Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 17, 1881

- INDUSTRIES AND OTHER niPROVEMENTS - CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS. n^HE territory comprising this township -*- was siu-veyed in 1807 by Maxfield Ludlow. It was part of that extensive tract of land lying south of the Connecticut Reserve, and east of the land known, after 1820, as the New Pui-chase. "When this tract of land was surveyed, a narrow strip, three miles wide, was left over, lying nest east of the New Purchase, and was called the "Three Mile Strip." It was jii'ojierly surveyed into fractional townships, six miles long north and south, by three miles wide. Years before the land of the New Purchase was thrown into market, scores of brave pioneers, regardless of threatened hostilities from the Indians, had " squatted " along its eastern border, designing to perfect their title to their farms when the land became marketable, as sooner or later it must. This was a wanton encroachment upon the rights of the Indian tribes, and a violation of treaties by subjects of the United States. But the pioneers had no apparent sympathy for the red man, seemingly believing that he had no rights which the pale-face was bound to respect. Large num bers poured into the Indian reserves, and, afterward, before the land had been ceded to the Government by the Indians, when comj^laiuts were made of Indian depredations, no redress could be obtained, as the settlers were trespassers upon the Indian lands. In 1820, when the country was thrown open to settlement, hundi-eds of "squatters" flocked to the land offices to secure the farms upon which they had been living, in many cases, ten or twelve years. Endless disputes arose regarding titles, which were only settled by the lapse of time, or by Territorial coiu-ts, authorized to adjudicate disputed questions. Rarely a case occurred where the " squatter," delaying to enter his land for several years after 1820, found himself supplanted by another pioneer, who had secured the land which the former had endured so much to improve. This was a serious hardship, and the " squatter " had no recourse but to give up the land and locate elsewhere.

the Sandusky Kiver, takes a serpentine coiu'se across the southwestern corner. This river enters Section 36, coming fi-om the south, and takes a northwestern course through Sections 36, 35, 26 and 27, flowing, when leaving the township, in a southwestern direction. Lost Creek, flowing from Vernon Township, enters Section 24, and unites with Sandusky Eiver near the center of Section 26. These streams, together with several small tributaries, form a complete di-aiuago of the southern half of the township. Broken Sword Creek, a winding branch of the Sandusky River, flows from Vernon into the northern part, entering Section 1, thence crossing Sections 12, 11, 10, and finally leaving the township fr-om Section 3. Its tributaries di-ain aU the northern half except the extreme northern line, where branches of Honey Creek convey the water to Lake Erie by way of the Huron River. The di'ainage of this division of the county is excellent, although there is one depressed portion, comprising about three hundred acres, lying in Section 1. This swampy tract of land, known as " Bear Marsh," is noticeably depressed below the surroimding country, and, in early times, when shaded by heavy woods, was covered with water the year round. Since the forest has been removed, and the streams di-aining the marsh have been cleared of fallen timber, the water has been evaporated, or conveyed into Broken Sword Creek ; and, although the marsh is yet wet and unproductive, it affords fine pasture land, and is thus used. The surface of the whole township is beautiful and rolling, especially so along the incline which forms the valley of Broken Sword Creek. The northern elevations are gentle, while along the vaUey of the Sandusky the hills are often precipitous, rendering cultivation on the sides impossible. Considerable coarse gravel and fragmentary bowlders, belonging to the drift deposits, are foimd on the surface. There have been no extensive quarries in the township, although an abundance of Waverly sandstone may be found underlying the heavy beds of djiift in the southern part, and has been taken out in small quantities on the farms of David Wert and Frederick Beech. Considerable dark brown slate, or shale, is exposed on Sandusky River, but to which formation it belongs is uncertain.

The date of the original creation of Sanduskj' Township has been lost. The township was, at lu-st, much larger than it is at present; but, on the 2d of June, 1835, a division was made, as is shown by the following extract, taken from the County Commissioner's report of that date:

"This day came David Reed and filed a petition, praying that some relief may be given to the inhabitants of Sandusky Township, stating that the township is twelve miles in length and three in breadth, and requesting the Commissioners to divide and alter said township and the adjoining townships, so that it may be more convenient. Whereupon the Commissioners ordered that all the original surveyed fr-actional Township 10, Range 21, commonly called the south end of Sandusky Township, and the east tier of fractional sections in Township 3, Range 17 (Whetstone Township), viz.. Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, and Sections 34, 35 and 36, Townships 17, Range 21, are hereby organized into a separate township, to be designated and known by the name of Jackson. And it is further ordered, that all the original siu'veyed fractional Township 17, Range 21, except Sections 34, 35 and 36, called the northern end of Sandusky Township, and the east tier of sections of Township 2, Range 17 (Liberty Township), viz.. Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, and Sections 34, 35 and 36, Township 18, Range 21 (Cranberry Township), shall consti-

