafter, visited Fremont occasion ally, but not regularly. The N. C. West was built for the Fre* mont trade. Having been begun by Messrs. Skinner & Donaldson, who failed financially, she was transferred to Charles Foster, George T. Dana, and Charles O. Tillotson, who finished and launched her about half a mile below the Lake Erie & Western Railroad bridge on the west bank of the river. Her carrying capacity is equal to about nine thousand bushels of wheat. She was launched in 1867, and is still in the Fremont trade. The N. C. West is the last vessel built in Fremont, and should railroad building go on it may be doubted whether there will beany further ship-building at this once admirable point for that industry. A railway leading to Sandusky City now crosses the river at a point where some of the above-mentioned vessels were built, and gives a cheap and rapid transit for freight and passengers to that city, thus establishing a competing line which ¦has superseded transportation bythewaters of the river and Sandusky Bay. And a fact worthy of note, and which palpably illustrates the changes of time and progress of the day, is that at this very time the Wheeling & Lake Erie Rail way is engaged in procuring the right of way along the bank of the river, and ap propriating for a railroad track the very ground on which most of the vessels above-mentioned were built. BANKS AND BANKING. The first banking house in Fremont was a private bank started by Sardis Birchard, esq., and Judge Lucius B. Otis, and was opened for general business on the ist day of January, 1851. Mr. Birchard, who was at that time about fifty years of age, had for many years been one of the lead ing merchants of the place. He was one of the early settlers, greatly interested in the town, and always active and earnest in his efforts for its prosperity. Judge Otis, 436 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. his partner, was a lawyer about thirty-three years of age, and was about that time elected judge of the court of common pleas, which position he filled with ability. In 1856 he moved to Chicago, where he still resides, a gentleman of wealth and prominence. Starting with two such men as its founders, the banking house of Birch ard & Otis commenced at once doing a prosperous business. Mr. Jacob Lesher, who is still a worthy business man of Fre mont, was the first depositor. The following letter from Judge Otis, in response to one from A. H. Miller, gives an interesting account of the beginning of banking business in Fremont: Chicago," Illinois, October3, l8Sl- Dear Sir: — On the ist day of January, i85r, Sardis Birchard, in partnership with Lucius B. Otis, established the first banking house in Fremont, under the name of Birchard & Otis. The firm continued without change, doing business in the same bank building (the first one erected in the town), until Jan uary 1, 1856, when I commenced making my ar rangements for a removal to Chicago, biichard and Otis were equal partners. I withdrew from the firm January 1, 1856, and then Anson H. Miller, and one year later Dr. James W. Wilson, came into the bank as partners with Mr. Birchard, under the firm name of Birchard, Miller & Co. I removed to Chicago from Fremont December 9, 1856. For twenty years previous, to the starting of the first bank in Sandusky county, merchants and others doing business with banks had been compelled to send to Norwalk or San.dusky, where the nearest banks were to be found. One was established, how ever, in Tiffin about 1847. It was the custom for some one to go from Fremont, about once a week to one of these places where banks could be found, and do up the whole banking business for all the bus iness men of Fremont. Mr. Birchard, General Buck- land, and myself frequently made these trips, pur chasing New York drafts for several merchants, get. ting certificates of deposit, paying notes, etc., at banks. The well-known wealth of Sardis Birchard, and his high standing and character as an old mer chant, gave the banking house of Birchard & Otis first-rate standing and credit from the day of its opening. It never had a run upon it, and never failed to pay on demand, and I am rejoiced to say that such has been the standing of its successors to the present lime. When the bank was first opened, January 1, 1851, Dr. Alvin Coles, now living at Ot tawa, Illinois, at the advanced age of seventy-six, was employed as cashier in the bank for Birchard & Otis. He had long been a popular county officer in the court-house, a man of sterling worth. His name and face in the bank contributed considerably to make it popular. For a few months after the business was opened, and the word "Bank" wasput up over the door, it was a common occurrence for clusters of Sandusky and Ottawa county farmers to form in the street, looking at the sign and discussing the subject. Few of them had ever seen or knew anything about a bank. It was a common thing to hear some of them say: "Well, Birchard has land adjoining my farm, and I know the bank is safe. I'll deposit my money there." Yours truly, L. B. Otis. The building in which Birchard & Otis commenced banking is still standing, and is the small, one-story brick on the east side of Front street, between State and Cro ghan streets. Mr. F. S. White, a gentle man well known among bankers, was cashier in the banking-house of Birchard & Otis for about two years previous to the summer of 1854, at which time he re signed to establish with Mr. O. L. Nims and Mr. C. O. Tillotson, another banking- house, which for many years did a highly successful business. The position made vacant by the resignation of Mr. White was offered to Mr. Anson H. Miller, who at the time was bookkeeper for Dr. Wil liam F. Kittredge, treasurer of the Toledo, Norwalk, & Cleveland Railroad company. He accepted, and came to Fremont on the 2d day of August, 1854. At the time referred to in Judge Otis' letter, from 185 1 to 1856, and for some years later, the customary rate for money was one per cent, a month, and for New York exchange one per cent, premium was charged. The paper money in those days was a queer mixture of various and uncer tain values. The sorting of this money was one of the important duties of the bank clerk. The New York city, New England, and some of the Ohio bank notes, being carefully selected to be sent home, or to some broker for the purpose. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 437 of getting in return New York exchange, that being one of the cheapest and most available ways of obtaining it On the first day of January, 1857, Dr. James W. Wilson became a partner in the bank of Birchard, Miller & Co., the firm name remaining unchanged. Dr. Wilson had been, since 1838, one of the leading and most successful physicians in the town, was well known in Sandusky and the adjoining counties, and his wealth and careful business' habits gave to the bank still another element of strength and safe ty. The bank continued to prosper with Sardis Birchard, Dr. James W. Wilson, and Anson H. Miller as partners, and without further change until the year 1863, when it was merged into the- First National Bank of Fremont, which succeeded the pri vate banking-house of Birchard, Miller & Co., and was organized in 1863, wth a paid up capital of one hundred thousand dollars, and with an authorized capital of two hundred thousand dollars. THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK. The first preliminary certificate was dated April 24, 1863, but in consequence of a change in the regulations of the department at Washington, this was afterwards cancelled, and another dated May 23, 1863, was adopted; the articles of association were dated May 23, 1863. Both ihe preliminary certificate and arti_ cles of association were signed by the fol. lowing named persons: Sardis Birchard, James W. Wilson, Anson H. Miller, James Justice, Robert W. B. McLellan, Jane E. Phelps, LaQuinio Rawson, Mar tin Bruner, Robert Smith, Abraham Neff, Augustus W. Luckey. The first stockholders' meeting was held May 27, 1863, at which James Justice was chairman and Robert W. B. McLellan secretary. At this meeting the following first board of directors was elected: Sardis Birchard, James W. Wilson, James Jus tice, Martin Bruner, Robert Smith, Au gustus W. Luckey, Anson H. Miller. The first directors' meeting was held on the same day, at which Sardis Birchard was elected president; James W. Wilson, vice-president, and Anson H. Miller, cash ier. The certificate of authority from the Comptroller of the Currency, at Washing ton, was dated June 22, 1863. The bank commenced business September 1, 1863, and soon thereafter was designated by the Government as a depository of the public money. The first report of its condition was made April 1, 1864, which shows among its resources, of loans, $121,305.29; total resources, $347,793.05; and among its liabilities, due depositers, $133,620.56; due United States as Government dejDOS- itory, $64,450. In its last published re port, dated October 1, 1881, the bank makes the following showing under tlie same heads: Loans, $417,443.91; total resources, $694,112.32; due depositors, $414,216.91, which only partially shows the increase in the bank's business. At the time the bank was merged into the First National, Mr. Miller, with the help of a young clerk, did all the routine work of the bank; now six experienced men are constantly employed. The bank came near being the first one organized in the United States, being only number five on the official list. On the 2 ist day of January, 1874, Mr. Birchard deceased, and the vacancy there by caused in the presidency, was filled January 27, 1874, by the election of Dr. James W. Wilson to the place. The bank has lost by death four direc tors, viz: James Justice, who died May 28, 1873; Sardis Birchard, who died Jan uary 21, 1874; Robert Smith, who died April 2, 1878; Augustus W. Luckey, who died March 20, 1881. There have been no changes in the offi- 438 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. cers or directors, only such as were caused by death, except in the case of Martin Bruner, who, in consequence of having disposed of his stock in the bank, had ceased to be a director several years before his death. He died September 24, 1876. The bank never made a practice of pay ing interest on -deposits — neither did its predecessors after the ist of April, 1859.- At that time both Birchard, Miller & Co. and the banking house of Nims, Tillotson &White, discontinued the custom, satisfied that for the future it would be an unwise one. This bank has been fortunate not only in its officers, but also in its emjiloyes. Mr. Augustus E. Rice, one of the directors and the present assistant cashier, came into the bank in March, 1865, and was at that time a mere boy. His industry, in tegrity, and good habits have well entitled him to the important place he now occu pies, not only in the bank, but as an influ ential citizen. Mr. William E. Lang, tel ler; John G. Nuhfer, individual book keeper; James W. Wilson, collection clerk; and John W. Pero, general book keeper, have all been in the bank for years, and are young men well qualified for the positions they hold. The present officers of the bank are: James W. Wilson, president; Anson H. Miller, cashier; Augustus E. Rice, assist ant cashier. The present directors are: James W. Wilson, LaQuinio Rawson, Rutherford B. Hayes, Anson H. Miller, Augustus E. Rice. Until the first of January, 1877, the busi ness of the bank was carried on in the building occupied by Birchard & Otis, previously mentioned. About the ist of January, 1876, the bank purchased of Mr. P. Close the lot owned and occujoied by him on the southwest corner of Front and Croghan streets. The two-story brick building, in which he had been doing bus iness, was torn down and the same year the bank erected on the spot a new and elegant three-story Amherst stone front bank building into which it moved Janu ary 1, 1877, and in which it still does its business. The bank was one of the few that con tinued to pay its depositors during the panic of 1873 in full on demand. The condition of the bank on the ist of Octo ber, 1881, is shown in the following report: RESOURCES. Loans $4^7,443 91 Over drafts 1,275 31 United States bonds 150,000 co Due from other banks 4*1647 15 Real estate 15,618 27 Expense account 4.125 58 Checks and cash items 106 42 Cash on hand 59,195 68 Due from United States Treasury 4.500 00 Total $694, 112 32 LIABILITIES. Capital stock $100,000 00 Surplus fund 60,000 00 Undrawn profits 18,384 58 Bank notes out 90,000 00 Deposits 414,216 91 Due other banks 10,389 03 Tax account 1,121 80 $694, r 12 32 Anson H. Miller, who has been so prominently connected with this bank, and consequently with the business in terests of the city, is a native of Hinsdale, New Hampshire, and was born May 2, 1824. His father, John Miller, was a de scendant of Nathan Doyles, who was a sufferer by the burning of New London, Connecticut, during the Revolution, and to whose heirs was granted a large tract in the Firelands near New London, in Huron county. By inheritance and purchase Mr. Miller came into possession of the whole tract. He removed with his family to Norwalk in 1825 and in 1839 settled on the farm near New London. Anson H, during the family's residence in Nor- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 439 walk, attended the seminary, and during the year 1845 continued his studies at Milan academy. In 1847 Mr. Miller en tered the employ of Prague & Sherman, lumber dealers, at New Orleans. He was there about fourteen months, during the yellow fever epidemic, and was him self a sufferer from the disease. In 1852 he attended Commercial college at Cleve land, and soon after was employed as bookkeeper in the office of the treasurer of the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland Rail road, which position he held until enter ing the bank in 1854. Since 1856 the burden of management has mainly been borne by the cashier. The exceptionally successful career of the bank, both as a jDartnership and a coloration, is the best commentary on Mr. Miller's worth as a banker. His management has always been honorable to himself and profitable to the stockholders. BANK OF FREMONT. The partnership of Nims, Tillotson & White was formed in 1854, and conducted a general banking business under that name for about four years. The name was then changed to Bank of Fremont, and business conducted to the entire sat isfaction of its patrons until 1878, when every depositor was fiaid in full and a suc cessful career closed by a dissolution of the partnership. THE BANK OF FREMONT. In October, 1880, a partnership under the above style began a general banking business with L. Wideman, president; C. M. Spitzer, cashier, and J. C. Wideman, assistant cashier. The business has been in charge of the two last named gentle men. In addition to general banking an exchange and brokerage business is tran sacted. FREMONT BUSINESS DIRECTORY. Besides the long-established, and more extensive firms mentioned in the above pages, the following business houses and factories are located in Fremont: Agricultural implements — Treat & Corl. Architect — J. C. Johnson. Attorneys-at-law — Bartlett & Finefrock, H. P. and H. S. Buckland & Zeigler, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Everett & Fowler, Byron Dudrow, F. R. Fronizer, Finefrock & Bell, Garver Bros., J. L. Green, Lem mon, Wilson & Rice, Frank O'Farrell, Smith & Kinney, M. L. Snyder, L E. Stetler, M. E. Tyler, E. Williams. Baggage, express and hack line — Dr. G. O. Harlan, J. H. Stewart. Bakers — D. Hock, H. Lesher, A. Voght. Barbers— J. Berling, O. E. Curtis, F. E. Gerber, F. J. Rheinegger, F. Schoeffel, S. Wolf. Billiard halls — C. P. DePuyster, George Nighswaner, W. D. Sherwood, C. Grett. Blacksmiths — G. A. Beiger, D. S. Blue, J. Cookson, John Fend, G. Greiner, Wil liam Groves, W. Hund, Peter Nolf, D. Rooney. Bottling works — A. Hauck. Cabinet-makers— S. Doer, Casper Smith. Carpenters — S. E. Anderson, A. Foster, Anthony Kiser, Rich & Richards, J. B. Schraff. Carriage-manufacturers — D. Consedine & Son, John Keefer. Cigar manufacturers — A. Good, J. L. Rafferty, John Stober. Clothing — Charles Strong, B. Young- man, W. Dean & Co. Coal dealers— E. P. Undcrhill & Co. Cooper shop — John A. Grant. Dentists — A. F. Price, F. T. Creager. . Druggist — G. W. Petty. Dry goods — Hermon & Wilson, Jen kins & McElroy, John Ryan, J. Joseph. Elevator— E. H. Underhill & Co. Fancy goods— D. H. Altaffer, S. P. Hansom & Co., E. Sympkins, W. H. Hart 44° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Flour and feed — Chan. Norton. Grain dealers — George Engler, Gusdorf Bros., D. Wagner. Grocers— Baker & Stine, G. F. Buch- man, P. Dillane, H. F. Dwelle, Ernst Bros., T. F. Heffner, Frank Bauman, D. Hock, J. Horn, Kelly & Hauck, — Lynch, A. Miller, J. C.-Street, Robert Hidber, S. P. Wottring, Lawrence Dick. Gun manufacturers — George Thomp son, Harry Thompson. Hotels — Ball House, John Ford, pro prietor; Peach House, Richard Peach, proprietor; American House, J. Paulus, profirietor; Tell House, William Hocke, proprietor; Germania House, J. B. Weber, proprietor. Ice dealer — A. Hodes. Insurance agents — L. B. Ward; J. K. Elderkin, William B. Kridler, jr., D. F. Thomson, Z. Ross. Jewelers — E. L. Cross & Bro., William Gasser, A. V. Hamilton. Justices of the peace — Samuel Brinker- hoff, M. E. Tyler, F. R. Fronizer. Lime manufacturers — Gottron Bros., A. D. & F. L. Noble, Quilter Bros. Marble works — Gurst & Son, Purdy & Williams. Meat markets— Henry Adler, J. Bau man & Co., S. Cohn. Merchant tailors — N. Barendt, S. Bal- lau, F- Brady. Organs and pianos — Heberling & Darst. Photographers — Charles Pascoe, H. Post, R. Groben. Pump manufacturers — C. Baker, Barney Meyers. Saddle and harness manufacturer — William Schroder. Sign painter — George Dole. Stoves and tinware — Winter Bros. Tile works — Fremont Brick and Tile Co., William Parker. Undertakers— E. Swartz, C. W. Tschu- my. CHAPTE FREMONT- *Sanitary History and THOSE who have travelled over San dusky county within the past ten or twenty years can form but an imperfect idea of this region, then known as the Black Swamp, between twenty-five and forty years ago. There can not probably *Note. — We are under obligations to all the physTcians who have furnished information for this chapter, but especially to Dr. John B. Rice and Dr. Thomas Stillwell, for interesting contributions, and to Dr. James W. Wilson for the special interest he has taken in having the subject fully presented. R XXVII. -MEDICAL. the Medical Profession. be found elsewhere a richer or more dura ble soil. The farms are now mostly well improved, and their owners occupy commodious dwellings, constructed not merely with reference to furnishing com fortable homes for their occupants, but with due regard to appearances. The barns and other out-buildings are large and pleasing to the eye, and afford ample room for storing and sheltering the immense crops and improved stock that now reward HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 441 the farmer's toil and intelligent enterprise. The land is adequately drained, for the numerous creeks that help to swell the San dusky, the Portage, and the Maumee, af ford every desirable facility toward this end. Thorough ditching, and in many instances tile under-drainage, and the removal of dead timber from the small streams, have accomplished the rest. The roads are generally well improved, many of them macadamized, and the bridges safe and of good construction. How remarkable is the change ! For merly, where now are large farms, there were only small clearings of a few acres each, fairly covered with stumps and "gir dled" or deadened trees. The small log cabin, with its chimney of sticks and clay, puncheon floors and clapboard roof, and the little log stable, were the means of protection from wind and weather erected by the hardy pioneers, generally with their own hands, assisted by willing neighbors on the day of "raising." The small pro duce of the soil and the stock were gen erally kept without shelter. The un- threshed grain, hay, and fodder were systematically stacked to favor shedding the rain. Potatoes and other vegetables were covered in "pits," in the absence of cellars. The pigs ran at large, and fat tened well on hickory nuts and acorns. A little corn was fed for a brief period be fore butchering, to "harden the fat." The grain saved from the ravages of blackbirds and raccoons was required for bread, and for the work-horses and oxen that richly earned their share for the hard work per formed among the logs and stumps. The driver was often noisy, and by no means choice in his expressions. In those days there were few roads worthy of the name, and the best of these were mostly thickly set with stumps and dead trees, and scarcely passable for teams during the spring and fall. In the worst 56 places, where they were otherwise impass able, causeways were made of logs, often of unequal size, placed side by side. This constituted the now obsolete "corduroy road," which, serving a useful purpose in its time, one can not now contemplate without a shudder, remembering the hor rible jolting of the springless vehicles that passed over them, and the almost un fathomable mud-hole with which they commenced and ended. There were few bridges, and these of very primitive con struction, and often unsafe. The prudent horseman often went round them, or dis mounted in crossing. The swales and small creeks were so obstructed by fallen trees, that had ac cumulated as driftwood, that the flow of water was greatly hindered, and when there was much rain it overflowed the adjacent land. A large part of the rain fall disappeared by evaporation, and slow percolation through the soil. The well water, especially where the land was par ticularly wet, was colored and flavored by decaying vegetation. The prevailing diseases during this period, in Sandusky county, were the same as were encountered during a similar era in all Northwestern Ohio, and in Indiana and Michigan, as well as elsewhere. They were of miasmatic origin, and most prev alent in the autumnal months. Some sea sons hardly an inhabitant escaped. Occa sionally the fevers were especially malig nant. The remittent form of fever was generally, however, amenable to treatment, but still always regarded as a serious mal ady. When not of the pernicious or con gestive type, the cases of intermittent fever were usually promptly relieved by reme dies. This was, however, by no means so with the chronic intermittent, or ague, which was also most prevalent in the fall, and yet had a fashion of staying around during the rest of the year. Whether the 442 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. attack occurred daily, or every second or third day, its coming on was seldom a sur prise. Its pale and sallow victims were often discouraged by the recurrence of the disease upon the slightest exposure. They wearied of the doctors' monoto nously bitter doses, and themselves scoured the woods plucking and digging after in- diginous "sure cures." It was an open question among the people whether it were better to try any cure at all, or to bravely "wear it out." As prevalent as miasmatic fevers were in those days, the improvement of the county gradually effected a decided change for the better, until now Sandusky county is as free from this class of disease as any part of Northwestern Ohio. It is doubtful, indeed, whether any part of Ohio is now more salubrious. Within recent years this region has enjoyed a fair degree of exemption from epidemic diseases. The year 1834 was probably the most dreadful in the history of this locality, made so by a terrible cholera scourge. In August of that year a boat load of emigrants came from Buffalo, among whom was a travelling man. The traveller, upon the arrival of the boat at our landing, came up to the Western House, then ihe leading hotel of Northwestern Ohio. A man named Marsh was the landlord. The emigrants en camped on the bottom near the landing. During the night after his arrival the stranger in the hotel was taken sick. He requested the presence of a Free Mason, if there were any in the village, and Har vey J. Harman was sent for. Mr. Har- man attended the stranger during the night and until he died in the morning. Drs. Brainard and Rawson pronounced cholera the cause of death. The village was panic-stricken. Harman, in a couple of days, died, and then Marsh, the land lord of the Western House, and his wife. All who could get away left town, and with few exceptions, those who could not get away closed their houses and admitted no one. The Olmsteds went into the coun try, leaving their store and the post office in charge of Mr. Everett. Dr. Anderson would see no one, and Dr. Brainard was himself attacked but recovered. At the beginning of the scourge death followed attack quickly. An old bachelor — .Billy Stripe — who lived east of the town, came in one day and was seized on the street. He found refuge on a pile of shavings in a new building being erected on the cor ner of Croghan and Front streets, and in a few hours was dead. The emigrants' camp down by the landing was a place of indescribable suffering. Many of them died without attendance, and the living could scarce bury the dead. Joel Everett was one day passing this encampment on his way home from Lower Sandusky. He had not gone far before the dread disease compelled him to stop. The neighbors dared not take him into their houses, but , built a tent over him by the roadside and provided a bed, on which he died on the following day. He was buried near his lonely death-bed. The scourge lasted about three weeks, and the percentage of mortality was large. During the whole time Mr. Brown, Mr. Birchard, Judge Hulburd, and Dr. Raw- son made themselves eminently useful in caring for the sick and burying the dead. Homer Everett acted as general commis sary, having the keys of nearly all the stores, with instructions to take out what ever was needed. Most of the merchants cleared the town. About one month elapsed before the disease was wholly eradicated. In 1849, when cholera visited Sandusky city with such frightful mortality, there were one or two deaths among those who had taken refuge here, but it did not spread. Almost every family forsook the town. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 443 Tnere were also one or two deaths in 1854, and two cases, both fatal, in 1866. An epidemic of cerebro spinal meningitis, not affecting large numbers, but character istically fatal, occured in 1847-48 in Fre mont and vicinity. This disease has re appeared two or three times since, and was the cause of several deaths during the present year. During the latter part of the winter of 1848-49 an exceedingly malignant type of erysipelas prevailed throughout the town and county. It attacked many and was very fatal. Among those who fell victims were two physicians, Drs. A. H. Brown and B. F. Williams. In 1856 dysentery prevailed and caused many deaths. Fremont has enjoyed a remark able exemption from diphtheria, for al though since about 1857-58 this dreadful malady has carried off a small number during several and even the present year, the disease never at any time prevailed extensively in the town. It has, however, been in some seasons very destructive in various neighborhoods in different parts of the county. As miasmatic fevers grew less and less prevalent, typhoid fever seemed in some sense to take their place, and appears now to be firmly implanted. This fever is fully as prevalent, if not indeed more so, in the country than in the town, and appears, in both instances, to be clearly traceable to local causes within the reach of practicable means of prevention, when intelligence respecting the causes of its development and diffu sion becomes more general. The first appearance of scarlet fever is believed to have been about the year 1852. when it occurred in a malignant form, and since that year, although it has occurred on several occasions, the disease has been confined to a few families, and has not been remarkably fatal. Cases of small pox have now and then been witnessed, but the disease has never spread among our people. The pioneers of Sandusky county, who endured, with almost matchless fortitude, great privations, were, by the force of cir cumstances, unable to avoid those dis eases which inevitably result where, in such a climate as this, the virgin soil with its rank vegetation is first exposed to the rays of the sun by work done with the axe and the plow. No human foresight or skill is able to prevent the development of the peculiar miasma or germ thus brought into activity, and which, though unperceived by the senses, is still the un doubted source of miasmatic fevers. Pro longed cultivation, however, diminishes,. if it does not finally entirely remove the conditions favorable to the causation of diseases of this class. The case is far dif ferent with many of the diseases with which we are now called upon to contend, and which are produced by decaying matter supplied by living beings. In our cities, villages, and country places little attention is paid to the prevention of con tamination of wells and springs supplying water used for drinking by filthy accumu lations. In many situations, if not in most, the water thus used is manifestly rendered noxious by such sources of con tamination, and not until the importance of this condition of affairs is fully realized in its relation to the production of disease, and intelligent and effective measures, in accordance with modern sanitary science, are faithfully carried out, can we hope to wipe out those diseases, which are now looked upon by the medical faculty as practically preventable. Dr. Goodin was probably the first physician to locate in the village of Lower Sandusky. He came soon after the gar rison was removed. His very meagre in come was increased somewhat by teaching school. He was somewhat eccentric, and 444 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. was particularly noticeable on account of his frontier dress, which he continued to wear for several years. He always wore a coat and pantaloons of deerskin, which looked very well in fair weather, but in rainy times his clothes stretched and drew to disagreeable shapes. He left here after about ten years. Dr. Hastings came to Lower Sandusky about 1816. He was a man of refined manners and general scholarship. In his profession he was successful, and had con siderable practice, but it was of a laborious and unprofitable character, not differing in this respect from the practice of all the pioneer physicians. He left here in 1828. Dr. 'Holloway was another of the pioneer doctors, but we are unable to learn anything about him. He remained but a short time. Dr. Daniel Brainard, a native of New York, began the practice of medicine in Lower Sandusky in 1819, and con tinued for a period of about forty years. He rafiked among the first practitioners in Northwestern Ohio, and for many years his practice embraced the settlements in cluded by a line running east of Bellevue, south as far as Fort Seneca, west to Port age River and north to the lake. Perhaps no man ever lived in the county who had a more varied experience of pioneer life. He was here when the county east and west was a roadless expanse of dark, damp forest, cut into two parts by a tortuous stream over whose rapid current in its upper course skirting trees joined their outstretching branches, and bordering the still waters in its lower course were grassy prairies, Lower Sandusky was an expansion of this forest path, which Indian romance and military history had already celebrated. When Dr. Brainard came here, a village was already showing signs of life and growth, but all around was dark wilder ness, the gloom of which was broken only by an occasional habitation. The practice of medicine was especially arduous, be cause it required almost constant travel. Dr. Brainard was not only sound in the science of physic, but was a de^ scriptive writer of force and interest. He was himself the hero of an ad^ venture worthy of being preserved. The world has little enough romance without any being lost Prosy detail is the bane of history. Romantic episodes are neces sary to destroy the drudgery of life, and make history interesting. The scene of Dr. Brainard's experience is laid between twenty and thirty miles southwest of his office at Lower Sandusky, in a dense for est. On a March morning, while a blus tering snow storm was closing every path, and a cold northwester was whistling among the trees, this faithful servant of a suffering pioneer community started to see a patient thirty miles distant. The last twelve miles of the journey was through a forest which fallen snow had made path less. The Doctor, of course, did not reach this forest till late in the day. Snow- laden saplings bent across what seemed the woodland road, and made it necessary to seek openings around. This circum stance not only retarded his progress, but bewildered him in his course. He finally lost the road altogether, and was com pelled to rely upon his judgment to direct the horse the remaining miles of the jour ney. The weary horse and anxious rider both became impatient with their uncer tain, zig-zag progress. Slowly, and with a consciousness of his rider's bewilderment, the horse stumbled through snow-heaps, seemingly multiplying every hour. At last a plain road was reached, but where it was and whither it led was more than the Doctor or the horse knew. In the hope of soon reaching a house, the horse, whose load was made doubly burdensome by discouragement, (for an animal is not HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 445 slow to detect the thoughts of his master,) was urged on. Night drove light from the inhospitable wilderness. The fatigued horse lagged slowly through the deep snow, while hope kept up the rider's con fidence, but hunger and cold sadly afflicted both. Dr. Brainard notes that melan choly began to send strange fancies across his troubled brain. Cold, hungry, lost, with a horse shaking with fatigue, what if some wild animal should attack him while in such a situation ? While revolv ing these uncomfortable anticipations, the cold, snow-burdened breeze brought the well-know howl of a distant wolf. The lash clashed oftener and louder upon the poor horse, but the faithful animal, ex hausted by long travelling without food, reeled under the smarting cuts of his fright ened rider. The terrible howl grew in volume, and fast came closer. No cabin light was within sight The horse stag gered in his exertions to hurry. Cold, hunger, exhaustion — fear had displaced them all when the red-tongued pack dashed into the road but a few rods be hind. Now others crossed the road in front, and, circling near and nearer, their hideous howl became more terrible. The poor horse was too weak to frighten at the situation, which increased the danger. If he should fall from exhaustion, the issue was not doubtful. While Dr. Brainard was debating his ability to escape by climbing a tree, the thought occurred to him that a loud voice would frighten them. He lifted his chest to his lungs' fullest capacity, and stnt a strong shout at his unwelcome companions, but his •voice was like a musket amidst the roar of artillery. The howling of the circling wolves became more threatening. Desper ately they snapped their jaws in the horse's face, and dreadfully their red eyes gleamed from the snow-covered surface. The Doc tor seriously contemplated sacrificing his horse to the appetites of his pursuers, and indeed hints that he would have done so had not such an undertaking been too hazardous. He therefore, as the safer al ternative, resolved to stick "to his wearied horse as long as it could walk, and trust to Providence for the event." The pack gathered so near that their horrid grin was discernable. They seemed to be gather ing resolution to make an attack. Fear ing that his fatigued horse might give way, the doctor prepared to climb. He took off his overcoat, released his feet from the stirrups, and chose his tree at every point of the slowly-traversed road. In this way a distance of at least four miles was passed over. At length a bright spot appeared in the not far distant dark ness. It was the star which hope had seen during more than four hours of peril. The sight of that cabin window brought joy inexpressible. Even the way-worn horse recovered his spirits and quickened his step. Maddened animals, fierce winds, and beating snow were all forgotten at the glimpse of a log hearth, caught through a paper window. The horse, a moment be fore on the point of falling, pricked up his ears and neighed aloud. The hospitable inhabitants of that lonely forest home had heard the coming of the weary traveller and his unwelcome train. They were at the door, ready to receive their guest and serve his wants. The emboldened beasts pressed near, but the heavy sound of a musket, the bark of a faithful dog, and the light of several torches sent them howling to the wilderness. It was now 2 o'clock in the morning. The Doctor's wants were abundantly provided for, and the horse given the best of corn. Upon inquiry, he found that he was ten miles south of the point of his destination. Dr. Brainard had the respect and confi dence of the people, whom he served for forty years. He was one of the first 446 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Free Masons in Lower Sandusky, and a member of Fort Stephenson lodge after the revival of Masonry. Brainard lodge was named in his honor. His funeral was conducted with Masonic honors. Dr. Brainard died in 1859, just forty years after beginning his useful career in this county. Dr. LaQuinio Rawson. • — A biography of Dr. Rawson is part of the legitimate history of Sandusky county. He came here in an early year of its settlement, and has since devoted his strong energies and very respectable talent to the service of his fellow-citizens, both as a physician and in business enterprises of a public and useful character. Dr. Ravvson's descent is traced from the age of English chivalry, the. coat of arms descending from family to family, until finally- inherited by Edward Rawson, who came to America in,, 1636 or 1637, and was chosen tqthip secretaryship of,the Colony of- Massachusetts Bay. He- sev eral times represented his town :of New bury in the-General Court of the colony, and was a man of :riote and influence in the early history ¦ of New; England. Of the fifth generation from Secretary Edward Rawson, was Lemuel; Rawson, father qf the subject of this- biography. He was born in 1767. He was occupied as/ a tanner at Warwick, Massachusetts, until about 1812. He then turned his atten tion to agriculture, residing in each of the following-named places: Orange, New Salem, and Irving Grant, all in Massa chusetts, until 1836, when he came to Ohio, and located at Bath, Summit county, where he remained until Sep tember 20, 1844, when his wife died, after which he lived with his children in Northern Ohio. He died December 2, 185 1, at Dr. Rawson's residence in Fre mont. His wife was Sarah BarruS, whom he married at Warwick, Massachusetts, in I791- Ihe family consisted of six sons and three daughters. Five of the sons came to Ohio; four of them were success ful practitioners of medicine, and the other attained a high place in the legal profession of Northern Ohio. Secretary Rawson, oldest of the five brothers, prac ticed medicine in Richfield, Summit county, Ohio, forty-two years. Success followed him through his professional life. Abel Rawson,- second of the five Ohio brothers, was well-known in this county. He was one of the pioneer lawyers at Tiffin, Ohio, and his presence was familiar in every court-room in this part of the State. He studied law in Massachusetts, and when admitted to the Bar was over four hundred dollars in debt. He came to Ohio in 1824-, and taught school at Norwalk. In 1826 he opened a law office at Tiffin, and at once took high rank in his profes,S¥)n. Dr. Bass Rawson first learned the trade of a hatter, but- in a few. years began the study of medicine in New Hampshire In 1829 he located in .Findlay, Hancock county, Ohio; where he earned a reputa tion as a skillful physician, and was very successful: Dr. Alonzo Rawson, youngest of the brothers who came to Ohio, first learned the trade of printing. He established, in Tiffin, in 1834, the Independent Chroni cle. After two years experience he dis continued editorial work to engage in mercantile enterprises, but finally studied medicine, and was a successful practi tioner. Few families have honored the memory of a worthy ancestor by successful and useful lives as have the members of this branch of the Rawson family. De pending wholly upon their own exertions, each has left the impress of his life and character upon the history of the com- Q^>"o^ ¦^6-t ess cn?_^ HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 447 munity in which he lived and labored. We have spoken of these members of the Rawson family partly to show the charac ter of the family, and partly because they are remembered by a large number of people living within the proper scope of this history. We now turn to the subject of this biography. LaQuino Rawson was born at Irving, Franklin county, Massachusetts, Septem ber 14, 1804. His earlier boyhood was spent on his father's farm, and in the com mon schools of his neighborhood. At the age of sixteen, being ambitious to acquire an education, and being wholly dependent upon himself for the means of pursuing his cherished purpose, he left home and entered the academy at New Salem, where he attended instruction for some time, ex cept during the intervals spent at com mon labor and teaching school, by which means he earned money to pay his ex penses at the academy. In 1824, being then nineteen years old, he came to Ohio and entered upon the study of medicine, and at the same time taught school to meet his expenses. In 1826 he was granted license to practice by the Ohio Medical Society, and entered upon the duties of his profession at Tyamochtee, Crawford county. At that time the Wy andot Indians occupied a large reserva tion in the county, and he had frequent calls to attend their sick. The Indians received the intelligent services of their white physician very gratefully, and paid their bills much more promptly than the white people. The Indians generally en tertained an idea that they could not en ter the happy hunting ground without every obligation having been discharged, and consequently cheerfully handed over to their doctor the shining half dollars received as annuity from the Government The Indian doctors and their herb reme dies were in most cases abandoned as soon as they were given the opportunity of scientific treatment. The honesty of these weak descendants of a powerful and noble nation is illustrated by a incident in the practice of Dr. Rawson. He was asked to visit a very sick Indian at Upper Sandusky, and while there an old chief came to him and said: "Mr. Doctor, this sick Indian very poor; he no money; not pay you now; but you cure him all same and when we get our pay [annuity] I pay you." The sick Indian got well, and soon after pay day the old chief came to the Doctor's office and left the amount of the bill in shining half dollars. The Indians were afflicted by the same diseases which prevailed among their white neighbors — fevers, ague, and other malarial complaints. The Doctor says about one-fourth of his practice at Tya mochtee was among the Indians. In 1827 Dr. Rawson began the prac tice of his profession in Lower Sandusky, where his life has since been spent, except during an interval of about three years. From 1 83 1 to 1833 he practiced in Find lay, Ohio, and during the winter of 1833- 34 attended lectures at the Ohio Medical College, and received the M. D. degree in the spring of 1834. He afterwards at tended a course at the University of Pennsylvania, and was the recipient from that institution of the ad eundem degree of M. D. After completing this thorough course of study and preparation, he again opened an office in Lower Sandusky, and was in constant practice until 1855. Dur ing this time Dr. Rawson's standing as a physician was recognized by complimen tary diplomas of membership in the Cin cinnati Medical Society, the Philadelphia Medical Society, and the Ohio Medical Lyceum of Cincinnati. All through this volume are paragraphs descriptive of the county in its early his tory. No class of men suffered more 448 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. than the early doctors. The statement has been made, and indeed needs little modification, that sickness was a constant unwelcome guest of every cabin. Houses were far apart and forest paths and primi tive roads forbid description. The pro fession had in it very little to remunerate all these dismal and sometimes dangerous rides. People were all poor and some of them destitute. They were without money and without a market where agricultural products could be exchanged for money. As a consequence the physician saw little hard cash for the hard times he ex perienced. Dr. Rawson says: When I located at Lower Sandusky, there were two physicians here — Dr. Hastings and Dr. Daniel Brainard. They were both well educated and skil ful in their profession, and now, when looking back to those times, when Sandusky county was a wilder ness and uncultivated swamp, and many of the set tlements composed of rough pioneers, I wonder why educated and accomplished men, such as the two physicians I have mentioned were, should have come to this desolate place to spend their lives. But such is the history of the human race. This is a generous compliment to his early contemporaries. Whatever opinions we may entertain of providential dispensa tions, here we have a peculiarly striking picture illustrating the eternal fitness of things. The spectacle of men of intelli gence and science devoting themselves, body and soul, to their lofty calling, often without hope of reward, always amidst the most discouraging surroundings, is worthy of a better pen. We have given in the preceding sketch of Dr. Brainard, who came here in 1819, some idea of Lower Sandusky's wild sur roundings. When Dr. Rawson located here, eight years later, the east part of the county had been opened and clearing fires blazed in every direction. Dr. Harkness had established himself near Bellevue, and considerable territory, formerly embraced within Dr. Brainard's circuit on the east, was cut off. The general limit of Dr. Rawson's practice was west to the Portage River, from the source of that stream to its entrance into the bay at Port Clinton; on the east Hamar's tavern (now Clyde); and on the south Fort Seneca. None of the streams within this tract, embracing a large part of the present counties of San dusky, Ottawa, Wood, and Seneca, were bridged, except the Sandusky River, at Lower Sandusky. The year 1834 was an epoch in the medical history of this county. The cholera scourge prevailed, and many of the frightened people of Lower Sandusky locked their doors and refused to leave their houses or to admit visitors. The village population at that time amounted to about three hundred, a large per cent of whom were afflicted with the fatal disease, and the mortality was large. Four men, — it is a delight to record their names and preserve the memory of their disin terested charity — Dr. Rawson, Mr. Brown, Mr. Birchard, and Judge Hulburd, went from house to house of the afflicted, per forming the tender offices of physician and nurse, and, when sad necessity required, attended the rites of burial. This was the first visitation of the cholera on the San dusky. It subsequently appeared several times, but never with such fatal results. As the country developed, Dr. Rawson's practice grew more extensive and re munerative. His practice was laborious, but a physique capable of almost any en durance was his best inheritance. The rugged labor of his early life was a fit preparation for the toils of his profession al career. In his case vigor of body was happily equalled by vigor of mind. To a close and extensive knowledge of medical science he brought the aid of practical judgment. Many were the regrets, in 1855, when he announced his intention to withdraw from professional life. His patients WE^',: ^^^K& m m '- V ^ : LW. ¦ SBJSS?BsS5^ pilk ^/oy^yA^c CsCLS U ' -*>.-sv4.s*J sJ~ t^l^- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 449 cherished toward him more than profes sional affection. He had been to them a prompt friend in every hour of physical distress and anxiety. Aside from his skill and sincere honesty in the treatment of diseases, Dr. Rawson had one character istic as a practitioner worthy of imitation by members of his profession. He never failed to meet an engagement. Every summon to a bed of sickness was prompt ly answered by his cheerful presence, re gardless of financial condition, or prospect of remuneration. He thus endeared him self to the people whom he served. He was successively" appointed to the office of county clerk from .1836 to 185 1, inclusive. His laborious professional business made it necessary that the; charge of the office should be confided to a deputy. We have now briefly traced the career of Dr. Rawson as a practitioner of medi cine during a period of nearly thirty years. But his career of usefulness by no means ended with his retirement from profession al life. He had accumulated considerable - property, and had for years bee-n .. alive to every enterprise which promised to be come a public benefit. / Tn previous chap1- ters of this volume are detailed the history of three of the ,rhost important public improvements in the history of fhe county, the plank-road from Tiffin to Ffefnont and Fostoria,^ .the Cleveland, Toledo. & Norwalk Railrtjadj and the Fremont & Indiana Railroad.- In the plank-road en terprise Dr. Rawson worked actively arid vigorously, and when money was wanted his hand went deep into his treasury; To detail Dr. Rawson's connection with the other two enterprises would be to re peat what has already been said by one familiar with all the circumstances. Dr. Rawson and others, when the Cleveland, Toledo & Norwalk Railroad was first in augurated, obligated themselves to in demnify the county commissioners, who, without ample personal guarantee, refused to issue the bonds, as authorized by vote of the people of the county. When stock books were opened, Dr. Rawson was among the heaviest subscribers. For the history of the Lake Erie & Western Rail road, with which the name of Dr. Rawson is so closely associated, we again refer to a preceding chapter. To the united energy of the incorporators — L. Q. Rawson, Sardis Birchard, James Justice, Charles W. Fos ter, and John R. Pease — the country ben efited by this road is indebted. The lead ing spirit and advocate from the beginning was Dr. Rawson, who, at the first organiza- tiori of the company in 1853, was elected president and director, and served in that capacity until 1875. For about twenty years' he -had the general management of all the interests of the road. His connec tion' with the county agricultural society is duly mentioned under the proper head. Dr. Rawson married, July 8, 1829, So: phia Beaugrand, daughter of John B. Beaugrand, who was born in Bordeaux, France, in 1768. He was married in St. Anne?S church, Detroit; in 1802, to Mar garet Chaber.t, daughter of Colonel Cha- bert de: Joucaire,- of- the French army. Mr. Beaugrand was a merchant at Maumee from 1802 till 1812. ,He then went back to Detroit, where he -remained till 1823, then came to Lower Sandusky. Mrs. Rawson was born October 20, 1810. The family of Dr. and Mrs. Raw- son consisted of seven children, four of whom survived childhood — Dr. Milton E., Joseph L, Eugene A, and Estelle S., two of whom are living, Joseph and 'Estelle. We have in this sketch touched upon only the leading features of the life of a worthy man and citizen, who from early youth was busy, and who in old age has not wholly laid aside the cares of business. His life has been one of real worth, which 45° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY we have but feebly reflected. Mrs. Raw- son is a woman of quiet temperament and refined taste. She is a consistent member of her church, and possessed of the vir tues which only Christian convictions can give a woman. Dr. Robert S. Rice was born in Ohio county, Virginia, May 28, 1805, and died in Fremont, Ohio, August 5, 1875. At the age of ten he came with his father's family to Ohio and located in Chillicothe, Ross county. From that place, in 1818, the family removed to Marion county, and in 1827 he settled in Lower Sandusky. He worked at his trade, a potter, until about the year 1847, when, having long employed his leisure hours in the study of medicine, he began the practice; and al though he labored under the disadvantages of limited educational opportunities in his youth, and of not having received a regu lar course of medical -instruction, his ca reer as a physician was quite successful. He numbered as his patrons many among the most respectable families in his town and county. Dr. Rice was a man of sound judgment, quick wit, fond of a joke, and seldom equaled as a mimic and story teller. He was a keen observer, and found amuse ment and instruction in his daily inter course with men by perceiving many things that commonly pass unnoticed. His sym pathies were constantly extended to all manner of suffering and oppressed people. He denounced human slavery, and from an early period acted politically with the opponents of the hated institution. Dur ing a period also when the most brutal corporal punishment was the fashion and practice in families and schools, his voice and example were given in favor of the humane treatment of children. He was of a deeply religious turn of mind. In early years, when preachers were few in this new country, he often exhorted and preached. He was colonel of the first reg iment of cavalry militia organized in the county, and also general of the first brig ade. He assisted in running the line be tween Ohio and Michigan, the dispute in regard to which led to the bloodless "Michigan war." He also served one term as mayor of Lower Sandusky, and several terms as justice of the peace. He was married to Miss Eliza Ann Caldwell, in Marion, Ohio, December 30, 1824. They had seven sons and two daughters. The first two were boys, and died in infancy. William A. was born in Fremont, July 31, 1829; John B., June 23, 1832; Sarah Jane, February 20, 1835; Robert H., De cember 20, 1837; Albert H., September 23, 1840; Charles F., July 23, 1843; Em- eline E., January 14, 1847. Sarah Jane died June 20, 1841; Emeline died Sep tember 19, 1859. The name of Mrs. Eliza Ann Rice de serves more than bare mention in connec tion with the record of the family whose chief ornament she was, and to whose in telligence, affection, and example they owe whatever of good they have, or shall ac complish in the world. This amiable and Christian lady, and loving and devoted wife and mother, was born near Chillicothe, Ohio, March 19, 1807. She died on Jan uary 17, 1873, in her sixty-sixth year. She belonged to the older class of the commu nity, and occupied a high place in the af fection of a large circle of friends. She was a devoted mother, and in return was loved and revered by her family. The following is an extract from a notice in the Fremont Journal of January 24, 1873 — one week after her death. It is from the pen of Dr. Thomas Stilwell: It was not for her to shine in the fashionable as sembly, or the more ostentatious circles of social life, but wherever "the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit" was the passport to recognition, she was emi nently entitled to receive it. But it was within the sacred precincts of home, the true woman's grandest HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 4Si field of display, that she exhibited the virtues that win the heart and add a charm to the sacred name of mother. From early life a member of the church, the Protestant Methodist, her heart was ever in unison with the teachings of the Divine Master, and she died prepared, by a life of faith, "to pass through the valley of the shadow of death, and to fear no evil." Wise in counsel, devoted in her love for her children, her sons, who rank as prominent and respected professional business men of our city, honor themselves by the rec ognition they give that sainted mother's teachings, for much of what they have at tained in the walks of life. Her father, William Caldwell, was the third of the ten children of Rob ert Caldwell and Mary Stephenson, and was born in York county, Pennsylvania, on the 5th of June, 1779. His parents emigrated to Bourbon county, Kentucky, in 1782. William Caldwell was married to Miss Polly Park, August 2, 1804, in Kentucky. She was born in the State of Virginia, in a block-house to which her mother had fled for refuge from an Indian massacre which threatened the settlement where she lived. Mr. and Mrs. Caldwell settled near Chillicothe soon after their marriage, but afterwards removed to Ma rion, and finally made their home in Lower Sandusky. The former died June 29, 1835, the latter in 1861. He was a gun smith by trade; served in the War of 181 2, under General Hull, at whose surren der he was made a prisoner of war. They also had two sons: Robert A., who died in California, and Judge William Caldwell, of Elmore. Peter Beaugrand, a son of John B. Beaugrand, came to Lower Sandusky with his father's family in 1823. He was born in Detroit, in August, 1814. In. March, 1833, he began the study of medicine at Findlay, Ohio, in the office of B. and L. Q. Rawson, and when Dr. L. Q. Rawson re moved to Lower Sandusky, Mr. Beaugrand came with him. In the winter of 1835-36 he attended a course of lectures at the Col lege of Physicians and Surgeons, at Fair field, Herkimer county, New York, and af terwards, in 1845, graduated at Ohio Medi- ¦ cal college, Cincinnati. Dr. Beaugrand began practicing in Lower Sandusky in 1834. Between 1837 and 1840 he was a partner of Dr. Rawson. At the dissolution of the partnership he went to Michigan and practiced at Monroe City three years. He returned to Fremont in 1843, and has since been in practice here except while serving as surgeon of the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Vol unteer Infantry. Drs. Brown arid Anderson are two physicians of the earlier period. Both were at different times partners of Dr. Rawson. Dr. Anderson was a partner of Dr. Rawson during the cholera scourge of 1834, but gave no assistance to the suffer ing. Dr. Brown was a merchant at that time, and made himself conspicuously useful. He afterwards practiced medicine with, a fair degree of success, but was all the time more or less interested in mer cantile pursuits. He died during the epi demic of 1848-49. Dr. B. F. Williams was born in Pom- fret, Chautauqua county, New York, June 27, 181 1, and came to Lower Sandusky in October, 1822. He attended school at the academy in Sangersfield, New York, after which he returned to Fremont in 1829. About two years later he began the study of medicine with Dr. Anderson, with whom he remained three years. He then went to Cincinnati, where he became a student of Dr. Drake, and attended lec tures. He graduated in 1835 or 1836. During his stay in Cincinnati he became acquainted with and married Miss Sarah Addison, a descendant of the English 45 2 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. author, Joseph Addison. He then return ed to Lower Sandusky and began the practice of medicine, in which he contin ued until the time of his death, which occurred February 9, 1849. Dr. Williams' untimely death terminated what would have been an honorable and successful career. His mental powers were good, and he applied himself closely to study. He was exceedingly fond of scientific pursuits, and possessed excellent literary taste. His manners were cultivated and agreeable, and his character pure and above reproach. His widow, a son and a daughter reside in Brooklyn, New York, and another son in Minnesota. Dr. Louis Gessner was born April 6, 1804, in Hesse Darmstadt, Germany. His father died in 1809, leaving a widow and four children. Although in moderate cir cumstances, she succeeded, through true motherly sacrifice and devotion, in secur ing for them a good education. Louis left home at the age of fifteen, and travelled oh foot to the Danube, and thence went to Vienna, where he had relatives, who kindly rendered him assistance in the com pletion of his education. After finishing his course of study in medicine, he left Vienna, travelling on foot to Switzerland. Arriving at the Canton of Berne in 1828, he commenced the practice of medicine, and in the same year was married to Miss Elizabeth F. Schwartz, daughter of a prominent physician of Thun. In 1833, with his family, he emigrated to America, and located first near Tonawanda, but soon afterwards in Buffalo, New York. In 1837 he removed to William sville, Erie county. Leaving his family in that place, he returned to Switzerland, and coming back in 1838, decided to move West. He accordingly settled in Lower Sandusky in that year. He soon enjoyed a good prac tice, largely, but by no means exclusively, among the early German settlers in San dusky county. As a physician, Dr. Gess ner won the confidence of the public, and his standing among his brethren of the medical profession was always high. He purchased a house and lot of Thomas L. Hawkins in 184 1, and his present residence in the country in 1848. The offspring consisted of eleven chil dren, three of whom — Karl, Louis, and Louise — were born in Thun, Switzerland. Karl, the eldest, died during the voyage to America, and was buried at sea. Freder ick and Emily were born in Buffalo, and Matilda, Caroline, Gustavus A., Randolph, and two others who died in early infancy, in Fremont. Mrs. Elizabeth Frederika Gessner was, on the maternal side, of Italian descent. Her mother's father was a physician of the name of Rubini. Her great-grand father, of the same name, was the author of a treatise on materia medica, written in 1688, a copy of which is still preserved. Mrs. Gessner died in 1864. She was a lady of excellent education and great re finement of feeling, tender and sympa thetic. Amidst the constant and exacting duties of wife and mother, from which she never shrank, and which she never slighted, her moments of leisure were given to books and music, her passion for which ended only with her life. She de lighted most of all in the songs and tradi tions of the land of her birth, and dwelt on them and kindred topics with a pathos often tinged with melancholy, that im pressed those with whom her memory is sacred forever that her lot should have been so cast that the land of her birth had been also the land of her life and death, surrounded only by familiar scenes, and gentle and loving friends. Dr. James W. Wilson was born in New Berlin, Union county, Pennsylvania, February 1, 1816. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 453 His grandfather, James Wilson, emi grated from Connecticut to Eastern Penn sylvania about 1791. His father, Samuel Wilson, the only son of James Wilson, was born in Schuylkill county, Pennsyl vania, November 25, 1793. He married Miss Sarah Mauck, a native of Pennsyl vania, at New Berlin, and resided there, a much esteemed and successful merchant, until his death, November 3, 1855. His wife, the mother of Dr. Wilson, died May 31, 1872, aged eighty-four years. Dr. Wilson studied medicine with Dr. Joseph R. Lotz in New Berlin, and after wards attended lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, where he graduated in March, 1837. He com menced the practice of medicine in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in Novem ber of the same year. He emigrated to Ohio in June, 1839, in company with Dr. Thomas Stilwell, and settled in Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), July 24, 1829, where they opened an office, and con tinued to practice as partners most of the time until 1862. During the years that Dr. Wilson was engaged in the practice of his profession, he ranked among the most successful physicians in this section of the State. He was distinguished for prompti tude, and faithful punctuality in fufilling engagements. The urbanity of his man ners made him ever welcome to the bed side of the sufferer. His intelligence and manly deportment won the confidence of the public. His acknowledged skill, and the painstaking care with which he investi gated the cases submitted to his judgment, commanded the respect and regard of his fellow-practitioners. It is probable that no physician outside the large cities of Ohio has ever enjoyed a larger practice, or performed more arduous labor in meet ing its requirements. In consequence of extraordinary ex posure, while attending to this large practice, Dr. Wilson was attacked, January 9, 1858, with a severe pneumonia, from the effects of which he has never com pletely recovered; nor has he since de voted himself to the practice of medicine. He has, however, retained a. lively interest in whatever pertains to the profession of his choice. He is president of the San dusky County Medical Society, and a member of the Ohio State Medical Society. During the war of the Rebel lion he was appointed by Governor Tod (August, 1862), surgeon for Sandusky county, to examine applicants for exemp tion from draft. On the 25 th of May, 1841, he was mar ried to Miss Nancy E. Justiee, daughter of Judge James Justice, of Lower San dusky. They have four children — two sons and two daughters. Charles G., the eldest son, a graduate of Kenyon College and Harvard Law School, now pf the law firm of Pratt & Wilson, of Toledo, mar ried Nellie, daughter of J. E. Amsden, of Fremont. The younger son, James W., is collection clerk in the First National Bank. The eldest daughter is the wife of Dr. John B. Rice, of this city. Mary, the younger daughter, is married to Charles F. Rice, of New York City. In 1857 Dr. Wilson became a partner in the banking house of Birchard, Miller & Co. In September, 1863, the bank was merged into the First National Bank of Fremont, with Dr. Wilson as vice-presi dent. January 27, 1874, after the death of Mr. Birchard, Dr. Wilson was elected president, which position he now holds. ' To the various enterprises tending to promote the business interests and growth of Fremont, the doctor has been a liberal contributor. Dr. Wilson is a man of conservative views, but still not wanting in the liber ality which accords to others the same 454 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. rights and privileges he desires for himself. He is a man of firm religious convictions, and has always been consistent with his professions. For thirty years he has been a member of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and a regular attendant upon its services. Dr. .Wilson holds the church to be the mainspring of law and order in society, and contributes liberally for the support of its charities. Thomas Stilwell, M. D, was born in Buffalo Valley, Union county, Pennsyl vania, five or six miles west of Lewisburg, in January, 1815. His father, Joseph Stilwell, for more than half a century an honored citizen of that county, died in 185 1, aged seventy - four years. His mother, Anna Stilwell, died eleven years later aged eighty-four years. While a child his parents removed to New Berlin, the county seat of Union county, where he continued to reside, with the exception of such time as he was absent at school, until he left to make the West his future home. After a full academic course at Milton, Pennsylvania, under the tuition of Rev. David Kirkpatrick, a distinguished teacher in that section of the State, and a brief course of selected studies at Lafayette college, Easton, Pennsylvania, he entered upon the study of medicine with Dr. Joseph R. Lotz, at New Berlin, and grad uated at Jefferson Medical College, Phila delphia, Pennsylvania, in March, 1839, and located the same year at Fremont. He was married to Miss Jerusha A. Boughton, of Canfield, Mahoning (then Trumbull) county, in 1842. Their chil dren, five in number, are: Charles B., who resides at Watertown, New York ; Thomas J., at St. Louis, Missouri; Charlotte E., married to John T. Lanman, at New London, Connecticut; Mary, married to W. T. Jordan, Louisville, Kentucky; and Anna M., at home with her parents. At the close of forty-one years of pro fessional life he still continues in the prac tice of medicine. Dr. Stilwell's place in the profession has always been with those in front. For the past two years he has Jbeen vice-president of the Sandusky County Medical Society, and for many years a member of the State Medical Society. He was among the first appointed pension examining surgeons (February, 1863), which position he held until he resigned in 1879. To his letter of resignatiori the Commissioner of Pen sions replied in very complimentary terms, expressing regret for its having been ten dered. He has recently been elected one of the censors of the medical depart ment of the Western Reserve University at Cleveland, having held the same posi tion in Charity Hospital Medical College, afterwards known as the Medical Depart ment of Wooster University. Dr. Stilwell has been a member of the Presbyterian church during the whole of his mature life, and has for many years been an elder. Dr. Stilwell, at our request, has fur nished the following account of some of the experiences of himself and Dr. Wil son connected with their practice: Drs. Wilson and Stilwell — who grew up together in close companionship in their Pennsylvania town, and were fellow-stu dents in Dr. Lotz's office, giaduating at the same college-— formed the purpose, while yet office students, to emigrate to the West together. Accordingly, on the 13th of June, 1839, in a two-horse covered carriage, purposely constructed with ample room for themselves and baggage, which included a small stock of books and in struments, they left their home for a West- em prospecting tour, with the design, if no location to their liking offered sooner, to go on to Illinois, at that day the " Far West." Travelling leisurely, they stopped long enough at each important town on HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 455 the way to ascertain what inducement it could offer two adventurous young men who were in the pursuit of bread and fame. Calling on their professional breth ren, both as a matter of courtesy and interest, the pleasure of their journey was much increased thereby. In this way they reached Lower Sandusky (Fremont). Spending a few days visiting friends — who a few years before, on coming West, settled in the neighborhood of Lower Sandusky — they continued on to Perrysburg and Maumee. Here they saw what had often been the exciting theme of their childhood — a tribe of Indians — the Ottawas, who were encamped on the flats opposite Mau mee, preparatory to. their being removed to their new hunting-grounds west of the Mississippi, assigned them by the Govern ment, Finding the roads impassable for their carriage the travellers returned to Lower Sandusky, and turned south. At Tiffin they met with Dr. Dresbach — of lasting reputation in that locality for his genial manner, and his ability as a physician and surgeon. Advised by him, they decided to remain at Lower Sandusky, to which they returned, and "put up" at Corbin's,. the Kessler House, of to-day, it being the 24th of July. A week subsequently oc curred the 2d of August, whereon the citizens of Sandusky and neighboring counties celebrated the anniversary of Croghan's victory by barbecuing an ox on the commons — now the court-house park, Eleutheros Cook, of Sandusky City, delivering an oration from the porch of the low frame, dwelling-house erected a few years before by Jacques Hulburd, standing in the middle of Fort Stephen son, and which, three or four years ago, was removed from the gounds when they became the property of the city and Birchard library by purchase. The breastworks of the fort were, at that day, still conspicuous, a few of the decayed palisades yet to be seen. Within a few days after their arrival both were taken sick with fever. Oc cupying beds at the hotel in the same out-of-the-way room, they were left pretty much to themselves, to acquire experience as patient, nurse, and doctor, all at the same time and at their leisure. A new settler had a good deal to learn about sickness, and but few lacked opportunities for acquiring knowledge by personal ex perience. A notable fact connected with the his tory of the hotel that season is remembered by living participant:, namely: That at one time, for a few days, not a woman re mained in the house, filled as it was with guests and boarders, of whom many were sick, except the landlord's wife, and she, too, down with the fever. The women help had all gone home sick. It was very hard to obtain others, A colored man — a steamboat cook — wfth man help for general housework, supplied their place. The sickness that season being very general all over the town and country, before either had so far recovered as to be able to do more than leave their room they were importuned to visit the sick and were compelled to comply long be- for they were fit for the service. They secured for an office a little one- story frame structure, which stood where Buckland's block now stands, at the cor ner of Front and State streets. It was an unpretentious building, belonging to Captain Morris Tyler. Their neighbors on the south were Morris & John Tyler, merchants, whose store occupied one-half of a low two-story frame house of very moderate dimensions, but for size and appearance one of the noted mercantile establishments of the town. To the north they were in close proximity to General R. P. Buckland's law office, of 456 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. about the same size as their own, and in no way superior to theirs, excepting it was a shade whiter from having probably had two coats of paint, while theirs had but one, and that one almost washed off by the northeasters which swept its front, unobstructed by three-story blocks on the opposite side of the street. And just here a digression may be par donable to relate how nearly this office, with that of General Buckland, came to be put out of sight, or left standing only in ruins — a testimonial of the patriotism that periodically continued to display itself upon these historic grounds. A cannon fired at the intersection of State and Front streets, on the occasion of a jollification in 1842 over the election of Wilson Shan non as Governor of Ohio, burst, sending its butt-end through the north side of General Buckland's office, and but for its wise discrimination in the interest of hu manity, it would have gone through the north side of the doctors' office as well. The "doctor's ride" in that day meant twelve or fifteen miles in all directions, and on horseback, mostly through woods on new cut-out roads, often paths for some part of the way. He found his patients in the scattered cabins in which the farmers of Sandusky county then lived. During the continuance of their part nership, and until Doctor Wilson's health became impaired by a severe attack of sickness by