Allen County, Ohio - Chapter 19: German Township, 1885

Chapter 19: German Township

aEBMAN TOWNSHIP may be said to form the geographical centre of the county. Its soil, surface and timber are diversified in character, even as its streams are numerous. Ottawa River, the name of the lower course of Hog Creek, enters the township from Shawnee in Section 33, pursues a northwesterly course by the villages of Allentown and Elida, and enters Sugar Greek Township at the south-east corner of Section 6, original Township 3 south, Range 6 east. The valley of the Ottawa is liable to inundation in the spring as far back as the base of the blufEl Throughout the Township there are valuable groves of timber. The southeast quarter of the Township forms a plateau which extends east to Elizabeth Street, Lima. The river bottom is very much lower than this plateau, and generaly from one-fourth of a mile to one mile in width. The geological structure and physical characteristics of thia division of the county are referred to in the chapter devoted to topography and geology.

Original Land Butebs

In the following list of purchasers of United States lands in German Township, the names of persons who entered lands on Sections No. 1 ta No. 6 inclusive, and on Sections 25, 35 and 36 are not given, for the reason that on the reorganization of 1848, and again in 1857, those sections, or parts of them, were detached and added to Sugar Creek on the north, and Ottawa on the southwest. Section 16, or School Section, waa not entered.

The Ck>mmi88ioner8' Act of December 6, 1881, eetablishing the township under the name German, decreed that all the territory extending west from Section 8, Town 3, Range 6 to the eastern boundary of the original town of Amanda, south to the county line; thence east to southeast comer of Section 83, Town 6, Range 6, and thence north to Section 8, Town 8, Range 6, - the place of beginning, - should be organized as a separate township. In March, 1838, the boundaries of the township were extended, and the town regularly organized. John Brand, William Bowman, and Samuel Richards were elected Trustees ; Grif^th John, Clerk, and John Ireland, Justice of the Peace. The Justices of this township, previous to the reorganization of 1848, ^ere John Ireland, 1833 ; Asa Wright, 1834 ; Isaac Bowyer, 1837, who served until his death in 1842 ; Charles Crites, 1843 - 49. In December, 1834, it was decreed that as much of original Town 4 south, Range 5 east, as previously belonged to German, should be attached to Amanda At the same time, when the town lines of Bath and Jaokson were altered, the two tiers of eastern sections of Town 3, Range 6, were added to German. In February, 1848, th^ north tier of sections of German were attached to the sonth-half of Sugar Creek Township, leaving only thirty sections belonging to German. This area was further reduced in May, 1857, when 1,040 acres where taken from Sections 25, 35 and 36, and attached to the new town of Ottawa, still leaving^the township an area of 18,160 acres.

31 It is said that David Ridenour was* the pioneer school teacher2 of German Township in 1883. In 1834-85 a schoolliouse was erected 'on . the Thomas Cochran farm, in which Asa Wright taught school. There is a question whether John Summerset preceded or followed Wright in charge of this school. In 1837 John Bowolan presided over a school in Section 16. In 1838 John Custer taught school in AUentown. The growth of educational interests in this township is shown in the following statistics for 1884: Revenue in 1884 was $3, 589.14; expenditure $2,414.31. There are seven school build, ings. The number of pupils is 281 ^151 boys and 130 girls. The statistics of the Blida Special District show that the receipts for 1884 amounted to $8,284. 13, the expenditure to $2,053. 23. The number of pupils enrolled was 143 - 76 boys and 67 girls. There is one school building valued at $10,000 with grounds, etc., one gentleman and two ladies presided over the schools during the year. John Davison is superintendent.

