Auglaize County, Ohio - Chapter 17: Military History, 1905

Chapter 17: Military History

Many of the pioneers of Auglaize county served in the War of 1812, and a few in the American Revolution. The names of these gallant men appear in the roster that follows.

The soldiers of Auglaize county who served in the Civil War were distributed among the 37th, 45th, 71st, 99th, and 118th Regiments of Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

The 37th Ohio Regiment was recruited in part from the counties of' Auglaize, Mercer and Wyandot. It was the third German regiment organized in the state, and was mustered into service October 2, 1862. Colonel E. Siber, an accomplished German officer, was selected as the commanding officer of the regiment; L. Von Blessingh, of Toledo, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Charles Ankele, of Cleveland, Major.

"It participated in the campaigns of the Kanawha Valley, Arkansas, and the Yazoo River, and again in the investment of Vicksburg. Here the Lieutenant-Colonel was severely wounded, and the command during the next month devolved upon Major Hipp, now of St. Marys. After the fall of Vicksburg, the regiment participated in the capture of Jackson, and returned to Cherokee Station, via Memphis and Corinth. It next appeared at Chattanooga, operating in Sugar Creek Valley, and in the march to' Kingston, again in command of Major Hipp. It afterward engaged in the movements on the Chattahoochee River, but moved rapidly from here against Atlanta. After the fall of that city, forced marches were made across Georgia and Alabama in pursuit of Hood's cavalry. On November 13, 1864, the regiment entered Atlanta to obtain outfits for the 'grand march to the sea' under Sherman. The history of this march is known, and at its close the regiment camped at Goldsboro, North Carolina, during the capitulations of Lee and Johnson. It then marched to Washington, was reviewed by the President and Cabinet, and then transferred to Little Rock, Arkansas, and lastly to Cleveland, Ohio, where the men were discharged, August 12, 1865."

The 45th Regiment was organized at Camp Chase, August 19th, 1862. In this regiment there were seventy-five recruits from Auglaize county. The regiment entered upon active duty as soon as it was mustered into service. It operated about Danville, and with Woolford's and the Second Ohio Cavalry pursued the forces of John Morgan on his Ohio raid. Again it pursued the command of Colonel Scott as far as Winchester, Kentucky. The regiment now operated in Kentucky and Tennessee until it took part in the battle of Resaca, after which it participated in the 'Atlanta campaign, including the engagements at New Hope Church, Lost Mountain, and Kenesaw Mountain. It then returned to Middle Tennessee and took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville, which broke the strength of General Hood. The regiment returned to Nashville toward the end of April, and was then mustered out of service, on the 15th of June, having at that time two months to serve to complete its term of enlistment.

Fifty-Seventh Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry

This regiment was recruited at Findlay, Ohio, from the following counties: Company A, from Putnam county; B, from Hancock, Seneca and Wood; C, from Auglaize, Mercer, and Sandusky ; K, in Logan and Sandusky.

The regiment was partially organized at Camp Vance, near Findlay, Ohio, from where it was moved on the 22nd of January, 1862, to Camp Chase, where it was completed on the 10th of February, numbering nine hundred and fifty-six men and thirtyeight commissioned officers.

The regiment left Camp Chase on the 18th of February, 1862, under orders to report at Fort Donaldson. When it arrived at Smithland, Kentucky, the order was changed, and it reported at Paducah, Kentucky. Here the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Fifth Division of the Army of the Tennessee. After moving rapidly from point to point they arrived at Pittsburg Landing on the 16th of March. On the 19th the regiment went into camp at Shiloh Chapel and participated in the battle at that point on the sixth of April.

The 71st Ohio was recruited mainly in the counties of Auglaize, Mercer and Miami, under the superintendence of B. S. Kyle, of Troy, and G. W. Andrews, of Wapakoneta. Recruits began to rendezvous at Troy in the latter part of October, 1861, and about the first of February, 1862, the organization was completed. Rodney Mason, of Springfield, Ohio, was appointed Colonel, George W. Andrews Lieutenant-Colonel, and Barton S. Kyle, Major. The regiment received marching orders on the 10th of February, and four days later encamped at Padugah. On the 25th, the regiment moved to Columbus, and found that the enemy had evacuated the place. It then returned to Paducah to advance up the Tennessee river. The regiment landed at Pittsburg Landing and participated in the engagements at that point. In the engagements the regiment lost one hundred and thirty men in killed and wounded. On the 18th of April the regiment was ordered to the Cumberland river to hold the posts of Fort Donaldson and Clarksville. Sunday, August 17th, the regiment made an attack on the confederate garrison at Clarksville, when they met with a repulse and owing to the superior force of the enemy were compelled to surrender. The surrender was censured by the superior authorities and the line officers were dismissed, and Colonel Mason was cashiered. Whitelaw Reid, in his "Ohio in the War," says that ''after the facts connected with the surrender became fully known, the War Department finally revoked the order, and the officers were all honorably discharged "

After the regiment was exchanged, four companies, on the 25th of August, 1862, engaged and defeated Woodward's force at Fort Donaldson. On the 3d of February, 1863, the regiment was sent on an expedition against the combined forces of Wheeler and Forrest, but the enemy retired and the Seventy-first was not brought into action. During the latter part of 1863, the regiment was stationed along the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, with headquarters at Gallatin, and was actively engaged in dispersing guerrillas.

In 1864 the regiment moved south, and took an active and effective part in the battle of Nashville, displaying great bravery and courage, and losing one-third of its number in killed and wounded.

The regiment, decimated as it was, still retained its zeal and energy, and shortly after the battle was ordered to Texas, where it remained through the summer of 1865. Late in that year the regiment was ordered to return to Camp Chase, where it was mustered out and discharged in January, 1866.

The 99th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was organized at Camp Lima, Allen county, Ohio, and was mustered into service on the 26th of August, 1862. It was composed of two companies from Allen county, two from Shelby, two from Hancock, and one each from Auglaize, Mercer, Putnam, and Van Wert. Seventeen hundred men were recruited for the regiment, but seven hundred were transferred to the One Hundred and Eighteenth Ohio. The regiment left Lima on the 31st of August, and proceeded as far as Paris, Kentucky, where they were ordered back to Cynthiana. After moving about from place to place for a few weeks the regiment returned to Covington. On the 17th of September it embarked on steamers for Louisville and encamped on the Indiana side of the river. After moving from place to place covering a period of several weeks the regiment encamped at Silver Springs, where it remained until the 26th of December. On that date the regiment received orders to advance toward Murfreesboro. Dur-

After pursuing Hood as far as Columbia, the remnant of the Ninty-ninth regiment was consolidated with the Fifth Ohio and thereby ceased to be an organization.

The n8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry went into camp at Lima, Ohio, in August, 1862, and in September was sent to Cincinnati, then threatened by Kirby Smith. In the latter part of September it moved under General A. J. Smith toward Lexington, Kentucky, and at Cynthiana was detached to guard the railroad. On the 8th of August, 1863, it proceeded to Lebanon, Kentucky, and on the 20th set out on the march for East Tennessee. This march over the mountains occupied seventeen days and was very severe, the men suffering greatly from dust and heat. On the 10th of November it reached Kingston, and a few days after the Rebels cut the communication between that point and Knoxville. The picket duty became very heavy, in order to prevent surprise from Wheeler's cavalry. The victories at Knoxville and Chattanooga relieved the garrison at Kingston, and on the 9th of Decefnber the regiment reached Nashville, and moved from there to Blaine's Cross Roads, and from there to Mossy Creek to support Elliott's cavalry.