exposure, as noted in his per sonal biography on a preceding page, they so arranged their business that their at tendance upon patients was by alternate visits, making thus an equal division of the labor. He who went on the eastern round to-day would go on the western to morrow. The "sickly season" — meaning from about .the middle of July to the middle of October — was a phrase very familiar in those times, happily not applicable to this day, for the State may be challenged to name, within its bounds, a county health ier now than this same Sandusky. The change has been wrought partly by clear ing up the land, but mostly by construct ing ditches to carry of the water that over spread the surface. During the sickly season the pressure on their time was such as to enable them to make the round only once in two days. Oftentimes each passed over the other's route before they met in their office — not seeing each other for days — the necessary communications being made on a large slate kept in the office for that purpose. The story of the daily ride, extending far into the night, oftentimes with fog above and mud below, the weariness of body and limb, the loss of sleep, the bur den of thought — all this now sounds like exaggeration, but to them who underwent it all it is a well remembered and now wondered at reality. Their contemporary physicians were equally hard pressed. In the season of which this is written, in the cabins visited, which meant some times every cabin on the road travelled, it was very exceptional to find but one of a family sick. To find two, three and four was commonly the case. Not infre quently the whole family were patients, and this with no outside help, sometimes not procurable even in times of dire ne cessity. While extreme cases could not be given fairly, as the general experience, yet this class, after all, constituted a large propor tion of the whole. An enumeration would include cases of scanty house-room; ot lack of supplies ; of distance from neigh bors; of remoteness from physicians; of absence of help; of the number down in a family; of neglected ones; of work un done; of fields, such as they were, un prepared for seed. These, in their varied HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 457 forms, cofnposed a large list. In mak ing their rounds one day, he whose circuit included a cabin to be visited, which had recently been erected in a small clearing — a half acre or so — in a . dense woods south of where Hessville now stands, and reached by passing through David Beery's lane and then along a path, which led to the opening, found upon en tering the man of the house lying upon a bed in one corner of the room in a burn ing fever ; the woman in another part of the room sitting upon the edge of an ex temporized bed, with a face flushed with fever, and wild with excitement, leaning over a cradle in which lay their little child in spasms, it too having the fever. Quickly enquiring of the woman for the water- bucket, he was told it was empty, that their well had just been dug, and was un- walled and uncovered; the only way they had to get water was to climb down a ladder that stood in the well and dip it up, which neither had been able to do that day, and no one coming to the house, they had had no water. Procuring water from the well, he remained until the child was relieved of the spasms, when, having dispensed the medicines necessary, he departed, telling them to expect some one in soon, as the result of his effort to send somebody, if possible, from the first house he reached on his way. The fevers of the country had peculiar ities which for years have ceased to be observed, and which were conditions ex citing anxiety in the mind of the doctor as well in the friends of the sick. Intermittent fever, one of the forms very common, was sometimes with chills, sometimes* without, as now, and was manageable enough unless, as not unfre- quently was the case, it assumed a malignant type, known in the books as congestive chill, or pernicious intermit tent. With the best that could be done, 58 they were often fatal; many times for want of care at the critical period. But more marked was the condition which attended the latter stage of bilious remittent fever, the other form of miasmatic fever generally prevalent in the latter part summer and in the autumn ttionths. Whether it run a short or long course, whether of a high or low grade, it usually terminated with a sweat and extreme ex haustion. A "sinking spell," as it was commonly called, was frequently its dreaded sequence, and the danger to life at the time imminent. A failure on the part of the attendents then to keep up the circulation by rubbing the surface, by applying warmth to the extremities, by spreading plenty of cover over the bed, and by administering stimulants freely, with liberal doses of quinine — was sure to seal the fate of the patient. Many died in this way. A representa tive case occurred in a small frame house of two rooms, which stood on what was then open common, but now the corner of Croghan and Wood streets, occupied by a man and his family of the name of Tyler, strangers — no relatives of the Tyler family resident here. He was a stone-mason, and came to work on the court-house, the building of which had just been com menced. He and his wife were taken sick with the fever. No one could be found to take the constant charge of them. The neighbors, sparsely settled then in that part of the town, as they could be spared from home, went in, one now and another then, and did what they could, but withal the case was far from what their condition required. The fever of the husband yielded first — instructions having been left as to what was to be done when the crisis came, which during the day gave signs of its near approach. The doctors both having reached their office on their return from the country at the same time 45» HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. — about 12 o'clock at night — upon be ing informed that a messenger had just been down for them from the Tylers, went to the house to find the patient cold and pulseless — no appliances, no stimulants having been used as directed — and he died. They had the wife removed to a neighbor's house. When the crisis came to her — the breaking up of the fever in the manner described, — she had the neces sary care, and lived. And here it should be remarked that whatever allusions may have been made in this or any other sketch of years ago, to hardship suffered for want of help in times of sickness it was never refused, when it could be given. To the extent of their abilitv to give it, no neighbor ever withheld it. The brotherly spirit displayed at such times made itself proverbial, and could the deeds to which it prompted be written, they would form a grand chapter in the history of Sandusky county. Dr. John B. Rice was born in Lower Sandusky, June 23, 1832. He enjoyed such educational advantages as the village afforded during his boyhood. He entered the office of the Sandusky County Dem ocrat, and worked at the printing trade three years, after which he spent two years at school. He studied medicine, graduating at Ann Arbor in the spring of 185 7, and soon after associated himself with his father, Dr. Robert S. Rice, and made a beginning in practice. In 1859 he further prosecuted his medical studies at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, and Belle vue Hospital, New York. On returning home he resumed practice. On the break ing out of the rebellion he was appointed assistant surgeon of the Tenth Ohio Vol unteer Infantry, and served with his regi ment, under the gallant Colonel Lytle, in Virginia. November 25, 1861, he was promoted to surgeon, and assigned to the Seventy-second Ohio, and served with this regiment over three years in the im portant campaigns in which it took part. During the war Dr. Rice was on different occasions assigned to duty as surgeon-in- chief — of Lauman's and Tuttle's divisions of the Fifteenth Army Corps, and of the District of Memphis, when commanded by General Buckland. Dr. Rice was married, December 12, 1861, to Miss Sarah E, daughter of Dr. J. W. Willson, of Fremont. They have two children — Lizzie, born September 18, 1865, and Willie, born July 2, 1875. Since the close of the war Dr. Rice has been associated with his brother, Dr. Robert H. Rice. He has had a large surgical practice, and there are few capital operations in surgery that he has not per formed many times. His consultation practice extends to adjoining counties. He is a member of the Sandusky County and Ohio State medical societies. For several years he delivered courses of lec tures in the Charity Hospital Medical College, and medical department of the University of Wooster, at Cleveland. His topics were military surgery, obstetrics, etc. In July, 1880, Dr. Rice received, with out solicitation, the nomination for Con gress, by the Republican party of the Tenth District. The most gratifying in cident attending his election the following October, was the circumstance that he re ceived a majority of votes in Sandurky county, although the opposite political party is largely in the ascendency. He had, however, never engaged actively in politics, and does not expect to be again a candidate. Dr. Louis S. J. Gessner was born September 25, 1830, in Thun, Switzerland, and emigrated to America with his parents during childhood. He studied medicine with his father, and returning to Europe graduated in Heidelberg, in 1858. He HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 459 has practiced in Fremont since 1858. He served as assistant surgeon of the Thirty- seventh regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in Virginia, and as a contract surgeon at Brown hospital, Louisville, Kentucky, and hospital number two, Nashville, Tennessee. Dr. J. W. Failing is a native of Wayne county, New York, and was born in 1833. He was educated in the common schools of New York, and at an early age was employed in a drug store where he be came proficient in pharmacy. After six years experience handling and compound ing drugs, Mr. Failing began the study of medicine in Norwalk, Ohio. He graduat ed at the Cleveland Homeopathic college and came to Fremont to practice in 1854, being then but twenty-two years old. Dr. Failing was for many years well re ceived and had the foundation of a suc cessful professional career. A great many people felt self-interested regret when he became practically disabled for active practice. John M. Corey was born at Austin- town, Trumbull county, Ohio, January 21, 1837. He was reared on a farm and at tended the district school. He com pleted his preliminary course at Western Reserve seminary, at West Farmington, Trumbull county, passing through the junior year. He began to read medicine in Warren, in 1854, in the office of Daniel B. Woods. He attended medical lectures at the University of Pennsylvania, from which institution he received the de gree of M. D. in the spring of 1859. He entered the office of H. A. Ackey, in Warren, but remained there only three months. He came to Fremont in Decem ber, 1859, and began the practice of his profession here. When the Forty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized, in August, 1 86 1, Dr. Corey enlisted as hospital steward. In April, 1862, after passing an examination before a board of surgeons, he was assigned to the posi tion, of acting assistant surgeon in the United States army. After serving in several hospitals in the South, he returned to Fremont, in September, 1864. In the winter of 1864-65 he attended lectures at the Charity Hospital Medical College, at Cleveland. At the end of the course he was awarded the Salisbury prize (a gold medal), for the best examination and ob servations in physiology. He was also awarded, by G. C. Weber, as a prize for the best Latin prescription, Piper's Illustrat ed Treatise on Surgery. After completing this course he again entered the army service, being made assistant surgeon at Camp Chase, and afterwards at Cincin nati, and was finally appointed major-sur geon of volunteers, with headquarters at Sandusky. Dr. Corey was mustered out of the army service in September, 1865, and at once returned to Fremont. He was in uninterrupted practice from this time until 1873, when he attended a course of lec tures at Bellevue Medical College, New York, receiving from that institution, in 1874, the ad eundem degree of M. D.. Since that time he has been in reg ular practice in Fremont. Dr. Corey's practice is of a general character, but his liking is for surgery, which he has made a special study. Dr. Robert H. Rice was born in Lower Sandusky, December 20, 1837. In his boyhood he was for several years employed as a clerk in the store of O. L. Nims. He afterwards attended school at Oberlin college about two years, then be gan the study of medicine with his father and brother John ; attended medical lec tures at the Medical Department of the University of Michigan, and graduated from that institution in March, 1863. He then returned to Fremont and began the practice of medicine with his father, Dr. 460 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Robert S. Rice, Dr. John being at that time in the army. , May 14, 1865, he married Miss Cynthia J. Fry, a daughter of Henry Fry, of Ball ville township. They have three children; Henry C, born July 11, 1867; Anna, born November 30, 1869; and Ada, born May 6, 1874. Dr. Rice soon acquired a very extensive practice, which (associated with his brother Dr. John B. Rice,) he has ever since prosecuted with untiring zeal,and in which he has been eminently successful. In 1872-73 Dr. Rice spent a year in Europe, during which time he travelled extensively over the continent and Great Britain and Ireland, devoting some time in the medical schools of Paris and Ber. lin to the study of his profession. His knowledge of the German and French languages, which he acquired by his own efforts, and for which he has a great fond. ness, enabled him to derive unusual pleasure and advantage from his travels abroad. The Doctor has many excellent quali ties of head and heart, which peculiarly fit him for the practice of his profession being of a kind, sympathetic and generous nature, agreeable and affable in his man. ners, bestowing on all alike the same re spectful consideration, he has won a high place in the esteem of those with whom his professional relations have brought him in contact. He aided in the organi. zation of the Sandusky County Medical society, was chosen its secretary, and still holds that office. For some years past Dr. Rice has taken considerable interest in agricultural pur suits, having a large farm near Fremont which he has greatly improved. Few things at present afford him more pleas ure than regarding his growing stock and waving fields. Sardis B. Taylor, M. D., born in Fre mont, March 19, 1843, was educated in our public schools with the exception of nine months at Hudson, Ohio, Western Reserve College. He commenced the prac tice of medicine in 1864, at Fremont, Ohio. He served as volunteer assistant sur geon of the One Hundred and Sixty- ninth regiment Ohio National Guards, at Washington, "District of Columbia, summer of 1865. Graduated at Starling Medical College, Columbus, Ohio, Feb ruary 22, 1875. He is the oldest son of Austin B. Taylor, and is now in active practice. His standing as a physician has always been creditable. Dr. George E. Smith, born June 27, 1832, at Lyme, Huron county, Ohio, prepared for college at Lyme and Milan, and graduated from Western Reserve Col lege in 1855. He taught school in Tennes see from 1855 t0 J857; and as principal of Western Reserve Teachers' Seminary from 1857 to i860. Received the degree of A. M. from Western Reserve College in 1858. Attended medical lectures at Cleveland Medical College in the winter of 1858-59, and at Ann Arbor, Michigan, in the winter of 1859-60. Taught as princi pal of a boys' grammar school, at Circleville, Ohio, from September, i860, until the spring of 1862. Attended a course of lec tures at Ohio Medical College in the spring of 1862, and graduated with the degree of M. D., at the close of the ses sion. He was married to Sarah Brinkerhoff in September, 1862, and commenced the practice of medicine at Willoughby, Lake county, Ohio, in the fall of the same year. He was appointed assistant-sur geon of the Seventy-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, December 23, 1862, and joined the regiment January 14, 1863, at Ar kansas Post, Arkansas. Resigned on ac count of sickness, June 4, 1863. Went to Hillsdale, Michigan, July, 1863; was HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 461 surgeon of the post and to examine re cruits, from January, 1864, until April of the same year. Left Hillsdale in the spring of 1875, and came to Fremont, Ohio, where he has been engaged in the practice of medicine since that time. David H. Binkerhoff, M. D., was born December 5, 1823, in the township of Owasea, Cayuga cbunty, New York. In the year 1837 his father, Henry R Binkerhoff, removed to New Haven, Huron county, Ohio, and the son attended school at Aurora academy, New York, and at Au burn academy, in the same State, during the years 1839, 1840, iand 1841. He com menced the reading of medicine with Drs. Benschoter and Bevier, at Plymouth, Ohio, in the year 1843. During the years 1844, 1845, an<^ 1846 he contin ued the reading of medicine in the office of Dr. Thomas Johnson, at New Haven. He attended the medical department of the Willoughby University of Lake Erie, at Willoughby, Ohio, during the session of 1846-47, and again attended medical lec tures at the Cincinnati College of Medi cine and Surgery, at Cincinnati, graduating therefrom at the session of 1856-57". He entered the service of the United States in the year 1862 as assistant surgeon, and was promoted to surgeon-major in 1864. He served on the staff of General Scho field from the time of the capture of Atlanta, Georgia, until the close of the Rebellion. He was mustered out with his regiment, the One Hundred and Third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in 1865, at Ra leigh, North Carolina. He has been en gaged in the general practice of medicine and surgery since the year 1847, and for the past twelve years at Fremont, Ohio. He has a large practice. Dr. John W. Groat studied medicine in the office of Dr. Sampsell, of Elyria, and graduated at the Cincinnati Eclectic Medical College; he afterwards attended lectures at Cleveland Medical College. He began practice at Port Clinton, from which place he removed to Fremont in 1866. In 1877 he went to Illinois, and is now practicing in Aurora. Dr. Groat was possessed of remarkable mechanical abil ities. The attention he bestowed upon mechanical science somewhat impaired his usefulness as a practitioner. He is, how ever, a man of good mind and training. Dr. H. F. Baker, present editor and proprietor of the Bellevue Local News, practiced in this city from 1865 until 1868. He had previously been located in Fulton county, and removed from here to Belle vue. Dr. George Lee practiced in Fremont about three years, removing to Washing ton, District of Columbia, in 1880, where he is now in practice. He is a graduate of Western Reserve College, and of Lane Theological Seminary. He edited a paper for some time in Minneapolis, and then studied medicine and graduated at Cleve land Homeopathic Medical College in 1877. His first location was in Fremont. Dr. J. D. Bemis is a native of Lorain county, Ohio. At an early age he was re ceived into the office and family of his uncle, Dr. L. D. Griswold, of Elyria. While attending the public schools of the city, he devoted considerable time in his uncle's medical library. After about three years spent in this way, Dr. Griswold was appointed superintendent of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home, at Xenia. Mr. Bemus continued his residence in the family, and completed the full course of instruction of the schools of the Home. The study of medicine, as when at Elyria, consumed the odd hours of his time. In 187 1 Mr. Bemus was appointed bill-room messenger for the Ohio Senate by Lieutenant-Governor J. C. Lee, and served in that capacity two years. During the State Constitutional 462 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. convention of 1873-74 he served as first assistant sergeant-at-arms, having been ap pointed to that position by M. R. Waite, president of the convention, now chief justice of the United States. During the school year 1874-75 Mr. Bemus attended Baldwin University. In January, 1876, he resumed the study of medicine in the office of E. C. Perry, of Elyria. His win ters were spent in attendance upon lectures' and summers in the office at Elyria, unti February, 1879, when he graduated at Cincinnati. He opened an office in Fre mont in June, 1879, and now has a full and successful practice. Dr. W. Caldwell, son of Judge William Caldwell, of Ottawa county, a short sketch of whom will be found elsewhere, attended the public schools of his neighborhood and Oberlin College. During the winter of 1860-61 he attended medical lectures at Ann Arbor, and in 1861 enlisted as hos. pital steward in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. He was promoted to assistant surgeon in April, 1863, and mus tered out of service January 4, 1865 After the war he located in Michigan for the practice of his profession. He gradu ated from Cleveland Medical College in the class of 1869. During the winter of 1879-80 he took a special course in New York. In June, 1880, he located at Fre mont, where he has since been meeting with flattering success. Dr. C. B. White received his prelim inary education in West Virginia, in which State he also studied medicine. He at tended lectures at the Eclectic Medical College of Cincinnati, and was graduated from that institution in 1878. He had previously practiced several years in West Virginia and Ohio. He began practice in West Virginia in 1871. Dr. White located in Fremont in 1879. Dr. A. J. Hammer was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, June 1, 1853. He graduated at Pulte Medical College, of Cincinnati, in the class of 1880, and com menced practice at Fremont in September following. Dr. S. P. Ecki was born in Holmes county, Ohio, in 1854. After attending the common schools of his neighborhood he pursued a course in Northwestern col lege, Illinois. He studied medicine in Mansfield under J. C. Anderson, and at tended lectures at the New York Homeo pathic Medical college, from which insti tution he graduated in 1881. He selected Fremont as the field of his practice, and opened an office there in June. sandusky county medical society. As an auxiliary to the State Medical so ciety, the SanduskyCounty Medical socie ty was organized November 6, 1879, with the following members : James W. Wilson, Thomas Stilwell, Robert H. Rice, Lewis S. T. Gessner, Sardis B. Taylor, John B. Rice, John M. Corey, George E. Smith, M. Stamm, Gustavus A. Gessner. James W. Wilson was chosen president; Thomas Stilwell, vice-president; Robert H. Rice, secretary; L. S. T. Gessner, treasurer; and Sardis B. Taylor, librarian. The officers have been annually re-elected, and have served without change to the present time. Members have been added since the time of organization as follows: Cyrus E. Harnden, Clyde; John C. Tomson, Rol- lersville; R. S. Hittell, Gibsonburg; D. G. Hart, Gibsonburg; W. T. Gillette, Millersville; William C. Caldwell, Fre mont; A. D. Shipley, Helena; R. S. Ship ley, Lindsey; LaQ. Rawson, Fremont; George Lanterman, Bellevue, and U. B. Irwin, Gibsonburg. The membership of this society embraces physicians only of the regular school of practice. Meetings are held once a month, or oftener, at which there is a free interchange of expe riences and opinions. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 463 The society is accumulating a fine libra ry, and already has a valuable collection of books and periodicals, which are pro cured by annual subscriptions 6f the mem bers and by donations, Space in Birch ard library has been allotted to the soci ety where this collection is kept for the convenience of its members. CHAPTER XXVILI. FREMONT— IMPROVEMENTS. Building of the City Hall — Laying of the Corner-store — Birchard Library — City Parks— Fire Department- Street Pa'.ving. THE stranger is given a favorable im pression of this city's public spirit and enterprise while passing from the depot to the centre of business. He rides over a Medina paved street, thickly shaded on both sides by thrifty maples. He passes between a quiet park and large, substan tial public school buildings and a moment later is in presence of another park on which is located a very fine library building, and an elegant stone front three- story structure for public uses. An old cannon mounted in the centre of this park is a reminder of historic associations. Front street, the main business thorough fare, presents the appearance of activity and thrift. The good opinion formed is slightly marred, however, by the very noticeable absence of plate-glass store fronts. Commercial blocks are generally large and in other respects present a good appearance. But it is the mission of his tory not to comment on what is nor to suggest what ought to be, but only to nar rate what has been and to reproduce the story of the growth of what is. This chapter comprehends so many distinct topics that it is not convenient, nor would it be desirable to preserve any thing like chronological arrangement. The subject which naturally comes first to mind is public buildings. the city hall. It is rather a remarkable fact that prior to 1878 this city did not own a public hall. Union hall, Birchard hall, and Opera hall had all been open to the public for meet ings, entertainments, etc., but were and are controlled by individuals. The press ing need of a building for the accommoda tion of the fire department, city offi cers, and public meetings of a general character was long felt, but no ac tion looking towards the consumma tion of such an improvement was taken until in 1877, when the city purchased of its individual owners the square formerly included in the old fort. The terms of this purchase are given elsewhere. On June 7, 1877, the city council, consisting of Colonel William E. Haynes, W. B. Sheldon, C. R. McCulloch, James Park, jr., J. B. Dickinson, and A. Young; Mayor J. S. VanNess, and Clerk W. W. Stine, unanimously Resolved, That the city of Fremont build the first story of a city hall building, and that it be ready for the fire department as soon as practicable. 464 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. In accordance with their resolution work was immediately commenced and by September the foundation was ready for the corner-stone. The occasion of laying the corner-stone, September 14, 1877, was made the most memorable in the history of Fremont. In obedience to common custom, the ceremonies proper were under charge of the Masonic fraternity. The same day was appointed for the re union of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and a home visit of the esteemed colonel of that regiment, and President of the United States. Elaborate preparations had been made by the citizens for the ac commodation of distinguished guests and great crowds of people, who came from every direction. The day is well remem bered. A National salute roused people from their slumbers, and a cloudless sky gave promise of a perfect day. Morning light revealed a brilliancy and elaboration of decoration never before equalled in our history.. Flags fluttered in every di rection, and artistic banners bearing pa" triotic sentiments, added beauty to pro fusion. Most_ noticeable was a splendid arch thrown over Croghan street, with the inscription, "Welcome to the Twenty- third O. V. I.." On the keystone was painted Masonic symbols and over this was an immense gilt eagle, measur ing eight feet from tip to tip. To the right of this central arch was a repre sentation of a camp scene, and to the left Ohio's coat of arms. Over the en. trance at each corner of Fort Stephenson park was an arch, that at the southwest corner bearing the inscription, "Colonel Hayes, the Soldier and Statesman;" at the southeast corner, "Colonel Rosecrans; He Came at His Country's Call ;" at the northwest comer, "Colonel Scammon, Ever^at His Post;" at the northeast cor ner, "Colonel Comly: Honor to the Brave." At least twenty thousand people thronged the streets by ten o'clock, and many of the most distinguished men of the Nation participated in the ceremonies. Nine bands of music entertained the crowds, and the brilliant uniforms of Knights Templar added impressiveness to the day's scenes. Ten o'clock was the hour appointed for laying the corner-stone. Masons began to assemble at half-past eight, and at half-past nine the Grand Lodge of Ohio was in session in Brainard lodge-room. At the same time war veter ans and members of the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry were holding a reception in Birchard Hall, where, at 10 o'clock, President R B. Hayes, General Phil. Sheridan, Senator Stanley Matthews, General J. D. Cox, Secretary McCrary, and General E. P. Scammon arrived, and from there walked to the City Hall founda tions while the Masonic procession was parading the streets in the following order: Light Guard Band. Walbridge Light Guard. Masonic Commanderies. Erie of Sandusky. Shawnee of Lima. DeMolay of Tiffin. Grand Lodge of Ohio. Mayor and City Council. Other Guests. After marching through the principal streets they halted at the City Hall foun dations, where President Hayes, General Sheridan and a number of other distin guished men and a dense crowd of spec tators had already assembled. It was with difficulty that the marshals succeeded in forcing back the crowd to get sufficient standing-room for the Masons. Their efforts were watched by General Sheridan with a merry twinkle in his eye. Not only the adjacent streets and a large pile of bricks lying near, but the high bank along the park and even the roofs of build ings were crowded with eager spectators. The heavy corner-stone lay ready and in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 465 its foundation was the usual box of me mentoes. ThV corner-stone is inscribed as follows, on the east side: a. l. 5877, a. d. 1877. Sept. 14. G. A. WOODWARD, Grand Master of Masons of Ohio. J. C. JOHNSON, Architect. D. L. JUNE & SON, Builders. The following is the inscription on the north side: FORT STEPHENSON. 1813. Col. GEORGE CROGHAN. 1877. R. B. HAYES, President of the U. S. J. S. VANNESS, Mayor. CITY COUNCIL. C. R. McCulloch, J. W. Park, jr., Wm. E. Haynes, Wm. B. Sheldon, A. Young. J. B. Dickinson. The following articles are deposited in the corner-stone: Silver coins of 1877, programme of the day, copies of the Democratic Messenger, Fremont Journal, and Fremont Courier, School Report for 1877, photograph of Colonel Croghan, list of notables present, population of the city, list of churches and pastors, photograph of City Hall, picture of Fort Stephenson, copy of invi tation to promenade concert and pro gramme, copy of premium list of Sandusky County Agricultural Society for 1877. Time of the organization of the Ma sonic bodies of the city of Fremont, Ohio. Fort Stephenson Lodge, No. 225, Free and Accepted Masons. Brainard Lodge, No. 336, Free and Accepted Masons. Fremont Chapter, No. 54, Royal Arch Masons. Fremont Council, No. 64, Royal and Select Masters. Address of Isaac M. Keeler, delivered before Brainard Lodge, February 22, 1876. Masonic Calender City of Fremont, 1877. Masonic Circular of Invitations to Lodges. The city programme of the day, and report of the meetings held on Wednes day and Thursday. The ceremony was conducted by C. W. Woodward, of Cleveland, G. M. of Ohio, in accordance with the ritual of the order, assisted by A. T. Brinsmade, D. G. M.; R. E. Richards, D. G. S. W.; R. H. Rice, D. G. J. W.; O. Bale, P. M.; G. H. Bell, P. M.; C. Doncyson, P. M.; W. W. Ross, P. M.; O. E. Phillips, P. M.; J. C. John son, P. A.; Rev. G. W. Collier, D. G. C; I. M. Keeler, D. G. T.; W. H. Andrews, D. G. S.; S. P. Meng, D. G. S. W.; E. S. Thomas, D. G. J. W.; J. F. Heffner, D. G. S.; W. G. Hafford, D. G. S.; T. F. Heffner, D. G. T. There was no speech -making, but at the close of the ceremony President Hayes mounted the stone and said: Ladies, gentlemen, and fellow-citizens: For the purposes of the city of Fremont we erect here on this ground made illustrious by the victory of Col onel Croghan in his gallant combat with the British, a City Hall. The corner-stone has now been laid. The ceremonies in connection with it are now ended and I am requested to announce that the further public exercises of the day will take place immedi ately after dinner, at the park in front of the court house. At the close of Hayes' announcement loud calls were made for Sheridan, but he quietly slipped away without making any public response. The ladies of Fremont distinguished themselves on this occasion by spreading a magnificent dinner. We append the Journal's comments: The members of the regiment then proceeded to Opera Hall, where they partook of an elegant din ner provided for them by the ladies of Fremont. The hall was grandly and tastefully decorated, and the long tables were loaded with the very best the season afforded, and which the skill, and the pains, and the money of the citizens of Fremont 466 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY could procure, and the whole was arranged in such excellent taste that it looked like a banquet good enough for a feast of the gods. Upon the wall on the left hung a large portrait of President Hayes in the centre of a waving scroll in scribed "Union Forever," and immediately below, in one grand group, were the names of all the States of the Union, each on a separate shield, the whole creating an impression at once pleasing and gratify ing to the friends of the President. At the further end of the hall, in addition to the fine landscape painting in the centre, there was on either side, in beautiful lettering, a list of the battles fought by the Twenty-third and associated regiments. Among them were the following: Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, Kearnstown, Cloyd Mountain, Clark's Hollow, Lynchburg, Opequan, Antietam, South Mountain and Giles' Court House. The proceedings of the afternoon were devoted exclusively to the veterans. The occasion was the subject of so much newspaper comment at the time, and the unreserved efforts of our citizens resulted in such triumphant success, that a partial record of the day deserves a place in this volume. At i o'clock p. m. the Twenty-third regiment, preceded by the Light Guard band, of Toledo, were conducted to the city park by the committee of arrange ments, the mayor and city council, fol lowed by other bands and a vast concourse of people. President Hayes marched with them. In the line behind him was led his old war-horse, twenty-seven years of age, and enjoying the so well- earned ease and rest on the farm of his former rider. The speaker's stand was tastefully dec orated, and not far from it stood a beauti ful evergreen monument surmounted by a cross, in honor of the gallant dead. The platform was soon reached and filled. General Sheridan escorted Mrs. Hayes, and that lady was assigned a prominent position. It is seldom that so many men whose names are familiar to the people are gath ered upon one platform as were to be seen on the speakers' stand: President and Mrs. Hayes, Secretary McCrary and wife, Chief Justice Waite, General Phil Sheridan, General "w. S. Rosecrans, General J. D. Cox, General S. S. Carroll, General J. H. Duvall, Generals F. H. Devol, Scammon, Baraett, Ken nedy, Swayne, Buckland, and Gibson, Senator Matthews and Major McKinley. The public square was soon packed full by a dense crowd of spectators, and thou sands were unable to get within hearing distance. It is estimated that about fif teen thousand were present in and around the square during the afternoon exercises, and the crowds down town did not seem sensibly diminished. As soon as the Twenty-third regiment, the several bands, speakers and others were as comfortably seated as the circum stances would permit, and the crowd had partly quieted, General R. P. Buckland came forward and said: Ladies and Gentlemen : — You will now please come to order. The exercises of the afternoon will commence by the introduction of Chaplain Collier, to whom you will listen for a few moments. Chaplain Collier then stepped forward and said: It seems to me that these exercises could be com menced appropriately by taking off our hats, rising, and joining in singing: "Praise God from whom all blessings flow, Praise Him all creatures here below, Praise Him above ye Heavenly Host, Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost." Let every one that can sing, sing this song of praise to the giver of all good. The vast multitude then stood and sang those solemn words with more than usual interest, after which they were led in prayer by Chaplain Collier. After prayer General Buckland intro duced Hon. Homer Everett, who deliv ered the welcoming address on behalf of the home committee of arrangements. The orator of the day was Hon. William I McKinley, whose polished address was HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 467 highly eulogized by the daily press of the State. We now come back to the City Hall building. The first story was completed at an expense of two thousand eight hun dred dollars, and paid for from receipts from rents, and without special taxation. Under authority of a special legislative enactment, the council resolved to submit to a vote of the people the proposition of issuing bonds to the amount of twelve thousand dollars, bearing seven per cent. interest, for the purpose of completing the building. The vote was taken on the 18th of March, 1878, and almost unanimously carried, and the bonds issued accordingly. The following were the municipal of ficers under whose management the build ing was brought to completion : Council — William E. Haynes, James Kridler, S. P. Meng, James Park, jr., D.. Reinick, William B. Sheldon, J. P. Thompson, and C. N. West; J. S. Van Ness, mayor; Wil liam Kridler, jr., clerk; M. D. Baldwin, solicitor; J. W. Moore, marshal; J. S. Rawson, engineer; E. Underhill, chief of fire department ; and J. C. Johnson, arch itect. The building was completed in Febru ary, 1879, and dedicated on the 21st of that month to the use of the public. The occasion was one of general enjoyment. The fire company had charge of the cere monies, and Chief Underhill presided at the dedicatory meeting. Professor W. W, Ross delivered an address, and Hon. Homer Everett recited the growth of the fire department. Professor Ross, in his address, said : The total cost of the building, including steam heating apparatus and furniture, is fourteen thousand one hundred and seventy-eight dollars, and inclusive of the city stables adjoining, about sixteen thousand dollars, the bonded indebtedness incurred being twelve thousand dollars. No one, I think, who sur veys this structure can question that every dollar of this money has been judiciously and economically expended, that for the cost we have an admirable City Hall building. There is another occasion for congratulatory pride, in that the architect who con ceived and designed it is one of our own citizens, with a reputation, however, fast becoming State and general. To him our thanks are due for the tasteful conception and successful completion of his design. I ought, however, in justice to him, to say that his ideal was necessarily qualified by the expenditure it was thought wisdom to ask at the hands of the peo ple. For the first time in the history of our city we have a city hall, with good acoustic properties, com modious and attractive, and whose free use is guar anteed to our citizens on all appropriate occasions, for meetings, lectures, festivals, and entertainments under the auspices of home organizations. For years our city officials and our fire department have been without suitable accommodations. Hereafter they will be occupants of the most beautiful structure in our city. The uses to which this building this evening is dedicated are among the most vital to the interests of our city, both moral and material. The City Hall building is to the city what the Capitol building is to the State and the Nation. We have in our country three forms of government, National, State, and municipal, all of them possessed to some extent of legislative, executive, and judicial powers. The vast growth of American cities occasioned >jy the influx of population both from the country and foreign lands, is rapidly throwing upon our city governments a re sponsibility even greater and more delicate than that devolving upon the State government itself. The first floor of the building is used by the fire department and for a city prison. On the second floor are offices for the city clerk, mayor, city engineer, city solicitor, and a council chamber. The third story is a commodious, well seated hall, for pub lic meetings, entertainments, etc. The front is of Amherst stone, tastefully orna mented. This building excels in architec tural beauty any other structure in the city. birchard library.* Birchard Library derives its name from the late Sardis Birchard, of Fremont, who was its founder. Early in the year 1873 Mr. Birchard indicated to several citizens that he was about to set apart, in property and money, the sum of fifty thousand dollars for the purpose of establishing a free library for the benefit of the city of *By E. Bushnell, D. D. 468 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY Fremont and the county of Sandusky. He designated the following gentlemen to act as a board of trustees, viz : The Hon. R. B. Hayes, L. L. D., General R. P. Buckland, L. Q. Rawson, M.D., Rev. E. Bushnell, D.D., James W. Wilson, M. D., Col. William E. Haynes, Thomas Stilwell, M.D., Hon. E. F. Dickinson, ex-officio, being mayor of the city of Fremont, and William W. Ross, A. M., ex-officio, being superintendent of the public schools of Fremont. These gentlemen held their first meet ing at the office of the mayor on the evening of July, 1873. At this meeting measures were taken to secure a fitting room in which to open a library, to pro cure a suitable librarian, and to effect a corporate organization. February 13, 1874, the board of trus tees met, and adopted articles of associa tion, forming themselves into a literary and benevolent association under the name and style of "The Birchard Library." All the trustees affixed their names and seals to the articles, and ex-Governor R. B. Hayes was elected president; Dr. J. W. Wilson, treasurer, and W. W. Ross, secretary. By the articles of association, and ac cording to the wish of Mr. Birchard, the mayor of Fremont and the superintendent of public schools of the same are ex- officio trustees of the library. Any va cancy which may occur among the other trustees, is to be filled by appointment of the Court of Common Pleas of Sandusky county. Or, if the court shall fail to ap point, a majority of the trustees present at a regular meeting may do so. Birchard Hall was selected as a fitting place to locate the library for the pres ent. Jessie E. McCulloch was chosen librarian, and Governor Hayes, Rev. Dr. Bushnell and W. W. Ross were appointed a committee to select and purchase books. Mr. Birchard having deceased in Jan uary, 1874, his executors at sundry times transferred money and property to the possession of the treasurer of the board to the amount of the bequest. The library was opened June 2, 1874, with one thousand six hundred and eighty-three volumes. By June 2, 1875, there were four thousand two hundred and five vol umes. In order to secure a permanent site for a library building, and also to aid the city of Fremont in securing the historic site of Fort Stephenson as a park, the library board paid nine thousand dollars towards the purchase of the square now occupied by the Library Building and the City Hall, and known as Fort Stephenson Park. The board became part owners of the same, and have erected their building on a portion mutually agreed upon. In January, 1878, a communication was received from the president of the board (at that time President of the United, States), suggesting the propriety of erect ing a library building during the ensuing summer. After full consideration of the matter at several meetings, on the 14th of April, 1878, a building committee was appointed, consisting of E. Bushnell, R. P. Buckland and William E. Haynes. Under their direction the building was erected during the summer and autumn, at a cost of six thousand three hundred and sixty-nine dollars and thirty-one cents. Early in the year 1879 t^e library was re moved from Birchard Hall to the new building. The building is provided with a spa cious gallery, which is used as a museum, and now contains many.articles of interest secured through the kindness of ex-Presi dent. Hayes, Hon. Mahlon Chance, Rev. A. Phelps, of Painesville, Mrs. Judge Ferris, of Washington, District of Colum bia, and others. Room is devoted to HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 46.9 such articles as may belong to the Pioneer Association of Sandusky county. To the present writing (October, 1881) no changes have taken place in the board of directors, except such as have resulted from changes in the mayoralty of the city. The position has been occupied by J. S. Van Ness, Charles H. Bell and E. Lou densleger. The librarians have been Jes sie E. McCulloch, Miss F. G. McCulloch, and Mrs. Hattie Ross, the present in cumbent (October, 1881). The number of books in the library in June, 1880, including public documents, was six thousand and seventy-five. The number drawn during the year preceding June 1, 1880, was sixteen thousand four hundred and eighty-five. The whole square of Fort Stephenson Park is in process of improvement under the direction of the city's board of park commissioners. The library building is heated by steam conveyed through under ground pipes from the boiler of the city Hall building. The financial condition of the library is such that current expenses can hereafter be met, and additions of from three to five hundred volumes can be annually made. CITY PARKS. Towns, like individuals, during the pe riod of early growth, should prepare for the contingencies of full maturity. Vil lages, surrounded by or rather scattered over spacious commons, do not need places of outdoor resort and amusement. But far different is it with a city whose in habitants are compelled to spend the day in close rooms or dusty shops. It is highly important that for such attractive resorts should be provided where an occa sional hour can be spent in health-giving exercise and the indulgence of aesthetic appetite. Fort Stephenson, the most finely situa ted and most interesting of Fremont's four parks, occupies the ground included in the old stockade. The history of its purchase has been given in a previous chapter. The site is naturally elevated, and the im provement of surrounding streets has made it necessary to construct an abutting wall on all four sides. This improvement was completed in 188 1 at a large outlay of money. Thelibrary building stands near the western side, the city hall at the northeast corner, and heavy stone stairways at each of the other corners leading to circling walks. [n the centre stands mounted "Old Bess," an enduring monument of an heroic day. This old cannon has often spoken What bloody carnage then befell The foes of great Ohio. She was returned to Fremont in 1852, through the efforts of B. J. Bartlett. At the 2d of August celebration of that year a local poet apostrophised as follows : Perhaps like Hamlet's ghost you've come This day, to celebrate the fame Of Croghan's honored, worthy name — The hero of Ohio. Court-House Park occupies the square opposite the court-house. This space was set apart for a park mainly by Piatt Brush, and is so recorded in the Brush addition to the town of Lower Sandusky, made in 1840. Two small or fractional lots have since been added to the original reservation, making the park co-extensive with the square. The tract is enclosed by a substantial fence, and is well shaded by thrifty maples. A band stand and speak ers' stand for public meetings have been placed near the centre. Two other parks are the gifts of Sardis Birchard. One is a small three-cornered tract at the corner of Buckland and Birchard avenues, and named Dia mond Park. The other is an important addition to the public property of the city. The tract is large enough for any public gathering, and is highly favored 470 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. in respect to topography. It is well shaded by native forest trees, and already possesses many of the elements of an at tractive, quiet resort. Its location is in the extreme western part of the city, far removed from the annoying bustle of busi ness, but within easy walking distance from any of the upper avenues. These parks are annually growing in value as the city grows up around them. All except one have been donations of liberal spirited citizens for the public good. The other was fortunately purchased at a low sum, considering its commanding loca tion and proximity to the business centre of the city. STREETS AND STREET IMPROVEMENTS. The city in general is laid out in squares, with streets of convenient width. It was, of course, impossible to adhere to rigid regularity in this particular, on account of the turnpike angling through the center in one direction, and the river in another. Few of the streets are numbered. Nearly all bear historic names. The names of the two chief commanders on Fort Ste phenson day are perpetuated in the names of the streets passing the two points of at tack, Croghan on the north and Garrison on the south. The most beautiful avenue leading westward bears the name of a man who spent fifty years of his life here, and who proved his town love by bequeathing to the city's interests, and for the use of her citizens, more than seventy thousand dollars' worth of property. One of the branches of Birchard avenue is Buckland avenue, named in honor of a man yet liv ing, the story of whose life is told else where. On the opposite side of the city are Justice street and Rawson avenue. Many other streets and avenues are named in honor of historical characters or honored citizens. Nothing gives a town so much freshness and beauty as well shaded streets. A fer tile soil has contributed to the rapid growth of trees in all parts of the city. Almost every street and avenue is fringed with an unbroken line of maples on both sides. Much credit is due in this connection to General R. P. Buckland, who set a worthy example and followed it with influential precept. Croghan street is travelled more by heavy vehicles than any other highway in the city. It was found necessary, a few years ago, to substitute for ordinary lime stone macadamizing more substantial pav ing material. In 1 874 the council resolved to pave this street with Medina (New York) stone, and provide for effectual sewerage. The paving was completed at a cost of twenty-four thousand dollars. FIRE DEPARTMENT.* The first effort in this direction was an ordinance passed by the town council May 12, 1843, when R. P. Buckland was mayor, and David E. Field recorder. It was en titled "An ordinance relating to fire buck ets." By this ordinance owners and occu pants were required to procure for each house a leather bucket, holding not less than two and a half gallons; and to keep it at or near the front door of the house, for the use of the inhabitants in case of fire, and to be used for no other purpose. The initials of the owner's name were re quired to be painted on the outside of the bucket, in plain letters. This ordinance was promptly obeyed, and for a time these black leather buckets formed a conspicu ous appendage to every house. March 13, 1844, under the administra tion of the same mayor and recorder, an ordinance was passed "To organize the fire department;" that is, a hook and lad der company. On the 26th of the same month, the same mayor, recorder, and trustees ap- * Written by Hon. Homer Everett. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 47i pointed Stephen C. Smith chief engineer, Robert Caldwell first assistant, Michael Huffman second assistant. Under this ordinance a hook and ladder company was organized, which did service until 1853, a period of about ten years. An engine to be worked by hand was contracted for in January, 185 1, and on the 3d of March, 1853, an ordinance was passed to organize engine company num ber one, and hook and ladder company number one. The old organization gave place to the new. During the time of this purchase and the organization of these companies, Brice J. Bartlett was mayor, and T. P. Finefrock was recorder of the village, and Mayor Bartlett was zealous and efficient . in bringing about the organization. After the great fire of 1835 in New York, premiums were offered by insurance com panies for plans of steam fire engines. In 1 84 1 one was built from plans by Mr. Hodges, but it was too heavy and was final ly abandoned. The honor of a successful invention was reserved (as many other great affairs are) for an Ohio man. Early in 1853, and probably about the time we purchased our hand engine, A. B. Latta, of Cincinnati, introduced his steam fire engine into successful operation in the Queen City. July 5, 1865, the city council, namely, A. J. Harris, George Williams, Oscar Ball, Charles Thompson, and Frederick Fabing; D. W. Krebs, recorder; H. Everett, mayor, passed an ordinance authorizing F. I. Norton to buy a steam fire engine, subject to the approval of the council. This movement resulted in the purchase of the steamer which was named McPher son, and a quantity of hose which was de livered, tested, and accepted about the ist of October following. The cost of engine and hose amounted to about six thousand dollars. This engine was almost destroyed when the engine house burned, but was repaired or made over and is now in ser vice. January 6, 1874, the city council bought what is now known as steam fire engine number one, manufactured by Clapp & Jones, for four thousand dollars. The council, at this time, consisted of Jacob Bauman, Fred Fabing, George Greiner, James Kridler, Joseph Stuber, and F. J. Geibel ; E. F. Dickinson, mayor. The hand engine has for several years been on the east side of the river. Until 1870 each engine was managed by a separate company, and all were volunteers. In the year 1870 the department was reorganized and all the engines and com panies were placed in the charge of a chief engineer, E. H. Underhill, who has since remained in charge, except a short time when Peter Stine was chief, and an other when Captain M. E. Tyler was chief engineer. In 1872 the east side company was merged. It consisted of about thirty men who had been paid one dollar and a-half each, for every fire they attended. The present organization consists of twenty men, including officers — one chief, and one first, and one second assistant chief. The men are paid five dollars per month, and the chief one hundred dollars a year. The total cost to the city for maintain ing the fire department now, after deduct ing earnings of the horses at outside ser vice, is about one thousand five hundred dollars a year. The steam engines are kept together, well stored and cared for in the basement of the City Hall building. Insurance agents and firemen from abroad say this is the cheapest and most efficient organization in the State. These excellencies are largely to be accredited to 472 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the tact, steadiness, and energy of the present worthy chief, E. H. Underhill. This brief outline enables us at once to see the progress made in means to resist the destroying element, and pre vent the destruction of life and property. We have progressed from the leather bucket to the steam fire engine in thirty- five years. Though we may be so for tunate as to have no fires, still it will be wise to maintain the organization, for no one can tell how soon it may be needed. Again, the expense is fully compensated in easier and cheaper insurance on our property, resulting from our ability to cope with fire if it does occur. The duties of a fireman are akin to those of the soldier. He encounters privation, hard labor, and danger, for the benefit of others for little pay. His service is in a degree patriotic, arid he seeks his reward in the sense of doing good and hoping to be honored by those he serves. The foregoing is a brief history of the fire department as it stood in 1879. On the 25th day of October, 1881, we find many improvements and additions which greatly facilitate the working of the de partment, and improve its promptness on call. There are now two steam fire en gines in the town, one manufactured by Clapp & Jones, and the other made by Button & Son. Two thousand feet of hose are constantly kept dry and in good order. Four hose carts are always ready, as is also a fine hook and ladder truck, well furnished with excellent extension ladders. There are four sets of swinging harness, so arranged and hung on each side of the tongue of the carriages and engines to be moved, that when the horse takes his place the harness drops upon him, and he is buckled in and hitched in a moment. The steam fire engines are constantly, day and night, kept heated with steam up to a pressure of from five to ten pounds to the square inch. There is no hose-tower in which to dry the hose of this depart ment, and for a long time, especially in winter and rainy weather, much difficulty was encountered in keeping the hose in order and preserving the sections ready at all times for use. Dr. Charles F. Reiff, the present effi cient chief of the department, has obviated the difficulty in drying and preserving the hose by an ingenious invention of his own. The apparatus consists of a small boiler, which generates steam, heats an air cham ber, and forces the hot air through the hose when it is screwed on to an attach ment tube the size of the hose. With this contrivance, the hose are kept in good order, and are well preserved, ready for use at all times. The same chief has in vented an ingenious method of kindling fire under the boiler the moment it moves, without the aid of a hand to look after it. This is done by two small vials of chem icals inserted in an auger-hole in a block of wood and placed under the kindling and coal. The vials are surrounded by a cord, which is attached to a chain fastened to the floor by a staple or rivet in the rear of the steamer. The moment the steamer is moved forward the cord breaks the vials, and a powerful combustion is caused by the mingling of the chemicals within them, and the fire is strongly burning in an instant. These inventions, with many conveniences introduced by Chief Reiff, have greatly improved the fire department of Fremont. The department now keeps and uses four black horses, which are well kept in a room adjoining that in which the engines are stored, and always ready. At the present time the force of men engaged in the fire department of the city, and their pay, is as follows: Charles F. Rieff, chief of department, salary one hun- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 473 deed dollars per year; A. M. June, en gineer, salary one hundred dollars per year; John Fend (who is also assistant chief), William Lang (stoker), George Fend, Robert F. Hidber, Frank Myers, George Grable, Stephen Cook, Ed Sfihwartz, Charles Miller, John Donaho, William Burgess, Charles Bump, and Philip Dutt, the whole force consisting of seventeen men. These minute-men are paid one dollar and fifty cents for each fire they attend, and thus far have proved prompt and efficient under the- present or ganization. The alarm bell over the city hall is- sw arranged that it can. be rung, by cords; on both the inside and outside of the. engine- room. The engine-room has also connec tion, by telephone with every part of the city. These, with a published and posted signal for alarms, enables the people, and the department to act with great prompt ness and efficiency whenever the devour ing element makes its appearance. CHAPTER XXIX. FREMONT— PUBLIC SCHOOLS.* Village Schools and Teachers — Gr.ided Schools and School Officers. THE first school-house in Fremont was erected about the year 1816, on the site- of the present High School building, a few rods west of Fort Stephenson (then standing) and within three years after the heroic defence of that fort by Colonel Croghan. It was constructed of rough, unhewn logs, cut from the surrounding trees and hastily put together by the joint efforts of the early settlers. Oiled paper took the place of glass in the windows, and the seats were of the most primitive construc tion. It was replaced in 1817 by a more substantial structure, erected on the same site, fronting east, and built of hewn logs, with some such improvements as glass windows, a row of desks around the walls, and a blazing fire-place at the eastern ex tremity, * Cantaitauted to the Centennial. Educational Vol ume published by the State authorities. TEACHERS.* In recording the names of such of the early teachers of our common schools as we have been able to find, we may men tion Mr. Jocelyn, Dr. Gooding, Miss Bee- be, Mr. Bradley, Dr. Brainard, and Ezra and Justus Williams; but we cannot name them in regular order from 1819 to 1828, except E. B. Johnson and Mr. Simms, who taught in 1824 and 1825. During the winter of 1818-19 a select school was taught by Mrs. Lysander C. Ball, in one of the rooms of old Fort Stephenson, and she says that one of her pupils was an Indian boy, whose capacity- for learning was quite equal to that of- her brightest scholars, and he was so con sidered by the rest, and respected accord*- ingly. Mrs. Ball was born February 15, 1800, and is still living (1881) in her * What is said under this head is the contribution of. Dr. Thomas M-cCune, 474 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. old home near Fremont; a well-preserved old lady, cheerful, kind-hearted, and highly respected by the whole community. Samuel Crowell, from Virginia, was en gaged in the common schools in 1828 and 1829; he was a fine teacher and a very worthy man. He was afterwards twice elected sheriff of Sandusky county. Edson Goit came next, who taught in 1830 and 1 831; he then studied law, was admitted to the Bar in 1833, and.died at Bowling Green in 1879. He was a man of superior ability and leaves an honorable record. Wilson M. Stark was engaged in teach ing from 1836 to 1839 inclusive; he was then appointed postmaster, and after wards elected county treasurer for four years, and then county superintendent of schools; he was highly respected as a fine scholar and teacher, a thorough business man, a gentleman of strict integrity, and thoroughly qualified for every position he was called to fill; he died, in 1864, honored and loved by all. Horace E. Clark, after teaching a number of years, was elected county sur veyor seven years, and county auditor four years ; he died at Lower Sandusky, and is remembered as a very worthy citizen. One of the most prominent and effi cient pioneer teachers of Sandusky county was John W. Case, who came to Lower Sandusky about the year 1834, and served the people as teacher for about ten years with eminent success, and he has always stood so high in the estimation of this community, as a scholar, teacher, and Christian gentleman, that we feel assured our readers will justify us in present ing to them an epitome of his history, which we we clip from a report of the proceedings of the Muskingum Methodist Protestant conference in 1877. The committee on obituaries reported touching the life and death of Rev. John W. Case as follows : Whereas, Death has visited our conference during • the past year and removed from our midst one of our pioneers, as well as a revered father of the church; and Whereas, We believe that the name and services of such a minister of Christ should not be forgotten, therefore, Resolved, That we, as a conference, join in record ing the following facts in regard to the deceased : Rev. John W. Case was born in October, 1808, in Orange county, New York. He was converted and united with the Baptist church in his sixteenth year. He was married in August, 1829, to Miss Rachel M. Bylia of New York city. He taught school in Georgia, New York city, Rochester, Adams' Basin, and Lower Sandusky. When he moved to Ohio, he united with the Methodist Protestant church. In r839 he was licensed to preach; and in 184.T he was admitted into the itineracy. He preached and labored on the following circuits and stations: Bellevue, Bucyrus, Coshocton, Pleasant Hill, Steubenville, Vienna, Mount Pleasant, Belmont, Zanesville, Penns- ville, Wellsville, Cambridge, Pisgah, Otsego, Hunt ingdon, Richwood, and Lewistown. On all these fields of labor Brother Case was highly esteemed, and he still lives in the memories and hearts of these people. His dear companion was a true wife, a lov ing mother, and a sympathizing co-laborer; she died August 24, 1874, in great peace. He was again married to Mrs. Mary Conning, of York, Medina county, Ohio, June, 1876, with whom he lived in harmony until March, 1877, the day of his death. He was buried at Hartwood, Tuscarawas county, by the side of his first wife. Thus rests a veteran of the cross. To which we append the following poetic address delivered by Dr. Thomas McCune, of Fremont, Ohio, at the re union of the John W. Case association held at the court-house during the annual pioneer meeting, September 6, 1881. REMINISCENCES OF LOWER SANDUSKY. Dear schoolmates, do I dream once more, Or am I as in the days of yore, Again in Lower Sandusky? It's now past forty years, you know, Since 'round these streets we used to go With youthful feelings all aglow, In that old Lower Sandusky. Those times were grand, those girls and boys Were happy in their youthful joys, In good old Lower Sandusky. Our minds were free fromanxious care, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 475 Our sports and pastimes all might share, Miss Sylvia Roberts, Shannon Jim, And roguish mischief was not rare, The boys and girls respected him; In.that old Lower Sandusky. And Mary Hafford, neat and trim, That old brick school-house where we met All there in Lower Sandusky. Is sacred in our memories yet, Miss Hannah Bates and Delia Ann, In good old Lower Sandusky. Nett Shepardson and Hafford Sam, The log, and stone-house on the hill, Were there in Lower Sandusky; Come back in memory sacred still Orland Smith and Thomas Nyce, To all our hearts with vivid thrill, With Eveline and William Rice, From that old Lower Sandusky. With other girls and boys as nice, There we were wont from day to day Were here in Lower Sandusky. To con our lessons, laugh and play, Almira Hafford, Frances Case In that old Lower Sandusky; Were often foremost in the race And when at last our school was out To spell in Lower Sandusky; We bounded homeward with a shout, But Charles B. Tyler, Herbster Bill, And people knew we were about Would manage with consummate skill That good old Lower Sandusky. To come out best and beat them still, John W. Case, upon the hill, In jolly old Sandusky. Our youthful memories tried to fill Lodusky Everett, now on high, In that old Lower Sandusky, Maria Bell, above the sky, With Webster, Daboll, Kirkham's rules, Look back to Lower Sandusky. To wisely shun the fate of fools, Miss Nancy Tracy, Ami, too, And learnthe truths then taught in schools, Who sealed their friendship firm and true, In good old Lower Sandusky. With love of deep indellible hue, Down there in Lower Sandusky, A generation's passed away, Since we were happy in our play Nor is this list complete at all In that old Lower Sandusky; Without Thad and Alvira Ball, But we are spared to meet once more, In good old Lower Sandusky; And greet each other as before, Dick Beaugrand and Orland C. , E're we go hence forever more, Belle Nyce and Sweet Alvira P., From dear old Lower Sandusky. With Betsey Maynard, full of glee, Then let us now recall once more, In that old Lower Sandusky. The names and friends we knew of yore Lucinda Cowden, Hawkins Jane, In that old Lower Sandusky, Beery and Moore, of Hessville fame, Miranda, Orrin, Joe and Sam', Not far from Lower Sandusky; Miss Emily Hunt and Sally Ann, Clarissa Meeker, John McNafh, And Casper Smith, the furniture man , Ann Olmsted, often full of laugh, AH lived in Lower Sandusky. Is now on Governor Foster's staff, Miss Nancy Justice, Minerva, too, Short distance from Sandusky. With Chauncey Roberts, a jolly crew, Our much-respected Homer E. Lived then in Lower Sandusky. Still honors this society, Miss Sarah Bell and Williams Joe, That comes from Lower Sandusky. With Mary Case and Catharine O. , Jim Hadley, seldom out of tune, And Kridler Jim, now white as snow, Miss Harrington, and Tom McCune Belonged to Lower Sandusky. Who got the mitten one night in June George Momenne and Tristam Hull, In naughty old Sandusky. With Capper Tom, of mischief full, Almira Brainard, Charley Bell, In that old Lower Sandusky. And more my memory could tell, George Loveland, always on the wing, Who lived in Lower Sandusky, Ed. Hawkins, of the genuine ring, But time forbids; I must be brief, And Leppelman the jewelry king, For fear I bring you all to grief, All boys of Lower Sandusky. And sleepshould come to your relief, Pierre Beaugrand and Betsey Brainard; To dream of Lower Sandusky. Nancy, too, and Washington Maynard, How many things we think of yet, Were here in Lower Sandusky; Those spelling schools we can't forget. 476 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. In good old Lower Sandusky; For, after we'd spelled down, you know, The girls were glad to take a beau, And walk -with only two in a row, Down there in Lower Sandusky. And this suggests more winter sports, According to our old reports, In good old Lower Sandusky. The sleigh ride with its jolly -whoa! The laugh and light fantastic toe, Till near the morning home we'd go, To jolly old Sandusky. And by the way, we'd sing our song, And never -thought the road too-long, To jolly old Sandusky. And as we went they'd hear us sing, Until we made the welkin ring, For we were happy as a king, Sleighing to Lower Sandusky. But joys of youth with us are pass'd, Fot youttlful pleasures could not last In that old Lower Sandusky ; But we will not begrudge them to Our children, and their children who Have lived and loved as we used to, In good old Lower Sandusky. But Lower Sandusky's -pass'd away, And with it, too, our joyous days, That good old Lower Sandusky. And nearly all our school-mates, too, Have bid that good old town adieu, And gone to realms of brighter hue We trust, than Lower Sandusky, Our teacher, too, has gone to rest, Among the mansions of the blest, Far from old Lower Sandusky. At last may we, who linger here, In that bright realm of Heaven appear; But while we live, we'll still revere Our old home, Lower Sandusky. Those who were pupils of the old log school-house remember very distinctly the deep ravine that used to run just south of the present High School building, in whose waters, swollen by recent rains, they used to play; also the graves of the Brit ish officers near by, and a mound which marked the common burial place of the British soldiers that fell in the battle of Fort Stephenson, over and among which they were accustomed to ramble in their school-day sports. This school-house was also the church and court-house. In it the teacher taught, the missionary preach ed, and the judge expounded the law and administered justice. The studies pursued in the earlier schools were reading, writing, arithmetic, a little grammar, and very little or no geography. Among the text books were Pike's Arith metic, Murray's Grammar, the introduc tion to the English Reader, the English Reader, and the sequel to the same, to gether with Webster's Spelling Book. The schools were supported entirely by subscription. The old log school-house stood until the fall of 1834, when it was burned down, as it was considered unsafe for school purposes, a cholera patient having died in it the previous August. In its stead a rough stone building was erected, containing at first one room, and eventually two. This remained until after the organization of the schools on the graded or union school plan, and the erec tion of the new brick building in 1852-^3. The same year a brick school-house was erected on the east side of the river, on Howland street, which continued to be used for school purposes for nearly thirty years, when it was sold to the city council for an engine house. The stone school-house on the west side of the river and the brick on the east side supplied the school wants for many years, although before 1850 additional buildings were rented on both sides of the river. During these years many select schools were taught in rented buildings. Dr. Dio Lewis, who has since obtained a National notoriety, taught school in 1843-44, in the old Exchange building, north of the Kessler hotel. The school was incorporated as the Diocletian Insti tute. Mr. Lewis not meeting with suffi cient encouragement, abandoned the pro ject after about iwo years' trial. