Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter
Volume 20, Number 3, May – June 2006
A PUBLICATION OF:
The Henry County Genealogical Society
P. O. BOX 231
DESHLER, OHIO 43516
www.henrycountyohiogenealogy.org
The Henry County Genealogical Society Newsletter is now published bi-monthly. The editor reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted. The Newsletter is copyright protected, but the Society gives permission for material to be copied for personal research and to other chapter newsletters for their use. Any other use of this material should carry written permission from the Henry County Genealogical Society and acknowledge the source. Annual membership is $10.00 for 1-2 people at the same address.
Meetings will be held quarterly or as announced in the newsletter. Publications for sale are listed on the last page with the newest ones appearing on the first page.
We print all queries that are related to Henry County – membership is not required. Send queries to Henry Co. Genealogical Society, P. O. Box 231, Deshler, OH 43516 or to the editor as “Query” at wendypen@wcnet.org. After May 2016, queries may be directed to our website and will appear there.
Officers:
President – Jim Rebar
Vice President – Maurice Weaks
Treasurer/Membership Chmn. – Lucille Van Scoyoc
Corresponding Secretary – Phyllis LaRue
Recording Secretary and First Families Chmn. – Kathy Bishop
News Reporter – Clara Ellen Courtney
Newsletter Editor – Karen Sunderman
Webmaster – Jim Rebar
MEETINGS
July 17, 2006, Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Research and business meeting.
August 2006 – NO MEETING
See you at the Fair!
September 18, 2006
Herb Probst will speak on “Swiss Pioneers to Putnam and Allen Counties of Ohio.”
October 16, 2006, Monday, 7:00 p.m.
Business meeting. Election of officers. Work night.
New Members
#432 Traci M. Miller, Grelton, OH 43523
WE ARE PUBLISHING …
Northwest Signal Obituaries 2005 is now available. The price is $16.00 plus $2.00 shipping.
The 1900 Henry County Census Vol. IV is now available. It includes Pleasant, Marion and Flatrock Townships, Florida Village, Hamler Village and Holgate Village. The price is $18.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling. If you click on the PDF icon to the left, you will see two pages from this publication. The information appears exactly as it does on the original census form
Also, the 1890 Veterans Census will cost $14.00 plus $2.00 postage and handling. It includes information on where the veteran lived in 1890 and any disability he incurred while serving. In some cases widows are listed.
NOW ON-LINE…
Veterans burial records are on our web site. Go to www.henrycountyohiogenealogy.org/vetburials/veterans.php
We’d Like to Hear From You
Members are always working on new publications and more online information. Please let us know what you are Interested in seeing. The editor also solicits Henry County information for the newsletter, so if you have family stories or other materials, send it to her
Please Note
Our on-line queries are meant to answer specific questions, not to do your research for you. All members who work with this service are volunteers. Please be considerate of their time.
Queries
We accept any queries relating to Henry County. There is no charge and you do not have to be a member to submit your query.
Fair Time
We will have a table at the Henry County Fair again this year. The Fair will be August 11-17. If you can help “man” the table, please contact Jim Rebar at jamesrebar@roadrunner.com or at 419-592-0894 or Skip Honeck at 419-592-5631 or at justplainbusiness@yahoo.com.
From The Henry County Signal, November 2, 1882
Mrs. W. M. BECKHAM and daughter Fannie of Petosky, Michigan, formerly of this place, are visiting old friends here.
Mr. L. S. CLOSE, of Garden City, Minnesota, formerly of Napoleon, is visiting his sister, Mrs. N. B. PALMER.
Mr. Milt. REEDER, of Edinburg, Pa., has been visiting his brothers, G. H. and J. P. REEDER, of this place, the past week.
Mr. S. W. LONG, formerly of Napoleon, but now of Van wert, Ohio, was in town for a few days during the past week visiting old friends. Sam is always welcome in Napoleon.
J. P. STOUT, formerly of Napoleon, and for some time an employee in this office, after an absence of two years, has returned to visit old friends and scenes.
Miss Lou DITTENHAVER, as we hear from a Leadville paper, has been promoted, and has one of the best Schools in the City, with pay increased. We are glad to hear it, as she deserves all she gets.
