Crawford County, Ohio - Chapter 25: City of Galion, 1912 (part 1 of 2)

First House in Galion - Pioneers of Galion - Arrival of Asa Hosford - His Enterprise - The Part Played by Col. Kilbourne in Locating Site of Galion - Various Names of the Early Settlement - Agreement Between Samuel Brown and John Ruhl - The Two Galions - First Business Industry - Post OfUce Established - Postmasters - Coming of the Railroad and Subsequent Prosperity - Visit of Kossuth - The Part Played by German Settlers in Gallon's Upbuilding - John Kraft - Population - Incorporation as a City - Public Buildings - Opera House - First Theatrical Entertainment - Religious Development - Schools - Societies - Graveyards and Cemeteries - Fire Department - Lighting System - Street and Sewer Improvements - Banks - Building and Loan Associations - Hotels - Public Library - Police Department - Telephone Service - Honor to Gallon's Founders.

The first known house erected on the present site of Galion was on the south bank of the Whetstone on Union street. It was of poles and bark and was built by the Indians, they having a village on that stream, and a few of their houses and wigwams were there when the first pioneers arrived. The first settlers came in 1817, and were Benjamin Leveridge and his two sons, Nathaniel and James. At that time there were a number of springs southwest of where the large central school building is, and here Benjamin Leveridge and his sons cut down the trees and built a small log cabin, with one window and no floor, and as soon as it was under cover, another was built for James a short distance south, on what is now Grove avenue. The third was built for Nathaniel on what is now the public square, and he dug the first well. He had selected the high ground, and was compelled to carry his water at the start from the springs near his father's place ; water was easily obtainable at a very little depth so he put in a well of his own.

The next year saw several more arrivals, David Gill and his brother-in-law, George Wood, John Sturgis, John Williamson, Nathaniel and Nehemiah Story, and John Kitteridge. In erecting a cabin for John Williamson, southeast of the square, while raising one of the logs- into position, John Leveridge was killed, an unmarried son of Benjamin Leveridge. He was buried on the northeast corner of his father's land, where Boston street joins Main, and the first graveyard was started. Gill and Wood entered land north of the Whetstone, where they built their cabins. Sturgis built a small log cabin west of the Whetstone and north of the Galion road. When young Leveridge was killed, Williamson left his cabin unfinished, returned to the Williamson settlement east of Galion, and later came back and built a new cabin. The Storys and John Kitteridge arrived late in the year, and took possession of the abandoned Williamson cabin, which they completed and here they spent the winter, the next spring building a cabin, on the east bank of the Whetstone where the Galion road now crosses the river, Benjamin Sharrock came the same year, built a cabin near the Storys, where his family made their home until he could build on his

Benjamin Leveridge was the headquarters of the little settlement. The year 1820 saw the arrival of William Hosford, and his two sons, Asa and Horace; also, John Atwood, John Bashford, James Dickerson, Samuel Brown, Samuel Doney, John Dunmeier. Of these Brown, Dunmeier and Doney entered land outside of what is now Gallon.

Settlers at a distance were now speaking of the settlement as Leveridge's, although it was only half a dozen log houses scattered over three or four square miles. Of these first settlers the Storys and Kitteridge devoted their time to hunting and trapping; George Wood was a carpenter and David Gill was a man of good education, but as there was as yet no use to which he could put his knowledge, he assisted his brother-in-law at carpentering.

James Kilbourne had surveyed a road from Columbus to Lake Erie known as the Columbus and Portland road, and when the survey reached what is now Gabon he made overtures to the Leveridges to run the road over their land and lay out a town, but Leveridge did not take kindly to the giving of half the receipts for the sale of the lots to Kilbourne, and besides he objected to cutting up his good farm land. Kilbourne stopped with Benjamin Leveridge for several days while surveying the road, and there was a dispute over the prices charged, so when the road was finally laid out it passed west of Benjamin Leveridge's land, along the east bank of the Whetstone, where the ground was low, and overflowed in the spring.