Soon after the news of the attack on Fort Sumter reached the county the work of enlisting men and the organization of companies was commenced. Recruiting officers from Camps Vance, Cleveland, Chase, Troy and Lima opened offices in different localities in the county and by the fall of 1865 recruited over eleven hundred men. During those years the war was the all-absorbing subject of thought and conversation. The following from the Auglaize Democrat of April 22, 1861, exhibits the war feeling at the time:

The Union Forever Auglaize Responds

"Our usually quiet village presents quite a warlike appearance. On Saturday last notice was given that a meeting would be held on Monday evening (April 22), for the purpose of raising a company of volunteers. Early Monday morning the cannon began to boom, and by ten o'clock our town was one solid mass of people. Court being in session, Judge Metcalf, after opening - made a patriotic speech - and adjourned until May 22. The crowd then proceeded to the Depot and gave the Lima company, who passed through, a parting salute.

"In the evening the meeting was held at the court house, and speeches were made by Messrs. Andrews, Walkup, Craig, and others, and the call was then made for volunteers. The call was nobly responded to - some sixty coming forward and signing the roll and taking the oath.

"Auglaize is nobly responding to the call for volunteers. She is turning out the best of her sons - men who will stand by the flag of their country to the last. They are men who we look upon with pride."

In April, 1861, Thomas K. Jacobs, a member of the State Legislature from Allen county, introduced a bill to provide a fund for the support of soldiers' families, by authorizing the county commissioners to levy a tax of half a mill. On April 23, Representative Jesse Baldwin, of Mahoning county, introduced a more elaborate bill, which was accepted. It embraced the principal features of the Jacobs bill. Under the provision of this bill $31,800 was collected and paid to the families of soldiers in the service.

In June, 1861, a levy of half a mill on the taxable property of the county was placed upon the duplicate, to meet the necessary relief expenditures - the commissioners, in the meantime, borrowed from the banks a sufficient amount of money to last until the tax collections could be made.

"The Board this day appointed A. H. Trimble and M. W. Smith a central committee for the county to receive reports, and to disburse funds to the different township committees, appropriated for the relief of families of volunteers.

Since the close of the war there has been a relief tax collected and apportioned to the families of soldiers who served in the Civil War, amounting, in the aggregate, to $37,800, or about $1,050 per year.

Metz, Caspar, 2nd Lieutenant. In Mexican and Indian Wars, 7 years. Mix, Levi, Private, Co. E, 4th Reg. O. V. I. Enlisted, 1847. Discharged, 1848.

Hollingsworth, Josephus, Private, Co. K, 99th O. V. I. Enlisted July 25, 1862. Died at Paris, Ky. Poisoned by eating pie in a restaurant. Haywood, Reuben, Private, Co. D, 54th O. V. I. Enlisted October 10, 1861. Discharged November 20, 1864.

Luedirke, Wm., Private, Co. C, 37th O. V. V. I. Enlisted August 25,. 1862. Died from wounds received at Missionary Ridge, November 25, 1863.

Spanish-American War

When the war with Spain was declared, Co. L, of the Ohio National Guard, enlisted at Wapakoneta, Ohio, was ordered to rendezvous at Kenton, where they were enrolled for the volunteer service, April 25, 1898. Four days later they were ordered to the general rendezvous for Ohio troops at Camp Bushnell, Columbus. The company went into camp at this place April 29, and was mustered into the volunteer service as Company L, of the Second Regiment, O. V. U. S. I., May 10, 1898. On May 10, 1898, the regiment was ordered to Camp George H. Thomas, Chickamauga Park, Ga., where they were brigaded with the 1st Pennsylvania and the 14th Minnesota as the 3d Brigade, 2nd Division. Col. Charles A. Van Duzee, of the 14th Minnesota, was placed in ternporary command of the brigade, and was later succeeded by Col. Kuert, of the 2nd Ohio, who retained the command until succeeded by Brigadier Gen. Rosser, the regular appointee, to the command of the brigade. The division was under the command of Brig. Gen. Arnold, who was soon relieved and sent to Cuba, the command reverting to Colonel Van Duzee until Brig. Gen. Poland assumed command. The 2nd Ohio participated in the grand parade of sixty thousand troops at Chickamauga Park, Ga., and each of the three battalions received from four to five days instruction in target practice during the period of their stay at this general rendezvous for United States troops. On August 28, the regiment received orders to move to Knoxville, Tenn. Pursuant to instructions the 2nd Ohio marched to Rossville, Ga., from which point they were transported by rail to their destination. General Poland died in Nashville, Tenn., after a short illness, and the command of the division passed successively to Generals McKee, Randall and Snyder. Upon arriving at Knoxville, Col. Van Duzee again assumed command of the brigade and was succeeded by Col. Kuert until Gen. Rosser resumed his command. The 2nd Ohio remained at Camp Poland, Knoxville, Tenn., until Nov. 15, 1898, when they were ordered to Camp Torrence, Macon, Ga., arriving Nov. 16, 1898.

The 2nd Ohio was not favored with active service in foreign lands and consequently passed through the regular routine of camp life from the period of its muster in until finally mustered out at Macon, Ga., Feb. 10, 1899.

The following is a partial list of Auglaize county soldiers who have served during the period for which they enlisted, or are now in the service :

This township includes all of Town V South, Range VI East, and the southern tier of sections of Town IV South, Range VI East, making an aggregate of forty-two sections. Originally it formed a part of Allen county. Immediately following the departure of the Shawnee Indians in 1832, a- few pioneers settled at Wapakoneta and along the Auglaize river.

In February, 1833, a meeting of the citizens of Wapakoneta and adjoining settlements was held at the house of Jeremiah Ayers, a citizen of the village. A petition, drafted and signed by all the citizens present, praying for the establishment of a township to be known as Duchouquet township, was presented to the commissioners of Allen county at a regular meeting held at Lima, March 4th, 1833. The township petitioned for was established, and the citizens of Wapakoneta and vicinity were authorized to hold an election of township officers at the house of J. Ayers in Wapakoneta on the second Monday of the ensuing April. At that election officers were elected as follows :

Peter Hammell, William Patton and Shadrack Montgomery, trustees; James Elliott, clerk; John Tam, treasurer; Beal Spurier, Samuel Howell and William Spray, supervisors ; Alonzo Neal and Samuel Howell, overseers of the poor; Bryant McNamore and Jacob Thatcher, fence viewers; Henry VonBlaricome and John Campbell, constables.

Wapakoneta, the county seat of the county and the chief town of Duchouquet township, was originally the site of an Indian village-, settled by the Shawnee Indians after their expulsion from the Piqua towns in 1780. "It enjoys the distincton of having, with* possibly a single exception - 'Pataskala' - the most original andmusical name in the state."

There seems to be some uncertainty among authorities concerning the personage after whom the village was named. John Johnston, the Indian agent at Piqua at the time the Shawnees. occupied Wapakoneta and the surrounding country, states that "it was named after an Indian chief long since dead, but who survived years after my ^intercourse commenced with the Shawnees. The chief was somewhat club-footed, and the word has reference, I think to that circhmstance, although its full import I never could discover."

And Auglaize Counts

The curiosity of some young gentlemen, a few years ago, led them to open the grave of Wapakoneta. In it they found beads of porcelain and glass of French manufacture, stone pendants, and other fragments of ornaments customarily worn by Indian women. The discoveries seem to indicate that the statements- of Harvey are correct.

From 1795 to 1812, adventurous traders and Government agents were the only white men who visited Wapakoneta. In 1812 the Shawnee Indians and other professedly friendly tribes of northern Ohio were required by Government authority to assemble around the Indian agency at Piqua, to the number of six thousand, where they were boarded at the expense of the General Government until the close of the war. After the treaty of peace with England in 1814, the tribes returned to their former locations.

