YORK.
THE most striking feature of the topography of York is the three parallel ridges or sand bars extending in a northeasterly and southwesterly direction. The township itself embracing an area of six miles square, lies in the southeast corner of the county and is bounded on the north by Townsend township, on the east by Erie and Huron counties, on the south by Seneca county, and on the west by Green Creek township. No streams of sufficient size to furnish waterpower for mills flow through this territory. The sand ridges give the surface an undulating appearance, and the porous character of the drift formation overlying a heavy stratum of limestone contributes to the dryness of the fertile soil. It is unnecessary to elaborate on geological theories concerning the origin of the sand bars. They are merely accumulations of fragments and disintegrated particles of rock, washed together by powerful waves and currents during the last period of geological history when the water of the lake basin covered all this region of country. Such bars of gravel and sand are yet forming near the shores of the great lakes. At the present time events of real and traditional history in York are located by these sand bars, and it will therefore be necessary to know their location.
The crest of North ridge trends through Green Creek in a northeasterly direction, and extends across the northwest corner of York and southeast corner of Townsend into Erie county. South ridge takes a parallel course, and its crest is about two miles southeast from the crest of North ridge. About the same distance toward the southeast trends Butternut ridge, beginning near the southeast corner of Green Creek and losing its identity near the pike in York. The name Butternut ridge was, very naturally, applied in consequence of the number and size of the white walnut, or butternut trees, which shaded its surface before the day of railroads and lumber markets.
Nowhere in the county did the primitive forest appear more hospitable than in York. West of the Sandusky River was, seemingly, an endless reach of dismal swamp, steaming with vapors poisoned by decaying vegetation. But here, trees grew to graceful size, and shaded soft grasses. The perfume of wild flowers wakened birds to song, and the fleet-footed deer gave gayety to the scene. Propitious nature welcomed with open arms all who came to build homes for themselves and an heritage for their children.
The soil of York is a sandy loam inter-mixed with small particles of limestone, and is unexceptionable for agricultural purposes. The upper rock stratum is limestone of superior quality and more than ordinary thickness. An outcrop occurs near Bellevue which supplies large quantities of stone, both for building and for making lime. Land commands a higher price per acre in York than anywhere else in the county. Nowhere in Ohio can be found better improved farms.
THE SETTLEMENT.
The circumstances leading to the settle-
654 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
ment of York were somewhat peculiar. The improvement of the Fireland district had commenced before the War of 1812, and was well progressed while Indian camp fires were yet burning on the other side of the line. After the restoration of peace with Great Britain real estate took a rise in the Firelands which induced emigrants to camp over on the Congress lands until they should be surveyed and offered for sale. Many, too, who had cleared farms and built houses in Huron, were induced to sell and begin again the trials of pioneer life. The ridges of York were favorite places for squatters, who put up temporary buildings, and made small clearings with the expectation of buying the land when in market, thus saving the value of their improvements. But men were selfish then as now, and it frequently happened that the most cherished hope of an industrious squatter who had cleared and cultivated, cheered on by the anticipation of being the rightful and legal owner, was blasted by one who had risen earlier, and secured a front place at the land office when the book of entries was opened. The scene is said to have been highly exciting when the turnpike lands were placed upon the market. Horses were rode at full speed to the office, where a lively contest for turns ensued. Each man had his lot picked out, but each suspected his neighbor of having envious eyes, a suspicion which, in many cases, proved well founded. The feeling of hatred caused by what was considered a transgression of rights was in a few instances lasting, and the cause of neighborly feuds in later years. The scramble for land was conducted with as much ardor and self-interested feeling then, as the scramble for office at the present time, although the assertion may appear to a casual observer of affairs extravagant.
We know of no more accurate way ofintroducing the topic under discussion than by giving a list of the original proprietors, taken from the book of land entries.
It will be necessary, in order to understand the dates here given, to know the method of making entries on the books in the recorder's office. The United States land office gave each purchaser a certificate of entry and receipt of payment. These certificates entitled the holder to a patent from the United States. They were also filed in the auditor's office, and tinder the law, five years from their date, the property, of which they stood as a receipt of payment, was listed on the tax duplicate, and recorded in the book of entries. It will appear, therefore, that the date of record given in the following table of Congress lands, is five years later than the real purchase at the land office.
But the turnpike lands embracing a strip one mile wide on each side of the pike, were ceded by the United States to the State of Ohio for the purpose of constructing a pike road from the Western Reserve through the Black Bwamp. These lands were offered for sale at the land office at Perrysburg in 1826, and were taxable from the date of entry. They were at once listed on the duplicate, and the date of record is also the date of purchase.
The following entries are recorded in 1826:
...................................................SECTION..............ACRES.
James Birdseye........................17, 20 and 25................542
Joseph George, jr.......................................21................135
J. C. and Isaac Hinds..................................21..................30
D. Scearls and M. McCoy..............21 and 22.................222
Jeremiah Smith...........................................22.................124
William T. Tuttle........................................19...................79
Entries are recorded in 1827 as follows:
....................................................SECTION...................ACRES.
Augustus Barber............................................1 ....................85
Winthrop Ballard.........................................31...................160
Abram Marks..............................................17....................160
James Birdseye............................................21....................211
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 655
......................................................SECTION...................ACRES.
Perry Easton ......................................20 and22....................230
L. G. Harkness....................................18 and21....................142
Reuben Pixley.....................................22 and27....................196
L. G. Raymond..............................................22.....................116
Samuel Sparrow..................................24 and26.....................268
Jeremiah Smith..............................................22......................124
Samuel Sparrow.............................................24........................70
The following entries are recorded in 1828:
..........................................................SECTION....................ACRES.
Joseph M. Jenkins............................................11........................80
Henry Miller.....................................................29........................80
John Mugg........................................................10......................400
Seth W. Merry ........................................7 and 18......................160
Frederick Persing..............................................17.........................80
Norton Russell....................................................7.......................160
Jeremiah Smith ......................................9 and 15........................160
Smith Barber ......................................................2.........................80
Roderick Bishop..................................................5.........................80
H. Baker...................................................2 and 11.......................640
James Birdseye....................................................5........................160
Lyman Babcock...................................................7........................160
Oliver Comstock..................................................7..........................80
William Christie.................................................18........................160
Joseph P. Dean.....................................................3........................180
John Dunse.........................................................13..........................80
John Davenport..................................................19...........................80
Elkana Daniels ...................................................17..........................80
Edmond Fuller............................................7 and 8.........................160
Stillman George..................................................33...........................80
Esther F. Green...................................................10...........................80
Martin Hart..........................................................36...........................80
Joseph Hill...........................................................34...........................80
Entries were recorded in 1829 as follows:
...............................................................SECTION........................ACRES.
David Acklar.........................................................25..........................80
William Cookson....................................................4.........................160
Elizabeth Cady......................................................25...........................80
Thomas W. Canada.................................................9...........................80
John Davenport.....................................................20...........................80
Joseph T. Doan......................................................31...........................80
Edmond Huldeah...................................................30.........................160
Richard Freeman1....................................................7...........................80
Stillman George.....................................................28...........................80
Truman Gilbert......................................................30..........................160
Elnathan George....................................................33............................80
Jared Hadley..........................................................34............................80
Samuel Hackett......................................................28............................80
Lyman Jones.............................................................5............................80
John Knickerbocker..................................................4..........................340
Robert Longwell........................................................8...........................80
Ransom and Major Purdy..........................................2...........................80
Simeon Root ...........................................................29...........................80
James Strong............................................................25.........................147
Samuel Sparrow...........................................23 and 24.........................160
Entries are recorded in 183o as follows:
.......................................................................SECTION....................ACRES.
N. P. Birdseye.............................................................19..........................79
Elisha Avery ...............................................................12..........................80
James Chapman.............................................................5..........................80
George Colvin ...............................................................9..........................80
John Dunse ..................................................................13..........................80
Eli Knickerbocker...........................................................3..........................80
S. W. Murray...................................................................7..........................80
Charles Sherwood..........................................................12..........................80
Lansford Wood...............................................................12.........................80
L. C. Watkins..................................................................10.........................80
The entries recorded in 1831 were as follows:
............................................................................SECTION....................ACRES.
Gideon Brayton................................................................31.........................80
Nathaniel Chapman..........................................................36.........................75
Jesse Gilbert ....................................................................30.........................80
Philip Glick .....................................................................30.......................160
Samuel Grover.................................................................34.........................80
John Glick .......................................................................30.........................80
James M. Jenkins..............................................................11........................80
James Munger...................................................................29........................80
Return Burlingston............................................................25..........................2
Nathaniel Chapman...........................................................25........................40
Chapman and Amsden.......................................................25........................27
Zadock Story......................................................................25........................78
A. D. Follett ......................................................................27.........................78
Stillman George.................................................................28.........................79
John Lemmon ....................................................................18.........................33
Henry McMillen.................................................................18..........................14
John West ..........................................................................17..........................80
George W. Franklin............................................................19..........................79
R. C. Brayton......................................................................28..........................76
Roswell George..............................................................................................146
R. Burlingson......................................................................24..........................67
N. P. Birdseye.....................................................................20..........................79
Jacob May.......................................................................................................121
The only entry in 1832 was:
................................................................................SECTION.....................ACRES.
Lyman Amsden....................................................................35...........................80
In 1833 the following lands were entered :
.................................................................................SECTION......................ACRES.
William Drum .....................................................................11............................160
William P. White.................................................................14...............................80
Eli Knickerbocker..................................................................3...............................80
R. Burlingson.......................................................................23...............................80
R. Burlingson.......................................................................24...............................80
Crowell and McNutt............................................................20..............................125
Dyer Carver .........................................................................27..............................316
E. T. Gardner ......................................................................26...............................116
John Lemmon......................................................................19.................................80
Lemuel Morse......................................................................24.................................79
John Riddle..........................................................................28.................................78
E. W. Rice............................................................................22.................................76
656 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
....................................................................................SECTION............................ACRES.
Ephraim Simmons..................................................................26..................................143
Reuben McWilthey ................................................................26..................................131
T. Alexander ...........................................................................35.................................160
Crowell and McNutt................................................................24.................................124
R. Burlingson...........................................................................24...................................79
Lemuel Morse .........................................................................24...................................79
John Lemmon...........................................................................19...................................80
Ephraim Simmons....................................................................26.................................143
John Riddle...............................................................................28...................................78
Dyer Carver...............................................................................27.................................313
R. W. Willy...............................................................................26.................................130
E. W. Rice.................................................................................22...................................76
E. T. Gardner ............................................................................26.................................116
The entries recorded in 1834 were as follows :
......................................................................................SECTION..............................ACRES.
Theophilus Alexander...............................................................35....................................160
Nathaniel Chapman...................................................................36......................................80
Chapman and Amsden...............................................................30......................................75
Philip Crapo ..............................................................................30......................................78
Samuel Foster, jr........................................................................24......................................80
H. and Hiram Palmer.................................................................29......................................80
Phebe Sharp...............................................................................36......................................80
Tim Sunderland.........................................................................26.....................................101
R. Burlingson.............................................................................23......................................79
Martha Baker..............................................................................23......................................79
Wesley Anderson........................................................................18....................................160
John W. Hone..............................................................................18......................................78
Entries were made in 1835 as follows:
.........................................................................................SECTION.............................ACRES.