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 477 Horace E. Clark taught for several years in the public schools. GRADED SCHOOLS. In January, 1850, a public meeting of the citizens of Fremont was held at the court-house, for the purpose of taking pre liminary steps toward the organization of the schools on the graded or union-school plan, under the State law of 1849. Akron had led the way in the establishment of graded schools, under a special law passed at the instance of that town. Fremont was not slow to improve the opportunity afforded by the general law of 1849, whose passage by the Legislature had been in duced by the favorable reception of the Akron experiment. Among the active supporters of such reorganization of the schools were Dr. L. Q. Rawson, Rev. H. Lang, General Buckland, Hon.. Homer Everett, Judge James Justice, Sardis Birchard, and Horace E. Clark. The question was submitted to a vote of the people February 2, 1850. The measure met with active opposition, and the elec tion was, perhaps, the most exciting local election in the history of the city, elec tioneering carriages being brought out to gather in voters as on great political occa sions. The measure of reorganization on the graded school plan was carried by a majority of forty-four in a total poll of two hundred and eighteen votes. The school record from this date, 1850, for a period of twelve years, is unfortu nately lost, and we are therefore obliged to depend for information relative to the early organization of the schools very largely upon the memory of men, together with such documents as poll books and the occasional reports of treasurers and teachers found among the papers pre served. On the 14th of February, 1850, the fol lowing gentlemen were elected members of the first board of education : Jesse Olmsted, Rev. H. Lang, Homer Everett, J. B. G. Downs, D. Capper, and J. H. Hafford. Mr. Olmsted had been an active and even violent opponent of the new depart ure in the school organization, and had done what he could to defeat the measure. The friends of new organization, as a stroke of policy, determined to elect him a member of the board, of which he was chosen president. He gracefully accepted the situation, and became a warm sup porter of the schools. The first board of education proceeded to take measures for the erection of a new building for the better accommodation of the schools. There were, at this time, five schools — two in the stone school- house, one in the brick on the east side, one in the frame building, still standing just east of the bridge, known in the records as the Bridge school-house, and another in the basement of the old Meth odist Episcopal church, the latter two be ing rented for school purposes. The new school building, containing fom-rooms, and costing between six and eight thousand dollars, was not completed so as to be ready for the schools until the fall of 1853. Three different appropria tions were made for the erection of this building, the first being carried with scarcely any opposition, and the last by a small majority only. It does not appear that any attempt was made to grade or classify the schools for two or three years subsequent to the or ganization under the law of 1849, prob ably from the want of suitable accommo dations. The following amounts were paid for tuition for the fall term of three months in 1 851: Rev. F. S. White, one hundred and twenty dollars; Horace E. Clark, ninety dollars; Miss R. P. Mitchener, Sarah G. Downs and Elizabeth Ryder, 478 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. forty-five dollars each. F. S. White, be fore his removal to Fremont, had been a teacher in Cleveland, and an active and warm supporter of Superintendent Frieze in the organization of the schools of that place, contributing articles to the Cleve land Plain Dealer in furtherance of their interests and the interests of the public schools in general. His salary of forty dollars per month was considered by many as extravagant in its character. It was the largest amount that had ever been paid. He only taught one term. In a report of one of the male teachers, in 1853, we find the statement that three- fourths of the pupils lose, at least,' one- sixth of their time, or one hour every day, in consequence of tardiness. Teachers -of to-day, who rightly enough feel that they have cause to complain of the tardi ness of their pupils, can gather consola tion from this statement of twenty-three years ago. The schools were first graded when the new school building was occupied, in the fall of 1853. Horace E. Clark, a former teacher in the schools, and at that time a member of the board of education, and county auditor, exercised a general super vision over the schools during this school year. B. W. Lewis taught in the high school, S. Treat in the west, and J. W. Hiett in the east side grammar schools. There is no report for this year. . The following year, 1854-55, J. W. Hiett acted as principal of the high school, and»Superintendent B. W. Lewis and S. Treat having charge of the grammer schools, and Julia Kridler, Helen Mor gan and Mary Tichneor being teachers in the primary and secondary schools. The report of this year, the first gen eral report ever made, shows a total enu meration of eight hundred and sixty-four, a total enrollment of five hundred and ninety- •two, and an average daily attendance of three hundred and twelve, or fifty-three per cent, of the entire enrollment. The salaries paid were forty dollars per month for the high school, thirty-five dollars in the grammer schools, and twenty dollars per month for the lady teachers in the primary and secondary grades. There were at this time six schools, re spectively styled the high school, the west side and east side grammar schools, the west side secondary, and the west side and the east side primary schools, four of which occupied the new school building. The studies pursued in addition to the common branches were, according to the reports, philosophy, physiology and chem istry. In the fall of 1855 George A. Stark weather was employed as superintendent, and his wife as grammar school teacher, at a joint salary of one thousand dollars. J. B. Loveland taught in the east side grammar school. Mr. Loveland contin ued an effcient teacher in the grammar and high schools from this time until the year 1864. Mr. Starkweather remained in charge of the school for two years. His tory, algebra and Latin are reported among the additional studies pursued. C. C. Woolard, the present principal of one of the Cincinnati schools, suc ceeded Mr. Starkweather as superintend ent in the fall of 1857, holding the posi tion two years, at a salary of eight hundred dollars per year. From their correspond ence the board seemed anxious to obtain all the information possible from other towns of the Slate relative to the manage ment of graded schools. At this time there were eight schools, four in the cen tral building, one on Wood street, two on Howland street, and one on Croghanville hill, three new one-story buildings hav ing been erected about this time. In 1858 it became necessary to rent the Pres byterian session room for the use of the high school. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 479 The superintendent complains to the board of the irregular attendance of teach ers upon the teachers' meetings. This is the first reference we find, in the history of the schools, to teachers' meetings for professional instruction. They were held on Saturday, and attendance upon them had been rendered obligatory by action of the board. That this period was not one of per fectly harmonious action and good feeling is evident from the tone of the letter of Don. A. Pease, in which he speaks of the excited state of the public mind in school matters, and rather reluctantly, in conse quence thereof, accepts the position of superintendent for the year 1859-60, at a salary of seven hundred dollars. Mr. Pease discharged the duties of su perintendent for one year only. No gen eral annual report seems to have been made during all these years, since Super intendent Hiett's report, nor for the three following years, or if made they took no permanent shape and have been lost. In i860 the Rev. Dr. Bushnell, resident pastor of the Presbyterian church, was elected to the position of superintendent of schools at a salary of three hundred dolr lars per year. Mr. Bushnell was a fine classical and mathematical scholar. His work was exclusively of a supervisory character. He did not teach, and in con nection with his school work continued to discharge his ministerial duties. He held the position of superintendent, and ably discharged its duties for a period of three years. During the first year of Mr. Bush- nell's administration J. B. Loveland taught in the high school, Mr. Sowers in the west side grammar school, and J. Burgner in the east side grammar or mixed school. In the following year J. Burgner taught in the high school, J. B Loveland in the grammar school, and F. M. Ginn was employed on the east side. Mr. Ginn remained connected with the schools, an efficient and acceptable grammar school teacher, until the year 1870, when he be- carhe superintendent of the schools of Clyde, Ohio. In the fall of 1862 G. C. Woolard returned to the schools as princi pal of the high school, at a salary of five hundred dollars a year; J. B. Loveland continuing in the grammar school at a salary of four hundred and fifty dollars, F. M. Ginn, at three hundred and fifty dollars, and the lady teachers generally receiving two hundred dollars a year. The Presbyterian session room was occu pied by the high school, and the basement of the Methodist Episcopal church was rented for a primary school. This was the last year of Mr. BushnelFs superin- tendency. He was endeavoring, we learn, to bring the schools to a course of study which he had marked out for his own guidance, something that had not here tofore been done. His superintendency closed, however, before the work had been thoroughly accomplished. The following year, 1863-64, Mr. Wool ard was first elected principal of the high school, and then clothed with the powers of superintendent, and an assist ant teacher for the first time employed in the high school. Hitherto the superin tendent, with the exception of the Rev. Mr. Bushnell, had been sole principal of the high school, and supervision under such circumstances must necessarily have been of a nominal character. There seems to have been considerable friction during this school year, in the working of the school machinery in the teachers corps, and, as a natural consequence, between board and teachers. Toward the close of the year the powers of supervision over the schools on the east side of the river were conferred tem porarily on Mr. Ginn. Two new school buildings were erected 48o, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. this year, one on John street and one on Hickory street. It seem to have been the policy of the board, after the erection of the central building, to build one-story structures, with a view almost solely to local accommodations. This year terminated Mr. Woolard's connection with the schools of Fremont. We are disposed to regard him as a gentle man of good ability, and possessed of a large fund of valuable information in the theory and practice of teaching, especially in the lower departments. SUPERINTENDENCY OF W. W. ROSS. In 1864 W. W. Ross was elected super intendent, his brother Zachary Ross being employed in the grammar school, both at a joint salary of one thousand one hun dred dollars, which was increased to one thousand two hundred dollars at the close of the first term. Miss Kate Patrick was assistant in the high school. At this time there were ten schools, re spectively styled high, grammar, inter mediate, secondary, and primary. Two of these schools occupied rented rooms, entirely unsuited to school purposes. There was no printed course of study, and in fact no definite course of study of any kind, especially in the high school, that was considered as of a binding character. A course of study was marked out dur ing the first term, covering a period of eleven or twelve years, four years being given to the high school. It received the sanction of the board, and was pub lished for the guidance of teachers and the information of parents. The high school studies hitherto pur sued were, according to the reports, al gebra, philosophy, physiology, and history, a very few pupils having occasionally studied geometry, chemistry, and Latin. The new course of study embraced, in addition to the common branches, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, physiology, phys ical geography, philosophy, history, book keeping, botany, chemistry, rhetoric, sci ence of government, natural history, astronomy, geology, logic, mental and moral philosophy, and Latin, the latter being optional. During the first year the superintend ent's time was wholly occupied in teach ing, the work of supervision being effected chiefly through teachers' meetings, which were held weekly. During the second and third year about one hour each day was given to the work of supervision. The last term of the year 1864-65, Zachary Ross having resigned, Mr. Ginn was transferred to the west side, as prin cipal of the grammar school, and the east side school became one of secondary and intermediate grade. At the beginning of this school year, 1865-66, Miss E. L. Otis, an intermediate teacher, was transferred to the high school, a position she has continued to fill, either as assistant or principal,, with marked fidelity and success to the present time. In June, 1867, Eliza Bushnell gradu ated from the high school. She was the first graduate. In May, 1866, the question of appro priating sixteen thousand dollars for the erection of new school buildings, one on the east and one on the west side of the river, was submitted to the vote of the people. It was carried by a vote of two hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty one. These buildings, one a two- story and the other a three-story structure, were built the following year, and first oc cupied about January 1, 1868. An additional teacher was first employed in the high school at the beginning of the school year of 1867-68. This arrange ment, which thenceforward gave the su perintendent two-thirds of his time for. supervision, together with the new. school HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 481 buildings, enabled the schools to start on a new and more successful career. A German-English school was first es tablished in 1868-69, covering the five lower grades. It has been maintained ever since, having for several years been in charge of Miss E. Augspurber, a teach er of twenty-five years' experience. None but lady teachers have been em ployed in the English schools since 1870. Miss G. A. Lawton, the first lady principal of the grammar school, filled the position with rare ability for one year. Her suc cessor, Miss M. E. Wood, has continued to discharge the onerous and responsible duties of grammar school principal from that time to the present, with such ability, energy, and success as few gentlemen could excel. She has been assisted most of the time by Mary Fanning, a faithful and competent teacher. There has as yet been no conscious loss of power in the schools, either in disci pline or in other respects, from the exclu sive employment of lady teachers. In 1873 a new and beautiful two-story primary school building was erected on John street, at a cost of five thousand dol lars, and a one-story school-house on John street, and another on Hickory street, were sold by the board. This was" a move in the direction of centralization of the schools, rather than their isolation. In this year, 1873, the schools prepared work for the Vienna Exposition, illustrative of the work of all the grades, for which they received a diploma of merit. This same year the board of education, for the first time, gave the annual report of the schools a more permanent form, by the publication of a neat little volume of sixty pages, containing the regulations, course of study, and report of the super intendent. In this report the grades were slightly modified, and their nomenclature changed 6x from grammar, intermediate, secondary, and primary to grammar and primary, four years being given to each department, the grades being respectively styled A, B, C, and D. Shortly after, the number of grades in each room was reduced from two to one, as far as the scattered state of the school buildings made it practicable. These changes, which more definitely marked out the work of the lower grades, and de termined their boundaries, resulted in im mediate improvement in the work of the first six years, andta more general advance ment in the annual promotions. More recently these single-grade schools have been subdivided into two sections, with a view ultimately to have one five months in advance of the other, both to be promoted annually, and the advanced section of the A grammar grade, when promoted to the high school, to have the privilege of completing the course in three years, or of taking up additional studies. ATTENDANCE, ETC. 1855. 1865. 1875. Number of pupils enrolled 592 917 950 Average daily attendance 312 482 643' Number of teachers 6 12 18 Number of school-rooms 6 10 14 Number of weeks in session .... 36 36 40 EXPENDITURES. 1855. 1865. 1875. Amount paid teachers ... . $1,530 $3,500 $9,385. Total expenditures 5,000 13,000 Value of school property. . 8,000 20,000 50,000 The apparently small increase in the en rollment of 1875 over J865 was occa sioned by the withdrawal of pupils from the public schools to attend the new de nominational schools in the city. The per cent, of the total enrollment in aver age daily attendance has increased from fifty-three per cent, in 1855 and 1865 to sixty-eight per cent, in 1875. The management of the schools has grown constantly easier, with exceptional periods, in different schools, There is 482 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. not one case of corporal punishment now where there were five eight years ago. Suspensions have been rarely resorted to, too rarely, perhaps, for the interests of the schools. The policy has been one of extreme caution in setting a boy adrift, even when there was small prospect of amendment. It is believed there is a gen eral willingness in the community to sus tain the teacher's authority, the cases being exceptional where parents seem to regard that the tardiness and irregular attendance of their children is no one's concern but their own, and that thej.r misconduct for feits none of their school rights. The recent regulation which puts chil dren or parents to the inconvenience of reporting to the superintendent or board, in case of repeated delinquencies in the matter of regular and punctual attendance, is helping to lessen these evils. The high school course of study, from the time it was adopted in 1864, has been a four years' course. It has been slightly modified by giving two less terms to algebra in the second year, and substitut ing arithmetic in its place, and by substitut ing English literature for moral science in the last year of the course. The present course is : First year, gram mar, algebra, physiology and physical geography; second year, algebra, arithme tic, philosophy, history, botany, bookkeep ing; third year, geometry,' chemistry, rhetoric, zoology and science of govern ment; fourth year, trigonometry, astron omy, English literature, geology, logic and mental science. Latin may be selected in the place of grammar and history in the first and second years; zoology and mental science in the third and fourth years, or pursued conjointly with all the studies of the last two years. Two years ago the plan was adopted of giving to the best scholars among the boys promoted to the high school the privilege of completing the course in three years. This plan has operated admirably, such pupils often proving the very best in the classes to which they have been ad vanced. The privilege has not been given to the girls. The high school has never met with any opposition in this city. No larger audi ences assemble than on commencement occasions. It is believed no school is more highly appreciated, or more thor oughly fortified in the affections of the people. Its efficient principal, Miss E. L. Otis, has been continuously connected with the school for a period of ten years. She was assisted for three years by Estelle S. Rawson, a former graduate of the schools, and for the last three years by Miss M. L. Smith, of Mount Holyoke, Massachusetts, both competent teachers. Some attention is now paid to the elements of natural history in the D grammar grade, the elements of botany in the C, of physiology in the B, and of physics in the A grammar grade. United States history is also studied in the A grammar grade, and takes the place of geography. Practical language lessons form a more important feature than form erly in the work of the C and D grammar and primary grades. Writing is com menced with the first day of school life, and an effort is made to give the pupil constant daily practice in the use of writ ten language. Mental arithmetic, formerly pursued as a separate study, is now taught in combina tion with written arithmetic. Effort is made to give its analytical processes merited attention, "and to use them as a key to the operations in written arithmetic. Number lessons commence with the lowest grade. Music and drawing have, at different times, received consideration, with varying HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 483 success. Two years ago L. S. Thompson, of Sandusky, was employed as a special teacher in drawing, to visit the schools once a month, and give instruction to teachers as well as pupils, and S. C. Collins, of the same place, as a special teacher of music, to visit the schools twice a month. Under their efficient supervi sion the schools are making commendable progress in these branches. One new feature has been introduced into the schools,' worthy of mention. Prac tical drill in music and literature has been made a daily exercise, with excellent re sults. A series of concerts was given at the close of the school year 1880 and 1881, which showed gratifying proficiency. Burns' and Moore's songs were sung with enthusiasm. A regular course of reading is being encouraged this year as a special feature. The following is a list of members of the board with the dates of their election, beginning with the year following the or ganization, and continuing up to 1872 : 185 1 — H. Lang, Homer Everett. 1852 — Samuel Wilson, Jacob Kridler. 1853— Dr. L. Q. Rawson, H. E. Clark, C. Doncyson. 1854 — John Younkman, Aaron Love land. 1855 — Dr. Brainard, H. Lang. 1856 — L. Q. Rawson, John Bell. 1857 — James Justice, R. W. B. Mc Clellan. 1858— Thomas Stilwell, Thomas Kelley. 1859 — Isaac Glick, D. L. June. i860 — James Justice, R. W. B. Mc Clellan. 1 86 1— H. Everett, H. E. Clark. 1862 — Ammi Williams, John Flaugher. 1863 — Colonel Nat Haynes, James Justice. 1864— H. Everett, J. S. Van Ness. 1865 — H. R. Shomo, Charles Thomp- 1866 — C. Doncyson, H. Lesher. 1867— H. Lang, J. M. Smith. 1868— John McArdle, J. S. Van Ness. 1869 — C. Doncyson, J. P. Elderkin. 1870— W. W. Stine, J. Elwell. 1871 — J. S. Van Ness, H. Lang. 1872 — C. Doncyson, A. J. Hale. From 1872 to 1876 the board was con stituted as follows : J. S. Van Ness, pres- dent; William Stine, treasurer; A. J. Hale, secretary ; J. Elwell, H. Lang, and C. Doncyson. The board for 1880-81 were: H..R. Finefrock, president; A. J. Hale, secre tary; J. P. Thompson, treasurer: Jesse S. Van Ness, E. A. Bristol, J. Stierwalt. Hon. Homer Everett was sectetary of the first board of education, and has served as secretary and president many terms since, contributing efficient and ju dicious service to the schools. The Rev. H. Lang, to whose research we are indebted for many of the facts of this review, was a member of the first board, and C. Doncyson was elected in 1853. Both have served from twelve to fifteen years, and been active, earnest, working members. J. S. Van Ness has been a member of the board for ten years, and most of the time president, without remuneration, giving careful attention to the school property and interests of the city. Mr. Stine has been an active mem ber and treasurer for six years. Under his able management of the finances, the board are able to report themselves free from debt. Mr. Elwell served efficiently for three years as secretary. Mr. Hale, the present secretary, is in his third term, and has proven himself a liberal and efficient member of the board. Very much of the efficiency of the schools is due to the hearty co-operation the present board has extended to the eachers, and the liberal and yet judicious 484 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY manner they have responded to the school wants. The following gentlemen have served as superintendents since the grading of the schools in 1853, in the order men tioned: H. E. Clark, one year; J. W. Hiett, one year; G. A. Starkweather, two years; G. C. Woolard, two years; Don A. Pease, one year; Rev. E. Bushnell, three years; G. C. Woolard, one year; and W. W. Ross, who is in the eighteenth year of his superintendency. The schools completed, with much labor and pains on the part of the teachers, fourteen volumes of school work for the Centennial Exposition. THE PRESENT SUPERINTENDENT. W. W. Ross was born at Seville, Medina county, Ohio, December 24, 1834. He attended the village school until he was eleven years old, and then, for a few years, enjoyed the advantages of instruction in a private or academic school, common in those days on the Western Reserve, taught by Charles Foster, a graduate of Dartmouth college, and a very successful teacher, who died during the war of the Rebellion. At the age of fourteen he had completed a very good course of study, including algebra and geometry. He attended school little after he was sixteen years old, and none after he was seventeen, and but nine weeks outside his native village. He taught his first school at the age of sixteen, at fourteen dollars per month. He built up a flourishing private or academic school, at Spencer, Medina county, Ohio. He took charge of this school for four or five years, and subse quently, for a like period, had charge of the academy in his native village. He devoted the summer vacation of these years to the law,' pursuing the study in the office of Noble & Palmer, Cleve land, Ohio; also in the office of Lieuten ant-Colonel Canfield, of the Seventy- second Ohio regiment, Medina, Ohio, and with the Hon. J. C. Johnson, Seville, Ohio. He was admitted to the Medina county Bar in 1861. In consequence of indif ferent health, he did not commence prac tice. His first experience in connection with graded schools was at Clyde. He was superintendent of the schools of that place from 1862 to 1864. In the latter year he was elected superintendent of the public schools at Fremont, a position he has filled for seventeen years, and still oc cupies. Formerly quite active as a political orator, he has always taken a lively interest in political matters, and was the candidate of his party for State school commissioner in the year 187 1. He has filled the position of State school examiner for two terms ; has served as president of the Tri-State Teachers' Association, and of the Northwestern Ohio State Teachers' Association; has been an active institute worker, and a fre quent contributor to educational journals. From earliest childhood more or less familiar with legal proceedings in the of fice of his father, who served as justice of the peace almost uninterruptedly for a period of thirty years, he early elected the law for his chosen profession, and although circumstances have led him into another field, he has never, perhaps, entirely abandoned the thought of ultimately en tering upon the practice of the law. This thought, however, has never pre-- vented his giving his best activities and energies to the educational work in which, by the judgment of his peers, he has met with eminent success. CHAPTER XXX. RELIGIOUS HISTORY. THE Rev. Joseph Badger was an early missionary on the Western Reserve. After laboring there for a time he con nected himself with the Synod of Pitts burgh, and in 1805 raade a tour as far west as Michigan. June 14, he crossed the Sandusky River, swimming his horse by the side of a canoe. Here he speaks of meet ing the Rev. James Hughes, and confer ring with the Indian chief about preaching. He found a temporary home with Mrs. Whittaker, about three miles below Lower Sandusky." On his way back from Michi gan he was at Lower Sandusky July 26, and preached to the Indians. In 1806, May 13, he ran into Sandusky Bay in a boat of three tons burthen, which he had himself built. That night, he quaintly says, "there being no fuel on shore, we had patience for supper." Next day he arrived at Mrs. Whittaker's. At Lower Sandusky he found the Ind ians gathered together attending to their prophet, who was pointing out several of their women to be killed as witches. He got Crane, the chief, to stop the prophet and wait for an interpreter. His diary is not very full, but the impression left on the readers mind is that he succeeded in sav ing the women from death. Here an Ind ian named Eunouqu, but called by the whites Barnett, was converted. Mr. Badger often afterward speaks of him as a stead fast and honest Christian. At Lower Sandusky Mr. Badger and Mr. Hughes not only preached to the Ind ians, but they used to take their own * Rev. Doctor E. Bushnell. horses and help them plow and draw logs and rails for building. In this work he was opposed by some traders and government officers, but by persuading the Indians to avoid the use of strong drink he broke up the traders and they went off. In September, 1809, there were rumors of a war with England. Mr. Badger ap pointed a meeting for the Indians in Lower Sandusky, at which he made an address dissuading them from taking any part in the war if it should come. The labors of this missionary were of varied character. He speaks of making his own boat, of making a plow for Mrs. Whittaker, to replace one that had been broken, and the following are character istic extracts from his journal : Spent part of the week hoeing in the garden, dig ging for water, writing letters, and administering to the sick. Friday: rode to the upper town, and preached a short lecture to the black people. Bled three wo men. Monday: returned home and spent most of the week in administering to the sick; made a last and a pair of shoes. Mr. Badger died in 1847, at Perrys burg, in the ninetieth year of his age. A few years ago the members of the Presby terian synod made a contribution of money to place a stone at his grave. Mr. Badger's labors were largely for the benefit of the Indians. It was only after a long interval that a Presbyterian church was organized here. Before this took place religious worship had been occasion ally had here after the forms of this church. This worship had been conduct ed, and the Lord's Supper administered, 485 486 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. by the Rev. James Robinson, a clergyman from Southern Ohio. These services were held in a log school-house, which stood upon or near the site now occupied by the high school building. No organi zation was effected until Saturday, Novem ber 30, 1833, when Rev. Messrs. Enoch Conger, Xenophon Betts, and Ellery Bas- com met with those interested to form a church. This meeting was held in the court-house, the building which, remod eled, is now the dwelling of the pastor of the Lutheran church. Twenty-two persons joined in constitu ting the church. All but two had been members of churches in other places, and most of them had regular letters of dis mission. The ministers who formed the church were all members of the Presbytery of Huron. At the next stated meeting of the Presbytery, April 8, 1834, the forma tion of the church was reported, and it was received under the care of the body. One of these ministers, Rev. E. Bas- com, became the first ministerial servant of the church. He was graduated at Western Reserve College, 1830, a mem ber of its first class. He had studied theology at Princeton, and was ordained by the Huron Presbytery, October 8, 1833. At last accounts he was still living in Wisconsin. David Camp and William C. Otis were chosen elders, and were ordained in the evening after the organization. Mr. Camp was the father of Mrs. Jacob Stahl. For some time the Sunday services were held in the court-house, or in a stone school-house near the present high school building. Prayer meetings were held at the house of the minister. His house has been enlarged, and is now the resi dence of Dr. Failing, on Justice street, between the park and State street. After leaving the court-house the congregation, for some time, used a small building which stood on Front street, a few rods north of the post office, which has given place to business edifices. The church was incorporated by act of the Legislature of Ohio, under date of March 4, 1836. But no meetings of the body as thus incorporated are recorded until January 7, 1841. From that time the annual meeting in January has never failed. The annual meeting of January 1, 1842, is recorded as held "in their meeting-house." At this meeting the trustees were directed to complete a lease with Isaac Prior for his house, as a place of public worship. That house was erected by Mr. Prior on purpose for the use of the church, and the church con tinued to use it rent free, till the comple tion of an edifice. It is still standing, used as a dwelling, on the south side of State street, next door to the marble shop, east of the bridge. At a meeting held in April, 1844, it was resolved expedient to make an effort to build a house of worship. The trustees were directed to immediately purchase a lot on the northwest corner of Main and Garrison streets. This was done, and the location has ever since been occupied. In May (1844) a building committee was ap pointed. The house was erected, and was dedicated January 10, 1847. It was forty- five by sixty feet, was the first house built by the congregation, and was used until the last Sabbath of March, 1869. In Jan uary, 1852, it was resolved to undertake the building of a lecture room. Such room was built in the rear of the church, and was used as long as the church itself. In January, 1869, the trustees were in structed to raise, if possible, a subscription of twenty-five thousand dollars, and if suc cessful to proceed to the erection of a more commodious edifice, having first re moved both the old edifices. The effort HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 487 succeeded, and the' house now occupied was built, the congregation meanwhile worshiping ten months in Birchard hall. The basement rooms were first occupied January 30, 1870. The completed edi fice was dedicated on Sunday, the 28th day of April, 1870, without debt, having cost nearly forty thousand dollars. The congregation has occupied this location nearly thirty years. The church has elected seventeen elders, two of whom declined to serve. The first two, as already stated, were David Camp and William C. Otis. March 31, 1838, Ezra Williams and John Tindall were elected. The latter appears never to have been ordained or to have served. In No vember, 1841, Samuel Hafford was elected. In November, 1833, Samuel Clark, Sam uel Crowell, and Dr. Franklin Williams were elected. Mr. Crowell declined to serve, and Chauncey J. Pettibone was chosen. In January, 1848, George Wall was elected. In April, 1849, J. B. G. Downs; in January, 1852-53 Joseph T. Moss and Thomas Gillmon ; and in Feb ruary, 1856, Dr. T. Stillwell and R. W. R. McLellan wtre chosen, and April 30, 1869, C. R. McCulloch and I. M. Keeler. In regard to the ministers who have served the church, the records, whether of the church or the session, do not make it clear, in all cases, when they came or when they went. There have been ten minis ters. Three have been regularly installed pastors, viz.: Rev. Ferris Fitch, May 16, 1839, dismissed May 8, 1844; Rev. Fla- vel S. White, installed October 20, 1847, dismissed June 29, 1852; and Rev. Eben ezer Bushnell, installed May 12, 1857, still in office (October, 1881). The church has been in existence for forty-eight years. These three pastors have ministered thir ty-four and a half of those years. The remaining thirteen and one-half years have been divided between vacancies and seven stated supplies. Messrs. E. Bas- com, E. Conger, H. A. Reed, and John McCutchen preceded the pastorate of Mr. Fitch. Between Mr. Fitch and Mr. White, was Rev.- F. T. Backus. After Mr. White came Rev. H. A. Rossiter and Rev. F, Hendricks. The records give no clue to the date of the organization of the Sunday-school. The most prominent name among the earlier superintendents is that of C. J. Pet tibone, though he alternated with J. B. G. Downs, Dr. B. F. Williams, and C. R. Mc Culloch. For about twenty-five years C. R. McCulloch has been superintendent. Many of the members of this church have joined it by letter from other churches, and many others have come in on profes sion of their faith. There- have been times of unusual accessions. In July, 1837, five persons were received by letter, and forty on profession. Of these, some afterwards became prominent members and officers. In April, 1843, eight were received on profession. Between January, 1845, and July 4. of the same year, twen ty-eight were received on profession and eight by letter. In May, 1850, sixteen were added; in May, 1859, thirty-two; in May, 1865, seven; in May, 1866, eight; in May, 1867, seven; and in March, 1872, eleven wereadded. In the first four monthsof 1873 twenty-five were received on profession. These members are a key to the fact that the church has enjoyed not a few seasons of special revival, while in the meantime ac cessions have been made more gradually. During the first half of the church's his tory statistics were very sparingly put on the books. The first gives the nu mber of mem bers in 1846 as 123, but no "funds raised" are recorded. Since 1854 the statistics have been regularly recorded. In 1852 the num ber, of members is given as 103; in 1855, 109; in 1856, 114- The highest number ever reported in the annual report is 199. 488 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY In April, 1876, it was 193. The neglect to record statistics prevents one knowing what the church has given for benevolent purposes. In the ordinary course of things this church has caused the preaching of more than five thousand sermons, and held two thousand five hundred prayer meetings, and two thousand two hundred and fifty sessions of the Sunday-school. Could the town afford to do without this and other churches ? st. paul's church.* The parish of St. Paul's, Fremont, does not possess a very lengthy history, yet that history includes facts of interest which should be recorded, and thus preserved from oblivion, and handed down for the information of future generations. It was upon a conviction of the value of religious influences to a community, and a desire to establish here the services of the Protestant Episcopal church, that this parish was organized, in the year 1842, under the name of St. Paul's church, Lower Sandusky. The population of the town was then below two thousand. Many who were then leading spirits of the place have now passed away from the stage of action. The majority of ihe men who united in form ing this parochial organization were not professors of religion, but they acted, no doubt, under a sense of duty to them selves and families and a desire to advance the interests of the town. The first meeting for the purpose of or ganizing a religious society according to the constitution and canons of the Pro testant Episcopal church, was held at the court-house on Wednesday, the 15th day of January, 1812. The articles of associ ation then and there adopted were signed by twenty-eight citizens. At a meeting "Rev. R. L. Chittenden, held January 25, 1842, Messrs. D. E. Field and William C. Otis were chosen wardens, and John P. Haynes, A. Coles, John R. Pease, A. B. Taylor and N. B. Eddy, vestrymen of the new parish. The average attendance at Sunday morning services is from eighty to one hundred. The following occurs in the record of the first meeting of the vestry, February 5, 1842: Ordered that the secretary be directed to write to Rev. James O'Kill, assuring him that the sum of one hundred dollars may be raised for him to officiate as pastor of this church once a month for the space of one year, or at that rate, the arrangement, how ever, subject to be put an end to by the vestry of this church, so soon as a permanent pastor can be se cured. Resolved, That the Secretary write to the Rev. Bishop Mcllvaine, requesting him to furnish this church with a pastor so soon as possible. In accordance with this resolution, the Rev. Mr. O'Kill came from Norwalk and held service a few times. It is said that a few of the earlier services were held in the building then occupied by the Meth odist society, on the southwest corner of Arch and Garrison streets. The abilities of Mr. O'Kill are highly praised by those who knew him. He was a man of bril liant talents. In November, 1842, the Rev. William Fagg was invited to the charge of the parish at a salary of four hundred dollars per annum. This, as we are informed, was Mr. Fagg"s first parish. After serving the congregation one year he left on account of ill-health. Mr. Fagg died a number of years ago in the South. There is a record of one marriage and five burials by Mr. Fagg, but no record of any baptism or of anyone presented for confirmation during his rectorship. Wil liam C. Otis and D. E. Field held the offices of warden, and D. E. Field was chosen delegate to the diocesan conven tion. The meetings at this time were held in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 489 the old stone school-house, a small build ing which stood on the present site of the high school building. Subsequently the meetings of the congregation were held in the court-house. In 1843-44 the members of the congre gation erected a handsome and commodi ous church edifice-v-Qf brick with stone trimmings — on the lot on the northwest corner of Main and Court streets. A small portion of the subscriptions for the work promised labor, teaming and ma terials — the balance money. The build ing was sixty by forty-two feet, with Gothic windows and a handsome steeple in which hung a sweet-toned bell, from the manufactory at Troy, New York. This bell, not being of sufficient size and weight for the expected new tower, was sold a few years ago, and now serves to give fire- alarms in case of a threatened conflagra tion. The church "was heated with stoves, from which long smoke-pipes extended through the building, entering the rear wall on each side of the chimney. The number of slips was fifty-two. A pulpit of Gothic design, and a heavy gallery for the organ and choir at the east end, com pleted the interior equipment. A small room in the rear, lighted by one north window, served as a vestry-room, and was also used for the instruction of the infant class. The interior of the wood-work was of an oaken-brown color. The location of the church is quite central, and the building at the time of its erection was, probably, with hardly an exception, the best and most tasteful church edifice in the county. The building being com pleted, the pews were appraised and | offered for sale (six being reserved), the j purchase money to apply on the subscrip- ' tion of the purchaser. Only seventeen are marked sold in the record of proceed ings. If no more were disposed of it may be conjectured that it was because the pews were to be subject to assessment for debts of the church, as well as the support of the minister. The cost of the new building exceeded the amount raised by subscription. At the close of the year 1844 a debt of one thousand three hun dred and eighty-three dollars and six cents yet remained, being money advanced in equal amounts by six gentlemen, over and above their subscriptions for the erection of the church. Some two years afterward an average of about sixty-three dollars was paid to each of these gentlemen on the above indebted ness, and they afterwards generously gave up their claims, still amounting to about one thousand two hundred dollars. The names of these gentlemen are: R. P. Buckland, John R. Pease, N. B. Eddy, John M. Smith, A. Coles, arid A. W. Cut ter. In 1844 the pews were ordered to be sold for the support of a minister. Rev. Humphrey Hollis having been elect ed rector, entered upon his duties on the 15 th day of July, 1844, and continued in charge until the ioth day of August, 1846, at a salary of five hundred dollars per an num. The first baptism on record in the parish is that of Caroline Elizabeth Eddy, at the residence of her parents,- on Thurs day, August 29, 1844. Date of birth, April 13, 1842. Sponsors,- the parents, Azariah and Harriet M. Eddy, and Mrs. John P. Haynes. Clergyman officiating, Rev. H. Hollis. On the 14th of November, 1845, fifteen persons were confirmed by Bishop Mcll- vaine — presented by Mr. Hollis. During these two years the baptisms numbered eleven. Rev. Mr. Hollis died not long since in Ashtabula county, this State. We find on record under date of No vember 1, 1845, a formal request ad dressed to the bishop of the diocese, ask ing him to consecrate the new church, thereby separating it from all unhallowed, 49» HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. worldly' and common uses, and solemnly dedicating it to the worship and service of Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, according to the pro visions of the Protestant Episcopal church in the United States of America. We have also a copy of the sentence of consecration signed by Charles P. Mc- Ilvaine, bishop of the Diocese of Ohio, under date of November 14, 1845. The parish now entered upon a new era, having the advantage of a new and pleasant house of worship. On the 15th of August, 1846, the Rev. Oliver Taylor entered upon his duties as rector, and resigned July 1, 1847. Dur ing his ministry the baptisms were six, and one confirmed. In the clergy list of 1875 Mr. Taylor is recorded as a resident of Pontiac, Michigan. During these three years the wardens of the church were Wil liam C. Otis, senior warden; A. W. Cut ter and A. Coles successively, junior war dens. The Rev. H. P. Powers entered upon the charge of St. Paul's church in Sep tember, 1848, and remained with some interruptions, until August 9, 1851. About this time the name of the town was changed from Lower Sandusky to Fre mont. The change was desirable from the fact that the name Sandusky was attached to a number of towns, townships and streams in this part of the State. During the rectorship of Rev. Mr. Powers there were twenty-four baptisms and six persons presented for confirmation ; there were four marriages and five burials. Wardens, A. Coles, A. J. Dickinson and Dr. J. W. Wilson ; R P. Buckland, J. W. Wilson, and H. Everett, delegates to the diocesan convention. Bishop Mcllvaine visited the parish during the vacancy that followed and ad ministered baptism to five children. The Rev. H. T. Hiester entered upon the charge of St. Paul's church in June, 1852, and resigned on Easter Monday, 1856. During his stay in Fremont the baptisms were 19; presented for confirma tion 7; marriages 4; burials 17. Soon after leaving here Mr. Heister took charge of St. Andrew's church, Farm Ridge, Illinois, where he still remains. Mr. Hiester was evidently very much re spected by the people, who regarded him as "a true Christian and faithful minister." We find that in April, 1853,' H. E. Clark and M. A. Elder were appointed a committee to raise funds to pay the debt on the melodeon. In those days the con gregation turned around and faced the choir in the gallery during the singing. At one time the bass viol and flute were played by two gentlemen in the choir as an accompaniment to the hymns and chants. More than twenty-five years ago a pipe organ was purchased in the city of New York, having been used for a short time by a congregation there. This instrument was cleaned and repaired several times, and served a useful purpose until 1 88 1, when it was replaced by a fine, large organ of superior quality. After a vacancy of a few months the Rev. R. L. Chittenden, of Columbus, Ohio, entered upon the charge of the par ish, remaining eight months, when he re signed in consequence of ill health. He administered baptism once to six persons, all members of one family, and officiated at four burials. The second service at that time was in the afternoon instead of the evening. Dur ing the vacancy which followed Mr. Chit tenden's stay here three persons were con firmed. The Rev. W. H. Cooper, of Tiffin, supplied the church with Sunday afternoon services for some time. Rev. William Fulton assumed charge in August, 1857, and held the rectorship until October, 1859, a period of two years and two HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 491 months. Mr. Fulton is spoken of as an able preacher. During his pastorate the baptisms were fifteen, and fourteen persons were presented for confirmation. Mar riages, six. Burials twelve. During the eight years preceding Oc tober, 1859, the following persons held the office of warden : James W. Wilson and Dr. Coles, senior wardens; A. J. Dickinson, Daniel Cooper, Charles Trow bridge, and John Flaugher were in suc cession junior wardens. The names of delegates to conventions during the same period are James W. Wilson, Daniel Cap per, and John Flaugher. The church building had now been in use for fourteen years, and the bare walls had, no doubt, become somewhat discol ored by time and smoke. An artist was accordingly procured who should adorn the walls with fresco painting. After a number of days the doors of the church were opened, and the members of the con gregation were admitted to view the work. For some cause the work fell far below ther hopes and expectations. It was lack ing in taste and adaptation, and to say the least, the interior of the church was not improved. The parish was now vacant for more than a year. During the interval the Rev. Lyman N. Freeman visited Fre mont and administered baptism to four .children. The Rev. Alanson Phelps, of Paines- ville, Ohio, commenced services as rector of the church, on the first Sunday in De cember, i860, and remained in charge just five years. During his rectorate there were : baptisms, thirty-six ; presented for confirmation, twenty-four; marriages, nine; burials, twenty-three. Dr. J. W. Wilson and John Flaugher held the office of warden, and Messrs. Wilson, Flaugher, William St. Clair and E.. W. Amsden were delegates to the diocesan convention. Gas was introduced into the church -in the year 1861. A donation of prayer-books was made to the church by the New York Bible and Common Prayer-Book Society. The gift was very thankfully received, as is proved by the resolution of the vestry regarding it. Special pains were taken to attract children to the Sunday-school, and it became unusually large. During a part of the year 1865, Mr. Phelps held only one service on Sunday on account of ill health, and in November he resigned the charge from the same cause. The vestry accepted his resigna tion with expressions of regret and good will. During the residence of Mr. Phelps here, some preliminary steps were, taken looking to the enlargement and improve ment of the church edifice. The Rev. George H. Jenks now accept ed a call to the rectorship, but resigned within a week. This sudden change in his plans was caused by the receipt of a message from friends in California, re questing him to come to that State. The Rev. Charles H. Young, of Tiffin, Ohio, assumed charge of the church in January, 1866, retaining it for over four years, or until April 1, 1870. Under Mr. Young's ministry the baptisms were forty-two, and seventeen persons were presented for con firmation. Marriages, sixteen; burials, twenty. Wardens, Dr. Dillon and John Flaugher. Delegates, Messrs. Wilson Flaugher, George H. Rice, E. S. Thomas, and John Weaver. Mr. Young's ministry was marked by an event which, it is believed, stands alone in the whole history of the. church in Fre mont. He induced a worthy and intelli gent young man, a communicant of the church, to begin his studies at Gambier with a view of preparation for the ministry, Frank M. Quig might have done good work in the cause of Christ, but the- Lord 492 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. of the harvest ordered otherwise, His health failed, and he came home to die. After languishing for several months, he departed this life in October, 1870, in the comfort of a reasonable, religious, and holy hope. Who among the youth of this church will take up and carry forward the work which he began. The Rev. Mr. Young is now in charge of St. John's Church, Worthington, and Christ Church, Clinton, in the Diocese of Southern. Ohio. During the brief vacancy which fol lowed Mr. Young's removal, the Rev. C. S. Doolitell, of Mansfield, Ohio, held Sunday services. In June, 1870, the Rev. R.. L. Chittenden (the writer) took charge of the parish the second. time, and remained until succeeded by Rev. D. W. Coxe, in 1879. In 1872-73 the church building was enlarged,.and the interior en tirely reconstructed, at a cost, including furnace, carpets and other improvements, of some eight thousand dollars. The plan includes a handsome tower and spire to be added at some time in the future. The leading features of the improvement are, an addition of fourteen feet in the length of the building, giving room for fourteen additional pews, a handsome recess, chancel, vestry and organ room, an ample cellar for the furnace and fuel, the removal of the gallery, a tasteful pulpit, lecture and communion-table, and stained glass win dows. Handsome chandeliers have since been added by the young ladies, who are now organized as a Church aid society. We also have the promise of an appro priate baptismal font. The chancel win dow is the gift of Rev. Mr. Phelps, a former rector, and is a memorial of a de ceased daughter. Mr. Phelps now resides with his family in a very pleasant home in Painesville, the scene of his earlier labors, and occasionally looks in upon us. The first chancel window having been broken by a hail storm, the windows are now all protected by wire netting. These improve ments occupied about one year, during which time the court-room was used for our services and Sunday-school. I have said little of the part taken, by the lady members in the work of the church. Their efforts have been constant and very helpful. I recall the names of four who were valued helpers and have been removed by death, viz : Mrs. D. E. Capper, Mrs. Susan A. Everett, Mrs. Pris- cilla Brown, and Mrs. Josephine A. Dougherty. LUTHERAN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. In the third and fourth decades of the present century (1820-1830), Lutherans from Pennsylvania and Germany began to emigrate to Sandusky county, and to the town of Lower Sandusky. They were vis ited at very long intervals by the mission aries Stauch, from Western Pennsylvania, J. Krauss and Rev. Charles Henkel, from Somerset, Ohio. In 1836 a highly esteemed and pious pastor by the name of Adolph A. Konrad, located at Tiffin, Ohio. The Lutherans of this vicinity, hearing of his settlement there, applied to him for his services as pastor among them. Although he had charge of nine preaching places, in Seneca and Wyandot counties, he saw the need of the Lutherans here, and so consented to visit them once every four weeks. But the labors and exposures of such a field tjroved to be too much for the good man, and being of a frail constitution, he died at Tiffin, March 23, 1841. After his death, Rev. J. J. Beilharz, from Seneca coun ty, New York, was called to the pastorate, and in the autumn of 1841, moved with his family to Tiffin, Ohio, from which place he served this congregation and also that four miles west of this city. The sainted Konrad having promised the little flocks in this vicinity to send them HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 493 Henry Lang as their future pastor, as soon as he should leave the theolog ical seminary at Columbus, Ohio, his promise was complied with by the proper authorities of the synod, and in July, 1843, he was installed as their future pastor. The congregation being very small and poor, was glad to obtain permission to worship in the school-houses of the town. For nearly two years the congregation wor shiped in the Howland street school-house. In 1843 the congregation purchased of the county commissioners, the old court house and the two lots on which it and the old jail stood, for the sum of eight hun dred and ten dollars. Eleven years elapsed before this property was paid for, None but God knows the anx iety experienced while this debt was hanging over the congregation. But then, what joy when the last installment was paid off ! The membership was small, and, as already stated, poor; money was scarce, farmers receiving store-pay for their produce instead of money. The struggle to pay off this debt, small as the sum may at present seem to have been, was greater than the burden of the erection of the new church edifice, that being by no means insignificant. In 1842 the congregation was incorpo rated by an act of the Legislature, under the name of the Evangelical Lutheran and German Reformed St. John's Con gregation. By a unanimous vote of the congregation this name was changed, January 1, 1853, to the name Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Congregation, only two active members being German Re formed, and their families being Lutheran. Judge Otis, of the court of common pleas, granted this petition for change of name in 1856. For fifteen years the congregation wor shipped in the old court-house, which had become quite a respectable place of wor ship after the necessary changes and re pairs were completed. Here gradually the flock grew larger, and it needed a larger fold. At a meeting of the congregation held October 31, 1857 (anniversary of the Reformation,) it was resolved "to erect a new and more suitable church building." A lot was purchased of Miss Jennie Grant, corner Court and Clover stieets, for the sum of four hundred dollars, November to, 1857 (Luther's birthday); the plan for the church was adopted (seventy-six by forty-six). June 1, 1858, work was begun; June 25 (anniversary of the presentation of the Augsburg Confession), the corner stone was laid; and October 31, 1861, the church was dedicated as a house of divine worship. April 11, 1870, a bell weighing two thousand five hundred pounds was hung in the tower. The tower having as yet no spire, Mr. A. Foster was employed to erect one, after a plan drawn by Mr. J. C. Johnson. This spire was dedicated on the pastor's fifty-fifth birth day, November 28, 1873, being Thanks giving Day, and also the pastor's thirtieth jubilee as pastor of this congregation. On that occasion, among other statements the following was made: Baptisms, 2,300; confirmed, 1,005; communicants, 15,000; marriages, 680; burials, 810; sermons preached, about 5,000. These figures include all his congregations, how ever. As stated above, the congregation consisted, in 1843, °f forty communi cants. It now numbers about six hun dred. The congregation, though numer ous, is not wealthy, as the impression seems to be in the community. It pos sesses a number of well-to-do citizens and farmers, but the greater number are yet struggling for an existence. The growth of the congregation has been gradual, but healthy. The labors be- 494 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. stowed upon it have been blessed, and not been in vain. But the changes since 1843 Have been great indeed. The pio neers have nearly all passed away. But to return. In 1865 the old court house, having become greatly dilapidated, the congregation determined to renoyate the same thoroughly. At an expense of one thousand six hundred dollars it was changed into a comfortable parsonage. Since 1845 the pastor occupied the three lower rooms, which were formerly occu pied by the county auditor, clerk of the court, and county treasurer, as offices. The frame of this building is an immense one, some of the timbers in it measuring fourteen inches square. In 1822 it was erected, in the vicinity of the Pease prop erty, when the commissioners determined to remove it to the present spot. Judge Knapp told the writer of this repeatedly, that in the removal of this frame twenty- five yoke of oxen were used, all pulling at the same time. And this seems likely, judging from the ponderous structure, and the want of convenient implements, such as are now used for the removal of build ings. Since 1845 the pastor of the Luth eran congregation occupied this house as a parsonage. Here all his children were born, save one. From this house were conveyed the remains of his wife, three children, a son-in-law, and a little grand daughter, to their resting-place in Oak- wood cemetery. Joys and sorrows ex changed places repeatedly within its walls. The old county jail stood a few feet south of the old court-house, and it was used as a stable. It was here where Sperry, of Green Spring, who had killed his wife, and who had been sentenced to be hanged, committed suicide in 1842. Our lamented friend Birchard once asked the pastor if he was not afraid of spooks, coming home late and putting away his horse in the old jail. The reply was that he did not suffer himself to be scared by evil spirits, when Mr. Birchard said : "What! not afraid of spooks in the old jail, where Sperry killed himselfr1 It is a capital place for spooks, sir, a capital place." This old jail, used as such until the prison under the present court-house was prepared to receive evil-doers, was taken down in 1865, when eight men worked industriously for three days to level it with the ground, the logs of which it was built being two feet square. The foundation still remains, but the spot where it stood has become an inviting one, forming part of the pastor's flower garden. It is no longer a "capital place for spooks." But if that spot could speak, what a sad history it would relate of the persons im prisoned above it. But the flowers that grow there annually seem to say : "Cast the mantle of charity upon all their sins." On festival occasions our church proves to be too small for us, and the church officers have been seriously talking of an enlargement. The church council consists of the pas tor (being chairman by virtue of his office), three trustees, two deacons, and a treas urer. Since 1845 a Sunday-school has been sustained by the congregation, At first it numbered twenty — thirty children, now upward of two hundred. For a number of years Mr. Jacob Tschumy has acted as superintendent with efficiency. He is assisted by twenty-five teachers, all of whom were former scholars of the Sun day-school, and are confirmed members of the church. Catechetical instruction is given by the pastor each Sunday before the close of the Sunday-school, in which the children and teachers participate. Our history may seem monotonous, but to the congregation and the pastor it seems varied enough. Every year brought forth new labors, trials, and conflicts; every year HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 495 brought with it new mercies, rewards and victories. Both the German and English lan guages are used in conducting the ser vices of the church. This makes the labors of the pastor greater than they would be if only one language could be made to answer the purpose. But the greater part of the congregation being European Germans, the German lauguage is indispensible. The younger members, speaking the English better than the Ger man, would prefer to have the English language used exclusively. May God safely conduct us to that land, where but one language is spoken — the language of Zion. We conclude this sketch with a brief mention of the faithful pastor of the church. He has all this time been emphatically a worker. He came to Fremont young and poor in this world's goods, and took charge of a congregation as young and poor as himself. Thirty-eight years spent in in cessant application to self-improvement and in discharge of his pastoral duties, have at last borne abundant fruit. Often laboring against adverse circumstances, which would have discouraged other men, he was always at his post. In addition to his pastoral duties, he has exercised a large and beneficial influence in the pub lic schools by the faithful discharge of his duty as a member of the city board of ed ucation. He has preached and taught his congregation weekly in two languages, and his incessant work has evoked, from al most nothing, a large congregation, a com fortable parsonage, and a church edifice worth about twenty-five thousand dollars, which is an honor and an ornament to the city. His influence now, through his con gregation, is wide-spread and efficient for good. Without detracting from the mer its of any man, it may be pertinently asked, of all citizens, who has labored so many years and so faithfully, to uphold and extend morality and religion, as the subject of this notice ? *THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. In 1 819, Rev. J? Montgomery, Indian agent at Fort Seneca, and a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal church, came to Lower Sandusky and preached the first Methodist sermon ever preached in this place. He continued to preach here at stated intervals until 1820, when, so far as he had authority, he organized himself, wife, and daughter into a class. This organization, though well intended by him, was evidently more in assumption than in reality. It was, however, the nucleus of a church. A letter from Montgomery's daughter, Mrs. Sallie Tryham, now living in Tiffin, Ohio, to the writer, says : "At the first communion service the commu nicants were the above mentioned three persons with the addition of a local preacher from Springfield, Ohio, named Moses Hinkle." In March, 1822, the Bowlus family em igrated from Maryland and settled in Lower Sandusky. Of this family Jacob Bowlus, wife and four sisters, and brother- in-law, Thomas White, were members of the Methodist Episcopal church. These were the first members so far as can be ascertained, of the Methodist Episcopal church, that settled either in Lower San dusky, or what is now included in the territory of Sandusky county. In the fall of the same year Joel Strahn with his family, emigrated from Perry county, Ohio, and settled on what is now known as the Hafford farm, three miles up the river from Fremont. Mr. Strahn and his wife were members of the church before they emigrated to this place. Very soon after Mr. Strahn's arrival Rev. James Montgomery proceeded regularly to *Rev. A. Skinner and H. R, Adams. 496 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. organize the first class of the Methodist Episcopal church ever formed in Lower Sandusky, with eleven members, namely : Jacob Bowlus, Sarah Bowlus, Margaret Bowlus, Susan Bowlus, Elizabeth Bowlus, Sophia Bowlus, Thomas L. Hawkins, Thomas White, Joel Strahn, Sarah Strahn, and Nancy Halloway. Joel Strahn was appointed leader. Shortly after the organ ization their number was increased by the addition of Rebecca Pryor, Mrs. Wilson, and Mrs. Tyler. Of these fourteen none are now living but Jacob Bowlus, who still lingers among the men of another genera- ion, the honored patriarch of the Meth odist Episcopal church in Sandusky coun ty. His connection with the church has never been broken for a day, and he has always enjoyed not only the respect but the confidence and love of his brethren and the community. Joel Strahn moved to Illinois after he had been here some ten years, and died in 1864. Rev. James Mclntyre, a local preacher living in Huron county, visited Lower Sandusky occasionally and preached in 1822. He subsequently joined the Ohio conference ; travelled a few years and re tired. The date of his death is not known to the writer. Rev. James Montgomery was ordained by Bishop Asbury, at Lebanon, Ohio. He was a local preacher thirty years, and died at Fort Seneca in 1830. His funeral was preached by Rev. Ezekiel Cooper, at that time travelling the Lower Sandusky circuit. Methodism and religion, not only in Fremont but in the surrounding coun try, owes him a debt of lasting gratitude. He preached the gospel to the scattered communities in the country where no church in its regular organized capacity had found its way among the people. By him and his early associates in this irregu lar work the word of life was carried to the sparsely settled communities, and the way for a more regularly organized ministry prepared. From the best evidence at my disposal, it appears that John and Nathan Walker, two men of the same name, were ap pointed to the Huron circuit in the fall of 1822, and that Lower Sandusky was sup plied by them. In the fall of 1823, Wil liam Swazy, presiding elder on Lancaster district, employed Benija Boardman, a local preacher living in Huron county, as a missionary to organize a circuit up and down the Sandusky River, and from the adjacent settlements, with Lower San dusky for headquarters. Mr. Boardman seems to have been a man of fair talents, and blessed with a good degree of energy and fidelity to his work. The enterprise was a success, and the close of that con ference year the Lower Sandusky circuit was organized by the Ohio conference, placed upon the ministers, and the Rev. E. H. Fields, a young man who had re cently been received into the conference, appointed, with Rev. James McMahon as presiding elder. This is the first recogni tion of Lower Sandusky circuit we have. What the extent of the territory or number of appointments it embraced I do not know. There were ninety-seven members in all the circuit. Mr. Fields remained on the circuit but one year, it then being the practice of the church not to return young men the second year unless there was something in the circumstances to re quire it. Rev. J. W. Clarke was appointed to succeed Mr. Field in the fall of 1825. Mr. Clarke remained but one year. What his future history was is not known. In the fall of 1826 Rev. Arza Brown was appointed to the circuit. He re mained two years. The members of the church and those that were interestedly associated with it who are still living have a distinct recollection of Mr. Brown. During his pastorate Lower Sandusky was HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 497 blessed with a powerful and extensive re vival, perhaps, considering the number of population, the most remarkable relig ious awakening the place was ever favored with. ' This revival and ingathering into the church was a matter of great encour agement to the little struggling society, that had become well nigh discouraged in consequence of the hardships and priva tions of a new country. I am informed by Mrs. Sallie Ingham, a daughter of Rev. James Montgomery, that Mr. Brown died in Chicago in 1870. How long he con tinued in the ministry, or what his occu pation was after he left it, is not known. The revival gave great strength to the circuit, and at the conference held in 1828, J. Hill and A. Billings were ap pointed. They remained on the work but one year, and B. Cooper and William Sprague were appointed to succeed them at the conference of 1829. Rev. Russell Bigelow was presiding elder. Nothing special occurred during the year, and in 1830 they were succeeded by Rev. Eline Day and Rev. E. C. Gavitt. At the end of the first year Mr. Gavitt was removed, he being a young man. He is still living, a member of the Central Ohio conference, and doing effective work. In 1831 Mr. Day was returned with the Rev. E. B. Chase for his colleague. Mr. Day remained in the ministry of the Methodist Episcopal church for a few years, became disaffected and joined the United Brethren, remained with them a while, and in his old age asked the privi lege of returning to the church of his youth. He was received back arid recog nized as a local elder. In 1832, Mr. Day and Mr. Chase hav ing closed their pastorate, Rev. Elmore Yocum and Rev. J. Martin were appoint ed to the circuit. Mr. Yocum continued to travel several years in Ohio, and was transferred to Wisconsin, where he Has continued to labor on districts and in the best appointments of his conference. He has been more than once, I think, hon ored by his brethren with a seat in tbe general conference. No man has a warmer heart, or has been more beloved by the people with whom he has labored than Elmore Yocum. In the year 1833 Rev. C. Goddard, with the Rev. J. B. Austin as assistant, were appointed. They were both removed at the end of the first year, and in the fall of 1834 Rev. William Sullivan and Rev. John T. Kellom were appointed. The community this fall was greatly afflicted with cholera. Mr. Kellom says in a letter to the writer : On my way to Lower Sandusky I was stopped by a kind friend, some three miles above the town, and informed that there were but three living persons in the place. I staid with him over night, and the next morning rode to town and found Mr. Birchard, Judge Hulburd, and Dr. Rawson. All the others had fled from the cholera. Some were tenting on a camp ground on Father Bowlus' farm, and some had fled to other places. After stopping a while, I went over to what is now Clyde, and then returned and assisted in burying some of the dead. In consequence of the prevalence of cholera, Mr. Kellom received but fifty six dollars for his year's service. Rev. J. Kinnear and Rev. J. H. Pitzel ' were appointed to the circuit in 1835. They remained one year, and were fol lowed, in 1836, by Rev. Leonard Hill and Rev. Wesley J. Wells. Mr. Hill re mained two years and had for his col league the second year Rev. Osborn Men- nett. Father Hill continued to travel as an itinerant preacher for several years, took a superannuated relation to the con ference, returned to Fremont, where he spent the evening of his life, and died in great peace, April 13, 1869, in the eigh tieth year of his age, honored and beloved by all who knew him. Mr. Wells con tinued to travel till 1868. He now holds a superannuated relation to the Central Ohio conference, and is engaged in busi- 498 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ness in Toledo, Ohio. In 1838 Rev. Peter Sharp was appointed to the circuit, with Rev. B. Blanchard as assistant. Mr. Sharp's health was poor, and he insisted on the work being divided and he allowed to remain all the time in town that he could attend to the work. The presiding elder accordingly consented to the arrange ment, and Lower Sandusky was organized into a station. Peter Sharp was eccentric, and there are many amusing anecdotes told about him, one of which is here re lated : At one of the conferences a good brother was arraigned for heresy. The conference heard the case and pronounced him guilty. The bishop said: "Breth ren, you have convicted this brother of heresy; what do you propose to do with him?" This was a stunner, for the church has no law to punish heretics. In the midst of embarrassment, Peter gravely arose in his place on the conference floor and said: "Mr. President, I move we proceed at once to burn him.'' Mr. Sharp was succeeded, in 1839, by Rev. Wesley Brock. Mr. Brock was the homeliest man I ever saw. He remained here but one year — continued to hold im portant positions in his conference for a number of years. Finally took a super- anuated relation and moved on his farm in Mercer county, Ohio, where he became guilty of a shameful crime, for which he was expelled from his conference in 1859. He died a few years afterward, dishonored and forsaken. I never knew a man for whom I felt so deeply as I did for Wesley Brock. In 1840 Rev. A. Campbell was ap pointed to the station. This was unfortu nate for the charge. Mr. Campbell was of a despondent turn of mind, which grew upon him, and before the close of the year the poor man lost the balance of ¦ his mind and went crazy. What became of him I do not know. With the misfor tune of Mr. Campbell the station became discouraged, and failed to sustain itself. It was accordingly again united with the outlying appointments, and in 1841 Thomas Thompson and Rev. Darius Dodge were appointed. Father Thomp son is still living, a member of the North Ohio conference, and, I believe, in the religious world, no man has sustained a better character through a long and use ful ministry than he. Darius Dodge be came ambitious to be rich, took a super numerary relation to the conference, went to Illinois, and commenced the practice of medicine, became guilty of an offence that disgraced himself and the. church. He is no longer a member of the confer ence, and so far as I know is out of the church. Thompson and Dodge remained on the circuit but one year, and in 1842 the Rev. Samuel P. Shaw was appointed to circuit, with Rev. Mr. Grumley as junior preacher. Mr. Shaw remained on the cir cuit for one year, and the Rev. Hibbard P. Ward was his colleague the second year. Mr. Shaw afterwards held a super annuated relation to the North Ohio con ference, and lived alone on His farm in Crawford county, Ohio. He became wealthy, and endowed a university in the South named after himself. Hibbard P. Ward died of cholera while stationed at Sandusky City. He led his prayer meeting in the evening, and before morning he was dead. His last words were, "Gliding sweetly." He was a young man of fine talent, of great goodness of heart, and of much promise to the church. He and William Cooper, and a young Presbyterian minister, all died in Sandusky City of cholera, and are buried side by side in the cemetery at that place. Messrs. Shaw and Ward were succeeded, in 1844, by Rev. W. C. Huestis and Rev. Joseph F. Kenedy. Mr. Huestis remained HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 499 two years, and Rev. S. Fairchilds was his assistant the second year. Mr. Kenedy continued in the work of the ministry until 1872, when he took a nominal ap pointment, fell into a state of despond ency, and put an end to his existence by a pistol shot. He was a sad illustration of the use of opium, and of disappointed ambition. In 1846 Rev. Joseph Jones and the Rev. Jacob T. Caples were appointed to the circuit. In 1847 Mr. Caples was re moved and Mr. Jones was returned, and a young man by the name of Wait assisted him. At the close of Mr. Jones' legal term in 1848, Rev. J. Reese and Rev. J. Elliott were the preachers. Mr. Reese died on the 4th of the following February, and Elliott was entrusted with the charge of -the circuit. He was followed in 1849 by Rev. S. M. Beatty, with Stillman George for a supply. During Mr. Beatty's first year on the work Lower Sandusky was favored with an extensive revival which greatly strengthened the charge, and at the close of his first year the circuit was again divided, and Fremont was organ ized into a charge by itself, to which Mr. Beatty returned in 1850. He was followed in 185 1 by Rev. Dor cas Dodge, and in 1852-53 Rev. W. J. Wells was again appointed to the charge, and at the close of his pastorate in 1854, Rev. W. H. Seeler succeeded him. He remained but one year, and was fol lowed in 1855 by Rev. L. A. Pounds, and he in 1856-57 by Rev. Jacob T. Caples. One year after, Mr. Caples left Fremont. In 1869, at the conference held in Fre mont, he was appointed by Bishop Morris presiding elder on the Findlay district. He served the district with great accepta bility and usefulness until near the close of the first year, when he was suddenly stricken down by acute brain trouble, and died in Findlay, Ohio." ~ Brother Caples was a young man of wonderful preaching powers. At the expiration of Mr. Caples' term in 1858 Rev. Charles G. Ferris was appointed. At the close of that conference year the Central Ohio conference held its annual session in Fremont in 1859. The conference was hospitably entertained by the citizens, the members of other churches, and those who were not connected with any church, generously assisting. The confer ence adjourned with grateful feelings to ward the people for their kind and hos pitable entertainment. At this conference Mr. Ferris was removed and Rev. W. S. Lunt was appointed. He remained for the two conference years. No pastor ever enjoyed more fully the confidence and affection of the charge than did Mr. Lunt. He has been for some time broken down in health, and sustains a superannuated relation to the Central Ohio conference. He resides in Fostoria, and enjoys the confidence and affection of the people. He closed his legal term of service on the charge in 1861, and Rev. Simeon Alder man was appointed to succeed him. He remained but one year, and in 1862 Rev. E. R. Morrison was appointed. Mr. Mor rison was of an unfortunate mental organ ism. During his ministry here there were marked indications of mental aberration. He afterwards became entirely incapaci tated, from this difficulty, for work. At. present he holds a superannuated relation to the North Ohio conference, and re sides with his helpless family among his friends, somewhere in the West, an object of profound sympathy. In many respects he was a man of fine intellect. At the end of his first year in Fremont it was thought best to remove him, and in 1863 Rev. Amos Wilson was appointed to suc ceed him. The general conference of i860 had changed the rule relating to the term of pastorate to three instead of two 500 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY years, and Mr. Wilson remained the full legal term. He was followed in 1866 by Rev. Joseph Wykes, who remained two years. He was followed in 1869 by Rev. G. W. Collier. Mr. Collier resigned Jiis charge during the year to accept the agency of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, and Rev. A. Wheeler, of the North Ohio conference, was employed by the presid ing elder to fill the balance of the con ference year. In 1869 Rev. F. Merriott was appointed to the work. He remained two years, and was succeeded in 187 1 by Rev. W. W. Winter. At the close of his first year he was appointed presiding elder in the Findlay district, and Rev. Gershom Lease was appointed to the charge. He was reappointed in 1873 and also in 1874. Rev. Mr. Wilson became pastor of the church in 1878, and retired in October, 1881. EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION. This church is one which seems to have been formed to carry the gospel to the poor. It has been doing good work in this county for many years, and many souls have been saved through the earnest, self-sacrificing labors of its missionaries. All through the county the church build ings of this denomination are found, there being one in almost every township. Re vivals are of frequent occurrence, and though the preachers are usually itiner ants, the church keeps about its work of doing good, and receives the support of a large portion of the intelligent farmers of the county. The present num ber of church edifices in the county is fifteen; the entire membership seven hun dred and seventy. The first organization of the church in this county was effected in 1830. Since that date the progress of the association has been highly gratifying to those who have its interests at heart. The society in Fremont was organized in i860 or about that date. In 1862 Revs. Shireman and D. Strohman pur chased a lot, and an unpretentious but comfortable church building was erected. During the first ten years the congregation was composed almost exclusively of Ger mans, and the services conducted in their language. But in 1870 Rev. A. Vandersoll commenced holding services, in which English alone was used. Since that time the church has been quite prosperous. Its present membership is seventy. In the formation of the societies of the Evangelical church in Sandusky county, the itinerant preachers were men who hesi tated at no hardship which they met in the discharge of duty. They travelled chiefly on horseback, and with hymn-book and Bible and wardrobe packed in a valise or saddle-bags met their engagements, and fulfilled their appointments, through snow and rain and mud. Often their services were at first held in private houses, log cabins and even barns along the circuit. Rank and style and wealth were all ignored, while there was an enthusiasm in the service of "The Master" that never fainted or flagged. In diffusing the relig ion of Jesus through the .early settlements and carrying the gospel into remote places, in the woods and over the prairies, the Evangelical church has done a great and noble work for religion and civilization, and is still prosecuting its work with zeal and success. THE REFORMED CHURCH* The earliest record we find relating to the Reformed church of Fremont is dated November 5, 1857, at a meeting of the male members at the house of the Rev. J. Heller, where the following resolutions were passed: 1. Resolved, That we organize ourselves into a German Reformed congregation, and place ourselves under the care of Tiffin classes of the synod of the * Robert Lucas, clerk. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. S°i German Reformed church of Ohio and adjacent States, to be known as the First German Reformed church of Fremont, Sandusky county, Ohio. 2. Resolved, That we elect a consistory to consist of three elders and three deacons who, together with the pastor in charge, shall be the directors of the or ganization. The following persons were then appointed : E. B. Buchman, Michael Binkley, N. Naaman, elders; Frederick Tschumy, John Melhaupt, H. Zweler, deacons, who were regularly inducted into office on the 9th day of November, 1857, in the Union church at a regular meeting of the congregation. Recorded above May 31, 1858. Jacob Snydee, Recorder, Per Charles Atkinson, Deputy. On the ist of February, 1862, a joint meeting of the Salem (or Four-mile house) congregation and the Fremont congrega tion was held at the Reformed church in Fremont, and the two congregations united under name of one charge. The following persons were elected as trustees to serve a term of three years: Fremont church, Daniel Karshner, D. Koons, Peter Bauman ; Salem, or Four-mile church, A. Hensel, Peter King, William Rearick; J. J. Siebert was elected treasurer, George B. Heller clerk. Up to this time Rev. J. Heller was the regular pastor. In 1863 Rev. J. B. Thompson accepted a call and became the pastor, with the following per sons in the consistory: John Dull, Peter Bauman, and John Younkman, elders; D. Karshner, William Shrader, and Daniel Koons, deacons of the Fremont church. In 1865 we find the consistory made up of the following members: David Brohm and J. Younkman, elders; Robert Lucas and William Shrader, deacons. The church membership at this time numbered about eighty. Upon the resignation of Rev. J. B. Thompson a call was extended to Rev. James Seibert, which was accepted by him, he entering upon his duties as pastor April 9, 1868. Upon his entering the charge he found several- impediments in the: way which were quite embarrassing, the greatest one the burden of debt that the cHarge was carrying on the church property in Fremont, no money having been paid on the debt for some years, and interest accumulating. He set to work to pay the debt by having the members give their notes, payable in five years, with in terest, providing enough could be raised to cancel the debt; if not, none was to be collected. But by hard, untiring labor, he at last had enough to cancel the debt. He was universally liked by his people — plain, unassuming, conscientious, and upright; not a brilliant orator, but one whose whole mission seemed to be to be about his Mas ter's work. By his industry and systematic course of life he not only relieved the church of the burden of debt it was under, but awakened a spiritual interest also, that was manifest in the Sunday school, prayer meeting and church. Being naturally fond of music he did much to encourage the younger members in that branch, often meeting with them during the week for practice. In the fall of 1870, while as sisting a brother minister in Henry county, he returned feeling quite unwell, and was soon confined to his bed with typhoid fever, from which he never recovered. He died November 13, 1870. His remains were taken to Gabon, his former home, for burial, a large number of his members attending the funeral. Some weeks after a funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Dr. Williard, of Tiffin, Ohio, in the church at Fremont. In 1869, at a meeting of the general synod held in Philadelphia, the name of the society, or church, was changed from the German Reformed to the Reformed Church in the United States. After the death of Rev. James Seibert, the charge was supplied by ministers and students from the theological seminary at Tiffin for over a year. The names of those offi ciating during 1871 are: Rev. R. Good, C. G. A. Hulhorst, J. M. Kendig, A. Zort- 5 °2 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. man, and others. In 1872 S. J. Bacher, a theological student, of Tiffin, took charge of the congregation, and, upon completing his course^of studies, was or dained as regular pastor, serving very ac ceptably till 1875, when failing health obliged him to resign, much to the regret of his people. Rev. Jesse Richards served the charge till 1880, when his resignation was accepted, to take place June 1, 1881. At a special meeting of the Tiffin classes, held at theFour-mile church, September 13, 1881, the Fremont charge, which consisted of the Fremont congregation and the con gregation at the Four-mile church, was di vided into two separate charges; the Four-mile church and Lindsay congrega tions to constitute a charge, to be known as the Lindsay charge, and the Fremont con gregation and the congregation southeast of the city (known as the Mourey church) to form a distinct charge, to be known as the Fremont charge. A call has been ex tended to Rev. J. I. Swander, of Tiffin, Ohio, who is expected to become the reg ular pastor as soon as the way is clear. ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCHES.* Within the earliest period of Fremont's existence, Canadian Catholics had settled in and around Fremont, but years passed by ere their earnest desire for a Catholic priest was gratified; until, shortly after the arrival of the Beaugrand family from De troit, Mr. Gabriel Richard, a French mis sionary and an old acquaintance of the Beaugrand family, and who had married Mr. Beaugrand and Miss Chabert, made his appearance in Fremont. This priest came to America on the 26th of June, 1792, where, in the far West, his apostolic services covered a territory of fifty-five thousand four hundred and nine square miles, until in 1832 he died in Detroit, at * Written by Helen Furst; tianslated from the | Courier. the age of sixty-eight years. He it was, who, in the Northwest, published the first Catholic extracts out of the Holy Bible, and distributed them among the people. In the year 1809 he published a paper called, "Essay du Michigan," for which publication, however, on account of its altogether too strong Catholic tenden cies, he was imprisoned for some time. Rev. Richard, who had come here on a visit, soon left, and the settlers again were left without a priest. Irish Catholics began to arrive, and also a young German Catholic by the name of John Christian, a joiner by trade, and during the years 1835, 1836, 1837, and 1838 our settlement was strongly enlarged by families coming from Buffalo. Among the first was the family of Jacob Andres, and in the fall of the same year came Joseph Baumgartner. The next year, 1836, brought Mr. Jacob Gabel and his sons, John and Michael. In the following year came Mr. Joseph Huntzinger and several other families. About the year 1839 came Father Tscheu- hens, from Tiffin, on a visit, and services were held in Beaugrand's house, which was on the side of and near the river. From that time on our settlers were visited alternately by Catholic priests from Tiffin and other neighboring places. Also, Mr. Gabel, who lived four miles out of Fre mont, in Jackson township, and Mr. Hunt zinger, willingly gave the use of their houses for the purpose of holding services. Among those priests who from time to time visited our town we only mention two, namely: Amadeus Rappe and Jo- sephus Projectus Macheboeuf. The for mer became bishop of the Cleveland dio cese in October, 1847, resigned in August, 1870, and died in September, 1877. The latter became bishop in part, infid. of Epiphamia for the apostolic vicariat of Colorado, in August, 1868, which position he still holds. As the congregation be- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5°3 came larger they were obliged to look for a suitable place wherein to hold their ser vices, and gladly accepted the kind offer of Mr. Pease, to use his smith-shop on the east side of the river. In this building Mr. Balthasar Keefer was married by Father Macheboeuf, in 1840. Here also was held the first high mass in Fremont, by Father Martin Henni, who, in 1844, become bishop of Milwaukee, and in 1875 archbishop of the same place, where he died last year. Soon after Arch bishop Purcell, from Cincinnati, officiated here in the holy sacrament of confirma tion, and on the same evening lectured in the court-house. In the year 1842 Mr. Rodolphus Dickinson donated to the Cath olic congregation a lot, where now stands the present St. Ann's church, on State street, which was built at that time. The first stationed priest was Father Nightin gale; his successors wereCarobaine, Welsh, Rose and Mullen. From 1842 to 1857, Canadians, Irish and Germans formed one congregation. In 1857 Father Franz Xavier Wenninger, a Jesuit missionary, came to Fremont, and seeing that the Ger man element was the predominant factor, induced them to build a church of their own. Thereupon they bought a lot of General Buckland for eight hundred dol lars, situated on the corner of Croghan and Clover streets, and upon it erected the present St. Joseph's church. Among the members, at that time, we are able only to mention the following: Michael and Jacob Gebel, Ambrose Ochs, Joseph and John Stuber, George Greiner, Philip Gottron, George Rimmelobacher, John Gompert, L. Haberstroh, Charles Oltine, Casper Rust, J. Swartz, John Buchmann, Anthon and^John Reineck, Franz Geibel, sr., John Haaser, jr., Anthon Hochenedel, Paul Gaurus, Anton Young, Adam Mul- ler, William Horn, etc. Father Mullen's successor was Father Moos, who at present is in Sandusky. On the 2 ist day of September, 1862, Father Bauer took charge of the congre gation, and has been here ever since. Soon another lot near the church was bought from Mrs. Moore for nine hun dred and fifty dollars, whereupon the old school-house was erected, and in 1865 was built the present residence of Father Bauer. In 1870 it became necessary to enlarge the Catholic schools. The sisters, who soon became teachers in place of hitherto employed teachers, had to give up part of their dwelling for school purposes, until in 1878 it became absolutely necessary to build a new school-house. The lot, where at present the new school-house stands, was bought from Mrs. James Wilson, for four thousand dollars, and upon it was built the present elegant school-house. The schools are in a flourishing condition, and aside from the common elementary branches, some higher sciences are taught; also drawing is taught, and the girls are instructed in fancy needlework. The number of scholars at present is two hun dred and fifty, while the entire congrega tion embraces about one hundred and eighty families. st. Joseph's society. This society was first introduced by Father Mullen, who himself acted as pres ident, and Jacob Gabel, sr., acted as vice- president. This society was reorganized in 1866 and 1867 by Father Bauer, who at first became president, but after his resignation Mr. Joseph Stuber took his place. At present Mr. Franz Giebel, sr., is president; Mr. John Horn, vice- president; Mr. Fred Buchmann, treasurer; and Mr. John Rectenwald, secretary. The beautiful Munich flag is carried by John Weber at extraordinary occasions, 5°4 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY A GREAT SUNDAY-SCHOOL GATHERING. August 1 8, 1867, was a memorable Sunday-school day in Fremont. The county Sunday-school society at a meet ing held in May, resolved upon a gen eral meeting and picnic of all Sunday- school workers and scholars in the county. Circulars were addressed to every school in the county. How well they responded a report of the meeting will show. There were in procession, by actual count, more than four thousand people, besides the crowds who came in from the different townships, and interested spectators from town who filled the grove. The proces sion was under the direction of C. R. Mc Culloch and several assistants. It was five miles long and contained four hun dred and nineteen wagons packed with happy children and drawn by four, six, eight, and ten horse teams, many of them handsomely decorated. Several of the wagons were filled with girls beautifully dressed in white. It was a refreshing spectacle to see these passing wagons bear ing their beautiful and precious burdens to a day's meeting of enjoyment and en couragement. Many of the wagons con tained fifty or sixty children, and in one there were as many as eighty-six. Every school had made an elaborate effort to excel in beauty and tastefulness of emblem and decoration. The day was pleasant, and when eight thousand voices joined in chorus, the grove rang with swelling melody. Rev. J. B. Thomp son made the opening prayer, and Dr. Stilwell interested .- the children with a speech. Other speeches were made by Professors J. Tuckerman and W. W. Ross, and Rev. Mr. Inglf. A feature of the meeting was the dis play of banners borne in the procession. The Green Spring school carried a banner painted by General McPherson at the age of seventeen, when he was a teacher in the first school organized in that place. This much-prized banner was Used in a wide-awake procession and afterwards laid aside and forgotten until found a few days before this convention. Another banner was carried -by a Clyde school, for which it was painted in 185 1, by McPherson while home from West Point on a vacation. The device is a child leading a lion, and has under it the fol lowing text: "They shall not hurt nor de stroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." A third banner possessing historic interest was borne by one of the Clyde schools. It was presented to Captain Chapman, on entering the Mexican war, by the ladies of Tiffin, and brought home by him after victorious peace. The interest ing horse which General McPherson rode on the fatal 22d of July, 1864, was an object of interest in the procession. The following schools were represented by delegations: Fremont Presbyterian, Reformed, Episcopal, Methodist Mission, Clyde Methodist and Baptist; Butternut Union, South Ridge Baptist, Townsend Centre, Green Spring Union, North Riley Union, Galestown Union, Mt. Lebanon United Brethren, Ballville Union, Ma ple Union, Centre Union, Wolf Creek Chapel, Tawa United Brethren, Shiloh Union, Eden Chapel Union, Rollers- ville Union, Hessville Reformed, Mad ison Union, Jackson Sunday-school, Mus- kallonge Union, West Fremont Union, Rice Union, Fostoria, Mill Grove. The whole number present connected with the membership of these schools was four thousand seven hundred and fifty-four. COUNTY BIBLE SOCIETY. It is a striking fact in the history of Sandusky county that old institutions, both business establishments and chari table societies, were seriously retarded in their operations byjinancial embarrass- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5°5 meht. The Sandusky county Bible So ciety was no exception to the rule, yet general poverty throughout the county made its labor especially valuable. There are rigid necessities of life which must be supplied, but books, even the Bible, do not belong to that catalogue. People must eat and have the wherewithal to be clothed first of all things, and, as was seen in a previous chapter, Sandusky countv pioneers were scantily supplied even in those necessities. But an association of good people, esteeming the Bible, if not a vital at least a moral necessity, at an early period of our history engaged with spirit and earnestness in the praiseworthy enter prise of supplying to the needy and desti tute a copy of the Holy Scriptures. The Sandusky county auxiliary of the American Bible Society was organized May 24, 1830, at Lower Sandusky, and was officially recognized by the Continen tal Association on the 2d of the following December. An installment of books, con sisting of two hundred and fifty Bibles, and six hundred Testaments, besides a number of Bibles and Testaments sent as speci mens, was ordered from the American Bible Society the following spring. The- work was then formally inaugurated. By January 1, 1832, every township, and probably every family in the county, had been visited and supplied. The good work, however, was not kept up with that constant and watchful zeal which should at tend every educational and reformatory movement. Nothing worthy of mention was effected from January 1832, till July 1835. During this period a flood of im migrants had been pouring into the coun ty, most of them poor, and some of them wholly destitute. Duty made vigorous work imperative, and the society resolved upon the utmost exertion. A debt, how ever, to the general society remained un paid, and nothing effective could be ac- «4 complished' without assistance. A dona tion of fifty German Bibles and one hun dred and fifty Testaments was received and a credit purchase made of one hundred and fifty English Bibles and thirteen hun dred and fifty Testaments. The finances of the society prevented general free dis tribution of books and the poverty of new comers and pioneers prevented their sale. This attempt to resupply the county was practically a failure. In the language of the record, "from this time until February 15, 1840, the society languished." At this latter date a reorganization was effected and a better feeling seemed to exist among the members, and more de termination to carry out the objects of the association. Forty new members were added. There were received at this time from the parent society donations in Bibles and Testaments to the amount of two hundred and forty-three dollars, and by purchase books to the amount of two hundred and eighty-eight dollars. The society was yet embarrassed by debt and sought voluntary contributions. The so ciety was active and efficient from this time on. The county was thoroughly canvassed; the poor sought out and sup plied, and those in better circumstances induced to become members and contrib ute funds. It was emphatically a home missionary organization, and many homes have not yet forgotten titnely favor and assistance. Meetings have been held an nually for the last forty years. On account of changes in population it is necessary to be constantly watchful in order to carny out the design of the society. In 1862, two thousand six hundred and nine fami lies were visited. Two hundred and nine were found without any part of the Scrip tures in their dwellings — one family out of every twelve visited. One hundred and seventy-five of the destitute were supplied. Most of the recipients of the society's S°6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. charity "seemed to receive the gift of God with heartfelt gratitude. Among the des titute families some had lived ten years without a Bible, having been overlooked, probably, in the previous supply." A few instances are on record which go to show the spirit in which the society's charity was received. One said: "I have been want ing to get a Bible for a long time. I am poor and have to live by hard labor. I give you a thousand thanks." Another said: "I thank you kindly for this Bible. I will read it myself, and will also read it to my family." With tears in her eyes a poor wife said: "I have often wanted a Bible, but my husband would never buy one. I have kept house ten years. Oh, how I prize this Bible!" It is more diffi cult to receive with disinterested thankful ness than it is to give out of the fullness of the heart. It is certainly a subject of congratulation that the society's efforts of charity were received with gratitude and brightened and gladdened spirits depressed by penury. The secretary's report of 1863 says: "There has been something to en courage the society in giving the Word of Life to the destitute' in the liberality with which many have responded to the solici tations of the agent. A poor widow being called upon said: 'I rejoice to have the good work go on. I have but two cents; I give them freely, and would rejoice to give more if I had it.'" A complete canvass of the county was made in 1874, and another in 1879. N. J. Jones was appointed to make the last canvass, his compensation being rated at one dollar a day. Mr. Jones canvassed the -entire county except York, Green Creek and Townsend townships, which haye been included in the territory of the Clyde and Bellevue societies for a number of years. In the course of one hundred and fifty days occupied in the can vass,' and twelve hundred and eighty-four miles' travel on foot, Mr. Jones visited thirty-one hundred and ninety-nine fami lies. He found two hundred and fifty-two families wholly destitute of any part of the Scriptures; of these, two hundred and thirty- five were supplied, leaving in 1880 less than twenty-five families without the Bible. This was a fitting consummation of the labor of fifty years. The present officers of the society are: Dr. James W. Wilson, president; pastors of the various churches co-operating with the society, vice-presi dents; C. R. McCulloch, depositary; John G. Nuhfer, treasurer; John Ellston, auditor; Isaac M. Keeler, secretary. BURIAL PLACES. The military cemetery during the War of 1 81 2 was on the Hill south of the city. The English soldiers who fell in the trench before Fort Stephenson were buried in the bottom east of the fort and near the river. The first settlers set apart a lot for cem etery purposes on the hill sloping toward the south, just south of the present track of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Rail road. This was the common burial place until Oakwood Cemetery was laid out. Oakwood Association was formed in 1858, and was composed of the following individuals: S. Birchard,- James Justice, Israel Smith, O. L. Nims, David Betts, James W. Wilson, John P. Price, James Valletti, L Q. Rawson, James Moore, Thowas Stilwell, and Piatt Bush. A tract of land containing twenty-three acres was purchased and laid out in lots. Since 1858 Oakwood has been the common burying place of this community. Within the last five years the trustees have been especially diligent in making improve ments. Walks and roads have been con structed, lots graded and otherwise beauti fied. In the year 1878 a residence for the superintendent was erected, at an ex pense of one thousand dollars, and in 1869 a stone vault was constructed at a HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5°7 cost of eight hundred and fifty dollars. The present official board are: Stephen Buckland, C. R. McCulloch, F. S. White, William E. Haynes, and R. B. Hayes, directors; Stephen Buckland president; E. Loudensleger, secretary; C. R. Mc Culloch, treasurer; and C. Cramer, super intendent The Catholics in this part of the county buried their dead near the river below this city until 1853, when a lot of two and one-half acres was purchased in Jackson township. This lot is yet used by the Catholics of that part of the county. In 1863 St. Joseph's church, of Fremont, purchased eight acres for cemetery pur poses, located in the southwest part of che town. St. James' church purchased, at the same time, eight acres lying east and adjoining St. Joseph's cemetery. CHAPTER XXXI. SOCIAL SOCIETIES. Sandusky County Pioneer and Historical S jciety — Secret and Benevolent Societies. SOMETIME in February, 1874, ex- Governor Hayes suggested the forma tion of a historical society to his friend, General Buckland, and others. Theresult was a conference of several persons, who favored such an organization. , At this first conference were present General Hayes, .General Buckland, L. Q. Raw- son, James W.Wilson, and Homer Everett. These gentlemen, after exchanging views, concluded to make a start in the forma tion of a society, to the end that the pioneers of the county might be brought together and more intimately know each other and at times enjoy themselves in social intercourse. There was the further intent to so organize that as much as pos sible the events and the names of persons who were pioneers might be rescued from the oblivion of forgetfulness and kept on record. Accordingly the follow ing call was published in the papers of the county : SANDUSKY COUNTY PIONEERS. The old settlers and all other citizens of Sandusky county favorable to the formation of a County Pioneer and Historical Society are invited to meet at Birchard Hall on Saturday, June 6, 1874, at 2 o'clock P. M. A meeting was held accordingly, at which a constitution was adopted, provid ing for the name, officers, etc., and also that any resident of the county might become a member by paying one dollar, and that any person who re sided in the county on or before the ist day of January, A. D. 1830, shall be exempt from the payment of any member ship fees or dues. At this first meeting the following per sons, having complied with the constitu tion, became members, and signed it,to-wit: Homer Everett, Thomas Holcomb, George Bixler, Edward Tindall, Robert S. Rice, L. Q. Rawson, Piatt Brush, O. A. Roberts, Henry Bowlus, Samuel Skinner, John B. Rice, J. L. Green, R. P. Buckland, James W. Wilson, C. R. McCulloch, H. Lang, F. S. White, and R. B. Hayes. 5o8 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. On motion the following officers were then elected to serve until the regular an nual election, to be held August 3, 1874, to-wit: Homer Everett, president; L. Q. Rawson, vice-president; R. B. Hayes, sec retary; James W. Wilson, treasurer; H. Everett, R. B. Hayes, H. Lang, Piatt Brush, R. P. Buckland, and J. L. Green, executive committee. On the 3d day of August, 1874, the so ciety met and elected the same officers to serve the ensuing year. The constitution was amended so that, in addition to the members of the executive committee, there should be one person from each township, and the following-named persons were added, namely: Edward Tindall, Ball ville; William E. Lay, Green Creek; David Overmyre, Jackson; Martin Klutz, Madi son; Grant Forgerson, Rice; Thomas Holcomb, Riley; Charles H. Bell, San dusky; David Fuller, Townsend; JohnF. Bowman, Washington; Rev. C. Cronenwett, Woodville; John B. Mugg, York. The meeting then, on motion, appointed a basket picnic, to be held on the county fair grounds, in September, 1874. The executive committee designated the 3d day of September as the time for holding the picnic. The meeting was held according ly, and was eminently successful in the number of attendants from the country, as well as from the city. This first gathering of the pioneers was novel and interesting in many respects. The old settlers were there in goodly number, and the care-worn countenances, silvery locks, and7 in many cases, the tottering steps of the venerable participants in the reunion, afforded un mistakable evidence as to whom the county is. indebted, at that day, so largely for Fields of waving, golden grain; IJach flowery field, mead, and verdant plain Decreed to those who toil. At this meeting the names of Samuel Hollingshead and Augustus W. Luckey were added as honorary members of the society. The society has maintained its organi zation ever since, re-electing, annually, the same officers, with the exception of the secretary, Mr. Hayes being called, in the. 'fall of 1875, t0 'He Governorship of Ohio, for the third time, and, in 1876, to the Presidency of the United States. In his stead the society elected Isadore H. Bur goon, who has faithfully discharged the duties of his office to the present time. This society has done much good in several directions. It has annually held its basket picnic, and brought the old settlers of the county into each other's presence and acquaintance in pleasant, social intercourse, and thus increased their happiness. It has promoted reverence and respect towards the early settlers, and made them realize that their toils and hardships are appreciated by the succeed ing generations. By the numerous dis courses and addresses at these meetings a very good photo, so to speak, of early pioneer life has been placed on the rec ords of the society for preservation. It has preserved the likeness and biography of many of the early settlers in its archives, which will increase in interest as years pass by, and it has been instrumental in furnishing facts for this history. MASONIC. Masonry was instituted in Lower San dusky during the early years of the History of the village. Daniel Brainard, Harvey J. Harman, David Gallagher, and others of that jolly coterie of village wits and friends held meetings in a three-story build ing which stood on the present site of June's foundry. They paraded the streets on several occasions, and gave the lodge considerable prestige. But the anti-Ma sonic frenzy, which spread over the coun try like wildfire in consequence of the re puted murder of Morgan in New York, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. S°9 eompeUed the suspension of meetings here as well as at many other places. After the bitterness of feeling had died away, a few of the old members who survived, and several other Masons who had in the mean time located here, desired that the lodge should be reinstituted and work resumed. FORT STEPHENSON LODGE. The grand master, W. B. Hubbard, was appealed to, and a dispensation received May 12, 1852, directed to J, F. Simpkins, Daniel Brainard, and J. W. Smith, author izing them to organize a lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, to be known by the above title. A regular meeting for or ganization was held May 27, 1852, at which officers were chosen as follows: J. F. Simpkins, W. M.; Washington B. Smith, S. W.; Daniel Brainard, J. W.; J. S. Olm sted, secretary; D. Gallagher, treasurer; L. Caul, S. D.; A. Gusdorf, J. D; H. B. Burdick, tyler. Besides these there were present at this meeting J. W. Main, P. Brown, and O. True. At a session of the Grand Lodge, held in Chillicothe October 19, 1852, a charter was issued to Fort Stephenson lodge, its number being 225. The charter is signed by W. B. Hubbard, grand master, and B. F. Smith, grand secretary, and others. The lodge prospered and grew so rapidly that in less than ten years it was thought expedient to divide. Such a measure was made almost imperative by the fact that a large proportion (more than half) of the membership was German, and desired to work in the German language. In 1861 seven members withdrew for the purpose of establishing a new lodge, and in Decem ber of the following year a resolution was unanimously adopted making German the language in which all the proceedings of the lodge should be conducted. This rule has been adhered to ever since. Fort Stephenson lodge has been presid ed over by the following masters: J. F. Simpkins, till November, 1852; Danitl Brainard, till December, 1855; F. Wilmer, till November, 1858; C. Doncyson, till November, 1859; F. Wilmer, till July 19, 1877; C. Doncyson, till December, 18.78;; Lorenz Dick, since December, 1878. BRAINARD LODGE. A charter was issued to Brainard Lodge dated February n, 1861, which bears the following names: John F. Simpkins, Lewis Canfield, Samuel M. Ellenwood, Homer Everett, E. F. Hafford, Oscar Ball, John H. McGee, George W. Steele. The dispensation which was read at the first meeting, held February n, 1861, designated John F. Simpkins to act as master, L. Canfield, senior warden, and S. M. Ellenwood, junior warden. Masters since organization have been elected as follows: December, 1862, Homer Ever ett; 1863, L Canfield; 1864 and 1865, Oscar Ball; 1866, H. W. Bristol; 1866 to 187 1 inclusive, Robert H. Rice; 1872, W. I. Norton; 1873, J. P. Elderkin; 1874- 76, W. W. Ross; 1877-79, S. P. Meng; 1880, E. Stanley Thomas. The lodge occupies a handsomely furnished room in the third story of the block corner Front and Croghan streets. The membership is active and energetic. FREMONT CHAPTER. A charter was issued February 2, 1855, to Fremont Chapter, No. 54, Royal and Accepted Masters. The charter members were: Francis B. Bell, George R. Brown, William Hamer, William S. Russell, James W. Foster, J. S. Olmsted, Ferdinand Wil mer, L. Canfield, I. M. Keeler, E. F. Hafford, B. J. Bartlett. FREMONT COUNCIL, No. 64, Royal and Select Masons, was chartered February 7, 1856, with the fol lowing officers: E. F. Hafford, T. I. M.; J. V. B.Ames, ©. Q. M.; S. P. Meng, R. C. W. 5i° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. DRUIDS. The first society entirely German in its membership was established in Fre mont in 1859, as a lodge of the United Order of Druids. It was chartered as Schiller Grove, August 15, 1859, with the following members: Charles Billinger, George Homan, Jacob Zorn, Charles H. Shade, .C. G. Rumoff, James Unkrich, Jacob Fowler, Jacob Fretzel, Christoph Rosbach, Christian Michael, Joseph Ma- grum, and William Schrader. The Druids have a hall on State street, painted in the Oriental style of Christian art. KNIGHTS OF HONOR. Fremont Lodge, No. 95, was chartered in March, 1875, with the following mem bers : H. R. Shomo, P. F. Heffner, James Kridler, Byron Schoville, A. F. Price, C. Strausmyer, J. K. Heffner, Perry Close, E. B. Belding, C. M. Dillon, D. H. Brinkerhoff, E. F. Hafford. This lodge meets in Odd Fellows' Hall. Humboldt Lodge, No. 852, Knights of Honor, is a German society, and was chartered January 1, 1878. The following were charter members: P. Knerr, Charles Schade, Joseph Zimmerman, John G. Weis- becker, L Dick, Charles Klegin, F. Rich ards, J. Baumann, Christian Neeb, L. Younkman, Dr. M. Stamm, John Buchler, John Renchler, Charles F. Geisin, and C. W. Tschumy. This lodge has a mem bership of forty-two. Its hall is one of the finest in town. AMERICAN LEGION OF HONOR. A lodge of the American Legion of Honor was organized in Fremont in 1879, and is now one of the most prosperous societies of its class in the city. CROGHAN LODGE, NO. 77, I. O. O. F.* Like all other institutions devised for the benefit of mankind, Odd Fellowship is * By W. V, Marsh, secretary. the fruit of progressive civilization. By this power it has been wonderfully ad vanced and developed in the expansion of its capabilities, and the enlargement of its field of labor, It has grown, as many other orders of kindred character, formed in a good degree upon its example, out of the demand for auxiliaries, by the physical as well as the moral needs of men. Progress and civilization, which are practically .correlative terms, are. always moving under the light of accumulating - experience, never losing sight of the grand object of their exalted mission — the amel ioration of humanity. All our institur tions, whether social, political, religious, or moral, are the creatures of this mystic force, and have been controlled, modified, reformed, and perfected under its . pro cesses, so that their present excellence has been graduated from rude and. simple originals. Under this law of the social or ganization, united co-operation against the trials of life has been introduced, as alike the instinct of common humanity and the suggestion of a wise Providence. It has enabled men to uplift and succor each other in adversity, free from public de pendence, and to promote a spirit of fra ternity which knits them togetH-sr in spite of the partition walls set up to estrange and separate them. Although but feebly supported in its inception, it has con quered its way by persistent effort, and to day it stands on a foundation as firm as the "eternal hills." Who can calculate the value of such in stitutions, not only to their immediate membership, but as substantial supports? Their withdrawal would be seriously felt, not only as a loss of an immense moral power in society, but also from the fact that their absence would necessarily trans fer the burdens which they bear to the public. Among the many tributaries to the general welfare of this character which HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 5" are noiselessly, yet most effectively diffus ing blessing upon humanity, Croghan Lodge, No. 77, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the pioneer of Odd Fellow ship in Sandusky county, has made a rec ord fully verifying the scriptural quotation that "By their works ye shall know them." A brief statement from the records of the lodge will abundantly verify this fact: Croghan lodge was instituted Friday evening, February 5, 1847, by the Right Worthy District Deputy Grand Master Henry G. W. Crouse at, then, Lower Sandusky, Sandusky county, Ohio, in an upper room of John R. Pease's building, situated on Front street, on the site of the present block of Roberts & Sheldon. The petitioners who applied for a char ter in May, 1846, and at the installation of the lodge became charter members, were: N. S. Cook, D. H. Hershey, W. M. Stark, B. W. Lewis, and A. E. Wood, five in number, of whom Past Grand B. W. Lewis is the only surviving member. The district deputy grand master was assisted at the installation by Past Grands T. H. Sheldon, George Rumpp, and Rich ard Williams; John E; McCormic, Cas per Parsons, Chester R. Johnson, and R. W. Ruthman, all of Seneca' Lodge, No. 35, Tiffin, Ohio, and Mr. Conner, of Apollo Lodge, No. 61, Middlebury, Sum mit county, Ohio. After the formal insti tution and presentation of charter, the first election was held to provide officers for the current term, which resulted as follow: H. S. Cook, M. G; D. H. Hershey, N. G; W. M. Stark, secretary; B. W. Lewis, treasurer. Their installation followed in due and regular form. For the purpose of giving the new officers instruction in the ¦ initiatory work, the district deputy grand ^master held an initiation, Mr. John Smith [being the candidate. |The Pease building was occupied about lone year, when the lodge was removed to the Morehouse building, owned by Theo dore Clapp, on the southeast corner of Front and Garrison streets. Here they remained about two years, when they again removed to a room in the third story of Buckland's " old block," on Front street. This room they occupied from 1850 to March, 1870, when another change was made to the present large, com modious, and beautifully appointed rooms in the Foster block, Front street. . The lodge continued to increase in membership until 1876, when, numbering one hundred and sixty-two contributing members and thirty-five past grands, some of the brotherhood evidenced a desire to withdraw and form a new lodge. In June of the same year the matter took tangible form in the institution of McPherson Lodge, No. 637. with twenty-nine charter members, a history of which will appear elsewhere in this work. Since that time both lodges have worked harmoniously to gether, as brothers of one great family, in cherishing the sentiments and diffusing the divine principles of friendship, love, and truth. The following summary has been care fully compiled from records and annual grand lodge reports, from February 5, 1847, to July 1, 1881, and is approxi mately correct : SUMMARY. MEMBERSHIP. Contributing members January, 1850 37 Admitted by initiation from January, 1850, to July, 1881 270 Admitted by card from January, 1850 to July, 1881 73 Admitted by reinstation 20 Total membership to July, 1881 400 Withdrawn by card 104 Dropped 114 Died , ., 26 244 Present membership 156 5" HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. RELIEF. Number of brothers relieved to July, r88i 344 Number of widows relieved to July, 1881 9 Number of brothers buried by the lodge 24 Total 377 Amount paid for relief of brothers from Jan uary, 1847 to July, 1881 $473x I0 Amount paid for relief of widows 89 93 Amount paid for burial of deceased broth ers 639 40 Amount paid to charitable purposes 73 5° Total $5533 93 FINANCE. Minimum receipts from 1847 to r88i .... $23192 66 Expenses from 1847 to r88i 18866 03 Balance $4326 88 List of Past Grands to July, 1881, in nearly the regular order : N. S. Cook, D. H. Hershey, W. M. Stark, John Bell, R. P. Buckland, sr., John L. Greene, sr., C. R. McCulloch,* James S. Fouke, O. A. Roberts, J. F. R. Seibring, W..H. Mor gan, James H. Hufford, G. W. Steele, G. C. Canfield, S. Buckland, D. L. June, C. M. Fouke, I. M. Keeler, T. Clapp, D. W. Krebs, S. Buckland,* John McKee, N. Haynes, John Flaugher, J. R. Bartlett, L. Gelpin, E. H. Underhill, Joseph, Rum- baugh, George Reymond, John Bell,* John P. Moore, Aaron Bennett, L. M. Jackson, Charles H. Krebs, H. L. Pen- nell, H. R. Shomo, S. P. Meng, A. D Wiles, C. K Phelps, B. W. Lewis, James Kridler, D. L. Camfield, Henry Lesher, James H. Fowler, F. K. Tetter, David Otto, George Beck, Henry Stacy, S. E. Anderson, H. R. Tucker, G. M. Tyler, JohnT. Beck, J. C. Rosebaugh, T. F. Seigfried, R. Hermon, William Foresythe, John Treat, John L. Greene, jr., D. S. June, T. M. Hobart, H. R. Finefrock, M. A. June, C. E. Reiff, E. H. Morgan, I. Walborn, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Henry W. Kent. Following is the present list of Past Grands of Croghan Lodge, July 1, 1881: * Passed the chair twice. R. P. Buckland, sr., C. R. McCulloch, James H. Hafford, S. Buckland, D. L. June, I. M. Keeler, E. H. Underhill, Jos. Rumbaugh, John P. Moore, George J. Krebs, H. R. Shomo, B. W. Lewis, David Otto, George Beck, Henry Stacy, S. E. Anderson, H. L. Pennell, M. R. Tucker, John T. Beck, T. F. Seigfried, R. Her mon, William Foresythe, John Treat, John L. Greene, jr., D. S. June, T. M. Hobart, H. R. Finefrock, M. A. June, C. F. Reiff, E. H. Morgan, I. Walborn, Samuel Brinkerhoff, Henry W. Kent. M'PHERSON LODGE I. O. O. F. In 1876 the lodge had grown so large that it was thought better results could be secured by division. The Grand Lodge was applied to, and on May 11, 1876, a charter was issued to McPherson Lodge No. 637. The lodge was formally insti tuted June 29, 1876, with the following members: George J. Krebs, John W. Greene, John Pero, C. B. Tyler, John P. Thompson, S. P. Meng, A. Alfred, George Maycomber, W. B. Kridler, jr., Charles B. Greene, James West, Henry Coonrod, James Park, S. J. Ludwig, H. R. Bowlus, G. W. Heberling, Charles Thompson, Benjamin F. Evans, J. H. Robinson, James Kridler, Charles Moore, Henry Lesher, Frank Q. Ickes, S. A. Wilson, P. Knerr, Samuel Ridley, J. C. Rosebach, W. S. Witmer, and James S. Fowler. FREMONT ENCAMPMENT was chartered in May, 1855, wltri the fol lowing members: D. W. Armstrong, T. G. Amsden, A. J. Knapp, Samuel Z. Cul ver, David Moore, A. D. Wiles, Theodore Clapp, J. F. R. Sebring, W. W. Seely. Lincoln Lodge, Daughters of Rebecca, was chartered May 21, 1880. In concluding this brief and abstract re port, it affords great pleasure to be able to say that both lodges are, at the present, in a most healthful, progressive, and thriv- o ¦riuiniu.i v nin\i:.inti| :iiu.uiij| HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 513 ing condition, both in membership and finance. Biographical Sketches, RUTHERFORD BIRCHARD HAYES. An. able historian has obspjQjggL .that na tive talent is about equally distributed in all nations, but it goes to waste wherever the surroundings are not propitious. Intel lectual strength, to be useful, jjuist have cultivation, and be assorted *wMi good; moral qualities; great occasions are neces sary to make it prominent iman individual. - This is a somewhat abstra^t.heory,,-but it is a legitimate; deduction from" the^career.-j of that one citizen . of Sandusky county who has filled the highest office prj for by the Constitutioni^f* thg^N; It is our purpgJK-to/give^qriify V bare, outline of the< life qf thejp: ex-Pr"esident ', -. whose home is wMjfrn J|j^iimits of this:-; city. His biography isvey%D§^si^-s^0pj0i.' it is a part of the history 6f3re0qwritry. , But so much of his time, when not en gaged in the performance of public trusts, has been spent here that a sketch of his career falls within the legitimate sphere of local history. Rutherford B. Hayes is a descendant of George Hayes, a native of Scotland, who, after living for a time in Derbyshire, Eng land, came to America in the latter* part (peculiar vdue in any study of the man, is the evidence of the seventeenth,cenj:ury mediate charge, sending him to school •; and afterwards to Kenyon college. During ' this school period Mr. Hayes spent a large part of his vacation time at the residence , of his uncle in Fremont. His sister had rried William A. Piatt, of Columbus, and -his, mother made her home in that cjty^rMrl> Hayes graduated from Kenyon -rsfe honors of his class. During 5=se he kept a diary in which is 6fed not only casual events of college -life, but his estimates of persons with whom he come in contact, and occasionally lets drop a remark about himself and his as pirations. Mr. William D. Howells, in his biography, observes concerning this jour nal: . There are few instances and none of importance set down in these early journals. What distinguishes them from other collegian diaries and gives them V they unfold of his life-long habit of rigid self-account ability' and of close, shrewd study of character in others. At the end of the third year he puts in writing his estimate of the traits, talents and prospects of his fellow-students ; and in a diary opened at the same time he begins those searching examinations of his own motives, purposes, ideas, and aspirations, with out which no man can know other men. These in quiries are not made by the young fellow of nineteen any spirit of dreamy or fond introspection. Himself interests himself, of course, but he is not going to give himself any quarter on that account. He has 5'4 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. got to stand up before his own conscience, and be judged for his suspected self-conceit, for. his pro crastinations, for his neglect of several respectable but disagreeable branches of learning; for his ten dency to make game of a certain young college poet, who supposes himself to look like Byron, for his fond ness, in fine, of trying the edge of his wit on all the peo ple about hifn. Upon consideration he concludes that he is not a person of genius, and if he is to succeed, he must work hard and make the very most of the fair abilities with which he accredits himself. He has already chosen his profession and is troubled about his slipshod style and his unreadiness of speech, which will never do for an orator. He is going to look carefully to his literature, and takes an active interest in the college literary societies. . . He has to accuse himself, at the age of nineteen, of be ing a boy in many things. Even after he is legally a man, he shrewdly suspects that the law will have deceived itself with regard to him. He also finds that he is painfully bashful in society, but that great relief may be found by making fun of his own em barrassments. It[is a frank, simple, generous record, unconscious even in its consciousness, and full of the most charming qualities both of heart and mind. While at college, Mr. Hayes, with all his introspection, did not foresee the course of his life. He resolved to devote to law his exclusive attention. "But a little later," runs the biography from which we have already quoted, "we find that he has as pirations which he would not conceal from himself, and of which one may readily in fer the political nature from what follows. But what follows is more important for the relation it bears to his whole career than the light it throws on any part of it. 'The reputation I desire is not that momentary eminence which is gained without merit and lost without regret,' he says, with a collegian's swelling antithesis; and then .solidly places himself in the attitude from which he has never since faltered : 'Give me the popularity which runs after, not that which is sought for. ' So early was the principle of his political life fixed and formulated. Every office he has had has sought him; at every step of his advance ment, popularity, the only sort he has cared to have, has followed him. He is and has always been a leader of the peo ple's unprompted choice." Mr. Hayes graduated in the class of 1842, and began reading law the same year in the office of Thomas Sparrow, of Co lumbus, a contemporary of Thomas Ewing, Thomas Corwin, and William Allen. He afterwards attended the law school of Har vard college, from which he graduated in 1845, and was admitted to the bar at Ma rietta. Returning to the home of his uncle in Fremont, he formed a partner ship with R. P. Buckland for the practice of law. This partnership continued two years. Mr. Hayes then accompanied his uncle Birchard to the South, the trip hav ing for its object the recovery of the lat- ter's health. In 1849 tne young lawyer opened an office in Cincinnati, and for some time had the experience of most young professional men in a city. He was all the while, however, by diligent reading, preparing for future emergencies. He had, in fact, always been a close stu dent, going through book after book, seek ing to know the facts and ideas contained in them rather than paying attention to the author's art and style of composition. He read pretty much everything of im portance in current general literature. He has carried this habit of reading through life, except during those periods too fully occupied by public duties. It was through a circumstance of ex ceptional good fortune that Mr. Hayes was given an opportunity to show his# powers as a lawyer, and to earn standing as a practitioner. His first case in Cincinnati was his defence of an idiot girl, who had been arraigned for murder. The half-daft creature was brought into court to answer to the charge, and, being without money or friends, had made no provision for an at torney to defend her. Judge Warden was then common pleas judge, and was on the bench when the case was called. The case was such an undesirable one, and the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5i5 accused such an unprepossessing client that none of the attorneys present were anxious to undertake the defence. The judge, finding the poor girl had no coun sel, asked the bar who should be appointed to defend her. Mr. Hayes, then almost a stranger in the court room, was singled out as a proper person to undertake the undesirable case. After making some in quiry concerning the character and fitness of the young barrister, the appointment was made, and after a short preparation on the part of the defence, the. trial pro ceeded. The case was tried with vigor on both sides. Mr. Hayes' argument was particularly strong, and at once gave him a reputation as a lawyer. From that time he enjoyed a remunerative practice. In 1856 he declined a nomination for- judge of the Hamilton county Court of Common Pleas. Two years later he became a can didate, and was elected to the office of city solicitor of Cincinnati, to which, on the expiration of his term, he was re elected. In 1861, when the first call for troops was made, Mr. Hayes offered his services, which were at once accepted by the Gov ernor, and when the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized, in June, he was commissioned major. He served under Rosecrans in West Virginia, during the summer and fall, part of the time being judge advocate on the Gen eral's staff. He was appointed lieuten ant-colonel November 4, 1861, and took formal command of the regiment at the opening of the campaign of 1862. The first great battle in which the Twenty- third participated was South Mountain, culminating in the battle of Antietam, September 17, 1862. The summer had been occupied in skirmishes and forced marches until August, when the regiment was transferred to McClellan's command. The enemy was driven from Frederick City, Maryland, and on September 13 Middletown was reached. Here began the battle of South Mountain, in which Lieutenant-Colonel Hayes, in command of the Twenty-third, led the advance. It was ordered at an early hour to advance by an unfrequented road, leading up the moun tain, and to attack the enemy. The enemy, posted behind stone walls, poured a destructive fire of musketry and grape into the advancing column. Lieutenant- Colonel Hayes, Captain Skiles, and Lieu tenants Hood, Ritter, and Smith were each badly wounded. Colonel Hayes' arm was broken. Out of the three hundred and fifty who engaged in the action, more than one hundred lay dead and wounded upon the field. The command now de volved upon Major Comly, and remained with him from that time forward. The enemy charged from the left and the regiment changed front on the first com-' pany. Colonel Hayes, with his wound half dressed and against the remonstrances of his whole command, again came on to the field and fought until carried off. Soon after the remainder of the brigade came up, a gallant charge was made up the hill, and the enemy was dislodged and driven into the woods beyond. Three bayonet charges were made during the day, in each of which the enemy were driven with heavy loss. The Twenty- third participated actively in the battle of Antietam, which followed, being under command of Major Comly. In October the Twenty-third was ordered back to West Virginia, and on the 15th of that month Lieutenant Colonel Hayes was ap pointed colonel, in place of Scammon, promoted to a brigadier generalship. In December of that year Colonel Hayes was placed in command of the First brigade of the Kanawha division. Dur ing all that toilsome West Virginia service of more than a year, Colonel Hayes won, 5'6 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. not only the respect, but hearty friendship of his command. He exerted himself to make camp life agreeable and to relieve laborious marches, so far as possible, of hardships. The affection of members of the Twenty-third for their colonel is mani fested yet at regimental reunions. In the battle of Winchester Colonel Hayes, com manding a brigade, took a conspicuous and important part. In this battle he ex hibited rare personal bravery, which is a characteristic of the man and an import ant element of his success. He never hesitated, either on the field or in politics, to do what occasion seemed to require. At North Mountain, Colonel Hayes took command of the whole Kanawha division, and at Cedar Creek, where a horse was shot under him, his conduct was highly meritorious. Immediately after this bat tle Colonel Hayes, "for gallant and mer itorious services in the battles of Winches ter, Fisher's Hill, and Cedar Creek," was appointed brigadier-general, to take rank from October 19, the date of the last named battle. General Hayes was given command, in the spring of 1865, of an expedition against Lynchburg, and was making active, preparations when the war closed. He was breveted major- general at the close of the war to date from March 13, 1865, for gallantry and distinguished services in West Virginia in 1864, and at the battles of Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek. He was engaged in much severe service and participated in many battles. He had three horses shot under him, and was four times wounded. In the spring of 1865 there was a lull in the campaign in West Virginia, and many of the leading officers sought retirement from the service, which to them was be coming wearisome. Several of the mili tary friends of General Hayes desired that he should have a furlough or be advanced to a civil position of honor. A meeting was called at Winchester in May, 1865, over which Colonel Devol, of the Thirty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, presided. A resolution was unanimously and enthusi astically passed, declaring that: "Gen- Hayes, in addition to possessing the ability and statesmanship necessary to qualify him in an eminent degree for chief magistrate of the State of Ohio, is a soldier unsurpassed in patriotism and bravery, he having served four years in the army, earning his promotion from major in one of the Ohio regiments to his present position." This was the first suggestion of his name for Governor, and while the propo sition was received with enthusiasm by the army, it met with earnest protest from him. Genefkl Hayes had previously, in Octo ber, 1864, been elected to Congress from the Cincinnati district. He had also pro tested against this nomination, and when informed of the unsolicited honor, he re plied in a letter, since several times repro duced in political campaigns, in which he said: "I have other business just now. Any man who would leave the army at this time to electioneer for Congress ought to be scalped." Despite this protest, however, General Hayes was triumph antly elected by twenty-five hundred majority over Joseph C. Butler, a popu lar business man of the city. In 1866 he was re-elected by about the same majority over Theodore Cook. General Hayes was prominent in Congress rather for his usefulness then for the display ot brilliancy. He was unobtrusive, and sel dom took up the time of the House, even with a short speech. He was not ambi tious to display oratorical ability, but his congressional career is worthy of great re spect for the interest he took in the ques tions which at that time agitated Congress. The Republican State Convention of 1867 met in Columbus in June. The HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5i7 importance of having a strong candidate was deeply felt throughout the State, and the country looked upon the approaching contest with interest. The Republican party proposed a suffrage measure, which, owing to race prejudice, accrued, wholly to the benefit of the Democrats. Further than this, Mr. Pendleton had announced \ \ plausible and popular currency theories, - then new to the people and well calcu lated to attract votes. The Republican convention made General Hayes its spon taneous choice for the head of the ticket, wholly without his solicitation. The -Democrats further increased their strength ¦which the popular side of two great issues gave them, by selecting for their candi date Allen G. Thurman. The canvass was vigorous on both sides. The Demo crats were on the offensive and pushed prominently the proposition to pay the bonded debt in non-interest bearing green backs. Mr. Hayes resigned his seat in Con gress, and early in August entered zeal ously into the canvass. He spoke in nearly every one of the eighty-eight counties of the State, opposing with all his force the position of his opponents with regard to the currency, and supporting with the same fervor the stand taken by his own party for equal suffrage. General Hayes is a cam paign speaker of peculiar force and in fluence. He is not what is generally known as an eloquent speaker, yet he has canvassed this State several times, and drawn large audiences in the same towns at each campaign. His power lies in clear, bold, pungent statement, and he inspires an audience with confidence in the sincerity of his convictions. As a campaigner he belonged to that class who appeal to the reason of the wavering and doubtful. He fought a political battle on the issues- rather than by working upon prejudice or inspiring faithful partisans with confidence of victory. In a cam paign without an issue General Hayes would have been out of place. The con test in Ohio in 1867 was a pivotal one with reference to the disposition of the National debt and the question of negro suffrage. The Republicans lost the Legis lature, but General Hayes and the rest of his ticket were elected. The suffrage amendment was defeated, owing to its unnecessary disfranchising clause, but the principle had developed popular strength and subsequent triumph was assured. Governor Hayes' administration com manded the respect of the people of the State, and a second nomination was con ceded long before the convention met in 1869. The Democrats adopted an ultra platform and nominated General Rose- crans for Governor. General Rosecrans, who was in California at the time, de clined the position, and Hon. George H. Pendleton was selected as the opposing standard-bearer. The campaign was fought on issues growing out of the re construction measures of the Republican Congress, and attracted National atten tion. Governor Hayes was re-elected by a largely increased majority. His second administration was liberal and popular, as the first had been. As Governor he was eulogized by the leaders of both political parties. General (Hayes met his first political defeat in 1872, but it was a party and not a personal defeat On the 31st of July a large number of Cincinnati Republicans united in the following letter: Hon. R. B. Hayes: Believing that it is the desire of the Republicans generally of the Second Congressional District, that you be a candidate for the nomination, and feeling that you would receive a larger vote from the dis trict than any other person that could be agreed up on, we unite in respectfully asking that you accept a nomination for Congress. General Hayes positively and unequivo cally declined allowing his name to be 5i8 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY used in connection with the candidacy, but in the face of protestation he was nominated, and to prevent dissension in the party accepted. He foresaw defeat from the start, but made a good canvass, and carried a much larger vote in his dis trict than General Grant's vote for Presi dent a month later. Hamilton county was carried for the Democrats that year by five thousand majority. In 1873 General Hayes was unexpect edly nominated by the President for As sistant Treasurer at Cincinnati, but de clined the office, being desirous to re turn to his home at Fremont. He resumed his residence here in the summer of that year, and naturally enjoyed relief from more than twelve years of official care. The two sebsequent years of his life were passed quietly and contentedly. But his party in Ohio was approaching an important political crisis. The October campaign in Ohio in 1875 was looked up on as the preliminary battle of the Na tional contest of 1876. Far more import ant interests than mere partisan advantage were at stake. Upon the issue of the con test depended, in an important measure, the character of legislation on the currency question. The question was similar to the one which General Hayes, eight years before, had been called from his seat in Congress to champion. Republicans of the State felt the weight of great respon sibility, arid discussed, with solicitude, the choice of a standard-bearer. The Demo crats, two years before, had elected their candidate for Governor, and the year be fore carried the State by seventeen thou sand majority. Business failures and gen eral industrial depression made the theory of expanding the paper currency of the country extremely popular. In addition to this, discontent with the National Admin istration made Republicans indifferent. Seventeen thousand majority, the unpopu lar side of an all-absorbing issue, and an Administration at Washington generally unpopular, all these obstacles in the way of victory had to be overcome, and who should be chosen to lead in the unequal contest? General Hayes, as in 1864 he had been sought out of the army to be chosen to Congress; as in 1867 he had "been recalled from Congress to lead in a doubtful State campaign, against his will and solemn protest, was in 1875 1 forced from his pleasant and quiet home 1 to lead in a campaign which was to de cide, not only the immediate destiny of parties, but to formulate important Na tional legislation. General HaYes was tne spontaneous choice of the rank and file of the Republican party in that great political emergency. There were grave doubts, however, as to whether he would accept the nomination, and they were not without reason. To all who had ap proached him on the subject he had ex pressed extreme disinclination, and he discouraged, at every opportunity, the use of his name. Nevertheless Republican sentiment asserted itself, and grew in volume until, by the time the State Conven tion met, it was simply overwhelming. The only other name proposed was that of Judge Taft, of Cincinnati, whose high standing and ability were beyond question. When the convention assembled Judge Taft was presented as a candidate. There was also placed before the convention a dispatch from General Hayes positively declining to be a candidate. He sincerely desired relief from public life,' and on convention day confidently supposed that he had set at rest the movement toward his own nomination. While the convention was assembling at. .Columbus, General Hayes, at Fremont? was quietly directing some farm work. The feeling of the conven tion was unmistakable, and its demands irresistible. Mr. Hayes did not realize HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5'9 the situation on that day until a bundle of sixteen dispatches was delivered to him imploring a withdrawal of his positive declination, and another dispatch, re ceived soon after, notified him of his nomination by a vote of more than three- fourths of the delegates. Judge Taft, by his representative, moved to make the nomination unanimous, and General' Hayes, after consultation with his friends here, telegraphed: "In obedience to the wishes of the convention I yield my pref erences and accept the nomination." General Hayes entered that campaign with all his force, fighting not Allen and Cary but the theory of finance which their party advanced, and which he believed to be pernicious. Few Ohio campaigns have been so free from personality. The candi dates of both parties were men of the highest integrity, and with honorable rec ords. The contest was not for the Governorship but for the triumph of a principle which had an intimate relation to the Nation's most vital interests. General Hayes was master of the campaign which he led, having at the outset, in a speech before the central committee, conspicuous for clearness, defined the issues which he desired to have placed before the people. That speech, occupying less than five minutes in its delivery, was the Republican key-note, on. which the campaign was fought, the result of which brought its author prominently into the circle of Presidential candidates. The Ohio elec tion of 1875 was the turning point in the cousse of party destiny. The political revolution of the previous two years was brought to a stand-still, and restored to Republicans all over the country confi dence in their ability to maintain ascend ency in the affairs of the Nation. Penn sylvania, largely influenced by Ohio, was a month later carried by the Republicans. The results in these two powerful and pivotal States gave assurance of success in the approaching Presidential contest, and it was about this time that Governor Hayes' nomination for the Presidency became a subject of serious discussion. The Gov ernor himself, though plainly seeing the possibility of his nomination, was free from that intense ambition which led some other candidates to push themselves to the front. Therein was a secret of his suc cess. If he was to be the standard-bearer of his party, the nomination had to be offered to him. He did not seek the high honor, and by not seeking, antago nized the ardent partisans of none of those who were candidates in the full sense of the term. When the National Republican conven tion assembled in Cincinnati, Governor Hayes' eligibility as a candidate was uni versally recognized, although his delegate support outside of his own State was small. But six ineffectual ballots ex hausted personal enthusiasm, and on the seventh the man whose fitness was uni versally recognized, was nominated. The result of the convention was most gratifying to the people of this county, ir respective of party differences. This was shown by the brilliant reception tendered Governor Hayes on the occasion of his visit home, June 24. For three days the city was alive with the excitement of prep aration. Dwellings, business houses, and public buildings were tastefully decorated and brilliantly illuminated. The recep tion was held in the evening, and partici pated in by fifteen thousand people. The event was a most fitting tribute of respect to a fellow-citizen who had been desig nated by the dominant party for the first place in the Government. General Hayes' letter accepting the nomination for the Presidency,- was char acteristically strong and clear. If there had been any doubt in the public mind as to his 520 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY courage, it was dispelled by the bold and advanced ground upon which the candi date placed himself at the opening of the campaign. His position on the then great questions then occupying the attention of the whole country — reform in the civil ser vice, resumption of specie payments and restoration of fraternity throughout the Union — was especially pronounced and emphatic. With respect to the system of making official appointments, he an nounced that the "reform should be thor ough, radical, and complete." On the currency question then uppermost among business men, he said: I regard all the laws of the United States relat ing to the payment of the public indebtedness, the legal tender notes included, as constituting a pledge and moral obligation of the Government, which must in good faith be kept. His attitude toward the South was equally assuring: "What the South needs is peace,' and peace depends upon the supremacy of law." In the last paragraph of the letter is summed up the Republican candidate's pledge to the country. Let me assure my countrymen of the Southern States that if I shall be charged with the duty of or ganizing an administration, it will be one which will regard and cherish their truest interests — the interests of the white and the colored people both and eqdally, which will put forthjits best efforts in behalf of a civil policy which wil! wipe out forever the distinction be tween North and South in our common country. With a civil service organized upon a system which will secure purity, experience, efficiency, and econo my, a strict regard for the public welfare solely in appointments, and the speedy, thorough, and un sparing prosecution and punishment of all public officers who betray official trusts ; with a sound cur rency; with education unsectarian and free to all; with simplicity and frugality in public and private affairs, and with a fraternal spirit of harmony per vading the people of all sections and classes, we may reasonably hope that the second century of our ex istence as a Nation will, by the blessing of God, be pre-eminent as an era of good feeling and a period of progress, prosperity, and happiness. We have been endeavoring, so far as a brief sketch will permit, to point out the successive steps by which General Hayes rose in popular favor and official station. The letter of acceptance was undoubtedly the most influential document in the cam paign which terminated in his election to the Presidency. It was the expression of a man of decided convictions and with courage to maintain them. Further than this, it was a clear, concise definition of Republican doctrines, which Republican papers and orators amplified, but to which little was added. Like the brief speech to the State central committee one year before, this letter determined the issues of the campaign. The election was closely contested on both sides. The doubtful result in three Southern States threw the whole country into a state of anxiety which continued until inauguration day. The events of that memorable winter are beyond our present scope. General Hayes was declared elected by the highest authority in the Government, and his title has never since been vitiated by the strongest tests which partizan enthusiasm could institute. It is too soon to write the history of the administration from 1877 to 1881. That it gave satisfaction to the people is shown by the renewed growth of the Republican party from inauguration day, and the deci sive result of the National election of 1880. Its crowning accomplishment was the resumption of specie payment, and the consequent re-establishment of finan cial security and promotion of business prosperity. The attitude of the adminis tration toward the South went far toward allaying public prejudices. The immedi ate result of this measure has been re newed life and activity in that long neg lected section of the country. We can only enumerate a few other important measures of administration. An Indian policy was permanently established, secur ing the red man undisturbed possession of the soil he occupies, and encouraging him S|§|| eSL^-^e^ /IA9 Q&pexA^&Ji HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 521 in civilized pursuits. The Mexican border difficulties were settled by radical meas ures affording greater security to our border citizens than have they enjoyed since the annexation of Texas. Foreign commerce has been aided by requiring from consular posts detailed monthly reports. The most difficult question with which the Hayes administration had to deal was reform in the civil service. A system of political pat ronage, quietly acquiesced in for forty years could not be displaced in four years. Bold measures were adopted and the re sults have already received the indorse ment of the country. 