Elida Village

Elida was platted in 1852 by Griffith John, on Sections 7, 8, 17 and 18, German Township. The original town comprised a tract of land known as Lots 1 to 18 north of Main' Street, and Lots 19 to 38 west of the AUentown Road south of Alain Street. The first addition or Lots 39 to 93 was partly laid out southwest of the original town along the P., Ft W. & C. R R. ; Lots 39 to 55, partly north of the original town south of North Street; Lots 56 to 76, and partly southeast of the R. R. ; Lots 77 to 93. The North Add. lies along the north line of North Street Within the village boundaries, the following citizens own acre lots: D. L. Grites, Henry Eiracofe, Jesse J. John, Askins & Bros., George

It is stated by Mr. Harrison, that Daniel Myers erected the first building in Elida after it was laid out, except the Lntheran Church. The contract was let at $90, to be completed from the stump at that The siding is of the finest black walnut and is well preserved. This building formerly stood on Main Street, but was moved to a back street to make room for what is now known as Moore's Hall. Mr. Myers occupied 'part of the building as a residence, and carried on the first grocery business in the town in the other part.

The village was incorporated in 1878. B. B. Murray was elected Mayor. In November, 1878, Mr. Murray tendered his resignation, when B. Bice was appointed President, and in February, 1870, Dr. John Sherrick was chosen Mayor; J. W. Kindel served as Clerk. The Council comprised B. Bice, G. B. Leist, W. N. Sherry, Askins, Morris, W. H. Cliurk.

In April, 1879, J. W. Sherrick was elected Mayor; W. N. Sherry, B. Bice, G. B. Leist, W. H Clark, Askins and Henry Eiracofe were chosen Councilmen.

In 1881, S. A. Hitchcock, H. M. Sherrick and Henry Eiracofe were elected Councilmen; William Steman, Marshal. In 1882, W. N. Sherry was elected Mayor; S. S. Sherrick, Clerk; H. M. Sherrick, Alvin Davis and Daniel Myers were chosen Councilmen.

In 1883, S. D. Crites, G. B. Leist, H. Eiracofe and S. A. Hitchcock were elected Councilmen; J. J. John, Treasurer; W. A. Steman, Marshal; S. S. Sherrick, Clerk; W. N. Sherry, Mayor.

In 1884, Henry Pfeifer, Mayor; S. S. Sherrick, Clerk; S. D. Crites, Alvin Davis and W. N. Sherry, Councilmen. In August the Mayor resigned, but his resignation was not accepted at date of last record.

tnted the first Board of Education. On the 30th of July, 1870, the Board, at a cost of $500, purchased a site for a new school building, and, on the 24th of March following, awarded the contract for the building to John P. Haller. The cost of this building when complete was about $5,000. On the 3d of April, 1870, bj a special act of the General Assembly of Ohio, Joint Subdistrict No. 3, German Township, was dissolved, and the German Township part of said district attached to Elida separate district. The acquisition of this additional territory made it necessary to enlarge the school building, and accordingly, on the 19th of August, 1879, the contract for erecting an addition to the old building was awarded to Mr. Haller. The total cost of the building complete and furnished is about $10,000.

Methodist Episcopal Church, - In 1831 the first society was organized (from a class formed in 1830 under Rev. Joseph Hill) by Rev. Jesse Pryor, at the cabin of John Summersett with the following-named members: John Summersett, Rachel Summersett, Griffith John, Rachel John, Sally John, Rachel Jamieson, Isaac Bowyer, Elizabeth Bowyer, Smith Oremean, Polly Cremean, William Bryan, Elizabeth Bryan. Of this number Eliza Bowyer and Sally (Cremean) John are living. The members of this church were visited from time to time by circuit preach* ers until 1853, when H. Maltbie and N. B. 0. Love reorganized the society in the house of James Kennedy with the following-named members: James Kennedy, Malinda Kennedy, James Peltier, Jane Peltier, Henry Herring, Nancy Herring, Smith Baxter, Mary Baxter, Ethan John, Lucy John, Griffith John, Rachel John, Margaret Cremean, Jesse J. John, Elizabeth Bowyer, Fleet Clark, Mary Clark, Elizabeth Priddy and Catharine Evans. Two years after Griffith John died. Jason Wilcox attended the church until 1859 when Francis Plumb took charge. The pastors since that time are named in the following list: George O. McPherson, I860; John Beiler, 1861; Benjamin B. Powell, 1861; Francis Plum, 1863; William Deal, 1864; Joseph A. Ferguson, 1864; Josiah Crooks, 1867; A. J. Fish, 1869; Charles Farnsworth, 1870; Lemuel Herbert, 1872; Dwight R. Cook, 1874; James F. Mounts, 1876; William Deal, 1878; John N. Longfellow, 1881; Reuben Rouch, 1883. J. J. John was elected Secretary in 1859, and has served almost continuously sinca The Building Ckmunittoe in 1855 comprised J. J. John, James Peltier and Henry Herring. The church building was completed in 1856 at a cost of $1,000. The burial of Mrs. Peter Bidoioar and Abram Ensien in 1831 was the beginning of the Elida Cemetery, where the old Methodist Episcopal Church stands.

