HISTORY



OF





MARION COUNTY, OHIO





AND





REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS





EDITED AND COMPILED BY



J. WILBUR JACOBY, A. M.



MARION, OHIO

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Preface

THE aim of the publishers of this volume and the author of the history has been to secure for the historical portion thereof full and accurate information respecting all subjects therein treated and to present the data thus gathered in a clear and impartial manner.. All topics and occurrences have been included that are essential to the clearness and usefulness of the history. Although the original purpose of the author was to limit the narrative to the close of 1906, he has found it

expedient and has deemed it proper to touch on many matters relating to the year 1907. In collecting and arranging the material which has entered into this history it has been the editor's aim to secure facts and present them in an interesting form.

It is impossible for the editor to enumerate all to whom he feels that thanks are due for assistance rendered and kindly interest taken in this work. He is under special obligations to Hon. Warren G. Harding, Benjamin F. Waples, Samuel H. Bartram, George B. Christian, Sr., and James H. Anderson, of Columbus, Ohio.

In the preparation of the history, reference has freely been made to and extracts taken from the following historical records and works, viz: King's Ohio; the Ohio Archaeological and Historical Society Publications; Crawford's Campaign Against Sandusky, by Butterfield; Knight and Slover's Narratives; Colonel Smith's Captivity with the Indians; History of Marion County (1883); Life and Letters of Thomas J. Anderson, by James H. Anderson; Reid's Ohio in the War; War of the Rebellion-Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies; and Biographical Annals of Ohio.

The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives, which make up -the biographical department of this volume, and whose authorship is for the most part independent of that of the history, are admirably adapted to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism and to emphasize the rewards of industry, dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium of perpetuating personal annals and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those commemorated. These sketches, replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences, will naturally prove to a large proportion of the readers of this book its most attractive feature.

In the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Marion County, which will fitly supplement the historical statement; for the development of the county is identified with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable. The publishers have endeavored in the preparation of the work to pass over no feature of it slightingly, but to give heed to the minutest details, and thus to invest it with a substantial accuracy which no other treatment would afford. The result has amply justified the care thus exercised, for no more reliable publication, under the circumstances, could be laid before its readers.

We have given special prominence to the portraits of representative citizens, which appear throughout this volume, and believe they will prove a most interesting feature of the work. We have sought to illustrate the different spheres of industrial and professional achievements as conspicuously as possible. To those who have kindly interested themselves in the successful preparation of this work, and who have voluntarily contributed most useful information and data, we herewith tender our grateful acknowledgment.

Chicago, Ill., May, 1907.

THE PUBLISHERS.



Note

All the biographical sketches published in this volume were submitted to their respective subjects or to the subscribers, from whom the facts were primarily obtained, for their approval or correction before going to press; and a reasonable time was allowed in each case for the return of type-written copies. Most of them were returned to us within the time allotted, or before the work was printed, after being corrected or revised; and these may therefore be regarded as reasonably accurate.

A few, however, were not returned to us; and as we have no means of knowing whether they contain errors or not, we cannot vouch for their accuracy. In justice to our readers, and to render this work more valuable for reference purposes, we have indicated these uncorrected sketches by a small asterisk (*), placed immediately after the name of the subject. They will all be found on the last pages of the book.

THE PUBLISHERS.


Contents

CHAPTER I.

INDIAN OCCUPATION ............................................................................................................19

Streams of Marion County-Indian Names-Scioto River-Olentangy River-Sandusky River-Little

Sandusky- Tymochtee-Mound Builders-Historic Indians-Eries Conquered by Iroquois-Water-Way

of Indians-The Wyandots-The Plains-The "Ring-Hunt"-Bravery of Wyandots-Shawanees and

Delawares-Captain Pipe -Border Warfare-Colonel Bouquet's Expedition-Crawford's Expedition -

Simon Girty-Battle of Sandusky-Battle of Olentangy-Capture and Burning of Colonel Crawford -

Knight's Narrative-Knight's Escape- Wars and Treaties with the Indians-Battle of the Fallen Timber

and Treaty of Greenville-The North American Indian.

CHAPTER II.

"THE OLD NORTHWEST"......................................................................................................42

The Ordinance of 1787 and the Northwest Territory-Five New States-Marvelous Growth of the "Old

Northwest" -Greatness of Ohio-Under which King?-Gen. George Rogers Clark-Clark's Expedition

Fall of Kaskaskia and Vincennes-Treaty of Paris-Ownership of the New Territory-Lands Taken from

the Indians-The Wilderness Subdued.

CHAPTER III.

SETTLEMENT AND ORGANIZATION OF MARION COUNTY WITH SUBSEQUENT HISTORY .......................................................................................................................51

Pioneer Days-First Permanent Settlements-Indians of Pioneer Days-Indian Reservations in Marion

County-Removal of Indians-Noted Indians of This Vicinity-Indian Trails of Marion County-The

Wyandot Mission - First Settlements in the County-Formation of County-County Organized-Territory

Detached-Growth of County- Population of County by Decades.

CHAPTER IV.

THE ANTI - SLAVERY MOVEMENT IN MARION COUNTY..........................................61

The "Underground Railroad"-Joseph Morris-Allen McNeal-Hon. Thomas J. Anderson-Memorable

Trial of Black Bill-The Riot Following the Trial-Contempt of Court - Indictments Returned-Editorial

Comment on the Affair-Sweetser's Memorial-Review of the Events.

CHAPTER V.