William Bates ...............................................................................6.......................................80
John Brush.....................................................................................5.......................................80
William Brumb..............................................................................1.......................................80
Truman Gilbert............................................................................29.....................................240
Kiah Gould..................................................................................36.......................................80
In 1837 were recorded the entries of :
.........................................................................................SECTION..............................ACRES.
Gilbert Bohls..................................................................................8.......................................80
Joseph Chapman.............................................................................3.......................................80
In 1837 entries are recorded as follows:
..........................................................................................SECTION..............................ACRES.
Fred Chapman...................................................................35 and 36......................................158
Samuel Clark.................................................................................33.......................................80
James Armstrong...........................................................................14.......................................80
E. Hiland........................................................................................31.......................................80
Wooster McMillen.........................................................................33.......................................80
M. P. Sprague.................................................................................29.......................................80
The entries of 1838 were:
..........................................................................................SECTION..............................ACRES.
Thomas G. Amsden........................................................................34.......................................80
John E. Armstrong..........................................................................14.......................................80
James Armstrong............................................................................14.......................................40
George Pettyome............................................................................35........................................80
Augustus Barker.................................................................12 and 13......................................146
John Barber.....................................................................................13.......................................40
Daniel Clouse..................................................................................35.......................................80
M. M. Coe..........................................................................................1......................................80
Almon Gray........................................................................................3......................................38
James Haynes....................................................................................33...................................160
Joseph Hoover...................................................................................13...................................126
Robert Irwin.......................................................................................31..................................120
E. G. Kearney....................................................................................33....................................80
David Smith.........................................................................................1...................................80
Henry Stetler......................................................................................34.................................240
S. L. Simpson.....................................................................................14.................................160
The entries of the year 1839 are recorded as follows :
...............................................................................................SECTION..........................ACRES.
James Armstrong....................................................................14 and 15...............................120
Elisha Avery ......................................................................................13.................................40
William Bailey.....................................................................................3..................................43
H. H. Brown.......................................................................................33..................................40
William Burcan....................................................................................6................................240
Edmond Brace......................................................................................2..................................42
Smith Barber ........................................................................................3.................................40
Lester Beach..........................................................................................9.................................40
John Colvin ..........................................................................................9.................................40
George Colvin.......................................................................................9.................................40
J. G. Coons ...........................................................................................2.................................85
Matthew M. Coe.................................................................................12..................................80
O. F. Clark...............................................................................32 and 33..................................80
H. S. Cooper........................................................................................32..................................40
James S. Connell...................................................................................6..................................80
Jacob Decker........................................................................................21.................................40
William Degs.......................................................................................15.................................80
William Dalzell......................................................................................9.................................80
D. Q. Ellsworth.......................................................................................8................................40
Henry Friligh...........................................................................................1..............................198
George Stillman....................................................................................32................................40
Hezekiah Grover...................................................................................28................................52
W. F. Gormen..........................................................................................8................................40
Ephraim Hastings.....................................................................................3.............................120
R. Harding................................................................................................9...............................80
Silas Howell...........................................................................................13...............................40
William Henrick.....................................................................................12.............................113
Robert Irwin................................................................................31 and 32.............................220
Robert Irwin, jr.......................................................................................32...............................80
A. C. Jackson ...........................................................................................3...............................42
John Knuttle..............................................................................................9...............................40
James Lemmon, jr.....................................................................................3...............................84
U. B. Lemmon............................................................................................3..............................42
James Meacham......................................................................................14..............................80
Richard Nickerson...................................................................................14.............................40
George Parker............................................................................................2.............................42
Daniel Rife ......................................................................................5 and 8...........................122
F. R. Smith ................................................................................................5.............................40
Dean Squire..................................................................................10 and 13...........................279
William Stevenson......................................................................................6..........................328
Asa Stanley..................................................................................................3............................43
Joel Siezer...................................................................................................4............................80
Storey Wills...............................................................................................15..........................200
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 657
1840 closed out the balance of Congress lands as follows:
............................................SECTION...................ACRES.
Martin Dart.......................................5.............................85
A. D. Follett....................................32.............................40
Ephraim Hastings.............................9..............................40
Dennis Hamlin..................................8..............................80
W. J. Whittaker.......................8 and 9............................200
The settlement of York proper began in 1822. The squatters whose shabby cabins for three years had broken the monotony of continuous forest, cannot be called settlers, nor would it be prudent to attempt to chronicle their comings and goings. A squatter community, such as York was from 1819 to 1822, would be a fruitful field for the study of character. Here were the class of people who may be termed the overflow of civilization—families driven from time to time from the public domain by legal owners. They push a little further along, crowding the savage before them. Their improvements are never of much value. A cabin, eight by ten feet in the clear, built of round logs, with a rough puncheon door and two holes over which white paper was pasted, the only windows. A mixture of mud and leaves filled the cracks, and the earth shorn of grass and smoothed down by bare feet, made a floor unnecessary. Squatters of this class farmed very little. In an Indian clearing, if one chanced to be in the neighborhood, or in a field prepared by cutting out the underbush and deadening the larger trees, they planted corn. Corn was the complement of game in their table-fare. Hunting and story-telling was the only occupation of this class of semi-civilized vagabonds. The women, rather from necessity than choice, were more industrious than the men. However much the children might be neglected in other particulars, and, indeed, were neglected, they had to be fed, and the mothers had to do it. They hoed the corn, harvested it, and cracked it on a block, while the men, rather as a pleasure than a duty, shot game and brought what could not be traded for whiskey, or some other luxury, to the cabin, where hands already overworked, prepared it for the table. It is often asked, "How did these people live?" When life loses every motive except existence, man becomes a very simple sort of animal. Culture and ambition are the creators of wants, to supply which toil, even hardship, is cheerfully endured. These people never aspired to the ownership of property, to the enjoyment of travel nor to the refinement of education. Good clothes would have made them uncomfortable and good houses miserable. The woods was their chosen paradise, and cabins preferable to a "house of many mansions." We cannot, of course, fathom the life of people and understand what circumstances have been their guides along the highway of existence. Crime, laziness, and disease are possible causes of their degradation.
But a respectable class of people also were known as squatters. Brave, industrious men and women left pleasant abodes and planted in the forest the germs of that civilization which is already bearing golden fruit. They bore with patience, not only the hardships which nature imposed, but also the depredations of the vagrants who hid gone before. The progress of material development is like the march of an invading army. Retreating barbarism is followed by a horde of half-breed camp-followers pressed closely by the skirmishers of the pursuing forces.
Legal barriers, for a while, prevented the rank and file of the pioneer army from occupying the fertile country beyond the limit of the Firelands. But when these barriers had been removed, the way was already opened by squatters in name, but settlers in reality.
Jeremiah Smith, one of the earliest set-
658 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
tiers of this township, removed from Fultonville, New York, in the fall of 1822, arriving at Bellevue, October 15th. He entered land near the central part of the township.
A. D. Follett, a son of Eliphalet Follett, of Huron county, settled in this township soon after the settlement of Mr. Smith. His family is of Norman origin, and came into England with William the Conqueror. One of the descendants was attorney general to Queen Victoria and member of Parliament for the city of Exeter. His monument in Westminster Abbey bears the inscription, "Sir William Webb Follett, Kt." The grandfather of Abel D. Follett was murdered at Wyoming during the Revolution. That day of dreadful butchery is one of the most barbarous episodes of American history. It was more than an Indian massacre. It was inspired, planned, and conducted by Tories, which name has become synonymous with treason. Among four hundred brave patriots who marched to the defence of their wives and children was Eliphalet Follett. The murderous horde of allied savages and Tories surrounded this brave company, of whom only twenty succeeded in cutting their way through the lines. One of these was Follett; but a bullet cut him down before reaching the opposite side of the Susquehanna. Mrs. Follett escaped the massacre of the women and children which followed, and with an old horse started toward the east, taking her six children, the oldest of whom was thirteen, and the youngest two. Before she had progressed far her arm was broken by an accident, but by heroic perseverance she succeeded in rescuing the family, which has become well known in the annals of Huron and Sandusky counties. Abel D. Follett, who settled in York, was a grandson of Eliphalet Follett, and son of Eliphalet Follett, jr., who settled in Huron county about
1820. Abel D. and Laura Follett removed to California.
The school section number sixteen was settled mostly by poor people, who may be classed as "good, bad, and indifferent." Some lived by begging, some by stealing, and a few by working. After the lines of ownership began to become marked many of the old squatters took to the school section, feeling sure that their days would be spent before the uncharitable hand of industrious landlords would defile, with axes and plows, this last haven of wandering humanity.
Sid Perry was a character in his day. He was an industrious visitor, especially about butchering time. Jeremiah Smith used to make a custom of saving the hogs' heads and bony meat, knowing that Sid's complaints of poverty and ingratitude of the world would be forced into his ears soon after the last squeal of the dying swine had ceased. Sid was a zealous Baptist, and always wanted to lead the singing. He had a nasal, high-keyed voice, and stretched out his syllables to a distressing length. He seemed to think of his wicked neighbors when he sang:
I long to see the season come
When sinners shall come marching hum.
Speaking of ardent church members calls to mind another early settler whose piety exceeded his education. Adam Brown lived on the ridge, and was in most respects a worthy man. Revivals always conquered his nerves. He had but one speech, which was delivered, seemingly with fear, certainly with trembling. His tearful sincerity drowned laughter even among the sinners, when he began his stereotype speech by saying: "Brethren and sistern, I tell you religion is good, I know it by exknowledge perimental."
There never was enough business along the pike to make taverns a necessity. They were to be found every mile or two.
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 659
Most of them were poor concerns, while others made comfortable stopping-places.
Henry McMillen had a cooper shop west of the Centre. It was an easy matter to get out staves and make barrels from the fine, straight timber in which the forest abounded. Barrels, too, were in considerable demand in Lower Sandusky, and Portland (now Sandusky), also a great many were used for shipping potash, which was extensively manufactured in the east part of this county.
Rollin Benson sold the first goods in the township. He brought with him from the East a stock of cotton fabrics and notions, also a barrel of whiskey, which was a necessary article of merchandise. When the whiskey, calicoes, muslins, etc., had been disposed of, the frontier merchant shut up store and moved away.
John Davenport was one of the first squatter settlers in the county. He lived on what is now known as the Nathan P. Bridseye farm, and then removed further north, where he entered land and died. His family went west. Davenport was the first postmaster in York, which was also the first post office in the east part of the county.
The Tuttles were early settlers of the southwest part of York and southeast part of Green Creek. They were of a sporting disposition, and often at raisings or log rollings demonstrated considerable combativeness.
The years 1824 and 1825 were sickly in York. Three of the prominent settlers were among the first to die. Mr. and Mrs. Longwell died in 1824, and Seth M. Murray in 1825.
Dr. L. Harkness was the physician for all this part of the country at that time. He found considerable difficulty in obtaining medicine. On one occasion he declared that he would give his horse for a bottle of quinine.