'President Hayes was fortunate in sur-, rounding himself with a Cabinet of able and distinguished men, and holding them, with two exceptions, till the close of his term. The administration devoted itself assiduously to work, and grew more popu lar as the results of its labors became known. General Hayes retired from the . Presidency with the full confidence of fhe people of all parties. He had traveled in all sections of the country, and was every where received with the respect due the Chief Magistrate of the Republic. When he again became a private citizen, and re turned to his home in this city, he was tendered a hearty reception as a mark of personal friendship and local pride. In this sketch of his public services we have deferred mentioning the social and private life of General Hayes and of Mrs. Hayes, who has occupied a conspicuous place in the State and Nation. LUCY WEBB HAYES. The personal appearance of Mrs. Hayes and her qualities as a woman are too well known to justify any comment here. She has been before the public many years, and has always been the recipient of the highest favor and praise. Lucy Webb was the daughter of Dr. James Webb and Maria Cook Webb, and 66 was born at Chillicothe, Ohio. Her an cestors on both sides were Revolutionary soldiers, on her father's side being Virgin ians, who came from Kentucky to Ohio, and on her mother's side being from Connecti cut and Pennsylvania. Dr. James Webb was a soldier in the war of 1812, and was one of Ball's squadron, which engaged with a party of Indians just south of this city a few days before the battle of Fort Stephenson. He died of cholera in Lex ington, Kentucky, in 1833. Maria Cook Webb, the mother of Mrs. Hayes, was a lady of unusual strength of character and • deep religious :« convictions. After the death of Dr. Webb she removed to Dela ware, where her sons were being educated at the Ohio Wesleyan University. Miss Webb was instructed at Delaware by the University professors, preparatory to enter ing the Wesleyan Female College at Cin cinnati. It was. while attending college at Cincinnati that Mr. Hayes made her ac quaintance. Both were spending a short time at Delaware — Miss- Webb visiting her mother, Mr. Hayes his old home and birth place. It is said that the first meeting was at the sulphur spring on the college grounds. Her natural gaiety and attract iveness made a strong impression on Mr. Hayes, who was thenceforth a frequent visitor. While at school Miss Webb became a member of the Methodist Episcopal church. She has ever since been ardently attached to the duties and requirements of a Christian life. 'At college she bore the reputation of being a diligent student, and graduated with good standing. Her marriage to Mr. Hayes took place December 30, 1852. The ceremony was performed by Dr. L. D. McCabe, of the Wesleyan University, who was also present at the twenty-fifth wedding anniversary, celebrated at the White House. Mrs, Hayes first became known to the 522 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. outside world during the war. A distin guishing characteristic is the great pleasure she takes in making people happy. In the army, among volunteer soldiers, she found ample opportunity for the exercise of her rare faculties in that direction. Upon learning of the severe wound re ceived by her husband in the battle of South Mountain, she, hastened East and joined him at Middletown, Maryland. As soon as he was able to walk, she spent a portion of each' day in the hospitals, cheering the wounded of both armies with delicate attentions and tolcens of sym pathy. The members of the' Twenty- third Ohio Volunteer Infantry remember Mrs. Hayes with the kindest. affection. Mrs. Hayes 's eminently' social 'and do mestic. .' Her residence has seldom been without visitors, and she ha;s always been, in every station, mistress of her own house- ': hold. One feature of White House life, during the Hayes administration, ha;s jieeiD a subject of much newspaper comment. The use of wines was 'wholly abandoned. Wine had never' been brought, upon the g table in their" own private residence, and# it was the desire of. both the President and Mrs. Hayes that their private custom should be maintained, and "'"respected while at the head of-the Government. Spiegel Grove is the name given the. home of the ex-President . in Fremont. The grounds are located on Buckland: avenue, and consist of thirty acres, a large part of which is shaded by forest trees. The house, a substantial two-story brick, stands near the centre. It was built in i860 by Sardis Birchard, and was his residence until his death in 1874. General Hayes has since made additions to the house. The well-filled library on the first floor indicates the character of the student whose collection it is. Few private libra ries in the State will furnish more informa tion on topics relating to our own country than that of General Hayes. His knowl edge of Ohio and Ohio history is espec ially accurate and extended. General and Mrs. Hayes have again settled down to the rest and quiet of private life, which, for people of their age, they have indeed had little opportunity to enjoy. Fremont has been for years their home, though for the most of the time not their residence. It is expected that they are now here to remain. GENERAL R. P. BUCKLAND. Ralph Pomefoy Buckland was born at Leyden, Massachusetts, on the 20th day of January, 18 12. His grand father and father died from the im mediate effects of military service in the ' cause of our country; the former, Stephen Buckland, who was a captain of artillery in the Revolutionary war, from East Hart- ! ford, . Connecticutj '. dying in the Jersey pris6nTslrip;near New York; the latter, Ralph Buckland, a ^volunteer in Hull's army during the War of 181 2, dying at Ravenna,. Ohio, from disease contracted while a prisoner of war.* The subject of *The following is a copy of a letter written by General Buckland's father about one year before his death: ; t. " Ravenna, September 12, i8r2. Dear Sister: — These lines will inform you that I am well. I have just arrived from Fort Maiden in Upper Canada, a prisoner on parole. I belonged to General Hull's army, and was sold with the rest of my brother volunteers to the British and Indians by that traitor and coward, Hull. The distress the in habitants have undergone by letting the Indians in upon the frontiers is beyond description. Plundered of every article of property and clothing; and hun dred of families massacred adds to the scene of dis tress. But they will have to share the same fate or worse if possible. We have a fine army of ten thou sand men within a two days' march of here, which will show them that a Hull does not command at this time, Governor Harrison has the command of this army, and will do honor to his country and him self. He commanded at the Wabash last fall at the L /sO- i-A- -c C^f-Z-Cr^ ^t- ^L HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 523 this biography completes the family's mili tary record by his service in the Great Rebellion. His father, acting in the capacity of land-agent and surveyor, came to Portage county, Ohio, in 1811. About the close of the following year, during the severe winter, while an unbroken waste of snow stretched from the New England States westward, the father removed his family jn a one-horse sleigh, from their Massachu setts home to Ravenna in this State, where, as above stated, he died only a few months after. His mother's maiden name was Anna Kent. Her father died at Mantua, Ohio, where he had moved from Leydeii, Massachusetts. Some few years after the death of Ralph's father, his mother married Dr. Luther Hanchett, who then had four children by a former mar riage. Six more children were born to them. The family were always in moder ate circumstances. During his earlier years Ralph lived with his stepfather and family on a farm, but the greater part of the time, until he at tained the age of eighteen, he lived with and labored for a farmer uncle in Mantua, excepting two years when he worked in a woollen factory at Kendall, Ohio, and one year spent as a clerk in a store. In the winters he attended country schools, and the last summer, that of 1830, he attended an academy at Tallmadge, Ohio, where he made a commencement in Latin. In the following fall he embarked at Akron, Ohio, on board a flat boat loaded with a cargo of cheese to be transported through battle of Tippecanoe, and the Indians have not for gotten it. I have enjoyed very good health since I saw you last. Give my love to my mother and all our friends. I am in great haste, and can write no more, at present. Yours, Ralph Buckland. •_P. S. You will write me an answer soon. I ex pect to go to Cincinnati in a few days, on public busi ness. the Ohio canal, down the Muskingum, Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Natchez, Mississippi. At Louisville he secured a deck passage on the Daniel Boone, and worked his way by carrying wood on board. When he arrived at Natchez he had less than one dollar in his pocket, but he immediately found employment in a warehouse on the landing, where he re mained for a few months, but iong enough to so thoroughly secure the confidence of his employers that at. the end of that time they put him in charge of two flat boats, lashed together, and loaded with twelve hundred barrels of flour for the New Orleans market. On this trip he served his turn with the rest of his crew, as a cook. The voyage was successfully com pleted, and soon after landing, at the earnest solicitation of his Natchez em- pleyers, who had opened a commission house in New Orleans, he remained in their employ in the latter city. At that time drinking and gambling were quite common with young clerks like himself; but, besides a natural disin clination to indulge in things of this na ture, he was further strengthened in his resolution to wholly abstain from these evils, by the untimely death of the book keeper of the house in which he was em ployed, who was killed in a duel arising from dissipation. These resolutions have ever since been strictly kept. In his spare moments, of which he had many during the summer months, while at New Orleans, he pursued the study of the Latin and French languages, and several of the common school branches. In June, 1834, he started for Ohio on a visit to his mother, leaving New Orleans with the fixed idea of returning and mak ing that city his future home. He had been offered several first-rate situations, but on arriving home, through his mother's solicitations, he was induced to remain in 524 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. the North. After spending one year at Kenyon College he began the study of law in the office of Gregory Powers, at Middlebury, and completed it with Whittlesey & Newton, at Canfield, being admitted to practice in the spring of i837- During the winter of the previous year he spent several months pursuing his studies in the office of George B. Way, who was then editor of the Toledo Blade. While the editor-in-chief was temporarily absent at this time, he acted, for a few weeljs, as editor pro tern, , >t Immediately after admission to the Bar, with about fifty dollars in his pocket, loaned him by his uncle, Alson Keafeie started in quest of a favorable locaticlfPFor ( an attorney. The failure of the wild-cat : banks was what settled Ralph P. Buck- land in Fremont. On; arriving here,, at what was then known as Lower Sandusky, he found that he had not enough good money wherewith to pay a week's board. The surroundings could not have appeared very favorable to the young lawyer„Jku under the circumstances he was compelled ' to stop. He was' trusted, by Thomas, L. Hawkins, for a sigfe opened a law office, and soon secured enough, business to pay his expenses, which 'were kept dowrTrto \ the lowest possible point. .At this fate he was not only without means, but, even worse, he owed three hundred dollars for his expenses while a student,, and for a few necessary law books. This, it would seem, to him was but a trifle. He confident of ultimate success, for, eight months after opening up his law office in Lower Sandusky, while still worth nothing in a pecuniary point of view, he went to Canfield, Ohio, and there married Char lotte Boughton. With his wife he re turned here in the following spring. Al though, as just spoken of, he was witheut means, his credit was good. He was was strictly economical, temperate in all things, and diligent in business. His ex penses during the first year of married life did not exceed three hundred dollars, and his business steadily increased, so that at the end of three or four years he had all he could attend to. In these early days of his life he was very slender in build, and troubled, to some extent, with dyspepsia, but outdoor exercise, gained in travelling on horseback to the courts of adjoining counties during term time, cured him of that complaint, and gradually in creased his weight and physical strength. ;. - Mr.-; Auckland first entered into pol itics pro&nently as a delegate to the Philadelphia convention in 1843, which ^placed Genial Taylor in nomination for flie Presidency. In the fall of 1855 he was elected to the State Senate as a repre sentative of the Republican party, in that, thg first Legislature after its organization. He was re-elected in 1857, serving four years. He was the author of the law for the. adoption of children, which was passed. during his service in the Senate. * HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 525 Ohio, and marched at once for Camp Chase, near the city. At Camp Chase he assumed command, and remained in that position until on the 19th. of Febru ary he was ordered, with the regiment, to report to General W. T. Sherman at Padu cah, Kentucky. • General Sherman placed him in com mand of the Fourth brigade, First division . of the Army of the Tennessee. On March 7, 1862, General Buckland embarked his brigade on steamers on the Tennessee River, under orders to report to Major General C. F. Smith at Fort Henry. This order complied with, he proceeded, with the rest of Sherman's division, up the Ten nessee to Savannah and Pittsburg Land ing, and from there he went some fifteen or twenty miles further above, for the pur pose of cutting the Memphis & Charleston Railroad, but in consequence of the ex treme high water, the latter expedition was a failure, and he returned to the Landing. The battle of Shiloh, which took place in the first week in the following April, and in which General Buckland, with the Fourth brigade, took a prominent part, is given, in all the details, in General Buckland's his tory of the fight, to be found in another part of this volume. The general opinion entertained by those opposing enlistments was that the subject of this sketch was a man of no courage, and that he would never venture into the field of battle. This opinion had been diffused to a considerable extent among the soldiers and officers under his command; but after the first fight on that terrible Friday before Shiloh, all doubts as to his courage or disposition to go into danger were scattered. He there had the opportunity of showing, under fire, that valor and determination were some of the strong points of his character. Qn one occasion, during the battle of Shiloh, being ordered to advance his brigade under a very severe fire from the artillery and musketry of the enemy, there seemed, at the moment, to be some hesita tion in the lines. General Buckland im mediately rode up to one of the color- bearers, took hold of the staff, and con ducted the bearer and colors to the de sired point, followed by the cheers of the soldiers as they swept forward. General Sherman, in his report of that battle, written on the ioth of April, 1862, uses the following language: "Colonel Buckland managed his brigade well. I commend him to your notice as a cool, intelligent, and judicious gentleman, need ing only confidence and experience to make him a good commander." This opinion of General Sherman's never changed during the time of the war, but, on the contrary, was strengthened by a more intimate and longer acquaintance, which has continued up to the time of this writing. In the advance on Corinth, begun on the 29th of April, sickness to a great ex tent prevailed in the ranks, and it required the utmost courage and attention to pre vent the men from becoming demoralized. Being in close proximity to the enemy, it was necessary to form line of battle before . daylight every morning. The men had be come so weak and dispirited that few turned out. This condition was alarming, and foreboded fatal results in case of at tack. To remedy this increasing evil, General Buckland took upon himself to arise before daylight, and, with Surgeon J. B. Rice and a lantern, went from tent to tent of the officers and soldiers, causing all complaints to be examined by the sur geon, and compelling all those whom the surgeon advised it would not injure to turn out. This proceeding made him very un popular, and many bitter letters were writ ten home concerning him. But the sol diers soon discovered that it was done for 526 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. their good ; their feelings changed, and by open thanks they showed him their appre ciation. From thenceforward he became universally beloved by his soldiers. General Buckland remained in com mand of the Fourth brigade until the army reached camp No. 6, on\the 13th of May, where he was assigned command of the Third brigade; but on the following day General J. W. Denver, having re ported to Sherman, by order of General Halleck, was put in charge of the Third brigade, and General Buckland returned to the command of his regiment. In the fight before Corinth, his regiment was con stantly under the fire of the heavy guns on the rebel battlements, and, on the 30th of May, entered the city, finding it deserted. On the 1 2th of November, 1862, while at Memphis, he assumed command of the Fifth brigade of troops in General Lau man's division, and formed part of the Tallahatchee expedition. Under orders from General Grant, who had learned of the capture of Holly Springs by General Van Dorn, he marched to retake the place, which was successfully accomplished. Soon after, the brigade was assigned to the division commanded by Brigadier General Ross, who, three days later, was placed under arrest, and General Buck- land, as the ranking colonel, ' assumed command of the division until December 26. On the following day he began a march towards Dresden, Tennessee, for the purpose of attacking and driving For rest from that place ; but, on arriving there on the morning of the 29th of December, he found that the enemy had evacuated it the same day. On the 20th of March he joined Gen eral Sherman's corps in front of Vicksburg, and participated in a series of battles and skirmishes which occurred in the move ments to the rear of that city. During the siege he was always active and vigilant, and at times much exposed. On the 19th of. -May, on foot,, at the head of his brigade, he.mached^down the grave-yard road, under a terrific fire of musketry and artillery from the enemy's works, and, taking a position along the first parallel ridge, to support an assault on the rebel works, he maintained his place until after the assault on the 2 2d of the month. Al though he was constantly exposed, and- his men were shot down around him in great numbers, he escaped uninjured. While on duty, on the 24th of Septem ber, by the fall of his horse his right wrist was broken. By this injury he was in capacitated for active service, but con tinued to command his brigade, except for a short time, until on the 26th of Jan uary, 1864, General Sherman placed him in command of the district of Memphis, where his administrative abilities were ex emplified and his integrity of character was clearly manifested. The incidents connected with General Forrest's night raid on Memphis shed the strongest light on General Buckland's sterling traits of character. But for his courage, decision and promptness of action, the rebel forces would have taken possession of the city, and have captured large stores of Government property. General C. C. Washburne was at that time in command of the department, and had his headquarters in the city. General Buckland commanded the district. Most of the troops, under command of General A. J. Smith, had been sent in pursuit of Forrest, but, by a piece of strategy, the lattter had eluded his pursuers near Ox ford, Mississippi, and made a rapid march to Memphis. He captured the cavalry patrol, rushed over the infantry pickets, and, under cover of the darkness preced ing the dawn of Sunday, ^he 21st of August, entered the slumbering city. General Washburne was surprised at his HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 527 headquarters, his staff and orderlies cap tured, and he narrowly escaped the enemy's clutches. He was in a building near that occupied by his officers, and, being op portunely awakened, with only his pants on, he made good his escape to the fort below the city. General Buckland was aroused by the pounding on his door by the sentinel. The rebels were then in possession of a considerable portion of the city. At once realizing the full extent of the danger, and determined not to be captured without a struggle, but still without' the least idea of the number of the enemy surrounding him, General Buckland ral lied about one hundred and fifty men ; at the same time ordering the rapid firing of an alarm gun, which served to awaken his own troops and alarm the enemy; and, in the gray mist of the early dawn, placing himself at their head, he instantly attacked the body of rebels collected near General Washburne's headquarters. He was out numbered by four to one. He swept the enemy before him down the darkling streets; his numbers increased, and in such spirit was the attack conducted, and so rapidly was it carried on, that in less than an hour every rebel was driven from the city. A sharp battle immediately ensued in the morning, on the Hernando road, in the outskirts of the city, between the Union troops under General Buckland and Gen eral Forrest's entire forces, in which the latter were defeated and turned in full re treat. A few weeks after these last occurrences, in answer to a letter of General Buckland's concerning events at Memphis, the pres ent situation and his prospect of being elected to Congress, General Sherman wrote him a private letter, from which we make the following extract : I know on all occasions you will do your best. I attach little importance to Forrest's dash at Mem phis. He is a devil of a fellow, and I wish I had a few such, but they don't make permanent results like such men as you do. I entertain for you not only a measure of respect but also of affection. I think you are right now in going to Congress. That is National. I did not want to see you return to private life on account of the labor of war. We. must have the assistance of the best men in the Na tion to reinvigorate it. In Congress you take a Na tional position, strengthened by a practical knowl edge of the labor, responsibility, sleepless anxiety and personal danger of war. Your mind can skip the personal and selfish for the patriotic and real. You know also that words now must be mistrusted and men judged by acts. Opinions may be soft, pleasant and flowing, but the real man must act and not talk. Indeed I do value your friendship. Poor McPherson was dear to us both; and well do I remember in our first Shiloh days how he always hunted out your camp. Whatever may befall us, believe me that I feel for you more than usual esteem and personal friendship, and feel gratified in know ing it is reciprocated. General Buckland remained in com mand of the district of Memphis until the 22d of December, 1864, and on January 6, following, he tendered his resignation at Washington, to the -Secretary of War, and was duly mustered out of the service. August 3, 1866, he was commissioned brevet major-general United States Volun teers, to rank from March 13, 1865, for meritorious service in the army. Without having sought or expected political favor, and while still serving in the army, he had been nominated for Repre sentative in the Thirty-ninth Congress. Without having gone home to further his interests, he had been elected by the peo ple of the Ninth district of Ohio. In obedience to their wishes, he left the mili tary for the civil service of his country. In 1866 he was re-elected to Congress. During the whole of the four years in Congress he served on the committee on banking and currency, and on the military. At the close of his Congressional career General Buckland resumed his law practice, a field of labor in which, before the war, he had attained distinction, and at this date he is still actively engaged in the labors of his profession, 528 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. To his example and influence the city of Fremont is indebted to a great extent for its many public improvements, and not the least among them are the beauti ful shade trees, which adorn almost every part of the city. He erected the first substantial brick block in Fremont, a three-story building of four store-rooms, with a public hall in the third story, con sidered at the time a great and hazardous enterprise. In 1853 he erected the finest dwelling then in Northern Ohio, and sub sequently the three-story brick block at the corner of Front and State streets. In every public enterprise for the interest of the town, he was one of the first to pro pose and one of the foremost to act, re laxing no effort, and withholding no help until the thing had been pushed to a com plete success. In 1870 he was elected president of the board of managers- of the Ohio Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans Home, located at Xenia, which position he filled .for four years. On the 30th of January, 1875, General Buckland, Hon. R. P. Ranney, Dr. W. S. Streeter, as the guests of Henry A Kent, of New York, sailed from that city in the sailing yacht Tarolinta, for the West In dies. They visited Martinique, Barbadoes, Trinidad, Grenada, Santa Cruz, St. Thom as, Porto Rico, San Domingo, Jamaica, and Cuba, returning to New York April 19, after having sailed about seven thous and miles. General Buckland was a delegate to the Cincinnati convention that nominated General Hayes. It is well known that his labors and influence contributed largely to the success of the nomination. For three years, from 1878 he held the position of Government director of the Union Pacific Railroad. General Buckland's career has been measured by a success that adds one more example of what may be attained by a boy born outside of the pale which is presumed to enclose the advantages and the means necessary to success, viz: — influential friends and parental wealth. Left an infant at the death of his father, whose letter, embodied in this sketch, shows him to have been a man, the . impress of whose character was worth more than an estate to his son, he made his own way in the world, and will leave as an inheritance to his children the record of a successful life, judged by what it has accomplished, and of a character for integrity, honor, and noble impulses, worthy of all imitation. In his family General Buckland has al ways been kind and considerate of the best interests of each. With the wife of his youth, who still lives, he came to his Lower Sandusky home, and together, with marked mutual esteem, they, each in their sphere, worked to prosper, sharing alike with cheerfulness and hope the privations of the beginning. Suited to each other, as no man and wife could be better, they have' lived happily '•¦ in each other's confi dence and love, to enjoy together in an unusual degree .the comfortable surround ings their industry has enabled them to secure; and have always shared the pleasures of travel and' social enjoyment, for which the later public and official life of General Buckland afforded unusual op portunity. SARDIS BIRCHARD* A detailed biography of Sardis Birchard would be an important contribution to the history of Sandusky county. Although not one of the first settlers, he, at an early day, became a man of influence and prom inence. He was born at Wilmington, Windham county, Vermont, January 15, ?Information derived mainly from Knapp's History of the Maumee Valley. JE.T .70, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 529 1 80 1. Both his parents died while he was yet a child. Both of his grandfathers were Revolutionary soldiers. His grand father, Elias Birchard, died of disease con tracted near the close of the war. His ¦grandfather, Captain Daniel, served as an officer under Washington during the war, and survived many years. The Birchards were among the first settlers of Norwich, Connecticut. Sardis wa; the youngest of' five children. He was placed in charge of his sister Sophia, who married Rutherford Hayes; became one of the family, and lived with them at Durhmerston, Vermont, until 1817, when he accompanied them in their emigration to Ohio. In Vermont young Birchard acquired the rudiments of an English education, by irregular attendance at such schools as were in existence at that day in the coun try districts of Vermont. He became, for a boy of his age, an expert hunter and horseman, and gained some knowlege of business in the store of his brother-in-law, Mr. Hayes. In Ohio he worked with his brother-in- law in building, farming, driving and tak ing care of stock, and employing all his spare hours in hunting. He was able with his rifle to supply his and other families with turkeys and venison. In 1822 his brother-in-law, Mr, Hayes, died, leaving a widow and two young children and a large, unsettled business. Mr. Birchard, who was then only twenty- one years old, at once assumed the'duties of head of the family, and applied him self diligently to the management of the unsettled affairs of his brother-in-law's es tate, and to the care of the household. Inheriting from his father what was con sidered a handsome start for a young man, with a jovial and friendly disposition, fond of wild sports and wild company, with no one to look to as entitled to control or ad vise him, his future might well be regarded 6, with apprehension. He was then a slen der, delicate, handsome youth,, with en gaging and popular manners, and a favor-. ite among the young people of the new country. Warmly attached to his sister and her children, he devoted himself to them and their interests, and was the main stay of the family. While yet a boy he was hired to help drive .hogs to supply the first settlers of Fort Ball, now Tiffin, in 181 7. The men in charge were hard drinkers, and soon after leaving Delaware the whole management depended upon Mr. Birchard. It was in the bitterly cold weather of early winter. The streams were bridgeless, and the roads all but impassable, but with praiseworthy energy and zeal he pushed forward to the Tyamochtee, where he delivered the drove to a party of Fort Ball settlers. This was Mr. Birchard's first visit to the Sandusky. He saw Lower Sandusky for the first time in September, 1824. His companion was Benjamin Powers, afterwards for many years a successful merchant and banker at Delaware. The outfit of the young men was a little extra clothing and a jug of fine brandy. They travelled in a one-horse spring wagon. The custom which univer sally prevailed, of acquaintances drinking to each other's health whenever they met, made the brandy an important part of the outfit.. At Fort Ball they met Erastus Rowe, and had a jolly time, to which the brandy contributed freely. At Fremont they stopped at Leason's tavern, a log house which stood where Shomo's block now stands. The village population at that time numbered about two hundred. While stopping here they made the ac quaintance of George Olmstead and Judge Howland. Mr. Birchard and his travelling companion went to Portland the following day, and on their return Mr. Birchard bought a drove of fat hogs, which, as soon as the weather was cold enough, he drove 53° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. to Baltimore. Mr. Birchard has narrated two incidents of the trip: At Wheeling it was necessary to swim the hogs across, and they came near losing them all by the swift current of the river. By great exer tions, and at considerable risk, they got all but half a dozen safely over. They were overtaken by a tall, fine-looking gen tleman on horseback, who had also a car riage drawn by four horses, and two at tendants on saddle-horses. The gentleman helped Mr. Birchard get his hogs out of the way, chatted with him about the state of the market, and advised him as to the best way to dispose of his drove when he got them to Baltimore. He learned that the gentleman was General Jackson, on his way to Washington after the Presiden tial election of 1824, in which he received the highest vote, but was not finally the successful candidate. In the summer of 1825, while mowing in the hay-field, he was seriously injured in health by over-exertion. He never entirely recovered, but remained in poor health dur ing the remainder of his life. In the win ter of 1825-26 he had an attack pro nounced consumption, and it was sup posed he would not live till spring. He however thought hopefully of his condi tion, and spoke of a horseback trip to Ver mont. One day he heard two men at work in the room below him, discussing his case. One of them said: "It is strange how Birchard is deceived; he thinks he will make a long journey soon; but the only journey he will make is when he leaves his house, feet foremost, for the graveyard." But the cheerful disposition of Mr. Birch ard, assisted by the elasticity of his consti tution, carried him through. In May he made a horseback trip to Vermont, where he remained till the approach of cold weather, and then travelled South to Georgia, where he remained till the spring of 1827. Having recovered his health he went to New York for the purpose of lay ing in his first stock pf dry goods. He was. without money, and had no acquaintances. Passing about the streets he fell into con versation with a young merchant named William P. Dixon, a stranger to him, con nected with^he firm of Amos Palmer 6k Co., to whom he developed his plans and explained his condition. Dixon told him he would sell him all the goods he wanted in his line and would recommend him to others. His stock was made up and shipped to Cleveland, he accompanying the goods. Mr. Birchard's plan was to sell to laborers on the Ohio Canal, then being built from Cleveland southward. He followed the canal into the Tuscarawas Valley, but became dissatisfied and sold part of his goods to another trader, and with the remainder opened a store at Fort Ball (now Tiffin). Here he remained, trading successfully till December, when he decided to remove to Lower Sandusky. He purchased the stock of Richard Sears, who had made his fortune trading with the Indians. Merchants, at that time, paid very little cash for produce, and consequently re ceived very little cash for goods, except from the Indians. For clothing, broad cloth, Kentucky jeans, and linsey cloth was generally in use. The Indians bought fine blue cloth, Mackinaw blankets, beads, powder and lead. A great deal of corn was received in payment for goods. This was traded to the distilleries for whiskey, and the whiskey was shipped to Buffalo and sold. Mr. Birchard received the Indian trade to a large extent by refusing to sell them whiskey. At the end of about four years he had accumulated about ten thousand dollars, which at that time was considered a large amount of money. He was mak ing arrangements to retire, but in 1831 was induced into a larger business than HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 53i ever. In partnership with Esbon Husted and Rodolphus Dickinson, under the firm name of R. Dickinson & Co., the largest store in Ohio, west of Cleveland and north of Columbus, was opened. The yearly sales amounted to fifty thousand dollars. Senecas, Ottawas, Wyandots, and a few Delawares, traded in Lower Sandusky at this time, and the store was often full of customers from the reservations. Mr. Birchard found the Indians in his busi ness transactions generally very honest. They would not steal as much as the same number of whites with the same opportu nities. He often had his store-room full of Indians sleeping at night, with no watch or guard. In 1835 Esbon Husted died, and his place in Mr. Birchard's firm was taken by George Grant, who had been a clerk in the establishment since the organization of the firm. In 1841 Mr. Grant died and the firm was dissolved, the business being settled by Mr. Birchard. Mr. Grant was one of the most promis ing business men in the place. He was tall, slender, of fine address, and full of life and ambition. He died young, aged only thirty-two years. Mr. Birchard's connection with banking is mentioned under the proper head. He made large investments in wild land which, as the county improved, rapidly multiplied his wealth. Mr Birchard was one of the few men who, with increasing wealth, became more generous and public spirited. His good works are conspicuous. He advanced by means of his wealth and influence every public enterprise, and so many were his munificent gifts that he fully deserves the title often given him — "the city's bene factor." His business operations stimu lated commerce between this point and Buffalo. He worked unceasingly to se cure the necessary legislation for the mac adamizing of the Western Reserve and Maumee road. The Toledo, Norwalk and Cleveland railroad enterprise received his strongest efforts. In politics Mr. Birchard was an enthu siastic Whig, and after the formation of the Republican party became an earnest supporter of its principles. During the war he used his influence to encourage enlistments, and when money was wanted he was never appealed to in vain. He was the first Ohio purchaser of Govern ment bonds, in 1862. Mr. Birchard's private charities were large, and his public gifts are a monument to his memory. He had a deep sympa thy for the poor, and could not bear to know suffering without offering relief. During the last years of his life, when poor health required confinement at home, he left with Mr. Miller, cashier of the bank, standing instructions to contribute liberally to worthy charities. His tender ness and solicitude for the unfortunate is illustrated by a letter which Mr. Miller still preserves. It was written on a cold, stormy day in early winter, and reads as follows : Mr Miller: What a storm! I fear many poor people are suf fering. If you hear of any such, give liberally for me. S. Birchard. The Fremont Messenger, in an obituary sketch, sums up Mr. Birchard's benefac tions, as follows : About three years since Mr. Birchard presented to the city of Fremont the large park lying between Birchard avenue and Croghan street, and the small triangular park at the junction of Birchard and Buck- land avenues. In 1873 he set apart property amounting . to fifty thousand dollars, for the purpose of establishing a public library in Fremont. He contributed from this fund, for the purchase of a library, about one third of the amount required to obtain for the public the square on which old Fort Stephenson formerly stood, arid was thus mainly instrumental in securing that famous historical locality to the people of Fre- 532 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY mont forever. His gifts to the city are estimated at seventy thousand dollars, or about one-fifth of his estate. In addition to the above gifts made during his lifetime, we understand he made in his will the fol lowing bequests : Five thousand dollars to Oberlin college, five thousand dollars to Home Missions, one thousand dollars to the Fremont Ladies' Relief So ciety, and one thousand dollars to the Conger Fund. Mr. Birchard was benevolent to a degree and in a manner known only to his most intimate friends. Aid in necessity was extended to many when none knew it except the recipients, and perhaps a friend whom he consulted. Mr. Birchard was especially devoted to the fine arts, and during his eventful life made a fine collection of oil paintings, which will eventually form one of the attractions of the "Birch ard Library." In May, 1857, Mr. Birchard became a member of the Presbyterian church of Fremont, and remained in its communion all his life. He contributed con stantly to its incidental and benevolent funds. He also contributed seven thousand dollars to the erec tion of the new edifice occupied by the congregation. In this he took especial satisfaction. Though a member of this church, he frequently aided other congregations without distinction of denomination. He gave most satisfactory evidence of sincerity in his religious experience, and died in perfect compos ure of mind. He had talked much with his friends concerning death, and seemed to be altogether ready. Mr. Birchard was characteristically hos pitable, warm-hearted, and friendly. He was one of the marked characters in the history of the county. His life was fortu nately spared to ripe old age. He died at 12 o'clock m., January 21, 1874, aged seventy-three years and six days. GENERAL JOHN BELL. General John Bell was a native of Penns- borough, Lycoming county, Pennsylvania, and was born on the 19th of June, 1796. When he was but fourteen years old his father emigrated to Ohio, and located, in 1810, in Greene county, near Xenia. While here he laid out a village, which, in honor of him as a proprietor, was called Bellbrook. On the 28th of March, 1816, the subject of this sketch was married to Miss Mar garet Masten, of Greene county. In 1823 he visited Lower Sandusky, and after having made arrangements for a resi dence, moved his family here in the year following. He was a millwright by trade, and upon his arrival he immediately en gaged in the milling business, which he followed for some seven years. The first wool-carding machine in this vicinity was brought here and put into operation by Mr. Bell, in the year 1827. Referring to this fact, the Hon. Homer Everett, in a historical lecture delivered at Birchard's Hall, in February, i860, facetiously re marks : The judge (at that time probate judge) used to pull wool over the cards, and learned the science so well that he has since somehow succeeded in pulling wool over the eyes of the people, till they sent him to Congress and to many other good places; and he still seems to hold on. He sticks the wool on by an adhesive plaster, called doing about right, in a very kind manner. Leaving the mill, he entered into exten sive speculations in wheat and flour, snip ing large quantities to Venice and Buffalo. After a number of years spent in this busi ness, he turned his attention to merchan dising, which he followed for some eight years. He hadquite extensive dealingswith the Indians, with whom he was a special favorite. Time and again his house was literally filled and surrounded by the red men, in each of whom he and his family recognized a friendly guard, — not an ene my. These and similar scenes are, to-day, yet vivid in the memory of his descendants. By a course of fair and honorable deal ing from the time he first visited the place until he ceased to move among us, he ac quired a high degree of regard and con sideration on the part of all the citizens. This feeling of respect and esteem went on increasing in volume and intensity while he lived, and only culminated when the portals of the tomb shut him out for ever from mortal sight. For a considerable length of time he HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 533 was the Government land agent at Lower Sandusky, and also superintendent of the Western Reserve and Maumee road, be tween Lower Sandusky and Perrysburg; and it was through him,' as agent, that the Government lands along this road were disposed of to settlers for the construction of the same. Mr, Bell was deeply interested in devel oping the resources of the country, and on all occasions manifested a strong desire to build up the town and to advance its material prosperity; and, disregardful of his own interests, this cardinal purpose was kept steadily in view during his whole life. In the meetings of the people for the ad vancement of public improvements and the promotion of the public welfare, he was always a conspicuous and leading actor. He was the first mayor of Lower San dusky, and also the first in the same office of the city of Fremont, to which position he was repeatedly re-elected. For three or four terms he served the people as pro bate judge; also for a number of years he was a justice of the peace. In 1838 he was appointed postmaster, which position he held till 1844. Subsequently he was a member of the House of Representatives in the Ohio Legislature, to which he was several times re-elected; and afterwards, in 185 1, elected to Congress. During the Toledo war of 1835, Mr. Bell was the commander of the Ohio forces, being at that time a major-general of the State militia, having received his commission March 1, 1834. He was one of the most popular men in the county, as evinced by the fact that, whenever a candidate for an office, he ran ahead of his ticket in almost every in stance. There was one striking trait in his char acter that deserves special mention in this connection. In all of his public service, as well as in his private life, he was pre eminently a peace-maker. He was always in for a Compromise if it could possibly be effected, rather than to press a matter to " litigation. His great aim seemed to be to aid people to keep' out of the clutches of the law, and his advice in legal matters was always given to promote this end; So implicit was the confidence of the peo ple in his judgment and honesty, that his counsel was almost invariably followed, and many a wrangling lawsuit was lost to unprincipled pettifoggers through the sen sible, manly advice, " Settle your difficulty between yourselves by yielding each a lit tle, and be brethren." General Bell was among the earliest set tlers" in Fremont, and, along with others, could tell of those deprivations, hardships, and dangers which constitute the life of the pioneer. The actual history of any of these worthy veterans would far surpass in interest and grandeur even the recitals of a modern romance. And has the West no story Of deathless deeds sublime? Go ask yon shining river! Up to the day of his fatal illness the General was remarkably healthy, and, al though he had outlived the number of years allotted to the human race, he had the appearance of being much younger. He passed away from the scenes of earth on the 4th day of May, 1869, at the advanced age of seventy-four years. He was a Mason and an Odd Fellow. The companion of his life had preceded him by about ten years. She died on the 29th of May, 1859. The family comprised four children, — three sons and one daughter. The daugh ters) now Mr. John M. Smith, of Fre mont. The only surviving son is Charles H. Bell, also of Fremont. Both Mr. Bell and his wife united with the Protestant Methodist church at an early 534 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY age, and both were members of the same at the time of their death. Mrs. Bell possessed an affable, noble nature; and he, a man of generous, genial heart, was a universal, favorite with the people, and at the time of his decease probably had not a real enemy living. He was always the same unassuming, cheerful, obliging neighbor and gentleman, and in his death the city of Fremont and county of Sandusky lost a valuable and much- esteemed citizen. EBENEZER BUSHNELL, D. D. Rey. E. Bushnell has been pastor of the Presbyterian church of Fremont since 1857. He was born near Granville, Ohio, November 18, 1822. His parents, Thomas H. and Charlotte Bailey Bush nell, came from Norwich, Connecticut, in 1816, and settled on a farm in Licking county. His father was a surveyor and civil engineer. Mathematical ability is a characteristic of the family. When our subject was eleven years old his' parents removed to Newark. There the son was placed under the instruction of tutors preparatory to attending college, but the death of his father necessitated a change in the plans made for him, and he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner as an ex pedient for earning money to pursue his course in college. Not only the desired end was attained, but a business and me chanical experience was acquired, which has been valuable to him since entering professional life. Mr. Bushnell became a student at West ern Reserve College, in 1842. He grad uated in 1846, with the third honors of his class, although weak eyes had seriously interfered with his study. After graduat ing he entered the theological seminary then connected with the college. During the first two years of the course in theology he acted as instructor in the preparatory school, and the third year was principal of the preparatory department. After grad uating in theology, Mr. Bushnell, on ac count of an affection of the throat, was unable to enter the ministry. He accepted the tutorship of mathematics for a period of one year, and then entered upon his first charge, at Burton, Geauga county. He was pastor of the Burton Presbyterian church seven years. Ex-Governor Sebra Ford was a member of his church, as was also -Chief Justice Hitchcock and Peter Hichcock, since well known as a member of the Ohio Legislature. Mr. Bushnell became pastor of the Presbyterian congregation of this city in 1857, since which time his clerical work is set forth in the history of the church elsewhere in this volume. Mr. Bushnell married, in 1850, Julia E. Baldwin, daughter of Sylvester Baldwin, of Hudson. She died in 1856, leaving four children, all of whom are living, viz. : Mrs. Dr. Byal, of Beardtown, Wood county; George W., Cleveland; Albert B., Wash ington; and Thomas H. Mr. Bushnell married for his second wife, in 1858, Cornelia K. Woodruff, daughter of Rev. Simeon Woodruff, a pioneer preacher of the Reserve. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke seminary, and at the time of her marriage was en gaged in educational work. Three chil dren are the fruit of this marriage — Annie, Charlotte, and Edward. Mr. Bushnell, in addition to his pastoral work, superintended the city public schools from i860 to 1863. He has been active in the ecclesiastical affairs of his denomination. He has been secretary of the Synod of Toledo for more than a decade, and a mem ber of the board of trustees of Western Reserve College for more than twice that length of time. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 535> During the war Dr. Bushnell was active in encouraging enlistments and otherwise laboring in the cause of the Union. He was a member of the Christian Commission and was during the year 1865 stationed at Petersburg. Mr. Bushnell is the most scholarly cler gyman in the city. In addition to general and professional studies, he has been con stantly adding to his early attainments in mathematics, for which he has a special aptitude, and the languages, particularly Latin, Greek, and German. In 1871 Marietta College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. He has not entirely laid aside his-mechanical training. Several buildings in Fremont have been erected under his supervision. FAULKNER I. NORTON. The subject of this- sketch was promi nently identified with the business inter ests of Fremont. He was born in Cam bridge, Washington county, New York, March 2, 181 1. He left home at the age of thirteen years and began clerking in Keysville, New York, and afterwards learned the saddle_ and harness making trade in Saratoga county. He came to Ohio and settled in Lower Sandusky in 1833. Here he worked at his trade until 1835, and then returned to Claremont, New Hampshire, where he married Harri- etta M. Willard. After returning to Low er Sandusky Mr. Norton engaged in mer cantile business. His next enterprise was to build a foundry, which after operating a few years he sold to Mr. June. He next engaged in the manufacture of spokes and hubs. The large brick building on Arch street was erected by him for that purpose. Mr. Norton died November 4,- 1878. Mrs. Norton is still living in this city. Mr. Norton pushed his enterprises with com mendable zeal and enthusisam, and con tributed largely to the growth of the town. JOHN S. TYLER, the subject of this sketch, was a native of the State of New York, born in Cayuga county, on the 25th day of December, 1806. In 1816 he came to Lower San dusky with his father's family, from De troit, Michigan. His advantages for edu cation were limited by the meagre facilities of the day. He was, therefore, a self. made man. For a number of years he was clerk in the store of George G Olm sted, from whom he gathered much valua ble information in business matters, and whom he made his model for deportment and social habits, which were those of the true gentleman. He became a man of remarkably quick discernment, and was acknowledged one of the best business managers in the community. He was probably one of the best judges of invest ments that the city of Fremont ever had. From his arrival here till his retirement from active life he was intimately con nected with the business interests of this place. He contributed to the growth of the city in the erection of a substantial brick block on the corner of Front and Croghan streets, and subsequently a two- story brick on Croghan street. The mer cantile business was his chief employment. His first trade was largely with the Ind ians, with whom he was a special favorite. About the year 1832 he married Miss Phebe Ann Van Doren, of Lower San dusky. By this marriage he had three sons and three daughters. Charleston, his eldest son, served in the Twenty-first- Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was wounded at Chickamauga, and died September 28, 1863. Mrs. Tyler having deceased, Mr. Tyler maried Eliza Kridler in 1850. Death again removed his companion in 1861. 536 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. He married for his third wife Helen S Norton, of Wood county. Mr. Tyler died after a brief illness, January 12, 1873, at the age of sixty-seven years. ISAAC MARVIN KEELER. The man whose name is most intimate ly connected with the history of the Fre mont Journal is the subject of this sketch. He is of Puritan parentage, on both' sides, both his father and mother having been born in Fairfield county, Connecticut, in 1799. His grandfather, Luke Keeler, and his grandmother, and Isaac Marvin, with their families, emigrated to Ohio in wagons in the year 181 7. The former settled in Huron county, and, in partnership with Piatt Benedict, built the first house in Norwalk. The latter settled in Richmond county. Isaac M. Keeler was born in Sharon township, Richland county, Sep tember 8, 1823. He lived at Norwalk until September, 1840, when he came to Lower Sandusky and entered the office of the Lower Sandusky Whig, as an apprentice. Between 1843 and 1849 Mr. Keeler was temporarily located in Milan, Norwalk, Sharon, and New York. He was commissioned postmaster at Fre mont in October, 1850, and served in that capacity two years. In 1854 he purchased the Fremont Journal, which he edited and published until 1865, when he sold the office on account of poor health, and en tered the insurance and real estate busi ness, in which he continued until 1877. In December of that year he repurchased the Journal, and, in association with his son, continues to edit the paper. Mr. Keeler was married to Anna F. Hulburd, of Lower Sandusky, June 23, 1847. She died October 26, 1850, leaving one child. He married for his second wife, May 12, 1859, Jeannette El liott, by whom he has two children, a- son, S. M., and a daughter. Mrs. Keeler is a highly- educated and literary woman. REV. SERAPHINE BAUER. Rev. Seraphine Bauer was born in France on the 17th day of October, 1.835. His father came, from Baden, Germany, but he lived in France for a period of twenty-three years. His mother came from Southern France. In the year 1848, after the death of the mother, which oc curred in 1846, the father went back to Germany with his son (the only child), whose life up to that time had been quite an agitated • one. Within the earliest period of his life, this son began to show remarkable talent, and his father was bound to use all his available means to give his son a thorough education. He soon became familiar with the German language and literature. Like most of the students he took an active part in the revolutionary period at that time. From youth up he began to show a great desire to become a priest, and in order to reach this aim he subjected himself to many a sacrifice. The .first disharmonious con flict, which took place in 185 1, between the Government and the Archbishop of Freiburg, suddenly put an obstacle in the way of this young man's most ardent wish. After several attempts, first to study medi cine, then to enter the army, then to be come a merchant, he finally came back to the profession of his first desire, and, after first consulting with Bishop Rappe, of Cleveland, Ohio, he came to America in the year 1854, having lived six years in Germany. In Cleveland he finished his studies, and on the 13th day of June, 1858, he was ordained a priest. Soon after he took charge of the church in Maumee City, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 537 the present South Toledo, where he found a large field for his priestly work. Aside from his own church he had offered and given his services to eight different mis sion places. At that time a Catholic priest had to battle with the difficulties of pioneer life, especially so in the en tire district from Toledo to Fort Wayne, hence in all Northwestern Ohio only two priests were to be found. In this place Rev. Seraphine Bauer remained for four years and three months. The old pioneers of Perrysburg to-day will tell you of their everlasting love for the Rev. Seraphine Bauer, remembering the time when this young priest frequently rode his twenty and thirty miles to come up to their place in cases of sickness or death among their own members. Finally the bishop was pleased to give this meritor ious priest a position less burdensome, and put him in charge of the St. Joseph's congregation, of Fremont, on the 21st day of September, 1862, which position he has since held, now nineteen years. In order to regain his strength and gen eral health he went back to the Old World in February, 1872. His longing to see the Holy Land was gratified. He spent Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Easter in Jerusalem, at the grave of our Savior. On Easter Monday he was favored with a rather unexpected honor. For centuries past there has existed in the Catholic church different orders of knights, especially instituted for benevo lent purposes. Among these the most principal ones are the order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, and Knight Tem plar. The first-named still exists in the church, but the Knights Templar was dis solved and cancelled at the Concilium of Vienna in 13 11, by Pope Clement V. The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, who, with few exceptions, are only of nobility and rank, are designated to be the custodians of the Holy Sepulchre. But since it is impossible for the members to be con stantly in attendance, the church has created the order of the Franciscaner to represent the same. On Easter Monday, 1872, as before stated, three new mem bers of the order were created by the Patriarch Valerga from Jerusalem, and these three were Rev. Father Bauer, of Fremont ; General Vicar, from the Island Burboun, and a gentleman from Lima, Peru. In two years Father Bauer will cele brate his twenty-fifth anniversary, and one year later he expects to see the hew church completed. Father Bauer is a man of extraordinary talent. He is gifted with a wonderful memory, and with a sharp and penetrat- - ing mind. His character and his socia bility in general has made him friends, not only among his own church members, but also all other denominations. WILLIAM CALDWELL was born near Chillicothe, Ross county, Ohio, December 23, 1808. His parents were William and Mary Park Caldwell, with whom he came to Port Clinton, Ottawa county, in 1828, and four years later, came to Fremont. Mr. , Caldwell married in Fremont in 1836, Jane A., daughter of Thomas and Eliza Davis. She was a native of New York city, and was born December 17, 1808. William Caldwell, sr., was a native of Pennsylvania, and was one of a family of six sons and one daughter, who emigrated to Kentucky in 1787. He removed to Ross county in 1806, and in 18 12 enlisted in the army, being in the Northwestern di vision under Hull at Detroit. Through that commander's cowardice the whole army became British captives. After 538 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. peace Mr. Caldwell located at Columbus, then just fciade the State capital. He did the blacksmith work on the Ohio peniten tiary. He came to Lower Sandusky in 1832, and subsequently removed to El more, where he died in 1861. William Caldwell, jr., has been justice of "the peace at Elmore for eighteen con secutive years. He was in earlier years deputy sheriff of this county, and well known among the early men of this city. Dr. William Caldwell, son of William Caldwell, jr., is a practicing physician at Fremont. William and Jane Caldwell have had four children: William, born May 27, 1837; Charles, born February 5, 1839; died in 1852; Robert H, born June 14, 1841, died February 8, 1863, and Juliet, born January 8, 1844. William Caldwell, jr., was elected pro bate judge of Ottawa county at the Octo ber election of 1881. JOHN FABING. John Fabing was born in Loraine, France (now Germany), in 1797. In 1824 he married Miss Mary Greiner, who still survives. They emigrated to this country in 1834, and located near Syracuse, New York, where they lived ten years. Decem ber 24, 0844, they came to Sandusky county from Buffalo, New York. Mr. Fabing died July 25, 1845. He was the father of six children, four of whom are living, viz: Catharine, John, Frederick, and Barbara. John and Frederick both reside in this county, Catharine and Bar bara in California. Frederick Fabing, the son of John Fa bing, was born June 14, 1832, in France, and came with his parents to this country. In 1858 he married Miss Mary J. Webber, of Fremont. She was born in France, January 3, 1833. They have no children. Mr. Fabing has been a member of the city council two terms. He is at present superintendent of the Fremont gas works. JOHN NEWMAN. John Newman, son of John and Eve Newman, was born in York county, Penn sylvania, in 1809, and came by wagon to Ohio in company with his brother, Mi chael B., in the fall of 1835. He located at Tiffin, and with his brother engaged in the grocery business for a short time. In the spring of 1836 they came to Fremont and engaged in the same business and continued together until the death of Michael B., in the spring of 1839. John then sold out and returned to Pennsylva nia. In 1 84 1 he came back to Fremont, and in the spring of the same year was married to Miss Margaretta Livingston, who was born in Canton, Stark county, in 1821. They have had five children, three of whom are now living, viz: Charles, Catharine, wife of Charles Boyer, of Lind say, and Mary S., wife of William E. For- sythe, of Fremont. Mr. Newman made his first purchase of land in 1853, buying a farm of eighty- acres of General Buckland. ISAAC B. SHARP. Isaac B. Sharp, an old resident, was born in Delaware in 1809. In 1834 he came to Ohio and settled in Fremont. He is the son of Abraham and Catharine (Gray) Sharp. They were the parents of five children, two of whom are living, Isaac B. and Abraham Sharp, both residents of Fremont. In 1835 Mr. Sharp was married to Eliz abeth L. Davis. She was born in Utica, New York, in 181 2. Her father, Thomas Davis, came to that place from Ireland in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 539 1805. Her mother was Mary Avery, of English descent, born in Tarrytown, Wes- chester county, New York, in 1776. Thom as Davis was born in 1771, died in 1861. They were the parents of eight children, four of whom survive, Jane Ann, Elizabeth L, Mary G., and Thomas Robert. , To Isaac and Elizabeth Sharp have been born five children: Isaac B., born January 3, 1836, resides in Wyandotte, Kansas; Angelica, born September 29, 1837, lives in Bellevue, Kansas; Athenia, born Octo ber 28, 1841, resides in Seneca county, Ohio; Emma, born August 21, 1845, lives at Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania; Estella, the youngest, and the only unmarried daughter, resides at home. The first work Mr. Sharp engaged in, after coming to Fremont, was to assist in building the second bridge across the Sandusky river, where the iron bridge now stands. In 1834 he built the first Methodist church in Fremont. He also built the first Catholic church in the city. Mr. Sharp worked at carpentry eighteen years, and then took a trip to California. On his return he engaged in the lumber business for fourteen years, retiring from active business at the expiration of that time. Mr. Sharp has not seen a sick day for more than forty years, nor has his family required the attendance of a physician during all that time. Mrs. Sharp is a descendant from a wor thy family, and bears an excellent reputa tion as a wife and mother. FRANK CREAGER. Frank Creager was born in Bellevue, Ohio, July 25, 1849, and is of German descent. He studied dentistry with Dr. B. S. Boswell, of Rochester, New York, and S. M. Cummings, of Elkhart, Indiana, and has practiced that profession twelve years, four years in Indiana and the re mainder of the time in Fremont. In 1875 Mr. Creager married Miss Clara Moore, oldest daughter of John and Eliza Moore, of Ballville, this county. Mrs. Creager was born November 9, 185 1. They have had three children, only one of whom is living. Edna died February 19, 1880, aged three years, six months, and twenty-seven days. Volta died February 29,. 