COUNTY AND OTHER OFFICIALS .....................................................................................73

Political Parties-Know Nothing Party-Minority Parties-Nomi nations for Office-Memorable

Campaigns-General Harrison in Marion-Pole Raisings-Campaign of 1860-Results of Presidential

Elections-Representatives in Congress-State Senators and Representatives- Roster of County Officials

Present County Officials-Popular Officials-First County Officers and Their Duties-First Elections.

CHAPTER VI.

MARION, THE COUNTY SEAT .............................................................................................90

The First Settlers-County Seat Located and Town Platted-Marion in 1825-Population by Decades -

Asiatic Cholera-Marion in 1840-Organic History-The Court House-The County jail-Public Im-

provements-Water-Works-Marion's Post Office and Postmasters-Marion's "Diamond Jubilee" -

Eber Baker.


8 - CONTENTS

CHAPTER VII.

TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS OF THE: COUNTY ...............................................................103

Settlement and Organization-Early County Roads-Early Settlers-Pioneer Incidents-Claridon, the

First Town Laid Out in the County-Political Notes-Population and Tax Valuation Statistics.

CHAPTER VIII.

PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS .......................................................................................................125

The Marion County Infirmary-The Marion County Children's Home-The Old Ladies' Home

Benjamin Waddel-The Marion Public Library-The Marion County Agricultural Society - The

Marion Cemetery-The Spontaneously-moving Stone Ball-St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery.

CHAPTER IX.

TRANSPORTATION, FACILITIES .....................................................................................134

First Roads and Turn pikes-Dickens' Ride by Stage-Coach from Columbus to Upper Sandusky

Railroads-Marion's Railroad Facilities-Marion Electric Railway.

CHAPTER X.



MANUFACTURING AND COMMERCIAL ENTERPRISES OF MARION...................143

CHAPTER XI.

TOPOGRAPHY, GEOLOGY, CLIMATE AND ARCHAEOLOGY .................................157

Altitude-Situation and Area-Surface Features and Soil-Geological Structure-Gravel, Clay and Build-

ing Stone-Flowing Springs and Artesian Wells-Natural Gas-Climate-Rainfall Archaeological.

CHAPTER XII.

THE; STONE AND LIME INDUSTRIES (George B. Christian, Sr.) ................................165

CHAPTER XIII

BANKS AND BANKING (Benjamin F. Waples) ..................................................................167

Origin of Banking-Functions of the Bank of To-Day-The Banks of Marion, Prospect, LaRue, Caledo-

nia, Waldo, Green Camp and Morral-The Building and Loan Companies of Marion.

CHAPTER XIV.

THE BENCH AND BAR OF MARION COUNTY................................................................174

The Majesty of the Law-The Bench-Traveling the Circuit in the Early Days-The First Terms of

Court-Maj. George H. Busby, the First Clerk of the Courts-Indian Litigation-judges of the Common

Pleas and Circuit Courts-Bar of the Past-Bar of the Present-The Marion County Law Library Association

CHAPTER XV.

THE MEDICAL PROFESSION OF THE COUNTY............................................................194

The Quiet Influence of the Physician-Physicians of the Past and of the Present-Marion County Medical

Society-The Marion City and County Hospital-Central Emergency Hospital-The Dr. C. E. Sawyer

Sanatorium-Marion's Dentists.


CONTENTS - 9

CHAPTER XVI.

MARION'S RELIGIOUS DEVELOPMENT.........................................................................207

Methodist Episcopal Churches-Free Baptist Church-First Presbyterian Church-Christian Churches -

Lutheran and Reformed Churches Church of the United Brethren in Christ-St. Mary's Catholic Church

St. Paul's Protestant Episcopal Church-Calvary Church of the Evangelical Association-Baptist

Church-First Church of Christ, Scientist-Young Men's Christian Association.

CHAPTER XVII.



EDUCATION ............................................................................................................................217

Revenue from the School Lands-State Common School Fund-The First Schoolhouses and Their Fur-

nishings-How the Early Schools Were Kept Up-The Marion Academy-Marion's Public Schools-The

Educational Work of the Y. M. C. A.-St. Mary' Parochial School.

CHAPTER XVIII.

FRATERNAL AND BENEVOLENT ORGANIZATIONS ..................................................226

Sweet Charity-The Masonic Order-Independent Order of Odd Fellows-Knights of Pythias-Benev-

olent and Protective Order of Elks - The Marion Deutscher Bund-The Tally Wag Club-Catholic So-

cieties-Fraternal Insurance Societies-Grand Army of the Republic United Spanish War - Veterans -

Ladies of the G. A. R.-Daughters of America-Woman's Christian Temperance Union.

CHAPTER XIX.

MILITARY HISTORY OF THE COUNTY ..........................................................................237

Revolutionary War-Soldiers of the Revolution Buried Here-War of 1812-Fort Morrow-The Old

Military Road-General Harrison's March Through Marion County-Incidents of the Period-Perils of the

Returning Militiamen-The Wyatt Cemetery-Drake's Defeat"Mexican War-Civil War-The Union

Meeting of April 16,1861-Presentation of Flags to Marion's First Two Companies-Regimental History

"Jack" Kade-The "Sultana" Disaster-The 82nd Ohio at Gettysburg-Died on the Field of Battle -

Spanish-American War.

CHAPTER XX.

THE PRESS ...............................................................................................................................256

CHAPTER XXI.

A RETROSPECT .....................................................................................................................260

BIOGRAPHICAL .....................................................................................................................265

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THIS IS THE REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS SECTION OF 1907 MARION COUNTY, OHIO HISTORY. THE BIOGRAPHIES HAVE BEEN ARRANGED IN ALPHABETIC ORDER AND IS UNINDEXED. YOU CAN SEARCH EACH LETTER FILE WITH YOUR BROWSER.

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