Oliver Comstock was an early settler on the North ridge, probably having come there before the land was in market.
Dr. Avery was the first physician in the township, but gave most of his attention to farming and clearing land.
William Christie settled on the farm on which John Davenport first settled. It next came into possession of his son-in-law, Nathan P. Birdseye.
The Utbey family settled early on the North ridge.
David Acklar, though generally a fair sort of a man, was in the habit of much drinking, and when under the influence of the beverage, so much used by the pioneers, was disposed to be quarrelsome. He had the reputation of being a fighter.
Doctor James Strong and Charles F. Drake purchased in the name of Z. Story a lot now occupied by the west part of the village of Bellevue.
Gideon Brayton was a large, good-natured settler of the north part of the township. His presence at a log-rolling or raising was an assurance that fun would be plentifully intermingled with the work. He came to York about 1825.
Return Burlingson was one of the early settlers of Bellevue. He afterwards moved to California, where he died.
Deacon Raymond was one of the first settlers on the pike. He was a local preacher and farmer.
The first tavern on the pike was opened by Reuben Pixley, who had a family of six sons — Reuben, Elanson, Alvah, George, Theron, and Charles. The Pixley's were a very religious family, and kept the York Centre tavern after the fashion of the times.
Wesley Anderson was the popular land-lord of the pike at a later date. He moved from York to Hamer's Corners, in Green Creek.
Hiram Baker was born at Homer,
660 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
Courtland county, New York, in the year 1798. His father, John Baker, was one of the early settlers of Lyme township. In 1817, while assisting to raise a log-house in York, he received an injury which resulted in his death the following day. Hiram thus found himself at the early age of eighteen, charged with the management of the farm and support of his mother. In the course of a few years he was obliged to sell the farm his father had purchased, getting some advance for the cost of improvements. He purchased a tract on Butternut ridge, in this county, and moved into an unfinished log-house in midwinter. Mechanics of all kinds were scarce, and Mr. Baker finding himself in need of shoes began cobbling with an awl made of a piece of forktine, pegs whittled out with a penknife, and common knives and hammers. He soon became expert in making the fashionable stoga shoes of the day. He could make two pair a day. His neighbors, and everybody within a distance of several miles were neighbors in those days, cheerfully gave a day's work for a pair of shoes and furnish the leather. In this way Mr. Baker soon succeeded in getting his farm under a good state of cultivation. Shoe. making being profitable, he sold his farm and moved to Bellevue, where he employed a journeyman and learned the trade regularly. Eventually his business became quite extensive and brought sufficient accumulation of property to make old age comfortable. He died in 1874. In 1826 Mr. Baker married Mary Ann Forbes, by whom he had three children—Arabella, Henry, and Hiram F., the last named being editor of the Bellevue Local News. Mr. Baker's first wife dying in 1835, he married, in 1836, Catharine Hagaman, daughter of John Hagaman. She was born in 1815. John H., her oldest child, died in 1880 leaving a wife and one child, Grace, David A., the second son, was a member of the Thirteenth Ohio Cavalry and was killed near Petersburg, Virginia, in 1864.
Elder John Mugg settled on the South ridge in 1822. Being a man of more than ordinary piety and a devout member of the Baptist church he at once began to plan for the organization of a religious society. His desire was realized in 1825, as will be seen further along in this chapter. He eventually became a preacher and exhorter. He bore the reputation of being a truly good man. His children were: Thomas, John B., William, Marcus, and Jesse, sons, and two daughters, Mary (Bennett), and Harriet (Colvin). Thomas, Mary, and Jesse died in Indiana; Marcus became a preacher and removed to Michigan, where he died; William farmed on the South ridge until his death; Mrs. Colvin died in this township. John B. Mugg, who was more intimately identified with the affairs of York than any of the other children, was born in New York in 1801. He married, in 1823, Susan Wheeler, and soon after removed to Ohio and settled in this township; but after a residence in the pioneer country of two years, they returned to New York, where they remained till 1836. Returning to York, they settled on the farm on which he died Their family consisted of nine children, only two of whom are living—William A. and George H., the last named of whom was born in 1838, married Adelia Hitt in 186o, and has three children—Elmer E., Luella E., and Susan M. He was in the nursery business in Green Creek township from 1872 to 1874.
In October, 1822, a party of four men, William McPherson, his brother-in-law Norton Russel, Lyman Babcock, and James Birdseye, left their homes in Ontario county, New York, for the purpose of
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 661
seeking new homes in the West. All, except Mr. Russel, were married, but left their families behind until a location could be selected. At Buffalo they engaged passage on a packet, but fearing robbery and personal violence at the hands of the crew, they concluded at the harbor at Ashtabula that safety was preferable to ease, and started for the Sandusky territory on foot. After two or three weary days walking Mr. Birdseye, who was the oldest member of the party, became exceedingly tired, and throwing himself down by the roadside, insisted that his hips had penetrated his body at least two inches. But the tiresome journey was at last finished, and as a result of it the county gained four good citizens. They each entered a quarter section of land, all in York, except Mr. McPherson, who settled in Green Creek. All except Mr. Russel returned to New York for their wives. A full sketch of the Birdseye family is found at the conclusion of this chapter. Further mention is made of Mr. McPherson in connection with Green Creek. Mr. Babcock was a worthy and respected citizen of York for many years. Mr. Russel married, in 1825, Sibyl McMillen, a daughter of Samuel McMillen, of Green Creek. The wedding ceremony was performed by James McIntyre, the Methodist preacher of this circuit for that year. He had by this time made considerable improvement on his farm on the North ridge, where he lived and raised a family of seven children, viz: John N. and William M., Clyde; Charles P., York; Phoebe S., wife of William Mugg, York; Sarah R. (Bell), Clyde; Mary M. (Taylor), Colorado Springs; and Belle R. (Culver), Cleveland. The children and grandchildren held a reunion at Mr. Russel's residence in Clyde, June 15, 1881, the occasion being the eightieth anniversary of his birth. Twenty-two grandchildren and one great-grandchild are living.
Joseph George, the oldest man now living in Clyde, and also one of the earliest pioneers, was born in Vermont, in 1795. He belonged to the volunteer militia of New York, when the British made the raid through Western New York and burned Buffalo, and at that time he was on the march. The war over, he married Sarah McMillen, and in 1819 came to Ohio, first stopping where Bellevue now is, at the frontier tavern kept by his cousin, Elnathan George. He first settled in Thompson township, but after a few years bought turnpike land, near the centre of York, which he improved after the fashion of the day. The land was not well adapted to agriculture and was therefore sold by Mr. George after a residence of nine years, at an advance barely covering the cost of improvements. This has since become a valuable tract on account of inexhaustible deposits of fine gravel. It is now owned by the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railroad company. Soon after Mr. George moved to York an incident occurred which shows the friendly disposition of the Indians who roamed through the extensive woodlands, hunting. Mrs. George started on horseback to the cabin on the pike, where Rollin Benson was disposing of a small stock of goods. In sight of the little store her horse frightened and threw her violently to the ground, inflicting a severe stunning and painful bruises. A party of Indians loafing near by seeing what had happened promptly came to her rescue, carried her to Amsden's Corners, and summoned medical aid. Mr. George removed from York to Townsend, where he lived thirty-three years, and then retired in Clyde, where he yet resides in the fullness of his years, being in the eighty-seventh year of his age. Mrs. George died in 1880, hav-
662 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
ing borne a family of fourteen children, thirteen of whom came to maturity. Nine are yet living: Lorenzo D., Allen county, Indiana; Alfred; Bowling Green, Ohio; Rev. Norton R., Hill City, Kansas, Joseph, jr., Clyde; Mrs. Archibald Richards, Clyde; Mrs. Joseph Whitehead, Clyde; Mrs. George McFarland, Bowling Green, Ohio; Mrs. Milton Gaskill, Medina, Michigan; and Mrs. James May, Fairfield, Michigan.
John Riddell, a native of Pennsylvania, removed to New York in 1824, at the age of twenty-four years. He married, in New York, in 1828, Laura Haynes, and three years later removed to Ohio and settled in York township, near York centre. They had one child, William B., who was one year old when his parents came to Ohio. In 1853 he married Barbara Cupp, and has a family of three children: Ida (Angel), Emma, and John C. John Riddell is one of the few old settlers still living. His wife died about nine years ago. He belongs to the Christian church. His son, W. B. Riddell, does a good farming business.
Isaac Slocum was born in Rhode Island, in 1775. He married, in Pennsylvania, Elizabeth Patrick, and they emigrated to Huron county, Ohio, in 1824, settling in Lyme township, where they remained five years, and then, in 1829, removed to York.. Mr. Slocum died in York in 1858. The family consisted of twelve children, five of whom are living, viz : Isaac, in Minnesota; William, in Iowa; Abel, in Wisconsin; Giles, in Minnesota; Elizabeth, the only daughter living, is the widow of Mason Kinney, and lives in York township.
Mason Kinney was born in 1806. In 1833 he married Elizabeth Slocum, by whom he had a family of seven children, six of whom are living: Mary, George, Sarah (Bachman), William, Joseph, and Erastus W. All the children, except Joseph, live in York township.
Prominent among the Pennsylvania German families of this township are the Harpsters. Jacob Harpster was born in Pennsylvania in 1811. He came to Ohio in 1834, and settled in Seneca county, where he lived five years, and then made York his permanent residence. He married, in 1838, Elizabeth Mook, and has a family of four children—Frederick, Jacob D., Benjamin F., who live in Kansas, and Eliza S., wife of Henry Miller, of York township.
Isaac Parker and family emigrated from Pennsylvania to Ohio in 1842, and remained in Huron county one year, then came to York township. Mr. Parker married Elizabeth Mook, also of Pennsylvania. He is still living; his wife died several years ago. They had nine children, seven of whom are living—Levi, in York township; Isaac, in Michigan; Jackson, in Erie county; Solomon, in Michigan; Anna (Rupert), in Michigan; Andrew, in the West; and Henry, in Iowa.
Levi Parker was born in Pennsylvania in 1823. In 1861 he married Caroline Michael, to whom seven children were born—George, Charles, Isaac, Mary, Oren, Emma, and Nettie.
Ephraim Sparks was born in New Jersey in 1790. He settled in Pennsylvania, and there married Sarah Cook in 1813. Four years later they removed to Tuscarawas county, Ohio, where Mrs. Sparks died, in 1828, and her husband in 1871. Your of their seven children are still living, two in this county—Randall and Isaac. The latter resides in Clyde. David died in Carroll county, Ohio, in February, 1881. The daughters now living are: Mrs. Elizabeth Tressel, Tuscarawas county, and Mrs. Mary Neal, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania.