Mr. Frank STOUT, formerly in the Drug business in this place, was elected a Justice of the Peace in Defiance township at the late election, on the Republican ticket. He has received his commission and opened an office and commenced business. His many friends here congratulate him on his new honors.
The Henry County Signal
On Dec. 19. 1894 the Henry County Signal published biographical sketches of local businessmen by Guy C. DITTENHAVER. These sketches will be reprinted in this issue and future issues. Many were accompanied by drawings or photographs of the businessmen or of the businesses, churches, or other buildings mentioned.
MARSHAL T. J. BURNS – Without prejudice to former officials I have no hesitancy in saying that T. J. BURNS has made the best marshal ever elected in Napoleon. Although now serving on his fourth term he has few enemies, and even what few he has, acknowledge him to be no respecter of persons in the discharge of his duty. Be the violator of law whom he may he is speedily called to answer for his wrong-doing before the mayor.
Tom is a Henry comity boy and was bom on his father’s farm a few miles east of here, thirty-four years ago. He comes from Irish stock and is a perfect type of manhood, being six feet two inches in height and possessing more than his share of what is commonly termed “sand.” As an officer he is a veritable sleuth and it has long since become common parlance that to place him on the trail of a criminal is equivalent to a capture.
County Officials – Those Doing Business for This Bailiwick
The following named gentlemen represent the county’s public interests in their respective official capacity at present, to wit: J. A. RESH, auditor; Messrs. Levi KING, David T. BURR and Mathias REISER, commissioners; J. V. CUFF, probate judge; D. C. BROWN, clerk of courts; J. P. RAGAN, prosecuting attorney; Ferdinand ROESSING, treasurer; Hon. J. F. MEYERS, representative; J. W. HANNA, recorder; E. E, DECKER, sheriff; Messrs. Henry STOCKMAN, C. H. WISTINGHAUSEN and Christ DITTMER, infirmary directors; W. O. HUDSON, surveyor; Jas. S. HALY, coroner; Miss Sue WELSTED and Messrs. C. E. REYNOLDS and W. M. WARD, school examiners; S. V. GLICK and D. COE deputy auditors; Nellie BROWN, deputy probate judge; H. L. VEY, deputy Treasurer; Mrs, HANNA, deputy clerk; Aug. HIRSELAND, janitor.
COMMISSIONER KING – Levi KING, the oldest member of the present board of commissioners, officially speaking, was bom in Fairfield County, Ohio, January 10*, 1847, hence is very near the close of the 48th year of his age. In early life he removed to Sandusky County, where he spent his boyhood days. His education was received at the common schools of that county. He has spent his entire life upon the farm, and owns one of fete finest farms in the Maumee valley. In 1879 he came to Henry County and settled in Damascus township, near Texas, and commenced clearing and improving the farm upon which he has since resided. Mr. KING has been a hard worker from his boyhood. He was a candidate for re-election but shared the same fate as did his fellow candidates on the Democratic ticket.
COMMISSIONER BURR – David T. BURR, who has now served about two years as commissioner is a native of Germany. He was bom in the year 1835, and when 14 years of age came to Ohio, locating in Seneca County where he engaged in farming. In 1862, he came to Henry County and settled on the farm in Monroe Township where he now resides. He has, besides, farming, been largely engaged in the timber business and saw-milling. He has served as township trustee four years, and fifteen years as school director. He was elected commissioner in 1892 to succeed W. N. ZEEROFF in that office, beginning his services on the first Monday in January, 1853 [sic—1893?]. Mr. BURR owns two farms in Monroe Township and has a fine home near Malinta. He is a good citizen, a kind and obliging neighbor and a courteous, attentive and obliging official.
AUDITOR RESH—Jacob H. RESH has reached the three score mark, the date of his birth being in the year 1834. He is a native of Pennsylvania. He has been a citizen of Henry County since 1882, in which year he moved from Fulton County and settled on his farm near Liberty Center. He had resided in Seneca and Defiance counties before going to Fulton County. His education was received at the common schools and at Oberlin College. For many years he taught school in connection with farming. He attained high rank and success as a teacher and commanded the highest wages going for his services. He was a member of the board of school examiners of Defiance County for a number of years. Since coming to Henry County he has been active in politics, but was not a candidate for office until in 1889, when he made a run for the nomination for county treasurer, but was defeated, J. C. GROLL winning the coveted prize.