1880, aged one year, nine months, and six days. Both of these deaths resulted from membranous croup. Grace was born December 7, 1879. W. B. KRIDLER. William B. Kridler was born in Fremont July 12, 1848. He was educated in the public schools of this city, and at Cornell University, New York, graduating from the scientific department of that institution in 1872 with the first class that graduated after the university was founded. Mr. Kridler was engaged in the banking business in Fremont from 1872 until 1878. In the spring of that year he was elected city clerk, which office he holds at pres ent. In politics he is a Republican. Mr. Kridler was married in 1878 to Miss Mattie L. Smith, of Hadley, Massa chusetts. They have two children, Helen Lyman and James Huntington. AUSTIN B. TAYLOR was born at New Fayne, Vermont, No vember 14, 1813. His father was Simon Taylor, M. D. His mother's maiden name was Cynthia Birchard, a sister of Sardis Birchard. Left an orphan he was bound out as a saddler's apprentice; learned the trade, but did not work at it after attaining his majority. On that day 54° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. he started for Lower Sandusky to enter the store of his uncle, Sardis Birchard, arriving in Fremont in the fall of 1834. His whole capital at that time consisted' of six dollars and an old jack-knife. But he had pluck and business energy, and in course of time became the successor of the firm of Birchard, Dickinson & Grant in the dry goods business, which he car ried on until 1850,. when he sold out to Eisenhour & Coles. In 1851 he was elected justice of the peace and served one term. Agril 4, 1853 he was elected mayor, defeating Brice J. Bartlett by four votes. The vote stood : A. B. Taylor, 137; B. J. Bartlett, 134 ; total vote, 271. He was married to Delia Pettibone, daughter of Hon. Hiram Pettibone, a former lawyer of this city, April 27, 1840. He died October 28, 1859, and was buried by the Masonic fraternity, of which he was a prominent member, holding' the office of treasurer for many years. He left a family of seven children — Mary, died the following spring ; Sardis B., the doctor; Charles, George, Oscar, Austin B., and Delia. He left a large estate, and his whole life was a marvel of business energy. JEREMIAH EVERETT AND FAMILY. Jeremiah Everett was a son of John Everett, and was born in the State of Mas sachusetts in the year 1783. His father moved from Massachusetts to the State of New York, and settled at Schenectady, where he raised his family and died. Jeremiah married Elizabeth Emery, and eft home soon after attaining his majority, and worked at an early day at the Onan- daga salt works. When the war of 181 2 broke out he volunteered, and served at Fort Erie for a time. The musket he carried in that service was preserved in the family, and kept after his death by his oldest son, Lorenzo, and all traces of it are now lost, Lorenzo's family being long syice dispersed in various parts of the country, but the writer remembers well using the old musket in boyhood to shoot blackbirds away from the oat and corn fields in and about Lower Sandusky. In the fall of the year 1812, intending to settle on the Connecticut Western Re serve, which was then attracting pioneers in search of land, he settled on the Huron River, in Huron county, at the old county seat, sometimes called the -Abbott Place, where Mr. Abbott, afterwards known as Judge Abbott, then resided. There was a settlement of several families in the vicinity, and the fear of Indian attacks caused them to construct a block-house of heavy logs, with port-holes, in which the families lodged at night, or -fled to in case of alarm in the day time. The settlement planted corn and potatoes, and such vegetables as they could, along the river. But the frequent alarms of Indians, arising from the capture of Mrs. Snow and the Putnam family, on Pipe Creek, not far away, "put them in great fear, and during the summer the settlers tended their crops with loaded guns standing near, to fire in defence of an attack, and give warning of the approach of danger. Here, after the arrival of Jeremiah Everett, and on the 30th of January, 181 3, his son Homer was born. Through the summer of 181 3 the in habitants tended their crops and managed to live without any serious demonstration from the lurking savages. On the 2d of August, 1813, Croghan's victory at Fort Stephenson rather diminished the danger from the savages, and yet the settlers at the old county seat did not slack their vigilance. On the ioth of September, 1813, when HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 54i the writer of this sketch was probably on a blanket, laid upon an earthen floor in a log cabin by the banks of the Huron River, and perhaps trying to. put his big toe in his mouth, his anxious parents were listening to the distant roar of the battle on Lake Erie in which the gallant Perry gained such a signal victory over the British fleet. Jeremiah after wards visited the fleet and saw the evi dences of the fight in the shattered hulls, broken spars and rigging, and bloody decks of the vessels which had been engaged. This signal victory lifted a load from, the hearts of those pioneers. If the British conquered they must flee, or be scalped; if the Americans should win the battle they could stay. There is no doubt some very earnest praying was done by that handful of settlers while the fight was pro gressing. But the news of the victory soon brought joy of deliverance from peril, and from that time the little band of pioneers felt safer. In the spring of the year 1815 Jeremiah Everett, with the help of one Aden Breed, started for the new El Dorado, Lower San dusky. They moved family and goods by team from the old county seat to Ogontz place, afterwards called Portland and now Sandusky City, on. the shore of the Sandusky Bay. . The household goods and provisions and the family were there transferred to a pirogue or very large canoe, worked by hand with paddles after the aboriginal fashion. When the wind was fair, they hoisted a common blanket. on a pole for a sail and thus made the voyage up the Sandusky Bay and the river to Lower Sandusky, arriving about the middle of April in the year 181 5. He found shelter with some hospitable pio neers until he, with the help .of generous neighbors and settlers, erected a.log house. on the ground where the present residence. of Isaac E. Amsden stands, then in Lower Sandusky, now in the city of Fremont. While living int his house, he farmed from the land near the residence to the mill-race, and there raised fine crops of corn. A little north of and near this house stood a mortar for pounding corn into Indian meal, which was used by .him and his neighbors, before any grist-mill had been built in the vicinity. While living in this house Jeremiah was, in the year 18 18, engaged by the Government to . carry the mail from Lower Sandusky to Fort Meigs. This mail was carried both ways once a week, when it was possible to get through, but was often omitted on account. of the high streams and impassable swamps. In performing this duty Jeremiah Everett often encountered difficulties and dan gers. There were streams to cross and swamps to go through, which were enough to discourage any traveller. Often it was impossible for a horse to go through on account of ice, which, while it would bear a man, would .break under the weight of the horse, rider and mail, and the only way to perform the service in such case was to put the mail in saddle-bags and: strap that on the back of the man and go . on foot. Mr. Everett was often compelled to take this course, especially in the spring and fall of the year. Sometimes he would reach Portage River at night, when he would lodge a,t the house of Mr, Harris. At other times on. his return trip he would be unable to reach their hospitable cabin, and would be compelled to stay in the woods between the Maumee and Portage. Rivers. On the narrow blazed way through the woods between these two rivers, . he found, a large, fallen, hollow, sycamore tree, which had been blown down by the winds - which, swept over the lonely forest.. When. he, on the trip, admonished by the ap proach of darkness, found he could not reach the cabin' of Harris on the Portage River, he would make his home in the 542 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. hollow of this upturned monarch of the forest for the night. Besides the mail he carried a large knife, a tomahawk, his pro visions for the day and a steel,, flint and punk with which to strike and kindle fire — and a blanket. Reaching his tree he would strike a fire and gather logs and sticks un til a good strong fire was blazing in front of his hollow log. Then, after taking a lunch of corn-bread and dried vension or fried pork, he would crawl into the log, wrap himself in his blanket for a rest and sleep until the morning would break and reveal his way through the woods. Several times, while lodging in his lonely retreat, he heard the tramp of some wild beasts mak ing a circuit about his resting place. In such case he kept his fire burning brightly to frighten them away, and it did keep them off. One night while thus camping out, the wolves beat a path on the ground around him, but fled at the approach of day and on seeing the fire blaze up. At another time he heard a soft, steady tread of some animal around his lodging place, when there was a light fall of snow, and on looking around, found what was evi dently the track of a panther, which had been reconnoitering around his premises during the night, but was kept at a respect ful distance by the fire. About the year 1825 Jeremiah Everett removed from the log cabin, and settled on the farm now owned by Timothy H. Bush, within the corporate limits of the present city of Fremont. This tract was then owned by David Harrold, of Philadelphia, a wealthy Quaker. Har rold attended the land sale at Wooster, Ohio, and bought this tract. He was wealthy and invested his money with a vieW of settling on this land for a home. EVERETT AND HARROLD. After Harrold purchased the tract of land mentioned, which is now known as out-lot number thirty-one,- in Fremont, he order ed pine lumber from Buffalo for a house, which he built entirely of that wood; ex cepting the frame, which was mostly of native oak. While Everett was living in the log house mentioned, .Harrold was out in the woods, on the premises now owned by ex-President R. B. Hayes, looking for suitable timb.er for his building. While waiting for his workmen, and having an axe with him, he chopped and felled a choice tree while alone. When the tree fell in a direction contrary to his expecta tions, he endeavored to escape being in jured, and started away but was tripped down in some way and fell, and the tree fell on one of his legs crushing into - the ground and holding him fast,-without any means of extrication. It so happened that on the same morning Judge Everett was hunting his oxen which had -strayed into the woods. The judge was on horse back and stopped to look around and listen for the cattle, when he heard a faint groan at some distance off, and presently a loud^call for help. He hastened to the spot, chopped off the tree with Harrold's axe and released him, when he found that the stranger's leg was broken. He put the man on his horse and took him home, sent for Dr. Brainard, who set his leg," and Harrold was nursed at Everett's house until he recovered and was able to walk. The men of course became acquainted, and were ever after warm friends. Har rold was quite wealthy and his wife refused to emigrate from Philadelphia to the wil derness in the West. . Harrold, after finish ing his house, offered the use of the house and farm for a .nominal rent, and the judge occupied it for about eight years, and, until he moved his family. down the river on tract number two of the original survey of the reservation. Here, on tract two, Judge Everett, having purchased it, made a home and kept his family until his HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 543 wife died in December, 1832. About two years after, Judge Everett, to help his sons Joel and Lorenzo, sold this tract and married Mrs. Eunice Wolley, widow of Daniel Wolley, who owned a farm on. the Sandusky River about. six miles north of Fremont. He settled there and both husband and wife having minor children, devoted their time and care to the farm and the welfare of the children. He lived on this farm until his death, on the 29th day of December, 1842. The children of Judge Jeremiah Everett were Lorenzo, Joel, Homer, Adelaide, Lodoiska. Zachariah, and Charles by the first wife ; by the second, Elizabeth, Helen, Cyrus, and two others, who died young and were buried on the Wolley farm. Lorenzo Everett, the oldest son, mar ried Catharine Kline, the daughter of a neighboring farmer, and died in the -year 1847, leaving one daughter, Har riet, who married a Mr. Fulkinson, and removed to - near White Pigeon, Michigan, and died. He also left three sons, Charles Henry Everett, now of Wood county, Ohio; Thomas Hubert Everett, now married and living in Green Creek township, in Sandusky, county, a farmer; and Jeremiah Everett, who mar ried a Miss Hutchins, and had one son, who died in infancy. "Jeremiah volun teered in the cavalry service in the war for the suppression of the Southern Rebellion, and was shot from his horse and killed in battle. The. second son, Joel Everett, married Mariah Grimes, an adopted daughter of Dr. Daniel Brainard, and died of cholera in September, 1834, leav ing one child, a daughter, who married Arthur Ellsworth, of York township, and has since died, leaving one child, a son, named Everett Ellsworth, who is still liv ing. Judge Everett's third son, Homer Everett, was married, in. 1837, to Hannah Bates, in Sandusky county. His wife died in June, 1840, leaving an infant daughter, named Hannah Bates Everett. This daughter was married to Henry Hatfield, in the year 1856, and is still liv ing, having two sons, one now in Osborne, "" Kansas, and one in Denver, Colorado. Homer Everett married again, Susan Albina Brush, widow of John T. Brush, in December, 1842. By this wife he had two sons and two daughters. George Homer, his first child, born at Fre mont, November 4, 1844, was an expert as a telegrapher, and in the war of the Re bellion was employed by General Thomas as telegraph operator about Nashville, while that city was threatened by the rebels, and there in his labors and ex exposures as field operator contracted the disease of ' consumption. After working successfully after the war, at Cincinnati, he came home to his father's house, and as he entered the door said,. "I have come home to die, father." This was in September, 1873. After living through autumn and winter, he died on the 26th day of March, 1874, at his father's house, the home of his childhood, and peacefully passed out of this mortal life without a mur mur. The second child of this marriage was Charles Egbert, born on the 17th day of June, 1846, on his father's' farm, about six miles below Fremont. Charles served in the naval service during the Rebellion. On his return from the service he married Miss Hattic Tindall, daughter of Ed ward Tindall, of Ballville township. He learned the trade of cabinet-making, is a natural mechanic and expert in his business, and is now engaged as foreman in the manufacturing establishment" of H. Bowlus & Co. He has two children, Ed die and Nellie, all living together in Fre mont, at the homestead of Homer Everett's family. Homer Everett's next and. third child 544 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. of this second marriage was Albina Eliza beth, born at Fremont April 27, 1850,. who went to Kansas' as a school-teacher and afterwards married at Osborne City, in that State, Frederick Yoxall, a native of England, with whom she is now happily living there, the mother of two beau-" tiful daughters. * The fourth child by Homer's second marriage was Lillie Ever ett, born at Fremont January 10, 1853, who followed her sister to Osborne, Kan sas, about a year after her sister's depart ure, and after carrying on the millinery business for a time was married to James A. Wilson, then doing a large business as a drug and hardware merchant in Osborne, where she is now living and has one child, a daughter. Susan Albina, wife of Homer Everett, died at Fremont, December 21, 1855, at the age of thirty-four years. In November, 1873, Mr. Homer Everett, hav ing educated and settled his children, was again married and took for his third wife Minerva E. Justice, daughter of James Justice, whose biography will be found in this history. With his third wife he is now comfortably living in the old home stead of the Justice family, at the foot of the hill on the north side of State street in the pleasant city of Fremont. Few men were ever endowed with bet ter intellectual and conversational powers than those possessed by Judge Jere miah Everett. Few men possessed the faculty of keeping the respect and con fidence and even the love of all his ac quaintances in so high a degree. He was too unselfish to get rich, and too indus trious to come to want. He was fond of social converse and philosophic thought. Sardis Birchard used to say that he never met a man whom he took as much pleasure in conversing with and listening to as he did with Judge Everett. Jere miah Everett was appreciated by the early citizens of the county. He early held the office of justice of the peace, and kept the office as long as he could afford to do so, and until he positively declined to serve longer at the dictates of his own necessi ties. The first suits about the riparian ownership on the Sandusky River be tween David Moore and David Chambers, the results of which were given by the lately affirmed decision of the Supreme Court of Ohio and may be found in the Twelfth Ohio Reports, were tried before him ; and Judge Lane in deciding the case of Chambers vs. Gavit announced the same principles as the law which Judge Everett as justice of the peace had declared in his decisions. He was elected Representative to the General Assembly in 1825, and was the first resident of San dusky county chosen for that place. He was again elected in 1835 and served to the satisfaction of the people, but declined to accept the position again. During his first term of service in the Assembly he was largely influential in passing measures favorable to the construction of the Mau mee and Western Reserve turnpike. His remains are buried in the old cemetery in a lot surrounded by a hedge of arbor- vitse, and a plain marble slab marks the resting place of an"honest and honorable man who died a Christian. HOMER EVERETT, a son of Jeremiah Everett and Elizabeth (Emery) Everett, was -born at the old county seat of Huron county, on the Huron River, below where the village of Milan now stands, now, however, with in the bounds of Erie county, on the 30th of January, 1813. The education of Homer Everett was such as he could ac quire by attending the schools in Lower Sandusky two summer and four winter terms, and what he afterwards acquired by '&wze4, Kj't^e4se>c HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 545 his own study out of school. His teach ers were Justus and Ezi a Williams, Edson Goit, and Samuel Crowell at different periods, who are gratefully remembered by their pupil for their efforts to stimulate a desire for study. In December, 1830, his father gave him liberty to leave home if he thought best, and he accordingly procured from Rodolphus Dickinson, then examiner, of teachers, a certificate of qualification to teach, and he immediately started on foot for York township, where he had heard a teacher was wanted. The day brought on a terrible snow storm, but he plodded on. When about half way to Hamar's Corners, on the Western Reserve and Maumee road, he met a man with a yoke of oxen and a sled going to mill, of whom he enquired the road to the district where a teacher was wanted. This man turned out to be Oliver Comstock, one of the directors of the very district young Everett was seeking. Mr. Comstock was well acquainted with Judge Everett, the young man's father, and on learning that the applicant was his son, and on seeing Mr. Dickinson's certificate, told young Everett that he could have the school, and might come and begin the following Monday. He then gave him leave to ride back to Lower Sandusky and make ready. Meantime Judge Everett had seen Jesse S. Olmsted and made arrangements for Homer to enter his employ as clerk in his store. On- returning home the young man chose to do what his father and mother thought best. Mr. Comstock was seen and the engagement to teach school cancelled. The following Monday young Everett went into the store as clerk. When he left home he took with him two plain cotton shirts, made by his mother, two pairs of woollen socks, knit by her kind hands, one suit, coat, vest, and pants, of linsey cloth, made by her, one pair of shoes, and one wool hat it which cost fifty cents, and nothing more of worldly goods or apparel, but took what was better than gold, a father's and mother's blessing, with an exhortation to be honest and true under all circum stances. He was boarded in Judge Olmsted's family, and his wages for the first year was, cost price for cloth to make a more stylish suit of clothes, and thirty dollars. His wages was, however, increased the next year to a salary of fifty dollars and a suit of clothes, and afterwards still further increased, until on the close of his engage ment, after six years' service, he was board ed and drew a salary of one hundred and fifty dollars. Judge Olmsted held the of fice of postmaster for several of the latter years of young Everett's service, and Ev erett, as deputy postmaster, performed the duties of that office in addition to those of salesman and bookkeeper in the store. In 1837 Judge Olmsted resigned the office, and kindly recommended his boy Homer, as he called him, to be appointed in his stead, an appointment which seemed to please the people. He was accordingly appointed and commissioned by President Van Buren in that year. While engaged in this office he was elected sheriff of the county, and then resigned the office of postmaster. He was re-elected sheriff. He commenced reading law in 1834, im proving his leisure time in so doing until 1 84 1, when, on the solicitation of Nathaniel B. Eddy, he was admitted to the Bar at Columbus, Ohio, and resigned the sheriff's office to form a law partner ship with him. He practiced several years successfully with Mr. Eddy, when the latter abandoned practice and engaged in mer cantile business. Mr. Everett soon after formed a partnership in the practice of his profession with Hon. Lucius B. Otis, now of Chicago. After several years' practice in association with Judge Otis, Mr. Everett 546 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY retired from practice and removed to his farm on the river, about six miles below Fremont, intending to lead a quiet farmer's life from that time. In 1847, however, he accepted the office of county auditor, to which he was elected by the people of the county. This position he held for nearly four years, when, in 1852, he resigned the remainder of the last term of that office to return to the practice of the law with Ralph P. Buckland. This partnership continued until 1866, when General Buck- land retired from practice, and Everett continued the business about one year alone, when he formed a partnership with James H. Fowler, who had studied law under his instruction. This still continues, and Mr. Everett is still in the active prac tice of his profession. During his life Mr. Homer Everett has held, at various times, the following official positions : Deputy postmaster under Jesse S. Olmsted; postmaster under the appointment of Mnrtin V.mBuren; town ship clerk; member of the board of edu cation many years, in which position he was active in bringing about the adoption of the Akron school law; deputy county clerk under James A. Scranton ; mayor of the city of Fremont. Two scenes while mayor, Mr. Everett says he can never for get. The first was the death of Michael Wegstein at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862. Wegstein had been a member of the band of music then organized in Fre mont. On receipt of the news of his death while bravely fighting for his coun try, the whole community of Fremont was deeply affected. The band of which he had been a member was perhaps affected most of all, When the news of his death was made certain, his brother musicians, numbering among them some" of our best citizens, met, draped their instruments in mourning crape, and went along the side walks of the principal streets, playing a solemn dirge for their lost friend. The band and a large procession of sympathiz ers stopped under the window of the mayor, and aft/r closing the solemn dirge were silent, as if expecting some remarks. Mayor Everett advanced to an open window and delivered them a short ad dress, alluding in touching terms to the bravery of their lost friend, and urging all to support the cause in which he had so gloriously died. All present were affected and departed in a significant and touching silence. The members of the band were too deeply affected to even play another dirge then for Michael Wegstein. The other incident Mr. Everett says was . that which occurred at the news of the death of Abraham Lincoln, in 1865. On coming to his office about 7 o'clock in the morning, he found the telegraphic dis patches announced the assassination of the President by Booth, and that he was dead. Mayor Everett threw the black sig nal of public mourning from his office win dow and repaired to the printing office with a notice of the great National bereave ment. Mr. Everett was sheriff of the county two terms, county auditor two terms, and, to finish up his public services, was elected to represent the Thirtieth Ohio Senatorial District, compos d of Huron, Erie, San dusky, and Ottawa counties, at the fall ejection of 1867, and re-elected in 1869, being nominated by acclamation. During his service in the Ohio Senate he was a mem ber of the judiciary committee, committee on finance, and other committees. But his chief labor was on a select commit tee with Charles Scribner and D. B. Lynn, to certify the laws relating to mu nicipal corporations, which was the first municipal code enacted in the State of Ohio. Of Hon. Homer Everett's family noth ing need be said, as they are set forth in HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 547 the history of Jeremiah Everett and fam ily, to which reference is made for the particulars. JOHN P. MOORE AND FAMILY. This enterprising and esteemed citizen of Fremont was born on the ist day of December, 1829, at Hampton, Adams county, State of Pennsylvania. His father was John Moore, who was bom July 10, 1795. His mother, Mary Picking, was born February 19, 1794. Their fam ily consisted 'Of twelve children, of whom John P. was the ninth. Ten of the chil dren are how living, the oldest sixty-six and the youngest fifty years of age. In May, 1834, Mr. Moore moved his family from Hampton, Pennsylvania, to Woodville township, in Sandusky county, about eleven and a half miles west of Lower Sandusky, on the Maumee and Western Reserve road. Here young John P. spent his boyhood in hard work, with little schooling and little amusement, ex cepting hunting raccoon at night. He helped to clear and improve his father's farm, burn lime and haul stone for the improvement and macadamizing of the road. The great subject of anxious cal culation during the summer was to raise provisions to keep the family supplied through the winter and until another crop could be produced, and hurry the fall work and be ready for two or three months at tendance at school during the winter, On the 3d of April, 1848, John P. Moore came to Fremont and apprenticed himself to the blacksmithing trade, in a shop established by Ira Camfield, who had died and left the shop to be managed by his widow. That good and capable lady is now living and keeping a boarding-house in Fremont. In the fall of 1850 young Moore, having learned his trade, returned to his former home in Woodville, and built a small shop on the corner of his father's farm, adjoining the Maumee and Western Reserve road, and engaged in general blacksmithing. But in that day there were stage coaches, and the young smith made a specialty of shoeing horses there for the Ohio Stage Company, for whom Mr. John T. Simpkins, now an aged and esteemed citizen of Fremont, was agent at the time. Mr. Moore worked in this shop about a year, and then bought a lot on the corner of Water and Garrison streets, in Fremont, where he built a shop, and where he has since added a large carriage factory, which he is still carrying on with marked success. DAVID GALLAGHER. This very worthy man and early settler in Lower Sandusky was born at Pitts burgh, Pennsylvania, November 12, 1790. He came from Chillicothe to Lower San dusky in the year 18 10. He performed picket duty in the army at Fort Meigs at the time of the -fight there. He was also commissary at Fort Stephenson in the year 1814. In 1818 he was in business with George G. Olmsted in the dry goods trade, most of which was with the Ind ians. Their store was located a little below the present gas works in Fremont, and was subsequently moved to the cor ner now on the east end of Front street, and opposite to Buckland's old block. This store is said to be the second frame structure in the town. In 1830 he was a very large property owner, chiefly in real estate. For some years he carried on a woollen-mill. In 1823, March 10, he married Miss M. Claghorn, by whom he had four chil dren. Mr. David Gallagher died on the 21st day of February, i860, and as a mark of 548 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. respect, the Court of Common Pleas, then holding a session in Fremont, adjourned upon the day of his funeral. The Meth odist Episcopal church, of which he was a member, the order to which he had been attached for nearly half a century, and the citizens, almost unanimously attended and participated in the impressive burial ser vices, thus testifying how much he was respected and beloved as a citizen, a man, a Mason, and a Christian. He was one of the fathers and faithful members of the Masonic order in Lower Sandusky, and few there were who better practiced the precepts of-the order in daily life than did David Gallagher. His aged widow and four sons are still living, and are residing in Fremont, where the husband passed so large a portion of his life. In the historical lecture referred to Hon. Homer Everett thus alludes to the sub ject of this sketch : He came here a young man, and, as my informa tion goes, his first employment here was as assistant commissary at Fort Stephenson in the year 1814, and ever since that time he has been a resident of our town. It need scarcely be -said that one who settled here at that early day, married, and reared a worthy family, had many trials and experienced vari ous turns of fortune. He had seen this country a wil derness, inhabited by wild beasts, and still wilder men, transformed into what it now is, and could look upon its progress for more than fifty years, as we can upon a passing panorama. He has left this earthly stage ! How busy is death ! Let us be admonished. With Holy Bible, square and compass near his heart, David Gallagher has gone up to the mercy-seat of Christ. Let us rejoice in the belief that it is well with him. FRANCIS JOSEPH GIEBEL, JR. was born in Fremont, Ohio, March 14, 1 85 1. His parents were Francis J. Giebel, and Maria S. (Duerr) Giebel. The father was a native of Hesse Cassel, and the mother of Bavaria, Germany. Mr. Giebel sr., emigrated in 1847; Mrs. Giebel, in 1839. The subject of this sketch was educated in Fremont, having attended both the paro chial and common schools of the city. He married Miss Clara Ochs, at Fremont, on the 2 7th of January, 1874. He learned the shoemaker's trade with his father. In December, 1868, at the age of seventeen years and a half, he, with several other citizens of Fremont, caught the gold fever, and started from home to seek gold in Montana. In the month of October, 1869, he left Montana on his return, and reached home in the month of November following. He immediately went into the treasurer's office as clerk, under J. P. Elderkin, then county treasurer. Here he continued working through the collec tion of the December instalment of taxes for 1869. He was then employed as clerk in the county auditor's office, under George W. Gurst. In this employment Mr. Giebel continued until his election to that office in the fall of 1874. At this time Mr. Giebel was found to be the youngest county auditor in the State of Ohio, being then only twenty-three years old. He was re-elected in 1876, and served until 1878, when Adam Hodes, present incumbent, was elected to succeed him. But for the custom of his party to let no county of ficer remain more than two terms, Mr. Giebel would no doubt have been retained in that office. Upon the election of Mr. Hodes, he retained Mr. Giebel as his clerk and deputy, on account of his thor ough knowledge of the office and its duties, which position he still holds, and is by all acknowledged to be a man fit for the place. Meantime, Mr. Giebel has been clerk of the city of Fremont, a mem ber of the city council, in which he is now sitting a second term, and was for one year president of that body. He is also a member and stockholder in the Fremont Brick and Tile Company. As a business man in general, and as a county auditor, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 549 he stands high in the estimation of the people of the county. As a citizen of correct walk and deportment, he is highly esteemed. His career thus far promises well for the future, and demonstrates what German emigrants may gain for their children by emigrating to free America. JESSE S. OLMSTED. In writing the biographies of pioneers and prominent men of Sandusky county, a link would be missing and the chain in complete should we omit a sketch of the life and services of the gentleman whose family and personal history we give in the following narrative : Jesse S. Olmsted was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, Decem ber 24, 1792. When he was quite young his father removed to Albany, New York, where young Olmsted was placed for awhile under the instruction of Dr. Knott. When quite a young man he was employed as bookkeeper in a large mercantile establishment. Here he be came a thorough accountant, and took his first lessons in mercantile transactions. In the fall of 181 7 Mr. Olmsted, in company with his brother George G, brought from Albany, New York, to Lower Sandusky, the first stock of goods that rose to the dignity of a mercantile transaction. It consisted of a general assortment of dry goods, groceries, hardware, crockery, liquors, and wines, and amounted, upon the invoices at Albany, to the handsome sum of twenty-seven thousand dollars. This firm of brothers also brought with them carpenters to build a store, and coopers to make barrels to be used at the fisheries here, which trade was then, and has since been, very considerable. The workmen, eleven in all, together with the nails, glass, and the hardware necessary for their intended- building, were trans ported from Albany to Buffalo by land, thence by water to this place. The pine lumber was brought from Buffalo by water.. The amount paid for transportation on this stock of merchandise was four thousand four hundred dollars. Immediately upon their arrival they commenced the erection of their store. It was the second frame structure built here. It was located near Doncyson's brewery. Its dimensions were sixty by thirty feet, two stories high, with dormer-windows and projecting beams, with pulley blocks attached in front for raising goods. It presented a front of sixty feet towards the river, and the lower story was divided into two apartments — - one a salesroom or store, and the other a warehouse. This was considered a mammoth build ing, and for many years it was a kind of commercial emporium, the stock of goodc in it being greater than in any other ber tween Detroit and Cleveland, and Urbana and the lake. Mr. Olmsted's first trade was chiefly with the Indians of the Wyandot, ¦ Seneca, and' Ottawa tribes. Soon after Mr. Olmsted and his brother opened busi ness, they" received in trade and shipped in one season twenty thousand muskrat skins, worth twenty-five cents each; eight thou sand coon skins^ worth fifty cents each • two thousand deer skins, at fifty cents; one hundred and fifty otter skins, at five dollars each; and two hundred bear skins, at five dollars each. In 1820 the Olmsted Brothers sent the first pork from this place eastward. It consisted of one hundred and fifty barrels, and was marketed at Montreal; The cost here was two thou sand dollars for the lot, but it was sold for considerable less. About the year 1825 the firm dissolved, and Mr. Jesse S. Olmsted went into busi ness at Tymbchtee ; but in two or three years he returned to Lower Sandusky, where he remained the rest of his life. 55° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The first wheat shipped East from this point — a lot of six hundred bushels — was sent by Mr. Olmsted in the year 1830. It cost him forty cents per bushel in Lower Sandusky, and sold in Buffalo for sixty cents. Transportation was then so high that this advance of twenty cents per bushel was consumed in expenses. He made nothing, therefore, by the operation. On the ist of January, 1821, he was mar ried to Miss Azuba Forgerson, of Lower Sandusky, though a native ot Orange county, New York. The marriage license on this occasion was the second issued after the organization of the county. The family comprised three children — Dorcas Ann, the first daughter, born September 12, 1824, died August 25, 1826; Ann M., now Mrs. Charles Foster, of Fostoria, Ohio, and Charles, now partner in the large mercantile firm of Foster, Olmsted & Co., of the same place. Mr. Olmsted died in Fremont on the 9th of November, i860, at the age of sixty-eight. He was always held in high esteem for his integrity and discernment, and he held for a time the position of county treasurer; also that of associate judge of the court of'common pleas; all the duties of which offices, as well as those of other official stations, he performed to the entire satisfaction of the people. Humbug found no victim, hol low, heartless formality no advocate in him. For the unfortunate he always had an open and helping hand, and in early times here many in distress were relieved by his generous donations. As an officer, he was prompt and reliable; as a business man, he was ever strictly honest. His goods had only one price, and his book entries told the truth. Fair profits and unflinching frankness and honesty in all transactions were the cardinal principles of his life, and when newly-arrived merchants came into the place and adopted the usual tactics of cheapening some leading articles of merchandise, with the price of which the people were familiar, to attract custom, and then make up the loss on articles of which the customer was ignorant of the value, Judge Olmsted's indignation knew no bounds. He denounced such a system of merchandising as knavery and robbery. The fact that Judge Olmsted was the pioneer merchant of the place, that he came to Lower Sandusky when the whole country was a sickly wilderness, that he was an eye-witness to the birth of the town and of every step of progress in its early history — that he had seen the coun try a wilderness inhabited by wild beasts and still wilder men transformed into a peaceful garden of civilization and beauty, — all conspire to rank him as the leading pioneer man and merchant of Lower San dusky, alias Fremont. In a lecture at Birchard Hall delivered in February, i860, Homer Everett, esq., who had been many years a clerk for Judgo Olmsted, and a member of his family, the judge being then alive and present at the meeting, thus alluded to his marriage: Forty years a faithful, loving, married pair ! For forty years the same familiar step upon the threshold of a happy home to meet warm comforts and, a loving welcome ; forty years' hand in hand along life's road, eye to eye reading the inmost thoughts, and loving. more and more; faithful, true, confiding, with heart to heart through all the trials and changes of mortal life from youth to age. I have been an inmate of that home, and claim the right to say there is not in our town a more interesting and beautiful social spectacle than the every day life of this aged pair ! Surely such are blest. Judge Olmsted departed this life on the 9th of November, i860. Mrs. Olm sted still survives, and is now in her eighty- seventh year, is still vigorous, and retains her mental faculties in a remarkable de gree. Azuba Olmsted was born in Orange county, State of New York, March, 1795. Her. parents were Richard Forgerson and Julia (Davis) Forgerson. They came to HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 55i Lower Sandusky with Aaron Forgerson in the year 181 7. ELISHA W. HOWLAND. Elisha W. Howland has been dead many years. He was never married and left no relative in this State, and it is now im practicable to obtain facts concerning his early life. It is known that he came to Lower Sandusky as early as 1821. He resided there continually from that date until the time of his death, about the year 1854. He worked at the carpenter busi ness and framed and finished most of the frame houses in the place built previous to that time. At the time of his death he owned considerable property, including the hotel on the northeast corner of Front and State streets. He was for a term one of the associate judges of the county, and was afterwards called Judge Howland. In the early days of Lower Sandusky he opened a cabinet-making shop, and for many years his shop furnished all the cof fins used in Lower Sandusky and vicinity. He also made bureaus, bedsteads, chests, and tables for the settlers, and his work was both tasteful and substantial. In a lecture delivered by Homer Ever ett at Birchard Hall in i860, in tracing characteristics of the early settlers at Lower Sandusky, he gave the following sketch of Judge Howland: He was a man of good sense, sound judgment, independent, skeptical, of strong intellect and 'pithy expression. Many of his center-shot witticisms and eccentric speeches are well remembered, one or two of which will give an idea of the man. About the year 1838 our town contained two young and aspiring politicians by the narnesof Bishop Eddy and Homer Everett. They were Democrats, and for some time had been very active in every canvass, organizing the party, controlling the nominations, and advocating the necessity of voting the regular unscratched ticket. ' Their efforts were attended with some success, and they became quite conspicuous, and got some offices filled by men who were not fit for the place. "Judge" Howland, as he was called, hated the Democratic party and all belonging to it. About this time a young man named Harmon, also a Democrat, purchased and brought to our town one of those long-eared animals known as cousin of the horse and father of the mules — such an animal as Frank Leslie would have us believe is the high priest of the Sons of Malta. Harmon considered this ani mal a speculation, and being the first in our town, it attracted considerable attention. One morning he went to the stable. The halter was in the stall, but the jack had stepped out. The door was open, and Harmon supposed his favorite was stolen. The news of the loss soon spread over the town; scouts were sent out in every direction, and everybody was in quiring and narrating these events, and speculation was rife as to where the chattel had gone. About n o'clock A. M. a loud braying in the loft of the stable announced that the missing property had been raised to an elevation above that commonly assigned to it. Harmon heard the musical note and hastened with eagerness to assure himself that the sound had not deceived him. Upon approaching the stable the head and ears projecting from an upper opening of the stable assured him that all was safe. But how did he get there? That was the question. There was no stairs nor ladder, and how could such a creature climb on pegs driven into the wall? He must have been elevated to the haymow by human aid, and who had done it became the great question. Whoever had perpetrated this sell on Harmon might expect to suffer. Just then Howland and some others had been discussing politics in a bar-room, and Eddy and Everett had undergone some of the Judge's hand ling, especially in regard to the bad officers they had been instrumental in hoisting into place, when in came Harmon saying, excitedly, that he would give twenty dollars to know who put his jack up into the loft and left his stable door open. Howland quietly replied, "I can tell who it was." "Well, who was it?" ' ' Homer Everett and Bish. Eddy. " "Why, Judge, what makes you think so?" " Because it's their trade, and has been since they took hold of the Democratic party. They have been engaged in elevating jackasses for the past three years ! " During his sickness and while confined to his room he sent his landlord, Ira Smith, esq., one evening about 7 o'clock, for a bottle of medicine, with directions to hurry. Smith was detained until about ro o'clock, when he arrivedat the door of the Judge's room and found it fastened. He had been a little alarmed for fear the Judge might die suddenly and alone. He rapped and no reply came; rapped again, louder and longer; waited a moment or so, and no sound. He was troubled, and he began to think the Judge had locked himself in and become speechless, perhaps dead. He took hold of the 552" HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. door handle and rapped and shook it as if he would tear it down. As quick as. the rattle of the door subsided, a well-known powerful voice, hot with anger, roared out: "I've been dead these two hours; go way and don't bother me ! " There was some contention about the location of the Cleveland and Toledo Railroad through our town. Judge Howland's opinion was that it should cross the river north of town; others contended that it should go through on the south side, and the latter was finally chosen as the route. This line through Bellevue ran near a distillery, and at this place, excepting the curve at the west side of the river, ran pretty direct towards the old cemetery. After the location and line had been fixed the Judge was asked if he did not think it was the best, after all. His reply was: "Well, .may be 'tis; they have made two points in the road which will ensure a lasting business. It runs from . distillery to our grave-yard. I suppose the road can carry off the dead as fast as he can kill." One Anderson, by cunning management, was ap pointed collector of customs in our town, by the proper authorities at Washington city, and the ap pointment was not satisfactory to the faithful. How land disliked Anderson. In course of time, at the solicitation of the people, John R. Pease obtained the removal of Anderson, and secured the office in his stead. On hearing of this change, Howland would say to his friends: "It is a. fine sight to see a wicked man repent and do penance for his sins. Anderson is going about with a face as long as your arm, and has peas (Pease) in his shoes." JACOB MILLIOUS. This pioneer of the county was born in Rensselaer county, New York, in 1794. At an early age he learned the trade of painting, and in 181 8 started westward. After living in various places in Ohio, painting and doing odd jobs, in 1821, with a load of whiskey and flour, drawn by two yoke of oxen, he started from Cincinnati for Lower Sandusky, where he opened a grocery store and bakery. He suffered for several months after arriving from malarial fever, which greatly discouraged him. As soon as he had sufficiently recovered strength he packed his gripsack and started for Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and did not return until 1822. He was for many years employed in trade, and be longed to that coterie of friends who did so much to enliven village life. Jacob Millious, a small, wiry man in stature, was three times married, and left a number of children to perpetuate his honorable name, several of whom, and his worthy widow, reside at Fremont, Ohio. Mr. Millious died at Fremont in 1880, at the age of nearly eighty-seven years. As a citizen he- was enterprising, and in busi ness no man questioned the integrity of Jacob Millious. JAMES JUSTICE AND FAMILY. Among the pioneers of Fremont who deserve a notice in this history, few are more deserving a place than the subject of this sketch and his family. James Jus tice was born in Bedford county, Penn sylvania, on the 1 8th day of August, 1794. His father was William Justice and his mother was Eleanor Umsted. The father of Mr. Justice was of English and his mother of German ancestry. At about the age of nine years he re moved with his parents from Bedford county to Ross county, Ohio, about six miles from the old State capital, Chilli cothe. There he received a rudimentary education, such as that early date in the history of Ohio afforded, which was in deed limited compared with the grand system of education now to be found in every part of the State. In early life he manifested an uncommon inclination to activity, a good share of which was wasted in the prosecution of innocent mischief and resistance to authority. However, as he grew to manhood, business activity took the place of mischief, and he en gaged at about the date of 1817 or 1818 in the flat-boat trade with New Orleans. The early settlers along the Ohio river and navigable tributaries all looked to this trade as a market for the bacon, flour and JESSE S. This popular citizen of Fremont was a descend ant of the Van Ness family once so noted for wealth and influence in the State of New York. He was a son of Simon and Julia Van Ness, and was born in Orange county, State of New York, on the 25th day of October, 1819. There he learned with his father the trade of tanning and currying. He was married to Miss Jane A. Blakeslee, in Orange county, on the 29th day of August, 1850, and emigrated from there to Fremont, Ohio, in the month of April, 1852. After locating in Fremont Mr. Van Ness worked about two years in what was known as the old Van Doren tannery. He then bought a lot not far away and built a new tannery for himself, not far from the Van Doren tannery, on the side hill, on the east side of the river. In the year 1862 or thereabouts, finding the busi ness not remunerative, he sold out, and spent several years in putting up and supplying the city with ice. His ice house was on the premises of Isaac Sharp, next above the river bridge of the Lake Shore Rail road. While thus engaged he was elected Mayor of the city of Fremont, and although a Republican, the people liked him so well, and had so much confi dence in his integrity, ability and good judgment VAN NESS. that although the city was really a Democratic city, Mr. Van Ness drew largely from the Democratic party, and was elected by a handsome majority at the spring election of 1873, and again elected in the spring of 1877, and again for a third term in the spring of 1881, and engaged in discharging the du ties of the office in a very satisfactory manner, and to the great approval of the people of the city until a short time before his death, when his last sickness disabled him, and his death occurred on the 14th day of June, 1881. Mr. Van Ness was a warm and faith ful friend of the public schools of Fremont, and was a valued member of the Board of Education for fif teen years, and held that office also at the time of his death. He was also for a number of years one of the township trustees of Sandusky county. He was a member of long and good standing of the order of Free and Accepted Masons, having been a member of Brainard Lodge of Fremont, Ohio, many years. He was also a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, perhaps older in Odd Fellowship than any person in Fremont, he having joined Goshen Lodge in Orange county, New York, before he came to Fremont. Though not a member of any church, his wife had joined the Methodist Episcopal church when twelve years old, and has all her life been a consistent mem ber and regular attendant on divine service accord ing to the forms of that church, and Mr. Van Ness, out of regard for religion generally, and especially out of regard for his wife's deep and settled piety, did much for the cause of religion according to the forms of the church which she adopted and revered. Although Mr. and Mrs. Van Ness were not blest with children of their own, they adopted and edu cated two daughters, whose education and culture became their chief desire. The first adopted child was Elsie Jane Karshner, a relative by blood, whom they reared with the most affectionate and tender regard, and who was ready to graduate in the Fremont high school in the class of 1866, when she died shortly before the commencement-day, to which she and her parents by adoption looked forward with such pleasing anticipations, at the age of sixteen. On the death of Elsie there was dark loneliness in the home of Mr. Van Ness, and they soon brought a light to supply the place of the beautiful and loved one which death had extinguished. This light for their home Mr. and Mrs. Van Ness found in the Soldiers' and Sailors' Orphans' Home at Xenia, Ohio. Her name is May Bell. The parentage of this child her foster mother, Mrs. Van Ness, is not now ready to disclose, and the secret remains with her for disclosure when circumstances may require. She is a bright young woman now, engaged in teaching one of the primary schools of Fremont, and is at once the companion and comfort of Mrs. Van Ness in her widowhood. At the funeral of Mr. Van Ness an impressive sermon was delivered by the Rev. T. H. Wilson, of the Methodist Episcopal church. The Odd Fellows then took charge of the remains, and the closing of business houses, the large attendance of citizens, the attendance in a. body of all the remaining city officials, the long line of carriages which fol lowed the remains to the cemetery, and the impres sive burial services by the large attendance of Odd Fellows, all testified that Mr. Van Ness was held in high esteem as a citizen, an officer, and a man. He rests now in Oakwood cemetery among the honored ones who sleep there. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 553 whiskey, so easily and abundantly pro duced in Southern Ohio at that time, and from thence drew supplies by exchange, of sugars and all those goods which we now term groceries. Often, however, the flat- boatman would sell his cargo and boat at New Orleans for cash and work his way up the river to his home the best way he could In this trade young Justice dis played first-class financial talents and ac cumulated considerable cash. He main tained regular correspondence with the merchants of New Orleans, and was at all times well informed of the prices of goods there as well as the price of the products which were designed for sale or exchange in the South. Before engaging in the New Orleans trade he had taken some interest in and understanding of the business of tanning at Chillicothe, but discontinued this to vol unteer under General William H. Harrison in the War of 1812. He was with Harri son at Fort Seneca at the time of the bat tle of Fort Stephenson, August 2, 1813. After the war he resided at Chillicothe, and for a time gave attention to the tan ning business. On the 12th of October, 1820, he married Miss Eliza Moore, daugh ter of David Moore and sister to John and James, deceased, two well-known citi zens of Ballville, and both millers and manufacturers, and both wealthy and en terprising men, In the month of September, 1822, Mr. Justice removed from Ross to Sandusky county, and first located in Ballville town ship, and in what is now known as Ballville village. The manner of his moving from Ross county is quite in contrast with the mode of travel at the present day. He placed his wife and child on horseback, while he started with them on foot. For a time after his arrival at Ballville, Mr. Justice assisted his father-in-law, David Moore, in running his grist- and saw-mill at that place. After spending probably two years in this manner, he removed to Lower Sandusky and erected a tannery on the north side of State street, at the foot of the hill, on the west side of the river. With the tannery he connected the busi ness of harness and shoemaking. Here, again, his financial talent was displayed, and he accumulated money in his business quite rapidly, and made large savings after supporting a family. In this business Mr. Justice simply managed the financial de partment, leaving the manual labor to ex pert workmen, whom he employed in the different shops. About 1847 he turned the business over to his son, Milton J.. Justice, and gave his attention to investing and managing his capital. He made large gains by buying and selling lands, some times on his own account, and sometimes in partnership with Rodolphus Dickinson and Sardis Birchard. Mr. Justice was prominent in the part he took in construct ing the Tiffin and Fostoria plank roads, which for a time contributed so much to the trade and prosperity of Fremont. When the Wyandot Reservation at Upper Sandusky was sold, and the Indians re moved to the Far West, Mr. Justice was selected by the Government as appraiser of the land on account of his soundness of judgment in matters of value. Shortly after coming to Lower Sandusky Mr. Justice was chosen by the Legislature of Ohio one of the associate judges of the court of common pleas of Sandusky county, which office he filled with singular promptness and fidelity for a numbei of years, under the first Constitution of the State. For a period of perhaps ten years Judge Justice discharged gratuitously and effi ciently the duties of a member of the board of education of the city of Fre mont, acting most of the time as treasurer of the board, a position for which he was 70 554 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. peculiarly and well qualified. He was also mayor of the village for a term. When the First National Bank of Fre mont was organized, Judge Justice placed some capital in the stock of that institu tion, and on account of his well-known financial ability and integrity, was one of the first board of directors, and he held this position by successive re-elections until the time of his death, which oc curred on the 28th day of May, 1873, at the ripe age of seventy-eight years, leaving a large estate for the support of his wife and to descend to his four adult children. In person Judge Justice was a man of impressive presence and strong magnetic power, of large size, weighing over two hundred pounds, light hair and complex ion, blue eyes, and full round head and face. In business promptness and integ rity no citizen surpassed him. His punc tuality in the performance of all contracts and promises wis a marked feature in his character, and his wonderful industry and activity in all business affairs continued until the disability caused by his last sick ness compelled him to reluctantly cease his labors. Those who enter the First National Bank of Fremont may see an admirable portrait of Judge Justice on the south wall of the office, which was presented by his children. The picture is the work of his only living son, Milton J. Justice, who is a natural artist and has set forth his father's features with wonder ful accuracy. The wife of the subject of the foregoing sketch was not only one of the pioneers of this county but possessed virtues in a remarkable degree. She was born in Huntingdon county, State of Pennsylva nia, on the 13th day of October, 1800, the daughter of David Moore and sister of Mrs. William Fields, now a widow residing in this county, and also sister of the late worthy citizens -James and John Moore; of Ballville township, so well remembered and esteemed by the peoj)le of the county as men of high merit ani success in busi ness and in usefulness to the community. At the age of fourteen years Miss Eliza Moore emigrated with her parents from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, to Ross county, Ohio. Her father, David Moore, was of full Scotch blood, and her mother was born in Pennsylvania. In 1820 she was married to James Justice, near Chillicothe,. and in 1822 emigrated thence to Sandusky county, with her hus band and only child and settled in Ball ville township. Her father had preceded her in coming into the county and was then engaged in the erection of a grist- and saw-mill on the Sandusky River, in what is now known as Ballville village. But Mr. Moore had n"t then brought his family into the county. The journey from Chillicothe to Ballville was made by Mrs. Justice on horseback. The child, Nancy, she brought with her, is now the wife of Dr. James W. Wilson, president of the First National Bank of Fremont. The way was through an almost unbroken wil derness. The inhabitants of this northwestern portion of the State were very few and very poor in the goods of this world, but they were rich in that trust in God, irrepressible cheerfulness, and indomitable courage which distinguished the hardy pioneers of that period in this portion of the State. After arriving at Ballville, Mrs. Justice passed a short time in a fisherman's shanty, until a log cabin was finished, in the per formance of her domestic duties, with scanty means, and for nine months she never saw the face of a white woman. In this shanty the only fire-place was a heap of stones in one corner to prevent the fire from burning the wall. Above the fire place was an opening in the roof for the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 555 escape of the smoke. If the rain put out the fire, Mrs. Justice would be compelled to go a mile and a quarter to the nearest neighbor's to obtain coals to rekindle her fire. Among her cooking utensils she had what was called a Dutch oven, an iron shallow kettle, with an iron lid or cover, in which all her baking was done, by setting the kettle over coals and piling coals on the cover. She often preserved fire in a stormy time by placing brands and coals in this oven, and placing it out of the reach of the rain in the back part of the shanty, and thus saved the time and trouble of going to the neighbor's for fire. Mrs. Justice survived her husband until the 17th day of October, 1876, when she died at the advanced age of seventy-six years and four days. Her remains now rest by the side of those of her husband, marked by a beautiful granite monument, in that beautiful resting place, Oakland cemetery. This venerable and respected pair reared a family whose standing in society testify to the merits of their parents. The family consisted of three daughters and one son, all surviving them. Another son was born to them, named Granville Moore, who died at Lower Sandusky at the age of six teen years. The names of the surviving children are : Mrs. Nancy E. Wilson, wife of Dr. James W. Wilson (this daughter was born in Chillicothe, and was the child Mrs. Justice brought on horseback from that place); Minerva E., wife of Hon. Ho mer Everett; Mrs. S. Eliza Failing, wife of Dr. John W. Failing, all now residing in Fremont, and Milton J. Justice, now a res ident of Lucas county, Ohio. On the 12th of October, 1870, this then venerable husband and wife cele brated their golden wedding. The oc casion was of peculiar interest to a large assemblage of friends there present to witness the ceremonies and festiv ities. Among the "other pleasant events of that evening was one of peculiar interest and pleasure to all present, but especially to Mrs. Justice. This was the presentation from the children by Rev. R. L. Chitten den of a beautiful gold ring, on the in side of which neatly engraved was the sacred word, "Mother." This was surely a most fitting and significant expression of enduring love and filial affection of the children. Surely this pair of pioneers were honorable, and honored, by society for their virtues while living, and honored in and by their posterity, who live to revere their memories and imitate their virtues. It is worthy of note, that Mrs. Justice had received from her father as part of her outfit, a set of Windsor chairs, painted yel low, a bureau, a table, stand, and bed stead, all of solid black walnut and orna mented with brass knobs or handles, which she preserved to the close of her life and which are still kept by her daugh ter, in the family, at her old homstead, now occupied by Mrs. Homer Everett. The chairs were used by the aged couple at their golden wedding above spoken of, and illustrates that care and economy of Mrs. Justice which contributed so much to the accumulation of wealth and the comfort of her descendants. JACOB BURGNER was born in Thompson township, Seneca county, Ohio, November 5, 1833. His parents were of Swiss descent. His father, Peter Burgner, came from Lancaster coun ty, Pennsylvania, in 181 2, at the age of nine years, to Stark county, Ohio. Here he twice helped clear up a home and worked several years in the construction of the Ohio and Erie canal. In 1830 he married Miss Catharine Hollinger, and moved to Seneca county, where he en- 556 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tered a quarter-section of heavily timbered land two miles west of Flat Rock. This he cleared up and improved with unremit ting toil, making it a comfortable home for himself and family for thirty-three years. Jacob was the eldest of seven children, five sons and two daughters. His first teacher was John Grimes. Being assisted at home, and stimulated by rewards from teachers and parents, he made rapid pro gress in his studies, and committed to memory many pages of his text-books, but his mind was often overtasked and his health injured by close confinement in the crowded, unventilated log school- house where he spent the first twelve years of his school life. He attended several Sunday-schools, read and re-read every library book and newspaper that came in his way, and recited from mem ory .about one-half of the New Testament. When he was eleven years old his mother died, and this event led him to look too much on the dark side of life. At the age of sixteen he became a member of the United Brethren church, under the minis try of Rev. J. C. Bright, and he was soon after elected class-leader and Sunday- school superintendent, offices which he held at intervals for many years afterwards. At the age of seventeen he taught a com mon school in his father's district, and during the next five winters he taught in the neighboringschoolsof Thompson town ship. His wages meanwhile rose from ten to thirty-two dollars per month. He was a careful reader of the Ohio Journal of Education. The summer seasons were spent at hard work on his father's farm. From 1852 till 1856 he attended school at Otterbein University, and at the Seneca County Academy, Republic, Ohio. In the fall of 1856 he returned to Otter bein University, where he remained three full years and completed his course of study. On the 8th of September, 1859, he was married to Miss Rebecca M. Miller, and soon after came to Fremont and taught the East grammar school under Don A. Pease superintendent. The next year he taught the Maumee grammar school. In the fall of 1 861 he returned to Fremont and taught the high school in a small brick building in the rear of the old Presbyterian church, Rev. E. Bushnell being superintendent. In the fall of 1862 he was elected super intendent of the Port Clinton schools, and in 1864 of the Green Spring union schools. Finding that his health was in jured by confinement to the school-room, he began farming in the spring of 1863. Here he has followed farming during the summer season and teaching country schools during the winter for the past eighteen years. In the summer of 1864 Mr. Burgner served as clerk of company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth regi ment, Ohio National Guards, about four months at Fort Ethan Allen, Virginia. In April, 1865, he was elected justice of the peace of Ballville township, which office he held six years. Of Mr. Burgner's brothers, one died in infancy, David and Joseph in early manhood, and Dr. Samuel H. Burgner, of Bellevue, at the age of twenty-eight, leaving an only daughter, Orie, an orphan. His sister Mary mar ried Henry Biechler, and lives at York Center; his sister Lizzie married Joseph B. Maurer and lives near Monticello, In diana. His father, Peter Burgner, was three times married, and died at the age of seventy-four. Jacob Burgner's family consists of his wife and three children — Kittie, Linneus and Louis. His first daughter, Alice, died in infancy. He took in her place his brother's child, Orie, at the same early age, maintained and educated her, and she is now about completing a course of study at Oberlin college. HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 557 In the fall of 1853 Jacob Burgner took his first lessons in phonography, of Charles S. Royce, at a teacher's institute, held at Republic, Ohio. The novelty, simplicity, and brevity of phonetic shorthand com pletely captivated him, and he at once be came wedded to it for life. He bought The American Manual of Phonography, by Elias Longley, (Ben Pitman's system, Cincinnati, Ohio), and mastered its con tents. He then wrote a shorthand letter to Mr. Royce, and received a similar one in return. While a student at Republic, Ohio, he taught several classes in pho nography, and began the study of Ben Pitman's Reporter's Companion. This he mastered, column after column, until he could read at a glance, or write in stantly, the briefest outline for more than four thousand of the most frequently re curring words and phrases in the English language. But it was not until after he had taught several classes in phonography at Otterbein University, and had made many repeated efforts and failures at reporting sermons and lectures, that, in 1857, he acquired the ability to write legibly with the rapidity of speech. Mr. Burgner's first verbatim report was one of Bishop Davis' sermons, and it was soon after hon ored with the dignity of print by the Rev. Alexander Campbell, who solicited and published it in the Millenial Harbinger, Volume I., No. 12. On coming to Fremont, in 1859, Mr. Burgner gave a short course of lessons in phonography to the teachers of the Union Schools, and in the spring of 1861 fur nished the Fremont papers with a verbatim report of the speeches of Hon. Homer Everett," Colonel R. P." Buckland, and Rev. H. Lang, at a flag presentation to the Seventy-second Regiment, Ohio Vol unteer Infantry. This was the first sten ographic reporting done in Sandusky county. At the May term, 187 1, of the. court of common pleas for Sandusky county, Mr. Burgner made the first stenographic report of a law suit, in the case of Mrs. Harriet Seager vs. J. S. Lutz, at request of the plaintiff In June, 1876, he reported verbatim for the Cincinnati Enquirer and the . Fre mont papers the first speech of General R. B. Hayes, after his. nomination for the Presidency, and, in 1877, the speeches of many distinguished generals of the army, at the grand reunion of Hayes' regiment, the Twenty-third, at Fremont, Ohio. At the March term, 1880, Jacob Burg ner and L. E. Stetler were appointed official stenographers for Sandusky county court of common pleas, for three years, by Judge J. H. Doyle, of Toledo, and they then jointly reported the proceedings in the Pelter Welch, murder trial. STEPHEN BUCKLAND AND FAMILY. This highly esteemed citizen of Fremont was born at Hudson, Portage county (since included in Summit county) on the 16th day of January, 1814. He is the son of Ralph Buckland and Ann (Kent) Buck- land, of Connecticut, and of English an cestry. His father died before he was born, and was buried at Ravenna, Portage county, Ohio. Stephen left home at. about six years of age and became a member .of the family of Charles King, whose wife was sister to Mr. Buckland's mother. Mr. King moved to Brooklyn while Stephen was still quite young, and engaged in the manufacture of castor oil, and there man ufactured the first castor oil made in the West. In this business young Buckland assisted as he could, and became quite an efficient help for Mr. King. At the age of about fifteen years young Buckland 55* HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY went home to live with his mother, who, meantime, had married Dr. Luther Han- chet, at Middlebury, Portage county, Ohio. While at Mr. King's young Buckland often visited' his mother at Middlebury, and in doing so passed over the site of the pres ent flourishing city of Akron. The coun try where Akron now stands was then a wilderness without inhabitants or improve ment, unless a hunter's cabin situated there can be called an improvement. This was about the year 182 1 or 1822, and before the Ohio canal was located. Ste phen was in the vicinity, and afterwards witnessed the construction^ of the canal and subsequent growth of the city. He determined, as all young men should, to learn a trade, and according to this deter mination he learned the cabinet and chair- making business in the establishment of Mr. Harry Purdy, in Middlebury. From there he went to Akron, and after working at his trade for a time rented the factory at lock number four, on the canal, which furnished ' water-power for the establish ment. After remaining in this business a few years he went to Canfield and en gaged as clerk in the mercantile house of Kent & Lockwood. While so engaged he made the acquaintance of Miss Lucy Whittlesey, daughter of the late Hon. Elisha Whittlesey, so well known and es teemed in the State of Ohio. He was married to this lady on the nth day of October, A. D. 1838. Soon after the marriage the husband and wife removed to Edinburg, in Portage county, where Mr. Buckland engaged in merchandising, in which pursuit he continued until 1850. Mrs. Lucy (Whittlesey) Buckland, the wife of Stephen Buckland, was born at Can- field on the 2 2d day of December, A. D. 1 81 7. The children of this worthy hus band and wife were all born while they were residing at Edinburg, In the year 1850 the family came to Fremont and set tled here. Soon after his arrival Mr. Buck- land formed a partnership in the drug and book business with C. R. McCulloch, and for some time the firm did a prosper ous business. In 1855 this partnership was amicably dissolved and Mr. Buckland opened a drug and book store on his own account, in which business he has contin ued to the present time, either alone or in company with his sons. To those who know Stephen Buckland no praise is nec essary. His name with them is a synonym of all that is sincere, truthful, honest, and patriotic. Mr. Buckland now conducts the business he has so long been engaged in at Fremont, in company with his wor thy son, Ralph Pomeroy Buckland, named after General R. P. Buckland. DAVID DEAL. The only survivor of the War of 181 2, who continues to reside in Fremont is David Deal. He was born near Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, in October, 1793. In his younger years he took considerable in terest in hunting and sporting. In 1813 he was drafted and placed in Colonel Ste phenson's regiment, under General Har rison's command. He was with the army at Fort Meigs and Upper Sandusky, and was at the former place during the siege. He was discharged at Fort Seneca shortly after the unsuccessful attack on Fort Meigs. He married, in 18 14, Magdaline Overmyer, daughter of Peter Overmyer. In 1829 they came to this county and settled in Jackson township. Mr. Deal is now feeble, but retains correct impressions of military operations in the Northwest during the period of the second war with England. Townships of Sandusky County, SANDUSKY. THIS township originally included all that part of the county west of the Sandusky River, together with parts of Seneca and Ottawa counties. Its organi zation as a township of Huron county in 1 815 has already been given in connection with the history of Fremont, which, until recently, was included within its limits. The territory was reduced to its present boundaries in 1878, when Fremont town- ship was established. The sand ridges along the Sandusky River, and extending through the central part of the township, were the chosen lo cations of the first settlers, although the soil on these sand-bars is inferior to the vegetable mould on Muskallonge or on Lit tle Mud Creek. During the early period of settlement, the western part being a con tinuous swamp, the first pioneers had no choice in the matter of location. Besides, numerous small Indian clearings along the river prepared the way for white occu pation. The narrative of the two first white families — the Whittaker and Wil liams families — is fully given in connec tion with the Indian history and discussion of land titles. Along Muskallonge a road was opened out and clearings commenced about 1827, and the first improvement on Little Mud Creek, so far as can be learned, was made about 1829. On the dry lands along the east side of the Sandusky is an extensive chain of earthworks. One of the mounds on the river bank was excavated some years ago and a skeleton found between plates of mica. These sepulchres of the dis tinguished dead of a civilized and proba bly sesthetic race, which has perished, not only from the earth, but from history, fur nish interesting data for speculation. The chain of enclosures has almost been ob literated by the gradual change of the river channel. Here we have an illustra tion of the effect of progressive civiliza tion. The Mound Builders, as is shown by the location of these earth-works, and the Indians who followed them, chose the dry sand-bars for places of residence. The early white settlers followed the ex ample of the races which had vacated. But times have changed; axes, plows, and tiles have converted the marshy forest, worthless years ago, into fields far more productive than the sand acres along the river ridges. Sandusky township is bounded on the north by Rice, on the east by Riley, on the south by Ballville and Fremont, and on the west by Washington. The principal streams on the west side of the river are Muskallonge and Little Mud Creek, and on the east side, Bark Creek, none of which afford available water-power for mills. This, however, was no great inconvenience, as the mills on the Sandusky River at Ballville and Fre mont were easily reached. The celebrated 559 560 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. "Black Swamp" region begins at Muskal longe and takes in that part of the town ship lying west of this stream. SETTLEMENT. The settlement of Sandusky township was not as rapid as its location would lead us to expect. Ballville was improved be fore Sandusky, and the east part of the county was filling up rapidly before any thing more than scattering settlements were made in this township. Why this was the case is an easy problem when the miasmatic, sickly state of the country west of the river is taken into account. Mus kallonge was dammed up by fallen timber, and in consequence a wide tract of coun try was wet and uninviting. No roads were opened up in the western part. On the whole there was little encouragement to settle. Except the Whittaker