The most interesting physical f eatiire in the township is the gas and medicinal springs on the farm of Joseph Knisely. Samuel Knisely, the pioneer, who came to the township in 1819, was, perhaps, the first white man to discover the springs, and, foreseeing their value, not only then, but in subsequent years, purchased the land from which they flow. They are located in the northern half of the southwest quarter of Section 26. There are eleven springs within an area of four rods, and the owner maintains that chemical analysis shows that each one possesses a virtue not found in either of the others. The water of nearly all has been analyzed, and the united springs are found to contain sulphiu-eted hydrogen gas, carbureted hyrogen gas, sulphur, iron, potassium, sodium, magnesium, calcium, traces of siliceous and other matter and traces of sulphuric and phosphoric acids. These springs are located in a small basin on a little rill that flows into Sandusky Kiver. Scattered along the creek above them are as many as twelve others, and a singular featxire connected with some of these, is, that they contain no traces of sulphur. The Knisely Springs are all highly imj:)regnated with sulphiu', and, in some instances, a sulphurous precipitate is deposited after the water has left the spring. From one of them an unpleasantsmelling gas is incessantly bubbling at the rate of about 100 cubic feet per day. This gas is lighter than air, is highly inflammable, bxirning with a light yellow flame, and is evidently carbureted hjTOgen gas, doubtless containing impurities. Some years ago, a large fiuonel ending in a tube, was placed upon the surface of the water, so as to coUect the gas, which was conveyed by caoutchouc tubing to the residence of Mr. Knisely, aboiit 100 feet distant, where it was burned steadily for over two years. It gave a clear, steady yellow light, with occasional fine scintillations, evidently caused by bm-ning particles of carbon in the flame. One of the springs is very valuable and interesting on account of its medicinal properties. A stone box four feet deep, with the same length and width, ia sunk over it almost to the top of the box, and up through an orifice in the bottom, the spring water bubbles as clear as crystal. The water is four feet deep, and, seemingly, possesses a slight magnifying power, as objects at the bottom can be seen as plainly as in the open air. The bottom of the box is thickly covered with a beautiful purple sediment of a chalybeate character. The water is a mild cathartic, and possesses valuable diuretic and diaphoretic properties. It is asserted by the owner that animals live but a few minutes in this water. Its properties are not fully known, but several very obstinate cases of skin diseases have been cured. In one instance, a man named Marr, emaciated, and almost on the verge of the grave, from what appeared to be consumption, came there to try the virtues of the water. In four months he gained sixty or seventy pounds in weight, and left the springs, grateful for his restoration to health. The springs have been neglected in the past, but a movement is on foot, having some of the wealthy citizens of Bucyrus, Gallon and Crestline at its head, to erect suitable buildings at the springs, and to give their full value and virtue to invalids. About forty rods southeast of Mr. Knisely's residence, is a section of land several rods square, from which large quantities of inflammable gas are continuously escaping into the atmosphere. The intention is to utilize this gas in the buildings that are to be erected.