United Brethren Churchy formerly belonging to the Allentown circuit, may be said to have existed from an early period in the county's history, although no regular organization was perfected for many years later. The pastors who visited or presided over the society at Elida are named as follows: Thomas Downey, 1850; L. J. Farber and S. S. Holden, 1851-60; - Henkle, 1854; - Swallow and J. L. Luttrell, 1861; G. W. Umbaugh, 1862; Haney, Doughty and Palmer, 1862, and S. T. Mahan. In 1867 Bey. Mr. Mahan formally organized the church at Elida at Mr. Furry's house. The first members were J. L. Luttrell, Lackey Luttrell,

B. F. Sherrick and wife, Anna Sherrick, Franklin Furry, Sarah Bechtol, Bachel Sherry, James Sherry, Mary K Furry, Joseph M Blakely and wife, James G. Wisher and wife, G. W. Quick and wife, and Margaret Morris. Bev. T. D. House, preached here in 1868. In the fall of that year Bey. J. L. Luttrell was appointed pastor, and H. S. Thomas succeeded him for a short period. In 1870 Mr. Luttrell had charge. Bev. Elias Counsellor was appointed pastor in 1872, and senred until succeeded by Daniel Schenck in 1875. J. P. Stewart was appointed in 1876; Timothy Carl and J. W. Wentz in 1877; P. R Williams in 1881 and Bev. Elias Counsellor in 1883.

The present frame building was erected in 1875, under Mr. Counsellor's administration, at a total cost of $8,000. The membership of the Elida class is 171. The Sabbath-school attendance is seventy-five. Isaac

C. SteiDau h Superintendent. Albert Steman preceeded him as SuperiDtendeDt. Mr. Counsellor is Treasurer of the Branch Missionary Society, and one of the Trustees of the Otterbein University. The number of members on the Auglaize Conference is 6,389 - fifteen preachera The Ho£iey Hun, Allentown, Marion and Elida churches now form the Elida circnit Bev. Elias Counsellor is preacher in charge. The circuit compi'i^^ ^^ 'O members. J. L. Luttrell is Presiding Elder.

Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church. - The following history is taken from a copy of a sketch deposited in the comer stone of the new ohoroh in 1876: The congregation was organized by Rev. Abraham Doner in 1887 and continued nntil 1852. Daring his ministry the old frame chnreh building, which gave place to the present church building in 1876, was erected. Mr. Donw died in 1857. After a vacancy of two years Rev. P. J. Steirwalt was appointed pastor, and served four years, when he returned to Virginia. He was succeeded by Bev. J. S. Steirwalt, who served two years. After a vacancy of one year, Rev. T. W. Gorbett became pastor, he was succeeded by Rev. J. D. Nunemacher. At this time the membership was thirty-eight, being thirteen lees than at a former period. In October, 1865, Rev. A. S. Bartholomew became pastor ; the building was remodeled, and meetings held every Sunday. In 1876 the congregation was 217. On August 19, 1876, the comer stone of the new church was placed by Rev. A. S. Bartholomew. The tower is 115 feet high. Previous to this time the reformed German Lutheran and Evangelican Lutherans worshiped together until the reorganization, when the form of worship of the Oerman Evangelical Faith was adopted. The church building cost about $8,000. Rev. O. T. Oooperrider was assistant pastor up to January 24, 1879, when he resigned. Rev. A. S. Bartholomew served the church continuously at Elida and Lima until January 4, 1882, when he resigned on account of ill health. His death occurred in September, 1882. In April, 1882, two candidates for the pastorate were recommended, viz.: Rev. O. S. Ogleeby and Rev. J. O. Hoffman. The latter accepted the call, and took charge May 15, 1882.