and Williams families, Reuben Patterson was the first settler of Sandusky township who re mained to make a permanent improve ment and home. There were more squat ters down along the river than perhaps any other place in the county, but most of them, being unable to enter land, deserted their squatter openings and pushed on farther west. Mr. Patterson's family con sisted of a wife and six children — Alvord, Eveline, Danforth, Julius, Harriet, and Caroline. The family left New York in a wagon in the fall of 1816, and came to Huron, then the stopping-place of so many Western emigrants. At the open ing of the following spring they removed to the peninsula, but sickness so afflicted them that the new home with its improve ments was deserted. Mr. Patterson made a trip to the Maumee in search of a home and there made the acquaintance of Cap tain Rumery, who persuaded him to come to Lower Sandusky. When the family ar rived from the peninsula no room in which to put their goods could be found, except a log house in the fort, which had been used during the war by the officers. Esquire Morrison occupied one end and Mr. Baker the other; the Patterson family were crowded into the middle room, the floor of which was made of clay. A bed stead was placed in a corner, and on this, during the day, all the clothing was piled, and at night beds were made on the ground. One of the gates thrown down before the fire-place furnished one small piece of floor, which contributed to the comfort of this large family in a small room in wet weather. Mr. Patterson and his sons set to work and cleared a piece of land on the west side of the river, near the forks of the road, and in the spring of 1819 the family moved into an unfinished cabin on this place. The cracks were filled afterwards with mortar made of clay and straw, and a chimney made of logs heavily interlaid with clay mortar was erected on the outside of the house. The location of the cabin was on the Whittaker Reserve, a part of which Mr. Patterson rented. When the Government sale of lands was advertised at Delaware, Mrs. Patterson took her little bag of silver coin, mounted her horse, and in company with Lysander C. Ball and James Whittaker, went to Delaware. She purchased what was for years known as the Patterson farm, on the east side of the river. Here Mr. Patterson lived until his death in 1841, having survived his wife one year. The living representatives of the family are : Eveline, widow of L. C. Ball ; Julius, and Harriet, widow of James Moore. L. C. Ball was a settler in Sandusky township in 1823. He left his home in New York in 18 18, with a view to locating in the West, Detroit being his objective point. Being without means, he em ployed the natural method of travelling. High water intercepted his progress at Lower Sandusky, where he found em- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 5&I playment at general work. He soon en gaged at the then profitable trade of black smithing in James Kirk's shop, and after wards built a shop of his own. In 1823 Mr. Ball married Eveline Patterson, and settled on a farm just below the corpora tion, where he lived, raised a family, and died. Mrs. Ball remains on the home stead The children are: Eveline, Al vira, Thaddeus, Oscar, Lysander C, and Sarah (Emerson). George Shannon, a son-in-law of James Whittaker, is mentioned in connection with Indian events of the War of 181 2, in the general history, but that event gives us an interest in the personal history of the family. Mr. Shannon was a native of Schenectady, Schoharie county, New York, and was born in 1787. He came to Lower Sandusky in 1809, and married Mary, a daughter of James and Elizabeth Whittaker, by whom he had eight chil dren, three of whom are living^James, residing in Oregon; John, in this township; and William, in Wood county. Mr. Shan non lived in a cabin on- the Whittaker Re serve when James, the oldest son, was born. In 1812, when the Indian troubles began, he sought safety for his family on the Scioto, having refused to accompany the Whittakers in Fort Stephenson, be lieving that that post would eventually be captured His return to harvest the corn crop, and adventure with the savages while thus engaged, is narrated elsewhere. When the war had closed, Mr. Shannon returned from the Scioto, and settled on a piece of land given him by Mrs. Whitta ker. He built a cabin near the river, in which he moved the entire family, now consisting of several children. Posterity must forgive us for stating that, on ac count of an old prejudice, Mr. Shannon frequently incurred the wrath of his moth er-in-law, and the relation between the two families was not always lovely. The Ind ians usually camped on the river bank near the Shannon cabin. Mrs. Shannon'^ "life in the woods" had familiarized her with their language and habits, and ena-. bled her to detect signs of danger. One day, while her husband was at work, an Indian yell startled the family. She called to Mr. Shannon, who did not hear at first, and, before she could repeat the warning, an angry savage had almost approached the house. There -was no time for evad^ ing. Shannon was now facing the Indian, who drew forth a concealed tomahawk, and, with a double oath, said, in good Eng lish: "Now I going to kill you!" Shan non sprang forward, caught the handle of the drawn tomahawk in one hand and the strong arm of his savage antagonist in the other. A vigorous but brief struggle fol lowed, in which the redskin was prostrated. Shannon was now master of the situation. He wrenched the hatchet from his antag onist's hand, raised the weapon, and was already directing a deadly blow, when the savage cried: "Friendship.'' By a quick movement, Shannon changed his fatal aim, and the tomahawk, just clearing his enemy's head, was buried in the ground. Again seizing the weapon, Shannon or dered the Indian into the house, and then gave him a chair. Shannon also sat down, laying the tomahawk on the table at his side. He then asked the Indian why he came to kill him. "Is your name Joe Williams?" asked the conquered savage. "No; my name is Shannon," was the reply. "I was told," said the Indian, "Joe Williams lived here. I came to kill Joe Williams. He sold me a barrel of stink ing pork." The Indian took his tomahawk and left the cabin, a warm friend of Shannon. John, the third son of George Shannon, was born in the Scioto Valley in J 8 13, 562 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. and was brought to Sandusky, with his parents, after the close of the war. In 1840 he married Eveline Patterson, daugh ter of Alvord and Julia Patterson, who re moved from New York to Ohio in 1833. The fruit of this union was nine children, four of whom are living. Mr. Shannon has always had a fondness for the woods, and had a reputation, in early times, as an expert and successful hunter. Even in his old age he mourns the loss of hunting grounds. Casper Remsburg was a native of Mary land, who came to the county in 1822, and settled on the Muskallonge, where he lived as a farmer until 1849, when he died in the sixty-third year of his age. He married Mary Bowlus, also of Maryland, who is still living, being now in her eighty- ninth year. She is the mother of ten children, nine of whom arrived at ma turity. Four sons and two daughters are yet living. The names of the children in the order of their ages were: Matilda, deceased; Hezekiah, attorney at law, Fre mont; William, a Protestant Methodist preacher, residing in Des Moines, Iowa: Mary Ann, the wife of James Rosen- barger, Sandusky township; Susan, mar ried and residing in Rock Island county, Illinois ; Rebecca, deceased, was the wife of Adam Crowell, of Sandusky township; Perry F., farmer, Bureau county, Illinois; John, died in Sandusky township, in 1849; Lewis E., farmer, Bureau county, Illinois. Mr. Remsburg was a member of the Protestant Methodist church, to which his widow still belongs. The first settlement in that part of the township lying west of the Muskallonge and north of the Perrysburg road, was made by three families from Pennsyl vania, in 1S17. They were the families of George Overmyer, Michael Overmyer, and Daniel Hensel. Daniel Hensel was born in Northum berland county, Pennsylvania, in 1797. He married, in Northumberland county, Christina Reed, and in 1819 removed to Perry county, Ohio. In 1827 the fertile farms then being opened in this part of the State attracted his attention, and having made an entry he removed his family to the Black Swamp. It has been said that many of the pioneers have become wealthy as an incidental result of the developing force of progressive civilization. That is true of those who purchased extensive tracts and then depended upon the labor of self sacrificing neighbors to develop the country around their estates. But those whose memory it is our desire to perpetuate, those whose busy hands built homes and reduced the fertile soil to a state of cultivation, have been indeed poorly paid for leaving well organized and cultured communities and submitting to the conditions of life in the woods. Daniel Hensel actually cut his way to the one hundred and sixty acres of swampy forest he had purchased, and by the time of his death, in 1842, had cleared and brought under cultivation fifty acres. He also carried on an extensive carpentering business. His family consisted of six children, all of whom are living. Adam resides in Sandusky township; Sarah, wife of N. Kessler, in Fitment; Eva, wife of J. Waitman, in Sandusky township; Daniel, in Sandusky township; Christina, wife of J. Binkly; and George, in Sandusky town ship. Adam, the oldest son, was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1825. He married in 1847, Mary J. Benner, whose father Matthias Benner, removed to the county, from Union county, Ohio, in 1840. Their family consisted of six children — James D., Ellen (deceased), Sarah, Harriet (Stine- walt), Alice (Waters), and Emma, all re siding in this township, except Sarah. James D., the oldest son, was born in 1849, and in 1873 married Villa M. Wolf, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5^3 by whom he has two children — Nora O. and Mabel M. Daniel, jr., second son and fourth child of Daniel Hensel, was born in 1835. He married, in 1862, Sarah Hetrich, daughter of George and Catharine Hettrich. His family consists of five children, four of whom are living, ;/William W., Charles H.,, Hattie D., and Emma M. George Reed was born in Northumber land county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1806. In tho year 1829 the family, consisting of the mother, three boys and four giils, started for the one hundred acres lying in the northwest part of this township, which George had entered pre viously. Three days were occupied in the trip from Fremont to the farm, a dis tance of seven miles. Their slow progress indicates the condition of the road, or rather the trail through the woods, for the State road at that time was no more. Mr. Reed in a memorandum says : "We came out as far as Moses Wilson's. There we staid all night. Next day we came down to where David Engler lived. Daniel Hensel was our nearest neighbor, and John Wagoner lived on Little Mud Creek. The country was then nothing but a wilder ness, and the pike a mud-hole. It was almost impossible to get along with the empty wagon part of the time." Mr. Reed adds in the spirit of the good old days gone by : " And it seems people en joyed themselves better then than now. They were riot so selfish; had their log rollings, and corn-huskings, and old-fash ioned country dance, and all hands en gaged in it." A description of a corn-husking and quilting winding up with a dance, accord ing to the fashion of the period, will be found in this volume. Rev. Jacob Bowlus entered land, and at an early day made an improvement south of the pike on Muskallonge. His connection with religious organizations at Fremont is fully noticed in that connec tion. His son, Jacob Bowlus, was for nearly sixty years a staid and honored citi zen, and a staunch Methodist. He once stated that he never went further than Muskallonge after his father's settlement in Lower Sandusky. Samuel Crowell, an early settler of this township and an early school-teacher, was born in Pennsylvania in 1793. In 1815 he married Mary Link, of Virginia, and about 1826 came to. this county. He en tered a farm on the Muskallonge, in this township, and was a school-teacher of prominence and more than ordinary sever ity. He was elected sheriff in 1829 and held the office two terms. He had five sons and three daughters. One of the sons is living — Alexander — -in Peru, Indi ana. Samuel A., who resides in this township, was born in Jefferson county, Virginia, and came to Ohio with his father. He was married three times and had a family of twelve children, viz: George W., Samuel, Mary C, Clarissa, Eugene B., Moses H, Sardis S., Reuben A, Martha L, William E., John W., and Sarah R. Mr. Crowell died October 10, 1 88 1, aged sixty-three years. Eugene. Crowell was born in 1851. He married, in 1873, Sarah Stine, daughter of William. Stine, and ¦ has four children, Clara, Wil liam, Ella, and Ida. The old Crowell improvement was on Muskallonge. Henry Bowlus settled in this township in 1828. He came from Maryland with a family of eight children, four of whom are living. He died in 1832; his wife sur-. vived him nine years. Aaron Forgerson was one of the. first settlers of Fremont, having emigrated from New York in 18 16. The family consisted of eight children, six boys and two girls. Sidney, the seventh child, was one of the early settlers of this township. 5'6'4 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. He married, in 1833, Hannah White, whose father, Ebenezer White, came to the county in 183 1. Basil Coe, a native of Maryland, mar ried Rachel Burgoon, and settled in this county in 1833. He died soon afterwards leaving a family of eight children; the old est of whom, Jessie Coe, was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1815. He mar ried Mary Bazar, a daughter of Henry •Bazar, "a native of Pennsylvania, in 1832. Mr. Coe died in 1867, leaving ten chil dren living : Rebecca L, Richard A., Martha J., Francis M., Sarah I., Charles J., Josephine A., James M., Ellen A., and William S. Mrs. Basil Coe died in 1881. Mrs. Jessie Coe is still living. Seven of her children survive. Richard A. Coe "was born in 1 844, and has always resided in the county. He was married, in 1870, fO Harriet B. Shank, born in Cincinnati in "1 841. Four children are living-' — Wil liam Edward, Carrie A., John R, and James W. Lloyd N. is dead. George Michael was born in France in 1816. He came to America, and settled in New York in 1831. In 1834 he re moved to Sandusky township, where he has lived ever since. The family consists "of eight children, all of whom are living, viz: Caroline (Parker), Sandusky town ship; Philip, Henry county; George, John H., and Christian, Wood county; Mary (Swartz), Elizabeth Thompson and Charles reside in this county. Mr. Michael followed coopering for forty years. He has also improved an excellent (arm. George Engler, a native of Germany, "settled in this township in 1835, and lived here until his death in i860. The family ^consisted of twelve children, all of whom ¦are living. Henry, the sixth child, was -horn in Germany in 1831; he married r Christina Will, a native of Germany, by "whom he had a family of eight children, •seven of whom "are living, viz: Caroline, Frank, John, Elizabeth, Ella, Herman and Edward. John Kuns (spelled Koons by some representatives of the family), a native of Pennsylvania, came to this county in "1.83:6, from Perry county, Ohio. He married Catharine Overmyer, by whom he had five children : Siloma and Catharine, deceased, and Samuel, John and Elizabeth, living. Mr. Kuns died October 25, 1845, aBed fifty-two years. He had been an invalid for many years, and was so afflicted with rheumatism that he was helpless during the last fifteen years of his life. Mrs. Kuns died November 5, 1874, aged seventy-five years and six months. Samuel, the oldest son, is living on the old home stead, where his grandfather, John Over myer, settled four years before John Kuns, sr., came to the place. Samuel Kuns was born in Perry county in 1823. He married Mary M. Swarm in 1845. They had five children: John, Riley township; Catharine (Shively), Sandusky township; Mary E. (Seibert), Samuel, Sandusky township, and Emma A. (Reed), Ottawa county. Mrs. Kuns died March 16, 1866, aged thirty- nine. Mr. Kuns was again married Feb ruary 4, 1879, to Mrs. Rosanna Bruner, daughter of Christian Auxter, of Washing ton township. They have one child, Or- phie R. John, brother to Samuel, was born in Perry county. in 1827. He married in 1850, Hannah M. Sebring, and has four children living: Maria E., John E., Clara E., and Wilbur C. Mr. Kuns was in the- grocery business in Fremont for several years. The Sebring family came from "Butler county, Ohio, and settled in this county in 1836.' Charles Lay and his parents, John and Sarah La)', came to Sandusky township about 1840. Charles Lay married in this county, Anna Unsbauch, a native of Perry "county. Three of their children are liv- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5«5 ing: Alfred and Alhanus in Sandusky .township, and Rosanna (Fought), Wash ington township. Jacob Hufford, .a native of Frederick county, ..Maryland, was horn in 1177-3. He married Catharine Creager, and emigrated :J5rst to Kentucky, and from there .to Greene county, .Ohio. .In 1 836 they came .to this county and settled on the farm where she died in 1842 and he in 1851. :Mr. Hufford was a blacksmith hy trade, hut after coming to this county gave his ^exclusive attention to farming.and improv ing his land. James, the third child .of Jacob Hufford, was:born in Greene county, in .1.812. He married, in 1838, Susan ..Arnold, who died in .1847, leaving three children, viz : George W., died of disease xpntracted in the army, at Memphis, Ten nessee; Harriet A., wife of William Slates, lives in this township; and Joseph _N., de ceased. Mr. Hufford married, in 1849, .for his second wife, Elizabeth Fisher, by whom one child was born, William T, a resident of this township. He was born in 1851, and married, in 1873, Sarah, daugh ter of William Rhidout, of Ballville town ship. They have two children, Eugene. L- .and James F. Mr. Hufford has been .a iteacher in the public schools. Michael Wolfe crossed the mountains in 1837, for the first time, coming and .going. on foot. He had been married at the age of twenty-two to Margaret Eng]e- man, and, in 184 1, with his family, he came to Ohio and settled in this township, -where he lived until his death, in 1879. IHe was one of the first -settlers in the ..Muskallonge bottom, where he lived until :iS65, when he removed to the pike. It .is:said .of Mr. Wolfe that he never had an ;enemy. Of a family of twelve children cseven are still living, viz : Levi, Sandusky -. township ;,Solomon, Seneca county; Josiah rand A. J., TSandusky township ; Ella J. (Hook), Tiffin; Anna C. (Baker,), Ece- mont; and Savilla (Hensel), Sandu;sky township. JLevi, the oldest son, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 183:6. In 18-57 he married Christina Lantz. Nine children are living— Robert A-, filla C., Emma R., Ellen H, James H., Chester E.,. Michael J., Margaret E, and AddieC. A. J., .the fourth child of Michael Wolfe, was born in ;i.842, and married," in 1865, Jemima Stultz. They have two childrenrr- William :E. and Nannie A. Mr- Wolfe purchased the .Alexander Paden farm, which wascne of the firs.t. improved in- the township. Jacob Faller emigrated from Germany .-and.afterwards: settled in this township in 1846. He married, in 18-50, Christina Wegstein, also a native of Germany. Her parents came to America in 1840. "Four children blessed this union, viz: Sarah ;E-> William, Emma, and George. Mr. Faller served. in the Mexican war. He has en gaged in the manufacture of chairs, and also in the grocery business, but for nine years he has been farming. William Webster, son of Joseph and Sarah Webster, was born in Derbyshire, England, in 1820, and came to America and settled in Sandusky township in-1851. He lived in this township nine years, and then moved to Washington township,. his present residence. He married, first, in 1847, Salina Wood, who died in 185:8, having borne two children, George,- and John Joseph, both deceased. He married again in 1859, Mary A. Newcomer, whose father, Jacob Newcomer,- settled in San dusky county in 1830. Mary J. and Joseph W. are the children by this mar riage. Only Mary is living. Mr. Web ster followed butchering in "Fremont dur ing his residence there. Peter Gilbert was another of the indus trious Germans who- settled, in this. town ship, and have contributed so much, to its -.wealth. He -was ; born in .Germany in 566 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. "1804. He married Margaret E. Tickel, and emigrated to America in 1852. He died in 1859, on the farm where he set tled. Mrs. Gilbert survived him three years. The family consisted of three boys and three girls: Henry, Louis, Adam, Julia, Catharine and Mary. Henry, the oldest child, was born in 1823, and came to this country with his father in 1852. The following year he married Catharine Graft, daughter of George Tickel, who came to America in 1844. Two of their four children are living — Louisa, the wife of William H. Greene, and Ellen H., wife of Lewis Conicom, both residents of San dusky township. Mr. Gilbert is a mason by trade. He has served as township trustee, clerk, assessor, etc. William D. Stine, the second child of Philip and Sarah Stine, was born in Penn sylvania in 1827. He married, in Picka way county, Ohio, in 1852, Rebecca Stout, a native of that county, and re moved to this county the following year. Three children are living: Sarah C. (Crow ell), Isaac Franklin, and Lavina E. Mr. Stine followed the carpenter and joiner trade for ten years. John Shook, a native of Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio and settled in Pickaway county about 181 2. In 1825 he removed to the present terri tory of Ottawa county, where he died in 1863. His wife, whose maiden name was Susannah Hum, died in 1856, leaving seven children. Daniel, the sixth child, was born in Pickaway county in 1822. He married, in 1850, Rosanna Bowlus and in 1854 settled in Sandusky township. In 1880 he removed to his present resi dence in Washington. The family con sists of three children, two of them living, viz: Franklin P., William D. (deceased), and James D. Mrs. Shook is a daughter of David Bowlus, of Sandusky township. . . W. L.. Greene was. among the later, set tlers of this township. He was born in Pennsylvania, in 1832, and came to this county in 1855. In 1859 he married Ab igail Ramsel, daughter of Jacob Ramsel, of Ottawa county. They had two chil dren, one of whom is living, James L.; Cora J. is dead. Mrs. Greene died in 1873. In 1876 he married for his second wife Malinda Bowlus. He was in mercan tile business eight years. By her first husband Mrs. Greene had four children : Orville, Rolla, Ada, and Charles. Mr. Greene's father resided in this county until the time of his death in 1875. He was a soldier in the War of 18 12. John Stayer, Mrs. Greene's father, was also a soldier in the War -of 1812, and is yet living (1881). Jacob J. Seibert was born in Pennsyl vania in 1820. He -married Mary A. Walborn in 1843, and in 1856 ihey came to this county. Four of their six children are living: Monroe, Fremont, Emma (Loose), Michigan; Henry, and William. Mr. Seibert has been an elder in the Re formed church about fifteen years. Eben Root was born in Erie county, in 1843. I'1 I868 he married Jemima Fell, and settled in this county. Three children are living — Isabella, Carrie, and Walter. The youngest child, David P., died_at the age of thirteen months. Mr. Root has a fine farm of two hundred and thirty acres. SHOOTING ON BARK CREEK. The small stream which winds through Ballville and Sandusky townships, almost parallel with the river, derives its name from the methods employed by the early hunters for shooting deer along its course. The stream flows through a flat country, and at places spreads out into little ponds . of considerable area and depth. In these . deer were accustomed to .gather in. .large groups or herds, to. avoid^ flies and other HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 5^7 annoyances. The professional hunters of the day had canoes in which they em barked for game. In one end they placed a candle or torch, surrounded, except in front, by a piece of bark stripped from an elm tree. Behind this dark lantern he could sit in entire obscurity, while in front the water and shores were well lighted. Deer seem to be charmed with a torch in the night. They would stand up to their bodies in the water and watch the approach of the destroyer with evident pleasure, little suspecting that a charge of buckshot was being aimed at them by a man con cealed in the dark end of the boat. When the boat had reached a sure shooting dis tance the hunter fired, bringing down sometimes two victims at one shot. An old hunter informs the writer that he has brought in as many as twelve deer as the fruit of one night's hunting. RELIGIOUS. The religious history of Sandusky town ship is so intimately connected with the church history of Fremont that little re mains to be said here. Within this terri tory Rev. Joseph Badger, with his assist ants, established their missionary post while laboring among the Wyandot Indians. There are in the township at present two churches. METHODIST PROTESTANT CHURCH. The only congregation of this denom ination in the county, worship in a com modious frame house on the Rollersville road, near Muskallonge Creek. The Methodist Protestants established their form of worship in this county in 1840. Dr. William Reeves, accompanied by his wife, Hannah Reeves, held a meeting in Fremont in 1840, which resulted in gath ering together a small class, which a split in the United Brethren class, a couple of months later, strengthened. The meeting conducted by Hannah Reeves was very satisfactory in its good results, but the church never prospered in town. A class was organized the following summer in the country, composed of Alexander Padenand wife, William Rice and wife, William Rems burg and wife, Sophia Flick, Mary Rems- berg, and Polly Remsberg. Two years after the class was formed, a meetinghouse was built on Henry Bowlus' farm, where services were held until 1873 when the present house was built. The present membership of this class is about fifty. . Ministers worthy of special men tion have been William Turner, William Ross, Robert Andrews, Alexander Brown, and Robert Rice. William Hastings is the present pastor in charge. OTHER CHURCHES, Lutheran service has been held in the township since 1843,. very closely connect ed, however, with the church at Fremont. The meeting-house at the four-mile stone on the pike was built in 1845, or about that time. The congregation is composed largely of Germans or people of German descent. The Methodist Episcopal church or ganized a class during the early settlement of the township, and about 1845 built a house of worship on the pike at Muskal longe. The maintenance of service at this point was, however, entirely unneces sary, and when the building yielded to the dilapidations of time, it was abandoned and most of the members transferred their connection to the church at Fremont. RICE. RICE is territorially the smallest town- sh ip in the county, and its boundaries the most irregular. The fertile farms of the eastern end are cut by numerous dead water courses; the central part is marshy; the western sections will compare favorably for agricultural purposes with any part of the county. In going the length of this territory from east to west, along the Ot tawa county line, the traveller is given a glimpse of pioneer times. Although few of the outward appendages of the historic log cabin days are there to be seen, enough points are visible to enable the imagination to fill up the picture. Here are the cordu roy roads passing through a forest of mas sive elms, growing from a marshy surface made invisible by decaying trees and thick underbrush. Flies, mosquitoes, and other tortursome enemies of human happiness give the mischance traveller painful con sciousness of their half-starved condition. Occasionally we come to a log cabin, re sembling in most respects the ideal resi dence of the olden time. The water courses in the lower part of the township are currentless, rising and falling with the tides in the bay. Further up the current is perceptible but not rapid. The only valley is that of Mud Creek, which affords excellent drainage to the country on both sides. Near its mouth the name river would be more appropriate than creek; it is navigable for a distance of two miles from the mouth, and at places spreads out into little lakes. Fishing Creek courses the center of the township. Little Mud Creek being the principal trib- 568 utary. The Sandusky River skirts the southeastern border. The head of the bay was, years ago, a favorite nesting place for ducks and geese. An old settler says that, fifty years ago, while riding north of Mud Creek, the geese were so plenty that he was able to kill dozens of them, striking with his whip from the back of the horse. Fur-bearing animals were also plenty about the mouth of the creek. Otters were the trapper's pride, while muskrats, and, further back from the bay, minks, were so plenty that, although cheap, they were the source of much needed ready cash in the pioneer days of poverty. Sluggish streams with shallow channels have left Rice entirely without water-power. Until a recent period there was neither grist- nor saw-mill. There has never been a grist-mill, but two steam saw-mills have been operated. The first was moved from Ottawa county, and was owned by Mr. Crosby; the other was built in 1871 by Guilson & Seigroff, near the centre of the township. The soil is of vegetable composition, and if surface declination permitted drain ing, would be very productive. Corn and wheat are raised with profit as it is. Cul tivation becomes easier as clearing pro gresses. There was a time when farmers, in dry springs, might be seen using axes in place of hoes for planting corn. A deep gash was cut in the gummy muck, in which corn was dropped and imperfectly covered. A good crop was generally harvested, even in spite of such unpromising planting. In HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 569 the western part of the township the drain age system is more perfect, and the soil in consequence much looser and more easily worked. Before the days of bridging Mud Creek was a serious obstruction to travel. Peo ple living north of this stream especially were inconvenienced in going to and coming from market and mill at Lower Sandusky. Mr. Boggs, an old settler in the south part of Ottawa county, says: One time Mud Creek was very high, and I wished to cross with seven bags of corn. Trees had been cut across and large poles laid on them to walk on. I knew that my corn would be wet, if I drove through the stream with it in the wagon; so I took one bag at a time and carried it on my shoulders* thirty or forty rods through the bottom. I then swam my horses through the main part of the creek, sitting waist-deep in my wagon. This was only one case of a great many similar experiences. FRENCH OCCUPATION. After peace had been restored in 1815, this township became the home of many of the French families of the colon)', which left the Maumee and came to Lower Sandusky three years earlier. The original settlement of these people, after coming to America, was at Monroe, Mich igan. They afterwards established them selves on the Maumee, where they settled down to habits of industry. But the opening of the British and Indian hostili ties, in 1 8 12, compelled another removal and doomed them to four years of migra tion and unsettled life. In January, 1813, by direction of the Government, about twenty families packed their possessions and started for Lower Sandusk)'. It was a fortunate circumstance that heavy ice well covered with snow gave them an easy course of travel and at the same time made it possible to avoid the savage enemies of the forest. All be- ¦ ing in readiness, a French train was formed. This consisted of a procession of one horse sleighs, the runners of which were made of boards. The train was placed under di- 72 rection of a Frenchman named Peter Mal- tosh, who had been an Indian trader. He knew the country thoroughly and proved himself a faithful and valuable guide. The journey to Locust Point was made over the ice with ease, in one day. On the following day Port Clinton or Port age,* as it was then called, was reached. This day's travel was hard on the horses, as the snow was very deep. The train was held close together, and the order of the sleighs frequently changed, so that the horses having become weary, breaking the way, were rested in the beaten track in the rear. Upon arrival at Portage the horses were almost exhausted. Maltosh, the guide, anticipated the failure of the horses from exhaustion and on the following morning directed the train to follow his tracks. He assured them that he. would be at Lower Sandusky far in advance of the train and would have, at the mouth of Muskallonge, teams to assist them to the end of the journey. The horses stiffened by two days' travel through the deep snow, entered upon the third day's trial of endurance with reluctance. With frequent changes in the order of travel, the train moved slowly across the head of the bay, and entered the river. The delight of our band of weary travellers, on reaching the mouth of Muskallonge Creek, can be im agined, There a number of fresh teams were in waiting. The effect of finding the welcoming hand of friendship thus ex tended far out to them, can only be ap preciated, when we remember that these people were strangers in a strange country. They or their ancestors had left European homes made miserable by feudal despot ism and unsafe by revolution and invasion. They found habitations in America even *This place was given the name Portage, because it was a custom to land canoes and lift craft there and thence transport them overland a distance of a mile and. a half to Sandusky bay. 57° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. less secure, and were now fleeing from a savage, foe under command and direction of the hereditary enemy of their mother country. With what delight, therefore, did these discouraged and exhausted ref ugees receive this token of friendship and promise of protection. These teams from the fort took most of the load and broke the way. Lower San dusky was easily reached. The colony was given quarters in Gov ernment barracks during the remainder of the winter. In the spring cabins about the fort were occupied, but the forest was full of hostile Indians, and at a signal all were ready to flee into the enclosure. On the ist of August, 1813, the French fami lies, by order of the Government, were re moved to Upper Sandusky. While on the way the sound of Proctor's cannon was heard at Fort Stephenson. The fam ilies remained at Upper Sandusky until the conclusion of the war, and were then moved back to Lower Sandusky in Gov ernment wagons. During these four years this company of refugees remained to. gether and became warmly attached. They had been wards of the Government during the war, and the able-bodied among them bore their part- bravely in the lines of soldieiy. The war having closed, it now became necessary for them to seek homes and earn their own livelihood. We can give further information of but a few individuals and families of the company. Joseph Cavalier and wife both died at Fort Stephenson before the removal of the company to Upper Sandusky. Their son Albert, who is yet living, and one of the (ew survivors of the company, was left in charge of his aunt, Mrs. Jaco. Gabriel O'Dett de Le Point and Thomas De Mars made squatter improvements on the river bank eight miles below Fremont, on the tract since known as the Tucker farm, Mrs. Taco married Le Point, and Mr. Cavalier was received by Mr. De Mars. Mr. Jaco had died during the progress of the war. Le Point served as a soldier during the war. The sales of 1821 caused serious comusiuii among all these French squatters. Few of them were prepared to purchase land, and those who had the means did not understand how to profit by the opportunities offered. The land on which Le Point and De Mars had lo cated was purchased by Samuel Cochran and the inhabitants compelled to seek other homes. De Mars purchased a tract on Mud Creek. Three of his sons are living — George in Bay township, Joseph in Rice, and Thomas in Hardin county. The Bisnette family permanently settled on the farm at the bend of the river, now owned by Mr. Enoch. This farm was the death and burial-place of the parents. The Catholic cemetery is located near the site of their cabin. Three brothers, Joseph, John, and Peter Mominne, made squatter improvements on the river bank. Peter finally settled in Bay township. Joseph purchased land in Sandusky township, and John, after living within the present limits of Rice for a time, sold his property and removed to Canada. A member of the company named Minor squatted en Ncyro Point, and re mained there about two years. He re turned to the Maumee. Charles Fountaine, after- remaining at Fremont for a time, located on Peach Island. Christopher Columbo was a migrating carpenter. His services were not in great demand, as not only houses, but furniture, were constructed in the simplest possible way, mostly of puncheons. The Devoir family, consisting of five brothers — Peter, Robert, Francis, Jacob, and Alexander — returned to the'Maumee. They had been raised among the Indians HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 571 and were thoroughly familiar with their habits. Peter and Alexander have several times visited their friends about the bay. Thomas De Mars had been associated with the Indians all his life, and was, therefore, able to interpret their conduct. He was brave, active and trusty, qualities which made him a valuable man for the times. During the war he was selected to carry the mails between Upper Sandusky and Fort Findlay — a dangerous route. He has related rather a stirring incident of one of his trips, which gives an idea of his character. He says: I saw an Indian crossing the trail some distance in front of me, who seemed to have discovered me about the same time I saw him. I was in doubt whether it was one of our few friends among the savages or a "British Indian,'' as those friendly to England were called. After some sly manosuvering on part of both of us, I.snw the Indian had lost my whereabouts, while I knew where lie was all the time. At length I saw him c.-uefully examine the trail for my tracks, with his eyes close to the ground, as I supposed, to determine whether I had gone past. After watching these movements I became convinced that he was not to be trusted. Being armed with a good rifle and reliable side arms, I knelt low behind a large tree, and having taken c.ire- ful aim fired. The Indian fell. When I passed him lie was dying. If I ever ran in my life it was then, for I feared other Indians had heard the gun. Finally settling down to a rapid walk Upper Sandusky was reached in good time. A detachment of horsemen brought the dead body to the fort. Our friendly Indians identified him as a "bad Britisher," and were delighted at what I had done. The French settlers of Rice were all Catholics, but it was several years after the close of the war before their wild set tlement was visited by a priest. The first mass was held by a Detroit priest named Gabriel Re Shoir. He bore on his face the marks of two heavy blows received in Fiance during the revo lution, at the hands of a mob maddened by the cry of "down with the clergy." The reverend father, after administering absolution, promised that a member of the clergy should visit their settlement at least once a year. This arrangement was not effected until a few years later. A regular congregation was not formed until about the year 1830. The French settlement did not estab lish any schools. Their children, how ever, attended the English schools, one of which was taught by Mr. Forgerson in Sandusky township. GERMAN POPULATION. German is an important element in the population of Rice. During the period of early settlement the inhabitants were, with a few exceptions, all French. About 1835 the-first German families moved into the woods in the western portion, and by that untiring industry which is character istic of their race, soon had fertile fields in a state of profitable cultivation. Here a large tract of "wild land" offered an opening to the emigrants who were seek ing Western homes. From 1840 to 1850 the work of clearing and improving was pushed with the greatest rapidity. We have space to mention only a few of the more prominent of these German families. John Smith, one of the earliest Ger man settlers of this township, came to America and settled here in 1833. He was born in Germany in 1783, and mar ried there Catharine Ernst, also a native of Baden. They reared a family of seven children, viz.: Catharine, Mary, Eliza beth, John, Christina, Frederick, and Rosannah. Both of the parents died in 1870. Frederick was born in Baden in 1829. In 1852 he married Elizabeth Kiser,' a native of France, and in 1877 settled in Sandusky township, where he has a family of eight children — Christina (deceased), Frederick, Caroline, Elizabeth, William, Clara, Amelia, and Edward. Christian Kline, who was born in Ger many in 1790, emigrated to America with his wife in 1837, and settled in this county. After remaining eight months they re moved to Lucas county and lived there 572 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY about three years, after which they re turned to this county, and made perma nent settlement in Rice. Mr. Kline died in 1855, having survived his wife ten years. Four of their eight children are yet living — Christian.lives in Washington township; Louis lives in Monroe county, Michigan; Susan (Mullencup), Lucas county; An drew, the third son, was born in 1824, and lives in Rice. He married Sarah Ann Kreilick, in 1848. She was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1832. The fruit of this union was thirteen children, nine of whom are living. Mr. Kline served both in the Mexican war and the war of the Rebellion. His chil dren are, Christina (Cillias), Rice town ship; Louisa (Wolf), Michigan; Susan (Smith), Rice township; Adam, Michigan; John, Rice township; Sarah E. (Greas- man), Rice township; Macida C, Mary M., and Andrew W., Rice township. Henry and Catharine Swint, natives of Germany, had a family of eleven children, three of whom came to this country. Henry, their fourth child, was born in 1814. He married, in 1848, Rosena Reinick, who was born in 1831, in Baden, Germany. Fifteen children have blessed this union, viz: Anthony, Sandusky township; John, Ballville township ; Cath arine, wife of Frank Zimmer, Fremont; Jacob, Fremont; Joseph, Fremont; Am brose, Rice township; Mary, wife of Frank Freek, Fremont; Edward, Lizzie, Sarah, Ella, Josephine, Henry, Anna, and Rosa, in Rice township. Mr. Swint is a weaver, and worked at the trade in Germany. He served twelve years in the German army. He came to America and settled in Riley township in 1845, but at the opening of the war with Mexico he joined the army and continued in the service until July, 1848, when he returned to this county, married, and settled down to farming in Rice. William Seigenthraller was one of the first German settlers of the township. He accumulated a large tract of land. Gotlieb and Margaret" Gnepper had a family of eight children, two of whom, Francis and Ernst, came to this coun try. Ernst was born in Germany in 1824. In 1853 he married Mary Friar, whose father, Frederick Friar, emigrated from Germany and settled in. Woodville township in 1836. Their family consists of five children, viz: Henry, Angeline, Frances, Freddie, and John, all of whom are at home, except Angeline, who is the wife of Philip Seigenthraller, of Washing ton township. Mr. Gnepper has served in various local offices. PENNSYLVANIANS. A portion of the population in the western part of the township belongs to what is commonly known as "Pennsyl^ vania Dutch." Peter Hettrick settled near the present location of the Lutheran church in 1832. He had a family of eight sons, whose labors have been considerable in reducing the forest. The previous em igrants from Pennsylvania settled further south, but an opening once made, fine farms were soon cleared up. We can mention but a few families. Michael Smith, a native of France, came to America and settled in Pennsyl vania in 1826, at the age of twenty years. After remaining several years he married Margaret Powell, who was also a native of France, having been born there in 1815. They came to Sandusky county and made permanent settlement in Rice. Fifteen children blessed this union, seven of whom are living, viz.: Elizabeth (Kesser), San dusky township; Jacob, Rice township; Mary (Seigenthraller), Sandusky town ship; Michael, Rice township; John, Margaret (Wagner), and Kate Gahn, Rice township. John, the fifth child, was born in 1852. In 187 5 he married Susan Kline, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 573 by whom he has three children — David A., Michael I., and Sarah A. Hugh B. Hineline was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1802, where he married, in 1825, Rebecca Lettig, who was born in 1808. They emigrated to Ohio in 1854, and settled in Rice, where he died in 1871. The family consisted. of fourteen children, two of whom lost their lives in the war of the Rebellion. Ten are living, viz. : Anna (Ruth), Ballville; Cyrus M., Freeport, Illinois; Elizabeth (Richards), Fremont; Sarah (Cole), Sandusky township; Wil liam H., Rice; Alinda (Furry), Woodville; Hugh E., Rice; Thaddeus, Michigan; R. Emma (Speller), Ballville; and John Franklin, Freeport, Illinois. Abel T. was killed at Kenesaw Mountain in 1864. Simon P., who was in the naval service, fell from a ship mast off the coast of North Carolina in 1861. Jacob died in 1870, at the age of -thirty-nine years. Frances died in childhood. William H. and Hugh E. reside on the homestead. William H. served three years in the army, during which time he was confined six months in Libby prison. OTHER SETTLERS. Peleg Cooley was one of the earliest pi oneers of thecounty. He emigrated with his wife, Martha Bassett, from New York to Canada in 1807. In 1815 they came to Fremont, Ohio. Their family consisted of eight children, but one of whom is liv ing — Edmond O. — who was one of the earliest settlers of Rice. In 1&35 he mar ried Catherine Ash, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1815. She died in Rice in 1880. Four of their eight children are living: James W., in Kansas; Maggie, in Rice; Rebecca (Irwin), in Ottawa county; and Jeremiah in Rice. Isaac B., Anna, Isaiah, and Frances J. are dead. Mr. Cooley. was: one of the first members of the Fremont Methodist church. Eleazer Willey emigrated from New York to Huron county in 1830 and remained there about three years. He then perma nently settled in Rice township, where he died in 1852. His wife died in 1866. Of their family of eight children three are still living — Sarah Ann, wife of O. C. Brunner, in Kansas; Jane, wife of Joseph Fry, in Scott township; and Richard, the oldest son, who was born in New York in 1817. He came to Ohio with, his parents, and in 1847 married Harriet Walker, who was born in New York in 1825. They have three childien — Eliza, at home; George W., in Michigan; and Mary E., wife of Wallace Scringer, in Rice. Thomas Tuckerman, fourth child of Thomas Tuckerman, sr., was born in Vir ginia in 1809. The following year his pa rents removed to Maryland, where Thomas lived till 1 82 1, when he came to Seneca county. In 1836 he married Elizabeth Brown, of Melmore, Seneca count)', and in 1842 became a resident of this county, his first settlement being in Sandusky township. From there he removed to Rice. His family consisted of fourteen children, seven of whom are living, viz.: John, Orrin, Ann, Charlie, Claridon, Arza B., and Clara Belle, all living in this town ship, except Ann (Swank), who resides in Fremont. Mr. Tuckerman held the office of county auditor one term. T. T. Harrison came to Fremont in 1857 from Michigan. He afterwards re moved to Hancock county, Ohio, where he married, in 1865, Sarah E. LePoit, an granddaughter of Gabriel LePoint, one of the French colony previously spoken of. He has been a resident of Rice since 1867. John Cochran was born in Pennsylvania in 1801. He married Margaret Patter son, also a native of Pennsylvania, and moved to Perry county, Ohio, afterwards coming to this county. The family con sisted of seven children, four of whom are living, viz: Hannah (Williams), Ball 574 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ville; Isabella (Jackson), Fremont; Ellen (Mudge), Fort Wayne, Indiana, and Thomas W. Cochran, who was born in Perry county in 1827. .In 1869 he mar ried Jane Wright and has a family of three children — John T., Edmund E, and Net tie. Mr. Cochran was engaged in mer chandising three years and in the manu facture of woollen goods three years in Erie county. He is now farming in Rice. Nathaniel B. Tucker, a native of Mas sachusetts, was born in 1796. He mar ried in New York, in 1821, Mary A. Bal lard. They came to this county in 1839 and settled in Rice, where they still re side in the fullness of their age. Three children are living — N. R. ; Mary (Sny der), Ottawa county; Henry H., Rice township. Mr. Tucker is a tanner and shoemaker. Even at the advanced age of eighty-five he continues to work on the bench mending shoes. He was a soldier in the War of 18 12. Nelson R., the old est son, was born in New York in 1823. He came to this county with his parents and married Miranda Burgoon, by whom he has a family of nine children living, viz: Martha Ann Margaret; Mary E. (Parish), Sandusky township; Rachel T. (Kleinhans), Ottawa county; Harriet I., Nellie I. (Strouble), Juliet J., Charles G, Lilla V., and John P., Sandusky town ship. Adeline M., Barrett E., and Mor rison M. are deceased. Mr. Tucker fol lowed tanning and shoemaking a number of years, then purchased the farm in San dusky township where he now resides. CATHOLIC CHURCH. Public worship according to the Catho lic ritual was instituted in this township at an early period of the settlement. A meeting-house was built about 1830 on the bank of the Sandusky River, and a lot of ground set apart for burying purposes. Most of the settlers being French the ser vice of the French church was followed. This congregation was known as "Phile mon Church," but in 1870, when a new house was built nearer the centre of the township, the name was changed and a general reorganization effected. The pres ent membership is about fifteen families Two of them are German, the others of French descent. A cemetery beautifully located on the bank of the river marks the site of the old church. This continues to be the public burying-ground. - ZOAR METHODIST CHURCH (GERMAN). Methodist worship was instituted among the German families of the southern and central part of the township about 1844. A mission church was built, and a grave yard set apart about that time. The heads of families who formed the class, were Michael Schmidt, Nicholas Younker, John Schmidt, Michael Hulderman, Mr. Paul, Giles Sigroff and Jacob Switzgreoer. In 1873 increasing congregations, and the dilapidating effects of time made a new house of worship necessary. The congre gation, which numbers about sixty mem bers, is connected with Woodville circuit. EVANGELICAL CHURCHES. Two societies of this denomination have churches within the limits of the township. Fishing Creek class was organized about 1850. Meetings were held in school- houses until about 1 860, when a church was built in the southern part of the township. The only two surviving mem bers of the first class are Joseph Lambert and Michael Stull. Fishing Creek is the name of this class. A class has been organized in the north part of the township, which erected a church near the Ottawa county line in 1 88 1. It is known as "Mud Creek Class.' ' Both societies are connected with Lindsey circuit. Solomon's Lutheran church. About 1832 the western part of the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 575 township began to fill up with Pennsyl- vanians and Germans, who had been con nected with the Evangelical Lutheran church. Peter Hettrichand Adam Krei- lich were fhe leading members, and meet ings were held at their residences. Rev. Henry Lang, of Fremont, formally or. ganized a society in 1 843, and a log church was built in 1844, which accommodated the congregation until 1867, when the present substantial brickhouse was erected. Rev. Mr. Lang was preacher for more than forty years, until in 1879 Rev. Mr. Alt- hoff was given charge. During Mr. Lang's pastorate Mr. Thornberry supplied the pulpit one year. The services of the church are wholly in German, and are well attended by a large membership. ORGANIZATION. Rice was formerly included in Bay township, but the, organization of Ottawa county in 1840 cut off from this county the larger part of Bay, and made the es tablishment of a new township in San dusky necessary. The name "Rice" was conferred in honor of Judge Ezekiel Rice, who had been an associate judge of the court of common pleas. He was one of the pioneers on the Portage River, and a man universally respected. His residence was north of the new county line. The early records of the township have been lost. We are, therefore, unable to give any list of officers. Public schools under the present law were oiganized in the township in 1851. Six districts were laid out. This number was, in 1880, increased to seven by cut ting off a part of districts two and three, and erecting it into a separate district. THE OTTAWA HUNTING AND FISHING CLUB. In connection with Riley township we have spoken at some length on the sub ject of sporting. The marsh and adjoin ing lands in which game abound, and the waters best adapted to fishing, are mainly owned by two sporting clubs, the Winous Point Club and the Ottawa Hunting and Fishing Club. The buildings and chattels of the latter are listed in Rice township. The founder of this corporation was Louis Smithnight, of Cleveland. He camp ed on a portion of the ground now owned by the club, during the hunting season of 1869, and at that time conceived the plan of forming an association for the purpose of buying lands, erecting houses, and pur chasing equipments. Captain Smithnight's efforts in this direction proved successful in 187 1, when an association consisting of seventy-one members was formed. Hone's Point Fishing and Hunting Club, of Cleveland, was the name adopted, and the following officers were chosen: L. Smithnight, president; G. M. Barber, vice-president; O. B. Perdue, secretary; D. H. Keys, treasurer; J. Laisy, surgeon; D. Price, quartermaster; L. Smithnight, T. Stackpole, C. D. Bishop, J. Hunting ton, and Charles Pease, executive com mittee. In 1879 the association was incorpo rated under the name of Ottawa Hunting and Fishing Club. The by-laws of the association limit the number of members to one hundred. No member is permit ted more than once in a year to invite a guest to accompany him to the club grounds, nor can the same guest enjoy the privilege of visiting the grounds more than once. A permit in each case must first be obtained from the president and executive committee. Large tracts of land have been pur chased at different times in Rice and Riley townships and in Ottawa County, the whole amounting now to about six thou sand acres. More than thirty-five hundred acres more have been leased on long time so that the club has under its authority about ten thousand acres, a part of which 576 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. is under cultivation. This land was pur chased at prices ranging from five to fif teen dollars per acre. Shares are worth about one thousand dollars each. The old members have paid into the treasury more than eight hundred dollars each. The current expenses for keeper of the club house, patrol, coal, boats, insurance, taxes, etc., amount to about two thousand dollars a year. The expenses are princi pally incurred, however, by continued im provements and purchases of land. Many of these improvements are of a substan tial character — reducing the land to a stale of cultivation, planting orchards, etc. There are on the property more than four thousand fruit trees, some of which are bearing. A vigilant patrol guards the property against any infringement of the State laws or the rules of the club. The privilege of trapping fur is rented. Any person is allow ed to fish in the waters belonging to the club with a hook and line, but seining or netting is rigorously prohibited. No one, not even members of the club, are permit ted to engage in shooting of any kind be tween June i and September 15, except on a portion of woodland, where woodcock shooting is permitted to members. Ever since the organization of the clubs their right to the exclusive privilege of shooting on the tvaters included within the limits of their several purchases has been a subject of dispute. A decision . was finally reached by the supreme court in 188 1, which disposes of the question of riparian rights against sportsman's rights, and is a decision of general interest, not only to the sporting clubs but to owners of property along all the water courses of the county. Under the Legislative act of May 5, 1877, it is provided that: Whoever, having received verbal or written notice from the owner of enclosed or improved lands, or any lands the boundaries of which are defined by stakes, posts, ditches, or marked trees, his agent or person in charge thereof, not to hunt thereon, shoots at, kills, or pursues with such intent, on such lands, any of the birds or game mentioned in sections twen ty-seven, twenty-eight, or thirty of this chapter ; and whoever shoots, kills, or pursues with such intent any of such birds or game on the lands of another on which there is set up in some conspicuous place a board, inscribed in legible English characters, thus: "No shooting or hunting allowed on these premises, " or pulls down or defaces any such board, shall be fined, etc. Among the birds or game mentioned are wild ducks. John Shannon, on October 29, 1877, as it appears from the pleadings in the case, was duck shooting on the Sandusky River; between the centre of the stream and the shore owned by George G. Tindall. He shot and killed wild ducks swimming in and flying over the river, between the mid dle and the shore owned by Tindall, on whose complaint Shannon was arrested. Having been bound to appear and answer the charge in probate court, he was there tried, convicted, and sentenced. On the trial a bill of exceptions, containing all the testimony, was taken, and upon proceed ings in error the common pleas court re versed the decision of the probate court. To this decision of the common pleas court the prosecuting attorney took excep tions, and sought the decision of the su preme court. The defence did not deny the shooting of ducks at the place charged in the complaint, but rested his case on the ground that the river at that place was a navigable stream, and therefore the ri parian owner was not protected by this statute against shooting or killing game on land covered by water. At the same term of the supreme court, in the case of June vs. Purcell, it was de cided that the title of the riparian owner extended to the middle or thread of the stream. It followed, therefore, in Shan non's case, that the offence had been com mitted within the limits of Tindall's land, and was embraced within the literal mean- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 577 ing of the notice, "No hunting or shooting allowed on these premises." The court held that while Shannon was not guilty of trespass, a navigable stream being a public highway, he was guilty of a violation of the statute, insomuch as he had shot game on the property of another, contrary to notice. The purpose of the legislature in enacting this statute was to confer upon the owner of lands in this State the exclusive right to hunt and kill the designated game upon his own prem ises, and to protect him in such right, pro vided he complies with the prescribed conditions in regard to notice. And in regard to notice, if the lands be "enclosed and improved," or if the boun daries be "defined by stakes, posts, water courses, ditches, or marked trees," verbal or written notice not to hunt thereon will bring the offender within the operation of the statute. It was the decision of the court that where a water-course, for instance a nav igable stream, constitutes the boundary, if the conditions of the statute with regard to notice have been complied with by the owner, all persons are bound to take notice that his lands extend to the middle of the water-course. In regard to the claim that the statute was not intended to protect lands covered by the water of navigable streams, a ma jority of the court held that there was no ground upon which such lands should be excluded. They are as much the subject of private ownership as unnavigable streams. There is no distinction made between them by the terms of the statute. True, navigable streams in this State are de clared public highways, but the right to use a public highway is notabridged byprotecting the owner in the exclusive right of killing game therein. Travel and commerce are not thereby hindered. Since the power of the legislature to protect game, or the exclusive right of the owner of the land to kill the same on his own premises, is as ample overland covered by water, whether navigable or innavigable, as it is over dry land, and as there is no attempt to distin guish between them in the statute, all alike come within the protection of the stat ute. The clubs took a special interest in this case, for upon its decision depended in an important measure the extent of their au thority over a large hunting area, to secure which heavy purchases had been made. BALLVILLE. BALLVILLE embraces all of township four, range fifteen, in the original survey, except so much of sections two, three and four as are included in the two mile square reservation now constituting the town of Fremont. The boundaries are : Sandusky and Fremont on the north, Jackson on the west, Seneca county on the south, and Green Creek township on the east. The surface is generally level, but has a steep, general slope in a northerly direc tion, thus giving the streams a rapid cur rent. The Sandusky River, the mair, drain of the central part of the county, enters from Seneca countv, about two miles from the corner of Jackson, and flows al most due north until within about a mile of the Sandusky township line, where il takes an easterly direction for a distance of two miles, and then again bows to the north, leaving the township. Nearly the entire length of its course through this ter ritory the water rushes over a bed of solid limestone, having a well-marked dip toward the north, making the stream shallow but rapid, affording excellent mill sites ; and, on that account, as well as the natural drainage furnished by its deep channel, this river has been an important agent in developing the township. The main tributaries to the Sandusky River are: Wolf Creek, a stream enter ing from Seneca county, near the line of Jackson township, and having a course of about two miles in this county; Sugar Creek, a small stream, flowing in a north westerly direction, and draining the west- 578 ern part of the old Seneca reservat on Bark Creek flows from south to north through the entire length of the township, and is the most important natural drain of the eastern portion of the area. Green Creek crosses the southeast corner. The soil of the eastern part of this area is black muck, and when properly drained is very productive. The work of tiling began more than a decade since, and at present nearly the entire surface is capable of a high state of cultivation. The soil along the river on the west side is of a sandy character, and consequently dry. This condition led the Indians to locate their clearings and cornfields Here, and at a later period invited the first white settle ment. Except these few Indian fields, the . white emigrants found the whole township. heavily timbered with oak, sugar, ash, and other trees common to this climate. A MILITARY EPISODE. The first rna.1 thro-igh the township was opened along the river from Lower Sandusky (Fort Stephenson) to the upper military posts. Along this road, on the present site of Oakwood cemetery, oc curred an encounter between a squadron under command of Colonel Ball and a band of Indians, which is immortalized in the name of the township. Two days be fore Croghan's victory at Fort Stephenson, Colonel Ball's squadron was despatched to guard the mail and military communica tions between Fort. Seneca and Fort Stephenson. At the place above indicated an unexpected fire was opened upon the HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 579 squadron by the Indians, who were con cealed on the west side of the road. Quick action was required, and the Colo nel ordered a charge without stopping to form his men. Ball himself led the ad vance and struck the first blow. The savage braves stood their ground, and fought to desperation. Two strong war riors opposed Ball's advance. He cut down the one on the right; as he passed the other made a blow with a tomahawk at his back, but a sudden spring of the horse caused it to fall short, and left it buried in the pad of the sad dle. Corporal Ryan's prompt rifle pre vented a repetition of the blow. Lieu tenant Hedges (afterwards General Hedges of Mansfield), made a narrow escape in this skirmish. Mounted on a small horse he pursued a large Indian and just as he was about to strike, his stirrup broke, throwing him from his horse against his victim, knocking him down.- Both sprang to their feet and engaged in a hand to hand combat. Hedges finally got the better of the Indian and struck him a blow on the head, and as he was falling buried the full length of the sword in the Indian's body. On another part of the ground Captain Hopkins was in full pur suit of a powerful savage, when the latter suddenly turned and made a blow at the Captain with a tomahawk, but his horse suddenly sprang to one side, thus saving his life. The Indian then struck at Cornet Hayes, who followed in the pursuit, but his horse saved him in like manner. This determined savage met his third combat ant, Sergeant Anderson, by whose hand he lost his life. It is said the Indians numbered twelve, but one of whom es caped.* Colonel Ball reformed his men * A published account of this affair says the In dians numbered twenty, seventeen of whom were killed. The statement in the text is on authority of general tradition. ready for a charge, expecting to meet a formidable force of Indians at any point, but the squadron reached the fort without further molestation. A large elm tree on the site of the skirmish for many years marked the spot, and eleven hacks through the bark recorded the number of Indians killed. The place has ever since been known as "Ball's battle ground," and the town was not inappropriately named in honor of the heroic Colonel. THE SENECAS. Indian history and tradition clusters along the east bank of the Sandusky River for a considerable distance below the Seneca county line. The various treaties with these original owners of the soil have already been fully detailed, but it is proper that a few of the scenes and incidents with which the early settlers of our soil were familiar should be repro duced for the entertainment and instruc tion of the present and future generations. The Senecas of Sandusky were a mixed tribe, composed of the remnants of the tribes of Northern and Western New York — the Wyandots, Tuscarawas, and others. At the time they became known to our early permanent settlers they were, in some instances, indolent and dissolute in their habits. They were rather depraved than otherwise by intercourse and trade with the whites. They had cleared some of the dry land along the river and raised corn, which was mostly traded for whiskey at the backwoods distilleries, the art of distilling being unknown to them. In their intercourse with the settlers they were always friendly, but drunken quarrels and fatal jealousies not infrequently dis turbed the peace of their own state. Witchcraft was an unpardonable sin, and punishable by death. Here, as in the more bigoted ages of the world among. so- called civilized people, many cold-blooded murders were committed, in the name of 58o HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. punishment for this felony. Both the witch and the bewitched were held guilty. Im portant trials were held at the council house, which stood near the bank of the river, on the farm lately owned by Mrs. Harriet Seager, now owned by Mr. Myers. This was also the place of their tribal meetings and religious ceremonies. There was among them a tall, noble- looking man, whose full head of pure white hair gave him the name of " White head George." He was, in his younger years, a man of good habits and industri ous, but his squaw, whose hair was also whitened by age, became excessively in temperate. Old White-head for a few years contemplated the ruin of his happi ness with sadness, but finally lost spirit and joined his consort in a life of dissipa tion. To see one of their most worthy and venerable men habitually in the depths of drunkenness grieved the great men of the tribe, who knew enough of the tradi tion of Adam's fall to adjudge White head's squaw the cause of his ruin. A council was called and the squaw declared to be possessed of a witch. A sentence of death was executed with a tomahawk in presence of her husband, who was deeply grieved. The short remaining period of his life was spent in licentious ness and drunkenness. Virtue was at a very low stage among the Senecas. They maintained in name only the marriage relation, and their free practices led to many quarrels and diffi culties of a serious character. The burying-ground was nearly oppo site the mouth of Wolf Creek. Gieat numbers were probably buried here. An old citizen of the township relates that after the removal of the tribe to their Western reservation, he, in company with George Moore, was riding over the spot, and the feet of their horses, at places, sank into cavities caused by the decay of bodies. Among the Indians was one named Seneca John, who bore a good reputation in the white settlements. He was the youngest brother of Comstock, a principal chief of the tribe. John maintained his credit at the trading posts, and often went security for the more improvident mem bers of his tribe. He was a gentle, peace- loving man, but was the victim of brotherly jealousy. The cold-blooded, unprovoked murder of this worthy red-skin is told by Henry C. Brish, the sub-agent of the Gov ernment at this station. The cabin of the chief, Hard Hickory, where the deed was executed, stood north of Green Spring, in Green Creek township. About the year 1825, Coonstick, Steel, and Cracked Hoof left the reservation for the double purpose of a hunting and trap ping excursion, and to seek a location for a new home for their tribe in the far West. At the time df their starting Comstock, the brother of the. two first, was the principal chief of the tribe. On their return, in 1828, richly laden with furs, and having many horses, they found Seneca John, their fourth brother, chief, in place of Comstock, who had died during their absence. Comstock was the favorite brother of the two, and they at once charged Seneca John with causing his death by witchcraft. John denied the charge in a stream of eloquence rarely equalled. Said he: "1 loved my brother Comstock more than I love the green earth I stand upon. I would give up my self limb by limb, piecemeal by piecemeal — I would shed my blood drop by drop to restore him to life." But all his protesta tions of innocence and affection for his brother Comstock were of no avail. His two other brothers pronounced him guilty, and declared their determination to be his executioners. John replied that he was willing to die, and only wished "to see the sun rise once HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 58i more." This request was granted, and John told them that he would sleep that night on Hard Hickory's porch, which fronted the east, where they would find him at sunrise. He chose that place be cause he did not wish to be killed in the presence of his wife and children, and be cause he desired that the chief, Hard Hickory, should witness that he died like a brave man. Coonstick and Steel returned for the night to an old cabin near by. In the morning, in company with Shane, another Indian, they proceeded to the house of Hard Hickory, who informed Mr. Brish of what there happened, He said a little after sunrise he heard their footsteps upon the porch, and opened the door just enough to peep out. He saw John asleep upon his blanket, and Coonstick, Steel, and Shane, standing around him. At length one of them awoke him. He arose to his feet and took off a large handkerchief which was around his head, letting his unusually long hair fall upon his shoulders. This being done he looked around upon the landscape, and at the rising sun, to take a farewell look of the familiar scene which he was never again to behold, and then told them he was ready to die. Shane and Coonstick each took him by the arm, and Steel walked behind. In this way they led him about ten steps from the porch, when Steel raised his malicious tomahawk and struck him a heavy blow on the back of the head. John fell to the ground, bleeding freely. Supposing the blow fatal they dragged him under a peach tree near by. In a short time, however, he recovered, the heavy matting of hair having arrested the tomahawk. Knowing that it was Steel who had struck him, John, as he lay on the ground, turned his face toward Coonstick and said: "Now, my brother, take your revenge." Coonstick was already repentent, and the composed face and forgiving remark of John so greatly affected him that he interposed to save his brother; but so enraged was the envious Steel that he drew his knife and cut John's throat from ear to ear. Seneca John was buried with the usual Indian ceremonies on the following day, not more than twenty feet from where he fell. His grave was surrounded by a small picket enclosure. "Three years after," says Mr.. Brish, "when I was preparing to move them (the Senecas) to the'far West, I saw Coonstick and Steel remove the picket fence and level the ground, so that no vestige of the grave remained." There could be no better evidence that both the brothers were ashamed of their crime. Coonstick was arrested on charge of murder and brought before the supreme court at Lower Sandusky. Judge Higgins decided that the act came completely within the jurisdiction of the tribe, and that Coonstick, as chief, was justified in the execution of a judicial sentence, and was the proper person to carry it into effect. The case was dismissed and the accused discharged. Sardis Birchard, in Knapp's History, says: I remember well the death of Seneca John. He was a tall, noble looking man, and is said to have looked much like Henry Clay. He was always pleasant and cheerful. He was called the most elo quent speaker on the reserve. He could always re store harmony in their council when there was any ill feeling. In the evening before the morning of his death he was at my store. The whole tribe seemed to be in town. Steel and Coonstick were jealous of John, on account of his influence and power. John was a great favorite among the squaws. John bade me "good-bye," and stood by me on the porch as the other Indians rode away. He looked at them with so much sadness in his face that it attracted my attention, and I wondered at John's letting them go away without" him. John inquired the amount of in debtedness at my store. We then went behind the counter to the desk. The amount was figured up and stated to John, who said something about pay ing it, and then went away without relating any of the trouble. 