date of the creation of tJie township, and the names of its first oificers, together with other vahiable records, are inaccessible, if known. Thus, those interesting items are necessarily (.imitted from the history of the township. The liist white settler in Sandusky Township is unknown or forgotten. That there was such an individual, no one will deny, and that he lived in the township at quite an early day is proven by a limited amount of evidence. Prior to 1820, but a few settlers had appeared, but, after that date, and previous to 1830, almost or quite all the land was taken up. The flow of emigration into this and adjoining townships, came from the eastern and southern portions of Richland County, which locality had been first settled about 1808. As the settlements were formed and land became dearer, settlers departed for newer localities, where land was cheaper, in order to secure as much as possible with the means at their disposal. Two men are known to have lived in Sandusky in 1818. There were Mi-. Ferguson and ]\Ir. Ridgely, the former very likely locating on Section 2'2, and the latter on Section 14. 'WTien they first came to this division of the county, or whence they came, are unknown events, which aU effort has failed to unravel. Each had a mmiber of acres cleared in ISIS, and the weight of evidence is in favor of their having located there in about 181G. This, however, is conjecture. Each had a family, which in a great degree was supported by the rifle and traps of the husband and father. Mr. Ridgely had quite a large family of boys and girls, the former being indolent and spending their time loitering round the Indian camps in the neighborhood. The girls were blessed with dispositions of an opposite natirre, being bright, active, and industrious. It is said the girls were very much ashamed of the sloth of their brothers, and would fi-equently go out into the field with hoes or plows, leaving the boys in the cabin chewing "dog-leaf" tobacco and loafing. The girls were courted and wooed by the young pioneers for miles around, aud the young men who finally bore off the prizes were the envy of their set. The maiTiage of Lucy Ridgely to John Bear, the first wedtling in the township, occurred diu-ing the siuumer of 1822. It was announced that a dance was to take place the night of the wedding, and all the neighborhood were invited to be present. This was an occasion not to be missed, aud about thirty persons, old and young, assembled, and all was merriment and gayety. Plays, such as " blind man's buff," and " hurlybm'ly," were played amidst great laughter. Sets were formed upon the floor, and the " French four " and " Scotch reel " were executed with a gusto that would perplex the genius of a modern dancing-master. The yoimg men came down on the " double shuffle " I and cut the "pigeon wing" in a fashion that elicited exclamations of delight from the older men present. Some of these attempted the same exploit, but ingloriously failed, and were in disgrace the remainder of the evening. This marriage is remembered by several of the old settlers yet living, who were present and participated in the dance, and ate of the venison aud turkey served at the wedding supper.

In 1818 and 1819, large temporary camps of Wyandot Indians were located near the present site of Leesville, Jefferson Township. For some reason unknown to the writer, Mr. Ferguson was known by the Indians as " Governor Ferguson." If any dissension arose between the natives and the white settlers, "Governor" Fergiison was called upon to arbiti-ate the claims of each. No serious disturbance is remembered to have occurred. A few years later, two brothers, Phillip and William Beatty, unmarried, came to the township. A number of years before their coming, their parents had been cruelly murdered in the forests of Pennsylvania by a war-party of Indians, who attacked their cabin in the night. The absence of the two boys alone saved them from the same fate. The hearts of the two orphans were full of hatred for the red man, and, shortly after their arrival, they determined to wreak their vengeance on the Wyandots. One dark night, they stole cautiously to the Indian camp, and, standing just without the fire-light, selected their victims, and fired simultaneously. No harm was done, but the braves seized their arms and darted into the forest in pursuit. The boys succeeded in eluding them, and in reaching their cabin in safety. The next day, the Indians, with loud comjilaints, went to Governor Ferguson, and demanded that the guilty ones be jjunished. Ferguson said it should ,be done, if the Indians could establish the identity of the persons committing the outrage; but this they were unable to do, and the matter was dropped. The natives were often thievish, apparently not possessing any knowledge of the rights of property; yet they always seemed penitent, and willing to make restitution for any wi-ong committed. If they borrowed the settler's gun, which was often done, it was promptly retm-ned, in good condition, according to agreement. One day Samuel Knisely heard a great commotion among his swine, which were squealing and taking on at a great rate. Thinking that possibly a bear might be after them, he seized his rifle and ran out to ascertain the cause. He discovered thi-eo or four Indian dogs, holding a large hog, which was bleeding profusely and almost dead. He raised his rifle to shoot one of the dogs; but at that instant their owner appeared, in the person of a tall Indian, who leaped in front of the uplifted rifle, and throwing up his hands exclaimed: "No shoot, no shoot! Me pay, me pay." He cast his rifle and tomahawk upon the gi-ound, offering them in payment for the damage done. IVIi-. Knisely refused to take the rifle, but kej^t the tomahawk, which remained in his possession for many years.

In the year 1819, James Gwell came into the township. He built a small log hut, or "hen-coop," and began clearing and improving his farm. In the following year, Mi\ Elder and Mr. Shull arrived and built their cabins, moving their families into them the same year. These men were industi'ious farmers, and made good citizens; a few of their descendants are yet living in the county. Mr. Shull owned a saw-mill on Sandusky River, in about 1830. It was run by water-power, and the water was collected by a large "brush" dam, which was washed out a few years later. The old mill-race is yet to be seen. In 1821, Samuel Knisely moved his family to the "Spring farm," which he had selected and partially pm-chased, in 1819. This man was one of the most skillful and successful hunters ever in the township. He acquired his knowledge of wood-craft and of the chase fi'om his father, who was one of the most successful hunters in Northern Ohio in early years. The father lived in Tuscarawas County, and the family tradition is, that he made it his practice to kill 100 deer every winter, a custom he followed for many years. He was also a successful bear hunter, killing many of those animals. His son Samuel, the pioneer of Sandusky, was scarcely less noted, but the larger species of game had disappeared before his arrival. An occasional bear or panther was found, and the woods were full of deer, raccoon and wolves. He owned a large dog named "Lyon," that was trained to hunt the difi'erent varieties of game. One evening, his son John, a lad of fom-teen, went after the cows, taking the dog with him. He had not gone far before the dog started rapidly in pursuit of some animal.