Randall Sparks was born in Pennsylva-
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 663
nia in 1814. He married Ann Wingate in 1835, and settled in York township, his present residence. Mr. Sparks has served as justice of the peace six years, and has held other local offices. He is the father of eight children, only two of whom are living. Lemuel, the oldest, enlisted in company B, Seventy-second Ohio infantry, November 9, 1861, and participated in the battle of Shiloh. He died in camp before Corinth, May 16, 1862, in the twenty-sixth year of his age. Catharine died January 5, 1858, in her nineteenth year; Albert died May 31, 1861, in his twentieth year. Leslie E. was mustered in as a member of company M, First regiment Ohio Heavy Artillery; he was drowned in the Tennessee River, near Loudon, Tennessee, June 2, 1864, in the twenty-first year of his age. Melissa died November 6. 1869, in her twenty-second year; Elinda Jane died April 25, 1872, in the twenty-second year of her age. The surviving children are Wilbur L., born February 27, 1854, and Ella B., born June 15, 1859; both reside at home.
Samuel Shutts was a native of New Jersey, and was born in 1797. His family moved to New York while he was young. He married in New York, and in 1847, with his wife and five children, removed to Sandusky county, and settled in York township, where his wife died in 1855, leaving five children—Oliver J., Mary, Sarah H., John, and Emma. Mr. Shutts removed to Ballville township in 1861. Oliver J., the oldest child, was born in New York in 1828; he married, in 1859, Margaret Barlow, of York township; their children are all deceased. Mr. Shutts was one of the founders of the Diabetic Cure at Green Springs.
John Mook was born in Pennsylvania in 1765. He was married in Pennsylvania, in 1818, to Mary Baughy, and in 1836 removed to Western New York. In 1844 they came to Ohio, and settled in this township. Seven of their nine children are yet living—Mary, wife of Isaac Parker, York township; Abraham, New York State; Effie, wife of Lewis Burgess, New York State; Solomon, living in Illinois; Sampson, in New York, and Benjamin, in York township. The last named was born in Pennsylvania in. 1820; he came to Ohio with his parents, and in 1848 married Susan Boyer, who was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, in 1827. Their family consists of nine children, viz.:' Simon B., Fidelia, Malcomb, Samuel E., Elmer J., Clara, Emma and Emerson (twins), and William G. Mr. Mook made carpentering a business while living in New York. John Mook, father of the Mooks of this township, died in 1848. His wife survived him ten years.
William, the only living child of William and Mary Mills, was born of Jersey parentage, in 1809. He married Cornelia Berry in 1857, and has a family of two children-Eliza J., Huron county, and Mary E., York township.
William Dymond was born in England, in 1811. He married Elizabeth Greenslade, in 1838. The family consists of eleven children, viz.: James, resides in Kansas; John, Huron county; Anna (Coleman), Clyde; William, jr., Kansas Richard, died in 1872; Samuel; Alice (Clacknor); Alfred, York township; Elizabeth (Stutler), Toledo; Mary, Frank, and Frederick, York township. Mr. Dymond is a mason, and followed that trade thirty years. He has resided in this county since 1848.
James F. Smith was born in New York, in 1809. He removed to Pennsylvania in 1823, where he married, in 1833, Elizabeth Alexander. They settled in Huron county, Ohio, in 1843, and removed to York township five years later. Six of their eleven children are living, viz: Mary
664 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
J., York township; Charles, Kansas; John, Kansas; Alice, York township; Samuel and Clara B., York township. Mr. Smith is a carpenter, and worked at that trade twenty years. He has been extensively engaged in the manufacture of lime for about twenty years.
Joseph P. Roush was born in Pennsylvania, in 1814. In 1839 he married Catharine Kreisher, and with his family moved to York township in 1856. Five children are living and two are dead. Charles F. and James P. reside in York township; John Henry, at Lindsey; Mary E. (Williams), in Huron county; and William A., in York. Alice and George W. are deceased. Mr. Roush attends his farm, but during the winter works at tailoring. He has about two hundred acres of good land. Mr. and Mrs. Roush, and Charles, belong to the Reformed church. Mrs. Williams is a Methodist.
Gideon Billman and family, originally from Berks county, Pennsylvania, moved to Sandusky county in 1848, and settled where the sons now live, in York township. Mr. Billman married Hannah Donner, and to them were born six sons and three daughters. Three of the sons and all of the daughters survive. George resides near Burr Oak, Michigan; John and George, on the home farm; Susan is the wife of John Bauchman, York township; Sarah is the wife of Joseph Smith, Erie county; Mary Jane, the wife of Henry Toogood, resides in Sturgis, Michigan. The father and mother have both died within the past six years.
George Billman was married, in 1876, to Mary Ann Boop, a native of Groton township, Huron county. They have live sons—Joseph, James, George, Cloyd, and Frank. Mr. Billman and his brother are Democrats. They worked at fencemaking several years, and have been carrying on the same business in connection withtheir farming for the last fifteen years.
M. J. Tichenor removed from New York to York township in 1851. He was born in 1821, and, in 1827, married Joanna Torrence, a daughter of William H. and Salome Torrence. Nine children blessed this union—Mary A. (Tea), Clyde; Helen (Kline), York township; Zachariah, Kansas; Salome (Lemmon), Townsend township; George, Ida, Elizabeth (Haff), Jessie, and John, York township. Mr. Tichenor was an active, energetic citizen until his death. Mrs. Tichenor continues a resident of York.
Jacob Kopp was born in Pennsylvania in 1827. In 1851 he removed to Erie county, Ohio, and in 1859 to York township. He married Matilda E. McCauley in 1853. The fruit of this union is six children, as follows: John P., Minnesota; Frances (Hoy), Erie county; Benjamin F., Anna E., Abraham L., and Alice E., York township. Mr. Kopp is a Republican. He and his family belong to the Reformed church. He has five hundred and fifty-four acres, and does an extensive farming business. Commencing with little, he is now in very good circumstances as the reward of his untiring energy.
One of the first of the "Pennsylvania Dutch" settlers in York was Adam Jordan. He was horn in 1803, and in 1829 married, in Pennsylvania, Sophia Orwig. They came directly to York and settled on the farm on which he died in 1861. She died in 1872. Their family consisted of eight children, viz : Sarah (Weaver), Lucas county; Martin, Lucas county; Lucy (McCauley), York township; Joseph, Mary, Hannah M., James, and George W. live
in York township.
William Frederick was born in Pennsylvania in 1796. He married, in 1835, Catharine Kline, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1809. In 1861 they removed to York, where they still live. Their eight
children are: George, York township; Jesse, Maumee, Ohio; William, jr., York township; James, Michigan; Samuel, York township, and Henry, Riley township. Reuben and Robert are dead. Mr. Frederick, though well advanced in years, enjoys good health.
Godfrey Deck, one of the later settlers of this county, was born in Pennsylvania in 1805. He married Christiana Bixler in 1827: settled in York in 1864. He had a family of five children. He died in York in 1871. She is yet living. John, the oldest child, was born in Pennsylvania in 1828. In 1852 he married Sarah Klingman, who bore a family of eight children, five of whom are living: A. H. and Sarah C., York township; Anna M. (Bradley), Canada; John F. and William G., York township. The names of those that are deceased were Christiana, Charley, and Joseph. All died young.
Edward Kern was born in Pennsylvania in 1825. He came to Ohio in 1833, and settled in Seneca county, where he married Sarah Stetler in 1846. In 1871 he removed to York township. His family consists of six children, viz: A. J. and Jacob H., Seneca county; Samuel E., York township; Mary F., wife of John Swartz, Michigan; Laura E. (Stewart), York township, and Abbie E. (Ebbersol), Missouri. Mr. Kern's parents were George Jacob and Elizabeth (Shuck) Kern, both natives of Pennsylvania. After coming to Ohio they lived and died in Seneca county. They brought up a family of five sons and five daughters. All, excepting three daughters, are still living. The sons are: Yost, St. Joseph county, Michigan; George, Bellevue; Isaac, Seneca county; Edward, York township; Bennel, in Iowa. The daughters: Sophia, deceased; Sarah, deceased, was the wife of John Romick, Seneca county; Hannah, wife of George Heater, Bellevue; Mary married Jacob Miller, and died at Coldwater, Michigan; Rachel, the widow of Jacob Sieber, resides in Seneca county.
Jacob Hilbish, a native of Pennsylvania, came to York township in 1871, and settled on the farm which he now occupies. He married Susannah Paulin, also a native of Pennsylvania. They have had six sons and three daughters, viz: Harriet, wife of Nathan Knauer, Pennsylvania; Agnes, wife of Daniel Cleckner, Seneca county; Ammon, Pennsylvania; Aaron, in the West; Matilda, wife of George Hassenplug, York township; Charles, Kansas; Wilson, at home; James, Indiana; David, Illinois. Mr. Hilbish has a good farm of one hundred and thirty-seven acres, situated near town, and does a good farming business.
A WEDDING EPISODE.
A wedding in a new country is a particularly interesting event. Our pioneer fathers and mothers had no newspapers to interest them with the events of the world at large, nor did many of them have books to occupy an occasional hour stolen from the clearing or farm. Similar surroundings and pursuits effected a kind of homogeneity in the community. These two circumstances conduced to a social feeling and interest which it is impossible to appreciate at the present day. Marriage is the second great event in the life of an individual, and the one in which people generally are more interested than any other. It is but natural, therefore, that in a community bound together by personal friendship and social unity, the prospect of a wedding became the family talk of every cabin.
The story of an early wedding in York, as told by a gay and favorite beau among the red-cheeked lasses of the time, furnishes a pleasing episode to the naturally dry chronicle of prosy facts.
Miss Abigail Bardman, a gay, vivacious, and handsome girl just past her teens,
666 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
tired of the changeless succession of events at her home in New York, and captivated by the romance of border life as pictured in the letters of her sister, Mrs. Knickerbocker, from York, resolved upon a visit to the new Sandusky country. Having packed the plainest articles of her wardrobe she started upon the long journey, and in a few weeks was the guest of her sister's cabin home. She at once conquered the rural beaux, while on the other hand the strong and manly knights of the forest found favor in her sight. Mr. Platt, from Huron county, pushed his suit most ardently and won the pearl. The pain of jealousy was part of the price, for he suspected Norton Russel of being a rival and feared the issue. The load bore heavily upon Mr. Platt's heart. One day he and Mr. Russel were teaming together. Determined to know whether his companion was a stumbling-block in the way of his most cherished ambition, he asked in the most confidential manner possible the exact status of affairs. On being informed by Mr. Russel that there was no cause for anxiety, deep melancholy took rapid wings and the pathway of the lovers was straight and clear until the eventful wedding day. That consummation is best told in the following lines, written by another :*
When York was wild, when in her woods
The clearings' timbers nightly blazed;
When deer grazed in those solitudes,
And but few hardy men had raised
Their cabin roofs; it chanced a pair
Of lovers from an Eastern State
Here met, and here agreed to share
Their lives, and leave the rest to fate.
The records say not whether it
Was when the woods leaf, or when the wheat
Was ripe, or when the wild geese quit
This clime, or 'mid the snow and sleet
The day was set; but we judge it
Was in the season for bare feet—
The sequel shows. Enough to tell,
One smiling mom, a smiling set
Of settlers, friends from hill and dell,
Had, in invited concourse, met
* W. G. Zeigler.
To witness the solemnities
Of marriage in New England style.
The bride in white, all blushes, sighs,
Was like all brides, most sweet; her smile.