582 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. An1 old settler of Seneca county, in giv ing his recollections of these Indians, says: The Indian tribes here at the time of the first set tlement of the whites were the Senecas, Cayugas, Oneidas, and Mohawks. The Senecas — the most numerous — and Cayugas occupied the lower part; the Mohawks and Oneidas the upper part of the res ervation, which was nine miles north and south and six miles east and west, on the east side of the San dusky River. The land was held in joint stock, and each had the privilege of making improvements as he wished. They numbered seven hundred, and were not bad in general character, but friendly and kind when not maddened by whiskey and well treat ed. They had a strong passion for whiskey. I have known them to offer two or three dollars' worth of goods for a quart of whiskey, and when intoxicated would give anything they possessed for it. They depended largely upon hunting for subsist ence, in which they began, when children, by shoot ing fish and small game with the bow. Most of the Indians and squaws cultivated each a small piece of land varying from a half to two acres, which they formerly did with a hpe, but seeing us use the plow and the amount of labor saved thereby, concluded to change their custom. Seeing two Indians plow ing on the other side of the river one day, I crossed over, and discovered them going the wrong way over the land, throwing the furrow in, and next time running inside of it, and then another which they thought very well, until I turned them the other wav, and gave them a little instruction which they thank fully received. They raised a soft corn which they pounded into meal, and used to thicken soup. They had much idle time which they liked, the children spending it in shooting, the old people in smoking from pipes made in the heads of tomahawks with an adjustable stem. They smoked the sumac leaves dried and pounded, which gave a pleasant odor. The young Indians had a love for sports. Their chief game was ball — a gime in which ten or twelve on aside engaged. The ground was marked off in a space of about sixty rods, the centre of which was the starting point. Each player had a staff about five feet long, with a bow made of raw hide on one end, with which to handle the ball, as no one was allowed to touch it with his hands. At the commencement the ball was taken to the center between two of the staffs, each pulling toward his outpost. The strife was to get the ball beyond the outpost which counted one for the successful side. Once out, the ball was taken back to the centre, and the contest repeated. The squaws and older Indians were the witnesses of these sports, and added zest by their cheers. A favorite winter sport was running upon skates. They would spread a blanketupon the ice, and jump over it with skates on-, trying to excel in the distance made beyond. The Mohawks and Oneidas had some very well- educated people, and most of their tribe could read and write. They had religious services every Sun day in the form of the Church of England, con ducted by a minister of their own tribe. They were excellent singers, and were always pleased to see the ' whites at their meetings. The Senecas and Cayugas were more inclined to adhere to the worship of their forefathers. They held in reverence many gatherings. The green corn dance was prominent among them, but that most worthy of note was the dog dance. This was the great dance which took place about midwinter, and lasted three days, at the end of which they burned dogs. The annual feasts and dances of the Senecas took place at their council house, which stood on the river bank in this township during the early settlement of our county, but was afterwards abandoned and a new council house built near Green Spring. Only particular friends were re ceived on these occasions of hilarity, but the Indians being on good terms with their neighbors, respectable white people found little difficulty in gaining admis sion. These occasions year after year were much the same, and a description of one will suffice for all. The religious ceremony consisted mainly in the sacrifice of two dogs to the Great Spirit. The fol lowing description of the sacrifice and feast will be especially interesting in view of the fact that these people, of whom no trace is left, were, less than fifty years ago, an important element both in the trade and amusement of the white settlements. The following was first published in the Sidney Aurora: We rose early and proceeded directly to the coun cil house, and though we supposed we were early the Indians were already in advance of us. The first object which arrested our attention was a pair of the canine species, one of each gender, suspended on a cross, one on either side thereof. These animals had been recently strangled; not a bone was broken nor could a distorted hair be seen. They were of a beautiful cream color, except a few dark spots on one naturally, which same spots were put on the other artificially by the devotees. The Indians are ' HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 583 very partial in their selection of dogs, entirely white for this occasion, and for which they will give almost any price. Now for the decorations to which I have already alluded, and a description of one will suffice for both. A scarlet ribbon was tastefully tied just above the nose, and near the eyes another ; next, around the neck was a white ribbon to which was attached some bulbous substance concealed by another white ribbon This was placed directly under fhe^right ear, and I suppose was intended as an amulet or charm. These - ribbons were bound around the forelegs at the knees , and near the feet. These were red and white alter nately. Round the body was a profuse decoration, and the hind legs were decorated as the fore ones. Thus were the victims prepared and thus ornamented for the burnt offering. While minutely making this examination, I was almost unconscious of the collection of a large num ber of Indians who were assembled for the purpose of offering their sacrifices. Adjacent to the cross was a large fire built on a few logs, and though the snow was several inches deep, they had prepared a sufficient quantity of combustible material, removed the snow from the logs and placed thereon their fire. I have often re gretted that I did not see them light this pile. My own opinion is they did not use the fire from their council house, because they would have considered that as common, and as this was intended to be a holy service, they no doubt struck fire from a flint, this being deemed sacred.* It was a clear, beautiful morning, and just as the first rays of the sun were seen in the tops of the towering forest and its reflection from the snowy surface, the Indians sumultaneously formed a semi circle enclosing the cross, each flank resting on the aforesaid pile of logs. Good Hunter, who officiated, now appeared and approached the cross; arrayed in his pontifical robes, he looked quite respectable. The Indians being all assembled — I say, Indians, for there was not a squaw, present during all this ceremony — at a private signal given by the High Priest, two young chiefs sprang upon the cross, each taking off one of the victims, brought it down and presented it on his arms to the High Priest, who, receiving it in like manner, advanced to the fire and with a very grave and solemn air laid it thereon — this he did with the other, but to which, whether male or jlemale he gave the preference, I did riot learn. This done he retired to the cross. In a devout manner he now commenced an ora tion. The tone of his voice was audible and some what chanting. At every pause in his discourse he took from a white cloth which he held in his left hand a portion of dried odoriferous herbs, which he threw on the fire. This was intended as incense. * Some tribes are in the habit of kindling their fire for sacrifices by the friction of two dry sticks. In the meantime his auditory, their eyes on the ground, with grave aspect, in solemn silence, stood motionless, listening attentively to every word he uttered. Thus he proceeded until the victims were entirely consumed and the incense exhausted, when he con cluded the service; the oblation now made, and the wrath of the Great Spirit appeased, as they believed, they again assembled in the council house for the purpose of performing a part in the festival different from any I had yet witnessed. Each Indian as he entered, seated himself on the floor, thus forming a large circle, when one old chief rose with that native dignity, which some of the Indians possess in a great degree, recounted his exploits as a warrior; told in how many fights he had been the victor; the number of scalps he had taken from his enemies; and what, at the head of his braves, he intended to do at the "Rocky Mountains, " accompaning his remarks with energy, warmth and strong gesticulation, and at the conclusion received the unanimous applause of the assembled tribe. This meed of praise was awarded by the chief by "three times three" articulations, which were pro perly neither nasal, oral, guttural but rather abomin able. Thus many others in the circle, old and young, rose in order and delivered a speech. Among these was Good Hunter, but he Had laid his robes away, His mitre and his vest. His remarks were not filled with such bombast as some of the others, but brief, modest, and appropri ate; in fine, they were such as become a priest of one of the ten lost tribes of Israel. * After all had spoken who wished to speak, the floor was cleared, and the dance commenced, in which Indian and squaw united with their wonted hi larity and zeal. Just as this dance was ended, an Ind ian boy ran to me, with fear strongly depicted in his countenance, caught me by the arm, and drew me to the door, pointing with his other hand toward something he wished me to observe. I looked in that direction and saw the appearance of an Indian, running at full speed toward the council-house. In an instant he was in the house, and literally in the fire, which he took in his hands, and threw fire-coals and hot ashes in various directions through the house, and apparently all over himself. At his en trance, the young Indians, much alarmed, had fled to the other end of the "house, where they remained crowded, in great dread of this personification of the Evil Spirit. After diverting himself with the fire a few moments, at the expense of the young ones pres ent, he, to their no small joy, disappeared. This was an Indian disguised with a hideous false face, having horns on his head, and his hands and feet pro- "* The writer probably held to the theory no longer gen erally entertained that the Indians are descendants from " the ten lost tribes." S84 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. tected from the effects of the. fire, and, though not a professed "fire king," he certainly performed his part to admiration. During the continuance of the festival the hospi tality of the Senecas was unbounded. At the coun cil-house and at the residence of Tall Chief were a number of bucks and fat hogs hanging up and neat ly dressed. There was bread also of both corn and wheat in abundance. Large kettles of soup already prepared, in which maple sugar profusely added made a prominenfingredient, thus forming a very agreeable saccharine coalescence. All were invited, and all were made welcome; indeed, a refusal to par take of their bounty was deemed disrespectful, if not unfriendly. I left them in the afternoon enjoying themselves to the fullest extent, and, so far as I could perceive, their pleasure was without alloy. They were eating and drinking, (but on this occasion no ardent sp'irits were permitted,) dancing, and rejoic ing, not caring, and probably not thinking, of to morrow. The departure of the Senecas marks an epoch in the history of the south part of the county. They had become an ele ment in the trade and life of the com munity. A large tract of land was thrown on the market, and the white man's in dustrious axe echoed in the forest, which had previously known only the red-skin's rifle and hilarious shout. But the settlers on the other side of the river had, by as sociation, become somewhat attached to their forest neighbors. While for many reasons they-hailed with pleasure the pros pect of a more advanced civilization, on the other side, there were yet demonstra tions of profound sorrow when the day of parting came. THE WHITE SETTLEMENT. The land came into market in 1820, the first general sale being at Delaware. But the Indians here, as elsewhere, were disturbed by white intruders on the soil which for centuries had been the rightful ¦possession of their race. They had learned by the experience of their neighbors on all sides, that the white man's axe and plow. were the destroyers of their home and employment. It is not strange, therefore, that an attempt was made by them to en courage squatter settlers to leave. It would not have been strange under the circumstances had acts of actual violence been resorted to. The first settlement was, however, in that part of the township adjacent to the two mile square reservation. Squatters in this part of the territory were quite numerous and changed residences with such frequency that only the names of a few of them can be given. There were, however, two classes of squatters, — a reck less and indifferent class, who sought only temporary places to live and hunt, and those who came with a view to making this their permanent place of residence, and as soon as the lands came into the market, made permanent improvements. Samuel and Margaret Cochran, natives of Massachusetts, after their marriage, re moved to ¦Vermont and from Vermont to Buffalo, New York, where Mr. Cochran built a half-deck vessel and transported his family, in 1816, to the mouth of the Huron, where the family remained about three years, during which time, in 18 18, Mrs. Cochran died. In 18 19 General Cass, then Indian agent, employed Mr. Cochran to assist the mail-carriers at the mouth of Wolf Creek when the water was high. This necessitated the removal -of the family to the heart of the forest. The Indians, who at that time held title to the soil, tried to persuade him to leave, but resorted to no acts of violence. He cleared a small tract and built a cabin. This was the first white man's cabin in the . upper part of the township. By the time the land came into market, after the Indian title became extinguished, he had cleared twenty acres, part of which had been planted in corn. But like many other squatter settlers, he lost his improvements in consequence of being overbid at the Government sales. A Mr. Henninger purchased the property, but did not move WadsUe HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 585 to the county for several years after. Mr. Cochran afterwards purchased land on the river about seven miles below Lower San dusky, where he lived from 1822 until his death, in 1825. He left surviving him nine children, viz: Elizabeth (Johnson), Minerva (Smith), Cynthia (Sherman), David, Samuel, Henry, Fannie (Court- right), Harriet (Seager), and Nancy (Frary). Phineas Frary (husband of Nancy Coch ran) was one of the early settlers at the mouth of Wolf Creek. Their daughter, Margaret, was probably the first white child born in the township. Harriet first marriedThomas Miller, October 23, 1826. After her father died and until the time of her marriage she lived with her sister, Mrs. Frary, and assisted in clearing the farm. Mr. Miller settled on Portage River, where Woodville has since been laid out. Here he died in 1828. His widow remained and kept tavern, which is noticed more fully in the chapter on that township. She purchased land after the Seneca Reserve came into market, where the council-house of the Senecas had stood. In 1835 she married Charles Seager and removed to her farm. Mrs. Seager is one of the oldest persons in the county and the only sur vivor of the original settlers of Ballville. By her first husband she had two children, both of whom died young. Charles L. Seager, her second husband, was a native of New York. He came to Ohio and settled in this township in 1835. He cleared a large tract of land, and was an extensive farmer until his death, in 1843. Charles D. Seager, the only son, was born in 1843. He married, in 1858, Caroline Hoover. Among the settlers of 18 18 in the north part of the township were David Moore, Asa B. Gavit, John Wolcutt, Mr. Rexford, Mr. Chaffee, and perhaps a few others. In 1819, the first family, Samuel Coch ran's, located above the bend of the river. This year added to the inhabitants of township number four several families, among them being John Fitch, John Cus tard, and the Prior family. In 1820 per manent settlement began. The squatters, most of them, made purchases at the sales at Delaware, and the country rapidly filled up with emigrants from New York, Pennsylvania, and Southern Ohio. Many had made purchases before visiting the county, and their first realization of the swamps and forest to be contended with was upon their arrival in covered wagons with household goods, farming utensils and families. In another chapter is given a general idea of the log-cabin life of the period. The surroundings and homes in one locality were much similar to those of another. This fact is a clear illustration of the important influence of natural sur roundings and conditions upon the habits and character of a people. The Prior family came from Virginia to Ohio in 1 8 1 6. There were at that time but few white families in this county. The fam ily consisted of three sons and two daugh ters. The second son had his eyes picked out in a most shocking manner. Before coming to Ohio he was engaged in a fight with a ruffian who got the better of him, and endeavored to force him "to give up." Prior's- father arrived on the scene of ac tion and charged the son not to yield. The ruffian's threat that he would pick his eyes out called from the father another charge not to give up, with the assurance that if he lost his eyesight he would take care of him all his life. The boy lost both his eyes, thus paying the penalty of his father's foolish vanity. When the first sale of land occurred the blind boy ap peared as a bidder, and his condition commanded so much symathy that no one appeared to bid against him. He thus be came the possessor of a good farm. This family suffered another shocking accident c86 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. while living in Ballville. Foxes were plenty at that time and frequently made raids on chickens, and even sometimes on young pigs. Their frequent visits at the Prior homestead caused the gun to be always standing ready for the shy thieves. It happened that Henry Prior, one even ing about dark, was doing some work in the pig pen, and his red hair, just visible in the dusk of evening was mistaken for a fox by his uncle, Wilkinson Prior, who, with steady aim, fired a fatal shot. It is not surprising that a suspicion should go forth that the mistake was feigned, but there are in the circumstances no ground for such a suspicion. David Moore moved from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, to Rosscounty, Ohio, in 1 8 14, and from Ross to Sandusky county in 1818. He was a son of Samuel Moore, who emigrated from Dalkeith, Scotland, about the year 1760, and settled in New Jersey. He built a double log cabin on the kink -of the river, opposite the residence of Mrs. Eliza Moore, in the village of Ballville. A little below that he built a grist-mill, and ground the grain of the pioneers until his death, December 24 1829, which was caused by 'an accident in falling at night from the attic in the mill to a lower story. He was sixty-three years old. A small freestone monument marks his resting place near the centre of the old cemetery. The old settlers in those days did not all use patent flour. The follow ing is a copy of one of many orders for meal, which are still in the possession of Mrs. Eliza Moore, in Ballville: Portage River, July 20, 1825. David Moore : Dear Sir : Please send by the bearer two bush els of corn meal, and charge to me. Ezkkiel Rice. David Moore's wife, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Davis, remained on a farm in Ross county, where she died July 1, 1826. The children of David Moore were Eliza (Justice), Sarah (Fields), George, James, and John Moore, all of whom came to Sandusky county. George Moore returned to Ross county in 1830, and set tled on Paint Creek, eight miles south of Chillicothe, where he died October 1, 1850, leaving a widow, Mrs. Rachel Moore, still living, and four children — David, Eliza, Morris, and William — all of whom are dead but Eliza, who is a widow — having married Philip Rhodes. George's son, David, left four daughters — Georgia, Ella, Kate, and Willie. James Moore died December 20, 1873, fr°m an acci dent that happened to him in his mill, aged sixty-seven. John Moore died May 31, 1876, aged seventy-eight. Eliza Justice died October 17, 1876, aged seventy-six. Sarah Fields, the only living child of David Moore, is aged seventy-seven. J. D. Moore, son of John and Eliza Moore, was born in Ballville in 1844. His parents were among the first settlers of the county. John Moore died in 1876. He was a miller by trade, and also carried on farming. His widow, Mrs. Elizabeth (Rutter) Moore, still survives him. They had eleven children, seven of whom are living. J. D. Moore married Ellen Dean, and has three children living — Guy, Philip, and Daisy; Freddie, the eldest, died, aged ten years. Mr. Moore was in business as a merchant in Fremont from 1866 to 1873. Since the latter date he has been engaged in milling in Ballville. Asa B. Gavit, a native of New York, settled on the west bank of the river about 18 18. He married, in this county, a Miss Strawn, whose family settled further up the river, near the mouth of Wolf Creek. Gavit was one of the shrewdest and most progressive men in the settlement. He had the reputation of being an excellent trader. He died, his wife and one son surviving him. She married for her sec ond husband Charles Blinn, and for her HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 587 third Stephen Emerson. Mr. Gavit's connection with the famous lawsuit re garding the ownership of the bed of the river, is given in this chapter. William and David Chard came as squatters in 1819, and when the land came into market they made permanent settlement on section twenty-one. Their reputation was by no means enviable. Morris Nichols came to the township in 1820. He constructed a tannery on the river road just outside the limits of the mile square reservation. John Wolcott was known in early times as a hunter, which was a profitable employment, in fact it was the only em ployment; which brought in ready cash; labor and farm products were paid for in trade. He was a native, of Pennsyl vania, and lived with his mother after coming here. We have already spoken of the first settlement at the mouth of Wolf Creek, between here and the village of Ballville. By 1824 nearly every farm on the west side of the river had been improved. Elizabeth Tindall kept the only public house along this road. She came to the township with her family, consisting of five sons, — Samuel, Daniel, William, John, and Edward, and two daughters — Eliza (Lovejoy) and Amy (Bond). J. L. Tindall, the oldest son of Edward Tindall, still re sides in the township. He was born May 4, 1838, and in i860 married Martha J. Fields, of Sandusky township. Between the Tindall estate and the Gavit farm were a number of improve ments made about 1822, among the set tlers being Mr. Woodruff and John Cus tard. David Chambers purchased a tract of land in section eight, with a view to en gaging in milling. His location, although naturally good, was unfortunate as the re sult of a long course of litigation detailed in this chapter will show. Mr. Chambers was highly respected in the community, and it was a matter of regret on the part of many that circumstances compelled him to sell his property and seek a home elsewhere. His son, Benjamin Chambers, moved west. His daughter married John Custard. Mr. John Rhidout, father of William Rhidout, was one of the first settlers in the northwest part of the township. He was a shoemaker, and came west for the pur pose of engaging at his trade at the Ind ian missionary posts on the Maumee. After settling here in 1824 he engaged in farming. The settlement in the upper part of the township, on the east side of the river, began in 1832' after the Senecas had been removed to their western home, and the reservation which they had occupied thrown upon the market. There were, however, earlier settlements further down. On the east side of the river, on section twenty, had been an Indian sugar-camp of considerable size, wnich was purchased at the Government sales by John Sherrard. Thomas Sherrard, a brother of John, re moved from Jefferson county, Ohio, to Lower Sandusky in the summer of 1823, with the intention of building a mill on Green Creek, where he owned a tractTof land, but after his arrival concluded to set tle on a farm near the site of Oakwood cemetery, in. Ballville township, where he built a cabin and made a clearing. His family was highly esteemed in the neigh borhood, and the untimely termination of his life was the occasion of great sadness. John Sherrard, who owned the sugar-camp, was afraid the Indians would destroy the trees, and requested his brother to rent it to some .one who would live on the prop erty. Mr. Sherrard. effected a contract with William Chard, by which he was to give a stipulated amount of sugar for the 588 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. use of the camp. But during the first season a disagreement arose, and Mr. Sherrard began to suspect the honesty of his tenant. He was prevented by high water from crossing the river until March 26, when he came to Colonel Chambers' house on his way to the camp. After tell ing the object of his errand, he inquired the best place to ford the river. Colonel Chambers says, in a memorandum of the affair, that Mr. Sherrard looked melan choly, and seemed to be apprehensive of something about to happen. He crossed the river, but it was the last time. The Chambers family became uneasy regarding his safety in the evening, and Mrs. Sher- rard's appearance on the following morn ing, with the announcement that he had not returned, increased their apprehen sions, which noontime confirmed when James Chard appeared on the other side of the river with the horse, and made the announcement that Sherrard had left their house in the afternoon for home, and the horse had returned alone. The river was searched for nearly a month, but to no effect, and a high freshet . at length de stroyed all hopes of recovering the body. Mrs. Sherrard was greatly affected, and left the cabin home, being kindly received in the family of Colonel Chambers. It is worthy of remark in this connection that on the day following the misfortune all the cattle and horses forsook the home and came to the Chambers residence. On April 11 the saddle was found below Moore's mill-dam. His hat was found on the previous day, and bore evidence of having been in the water but a short time. On April 21 Joseph Prior saw a white, fleshy form in the water about half a mile below the Chambers ford, and supposed it the body of a skinned animal, but that same evening the body was carried down to Moore's mill-dam, and discovered be. tween the breast of the dam and the spill of water. It was impossible to recover the body that night, there being no water craft at hand; but on the following day the body was removed from the lower mill- dam. When Mr. Sherrard left home he had on an overcoat, light under-coat, vest, and two shirts; the body was found naked. The bridge of his nose was broken, one of his eyes bruised out, and his right jaw bone broken, as if done by the stroke of a club. The fore teeth were broken and the mouth bruised, and the throat callous. All these wounds bore evidence of having been inflicted before the extinguishment of life. The place and time of the dis covery of the body, and its condition, are circumstances almost conclusive of a most brutal murder. The whole affair naturally caused intense excitement throughout the neighborhood, and suspicion condemned the family supposed to be guilty, but suf ficient proof could not be found to war rant an arrest. The first settler of the farm now owned by L. B. Fry was Benjamin Decker. Thuman Holmes and Dennis Duran lived east of the Seager farms already spoken of, on which the council house of the Senecas stood. The Willis family, repre sentatives of which are yet living, settled at an early period. Samuel Treat was the first settler on section twenty-nine. John Myers made an early improvement on the same section. Mr. Ensminger, David Halter, Peter Doell, and Henry Fry made improvements along down the river, on the east side, from 1830 to 1835. Joseph Edwards made an improvement on the farm in the interior of the township, which was afterwards purchased by Jonas Smith, and is yet in part owned by him. One of the earliest settlers in the centre of the township was Samuel Smith, third son of Adam Smith, who was an early settler in Green creek township. He was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in 1817, HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 589 and came to the county with his parents. After his marriage, in 1844, to Elizabeth Frary, he settled on section ten, and made the first improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Smith had four children, two of whom are living — Dora and Clara. Hattie, wife of Samuel Zontman, died, leaving a family of four children. Charles is also dead. The Strawn family were highly respected people, who settled near the mouth of Wolf Creek. The Bixler family settled in the north west corner of the township. They were people who took a prominent part in af fairs. John Nyce and family, consisting of three sons — Philip, Isaac, and Michael — and three daughters — Theny, Sarah, and Nancy — came from Pennsylvania at an early day, and settled on the east side of the river. We have now sketched in a general way the settlement of the township previous to the later period, whsn all the lands were taken up and most of them cleared. It yet remains to speak more particularly of those families who have taken a leading part in public affairs, and contributed to the growth of society, since the period of first settlement. Among the earliest settlers of the cen tral part of this township, and one of the oldest pioneers now living, is Jonas Smith. He was born in New York in 1807. In 1829 he married Mary Gilmore, who is two years his senior. In 1833 they came to this township, and made a settlement near the centre. Their family consisted of two boys and four girls — James N., resident of Michigan; Martha J. (Frary), Michigan; S. S., Michigan; Ann (Maurer), Fremont; Hannah (Brunthaver), Ballville ; and Emma (Hampshire), Ballville, Mr. Smith has been crowded with official trusts, having served his county as commissioner six years, and sheriff four years. He has also served as magistrate in Ballville for nineteen years. Providence has dealt with this family most generously. Mr. and Mrs. Smith celebrated the fiftieth an niversary of their wedding, February 19, 1879. During this period of more than fifty-two years of married life, death has never visited their family. FrOm 1833 to 1840 the improvement of the township was pushed vigorously. All the land at the end of that period had been entered, and clearings commenced at least on every lot. Along the- river and through the centre and eastern line of sec tions, well improved farms were already richly rewarding the husbandman's indus try. From the list of worthy families who carried on this work of improvement and consequent production of wealth, the plan of our work will permit brief sketches of but a few families. John Hutchins, a native of Vermont, settled in this township in 1834. He had- a large family (ten children) by his first wife,, whose maiden name was Russel, and six by his second wife, whose maiden name was Hannah Collins. Mr. Hutchins died in 1845, aged seventy-seven years. Matthew Hutchins, the fourth child of John and Hannah Hutchins, was born in Oswego, New York, in 1822. In 1843 he married Elizabeth Young, and con tributed his labors to the improvement of the eastern part of the township. The family consists of four children — William L, Adrian A., Marion M., and Lewis D., living, and Emery M., and Milo J. A., dead. The Frys are representative Germans of this township. They came from Prussia and settled here in 1834 and 1835. George Fry was born in Prussia in 1809. He came to this county in 1835. I'1 *842 he married Mary Guss, by whom he had nine children, seven of whom are living. . He has been a resident of Jackson town- 59° HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. ship since 1846. Henry N. Fry, oldest son of George Fry, was born in this town ship in 184.4. In 1874 he married Ella M. Burgoon, and has two children — Ros- coe A,, and Virginia. ¦ John Fry was born in Prussia in 18 10. He is a carpenter and millwright by trade, and was employed in the construction of the frame mill, the predecessor of the stone mill, and other buildings along the river. He also improved a farm a short distance above the village. He came, also, in the year 1835. "In 1850 he married Julia A. Miller, of Seneca county. Henry. Fry was born at the paternal residence in the Province of Westphalia, in 1813. He came to America in 1834, one year before his brother, John, and his cousin George. In 1841 he married; Abbie Rhidout, daughter of John G. -Rhid out, who came from Ross county and settled in this township in 1825. Mr. Fry's family consists of two children living — Cynthia J., the wife of Dr. Robert H. Rice, and Amelia S., the wife of E. B. Moore. The oldest child, John L. Fry,. is dead. Mr. Fry followed his trade, car penter and mill-wright, several years after coming to this township. Isaac Maurer was born in Chester county, Pennsylvania, in 1808. He mar ried in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1831, Mary Ernsberger, who was born in Mary land in 1812, and died in this township in 1879. They settled in Ballville township in 1834, and raised a a family of six chil dren living, viz : Martin, Emanuel, William J., Eli B., Martha J., and Owen. William, the third son, was born in this township in 1840. He married in 1865, Eliza J. Worst, and has a family of three children :. Tillie ,L., Delphin B,, and Or pheus C Mr. Maurer was wounded at the battle of Franklin. He was in the One Hundredth Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Owen L, the youngest son of Isaac Maurer, was borro in this township in 1853. He- married in 1873, Martha J.' Brunthaver, and has two children, Ger trude and Maggie. One of the first among the settlers of 1835 was John- Halter. He was born -in New York in 1803. He married in 1825, Elizabeth Bastic, by whom one child "was born^-Catharine, wife, first, of James Jackson, who was killed in the army; second of Isaac N. Halter, of Fremont. Mr. and Mrs. Halter are now enjoying the fruits of their early industry.- David Halter wa§ born in New York in 1 816. He married Margaret Plants, and had a family of four children, viz: John, resident of Seneca county; David, de ceased ; Leander,- Ballville township, and Jacob, who continues his residence in this county. Jacob was born in 1849, married in 1872, Mary J. Cochran, and has four childrep: Nellie M., David F., Edith and Earlie (twins). Both David Halter and his wife died in August, 1881. Joseph Hershey, one of the Ballville settlers of 1836, was bom at Hagerstown, • Maryland, in 1796. In 1808 his father removed to Canada, where he remained until the opening of the War of 181 2. He then removed to Erie county, New York. In 1836 Joseph came to this town ship, where he died in 1851, leaving a family of four children living — Eliza (My'- ers), Frances (Wire), Peter, and Martha (Willard). Mrs. Hershey, whose maiden name was Magdalene Frick, died in 1 87 1. Peter, the only son, born m Erie county, New York, in 1819, in 1855 mar ried Elizabeth Bruner, by whom he has a family of seven children — David, Anna, Willard P. Elmer E., Grant U., Daisy M., and Bessie S. ¦ ¦ Peter Doell was born in Germany in 1 8 19. In 1838 he emigrated to America and came to Ballville township. Some six years later he settled upon a farm on HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 59' the east side of the river. In 1841 he married Margaret Resch, also a native of Germany. Twelve children blessed this union, four of whom are living, viz : Mary (Rearick), Sandusky township; George, Riley township; Catharine (Kraft) and Joseph, Ballville township. Roswell Osborn, a native of New York, was born in 1800. He married for his first wife, Phebe Card, who died in New York in 1830, leaving eight children. He married for his second wife Mida: Lansing, by whom he-had three children. The family came to Ohio about 1835 and settled in Huron county. He was a Baptist min ister, and about five ' years were occupied in preaching. About 1840 Mr. Osborn settled in Ballville township and remained about nine years-. He then moved to Wis consin, where he died in i860. Enos, the sixth child, was born in New York in 1820. He came to Ballville with' the family in 1840 and has continued his resi dence here since that time. In 1847 he married Margaret Strohl, who died in 1863, aged thirty-four years, leaving six jchildren, viz : James, editor Fremont Messenger; George, resides in Logan county, Ohio; William, Roswell P., Anna, and Idella (Hufford), Ballville township. Mr. Osborn married for his second wife Leah Brunthaver, by whom he has had one child — Frank. Mr. Osborn was a soldier in the Mexican war. George Reynolds was born in New York in 1817. He immigrated to Ohio in 1841, and settled in Ballville township, where, in 1844, he married Maria Prior, a daugh ter of John Prior. A family of five chil dren blessed this union, four of whom are living, viz.: Chauncy, Cynthia (Parker), Delia (Mitchner), and Rant. ¦ Orrin died in 1880, aged twenty-four. He was a practicing lawyer. The settlement and mysterious death of Thomas G.- Sherrard has already been chronicled. The Sherrard family of this county is descended from John Sherrard, a native of county Derry, Ireland, who emigrated to America in 1772, and joined the patriot army, in 1775, at Bunker Hill. He settled in Jefferson county, Ohio, where he died in 1809, leaving five sons. Robert Andrew Sherrard, the fourth son, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in 1789, and died near Steubenville in 1874; he was a highly-esteemed ' man, and a prominent member of the Presbyte rian church; he was twice married — first, to Mary Kithcart, by whom he had five children, and second, to. Jane Hindman, who bore seven children. David A. C. Sherrard, the third child by the first niar- riage, was born in Jefferson county in 1820; in 1843 he married Catharine Weldy, who died in 1847, leaving three children, viz.: Laura, Kizzie W., and Liz zie C; in 1848 he married Narcissa Grant, by whom he had seven children, viz.: Hattie (deceased), Robert, John F., Emma, Mary J., Rose P., and Ida M. William Smith was born in New Jersey in 1789. He married, in 1814, Sarah Trimmer, also a native of New Jersey. In 1836 the family removed to Perry county, Ohio, and thence to this county, in 1847, when they settled in Ballville township. Mrs. Smith died in July; 1858, and' Mr. Smith in October, 1865. Four of their children are living — Sarah Ann (Cole), William P:, George G., and John C. Henry, the oldest of the family, died in Newark, Ohio, in October, 1858. Jacob, the third child, died young, in New Jer sey. Anna Maria, the youngest, died in v Perry county in 1845, aged about twelve years. William P., the oldest son living, was born February 28, 1824; in 1858 he married Sarah M. Siberal, and had one child, Mina, deceased; Mr. Smith was treasurer of his township twelve years. On account of injuries received in 1844, 592 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY he is unable to perform manual labor. He has brought up two children in his home — Carrie D. Smith, now the wife of Leonard Sliger, of Bradner, Wood county, and Mary E. Harrison, at home. Daniel Sherer was born in Seneca county, Ohio, in 1828, and in 1846 mar ried Mary A. Rubenault. He settled in this township in 1848. The family con sisted of four children, two of whom — Henry and Elizabeth A. — are dead; Al bert O. and Daniel O. are residents of the township. Mr. Sherer died in 1858. Albert O. Sherer was born in 1852, and in 1875 he married Jane Siberal. They have two children living — Blanche E. and an infant daughter. Daniel O. Sherer was born in 1855. He married, in 1875, Martha J. Jackman. Annie E., Minnie D., and Benjamin F. are their children. Victor Rich was born in Switzerland in 1832. He came to America in 1851, and stopped in New York during the winter, having been employed to chop wood, but was initiated into Yankee ways by being cheated out of his wages. The next spring he came to Fremont, and was for many years a well-known stone-mason. He built the vault in the "Oakwood Cemetery," which is a very fine piece of workmanship. In 1861 he settled in this township, where he owns a farm. In 1859 he married Mrs. Catherine Swilly, and has five children — Joseph, Charles, George, Victor, and Clara. John Swilly is her son by a previous husband. Cornelius Hufford settled in Ballville township in 1836. He was born in Ken tucky in 1806. In 1833 he married Mary J. Zook, daughter of Abram Zook, and a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania.. Their family consisted of ten children, five of whom are living — Sarah, Simon, Elizabeth, Catharine, and Martha. In 1869 Mr. Hufford removed to his present residence in Washington township. Simon Hufford was born in 1837. He married, in 1861, Sarah Short, and has a family of five children living — Lillie J., Jennie, Frank, Arm ina, and Hattie. Bur ton died when less than one year old. Jacob Kline, with his wife and family, came to America in 1832, and settled in New York. Mrs. Kline died at Buffalo in 1845. Mr. Kline died in this township in 1859. Jacob Kline, jr., was born in Germany in 18 14. He married Lena Zimmerman in 1845, and in 1852 came West and settled in Ballville township. •The family consists of eleven children, viz.: Jacob, George, Philip, Martin, Charles A., Lena, Mary M., William H, Edward F., John A., and Adam H. The last seven were born in this township. Martin and Charles have been teachers in the public schools. Charles is preparing for the practice of the law. James Traill, with his family, removed from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, to Coshocton county, Ohio, and from there to Seneca county, in 185 1. Thomas, hig son, was born in Bedford county, Penn sylvania, March 20, 1818. In 1844 he married Mary E. West, ot York township. In 1852 he moved from Seneca county to Ballville township, his present home. Four children are living — Darling, Olive E., Lovie, and Perry J. Clara E., the oldest daughter, died at the age of twenty- two. Andrew Wolfe was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1797. He married Saloma Garber, a native of Switzerland, and came to Ohio, settling first in Knox county, then in Richland. In 1855 he removed to Sandusky county, and settled in this township, where he died in 1874. Daniel M., the fifth child, was born in Knox county in 1831. He married, in 1855, Eunice J. Black, and settled where HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 593 he now lives. The family consists of five children — Charles M., Sarah I., Elbridge G., Inez M., and Daniel M. Mr. Wolfe is a carpenter and followed the trade twenty-five years. Henry Turner was born in Fairfield county, Ohio, in j 809. He married Susan Spangler in 1829. She died in 1849, leaving six children, viz.: William, Eman uel, Samantha, Daniel, Perry I., and Mary J. Of these only two are living — Samantha (Neff), Saginaw, Michigan, and Daniel. In 1852 Mr. Turner married for his second wife Elizabeth Delong, and had by this marriage two children — Henry Otis, a resident of Lima, Ohio, and Mar- cella, dead. The family came to Seneca county in 1830; moved to Ballville town ship in 1853. John G. Speller, jr., proprietor of the stone mill, was born in Prussia in 1843. In 1857 he came to America and engaged in farming in this township. The follow ing year his parents, Lambert C. and Mary Speller, came to this country with their family of five children, and remain resi dents of this township. In 1867 John G. Speller began clerking for Herman & Wil son, and continued in mercantile business seven years, the last year in partnership with Mr.. Herman. In 1875 he purchased the Ballville stone mill, half of which he sold to Simeon Royce. Business has since been conducted under the firm name of Royce & Speller. Mr. Speller, in 1872, married Oriette J. Moore. James and Allie are their children. George Flumerfelt, the oldest son of D. V. Flumerfelt, settled in this township in 1865. His father, however, was one of the first settlers of the neighboring town ship of Pleasant, in Seneca county, having come there from New Jersey in 1826, at the age of eighteen. He married Me- linda Littler, and has a family of seven children living. George was born in 1842. He married Ellen Chancy in 1865. Five children are living — Eva P., Edward P., Laura, William A, and Clarence. Mr. Flumerfelt is a Greenbacker in politics. He owns the old Hiett farm, one of the first that was cleared in this township. Abel M. Franks, only son of Uriah M. Franks, was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1834. He married in 1862 Eliza Mc- Quigg, a native of Ireland. They have five children— Uriah F., John W., Sarah E, James E. , and Samuel C. John, second son, graduated at the age of fifteen and is pre paring for the Bar. Mr. Franks came to the county in 1865, and settled first in Sandusky township, where he remained two years, then settled in Ballville. J. B. Lott, son of Peter and Mary Lott, was born in Seneca county in 1832. He came to this county in 1858, and settled on his present farm. He married in 1858 Sarah A. Bretts, a native of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Three of their five children are living — Charles, Wilson, and Jennie — Clara Ann and an infant daugh ter are dead. Thomas Wickert, a native of Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, was born in 1809. He married in 1832 Lucy Vennor. With their six children they came to this township in i860. The children are: James E., George Harrison, Thomas J., Mary E., Emma, and Lucy N. Wickert. James E,- the second child, was born in Pennsylvania in 1834. In 18.59 he married Martha Abbott, who died in 1865, leaving three children — Frank, James, and Chester. In 1866 he removed to this county, and in 1869 he married Christina Lutz, by whom six children have been born — Bert, Fred, Guy, Hattie, Daisy, and Richard. M. B. Fry emigrated from Virginia to Seneca county in 1833, and died in Pleas ant township in 1853, leaving a family of seven children, five of whom are living. 594 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Littler B., the oldest son, was born in 1826. He came to Ohio with his father, and in 1.865 married Belle Ramsey, a native of Pittsburgh. Mr. Fry has been living in this township since 1871. A CHARIVARI. John Hofford lived on the lot in Ball ville now occupied by the cooper shop of J. D. & George Moore. About 1841, while John Moore was building his mill- race, on which twenty Irishmen were em ployed, Almira Hofford was married to John Johnson, an attorney, who lived on the farm now owned by Dr. Wilson, west of Fremont. The Irishmen determined upon making it an eventful occasion by giving the newly wedded couple a serenade after the wild fashion of the day. They collected all the guns, dinner-horns and cow-bells in the. neighborhood, and taking these, together with rosined boxes, horse- fiddles and a pail of powder stolen from the supply used for blasting, they proceeded to the house. At thii time the excite ment caused by the "patriot war" was at its highest, and a general raid was feared. When the confusion of guns, horse-fiddles, horns, etc., which was intended only to disturb the honeymoon of the lately united couple, began, the whole community was aroused. One Irishman, who knew nothing of the proceedings, expressed the thoughts of many people, when, leaping from his bed, he exclaimed: "I thought the Bred- ish were a cumin, and I lepped out of bed to put." The man who carried the powder pail met a serious accident. Be coming excited, he rushed with Irish ardor into the crowd of musketmen. A spark dropped into the bucket, and the ex plosion sent him speechless to the rear. He finally, however, recovered. This is only one of the many amusing tricks carried out by this party of witty Irishmen whose residence in Ballville is well re membered. AN IMPORTANT LITIGATION. Here arose a controversy, which en- endered bitter personal feeling between neighbors and led to a decision by the supreme court of the State on an important legal question. David Moore, David Cham bers and Asa B. Gavit owned the lands adjoining the river in the order named, be ginning at the village of Ballville and ex tending up for considerable distance. The controversy at first seems to have been grounded in the natural desire' of both Moore and Chambers to have the ex clusive use of the water-power. Chambers 'built a dam and erected a mill, but Moore cut off his water-power by building a dam below, thus throwing the back water on Chambers' wheel. Chambers sued Moore for trespass, but as the conclusion of the whole matter shows, was himself a tres passer, for the back-water from his dam covered the hitherto exposed limestone ledges in the bottom of the river opposite Gavit's land, to the depth of four feet. " Gavit brought suit for trespass and the case came to trial in the court of com mon pleas of the county. He proved at the trial that he owned certain lands bounded by the river and situated on its western bank. He also proved that by the erection of Chambers' dam the water was flowed back in the bed of the river oppo site his land, so as to stand four feet deep on a stone quarry between his lands and the middle of the stream. In the original surveys the river was intersected by lines, but the area occupied by the stream when at high water mark was deducted from the whole area, so that the purchaser paid the United States for lands only to high water mark. It was, therefore, claimed by Chambers that the bed and banks of the river was public property. The court of common pleas charged the jury that the plaintiff could set no right, in consequence of owning the lands .HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY 595 on the shore, to the bed of the river adja cent to such lands. The jury on this charge gave a verdict in favor of the de fendant (Chambers). .. The case was taken to the supreme court on a writ of error, where it was ar^ gued, on part of the defendant, that as the Sandusky River was declared a navigable stream no individual could acquire exclu sive property in its bed. The long course of litigation was watched eagerly, not only by those having a. personal interest in the parties to the suit, but by owners of river lands throughout the State, for upon its decision depended many rights and privi leges liable at any time to cause difficulty, The decision of the supreme court will be of interest in this connection. The question presented for decision in this case is. Has the proprietor of land bounded by a navigable Stream a separate and individual interest or property in any portion of the bed of the river? The cession of the United States of lands within the.territory of which Ohio is now a part, was made subject to no condition with respect to navigable streams. But in the first frame of government, com monly called the Ordinance, which is fundamental in its character, it is stipulated that ' ' navigable waters leading into the Mississippi and St. Lawrence shall be forever free" to all people of the United States. The legislation of Congress for disposition of lands has strictly conformed to this stipulation. The lands within the beds of navigable rivers have not been sold as lands to be paid for, and whether the lands have or have not been made boundaries of surveys, the land usually covered by water has been deducted from that upon which purchase money was charged. This, it is argued, is a fact conclusive to establish the position that the individual purchaser acquires no lights to the bed of the river adjoining his lands. But we do not think it properly attended with such consequence. It is, we conceive, virtually essential to the public peace and to individual security that there should be distinct and acknowledged legal owners for both the land and water of the country. This seems to have been the principle upon which the law doctrine was originally settled, that when a stream was not subject to the ebb and flow of the tide it should be deemed the property of the owners of the soil bound ing on its banks. The reason upon which this rule is founded applies as strongly in this country as in any other, -and no maxim of jurisprudence is of more universal application than that where the reason is the same the law should be the same. If, in the case before us, the owners of the lands bounded on the banks of the Sandusky River do' not own the fee simple in that stream, subject only to the use of the public, who does own it, and what is its condition? The "Ordinance" reserves nothing but the use. No act of Congress makes any reservation in relation to the beds of rivers. We find no provis ions but those of the act of 1796 which are confined to reserving the use of navigable streams, and declar ing the existence of the common law doctrine in re spect to. streams not navigable. A river consists of water bed and banks. At what point does the right of the owner of adjoining lands terminate, on the top or at the bottom of the bank? At high or "low water mark? Does his boundary recede and advance with the water, or is it stationary at some point? And where is that point? Who gains by alluvion? Who loses by direptioris of the streams? No satisfactory rules can be- laid down in answer to these questions, if the common law doctrine be departed from. And if it be as sumed that the United States retain the fee simple in the beds of our rivers, who is to preserve them from individual trespassers, or determine matters of wrong between the trespassers themselves. It can not be reasonably doubted that if all the beds of our rivers supposed to be navigable," and treated as such by the United States in selling lands , are to be regarded as unappropriated territory, a door is open for incalculable mischiefs. . Intruders upon the com: mon waste would fall into endless broils among them selves and involve the owners of lands adjoining ifi controversies innumerable. Stones, soil, gravel; the right to fish, would all be subjects of individual scramble necessarily leading to violence and outrage. The United States would be little interested iri pre serving either the peace or the property, and indeed would be powerless to do it without an interference with the policy of the State. We ¦ do not believe that it was the intention of the United States to reserve an interest in the bed, banks or water of the rivers in the State, other than the- use for navigation to the public, which is distinctly in the nature of an easement, and all grants of land upon such waters we hold to have been made subject to the common law , which in this case is the plain rule of common sense, and it is this : He who owns the lands upon both banks owns the entire river, subject only to the easement of navigation, and he who owns the lnnd on one bank only owns to the middle of the river subject to the same easement. This is the rule recognized not only in England but irrour sister States. Before this decision was reached by -the supreme court Mr. Gavit died, but his administrator gained a verdict. Messrs; 596 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Chambers and Moore settled their diffi culties by Moore buying Chambers out, thus giving him full and exclusive right and privilege to the water power along the Bellville rapids. EARLY EVENTS. It is difficult to tell who was the first white child born in this township, but our best information is that it was Margaret Frary, who was born some time in the year 1821. A squatter named Coburg was the first citizen, so far as is known, "to end the earth chapter of life." He died about 18 1 9. During his sickness Harriet Coch ran (Mrs. Seager), was the only person in the neighborhood to wait on and care for him. The first cemetery in the township was the one at Salem church, in the south part. This lot was set apart at the death of Mrs. Frary, who was the first person buried there. Her husband, Phin- eas Frary, was the second. The inhabit ants of the north part of the township were accustomed to bury their dead at Fremont, then Lower Sandusky. The early families of the north part of the township sent their children to school in Fremont; those in the south part first attended school in Seneca county, where a man named Dicely taught. The first school-house in the south part of the township was built on the Seager farm, on the east side of the river, about 1833. Moses Coleby is remembered as the first master. TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. The following petition appears on the commissioners' records, which sets forth the reason for setting apart a new town from Sandusky, and the signatures also show who were the leading men at that date in favor of a division of the town ships. To the honorable Commissioners of Sandusky County: Sandusky Township, State of Ohio, This petition of the undersigned, residents of San dusky county, Sandusky township, prays, that they with the other residents of said township labor under many serious difficulties and disadvantages in conse quence of the distance they have to go to the place of holding general elections. In fact, the great bounds of said township and the distance public officers reside from each other tends greatly to retard public business, particularly as it relates to the busi ness of the township. Under these circumstances your petitioners therefore pray, that you would direct a new township to be laid out embracing township four, range fifteen, your petitioners will ever pray. ist of March, 1822. N. B. And your petitioners also pray that the township be called Ball's township. [Signers] David Chambers. Asa B. Gavit. David Chard. Giles Thompson. Moses Nichols. John Woolcot. Jeremiah Everett: John Prior. Isaac Prior. . Henry Prior. John Custard. Benjamin Clark. . T. A. Rexford. William Chard. The petition was granted and the first election ordered to be held at the house of David" Chambers on the ist Monday of April, 1822. The early records of the township are lost, so that we are unable to give the first officers elected or the civil list. MANUFACTURING. The water power furnished by the sec ond rapids of the Sandusky River has been the natural means of building up a little settlement in the north part of the town ship, which deserves to be called a village; It takes the name of the township. About 182 1 three mills were built in this locality — two grist-mills, one by David Chambers, the other by David Moore; and, further up, a saw-mill, by Mr. Tindall. The re- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 597 mains of the saw-mill are yet standing. Messrs. Moore and Chambers became in volved in an expensive litigation, which is spoken of at length in this chapter. Moore settled the difficulty, and at the same time obtained exclusive control of the available water power by buying Chambers' farm and mill. In 1 83 1 Charles Choate came to Ball ville and leased the shed and water power at Moore's mill, where he began the card ing and fulling business. (Mr. Choate's father was one of the first settlers of Ohio, and was taken prisoner at Big Bottom dur ing the Indian war of 1791-95.) James Moore, a son of David Moore, began the erection of a new mill in 1835, which was completed and placed in operation in 1837. Mr. Choate removed his carding machinery to this mill, where he continued the business three years longer, making a period of nine years since the beginning of wool carding. The last year he worked forty thousand pounds of wool. Mr. Choate sold his factory to Asa Otis and P. C. Dean. The stone mill, which is yet in opera tion, was built in 1858 by James Moore. Mr. Moore had also built a cotton factory in 1845, btit. was in a short time burned out. In 1839 James Valletti purchased an in terest in the mills and real estate. The village of Ballville was surveyed and laid out in lots by Messrs. Moore and Valletti the following year. P. C. Dean and John Moore built what is now known as the Croghan mill in 1867. Mr. Dean sold his interest to his partner, who conducted the business until his death, when it became the property of his sons. The building and machinery were de stroyed by fire in 1878, but rebuilt the same year. It is now owned by J. D., George N., and C. B. Moore. During most of the time since the sur vey of the village a small mercantile. busi ness has been carried on at Ballville. C. B. Moore has been in the grocery business since 1876. THE UNITED BRETHREN . CHURCH.* The name United Brethren has been adopted successively by four distinct and separate religious organizations. Early in the fifteenth century a church was formed in Bohemia, Germany, similar to that of the Waldenses, which took the name United Brethren. Jn the sixteenth century a part of the German Reformed church united with the Waldenses, and formed what was called the Church of the United Brethren. In the eighteenth century was organized the Church of the Moravians or The Renewed United Brethren. These churches, though similar in name, faith, and practice, had no ecclesiastical connec tion. The Church of the United Brethren in Christ was organized in the city of Balti more, Maryland, in 1775. Its principal founder was Rev. William Otterbein, a minister of the German Reformed church. He had been sent as a missionary to America from Dillenberg, Germany, and after preaching in southeastern Pennsyl vania and northern Maryland several years with great success as a revivalist, he or ganized an independent church which at first was called the Evangelical Reformed church, then the United Brethren church, and finally, to avoida mixing of titles with the Moravians or United Brethren, it was called the Church of the United Brethren in Christ. The colaborers of Otterbein in this work were Rev. Martin Boehm, Rev. Christian Newcomer, and Rev. John Neiding, each -of the Mennonite church, and Rev. George A. Guething and John G. Pfrimmer, of the German Reformed church. * By Jacob Burgner. 598 HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. The first great meeting (grosze versamm- lung), and the one which suggested the name United Brethren, was held at Mr. Isaac Long's in Lancaster county, Penn sylvania, and was attended largely by members of the Lutheran, German Re formed, Mennonite, Tunker and Amish persuasions. .The labors of these ministers and others who joined them, were for half a century confined almost exclusively to the Germans in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Virginia. Since the year 1825, the German lan guage in many places, has entirely giver; place to the English, and the church has also spread in English communities, where it was formerly unknown. Among the earliest religious workers in Sandusky county, Ohio, were the local and travelling preachers of the church of the United Brethren in Christ. Previous to the year 1833 a strong tide of emigration set in towards the north west, and -among, the emigrants to the Sandusky Valley were quite a number of United Brethren families, including some local preachers. These held religious meetings in their respective neighborhoods and prepared the way for the missionaries or travelling preachers which were sent into this region by the Muskingum con ference, as early as the year 1829. They had a string of appointments extending from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, to Lower Sandusky, Ohio. In common with other pioneers these preachers' endured many trials and privations and performed much toilsome and difficult work for very meagre salaries. They often met with abundant success in revival meetings and in the organization of religious societies, but, owing in part to the constant shifting of population, they did not succeed in es tablishing permanent societies,, and build ing churches as well as those who came later and labored in towns and villages. Their preaching places were mostly at private houses or barns, or in log school- houses, often in widely separated neighbor hoods, reached only by winding roads or paths cut through the woods. These routes were often almost impassable on account of high water and an almost in terminable black, sticky mud. They * travelled usually on foot or on horseback, and preached every day in the week and two or three times on Sunday. Their meetings were as well attended on week- days as on. Sunday. Farmers in those days cheerfully left their work to attend religious services. In times of big meet ings they came from several adjoining neighborhoods, even in bad weather and over bad roads, on foot, on horseback; and not unfrequently in large wagons or sleds,. drawn by ox-teams. Thirteen per sons constituted a Methodist load, but. a United Biethren load was as many as you could pile on. At these meeting the early pioneers manifested a large-hearted hospi tality, unaffected sociability, and much re ligious enthusiasm. In the year 1822 Rev. Jacob Bowlus came from Frederick county, Maryland, and settled near Lower Sandusky (now Fremont, Ohio). He was the- first Evan gelical preacher in the Black Swamp. He preached faithfully to the new settlers as he had opportunity, and opened his doors to the Methodists and to ministers of other denominations. A few preaching places were thus established, a few classes formed, and in 1829 the general confer ence of the United Brethren church recognized a circuit called the Sandusky circuit. At the next session of the Mus^ kingum conference Jacob Bowlus was elected presiding elder of the Sandusky district, and John Zahn was appointed to travel Sandusky circuit. , In. the year 1830 Mr. Bowlus. was re-elected presiding elder, and Israel Harrington .and J. Harrison. as- HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. 599 signed to Sandusky circuit. These four, Zahn, Bowlus, Harrington, and Harrison are said to have been the first pioneer itinerant preachers of this church in Northwestern Ohio. During the next four years Sandusky circuit was supplied with travelling preachers by the Musking um conference. In the year 1833 the general conference of the United Brethren church made ar rangements- for the organization of the Sandusky conference, " The new. conference held its first session on the 12th day of May, 1834, at the house of Philip Bretz, on Honey Creek, in Seneca county, Ohio. Bishop Samuel Hiestand presided. Preachers present — John Russel, Jacob Bowlus, George His- key, Jeremiah Brown, C. Zook, John Crum, W. T. Tracy, Jacob Bair, O. Strong, H. Erret, John Smith, L Easterly, Philip Cramer,' B. Moore, Daniel Strayer, Israel Harrington, Jacob Crum, H. Kimberlin, J. Fry, J. Alsop, Jacob Garber, Stephen Lillibridge, and John Davis [familiarly known in Northwestern Ohio as "Pap" Davis, the hatter]. Mr. Davis labored with 'great faithfulness as a travelling preacher for many years, much of the time as a presiding elder. On a salary of from seventy-five dollars to one hundred and fifty dollars, he travelled on horseback from Crawford county, Ohio, to Allen county, Indiana, four times a year, year after year. The roads were extremely bad, but he seldom missed an appointment, never complained, and always wore a smile as he entered the cabins of the West. Stephen Lillibridge, during the eight short years of his itineracy, travelled the Black Swamp at a salary of less than one hundred dollars a year, and preached nineteen hundred and thirty sermons, as shown by his diary. He died at the early age of twenty-eight. Among other successful evangelists who travelled the Black- Swamp may be men tioned Rev. Joseph Bever, Rev. Samuel Longj Rev. Michael Long, and Rev. J. C. Bright. The second session of the Sandusky conference was held at the house of A Beck, in Crawford county, Ohio, April 15, 1835. The following were received :' Jacob Newman, Joseph Bever, Jeremiah Brown, George Newman, H. G. Spayth,* J. C. Rice, and Joseph Logan. In the first assignment to the fields of labor, Benjamin Moore and Joseph Bever were sent to travel the Sandusky circuit, which then extended across San dusky county, and into the present coun ties of Ottawa, Huron, and Seneca. Rev. M. Long also travelled the circuit during the latter half of the year. The other circuits of the conference were Maumee, Scioto, Richland, and Owl Creek, in Knox county, travelled respect ively by S. Lillibridge, J. Alsop, J. Davis, and B. Kaufman. The third session of Sandusky confer ence was held at the house of J. Crum, in Wood county, Ohio, April 26, 1836. Preachers received— John Dorcas, T.. Has tings,. Francis Clymer, Michael Long, A1T fred Spracklin, and William Williams. Jacob Bowlus was chosen presiding elder, and the assignments to fields of la bor were : Sandusky circuit, J. Davis ; Swan Creek, S. Lillibridge ; Richland, J. Dorcas and B. Kaufman ; Mt. Vernon, Jacob Newman ; Maumee, John Long;; Findlay Mission, Michael Long. The first delegates, to the general con ference of the United Brethren church from the Black Swamp were John Dorcas and George Hiskey, in 1837. The salaries paid during the year 1835- 36 were: J. Brown, presiding elder, $16; B. Moore, $76; B, Kaufman, $49; Joseph ?Author of History of United Brethren Church. 6oo HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY. Bever, $40; M. Long, $41; S. Lillibridge, $80; Jonas Fraunfelder, $2.50; and Sam uel Hiestand, bishop, $20.50. The circuits comprised from a dozen to twenty or more preaching places, and the preacher was obliged to travel about two hundred miles in making one round, which he usually completed in from two to four wieks. The following is an outline from memory .of the appointments of Sandusky circuit in 1835, as given by Rev. Joseph Bever: Commencing at Peter Bever's, north ot Melmore, Seneca county, I went successively to Philip Bretz's, east of Melmore; Solomon Seary's, southeast of Melmore; Fred Rhodes', north of Republic; Mr. Payne's, in Huron county ; the Snow school-house, near Amsden's corners, now Bellevue; Jacob Bowlus', west of Fremont; Port Clinton, Ottawa county; Mc- Namor's or Zink's, south of Fremont; Mr. Gaines', southwest of Fremont; James Mathews', near Bas- com; Mr. Bodine's, near Fostoria; school-house near Gilboa; Dr. Hastings', on Tawas Creek; Philip Cra mer's, on same; Mr. Bixler's, east of Findlay; Father Brayton's, Springville (lather of the Brayton captured by the Indians); Mr. Wyant's, Tyamochtee, and at other places occasionally. It took me three weeks, travelling every day, to make the round in good weather, and I received for my salary twenty-five dollars 1 The following is a list of the preachers who travelled the old Sandusky and the Green Creek circuits from the year 1834 to 1 881: Benjamin Moore, Joseph Bever, M. Long, John Davis, John Dorcas, S. Lillibridge, J. C. Bright, S. Hadley, John Lawrence*, P. J. Thornton, D. Glancy, B. T. Needles, William Bevington, Wesley Harrington, R. Wicks, Jacob Newman, John French, William Jones, James Long, H. Curtis, S. T. Lane, B. G. Ogden, A. M. Stemen, Silas Foster, William Miller, Peter Fleck, R. K. Wyant, J. Mathews, D. F. Cender, S. H. Raudabaugh, D. D. Hart, B. M. Long, E. B. Maurer, A. Powell, D. S. Caldwell, and T. D. Ingle. Sandusky county is now (1881) divided. among five circuits: Green Creek, Bay Shore, Clyde, Sandusky, and Eden, com- * Author of History of United Brethren Church. prising eighteen societies in this county. Green Creek, was detached from the old Sandusky ^1834, and lies mostly in Ball ville township. It has five societies, three churches, and one parsonage. The United Brethren church and parsonage, at Green Spring, were built in 1871-72-73, under the direction of Rev. S. H. Raudabaugh. The Mt. Lebanon United Brethren church, two miles southeast of Fremont, was built in 1864. The first trustees were: Rev, M. Long, Rev. M. Bulger, Rev. N. Young, Anson Eldridge, and John Batzole. The society was formed by the union of the classes at the Batzole and Dawley school- houses. The superintendents of Mt. Leb anon Sabbath-school from 1864 to 1881 were: Rev. N. Young, Sidney Young, Charles Young, Rev. N. S. Long, Rev. B. M. Long, Jacob Burgner, J. W. Worst, and Hugh C. Smith. The church at Hoover's Corners, or Hard Scrabble, which is used jointly by the United Brethren church and the Evangelical Association, was built by the latter about the year 1854. A class of the United Brethren in Christ was formed of citizens living in the neigh borhood of the mouth of Wolf Creek. It was organized as the " Clinger Class," April 20, i860, Samuel Jacoby at that time being circuit preacher. The first members were: John and Catharine Sib- berrel, Samuel and Anna Clinger, Rachel Turner, Jacob and John Ridgley, Lucinda, John, and Lucinda B. Hite, Mary Clinger, J ane Hudson, and Mary Mills. A meet ing-house was built that year and the class became known as Wolf Creek congregar tion. It has a membership of about seventy, and has preachihg service each alternate Sabbath. A summer Sunday- school has been maintained from the first, but in 1 880-8 r it was kept up with profit and interest throughout the year, winter as well as summer. &v.