which soon took to a tree. The boy ran forward, and found that the dog had treed a large wildcat, which was crouched upon a limb about thirty feet above the ground. He began clubbing it, and soon the animal sprang to the ground, but was instantly seized by the dog. But the cat, though pinned to the earth, began doing feai'ful execution with its hind claws on the dog's breast. To prevent this, the boy ran forward and seized the cat by the hind legs, and in a few minutes it was strangled to death by the dog. He retm-ned home driving the cows, whistling along, with the cat on his shoulder, as though nothing had happened. At another time, when IVIi-. Knisely was sick, the dog ran a deer into the river near the house. It was a large buck, and had turned at bay. Mrs. Knisely ran out with the rifle, and, taking aim at the deer, fired, but missed it. She reloaded, and fired the second time, shooting it thi'ough the head, killing it instantly. She was imable to remove the body from the water, though she tried for some time. At last Conrad "Walters, happening along, assisted her in pulling it on to the bank. These ai-e but common incidents in the lives of pioneer wives and chikb-en. Mi-. Knisely was a successful bee-hunter, and always seemed to know just where to go to find an abundance of wild honey. This was collected and packed in kegs, f lu'nished by some of the settlers, and taken to Sandusky City, or later, to Mansfield. Trees were often f oimd containing twenty or thirty gallons. Settlers often experienced great difficulty in paying their taxes; but, where they could obtain wild honey, or the skins of wild animals, an abundant revenue for that pui-jiose was easily obtained. One day Mr. Knisely cut do^vn a bee-tree, and, as it fell, a porcupine ran out from a hole in the tmnk. It was instantly seized by the dog and killed: but the dog's head was filled with quills, and swelled up to