In the spring of 1890 he was elected land appraiser of Liberty township and in the same year was nominated and elected to the office which he now holds, and to which he was re-elected three years later, his present term expiring in 1897. Mr. RESH is a good scholar, an excellent penman, keeps a neat set of books and makes a good officer.
DEPUTY AUDITOR COE – Deputy Auditor Frank COE is a young man of no small ability. Although youthful in appearance and years, there is no man in Henry County who understands the auditor’s office better than he, having had six years at a deputy’s desk. He was bom in Chicasaw County, Iowa, May 2,1870, and moved to Hamler, Henry county, with his parents when quite young, where he was raised and educated. In 1889 he was appointed deputy auditor under George RUSSELL. Recognizing his worth the incoming auditor, Mr. RESH, retained his services. Although his ancestry were all republicans, Mr. COE is a staunch democrat and has hosts of friends in both parties. In 1892 he married Miss Flora RESH, daughter of the auditor. He is a good singer and prominent member of the Methodist Church.
DEPUTY AUDITOR GLICK – The other deputy’s chair is filled by Solomon V. GLICK, who in ability is well calculated to be Mr. COE’S co-worker. May 11, 1863, is the date of his birth and Monroe township, this county, the location. His education was received from common schools and at Fostoria. He taught school nine years at which profession he was considered more than a success, working on his farm betimes. Leaving school teaching he traveled for the Chicago Publishing house some time, but resigned to accept his present position which was tendered him in 1893. In a political way Mr. GLICK is up and doing, long since having been recognized as a prominent and influential democrat. He served three years as township clerk of Monroe township. In 1891 he entered the matrimonial state with Miss Mary MOHLER.
Both Messrs. COE and GLICK are courteous and obliging, making it very pleasant for the hosts of people who transact business with them daily. They are excellent penmen and draughtsmen and will leave an indelible record of good work behind them.
RECORDER HANNA – The present recorder, Jas. W. HANNA, is affability itself. Nor has general all around ability been omitted in his make-up, as his career attests. He has seen all kinds of work from farm laborer up to his present vocation and In all he was a success. His birth place is Henry county, Ohio; born July 12, 1852. With his parents he removed to Millersburg, Holmes county, but returned to Henry county four years later where he has since lived. He received a good common school education but was not afraid to work, being employed for some time on the Grand Rapids canal. Among citizens of Damascus township he ranked high and especially among democrats, he being the only demmy among his father’s family. In recognition of this he was elected justice of the peace and township clerk for a number of years; also mayor of McClure and member of the school board. In 1889 he was nominated and elected county recorder. The same story was repeated at close of his first term, his second term expiring in 1895. Assisted by his wife as deputy, the books are models of neatness and accuracy.
CLERK BROWN – Daniel C. BROWN, clerk of courts, is a native of Lenawee County, Michigan. His early life leaned toward commercial pursuits which he followed in Detroit and Defiance stores. In 1890 he was employed in the dry goods store of D. WILSON and while there made the race for county clerk against several formidable competitors, coming out triumphant in the convention. He made a spirited campaign and was elected by an overwhelming majority. With his wife as assistant he operated the office with care and skill, so much so that he was soon recognized by both parties as a complete success. In 1893 he was re-nominated and led the state ticket at the polls in majority.
Socially, Mr. BROWN is a general favorite and politically he is equally so. He is a member of nearly every secret order in town, occupying prominent positions in each. Henry County need never expect a better clerk.
JANITOR HIRSELAND – For nearly ten years past August HIRSELAND has looked after the welfare of the court house and its occupants. And his work has been done in a manner that predicts his retention as long as he desires it. From basement to garret order and neatness always reign supreme, and the officials may well congratulate themselves that the right man has been secured for the place. He was born in Berlin, Prussia, Germany, August 26, 1847. His trade, that of wagon-maker, was learned and he worked a number of years at it before migrating to America. He was 24 years old when he came to Henry County. From 1871 to 1885 he worked for MILLER Bros., Jos. SHAFF, and for TURNBULL & SHELLY at Defiance. In ’85 he was elected janitor by the commissioners, and the excellency with which his work was always performed proved that they had been wise in their selection.
Mr. HIRSELAND was married September 31, 1875, to Miss Augusta THEEK, daughter of Frederick THEEK, and has five daughters, the eldest, Louise, being an expert compositor.