In 1816, George C. Johnston, a licensed trader, built a trading house on the present site of the Wapakoneta Wheel Factory. Later, other traders appeared to barter with the Indians.

In 1819 the Quakers of Philadelphia established a mission here. Isaac and Henry Harvey, the missionaries, accompanied by mill-wrights and other necessary help, erected a grist-mill and a saw-mill, for the benefit of the Indians and the few white people. A number of young men also accompanied the missionaries, who were employed for several years in building cabins for the Indians, and in teaching them the art of agriculture and instructing them in the use of tools. The mills were erected on the rear end of the lots on which the large provision store of H. W. Taeusch and sons is located. A race eight hundred feet long, extending along the south bank of the river to a dam, furnished the necessary power for the mills. The frame of the saw-mill is still in position.

Capt. John Elliott, a veteran in the war of 1812, was appointed government blacksmith for the Shawnee Indians at Wapakoneta in 1819, and moved to the village in 1820. His duties were of a miscellaneous character - repairing firearms, making hoes, axes, plow-irons, chains, nails, hinges, etc. A part of his residence is still standing on the James. Wilson lot No. 19.

Peter Hammel, of French and Indian descent, came here from Canada about 1815, and erected a log building on lot No. 12, in which he kept a store. He sold intoxicating liquors, groceries, dry goods, and hardware. His account book, now before us, shows that in after years the pioneers of Duchouquet and adjoining townships patronized his store. In 1816, he married Francis Duchou- -quet's daughter. Of this union four children were born - Pamelia, Theresa, Jane and Joseph. Pamelia became the wife of Joseph Neff in 1839, and Theresa the wife of William Craft in 1842. The third daughter and son died before they reached a marriageable age. Hammel, after his marriage, resided with his father-in-law until 1831, when Duchouquet died. By his death Hammers wife inherited three hundred and twenty acres of land, in the central part of section 29.

Immediately following the departure of the Indians in 1832, land buyers in considerable numbers appeared in the township, and to accommodate them, the land office, located at Piqua, was moved to Wapakoneta. As soon as it was opened on the 26th of December, over sixteen hundred acres of land were entered in and around Wapakoneta. The principal buyers on that day were Henry Stoddard, James B. Gardner, Joseph Barnett, Peter Aughenbaugh, Jonathan K. Wiles, Robert J. Skinner, Wm. A. Vanhorn, Thomas Vincent Gordon, John Tam, and Jeremiah Ayers.

The record of land entries shows that James B. Gardner, Joseph Barnett, Peter Aughenbaugh and Jonathan K. Wiles, jointly, entered seven hundred and ten acres ; and Robert J. Skinner and Wm. A. Vanhorn six hundred and thirty-six acres.

In 1833, John Jackson, surveyor of Allen county, surveyed and platted the site of Wapakoneta for James B. Gardner, Peter Aughenbaugh, Jonathan K. Wiles and Joseph Barnett. The plat shows that sixty-two lots were staked off at that time.

In 1831, Jeremiah Ayers built a cabin on lot No. 8, now occupied by the Happ building. In the spring of 1832, he moved his cabin to the rear end of his lot and in its stead erected a two-story frame hotel, having an upper and lower porch fronting on Auglaize street. White laborers were so scarce that Indians were. employed to raise the building. The hotel, known as the Wapakoneta House, was a commodious buildng, and was the principal public house in the village until 1866, when it was destroyed by fire. In December, 1832, he entered several tracts of land, in and around Wapakoneta, amounting in the aggregate to two hundred acres. In the fall of the same year he also purchased the mission mills. In 1834, he erected a distillery on the site of the electric power house. This

It will be proper here to state that the only cleared ground in Wapakoneta in 1834, consisted of a strip of land about three hundred feet in width, extending from Court street along Auglaize street to the C., H. & D. railroad.

In addition to the buildings already located along the street, others were situated as follows : The Quaker mission building stood on the northwest corner of lot No. 278. It was a twostory frame building and was occupied by the missionaries, Isaac and Henry Harvey, from 1819 to 1825. In the latter year the missionaries became exasperated to such a degree over the insinuations of unscrupulous white men among the Indians, as to their motives in assisting the tribes, that they purchased "a considerable tract of land from the government, at the expense of the Society of Friends of Philadelphia, on which they opened a farm and established a school. A full account of this school is given elsewhere in this work. After the building was abandoned by the missionaries it was occupied for a time by Capt. John Elliott, and later by his son, James Elliott.

On the north side of the street on lot No. 92, there was a small cabin owned by Wm. Paten, a carpenter. Soon after the purchase of the property he erected a two-story frame house, a portion of which was occupied as sleeping apartments by the family, before the building was completed. It is reported that the neighborhood was aroused one morning in the early part of June by the screams of Isabel and Rose Paten in the new house. When the nearest neighbors arrived they were horrified to learn that the girls' in making the bed in which they had slept during the night, had discovered a huge black snake under one of the pillows. The reptile was dispatched by one of the men and removed from the building. A searching investigation was then made of the room and other portions of the building, before any member of the family could be induced to enter it. Such incidents were not of common occurrence, but a single one was sufficient to impress a feeling of dread in the minds of timid people.

A small frame building stood on the northeast corner of lot No. 1 6, that was occupied by different persons for a number of years. In the rear of this building there was an Indian cabin - in the parlance of the time, called a smoke house. Tradition says it was the residence of the silver-tongued Wayweleapy.

A double log cabin stood on lot No. 94, now owned by Mr. Charles Wintzer, in which Isaac Nichols, a veteran of the war of 1812, lived for a number of years.

The village jail, built in 1834, was a frame building, eighteen feet square, and stood on the present site of Henry Nagel's harness shop. Criminals confined in it were handcuffed and chained as a precaution to prevent escape. It was the only prison in the -county until the county jail was built.

A small brick buildng on the lot adjoining the Timmermeister block on the west, was occupied by the receiver of funds accruing from the sale of public lands.

A cabin and a small brick building occupied by W. A. Vanhorn, the register of public lands, stood on the ground now occupied by the Kahn dry goods store.

The first house east of the Wapakoneta House stood on the northwest corner of lot No. 6, on the ground now occupied by the Dicker and Davis building. It was a frame structure in which Isaac Nichols kept a general store for several years.

* The Indian council house, erected in 1783, stood on the ground now occupied by J. H. Doering's hardware store. It was a one-storv round log building, thirty feet in width by forty feet in length. During the time that it was in the possession of the Indians it was covered with bark - later, when occupied by W. A. Vanhorn, it was re-roofed with clapboards. In 1832 it was renovated, and converted into a residence for W. A. Vanhorn. Later a small brick house was erected on the east side for the better accommodation of the family.

A log stable opposite the Vorhees property stood in the corner of a field on the ground now occupied by the Kreitzer block. The field had a rail fence on the west side, and was inclosed on the other sides by a brush fence. In this partially cleared field Vanhorn fed his ponies when they came in from the range. There was quite a rivalry between James Elliott and Vanhorn in appropriating the ponies left ranging in the forest by the Indians when they moved to Kansas. As soon as a pony was captured it was branded with V or E, the initial letter representing the party who had captured it. The ponies had to be trained before they were of much value to their owners. When "broken to work" they performed good service in the country where beasts of burden were scarce.