In August, 1821, John B. French erected a hewed-log cabin on Section 23, into which he moved his family. IVIr. French had been engaged in the mercantile business in Virginia ; but, finding that his health was failing, he determined to come to the wilderness of Ohio for a home. He piu-chased a tract of land just north of the Sandusky River, and began recruiting his health by engaging in pioneer piu-suits. But, at that time, the climate of Ohio was very damp, and did not agree with him, and his condition was not altered by his removal fi-om Virginia. The country was covered with bogs, marshes and swamps^ which were a fniitful source of various fevers and diseases. His health slowly failed, and he died in 1830, his death being one of the first in the township. He was finely educated, ami was natiu-ally a man of great sociability and intelligence. He was probably the first Justice of the Peace in the township, and was also one of the first three Associate Judges in the county. He had an excellent judgment, and, notwithstanding his poor health, had gi-eat force of character. Although he did not pretend to keep a real tavern, yet his cabin became quite a resort for travelers, who often traveled out of their way to reach it. His wife, strong and clear minded, is yet living in West Liberty. The Wyandot Indians had temporai-y camps on the French farm, and often came to the cabin to beg, or out of curiosity, or, perhaps, to cultivate a spirit of so ciability. Often, when IVIrs. French was alone in the cabin busily engaged with her household duties, she wovild look up to encounter the keen eyes of an Indian hunter watching her through the little window, or else she would suddenly become aware of their presence in the cabin, where they came without warning or invitation. They would seat them- selves before the fire without a word, take out their pipes, and fill them with pinched-up tobacco leaves from a little pouch hid mysteriously about their persons. The pipe, after being lighted, was handed to Mrs. French, who, to express her good-will and friendliness toward the Indians, would coolly take a few puffs and hand it back, maintaining the same imperturbable silence. Her husband had a sword, a relic of the war of 1812, hanging on the cabin wall. The Indians often took it down and brandished it f m-iously in the air at some imaginary foe. Mrs. French's nerves were equal to the emergency, she viewing the warlike actions without a tremor. One day she was engaged in boiling sugar-water, in a lai'ge iron kettle hanging over the fire. The Indians sat watching her, occasionally stepping up to see how the boiling progressed. "When the sirup had been " stirred off" and had cooled, and the sugar had settled from it, she gave each a small portion to eat. One old brave, named " Dave Hill," ate his in silence, and Mrs. French asked him if it was not good. He looked at her a few moments without uttering a word, and then, drawing himself up to his full height, while a look of supreme disgust swept over his tawny features, he haughtily said: "Ugh! French's squaw no make sugar like Indian's squaw." It is uncertain whether this was intended as a compliment to Mrs. French, or whether Mrs. David Hill was a superior sugar-maker. Among the Indians that stopped at the cabin was a tall, wiry fellow, named Blacksnake, who was looked upon with distrust by some of the settlers. He often became quite loud, especially after he had taken whisky, and would then proudly boast of his former exploits. He had in his possession quite a large niunber of scalps, which, he boasted, had been taken from the heads of white men by himself. He said he had ninety-nine, and must have another to make the even hundred. He soon afterward left the neighborhood, going west, and very likely kept his word. The settlers often received invitations to attend some of the peace dances of the Indians, or to participate in some of their great feasts. These invitations were usually accepted, not only to retain the goodwill of the Indians, but because they afforded no little sport and excitement. Shooting matches would be announced, but, notwith" standing the superior vision of the red men, the white hunters generally bore off the prizes. These usually consisted of a nicelych-essed deer, wolf, fox or bearskin. Some of the Indians were great runners - one, named Eagle Feather, outstripping his companions, or any of the white settlers. The frontier was not without its excitement in the way of shows, several of which pushed out into the wilderness with commendable enterprise. In 1829, a large menagerie encamped for the night close to French's cabin. There were several lions, an elephant, two or thi-ee camels, besides a multitude of small animals, including baboons and apes, otherwise known as the ancestors of the human race. Before the arrival of the show, as it was passing through the woods a few miles north, the lion began to roar very loudly. A man named Bailey, chopping in the woods out of sight of the wagons, heard the ominous sound, and became terribly frightened. He started on the nm for a neighbor's cabin, distant about half a mile, and, coming up to it, he told the owner "the devil was coming; he had heard it roar." The neighbor laughed at him, but, thinking there might be some wild animal in the woods, took his rifle, and went with the frightened man. When they saw the caravan, the feai's of Mr. Bailey were dispersed, greatly to his relief. In 1823, Jacob Dull, Jacob Ambrose, and Benjamin and William Bowers came to the township. The last two named were brothers, and, soon after their arrival, erected a large, hewed-log, two-storied cabin on Lost Creek, not far fi-om its month, designing it for a saw and grist mill combined. This mill, in time, became the most extensive ever in the township. The creek had considerable fall where the mill was located, and lirst-class waterpower, though limited in extent, was secured in the usual way by means of a race. The nearest mills of any note, prior to this, were eight or ten miles away. There was one near Broken Sword (now the village of Annapolis, or Sulphur Springs), and one or two in the adjoining townships, but all could not be sui> plied from these mills, though they were ran day and night, diu'ing the sawing season. The home demand for lumber was gi-eater than the mills could supply, so that, even after the erection of the Bowers Mill, many settlers were obliged to go to distant mills, or do without limiber. The Bowers Mill, though its capacity was limited, did a fair business, sawing all the better varieties of wood on shares. Excellent black walnut timber, that to-day would command almost fabulous prices in the Eastern States, was sawed and burned with a prodigality that appears reckless, when viewed from the present. Entire houses were built of the finest black walnut timber to be found in the forest, and rails by the thou sands were split from the same wood. The gi'ist-mill was a rather weak concern, and was probably designed for no other purpose than to furnish ground com and rye for a distillery that was afterward erected as an addition to the saw and gi-ist mills. It could gi-ind com and wheat after a fashion, and was patronized whenever it obviated the necessity of going to mill through bottomless roads during the wet seasons. However, if a settler had a large grist to be ground, he usually def en-ed going until the roads were in good condition, when he took his grain to a distant and better mill. As has been said, the Bowers brothei-s built an addition to the mill, designing it for a distillery, in which they placed a large copper still. They did not succeed in manufactiu-ing more whisky than was required for home consvunption. About this time, a man named Weaver was found dead in Lost Creek. He had no marks of violence about hia person, and some thought he had imbibed too freely, and, in trying to cross the stream on a log, had f dlen into the water, and, because of his heljjless condition, could not get out. Others declared there had been foul play, and one of the neighbors, with whom Weaver had had some trouble, was pointed out as the guilty one. It is likely that the former cause was the con-ect one. A sort of saloon was kejjt in connection with the distilleiy, and became a resort for convivial spirits. This was the only distillery ever in the township. The mills and distillery ran for about ten years, and were then removed. The old race and a few scattered ruins may yet be seen on the site of the old mill. It was near this mill that quite an exciting adventure occuiTed in about 1838. The neighbors had assembled to erect a schoolhouse, and had completed the work shortly after dark. William Wert had been present, and, while he was passing through the woods on his way home, his dogs treed some large animal and began barking fiu'ioiisly. Wert hurried forward to see what was the matter. The animal was up a small tree, and Wert, believing it to be a catamount, cut the tree doviTL with his ax. But the animal, though stimnel by the fall, scattered the dogs in a huny, stretching one of them lifeless on the gi-ound with a blow of its paw, and ran up another tree. This was also cut down, with the same result. Wert's blood was then uj), and, determining to kill it at all hazards, he cut the third tree down, which, in falling, pinned the animal to the ground like a vice.