Soft sunshine; and the groom was dressed
In black, as were his Eastern kin,—
A gay assemblage for the West.
All things were ready, and loud in
Its " Varmount" casings struck the clock
Twelve sounding strokes, still was not heard
The parson's long-expected knock.
What could the good man have deterred ?
Most gloomy grew the good groom's face;
The bride felt his anxiety,
And, sighing, sat and gazed in space;
The housewife lost her piety,
And maledictions poured apace
Upon the tardy parson's head,
As fast the steaming feast grew cold,—
That marriage feast already spread
To be devoured, the service told.
Right here arose a settler old,
And with some hesitation said:
"I swow thish 'ere's a powerful shame!
These woods ‘ll get no population,
Ef parsons be so slack. Why blame
My soul, it's manner all creatton!
But I hev got a good idee
Thet soon'll make these two relation.
I know thet you'uns chu'ch-folk be,
An' a chu'ch-weddin' you desire,
But law without an ordained man
Can bind. Let's call Ballard, the squire."
Objections to this wise man's plan
Were scattered like the wind-blown straws.
And word dispatched unto the squire
To seize his hat, to seize his laws,
And come forthwith as to a fire.
Time passed; at length was heard the slap
Of bare, flat number tens before
The house, and then, without a rap,
Wide swung the creaking puncheon door.
A general snicker rose, then died
As one would snuff a candle's flame.
What wonder, when they all descried
The figure of the man who came!
A tattered hat of straw revealed
Red hairs through every gaping tear;
A matted, sandy beard concealed
The staring face beneath the hair.
A woollen shirt, no coat, no vest;
The baggy breeches home-spun blue,—
Thus stood the last-invited guest,
And gruffly stammered, "How dye do?"
As 'gainst the casement rude he leaned.
"Are you the Justice?" some one cried;
And, in the quiet that intervened,
"I guess I be," the man replied;
"You're one, I 'spect, (the groom he eyed,)
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 667
An' you, I reckon, am the tother,"
And nodded toward the happy bride,
Who vainly tried a smile to smother.
"Right? Guess I be ! Stan' over there."
The wond'ring pair rose side by side;
The housewife breathed a silent prayer;
The squire stepped in with one long stride,
He cast his straw hat on the floor,—
That straw hat minus top and band,-
Then turned his Treatise' pages o'er
Most slowly with his trembling hand,
To where Ohio's laws provide
How weddings shall be sanctified;
What forms the Justice sage shall guide;
What questions ask the groom, the bride:
What costs assess when they are tied.
One foot he rested on his knee,
Then on the knee thus raised he put
The opened book, and thus stood he
As asleep a goose with one web-foot
Hid in her wing, while high o'er head
Hot beats the sun. Then tracing slow,
With finger brown, he spelt and read
In drawling tones, pitched deep and low,
And closed by saying, "Yous be wed."
The squire's bare foot fell to the floor;
He stooped and seized his tattered hat,
Then looked towards the puncheon door,
And wished that he was out of that.
"You'll stay to dinner?" "No," he said.
"Salute the bride?" His face grew red,
Then all the color from it fled;
Unnerved he stood and shook his head;
But still remained as in suspense,
Until the groom placed in his hand
The usual fee, with fifty cents
Additional, which made expand
The squire's blue eyes and mouth immense.
Slow backed he from the cabin trim;
Slow climbed he o'er the clearing's fence;
Deep were the woods that swallowed him !
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The pioneer church of York township was the Free-will Baptist. The first page of the church book reads:
Be it remembered that on the twenty-third day of June, 1825, a number of Christian brethren of the order of Free-will Baptist, met in the town of York, county of Sandusky, for the express purpose of being organized into a church composed of the following brethren, to wit: Elder John Mugg, Jered H. Miner, Jeremiah P. Brown, Moses George, Abner Walker, James Benton, Thomas Mugg, John B. Mugg, Elisha B. Mugg, Polly Brown, and Lydia Miner. These brethren, agreeably to the rules of the New Testament, were organized into a church, and received by the right hand of Christian fellowship from Elder Bradford.
The society thus formed was known as the Free-will Baptist church of York township. Meetings were held at the houses of Jeremiah Brown and John Mugg until the log-school house (the first one on the south ridge) was built. In 1855 the meeting-house on the south ridge was built, but the organization has been losing its membership gradually, until but one remains—Mrs. Jeremiah Smith. Sunday-school continues to be held in the meeting-house during the summer months. The cemetery, which is one of the oldest in the north part of the township, was donated by John Calvin. Tryphena C. Smith was the first person buried in this cemetery. This church, in its early history, being the only religious society, collected, into its membership nearly everybody in the neighborhood.
The next religious society organized in York, was the Christian church, the first members of which were James Haynes and wife, Moses George and wife, and John Riddell and wife. Elder Mallery was the first preacher. He was succeeded by Elder Vail, who removed from New York to Huron county in 1839, and took charge of the churches in this part of the State. He had been a Methodist during the first years of his clerical life, but became a zealous preacher of the denomination which he afterwards joined. Under Elder Vail's ministry the Free chapel was built in 1842. In 1849 he removed to York, where he died in 1878. Elder Manville succeeded to the pastorate. The meeting-house is the oldest in the township. Services are held regularly.
Emanuel Evangelical church is composed mostly of Pennsylvanians. Isaac Parker was a member of the church in Pennsylvania, and after settling in York, collected the families of Michael Waltz, Jacob Harpster, David Harpster and John Orwig and formed a class, which
668 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY
met in private houses. Rev. Mr. Nevil was the first preacher. This was about 1850. In 1860 the frame church on the pike was built. The organization of a class at Bellevue divided the membership, but each year has brought new accessions, so that there are about eighty members at present. The first class leader was John Orwig. Succeeding leaders have been Reuben Parker, Daniel Loudenschlager, John Null, Daniel Mook, Henry Mook, Michael Finsinger and Jere Filhering.
The United Brethren began holding meetings in the southwest part of York. As the Pennsylvania element of the population grew the membership increased until in 1863 the class had acquired sufficient strength to build a meeting-house. The house and class took the name "Mount Carmel" and is supplied by the pastor of Clyde circuit.
BELLEVUE.
ITS LOCATION.
About one-half of the village lies in Huron, and the other half in Sandusky county. The county line road, or that part of it lying within the corporate limits of the village, being called West street, divides the town into nearly equal divisions. The centre of this road is the western limit of the Firelands and of the Western Reserve. The eastern half of Bellevue is situated in the extreme northwestern part of Lyme township, and the western half in the southwestern part of York township, Sandusky county. The southwestern corner of Erie county, and the northeast corner of Seneca county, lie adjoining the extreme northeast and southwest limits of the village. The town is situated on the southern branch of the Toledo and Cleveland division of the Lake Shore railroad, the New York, Chicago & St. Louis railroad, and the Wheeling & Lake Erie railroad.
ITS NAME.
The post office was first known as York X Roads, and the village was called Amsden's Corners, in honor of T. G. Amsden, its first merchant. It continued to be so known until the year 1839, when, upon the completion of the Mad River & Lake Erie railroad to this point, it was changed to Bellevue. The prevailing opinion among the old settlers is that it was so named in honor of James H. Bell, the civil engineer who surveyed the route through this place for the Mad River road. Some, however, claim that the proprietors of the road, and the chief residents of the town agreed upon the name of Bellevue because the signification of the word made it an appropriate name for the village, which, by reason of its location and surroundings, well merited a name which means "a beautiful view." At all events the name has a musical ring, and no resident of the place can regret that it was so called.
ITS FIRST SETTLERS.
The year 1815 marks the date when Mr. Mark Hopkins, the first settler within the corporate limits of Bellevue as now established, came to this locality. He came hither with his family and accompanied by a bachelor brother, from Genessee county, New York, and built a log house on land now owned and occupied by Peter Bates.
Elnathan George, from the same place, was the next settler. He purchased one acre of land embracing, with other contiguous ground, the lot whereon now stands the Tremont House. He gave a cow in exchange for his purchase. Here was built, by Mr. George, the second building of the town, in the year 1816. In the following year he built an addition to his dwelling and opened his house as a tavern.
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 669
The third newcomer was Return Burlingson, who selected land on the Sandusky county side, and in the year 1817 built him a log dwelling, and started a blacksmith shop. His purchase comprised what is now known as the Herl property. Mr. Burlingson was a resident of Bellevue for many years, but finally left for California.
In the year 1819 Mr. John C. Kinney completed a log house near the present site of the Bellevue bank building.
This year, 1819, marks the date of the arrival of two very important newcomers, men who were identified with the history of the village, and to whom, more than any other two men, was it indebted for its prosperity. These men were Thomas G. Amsden and Frederick A. Chapman. The Chapmans came first to Ohio in 1814, soon followed by Mr. Amsden, and, establishing their headquarters at the mouth of the Huron River, carried on a very successful traffic with the Indians, exchanging with them goods and articles of which the red men stood in need, for pelts and furs. Besides trading with the Indians, they were engaged in hunting and trapping. They were daring and intrepid, full of push and energy, with excellent business abilities, and though they were young men, they accumulated considerable means for those days. Mr. Chapman's father and brother followed him to Ohio in a year or two after his own arrival and settled at or near the present town of Huron, in Erie county. In 1819 Mr. Amsden and Mr. Chapman came to this locality and began the purchase of property at this point, and did all in their power to attract settlers hither.
However, they continued their traffic with the Indians and French, and for two years Mr. Amsden made his headquarters at Carrion River, now Port Clinton. In 1821 he established himself at Detroit, and during the latter part of 1822 he carried on a mercantile business at Green Bay for Daniel Whitney. In 1823 he returned to this locality. He brought from Boston a stock of goods, and, in partnership with Mr. Chapman, opened the first store at this point in November, 1823. This was Bellevue's pioneer store, and the business was carried on in the building erected by Mr. Burlingson, which stood on ground now occupied by the town hall. They opened a store at the same time at Castalia, Mr. Chapman taking charge of the business at that point, and Mr. Amsden of the business at this point. It was at this time that the village received its name of "Amsden's Corners."
In the meantime Charles F. Drake had settled here, and in the year 1822 purchased of the Government the east one-half of the southeast quarter of section twenty-five of what now is York township, embracing the greater part of the present village on the Sandusky county side, and in 1823 Captain Zadoc Strong entered for Dr. James Strong the eight acres next west. Mr. Nathaniel Chapman was among the first citizens of the place. Like his brother, he had traded with the Indians, and when he arrived here for the purpose of making this his home, he had some means.
He purchased a large tract of land, a part of it lying within the present limits of the village. He was a man of strong, native ability, and was always recognized as one of the leading men of the town. He possessed the ability to accumulate property, and died worth a good many thousands of dollars. He dealt largely in real estate, and in the purchase and sale of sheep, horses, and cattle. He and Mr. Bourdette Wood together purchased large tracts of land in the West. He was universally esteemed for his sound business integrity, and for his liberality in the support of benevolent enterprises. He do-
670 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
nated the lands upon which the old Baptist church stands, and, in many ways, proved himself a staunch friend of all institutions whose object is the enlightenment and elevation of man.