The old Indian cemetery occupied the ground between the Vorhees and Vanhorn properties, and extended from the north line of Auglaize street south on Park to Main street. Before leaving for Kansas the Indians leveled all the burial mounds in this cemetery, as they did in all their other cemeteries in the county. Indian bodies have been found* in every sewer that has been excavated through the cemetery. The workmen, engaged in excavating the sewer along Auglaize street, in the year 1900, discovered two Indian graves at the junction of Park and Auglaize streets. The first body found had been buried in a sitting position. The only bones of this skeleton found in a perfect condition were the skull, a radius, ulna, humerus, astralgus, and a few of the tarsal bones. The second body, situated a few feet west of the first one, lay in a horizontal positon, and had been incased in a coffin. The walnut casket had been made of puncheons nailed together with wrought iron hand-made nails. The burial of this body must have taken place after 1819, It was probably interred in a coffin at the request of the Quaker missionary, who insisted on Christian burials during the time of his ministration among them.

This Wapakoneta cemetery was probably the largest one in the county. As a rule each clan had its own burial ground. The lot on which the George Fisher residence stands was a burial mound. A third cemetery was located on the George Hale property in the western part of town. Tt may be designated as the

Logan cemetry, as the cabin of the Indian scout stood near there. A fourth burial ground was situated on the hill west of Pusheta creek, on the north side of the St. Marys road.

During the war of 1812, Wapakoneta was situated at the intersection of two of the princpal roads traversed by the armies ; namely, the road leading from Cincnnati through Dayton, Piqua,. and Wapakoneta to Defiance, and the other from Franklinton through Ft. McArthur and Wapakoneta to St. Marys.

On the morning of April 28th, 1813, General Green Clay, of Kentucky, passed through Wapakoneta, on a forced march with twelve hundred men to relieve Ft. Meigs, at that time besieged by the British and Indians. He reached Fort Amanda some time in the afternoon, where he embarked on seventy-five boats that had been constructed at that place, and floated down the Auglaize and Maumee rivers to the besiged fort.

All troops from Franklinton, assigned to service in the Maumee country moved by way of Fort McArthur and Wapakoneta to St. Marys. What is now Green-Lawn Cemetery was a common camping ground for marching and counter-marching troops during the war. A good spring located between the camping ground and the present location of the county fair grounds furnished the troops with an abundance of fresh water. In the spring of 1813, a log cabin was erected adjoining the camping ground that was used as a storage house and for officers' quarters. General Harrison frequently lodged in this building on his horseback journeys from Defiance to Cincinnati, and from Franklinton to St. Marys.

Early in the war of 1812, a military station was established on the hill west of Pusheta creek and north of the St. Marys road. Barracks were erected, and different companies stationed there during the war. It was the duty of the company to watch the movements of the Shawnees, and to intercept British emissaries,, and renegade Indians from the savage tribes of the north and west. It was, also, one of the depositories of goods and provisions for the armies on the Maumee.

Fort Auglaize, located a half mile north of Wapakoneta, on the west bank of the Auglaize river, was built by French traders in 1748. The so-called fort consisted of a stockade inclosing about an acre of ground, on which the traders erected a number of cabins. The occupants of this stockade received their goods by boat from- Detroit and other French posts on the lake border, by way of the

Maumee and Auglaize rivers. This port, located at the head of navigation, carried on an extensive trade with the Indians in the interior of the state. The post was abandoned after the Battle of the Fallen Timbers. Some of the pickets of the stockade remained standing as late as 1836.

From 1820 to 1833, Wapakoneta contained but few people who had been accustomed to mingle in the circles of polite society. The adventurers who came here to barter with the Indians were destitute of character, and indulged in all the vices of corrupt society. Drinking and gambling were inseparably connected with business and amusements of all kinds. Nearly every trader dealt in whiskey. The order from the War Department, prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors to the Indians, was not observed. The Van Blaricomes and others made money enough by secretly selling whiskey to the Indians to enter farms for themselves.

During the dry periods of summer and fall, wagon trains bearing goods destined to points in the Maumee valley, were of every day occurrence. Gaston Garde, an enterprising dealer in flour and salt, shipped large consignments to Wapakoneta, where they were loaded on pirogues and scows, manned by Indians, and floated down the Auglaize river to Defiance. If the boats grounded on sand-bars or other obstructions, the Indians were required, to jump into the river and buoy them over.

An Act

Sect. I. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio, That the territory included within the original town plat of the town of Wapakoneta, in the county of Auglaize, and the additions that have been or may hereafter be made thereto, and so much of the territory as is embraced within the south half of section twenty-nine and the north half of section thirty-two, of township number five south, of range number six east, shall be and the same is hereby declared a town corporate with perpetual succession, and as such shall be entitled to all the privileges, and subject to all limitations of "An Act for the regulation of Incor-

Sect. II. That the costs and jail fees of all persons committed by the mayor of said town, or arrested and brought before hearing or trial for any violation of the laws of Ohio, shall be paid in the same manner as such costs are paid in cases of the justices *of the peace.

Sect. III. That the town council of the town of Wapakoneta Te and is hereby fully authorized to assume the payment of the "remaining installments due the commissioners of Auglaize county, for public building purposes, as provided for in the act organizing - said county, passed on the 14th of February, 1848.

Sect. IV. That for the payment of said installments, the said 'town council is hereby authorized to issue the bonds of said corporation under the corporate seal thereof, in sums not less than vme hundred dollars each, payable at such time and places, and with such rate of interest not exceeding seven per centum per annum, as to said council may seem proper.

Sect. V. Whenever any bonds shall be issued under the provisions of this act, it shall be the duty of said town council to levy ;a tax sufficient to pay the interest thereon, and for the punctual payment of such principal and interest the whole of the revenues 'of said town shall stand irrevocably pledged, such tax shall be assessed and collected in the manner provided by law for the assessment and collection of corporation taxes, and the said town council may also for the final redemption of the obligations contracted by reason of the powers granted by that act, levy a tax in addition to that provided for by law, to be collected in the same .manner.

And Auglaize Count I.

The early physicians of Wapakoneta, like the other pioneers, experienced many hardships. Many of them were men of refinement and culture. Their arrival in the community was hailed with joy. From 1833 to 1870 there was much sickness in Wapakoneta and the surrounding country. During that long period the town and country were subject, at certain seasons of the year, to milk sickness, remittent and intermittent fevers, caused doubtless, by stagnant ponds and marshes of considerable extent near the town, which diffused a miasma. As the forests were cleared away, and the ponds and marshes were drained, endemic diseases gradually abated, and finally disappeared.

Very few of the pioneer physicians of Wapakoneta now remain. New men, new methods, and new cause for medical aid have supplanted the old practitioner.

Hi 8 Tory Of Western Ohio

Through the enterprise of R. J. Skinner, T. B. Van Horn and James Elliott a one-story brick building was erected on the bank of the Auglaize river, between where Stenger's mill and the C., H. & D. depot now stand. The building material was of such inferior quality that it rapidly went to decay, and a few years later fell down. It is reported that the brick were so soft that the boys cut holes through the walls, which afforded opportunities, when the master's back was turned, of "gliding out to go a fishing." While it stood, it served the purposes of school house, church, and townhall ; it being the only public building in the place. The first teacher who taught in this building was a Mr. Smith, who taught in the winter of 1834-5 and the winter following. He is said to have been a good teacher. The text-books in use were the English Reader and Introduction, Kirkham's Grammar, and Pike's Arithmetic. All schools taught here from 1834 to 1838 were supported by subscription. The teacher "boarded round," and the fuel was supplied by the patrons of the school ; each patron furnishing an amount of wood proportionate to the number of pupils he sent to school. Benches without backs, and a few rude tables constituted the school furniture of that day.

Mr. Smith was followed by Lemuel H. Ide, who taught the winter of 1836-7, and the year following. He is mentioned in commendable terms by those who attended school at that time.

Samuel Harvey taught a term in the winter of 1838-9, and was succeeded by Z. B. Rooker, who taught the next winter term. Mr. Rooker was the first teacher who received money from the tuition fund raised under the school law of 1838.