Clothing Stores – George HAHN, A. J. VANDENBROEK, Henry MEYER, S, M. HONECK.
Dry Goods – SHOEMAKER Bros., D. WILSON, NORDEN & BRUNS, HORN & NORDEN, George H. ROHRS.
Hardware – A. J. ULRICH & Sons, R. B. HELLER & CO., A SCRIBNER, W. G. COOVER, H. C. GROSCHNER.
Drug Stores – L. LEIST, SAUR & BAISLEY, D. J. HUMPHREY.
Groceries – SPENGLER Bros. & WALTERS, F. C. FISK, A BRADLEY, H. GATHMAN, L. T. KNIPP & Co., Mrs. R. B. SHASTEEN, C, E. GEARHART, A. J. MORRISON, M. H. FISHER, James M. HOFFMAN.
Millinery – KOLBE Sisters, Mrs. A. M. FREESE, Mrs. ALLEN.
Jewelry – John FREESE, Oliver HIGGINS, R. HUDSON, C. M. FISK.
Banks – J. C. BAER & Co., D- MEKISON.
Harness – J. S. AUGENSTEIN, Chas. J. SHOEMAKER, George VALENTINE, L. R. HUSTON, Al PALMER, Phillip WEBB.
Furniture and Undertaking – HARMON & WALCOTT, Chas. W. BOYER, B. B. BITZER.
Meat Markets – John DIEMER, REISER & FLOGUS, John BOOHER.
Land Sales in Henry County, Ohio, 1847 (cont.)
| The following is taken from an old book discovered in the attic of the Henry County Courthouse. R=range, T=town, S=section, A=acres, VPA=value per acre. Townships are designated by Range and Town numbers (note: Liberty and Washington changed 1850): | |
| BARTLOW R 3 N—T 8 E | DAMASCUS R 5 N—T 8 E |
| FLATROCK R 4 N—T 6 E | FREEDOM R 6 N—T 6 E |
| HARRISON R 5 N—T 7 E | LIBERTY R 5 & 6 N—T 7 E |
| MARION R 4 N—T 7 E | MONROE R 4 N—T 7 E |
| NAPOLEON R 5 N—T 6 E | PLEASANT R 3 N—T 6 E |
| RICHFIELD R 4 N—T 8 E | RIDGEVILLE R 6 N—T 5 E |
| WASHINGTON R 5 & 6 N—T 8 E | |
| District 1, Range 5, Town 6 (cont.) | |||||||
| Buyer | R | 5T | S | Description | A | VPA | Total Value |
| Atwood, Elisha | 5 | 6 | 35 | SE 1/4 | 160 | 2.25 | 360. |
| Atwood, Elisha | 5 | 6 | 35 | SW NE House + | 1 | — | 0.50 |
| Bear, Jacob | 5 | 6 | 10 | E 1/2 SW + W SE | 160 | 3.70 | 590. |
| Bear, Joseph | 5 | 6 | 11 | E 1/2 SE 1/4 + SE NE | 120 | 2.20 | 264. |
| Brown, Abraham | 5 | 6 | 11 | NE NE | 110 | 2.00 | 80. |
| Brown, Abraham | 5 | 6 | 12 | NW 1/4 + SE 1/2 | 240 | 2.34 | 562. |
| Barnes, J ? S. | 5 | 6 | 13 | E 1/2 NE | 80 | 2.25 | 260. |
| Burrell, John | 5 | 6 | 25 | SW pt of NW 1/4 | 136 | 3.91 | 132. |
| Burdic ?, H. M. | 5 | 6 | 33 | E 14 of E 1/2 of NE 1/4 | 40 | 2.00 | 80. |
| Beche, H. & H. | 5 | 6 | 34 | W 1/2 SE | 80 | 2.00 | 160. |
| Coe, Benjamin | 5 | 6 | 24 | NW 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Crandull, J. W. | 5 | 6 | 12 | E 1/2 SE | 80 | 2.00 | 160. |
| Cunningham, John R. | 5 | 6 | 2 | W 1/2 NW 1/4 | 73 | 2.00 | 146. |
| Cass, Samuel S. | 5 | 6 | 35 | SE SW | 40 | 2.00 | 80. |
| Cunningham, J. R. | 5 | 6 | 36 | SW 1/4 | 160 | 4.50 | 720. |
| Curtis, Zintha | 5 | 6 | 34 | N pt E 1/2 NE | 60 | 3.87 | 232.20 |
| Dodd, Hamilton | 5 | 6 | 35 | E 1/2 NE | 80 | 4.50 | 360. |
| David, Zephinah | 5 | 6 | 1 | W 1/2 SW + NE SW | 120 | 2.00 | 240. |
| Dehnbough, John | 5 | 6 | 25 | NE 1/4 | 160 | 2.50 | 400. |