This church today claims a congregation of about 100. Owing to serious trouble the congregation was reduced to about sixty-five communicants, but is now advancing. On September 10, 1834, the following names are of record as first members of the Evangelical Lutheran Church at Elida, viz. : Philip Herring, George Ridenour, Andrew Stebelton, Abram Doner, Abraham Eessler, Samuel Clippenger, Samuel Spangler, David Doner, William Knittle and wife, Richard Oard and wife. The building committee in 1876 comprised Richard Oard, S.

Buffer and George Kessler. The building, erected under their supervision, cost $6,000 up to the period of its dedication in November, 1876. Jehu John Post No. 476 G, A, R, was founded July 22, 1884, with the following members; Dr. S. A. Hitchcock, Commander; D. L. Grites, Adjutant; James A. Swisher, Bichard Bice, Sr., Thomas Morris, Thomas Neelej, J. J. Baxter, Jesse D. Miller, Jesse J. Miller, Bev. Jackson Oremean, George Kessler, William Diltz, Jacob Askins, Isaac Hover, Jacob Shaub, George W. Sawmiller, Joseph Beed, Amos Miller, Nicholas Strayer, Jonathan Beedy. The name of jSamuel Bolander is on the roster to be mustered in. The following officers of Jehu John Post No. 406, Department of Ohio, G. A. B., were installed by Gideon Ditto at Elida, January 3, 1885. S. A. Hitchcock, Oom.; J. A. Swisher, S. V. C; J. T. Morris, J. V. 0.; D. L. Orites, Adj't; B. Bice,Q. M.; William Olevenger, Surgeon; A. A. Miller, Ohaplain; Thomas Neely, O. D.; Jesse D. Miller, S. M.; and Jonathan Beedy, A. S. M

Allentown Village

Allentown, on Section 29, German Township, was platted in 1835 by William Myers and George Povenmyre. The village is on the east bank of the Ottawa Biver, which runs at an angle of about twenty degrees. The streets follow the angle thus formed. Here the old bed or southern bend was changed into a new channel. The acre tracts outside the original town are Neely s, Fraunfelters, Blackbums, Benedom, Eesslers, Harringtons and Dennis. William Myers opened a store, the first at Allentown, in 1835. A church building was erected here in 1840; a tannery established by Albert Clippinger in 1842, which must be considered the pioneer of the manufacturing industries of the village at present. In 1862 a schoolhouse was erected, being preceded by the Methodist house of worship in 1848, and the United Brethem building in 1854.

United Brethren Church. - The church at Allentown was the leading church of the U. B. circuit up to 1868, when the distinction was transferred to Elida. The original members were George W. Allen, Patience Allen, Sarah Allen, Amos Allen, Joseph D. Allen, Oatharine Allen, Amos Crites, Carlila Crites, Buliflf Verbryke, Julia A. Verbryke, Hannah

Verbryke, Robert Miller, Mary Miller, E. B. Grove, S. D. Bolander, J>aniel Staver, Ljdia A. Imler, Leab McBride. There are now seventynine membera The same pastors whose names are connected with the churches of the Elida circuit preside over this church. In 1854 a house of worship was erected at Allentown.

In 1848 a church was erected at Allentown, where a society had been formed and public services had been held for some years in the schoolhousa The membership of both societies were united in the new church of Elida.

The Pittsburgh, Ft Wayne & Chicago Railroad passes through German Township from southeast to northwest, and the postofSces are Elida and Allentown.