In the winter of 1841-2, Dr. D. W. Littlefield, a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, taught a four months' school. In the same year Dominicus Flaitz taught a private German school. He afterwards served as county surveyor.

In the winter of 1843-4, J. A. McFarland taught a four months' school. He went from here to Cleveland, Ohio, where, in after years, he became a distinguished physician. McFarland was succeeded by Samuel Brady, who taught in Hammel's old trading house. Isaiah Dawson taught in the same building from 1845 to 1847. The next term of school was taught in the old Methodist church by Burwell Good. He had charge of the schools during one term and was followed by George H. Stephenson and James I. Elliott, who taught in the years 1848-9.

Miss Jane Aldrich taught a summer term in 1850, and Mr. Westby, of Lima, the winter term of 1850-51. Westby was succeeded by Geo. M. Espich, who taught six months at a salary of $150, of which $105 were paid from the public tuition fund, and the remainder by subscription. He taught a second term at a sallary of $210. Espich was succeeded by' John S. Williams, who taught a four months' term in the winter of 1853-4. He afterward served the public as probate judge, recorder, surveyor, and justice of the peace.

Mr. A. B. Norris taught a short term in the winter of 1854-5? and was succeeded by Calvin Crowe, who taught in the winter of 3:855-6. Isaac Scoles and wife, Miss Mary Elliott and Mr. Muchler all taught in that year.

In the summer of 1856 a brick school building was erected on the site of the present Third Ward school building at a cost of $2,517. It contained three school rooms, a recitation room, and a janitor's room.

The first teachers who taught in the new building were Sylvester Mihill and his wife. They taught from 1856 to 1858. Mr. Mihill was succeeded by George H. Richardson. He commenced in the fall of 1858 and continued three years. Miss Mary Barrington had charge of the grammar school, and Miss Q. L. Lytle of the primary department.

It appears on the record that the Board was unfortunate in the selection of principals, from 1861 to 1865. Rev. W. C. Barnett was employed for a period of nine months in the fall of 1865, and was succeeded by Benjamin Bear, who served for one year.

In 1866 the schools were reorganized under the Akron Law, and on the first Monday of the following April the following gentlemen were elected members of the board : G. W. Andrews, C. P. Davis, Dr. Edward Myer, S. R. Mott, Jr., Jonathan Eldridge, and M. Mouch.

In order to accommodate the increased number of pupils and to properly inaugurate the school, the new Board found it necessary to build an additon of two rooms to the school building, twenty-four feet in width by thirtyfeet in length. The addition was made at a cost of $1,175.

St. Paul'S German Lutheran Church

A few members of this church without any particular organization erected a church in 1848, and two years later effected a permanent organization, and adopted a constitution. The members under this organization were as follows : John H. Fisher, Laulus Kratt, Heinrich Miller, Johann Miller, Johann C. Schubert, Christian Vossler, Wilhelm Taeusch, Adam Englehaupt, Frederick Eversmann, Frederick Schlenker, Frederick Speith, Geo. Guttekunst, Gotlieb Machetanz, Frederick Kohler, Manford Warren, J. H. Hassenaeur, Christian Koch, Frederick Geyer, and J. F. Kratz. Rev. During was pastor in charge, serving until 1855. The board of trustees consisted of J. H. Fisher and Adam Engelhaupt. From 1855 to 1863 Rev. Heinrich Koenig served as pastor, and from the latter date until 1867, Rev. J. Sutter served in this capacity. Prior to 1868 the ministers were supplied by the synod, but at this period the church, largely of a union character, divided ; the Reformed members, of whom we write, organizing independently of any synod, under the present title of "The German Evangelical St. Paul's Church." This is the foundation of the present church, while the other branch will be found elsewhere, treated under St. Mark's Lutheran Church.

In April, 1869, it was determined to build a church, and a committee, consisting of J. H. Timmermeister, Wm. Taeusch, and Charles Wintzer, was appointed on subscriptions. The committee on building consisted of J. H. Timmermeister, Wm. Heinrich, and H. Miller. The first action was the erection of a parsonage the same year. In September, 1870, Rev. Rentzsch was elected pastor, and the following year the old building was sold, and a new one erected at a cost of $1,350. In 1873, Rev. Adolph Thomas was elected pastor, and two years later was succeeded by Ullrich Thomas, who was succeeded in 1876 by Rev. Zeinecke. In September, 1878, Rev. Burkhardt took charge of the congregation, and served fourteen years. In 1892, Rev. L. Alperman, formerly a missionary in South Africa, accepted a call from the church, and served as pastor until his death, which occurred February 18th, 1898. Rev. Alperman was succeeded by Rev. Richard Stave, August, 1898, a talented and popular young minister, who resigned in 1900 to accept a call from Baltimore, Maryland. Rev. Stave was succeeded by Rev. Carl Fritsch, who served until November, 1902, when he resigned to accept a call from Meystown, Illinois. The church was remodeled during his pastorate, at a cost of $1903. Services were held in the auditorium of the new court house during the remodeling of the church. Rev. A. Hils, now presiding, was elected in 1903. In September, 1876, the church united with the Protestant Synod of the West, with which it is still associated. The present constitution was adopted June 10th, 1877, and properly recorded.

President; Wm. Kayser, Secretary; John Taeusch, Treasurer; Andrew Smith and J. C. Moell, Elders ; Louis Schneider, G. H. Stroll, and J. H. Burk, Deacons.

First Presbyterian Church

"The undersigned members of the Presbytery of Sidney, Ohio, appointed to visit Wapakoneta and organize a church in that place, if the way be open, met with the people of that town and vicinity on Saturday the 23d day of September, 1854. A sermon was preached by the Rev. W. C. Hollyday, (in the old Lutheran church that stood on the corner of Logan and Main streets), after which the following persons presented certificates of church membership, viz : Wm. Shell, John Musser, Rachel

Musser (his wife), Louise Musser, Sarah Musser, Sylvia Bishop and Margaret Walkup. The following persons were examined for membership, viz : James Bishop, John E. Mitchell, Harriet Mitchell, Jane Mm Howe, and Jane S. Kelly. Whereupon it was resolved to proceed immediately to the election of one ruling elder. This being done, resulted in the election of Wm. Shell. Mr. Shell having declared his willingness to accept the office, and your committee having satisfactory evidence that he is now an elder in the Presbyterian church, proceeded immediately to his installation.

There were no regular services at Wapakoneta until August 22d, 1859, when a committee of the Presbytery of Sidney met the congregation of Wapakoneta in the old Lutheran church. At that meeting the services of Rev. G. W. Hillman were secured, at a salary of $200 for one-third of his time. Rev. Hillman was succeeded in 1861 by Rev. Wm. M. Galbreth, who served until 1863. Through the enterprise and energy of Rev. Galbreth the present church edifice was erected in 1861-2. The building com- mittee consisted of James Harper, A. H. Trimble and J. B. Craigs The contract for laying the foundation and building the walls was awarded to David Hawkey, and the carpenter work to Wm. Craft and Henry Nichols. The first services in the new church were held in the fall of 1863.

The church officers are as follows: Pastor, Rev. John R. Loyd; Treasurer, D. J. Davis; Elders, J. L. Carson, A. L. Whiteman, F. A. Musser, J. M*. Greenslade. Trustees, James Wilson, Jr., Samuel Craig, Wm. Myers, Mrs. D. J. Davis, and. Mrs. Thomas McWilliams.

St. Mark'S Lutheran Church

"In the year of our Lord, 1865, an organization was effected by a number of persons, who had seceded from the General Synod (New Measure Lutheran) church of Wapakoneta; not indeed, because of confessional but of political differences and partisan spirit.

"Following is a verbatim copy of that, which the march of time and the ravaging moths did not destroy, and which was. taken from the corner stone in a crumbled condition.