The night was as dark as pitch, so that the settler could not see what kind of an animal it was, and was, therefore, unable to shoot it. The only remaining dog dared not go near it. The animal could be heard moaning and struggling to get up, and Wert, realizing for the first time its situation, started resolutely forward to dispatch it with his ax. "When within a few feet of it, he saw its head faintly outlined against the ground, and, watching his opportunity, he struck it with all his strength on the head, killing it instantly. He struck a light, and saw with astonishment that he had killed a panther of the largest size. Its hoad was filled with the quills of a porcupine, upon which it had feasted a few days previously. His family at home were no little frightened when he came staggering into the cabin with the huge animal on his back. It was evidently a straggler, and but for the fortunate circumstance of its being pinned to the ground by the tree,, would have escaped. It had killed one of the dogs, and badly wounded another. The neighbors flocked in the next morning to view the panther, and to tell stories of hair-breadth escapes of their own in the past.

In 1825, James Tarns, Capt. Joseph Smith, Nelson Tustason, William Matthews and William Hanley came in, and erected their cabins in different parts of the townshiji. The last three located in the northern part, near the celebrated "Bear Marsh," which was named by the Indians before the advent of the white settlers. These men became prominent citizens in the township. Tarns entered a quarter-section on the western tier of sections, upon which he built a hewed-log cabin. He was a blacksmith, the first in the township, and, in 1826, built a small log shop a few rods from his cabin. He carried on his trade to a limited extent for many years. Smith had been a commissioned officer in the war of

1 1812, and, after coming to the township, was elected Captain of the muster company, raised in this and adjoining neighborhoods. He was a graduate of one of the Eastern colleges, and, like many others with failing health, had , come to the forests of Ohio to find what virtue there was in the rugged life of a pioneer. ! A few years after his arrival, he died of con- I sumption. Tustason was well to do, and became an extensive land-holder, finally owning several sections near the central part. He j purchased a portion of his land of Benjamin ' Johns, a speculator, who had entered consid- ; erable land in the township, in 1814. Johns did not live on his land, however, but sold it to the different settlers who located in this division of the county. Matthews and Hanley deserve special mention, as being the first settlers in the northern part. No settlers are known to have come in 1827, to this division of the county. In 1828, quite a number came in, among whom were Charles Burns, John Kuth, Peter Long, Isaac Beck, Joseph and William Cox, Dewey, Cove and others. Within the next five or six years, almost or quite all the land in the township was taken uji. Dui-ing this period there came in John Mclntire, Isaac Hilburn, Isaac Davis, Isaac Hemy, Abel Dewalt, John Eamsey, James and William Dickson, Lewis and Peter Rutan, Benjamin Lobe, John Kaler, John Luke and others. In 1835, there were as many as thirty or forty settlers in the township. Industries and improvements began to multiply ; markets became better and nearer; excellent flom- and meal could be obtained within a few miles; Bucyi-us and Mansfield were the jjrincipal trading-points; money became plenty, and the settlers attained a degree of prosperity unknown to them before. Euth erected a rude shingle factory, in about 1836, riving them out by hand, and doing the sawing with a large whip saw, run by two men. Blocks of straight-grained timber, about two feet long, were sawed, and the shingles, about an inch in diameter, were split from these. The work was slow and tiresome, and, after a few years, was discontinued. Better shingles could be obtained for less money at the saw-mills on Sandusky River. Isaac Beck owned a " onehorse" saw and grist mill on the river, in about 1S35. He followed the occupation for about four years. Isaac Darling di-essed skins for a short time, about 1828. John Lobe opened a public house in 1834. He followed this calling for nearly twenty years, and made considerable money from it. John Mclntire was a weaver, and had a large loom in one end of his cabin. He carried on the occupation when not otherwise engaged upon his farm. John Kaler was a cobbler, who traveled from house to house during the winter, mending shoes. He carried a small box, in which were leather, and all the necessary tools for his ti'ade. Hilbum was a prominent citizen in the northern part. When he reached the township, he was in poor circumstances, but immediately began mauling rails, and was soon prosperous. One year his taxes became due, and he found himself unable to pay them. He would maul rails in the woods all day, and, when night came, would go coon-hunting with torches in the woods. One dai'k night, while thus engaged, assisted by his son Robert, a lad thirteen or fourteen years old, he was suddenly attacked by a pack of hungry wolves. He quickly placed the boy in the hollow of a large tree, and, standing in front of him, waved his fire-brand to frighten away the wolves. They came dangerously close, snapping and snarling, but were afi-aid of the fire, and soon went scui-rying oif into the forest. Coon-skins brought 25 cents each, and, when well dressed, as high as §1. This money was used in paying taxes. Industrious and skillftil hunters could make good wages, especially in the winter. They could penetrate the neighboring bogs and marshes, and catch large niuubers of mink, foxes, coons, etc., whose fm-s, at that time, were valued very highly in the Eastern States. Botwei'u 1830 and 1840, large fiu' companies were established in various fur-bearing regions in the United States and Canada, and fiu* hoods, cloaks, tippets, etc., were highly prized by the fashionable world. Thus, a valuable soiu-ce of revenue was opened to the pioneer, and the result was that a vigorous crusade against all fur-bearing animals was begun and carried on so extensively that, in a short time, the forests became deserted by these animals, which were shot or trapped or driven to some remote region not yet penetrated by the pioneer. But the result was advantageoiis to the settler, and, strange as it may seem, the fashionable world of that period deserves the credit and honor, if such they be.