His daughter Angeline, in 1846, married the Rev. James M. Morrow, a prominent minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. He was a chaplain in the late war for about two years, and was connected with the Ninety-ninth Ohio infantry. While in the service he came home several times on various benevolent errands for the soldiers of his regiment—the last time, in December, 1863. Returning January 4, he was fatally injured in a railroad collision near Dayton, Ohio, to which place he was taken, and died there February 12, 1864. His widow resides in Bellevue.
THE GROWTH OF BELLEVUE.
From 1825 to 1840 the growth of the village was slow, and it was not until about the time of the building of the Mad River railroad to this place, in 1839, that the advancement of the town received any considerable impetus. This was an event of no little importance to the prospects of the place, and in 1835, in view of the approaching completion of the road, the land of the village on the Huron county side was purchased of Gurdon Williams by F. A. Chapman, T. G. Amsden, L. G. Harkness, and others, who lent their best efforts to the advancement of the place. The decade from 183o to 1840 witnessed a number of important arrivals in Bellevue —men who became permanently identified with the town, and to whom its rapid prosperity was in no small measure due. Dr. L. G. Harkness, who had been a practicing physician in the western part of York township, came in 1833. Abram Leiter came the same year. J. B. Higbee and Benjamin and David Moore came in 1835. William Byrnes came in 1835. H. H. Brown was at this time the hotel keeper, and was very active in his efforts to assist the growth of the place. In 1835 the population of the village could not have exceeded a hundred people, while in 1840, a year after the completion of the Mad River railroad, it numbered not less than five hundred, and at the date of its incorporation, 1831, about eight hundred.
Cuyler Green came here from New York State at the age of twenty-two, where he was born March in, 1811. Upon his arrival he was engaged as salesman for Chapman & Harkness, and afterwards superintended for Chapman & Amsden the old stone tavern, since called the Exchange hotel. He built the old stone blacksmith shop that for so many years stood where the Bellevue bank building now is. In later years he became the landlord of the Exchange hotel, and then of the Bellevue House, and then purchased the farm on the pike, two miles east of town, now known as the Richards farm.
In 1852, the Toledo, Norwalk & Cleveland railroad was located through Bellevue, and in the following year completed, and the cars came whistling through here from the four points of the compass—north, south, east and west. New impetus to the life of the village was given by this event, and the town rapidly increased in population. The country had also been rapidly settled, and Bellevue, situated in the midst of a fine wheat growing country, came to be an important market for the shipment of grain. The Higbee flouring mill was erected in 1850, and other manufacturing enterprises were soon established. The Mad River road was lost to the place in 1855, but the detriment to business on this account was not serious. The town continued to enlarge and populate, while the surrounding country in every direction became thickly settled with an industrious farming population.
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 671
INCORPORATION.
The town was incorporated by act of Legislature January 25, 1851, its charter limits embracing an area of about one mile from east to west, by about one-half mile from north to south, the centre of the area being the central point of intersection of Main street with the county line. In the month of February, 1851, the following were chosen the village officers: Abraham Leiter, mayor; S. L. Culver, recorder; Thomas G. Amsden, Eliphalet Follett; Benjamin F. McKim, David Armstrong and Joseph M. Lawrence, trustees. The corporate limits were enlarged in 1869, so as to be about one mile and a half from east to west and from north to south.
DISTINCT CLASSES OF POPULATION.
The village has a population of about twenty-five hundred inhabitants. This population embraces not less than four distinct classes of people, each of which is represented by about the same number of individuals. First there are those of American birth, whose parents came to this region at an early day, from New England or New York State, and who were the real pioneers. Representative families of this class are the Chapmans, the Woodwards, the Harknesses, the Woods (the Bourdette branch), the Sheffields, the Greenes, the Bakers, etc. Second, there are the Pennsylvania people; many of whom came, at an early day—a thrifty, sober, industrious class. They are represented by the Moores, the Hilbishes, the Sherchs, the Leiters, the Boyers, the Kerns, etc. Third, came the English, England born, of whom may be mentioned the Greenslades, the Wills, the Heals, the Fords, the Maynes, the Joints, the Radfords, etc.; and the Germans, who perhaps outnumber any other one class. Of these may be mentioned the Egles, Ruffings, the Biebrichers, the Liebers, the Webers, the Ailers, the Setzlers, etc. The Yankees were the first to arrive, then the Pennsylvania Dutch people, then the Germans, and lastly the English.
CHURCHES.
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
This church was first organized on September 20, 1836, by a committee from the Presbytery of Huron, and was started as a Presbyterian church on what was known as the accommodation plan,—that is, a church under the care of a Presbytery, but which received and dismissed its members, and transacted other business, not by a vote of the elders, but by a vote of the whole church.
The number of male members at the organization was nine; five of these brought letters from the church at Lyme, Ohio; three from churches in the State of New York, and one from Norwalk.
Among many important resolutions adopted on the day of the organization, was one declaring that the manufacture or sale of intoxicating liquors was an immorality which, if practiced by any member of this church, made him liable to discipline the same as if guilty of any other immorality.
The church continued under care of the Presbytery ten years, and then, so far as we are able to learn from the records, with much unanimity, decided to separate itself from its Presbyterial connection, and become a regular Congregational church. This action was taken March 7, 1846.
The first pastor called by the church after the reorganization was Rev. A. D. Barber, who was installed by a council October 19, 1853. Mr. Barber's salary was four hundred dollars, and parsonage, which shows that the society had a parsonage at that time. This pastorate continued five years. In the following year after Mr. Barber's departure. the church
672 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
called the Rev. James W. Cowles, and offered him a salary of seven hundred dollars. Mr. Cowles served the church about three years, and was succeeded on October 30, 1863, by Rev. John Safford.
During this pastorate the house of worship was removed, enlarged and repaired. The work was completed in the fall of 1865, and immediately afterwards the church invited Mr. Safford to become its installed pastor with an increase of three hundred dollars in salary. Mr. Safford accepted the call, but seems to have continued in the pastoral relation only about a year.
When the house of worship was originally built, it seems that the pews were sold with the understanding that the buyers became permanent owners. This arrangement was a source, afterwards, of much inconvenience to the society. The owners were not all induced to give their pews up again to the society until some time in 1868.
After the departure of Pastor Safford, in 1867, the Rev. S. B. Sherrill was called and was acting pastor from December, 1867, until some time in 1873, a period of nearly six years. The successor of Mr. Sherrill was the Rev. J. W. White, whose letter accepting the call of the church is dated February 28, 1874. Mr. White's labors did not begin until some time after this acceptance, and closed near the end of 1878, continuing with the church a little more than four years. Within two months after Mr. White's resignation, the church called Rev. S. W. Meek, who was installed in the pastoral office by the council on February 11, 1879, having begun his labors with the church on the 1st of January, previous.
The church has been blessed at various times in its history by revivals. In the year 1854, during the pastorate of A. D. Barber, thirty-seven were received intomembership of the church. In 1859 twenty-two were added to the church. Again, in 1861, the church was visited by a revival which resulted in the addition of twenty to the membership. In the year 1865, during the labors of Mr. Safford, seventeen were received into membership; and in 1870, under Mr. Sherrill's labors, twenty-three connected themselves with the church. In 1873, the year that Mr. Sherrill closed his labors, forty-five names were added to the roll.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
of Bellevue, was formed in the year 1839. The first class was composed of James Anderson, his wife, Betsy, and daughter, Melissa; Alvin Anderson, his wife, Harriet, and daughter, Adaline ; and Mann and daughter. Meetings were held at this time in the stone school-house, standing on the site at present occupied by the school-building near the Episcopal church. In about 1835 this church erected a substantial brick edifice, at a cost of some five thousand dollars. This building is at present owned by the German Lutheran society. After organization, however, the church fitted up a room in the second story of the warehouse, standing where the Richards and Egle block now stands, and this was occupied until the building of the church as before stated.
The present elegant church edifice was completed during the summer of 1868, and was dedicated by Bishop Simpson on August 17, of that year, and cost, including real estate and parsonage, some thirty thousand dollars. Among the largest contributors to the erection of the church are: Messrs. Anderson, Higbee, Williams, Dole, Adams, and Huffman. The first resident minister was Rev. Oliver Burgess, who remained two years. Father Anderson gives from memory, the following names of ministers who have preached
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 673
to this church in Bellevue: Wilson, Camp, Pierce, Hill, Cooper, Fast, Start, Fant, Pounds, Breakfield, Thompson, Worden, Spafford, Morrow, and Cables.
In 1852, when the minister's "historical record" begins, the church reported a membership of two hundred and twelve, and three hundred scholars in attendance at Sabbath-school, Rev. Samuel Beatty, pastor. September 18, 1852, it was formally organized as a station, with the following board of stewards: H. R. Adams, Alvin Anderson, Jesse Haskell, W. W. Stilson, J. B. Higbee, Orrin Dole, and Barney Campbell. Its leaders were Jesse Haskell, Campbell, O. Dole, David Williams, and W. Curtiss. Superintendent of Sabbath-school, W. W. Stilton. 1853—William M. Spafford, pastor. He was succeeded in 1854 by Rev. Wesley J. Wells. The following are the pastors from that time to the present (1881): 1855—John Mudge; 1857—William Richards; 1859 —Asbury B. Castle; 1861—Daniel Stratton; 1862—Simon P. Jacobs; 1863-E. Y. Warner; 1865-Garretson A. Hughes; 1868—E. Y. Warner; 1871—Elvero Persons. He was succeeded by Rev. Searls. T. Warner succeeded him, remained three years, and was succeeded by Rev. G. W. Pepper, who was appointed at the Wellington conference, in 1879. The prosperity of the church seems to have declined under Mr. Pepper's charge, and during the latter part of his pastorate the pulpit was filled by a stated supply, Mr. Pepper making a trip to Europe. In September last the conference appointed Rev. 0. Badgely pastor, who is now officiating.
PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Before there was any parish organization in Bellevue, the Rev. Ephraim Punderson officiated from the year 1842 to that of 1847; but not until April, 1851, was the parish duly organized by Rev. Dr. Bronson. Messrs. T. G. Amsden and John Grimes were chosen wardens; Messrs. F. A. Chapman, G. Woodward, and G. W. Sheffield, vestrymen; and, on September 10, 1851, this parish was received into connection with the Protestant Episcopal church.
In the spring of 1852 Rev. R. K. Nash was chosen rector, and the church building was begun and enclosed. Mr. Nash having resigned in 1854, the building remained unfinished. In the spring of 1857 an effort was made to open the church, and a rector was called. Rev. M. Hamilton took charge of the church on the first Sunday in July, 1857.
Improvements were made in the old church building, and the old debt paid off, and the church was consecrated by Bishop Bedell, in January, 1861.
The lot and buildings cost about three thousand five hundred dollars. In July, 1869, the parish became self-supporting, and the following year repairs and improvements were made, at a cost of one thousand four hundred dollars.
The first Sunday-school was organized by the Rev. M. Hamilton in 1857. In 1881 George A. Holbrook succeeded to the rectorate of the parish.
ST. PAUL'S REFORMED CHURCH.