Dedication

"We, the members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church of Wapakoneta, having been forcibly ejected from the original Lutheran Church of this place, by the unchristian and intolerable spirit of a portion of the members, and having a disposition to dictate, our feeling compels us to decide such matter for ourselves, - in order to a more perfect union and purer Christian fellowship, appealing to God for the purity of our motives, trusting to Him for success, have organized under the above title and name, and being without a suitable place of worship, have met on this 22nd day of April, A. D., 1865, in the court house, in convention with our friends and fellow citizens, to decide upon measures to secure means to build a 'House for God,' Therefore,

"The above mentioned organization was of short duration. They began, but never completed the building for which the corner stone was laid on the 26th day of August, 1865, by Rev. W. C. Barnett, assisted by Rev. C. Steck, of Hamilton, Ohio. Here we drop the curtain, to hide that which was and is no more.

"In the year of our Lord 1868, the founders of the present flourishing Evangelical Lutheran congregation purchased, finished and consecrated this house to the worship of the triune God, at the cost of about $2,100.

"This congregation was organized on the 19th day of January, 1868. The nucleus for this new enterprise came from what was once known as the St. Paul's Lutheran Church, served for many years by the Rev. H. Koenig, and was succeeded by Rev. G. Sutter. Doctrinal differences having arisen in the old St. Paul's Church, a large number of the conservative type of Lutherans withdrew. Rev. W F Lehmann, of sacred memory, was invited to aid in the organization. Under his efficient guidance and counsel, a constitution, approved by the Evangelical Joint Synod of Ohio, and adjacent States, was read, adopted and sub-

"The new congregation was called the Evangelical Lutheran St. John's Church. But as the church was so generally known by the original name, the present congregation by resolution, Aug. ioth, 1890, changed back to St. Mark's.

"The first regular pastor was Rev. E. Buchholtz, who served two years, and under whose supervision the church edifice was completed and dedicated. The second pastor was Rev. F. Wendt, who remained pastor of the congregation until May, 1877. The third pastor was Rev. C. Benzin, who served until the summer of 1883, when the congregation again became vacant.

"At a congregational meeting held August 26th, 1883, the following significant resolution was offered and carried by a unanimous vote, to-wit :

" Resolved , That we find it necessary in view of the growing up generation to supply this congregation with a minister, who shall be capable of preaching his sermons both in the German and English languages ; and that he shall preach both German and English as necessity requires.

"In compliance with this resolution a unanimous call was 'extended to and accepted by Rev. G. Schmogrow, of Doylestown, Ohio, whose pastoral labors began January 1st, 1884, and terminated in June, 1900. He was succeeded by Rev. J. A. Frischkorn, who served as pastor from April, 1901, to October, 1902. Rev. Frischkorn was succeeded by Rev. E. J. E. Kuhlman in November, 1902, and who is now (1903) pastor in charge.

Methodist Episcopal Church

Immediately upon the settlement of Wapakoneta, the Methodists formed a class, and in 1834, erected a frame church building on lot No. 65, on Mechanic's street. Mr, James Elliott, the most Influential member, contributed most of the means for the con-

In 1863, the society determined to build a larger and a more commodious building. Dr. C. Berlin was appointed to go to Dayton, and, if possible secure an exchange of lot No. 65 for lot 66 on the same street. The exchange was secured, and the church was erected the next year at a cost of $1,700.

organized classes at Celina, Shane's Crossing, Wilshire, St. Mary's and Ft. Amanda. These classes constituted what was called Celina Mission Circuit. When the class was organized at Wapakoneta in 1833, it was attached to the Celina circuit. The class at its organization consisted of the following members :- James Elliott and family, Robert McCullough and wife, Joseph Milner and wife, Abraham Alspaugh and wife, Martin Barr, and Mr. Cray.

1833, Rev. John Alexander. The first quarterly conference for that year was held at Lima, October 19th and 20th. Rev. W. H. Raper, presiding elder.

1838, Rev. Geo. Armstrong, missionary, and Rev. Elmer Yokum, presiding elder. At this date the mission circuit included the following fifteen classes, viz: Van Wert, Wilshire, Shanesville, Mercer, Mendon, Harpers, Bethel, Eight Mile, Sugar Ridge, Tomlinson, Spriggs, Buck Creek, Guilford, St. Mary's, and Wapakoneta.

In 1839, ^at portion of the mission including the classes of St. Mary's, Ft. Amanda, and Wapakoneta, was attached to the Michigan conference. In that year Rev. Martin Welsh, and Rev. Liberty Prentice were the missionaries, and Rev. Elmer Yocum, presiding elder.

The following missionaries preached at Wapakoneta from 1840 to 1853. No record of presiding elders : 1840, Rev. A. B. Wambaugh; 1841, Rev. W. A. Bacon; 1842, Rev. Edward Williams and Rev. James W. McNaab; 1843, Rev. Samuel Beatty and Rev. Amos Wilson; 1844-5, Rev. Alexander Harmount and Rev. C. Owens; 1846, Rev. John R. Jewett and Rev. James McBarr; 1847, Rev. C. B. Brandenburg and Rev. Elisha Hock; 1848, Rev. Samuel L. Yourtee; 1849, Rev. Jacob S. Albright; 1850, Rev. Wm. Hodson; 1851-2, Rev. Reuben D. Oldfield; 1853, Rev. J. F. Burkholder; 1854, Rev. Gersham Lease and Rev. Nathan S. Morris; 1855-6, Rev. Patrick G. Goode; 1857, Rev. Harrison Maltbie and Rev. Deverick P. Darling; 1858, Rev. Richard Lawrence; 1859-60, Rev. Webster and Rev.

English Evangelical Lutheran Church

The organization of this church was effected on Christmas day, 1857, at a meeting held in the old M. E. church in Wapakoneta. The members present at the organization were : Geo. Rench, Joshua Shawber, John Shawber, Geo. H. Dapper, Catharine Rench, Rebecca Shawber, Rachel Shawber, Catharine W. Hills, Catharine Kuhn, and Malinda Elliott.

Rev. A. F. Hills became the first pastor, and the first board of was formed by the election of Joshua Shawber and Geo. IT. Dapper, elders, and John Shawber and Geo. Rench, deacons. In April, 1859, a committee on building was appointed, consisting of Joshua Shawber, J. H. Seibert, and John Shawber. Immediate steps were taken toward the erection of a church. The following June the pastor, Rev. A. F. Hills, was removed by death. He had organized the congregation and labored with it during its weakness, and his loss was severely felt. During the infancy of the church, Mr. John Shawber, by his untiring devotion, contributed largely to the advancement of the cause. He contributed freely of his means, and his home became the home of the ministers.

The first sermon was preached in the new building, January 28th, i860, by Rev. W. H. Wynn. On the 31st of the same month the church was formally dedicated by Rev. W. F. Conrad, of Springfield, Ohio. He was assisted in the exercises by Rev. W. H. Wynn and Rev. J. W. Goodlin. The building and ground had cost $3,000, and on this occasion $816 was raised, which was sufficient to liquidate the whole building debt.