In the year 1827, a United Presbyterian Chiirch society was organized in the central part of the township. A few years previously itinerant preachers had begun to visit the neighborhood, calling a number of the settlers together and preaching to them in the cabin of one of the settlers. These visits brought the desired result, and the preachers were called upon to organize numerous religious societies. The Presbyterian society became so strong that, in 1830, a rude church was built. It was constructed almost wholly of clap boards, which were split out by Patrick Mclntire, one of the early carpenters. Adam Stone, also a carpenter, prepared the moldings, door and window casings, etc. Elder Cratty visited and labored with the society for many years, and was one of the men to organize it. It became the strongest church in the township, although it was not the first religious society established. A Sunday school was organized at the time of the erec- tion of the cliurch, and, from the start, had a large membership. The great value of these societies to the citizens cannot be estimated in figures. They strengthened a sentiment of sociability and charity, that bore an abundant finiit of i^iire lives and morals in after yeai's. In about 1850, a new church was built to take the place of the "clapboard" church, which was removed, and is now used as a barn by William Stone. As early as 1822, a Methodist Episcopal society was organized in John B. French's cabin. John O. Blowers was one of the earliest preachers. An Englishman named Martin, a resident of Holmes Township, often took charge of the meetings. Eevivals were held in the cabins of French, Knisely, Homy and others. Great earnestness and enthusiasm were manifested by the members, and every family in the neighborhood was invited to come into the " ark of safety." In about the year 1840, the Lutherans organized a society and built a chm-ch on Lost Creek. The society is in a prosperous condition. The religious world had long looked upon the duskj' savage as a deserving subject for Christian enlightenment, and, with commendable enthusiasm and energy, had early sent missionaries into the wilderness to teach them the way of eternal life. But the zeal of religious people and the earnest efforts of Christian teachers have been baffled by the natm-al perversity of the red race. They are to-day as crafty, cunning and revengeful as when the English landed at Jamestown. Like the Chinese, they have steadily resisted the advances of a higher type of civilization. But Christian teachers have been persistent, and exceptional cases are found where the aborigines have yielded to religious influences. Early missionaries visited the Wyandot In dians in Sandusky Township. A young lady named Melinda Hunt, filled with religious enthusiasm, established herself on the Sandusky Eiver, and paid regular visits to the natives. She was always welcomed, and the untutored children of the forest loved to listen to her voice, while she told the " story of the Cross." There were rumors that, when she was a child, her parents had been murdered by the Indians, and that, instead of cherishing vengeance, her heart had gone out in Christian love for them, and she resolved to devote her life to their souls' salvation. She was kind, zealous, self-sacrificing, and was beloved by every one. Her heart was ^vi'af)ped up in her work, and her labors were continued until the Indians left the neighborhood. She followed them westward, and what finally became of her is unknovm to the people of the township. Under her teachings, the Indians began to attend the meetings at the cabins of the settlers, and to take great interest in.the early camp-meetings. In 1831, one of these meetiugs was held on the French farm, and was largely attended. As many as sixty families of settlers erected tents, and just without their encampment more than one hundred Indians established themselves in their wigwams, and took an active part in the exercises. Many of these were converted, but they soon went back to their old way of living. Among the ministers in attendance were Elders Prentice, Bell, Palmer, Chase and Havens, the latter being a man of great sjjirit and enthusiasm. Lines of tents were erected so as to form a square, inclosing about half an acre, and, within this inclosure, rude seats and a rude rostrum made from clapboards or planks, were placed. Three exercises were held each day, one in the morning, one in the afternoon, and one in the evening. The ministers took turns in presiding. Supplies of food were brought to the grounds, and the cooking was done in the tents. Horses were picketed in an adjoining grove, and cows were kept on the grounds to furnish fresh milk. Tobacco, candies, fi-uits.