| Dickey, William | 5 | 6 | 33 | NW1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Dickey, Michael | 5 | 6 | 33 | SW 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Deshler, D. W. | 5 | 6 | 34 | NW + W 1/2 NE | 240 | 2.00 | 480. |
| Estep, Jacob | 5 | 6 | 9 | SW 1/4 | 160 | 1.75 | 440. |
| Fuller, John | 5 | 6 | 2 | SW 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Fudge, Jacob | 5 | 6 | 18 | SW 1/4 | 111 | 2.00 | 222. |
| Feuks?, A. & A. | 5 | 6 | 25 | SE 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Fodister, Robert | 5 | 6 | 27 | E 1/2 NW + W 1/2 NE | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Fenton, Eleazer | 5 | 6 | 27 | NW SE | 40 | 5.00 | 200. |
| Fuller, John | 5 | 6 | 35 | NW NE | 40 | 7.50 | 300. |
| Goodyear, Addison | 5 | 6 | 13 | W 1/2 SW 1/4 | 80 | 2.00 | 160. |
| Goodyear, Addison | 5 | 6 | 3 | E 1/2 SE | 80 | 2.00 | 160. |
| Gayhart, Daniel | 5 | 6 | 3 | S 1/2 NW fr. Ohio | 80 | 2.00 | 160. |
| Gearing, Godfrey | 5 | 6 | 22 | NW SE | 40 | 2.00 | 80. |
| Gearing, Godfrey | 5 | 6 | 22 | N 1/2 SW | 80 | 2.80 | 224. |
| Gearing, William | 5 | 6 | 22 | S 12 SW | 80 | 2.80 | 224. |
| Griffin, Edward | 5 | 6 | 23 | SW SE | 40 | 2.00 | 80. |
| Gould, Samuel | 5 | 6 | 34 | N 1/2 NE SE | 20 | 5.00 | 100. |
| Gould, Samuel | 5 | 6 | 35 | N 1/2 NW SW | 20 | 5.00 | 100. |
| Haly, James G. | 5 | 6 | 14 | NE NE | 40 | 1.00 | 40. |
| Harmon, George | 5 | 6 | 23 | SE l/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Harmon, George | 5 | 6 | 24 | SW 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Hopkins, Ben}. | 5 | 6 | 32 | W 1/2 NE + SE NE | 120 | 2.00 | 240. |
| Hoff, Peter | 5 | 6 | 32 | SE 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Hoover, Joseph | 5 | 6 | 19 | NW fr. | 113 | 2.00 | 226. |
| Hughes, James | 5 | 6 | 13 | E 1/2 NW + SW NW | 120 | 1.25 | 150. |
| Johnson, J. N. | 5 | 6 | 36 | E 1/2 | 320 | 2.75 | 760. |
| Kuzer, John B. | 5 | 6 | 35 | NE NW | 40 | 4.00 | 160. |
| Life & Trust Co. | 5 | 6 | 5 | S 1/2 | 320 | 2.00 | 640. |
| Lee, Benjamin | 5 | 6 | 13 | NW of NE | 40 | 2.00 | 80. |
| List, Michael | 5 | 6 | 14 | W 1/2 NE + E 1/2 NW | 160 | 1.00 | 160. |
| Lord, Fredrick | 5 | 6 | 22 | E 1/2 NE | 80 | 2.00 | 160. |
| MeCollough, J. | 5 | 6 | 2 | NE 1/3 | 146 | 2.00 | 292. |
| Morse & Bairdsly | 5 | 6 | 10 | E 1/2 NE + E 1/2 SE | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Morse & Bairdsly | 5 | 6 | 11 | W 1/2 SW + W 1/2 NW | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Morse & Bairdsly | 5 | 6 | 17 | N 1/2 | 320 | 2.00 | 640 |
| Morse & Bairdsly | 5. | 6 | 18 | NE 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Morse & Bairdsly | 5 | 6 | 15 | SW 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Morse & Bairdsly | 5 | 6 | 22 | W 1/2 NE | 80 | 2.00 | 160. |