Rev. J. W. Goodlin took charge of the church April 1st, i860, serving as pastor the following eight months, and was succeeded by Rev. W. C. Barnett, April 1st, 1861, who retained the pastorate until March, 1865. The following July Rev. D. W. Smith entered the field, and after serving as supply during the summer, accepted a call to the pastorate, in which capacity he labored until April, 1872, when he resigned to accept a call to Mansfield, Ohio. He was succeeded the same month by Rev. S. Ernsberger, who served untilApril, 1877, when he resigned to accept a call to Lucas, Ohio. The following June Rev. D. A. Kuhn became pastor, and served in that capacity until April 1st, 1881. He was succeeded by Rev. A. E. Wagoner, who resigned May 1st, 1884. Rev. Wagoner was succeeded by Rev. Geo. M. Grau, D. D., who served until

Oct. 1885. Rev. Miller served from April, 1886 to 1890, and was succeeded by Rev. Samuel S. Adams, who served until September, 1897. Rev. Adams was succeeded by Rev. W. P. Rangeler, who resigned his pastorate December 9th, 1900. He was succeeded by Rev. Jacob Henry Culler, D. D., the present pastor (1903) in charge.

The old church edifice erected in 1857, stood on the corner of Blackhoof and Mechanic streets until 1892, when a larger building was considered necessary. In that year the present handsome pressed brick building was erected, at an estimated cost of $20,000,. and was dedicated April, 1903.

United Brethren Church

This church was organized in 1890, having a membership of eighteen at that time. Immediately following the organization a church building was erected on McMurray street at a cost of $1,000.

St. Joseph'S Church

Little or nothing is known of Catholicity in Auglaize county, Ohio, previous to 1831. The names of Catholics are prominent in history as among the first settlers, in fact, the town of Minster, in the southwestern part of Auglaize, was founded by Mr. F. J. Stallo, a Catholic, and was for some time called after him.

county, Ohio, from which point he visited many different points in several adjacent counties in search of Catholics. It seems that he arranged to visit Minster regularly once each month, and while on these trips came to Wapakoneta, celebrating the first masses in the homes of the pioneer Catholics. The Catholic residents were but few in number at that time. These years were comparatively ignorant times, when prejudice was strong and it required an effort that the present generation can hardly appreciate to keep the light of faith burning in the hearts of the people.

Nothing but the most indomitable courage, perseverance and love of God and their church could have brought them out triumphant over the obstacles that rose in the way of every step.

Little do people today realize the hardships and labor encountered by the traveling missionaries of these early days in their effort to spread the light of the Gospel to those in darkness, and that they might minister to the spiritual wants of the few faithful ones gathered together in small bands in the homes which are now vanished through decay.

Among the Catholic families of 1834 we may mention the Kellers, Seiferts, Kiningers, Sabins, Landkammers, Goetzes, Schmidts, Wersts, Moslers and Weimerts.

In 1833, the first church at Petersburg was built of logs and dedicated to the honor of S. S. Peter and Paul. The Catholics of Wapakoneta attended services in this log cabin church and it was not until 1839 that a frame church was erected on the corner of Pearl and Blackhoof streets in Wapakoneta, to which an addition was afterward built. This church seems to have been attended from Petersburg. During 1850 a neat little church had been built at Petersburg, and our baptismal records show that Revs. Winands, Schafroth and Muckerheide attended Wapakoneta for some time. These were followed during 1850 and 1851 by Revs. Andrew Kunkler, C. P. P. S., H. Herzog, Aloysius Schelbert, C. P. P. S., Nicholas Vinlands and Father Viands.

The importance of religious instructions had not been overlooked by our zealous Catholic forefathers, and a school was founded during 1853, classes being held in various homes until some years later, when a frame building, opposite the present site of the church, was secured for school purposes. In the same year (1853) it was decided to erect a brick church 80 by 125 feet in size. The contracts for its building were never fulfilled and after years and years of litigation the congregation sustained a very heavy loss and were still without a place to worship.

Rev. Andrew Herbstrit, C. P. P. S., came to Wapakoneta in the early part of 1857, and was, practically, the first resident priest of the parish. Under his pastorate and guidance the pres^ ent church building was erected, the disappointed congregation having liberally responded to his earnest appeal for subscriptions and by their assistance in every other way possible. The edifice was completed and dedicated to the honor of St. Joseph in 1858.

for $1,700 cash, and in 1869 a two-story school was erected at a. cost of $4,000. A very beautiful and substantial pipe organ was installed at a cost of $2,000 in 1879.

St. Joseph's church has been attended regularly since 1857,. by the priests of the Precious Blood from Carthagenia, Mercer county. Among these may be mentioned Father Engelbert Ruf, who, we are pleased to state, is still alive at the good old age of 94 years. Besides Father Ruf, Revs. Jos. Dwenger, '64 to '66, Xavier Griesmayer, '64 to '66, and '69 to '72, Christ French, '66 to '69, Nicholas Graf, '72 to '75, Francis Nigsch, '75 to '81, Conrad Schneider, '81 to '88, Fr. J. Schalk, '88 to '92, Bonifacius Russ, '92 to '97, and the present pastor, Rev. Wm. Russ, who has remained since 1897'

During 1889 the residence for the pastor was built at a cost of $5,000, the building committee consisting of Messrs. S. W. and F. L. McFarland, C. J. Heinl, J. A. Werst and C. A. Stueve.

In 1899 the handsome school building was erected at a cost of $28,750. The building committee consisted of Rev. Wm. Russ, C. J. Heinl, secretary, C. A. Stueve, J. E. Gunther and Henry J. Werst. The building is designed to serve the combined purpose of school and hall and it is one of the most complete modern structures of it's kind in the state.

Manufacturing Industries

These industries contribute thousands of dollars every year to the wealth of the town, and the entire county. The business men of the town have always been liberal in their contributions for the establishment of manufacturing enterprises. The village council for several years past has not hesitated to levy taxes tobe used indirectly in furtherance of commercial enterprises.

Wapakoneta Wheel Company

This company was established in 1872, by J. H. Timmermeister, Samuel Bitler, R. D. Marshall, Ditmer Fischer, Leopold Jacobs, M. Mouch, L. N. Blue, and A. M. Kuhn. The capital stock at the organization was $50,000, which has been increased from time to time, until it has become the leading wheel company of the northwest.

following members : the J. H. Timmermeister heirs, Carl D. Fischer, L. N. Blume, Chas. F. Herbst, J. H. Doering, Wm. Mc- Murray, Jno. Taeusch, and C. A. Stueve.

The David Kreitzer Buggy Company

This important industry was established by David Kreitzer in 1863, and was conducted by him until 1869, when he entered into partnership with J. C. Hasenier. A large two-story frame building was erected in that year. The business grew so rapidly that it became necessary in 1878 to erect a large brick building on the corner of Race and Auglaize streets. The building was further enlarged in 1895. In 1896, the David Kreitzer Buggy Company was organized, and incorporated in that year.

The firm at the present time consists of the following members : David Kreitzer, Joseph Kreitzer, J. Kreitzer, Wm. Kreitzer and John Kreitzer.

The City Brewing Company

This company was organized in 1869, and was the first brewing company established in the county. The present company, organized in 1895, is under the joint management of the proprietors, C. T. Kolter and Henry Koch. The output is sufficient to supply the demands of a large extent of territory. Two large ice machines are, also, operated in connection with the brewery. The larger ice machine producing fifty tons per day and the smaller one twenty tons per day.

The Standard Churn Company

was organized by the present proprietors, F. H. Haman, R. C. Haman, and S. A. Hoskins, in 1889. The output of this establishment last year was forty thousand churns, twenty car loads of handles, and fifteen hundred washing machines, giving employment to thirty-five hands.

The Wapakoneta Handle Company

manufactures all kinds of farming tool handles - all of which, for the past fifteen years, have been shipped to continental Europe. Tourists who go abroad can find the product of our Auglaize county forests in every city, town and hamlet. A. Kahn, manufacturer and exporter of these products, also, exports the tools adapted to these handles. One firm in France, on account of the excellence of material furnished, has labeled one of their tools, "The Wapakoneta."