The members of St. Paul's Reformed church originally worshiped at the Free Chapel, a few miles west of Bellevue. Some, a goodly number, were also members of the Zion's church, in Thompson township, Seneca county. In February, 1862, Rev. Eli Keller commenced to preach in Bellevue. Services were held in the old school building, owned by Mr. George Weikert, afterwards in the old Methodist Episcopal church, then again in the old schoolhouse. At this time, a weekly prayer-meeting was well sustained, and a Sunday-school organized. August 16, 1862, at a meeting held at the chapel, it was resolved that a church should be
674 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
built in, or near, Bellevue, and measures taken to select a site and procure building funds. The cornerstone of the church was laid on the 19th of June, 1864. On the 19th of June, 1865, the church was dedicated; sermons by Rev. M. Kieffer, D. D., and Rev. H. Rust, D. D. The ceremonies of laying the cornerstone were performed by Rev. E. Keller, the pastor.
Some time in the fall of 1865, the St. Paul's Reformed congregation was organized by the election of a consistory of elders and deacons. Since 1865 the following persons served respectively as elders, deacons, and trustees, viz: Jacob Bunn, Levi Korner, D. S. Arnold, John Hilbish, H. Kimmel, Isaac Kern, elders, John Bunn, David Hoch, Moses Miller, Joseph Zieber, John Bowman, Aaron Walters, William Knauss, John Deck, Benjamin Bunn, W. C. Smith, William Aigler, and J. Ferdinand Smith, deacons; David Hoch, Harrison Wilt, Elias Schmidt, Henry Stetler, John Deck, Aaron Walters, Jacob Aigler, and Frederick Smith, trustees. The Sunday-school was organized in the old Weiker school-house; superintendent, a Mr. Albert. Since 1865 Mr. John Hilbish has been the superintendent, with the exception of one year, when Rev. J. H. Derr officiated as head of the school.
In the year 1872, July 1, Rev. Eli Keller resigned the pastorate, having served the people for a period of eleven years. He was succeeded by Rev. Joshua H. Derr, on the 1st of December, 1872. His pastorate continued for four and a half years, closing his services June 3, 1877. During this pastorate the congregation suffered serious damage to their church edifice by a severe storm, which took off about one-third of the roof and also broke down the gable end to the square. This much injured the ceiling and the interior in general. A cost of about one thousanddollars restored and much improved the now beautiful and commodious church.
The congregation owns the cemetery adjoining the church, and a large and comfortable parsonage. The present pastor, Rev. N. H. Loose, took charge of the congregation August 1, 1877. The interests of the church are prosperous and encouraging.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
St. John's Evangelical Lutheran church was organized January 7, 1866, under the laws of the State of Ohio. The directors were Adam Zehner, Christian Engel, and Philip Biebricher. The trustees were Jacob Beiler, Charles Beiler, and John Weis. Rev. Jacob Dornberer was instrumental in its organization, and remained its pastor three years, when he was succeeded by Rev. C. Buechler, who has remained as pastor twelve years. At its organization there were thirty-nine members. The present membership is about forty-five. They also have a prosperous Sunday-school of some seventy members, under the superintendence of David Meyers. Soon after the organization of the church, the present building was purchased from the Methodist society for two thousand dollars. Since that time some six or seven hundred dollars have been expended in refitting and repairing it.
SALEM EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
This church was organized in Bellevue under the ministration of Rev. L. W. Hankey, in the summer of 1875. The congregation purchased the building formerly occupied by the Baptists, for three thousand dollars. They then expended six or eight hundred dollars in repairing and refitting it. At first, and until the spring of 1879, the church was a mission. At that time it was cut loose from missionary aid, and is now self-supporting. The present membership is about seventy-
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 675
five. Thirty-one accessions were made during the year 1878. The church has had five pastors: Revs. L. W. Hankey; S. B. Spreng, who remained eight months; G. W. Meisee, who remained one year; Rev. D. C. Eckerman, was in charge a little more than two years, and W. F. McMillen, who is the present pastor. There is connected with the church a Sunday-school of seventy-three members, of which the pastor is superintendent. Regular services of the church are held twice each Sunday. The church government is very similar to that of the Methodist Episcopal, but there are some differences on minor points.
CHURCH OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION
—ROMAN CATHOLIC.
About 1852 Rev. James Vincent Conlin, stationed at Sandusky, established a mission at Bellevue, and held services some three or four years, when Rev. Punshell, of Norwalk, came, and then for a short time Father Hoff officiated. Father Tighe, of Sandusky, came, and bought from J. B. Higbee the building they now occupy as a church, and perfected an organization. The first resident priest was Rev. James Monaghan, who remained some seven or eight years. While in charge he bought a house of Rev. Mr. Hagler for the use of the priest. Father Mahony came next, and remained some five years. He purchased ground for burial purposes, and built a school-house. Father Mears next came; he bought a house and lot on the corner of Centre and Broad streets, with the Intention of building a church. He remained about three years, and was succeeded by Father Bowles, who also remained three years. The church was then attended by Father Rudolph, of Clyde, for about three months, when Father Molloy came, and officiated for three years. Father Cahill succeeded and officiated three years, to the entire satisfaction of the parish. The congregation comprises about one hundred and ten families. The church still owns the lot bought by Father Mears, and at one time it owned the lot on which stands the present union school building.
BELLEVUE PUBLIC SCHOOLS.*
It is greatly to be regretted that the records of the early history of the Bellevue schools have been lost. The data for the following article have been furnished by some of the older citizens, and are as correct as can be ascertained outside of the school records. The first building that was used for school purposes was a little log-house that stood on the Herl property, just west of Mr. John Baker's residence. Here a school was opened in the fall of 1827, by a gentleman named Harris, from Milan. In the following year (1828), Miss Clemence A. Follett (now Mrs. Frederick Chapman) taught school in the same building. In those days the village was known as Amsden's Corners, and consisted of the Exchange hotel, a frame building just east of it, a double log-house, where Mr. Greenslade's store stands, the houses now occupied by Dr. Harris and Mr. John Reis, and a few scattering log-huts. The scholars came to Miss Follett's school from the country for miles around, walking to school along the trails of the woods, and bringing their dinners with them. In this school the girls spent half an hour each day in learning to sew. It was a pleasant little school, and Mrs. Chapman still recalls with delight the days she passed as teacher in the log schoolhouse. In the following year, 1829, Miss Julia Follett taught in the same log schoolhouse.
The next school of which we can find any record was taught in the old stone schoolhouse that stood on West Main street, where the brick schoolhouse now
* By T M. Greenslade. superintendent.
676 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
stands. The land was donated by Chapman & Amsden, and the building was probably built by the Chapmans—Nathaniel and Frederick—Dr. L. G. Harkness and Mr. Thomas G. Amsden, as we find these names are closely associated with the early educational interests of the town as well as with its business and social interests. The stone school-house was built about 1832. In the fall of 1835. Mr. J. B. Higbee commenced to teach in this building, and taught two years. Mr. Higbee seems to have been a successful teacher; at least he was not carried out by the boys, which misfortune did happen to the gentleman who preceded him. We are unable to learn who succeeded Mr. Higbee, but the building still continued to be used for school purposes until the old brick schoolhouse was built, after which the stone schoolhouse was unoccupied for several years. For some years before the old brick was built, the increasing number of pupils compelled the directors to rent rooms in different parts of the town to be used for schoolrooms.
At one time a school was taught in a frame building that was built for a warehouse by James Bell. It was afterwards moved, and the upper rooms used for schoolrooms during the weekdays, and by the Methodist society for services on Sunday. About the same time Miss Town, now Mrs. Kent, of Toledo, taught a very successful private school for girls, on Monroe street, in the house now occupied by Mr. James Purcell.
In 1845 the number of scholars had increased to such an extent that the school directors saw the necessity of providing better accommodations than those afforded by the stone schoolhouse and rented rooms, so they purchased of Chapman, Amsden, and Harkness the lot on which, the same year, they built the old brick schoolhouse. The contract for erectingthe building was let to Mr. A. Leiter. It was at first intended to build only a one-story building, but while in process of erection Mr. J. M. Lawrence offered to raise it to a two-story building, provided the upper rooms could be used for the Baptist society. His proposition was accented, the directors, at the same time, reserving the privilege of buying the upper part when the growth of the school required it. The building was used as a district school until 1851, when the present system of union schools was organized in accordance with the law of 1849.
The first superintendent of the union schools was Rev. Mr. Waldo, an eccentric old gentlemen. He wore a wig which, of course, furnished endless sport to his pupils. He was also in the habit of lecturing his scholars every morning before beginning the day's work.
During Waldo's administration, in the year 1851-52, Miss Gardner was assistant superintendent, and the two lower grades were taught by two sisters, Mrs. Covil and Miss Wilkinson. Mr. Waldo was succeeded in the fall of 1852, by Mr. Harvey Holton, who is well and favorably remembered by many of our citizens. Mr. Holton was superintendent several years and was a successful teacher. His assistant in the high school was Miss Celestia Gould, now Mrs. Spencer Boise. Mr. Holton was succeeded by Mr. Jerome Drury who taught two years, from the fall of 1855 to the spring of 1857. He was succeeded by Mr. Edward Bradley, who was superintendent for one year in 1857-58. In the fall of 1858, the Hubbard brothers came to Bellevue, and secured positions in our schools, Dwight Hubbard as superintendent, and E. B. Hubbard as teacher in the stone school house. Mr. Dwight Hubbard held his position one year and one term from the fall of 1858, to December, 1859. His
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 677
place was supplied during the remainder of the school year by Mr. Henry Bramwell for the second term, and Dr. Cornell for the third term. The last superintendent in the old brick schoolhouse was Mr. Ellis, who held the position from the fall of 186o to the spring of 1862. After the high school building was built, the old brick schoolhouse was sold, and has since been used as a tenement-house.
In 1850 the "old stone" schoolhouse, which had been unoccupied for several years, was refitted, and continued to be used for school purposes until replaced by the present brick building. During these years several teachers were employed; among others was Mrs. Eliza Cook, who taught in the stone schoolhouse two years, in 1856 and 1857, until her marriage with Mr. David Williams in the fall of 1857.
In the same building, Mr. E. B. Hubbard, who is now a prominent druggist of Tiffin, taught three years, from the fall of 1858 to the spring of 1861. Mr. Hubbard is remembered as a very successful teacher, and still keeps up his interest in educational matters, being at present president of the board of education of Tiffin, Ohio.
The German school was first started as a private enterprise in 1860, and was held in the house now used as a residence by Mr. John Warren. The first German teacher that taught here was Mr. Ludwick, who is considered as the best German teacher that we have ever had. The German school was partially united with the union schools in 1860, but received for a year or two only fifty dollars from the public funds. Mr. Ludwick was followed by Mr. Cobelli, who taught the German school after it was moved to the "old stone" schoolhouse. Mr. Menges succeeded Mr. Cobelli, and taught for several years, and was a successful teacher. Mr. Menges was followed by Mr. Rabe, and
Mr. Rabe by Mr. Beck, who resigned in October, 1875. Mrs. Beck was employed as assistant in the German department at the same time. Her place is filled by Miss Bessie Radford, who has had charge of the English branches in the German department since October, 1875.