melons, etc., were sold at tents erected withont the inclosure. When the services began, the Indians assembled and sat together, with faces upturned, lir^tening soberly to the words of the " man of Crod." Occasionally some dusky face would light up with the fii-e of the occasion, and its owner would begin to manifest all the outward signs of sincere conversion. The most of them understood English sufficiently well to get an idea of what was being said. Large numbers of whites were converted, and the churches were greatly strengthened by additions made thereto. The Indians were in the neighborhood only temporarily, and, when the camp-meeting closed, at the end of three weeks, they journeyed westward to more fruitful hunting and trapping grounds. The citizens in the township have always been temperate and moral.

It is likely that the fii'st school in the townsship was taught diu'ing the winter of 1826-27, in a small round-log cabin, used as a dwelling, on the farm now owned by Alexander Smith, by 3tliss Jane Hogan, who afterward became IMrs. Smith. The cabin, though small, and having but one room, with a solitary window, through which a few shaded rays of light came, was divided off into two apartments, not in reality, but only in name. Into one of these, hastily and rudely improvised seats and desks were placed, and this was the pioneer sehooh-oom in Sandusky Township. The young lady teacher, who was handsome and quite well educated, taught three months, receiving a small subscription for her services in endeavoring to teach the few children under her charge from scarcely no books or slates or apparatus. Often when classes were called to the floor to read, one book was required to sen'o the whole class, each member taking it in turn and reading, while the others stared idly about, or mischievously snapped bits of wood across the room at some fellow-student. In early years, two or three terms at such schools as the one just described were considered amply sufficient for any one not desiring a collegiate education, and the young men and women were gi-aduated in accordance with the prevailing opinion. The childi-en were not sent to school until they had attained the age of about fifteen years. Here was held the first spelling-school, and here the neighbors - men, women and children - came to see who could " spell the school down." But the " going home with the gals" was what afforded the most pleasm-e, and all the different degrees of courage were exhibited by the pioneer boys, when it came to the "asking" point; and the long walk by moonlight through the forest paths, arm-in-arm, when the spelling had ended, was a memorable event, for " Here maiJem were sighing, and fragrant their sigh, As the flower of the Amra just oped by a bee ;

Miss Hogan also taught the following summer in the same cabin, but her school was thinly attended. During the winter of 1827- 28, Mr. Dewey taught a term of three months in his own cabin. His cabin was twenty by thirty feet, and was sufficiently large to accommodate between fifteen and twenty children, who came to him for instruction. The interior of his cabin was an-anged similarly to the one described above, though it was lighted in a much more satisfactory manner. There were three windows, each containing four panes of glass, and these, in connection with the ruddy light of the great fire-place, afforded what was considered abundant light to enable the children to read, write and cipher without fatiguing the eyes. Mr. Dewey was a welleducated man, and he has the reputation of having taught an unusually successful school.

He continued to teach in his cabin until the first ischoolhouse was erected, in which he afterward taught many terms. Miss Mary Ann Higby taught a ; hort term in Dewey's cabin dm-ing the summer of 1828. She afterward taught many terms in Sandusky and adjoining townships. Several of the old settlers think that school was taught in the township two or three years before 1826, but they are unable to give the date, the name of the first teacher, or any incidents or circumstances connected with such schools. In the absence of any definite evidence, those early schools, if such there were, must remain in doubt as to their existence. Several of the earliest settlers were men of fine culture, who could appreciate the blessings and advantages of education. They had large families of children, in whose rapid intellectual and moral progress they were deeply interested. This would seem to imply that schools were taught