| Morse & Bairdsly | 5 | 6 | 23 | SW 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| McConnell, R. | 5 | 6 | 14 | SE SW + NE SW | 80 | 1.00 | 80. |
| McWilliams, Wm. | 5 | 6 | 14 | SE 1/4 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| McEloain, John | 5 | 6 | 19 | S 1/2 | 275 | 2.00 | 350. |
| McEloain, John | 5 | 6 | 24 | E 1/2 | 320 | 2.00 | 640. |
| McFarland, F. D. | 5 | 6 | 23? | N 1/2 | 320 | 2.00 | 640. |
| Mine, William | 5 | 6 | 29 | W 1/2 + SE 1/4 | 48 | 2.00 | 960. |
| Morrow, David | 5 | 6 | 33 | SE NW | ’40 | 2.00 | 80. |
| Masher, William | 5 | 6 | 34 | S pt. E 1/2 SE | 60 | 5.50 | 330. |
| Masher, William | 5 | 6 | 35 | S pt. W 1/2 SW | 60 | 4.00 | 240. |
| Morsey, Warren | 5 | 6 | 34 | S pt. E 1/2 NE | 20 | 3.00 | 60. |
| McCullough, A. L. | 5 | 6 | 36 | NW 1/4 | 160 | 3.31 | 530. |
| Martin, Adam | 5 | 6 | 11 | E 1/2 SW + W 1/2 SE | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Neel, William | 5 | 6 | 1 | Section | 519 | 2.00 | 1,158. |
| Ohio, State of | 5 | 6 | 33 | NW NE | 40 | 2.00 | 80. |
| Ohio, State of | 5 | 6 | 1 | SE 1/2 | 160 | 2.00 | 320. |
| Ohio, State of | 5 | 6 | 3 | E 1/2 NW + SW NW | 114 | 2.00 | 348. |
Pioneer Sketches (from Henry County Signal, 5 Aug 1886)
by Rev. N. B. C. Love
[Ed. Note: Rev. Love was a Methodist Pastor in Deshler, OH. Later he pastored the Old (Indian) Mission Church in Upper Sandusky, Wyandot Co., OH.Early Recollections of James E. SCOFIELD, a Pioneer of the Maumee Valley
The next clearing west of Florida was that of Richard GRANES on the north side of the river and a little back, now the residence of Dr. PARRY. The next on the river in rotation were Mr. TITTLE, Samuel ROHN, Dr. Jonathan EVANS, _____ HIVELY, Isaac BRAUCHER and Pierce EVANS, near Defiance. On the south bank, Dr. J. L. WATKINS, Samuel KEPLER and ____ GROVES, then Ft. Defiance at the junction of the Auglaize and Maumee Rivers. The town of Defiance contained one dry goods store occupied by Foreman EVENS (sic), one Grocery store kept by Mr. BRUBAKER, and several cabins occupied by citizens: do not recollect their names or business. This was our nearest and only post office that I knew of.
The mail was carried on horseback once a week by John OWENS, if my recollection is correct, The Fort was in a partial state of preservation at this time. I visited the Fort on Decoration Day this year for the first time in many years and found the earth works much the same as then except the bank of the Maumee being washed away where the block house stood nearly to obliterate all trace of it.
I met there Brice HILTON of Brunersburg, who came here some time before myself. He told me there was a MR. HUDSON there when he came, living in the vicinity, otherwise all were deceased or moved away. Our nearest and only blacksmith was Isaac BRAUCHER two miles east of Defiance. Our nearest flouring mill Brunersburg. No saw mills any where near.