M. Brown And Company

The M. Brown bentwood churn is sold all over the world and is recognized as one of the best on the market. This spring (1903) they have made shipments to South Africa, Germany, and Russia. The company's output last year was ten thousand bentwood and several thousand dasher churns. Beside these the company makes wood measures and washing machnes. The factory employs thirty men.

Swink, Snyder And Company

are the successors of Swink Brothers and Company, established in 1870. The large factory owned by the original firm was destroyed by fire in 1888, but was immediately afterward rebuilt.

Fisher Handle Company

This factory was established in 1901 in the Dickman building by Henry Moore and Edward Fisher. They make all kinds of ax handles and have a planing mill in connection for general woodwork. They employ a minimum of fifteen hands.

The Wapakoneta Machine Company The Charles Wintzer Tanning Company

This industry was established by Anthony Dieker in 1840. In 1844, it passed into the possession of Gotlieb Machatanz, who continued the business until 1848, when he was succeeded by Frank Happ. In 1862 the property was purchased by Charles Wintzer, who operated the plant until 1898, when it was incorporated under the name of "The Charles Wintzer Tanning Company."

Wapakoneta Knitting Mills

This establishment was incorporated in 1903 under the name of the Wapakoneta Knitting Company. The following are the stockholders : Joseph Walter, Anna Brockert, Henry Brockert, Mary Walter and Louisa Walter.

A gas engine in the basement of the building furnishes power for running the knitting machines, and also, for running a dynamo from which the establishment is lighted.

Hoop Factory

This factory, situated in the southern part of town, has been in operation since 1901. The firm is composed of Joseph Buehler and sons, who manufacture all kinds of hoops. The daily output is twelve thousand hoops, giving employment to twenty hands.

The J. M. Burden Company

The above named company operates a saw-mill on the Lima road at the east corporation line. They do a general milling business and employ about ten men.

Home Milling Company

The oldest mill in Wapakoneta is owned by the above named company, but although long established, it is the newest in methods and machinery. The company employs six men and has a daily output of one hundred barrels of flour.

Cigar Factories

Wapakoneta has, for a number of years, been noted for the excellent quality of its cigars, a fact due no doubt to the great competition here. There are ten factories at present, employing sixty persons, with an annual output of two million cigars.

Gunther'S Bottling Works

John E. Gunther, proprietor of the well known "Bottling Works," employs a number of men and does an extensive business in the manufacture of pop and mineral water and the bottling of beer.

G. C. Heller'S Wagon Shop Wapakoneta Hollow Ware Company

The buildings of this company are located in the southern part of Wapakoneta. The main building is one hundred and eighty feet in length by sixty feet in width.

Acetylene Generator Company

This company has but recently begun the operation of their plant here. It was formerly located in Chicago, but desiring to enlarge their capacity, they accepted overtures made by the citizens of Wapakoneta, and have located their shops in the southeastern part of town. They are, at the present time engaged in the manufacture of acetylene gas generators.

The village of Cridersville, platted in 1856 by Ephraim Crider, is located in the northwest quarter of section thirty-five, Duchouquet township, on the lines , of the C., H. & D. railroad, and the Western Ohio electric railway.

John Murdock established the first dry goods store in Cridersville in 1858, and was followed in succession by John Weiser, Andrew Murdock, John McMilli, Coonrod Meffiey, Thomas and David Davis, J. O. and Thomas Hover, and Thomas Blackburn and Harry Fisher.

The merchants of Cridersville have prospered since 1880. Some of them have accumulated handsome fortunes, and have retired from business. For several years after the development of the oil fields around the village, grocers, clothing stores, dry goods stores and other supply establishments did an extensive business.

The large warehouse now owned and controlled by John Reichelderfer was built in 1865. Large quantities of grain and other products are brought and shipped from this point.

The present business concerns of the village consist of one hotel, one physician, two general stores, two grocery and provision stores, one drug store, one hardware store, one boiler repair shop, one blacksmith shop, one electric power house and one harness shop.

Methodist Episcopal Church. - The Methodist preacher was a frequent visitor among the people in the Burk settlement in pioneer days. As early as 1844, a society was organized in that settlement and services were held in the Burk school house. The old log building served the purpose of church and school house until 1868, when a frame church was erected. Ten years afterward the building was moved to Cridersville.

The church at the present time has a membership of ninety,, and a prosperous Sabbath school with a membership of one hundred. J. W. Haruff is superintendent of the Sabbath school.

United Brethren Church. - This society was organized in 1875. Three years afterward the present church edifice was. erected. The pastors, as near as can be ascertained, have served in the following order: Thomas Coates, 1875; Merritt Miller,. 1876-7; Anthony Stemen, 1878; Elias Counselor, 1879; Wm.

The village school building was erected in 1875. It is a commodious two-story brick structure, the style and finish of which give it a commanding appearance. There are four large school rooms, besides smaller ones for recitations and other purposes. The building and grounds are valued at $4,000.

Section 36. That on the first of April, annually, the electors of each and every township in the state of Ohio shall elect in the same manner as township officers are elected, three persons, whose duty it shall be to serve as school examiners, in their respective townships, and on failure of the electors to elect such school examiners the Court of Common Pleas of the county shall, on the request of any two school directors appoint three examiners for such township.

School Examiners not to give a Certificate for a longer period than one year, nor to any person as teacher unless they be qualified to teach reading, writing and arithmetic, and sustain a good moral character.

At the election held April 3d, 1837, the following persons were elected township school examiners : G. W. Holbrook, Robert J. Skinner, and Jeremiah Ayers.

The Board of Trustees altered district No. one so as to form a new district in the northwest corner of the township two and a half miles square. That is beginning at the west line of the township at the half mile stake of section 18, and running due east from thence to the center of section 16, and running due north from thence to the north line of the township at the half section

The Board being organized, a petition was taken up asking an alteration in school district No. one so as to form anew district in the northeast corner of the township 2 miles one way, and three miles the other. This petition was granted by the board and ordered onto the records of the Township as school district No. 3, with boundaries as follows viz : commencing at the southwest corner of section ten and runs east to the Township line, from thence north to the northeast corner of the Township, and from thence west to the northwest corner of section No. 3, and from thence south to the place of beginning including sections 1, 2, 3, 10, 11, and 12. Geo. W. Holbrook.

A petition was presented asking an alteration of school No. one in such a manner as to form a new district in the east part of the township including sections it. 14, 23, 24, 25, and 26, to be known and designated school district number 4, Duchouquet Township. Boundary as follows to wit: Commencing on the

Township line at the northeast corner of section thirteen and running west on the section line between sections 12 and 13 west to the northwest corner of section 14, from thence south to the southwest corner of section 26, from thence east to the southeast corner of section 25, and from thence north on the Township line to the place of beginning. Geo. W. Holbrook,

Distribution Of School Funds

Legal notice having been given, a petition was presented for an alteration in school district No. one and three, so as to form a new district in the east part of the township to include sections 25 and 26, and 35 and 36 and to be known as School District No. 5, Duchouquet Township. Ordered that the request of the petitioners be granted and that said district be hereby established.

Section Located For School Purposes

Legal notice having been given for alteration in school districts No. 1, 2 and 3, so as to form two new school districts, to be known as districts Nos. 6 and 7. Ordered that the request of the petitioners be granted, and that the Township be so districted that school district No. 1 include sections No. 19, 27, 28, 29, 3°> 3L 32, 33, 34 arid all of section No. 20, except eighty rods off the east side; the south half of section 18, and the south half of section 17, except 80 rods off the east side.

School district No. 2, includes sections 5, 6, 7, 8, the north half of 18, and the north half of 17, except 80 rods off of the east side of 17.

Prior to 1837, the school in district No. 1, was supported by subscription. After that date the practice of supplementing the public school fund by subscription was continued until 1854.