Mr. Jacob Frenz succeeded Mr. Beck in November, 1875, and retained his position nearly three years. His successor, Mr. Henry Ebertshauser, is the present principal of the German department. The German schools occupy the two lower rooms of the school building on West Main street. The classes recite alternately in English and German branches during the day.
The high school building was erected in 1861, although it was not ready for use until the fall of 1862. The contract was so poorly filled that the contractor was obliged to put on the second roof within a year, and before the board of education would accept the building. Mr. Edward Bradley was the superintendent at the opening of the high school building in the fall of 1862. Mrs. Bradley taught at the same time in a lower grade, and also during the following year. Mr. Bradley was superintendent one year in the high school building. After him came Mr. Highland, from September, 1863, to June, 1864; Mr. J. B. Loveland, from September, 1864, to June, 1867; Mr. Avery, from September, 1867, to June, 1868; Mr. Loveland, from September, 1868, to June, 1869; Mr. L. C. Laylin, from September, 1869, to June, 1875; Mr. E. E. Phillips, from September, 1875, to June, r877; Mr. J. M. Greenslade, from September, 1877, to the present time. The Bellevue schools now occupy two buildings—the high school building and the brick school building on West Main street, which was built in 1871, and enlarged in 1875. These buildings are not large enough to accommodate the
678 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
number of pupils, so that the board of education will enlarge the high school building, which will even then afford only temporary relief. The schools which started with four departments in 1852, now have nine, and most of these having two grades.
For several years previous to 1877 the course of study which had been prepared for the schools had been disregarded altogether, as not being suited to the wants of the schools. The result was that the teachers and scholars worked at a disadvantage; and their efforts' were ill-directed, or entirely wasted. The evil effects of this lack of system was especially noticeable in the high school, where the scholars pursued such studies as were agreeable, without any regard to previous training, or the relation of the different studies to each other. The board of education, recognizing the value and necessity of systematic work in our schools, at a meeting held on the 29th of July, 1877, adopted the present course of study, and rules and regulations of the Bellevue public schools, and ordered them to be published. The schools are at present in excellent condition. In the lower grades the aim is to give thorough instruction in the common branches. In the high school all of the studies are pursued that are commonly found in a good high school course. Especial attention is paid to the languages and the natural sciences. Through the liberality of the board of education, the superintendent has been able to accumulate considerable apparatus and supplies for the illustration of the natural sciences.
PHYSICIANS.
Among the oldest practitioners of medicine in the township were Doctors Stevens, Otis, Boise, and Charles Smith, of Lyme. Contemporary with them, and earlier, were Doctors Kittredge, Sanders,and Tilden, who visited the township occasionally.
Dr. L. G. Harkness was the first physician prominently identified with the history of Bellevue. He was born in Salem, Washington county, New York, April 1, 1801, educated for his profession in the State of his nativity, and came West in 1823. He located upon the ridge, in Lyme township, and became associated, professionally, with Dr. Stevens. He removed, afterward, to the village of Bellevue, and not long after abandoned his practice. He continued to reside here.
In 1835 Dr. Daniel A. Lathrop came to Bellevue from his birthplace, Montrose, Susquehanna county, Pennsylvania, and almost immediately became a very successful practitioner, taking up Dr. Harkness' ride, and having all of the business which that physician formerly attended to upon his hands. He not only took Dr. Harkness' place, but filled it, and enjoyed as extensive a practice, perhaps, as any physician who ever located in the village. It extended over a long term of years, too, and really did not terminate until a short time before the doctor's departure from town, in 186r, though he was not actively engaged in the pursuit of his profession for two or three years previous to this date. The doctor returned to Montrose, Pennsylvania, where he is now located. He is a graduate of a Philadelphia college.
The physicians who followed him were numerous. We shall only speak of those most prominently identified with the history of the town. Dr. Gray came in and remained a short time. Dr. W. W. Stilson was in practice for a number of years, and removed to Clyde, where he is at present in practice. Dr. Amos Woodward, a native of Lyme, began practice in 1846, and after six or seven years retired, though he continued to reside in the village, and has long been one of its leading
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 679
citizens. Dr. Charles Richards, now of Binghamton, New York, came in soon after Dr. Woodward began practice, and read medicine with Dr. Lathrop, afterwards entering into practice.
Dr. John W. Goodson, now in Sterling, Rice county, Kansas, began the study of medicine in Bellevue about 1840, and completed his professional education at Buffalo, there receiving his diploma. He immediately returned to Bellevue and entered into practice. He had a lucrative practice and accumulated a fine property. He was for a time assistant surgeon of the Seventy-second regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and was with Grant's army before Vicksburg. The doctor was a native of England, and was born on the 4th of July, 1817. He came to this country when a lad thirteen years of age.
Dr. Ralph A. Severance began practice in Bellevue in 1854. He was a native of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and read medicine there with Dr. Brigham, who was afterwards in charge of one of the great asylums for the insane. He attended lectures in New York city, and graduated from Bowdoin college, Bowdoin, Maine, with the class of 1831. He first went into practice at Rockingham, Vermont, and remained there twenty-three years, coming directly from that place to Bellevue in 1854.
Dr. J. J. Hartz, who came to Bellevue in 1852, was one of the most eminent men of the profession who have practiced in this part of the State. He was born in Versailles, France, in 1798, and received his medical education at the University of Heidelberg. After coming to this country he travelled through the South, was for a short time a resident of Charleston, and a transient resident of Texas. For a number of years before coming to this village he was located in Portage county, and at Upper Sandusky, in both of which neighborhoods he had a very extensive practice. He rendered efficient service at Sandusky during the prevalence of the cholera there, going upon the request of some of the local physicians. During the whole of his long service in the profession in Bellevue, he was regarded by all as a man of marked ability in his profession, and as a gentleman of rare worth in all of the affairs of life. He was a man of liberal culture outside of `medicine, and was a remarkable linguist, speaking with fluency seven languages. He was ever the courteous, polished, dignified gentleman, and won the admiration and esteem of all. He died, in 1865, of consumption, such of his patients as were able coming to see him, whom he treated even up to the hour when he breathed his last—such was their confidence in his skill. He was a surgeon as well as a physician.
Dr. H. L. Harris, born June 30, 1819, in Oxfordshire, England, is a graduate of the Starling Medical College of Columbus, and received his diploma in 1858. Next to Dr. Severance he is the oldest practitioner in the place. He was in practice in South Bend, and in 1849 removed to Flat Rock, where he remained until 1859 when he came to Bellevue.
Quite a number of physicians have practiced in Bellevue for a short term of years and then removed to other points. Among the present physicians who have been in practice in Bellevue for some time are 1)r. Severance, Dr. Harris, Dr. Robinson, Dr. Sandmeister, and Dr. Lanterman.
BELLEVUE CEMETERY.
This cemetery was begun about the time of the first laying out of the village of Bellevue, in 1835, on land given for the purpose by Messrs. Chapman, Harkness and Amsden, who were the first proprietors of the land on which the town is
680 - HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY.
now situated. The first burial in this ground was that of Rebecca Christopher, who died March 20, 1836. At the time of giving the land for this purpose, the owners fenced it.
In 1855 the village authorities purchased something more than five acres of land and made an addition to the cemetery, which now contains over seven acres. The old part was laid out in good form as far as practicable, with walks and paths between the lots, but no uniformity had been observed in first laying it out, and it was not possible to arrange it according to the best order, still it was much improved. The addition was laid out in good shape, and lots staked off, which have been disposed of from time to time. When the last purchase was made a board of trustees was elected, consisting of W. H. King, mayor of the village at the time, Barney York, Lowell Chandler, and D. Moore, for terms of one, two, and three years. One trustee is now elected yearly. Most of the religious denominations of the town bury their dead in this cemetery, as it is situated in a better location than any other ground in the vicinity. D. Moore is superintendent of the cemetery, and has acted in that capacity most of the time since its organization.
FIRE DEPARTMENT.
In June, 1870, the village council of Bellevue purchased a second-hand hand fire engine, a hose cart and several hundred feet of hose from the authorities of Tiffin, for the sum of about three hundred dollars. A fire company was organized with Dr. J. W. Goodson, foreman; Charles Nicolai, first assistant; B. Benn, second assistant, and J. H. Webber, secretary. In 1874 the council appointed as chief of the fire department A. B. Smith, who served in that capacity one year. In 1875 William R. West succeeded him, he also remaining one year. Charles Nicolai wasappointed in 1876 and served until 1879, when C. C. Cook was appointed. J. L. Painter is present chief. A first-class Silsby rotary steam fire engine was purchased in 1875, with a hose cart and one thousand feet of hose, at a cost of about four thousand seven hundred dollars. In May, 1879, the companies were reorganized and formed into one company, under one set of officers, but one division was assigned to the engine, another to the hose, and another to the hook and ladder. The officers elected were John Eichhorn, foreman; John Toomy, first assistant; William Estnaur, second assistant; John L. Painter, secretary; William Mayne,
engineer and treasurer. The "hooks" were first organized in 1877, more as a sporting company, though active at fires. C. C. Cook was captain ; John M. Enright, foreman; Seth H. Cook, assistant foreman; J. C. Morrell, secretary, and Thomas Rudd, treasurer.
SOCIETIES.
The charter of Bellevue Lodge, No. 123, I. O. O. F., was granted July 21, 1848. The following are names of the charter members: William W. Stilson, A. Leiter, M. H. Seymour, R. C. McElhany and P. G. Sharp. The lodge was instituted November 9, of the same year, by Grand Master McElwin, when the following officers were elected: A. Leiter, N. G.; William W. Stilson, V. G. ; W. H. Seymour, R. S. ; R. C. McElhany, P. S. ; P. G. Sharp, treasurer. The N. G. appointed C. Cone, Con.; T. Baker, warden; F. H. Cone, I. G.; J. Hoover, O. G.; J. L. Hunt, R. S. to N. G.; S. G. Culver, L. S. to N. G.; H. G. Harris, R. S. S.; C. D. Dwight, L. S. S. ; B. F. Taylor, R. S. to V. G.; C. L. Cook, I, S. to V. G. Meetings are held Monday evenings of each week.
A charter was issued by the Grand Lodge at its session in Mansfield, Ohio, October
HISTORY OF SANDUSKY COUNTY - 681
26, 1855, for Bellevue Lodge, No. 273, Free and Accepted Masons. The charter members were: W. B. Disbro, L. W. Frary, L. S. Chandler, M. Peters, D. A. Lathrop, James Cady, W. B. Dimick and C. B. Gambies. The first officers were: W. B. Disbro, W. M.; L. W. Frary, S. W.; L. S. Chandler, J. W.
A charter was issued for Bellevue Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, No. 113, at Dayton, Ohio, on the 17th of October, 1868. The charter members were: D. M. Harkness, J. K. Richards, M. A. Severance, W. W. Beymer, W. E. Greene, M. A. Barnes, H. Peck and John Cowles. The following officers were appointed: R. A. Severance, high priest; H. Peck, king; W. E. Greene, scribe