Our cabin floors and doors were made of puncheon split out of Lynn, being soft and easily worked into proper shape, and pinned with wooden pins instead of nails. I think I may be safe in saying that cabins in Henry County have been made without a nail being used in their construction. It may be a curiosity to our present young folks to know how this can be done. I will try and explain. The roof is put on by poles as it often done now to nail shingles or clapboards on; then a pole larger is laid along side of the first pole or rib far enough away to let the ends of the shingles or clapboards run the water clear of the cabin; then a tier of clapboards is laid resting the butts against this outer pole; a stay or prop is then laid on the roof, its lower end resting against the outer pole same as the shingles, the length being sufficient for the next tier of butts. Then a pole is laid on top of the shingles to hold them down and for the next buts to rest against, and in like manner till finished. This makes a very good roof, especially in a wooden country where the wind has little effect to blow them off. The lower part can be fastened with augur and wooden pins.
In the Spring of 1834, John STOUT and family came to Florida. This family consisted of ten children — eight boys and two girls — Christian, Adam, George, John, Jacob, Harrison, Joseph and Parker (now of Napoleon) and Catharine and Harriet (the latter the wife of Esq. TRAVIS of Defiance), all of whom are now living except the old couple and Adam and George, not all in this county, however.
The same year, or one later, George STOUT (a brother to John) and family settled in Napoleon. This couple were the parents of John G. and Joseph A. STOUT, recently of Napoleon
About this time the first cabin was erected in Napoleon by Amasa ANDREW, who a— [also or after?] settled on tie south bank of the river a little this side or opposite of John PATRICK. A little incident (was reported) occurred shortly after its occupation. The rats being numerous at Mr. P.’s, they caught one early in the evening, put a little bell on its neck, and in two or three hours after the rat was jingling the bell under the new cabin floor in Napoleon, three miles distant.
During the Summer and Fall of 1834, the pluck of the settlers was put to the test. Nearly every one of 1833 and 1834 had the Maumee shaking ague. They would shake so violently that their teeth would chatter, then followed by violent fever for three or four hours — part of the time delirous or unconscious, When the fever left them they would get up, eat hearty and go to work, all the same day. This made them feel homesick and wish to return to their former homes. For three or four years nearly one fourth of the emigrant teams were going east instead of west, the sickness being much the same in northwestern Ohio and northern Indiana. Comparative few of the middle aged and past, survived many years. My mother and grandmother passed away in the first two years and father within four, leaving the children orphans, the oldest about seventeen and the youngest five years of age, in a dense wilderness mostly inhabited by Indians.
During this season Geo. W. LOWRY (brother of John) located on the south side of the river opposite Florida, who survived but a short time. His widow married Wm. MILLER, a bachelor, who also soon died. After a lapse of some time the widow again married John BARR, a widower, the father of J. H. and Wm. J. BARR, now citizens of Florida. Her last husband died a few years ago from cancer in the face, leaving her again a widow. She now resides in Florida and is known as aunt Polly BARR.
In the year 1835 John POWELL and James MAGILL located in Napoleon, went into the boot and shoe business and shortly after a general country store. Shortly after the location of POWELL and MAGILL, Napoleon had several new settlers. I cannot give the order of their coming, but ail of them were early pioneers. Samson MANN and family, A. CRAIG (Judge) and family, Jas. G. HALEY, Gen. LEONARD, B. LATHROP, John GLASS, Dr. L. L. PATRICK, Fred’k LORD, Hazael STRONG, Jonathan NEELEY, Justin A. and A. H. TYLER, Wm. and Edward SHEFFIELD, Wm. J. JACKSON and others whose names I do not remember.
The first Court in Henry county was held in the hewed log house erected by George STOUT. After this Gen. LEONARD erected a double log tavern on the corner opposite KOLLER’s mill north, which was used for holding Court in for a number of years. During this time and for some time after, there was no signs of a canal, although I presume some of the settlers named did not come to Napoleon until after the commencement of the digging of the canal.
In the Spring of 1836 the first engineers went through on the line taking the level — nothing more. In the year 1837 or ‘38, it was laid out into sections and the work let. This brought to our county men from all parts of our country as well as the old country, especially Irish and Germans, many of whom, after the canal was finished and lands brought into market, settled here permanently and were among our most enterprising citizens, being of industrious habits and frugal management became well off, and their foreign friends are coming by scores to better their condition.
I tell our political friends, when complaining that the foreign element is getting more than its share of public patronage, “the Dutch will take the country in the near future.” This I do without any intended slur, as [my] wife was born in Germany and my children being “Dutch” on her side, and on my side a conglomerated mixture of I do not know what, but from information my parentage on my father’s side was from England and that of my mother Wales.