It was the idea of Col. Kilbourne to lay out a town half way between Columbus and the Lakes, and the ideal spot he found was on the high ground on the Leveridge land. Being unable to make any arrangement with Leveridge, he continued north with his survey and he met Asa and Horace Hosford, who had come from the east and were looking for a location. He told them of an excellent site for a town, where the land was good, and if a part of the Leveridge land could be secured the town would be laid out there; if not the road would be changed so as to pass just west of that land. Asa Hosford was at that time a young man of 20, and already showed signs of that strong force of character and shrewd business ability which were his predominating characteristics later in life. He and his 1:)rother went to the Leveridge settlement to look over the location. It was on Saturday, Sept. 19, 1819, that Asa Hosford and his brother Horace walked into what is now Gabon, and went direct to the cabin of Benjamin Leveridge. Here they spent Sunday, and while Leveridge urged the young men to settle in that locality, he absolutely refused to give up any of his own land, but showed them other available sites. The Hos fords returned to Norwalk and spent the winter writing their father of the location they had selected; and in the spring of 1820 William Hosford, with his family, joined his two sons at Norwalk and they settled on the half section west of Leveridge, where later the Portland road was located, as stated it would be by Col. Kilbourne. What is now Main street, Gabon was a half section line, and where this line crosses the Portland road it was originally an old Indian trail that led to the Indian village at Upper Sandusky. This trail was developing into a road by being used by settlers going west to the new lands. At the junction of the Portland road and this pioneer road the Hos fords settled. William Hosford erected a double log cabin on the south side of the road a few rods east of the crossing, which he used for a dwelling and also for the entertainment of travelers.

Horace, one of the sons of William, erected a blacksmith shop on the southeast comer of the crossing just east of his father's, where he followed his trade. George Wood established a wagon and cabinet-maker's shop on the northeast corner; John Kitteridge a shoe shop and tannery on the northwest corner, and a little later William Hosford started a general store on the southwest corner. When William Hosford sold his double log cabin to his son Asa, he built another log cabin on the east side of the Portland road, just south of the crossing, and in this he lived until he built his store at the crossing, which was known by the various names of "Moccasin," "Horseshoe," "Hard Scrabble," "Spang Town," "Hosfords" and "Goshen." It was called "The Corners" from its location at the crossing of the two roads; "Hosford's Settlement," as there were three Hosfords there in business. These names were the popular names among the residents in that section. "Moccasin" and "Horseshoe" were names given it by the Indians, and referred to John Kitteridge's shoe shop and Horace Hosford's blacksmith shop, both largely patronized by the Indians. Spang Town and Hard Scrabble were names bestowed upon it by the residents of the settlement, or those who had land near the Leveridges, half a mile east, and were jealous of the town. The Leveridge settlement referred to it as a place where it was hard scrabbling to make a living, while those proud of the little cluster of houses spoke of it as a spang town in which to live. The name Goshen was given it by William Hosford in honor of his native village, which was Goshen, Litchfield county. Conn.

As the adjoining lands were entered and settled upon by the early pioneers, and the surrounding country became more thickly inhabited, the necessity of a post office became more and more apparent. Accordingly a petition was signed by the citizens in 1824, and forwarded to the Post Office Department at Washington requesting that a post office be established at the "Corners," and that it be named Goshen, and that Horace Hosford be appointed postmaster.

John McLean of Cincinnati was postmaster general, and when he took that office in 1823 the department was in a very disordered and inefficient condition, and under him it was reduced to some system. In the early days post offices were always established near some section where there were a number of settlers, and long before a town or village was started, and the post office was given the name of the township in which it was located. In this county, the offices of Auburn, Chatfield, Lykens, and W^hetstone were' started for the convenience of settlers living in the neighborhood, and were named after the township in which they were located. At the time the request Avas made for the name of Goshen, there were already six townships of that name in the state, and a post office of the same name in Clermont county- So the postmaster general wrote them it would only add to the confusion existing by establishing another

Goshen and suggested the name of Galion. And on June 24, 1825, the Galion post office was established with Horace Hosford as postmaster. Just as the settlement was known by several names, so was the post office given several spellings, and in the files of the papers the records of the court house, and even the gazeteers prior to 1840, it is spelled sometimes with an "e" and sometimes with a double "1," but these spellings were all erroneous, as the post office department states the name has always been carried on their records as Galion, the same spelling as today. Where the Postmaster General found the name, it is impossible to say; he objected to Goshen, on the ground of duplication, and now nearly a century has passed since he gave it its name, and nowhere in the United States is there a town of the same name; the nearest approach to it is a place called Galleon, about twenty miles from Paris, France. Even in the early days it was impossible to find a reason for the name. John Kilbourne, who published the first gazeteers in the State, and tried to give the origin of all names, in his Gazeteer of 1831, published the following: "Galion - the name of a post office in Richland county, supposed to be that in Sandusky township. It is one of that numerous class of worse than useless and insignificant names, which confound the nomenclature of towns and post offices in the western country."

The permanent arrival of Asa Hosford with his father and brother, in 1820 was the commencement of Galion, and for more than sixty years practically every interest and every improvement in that city found as its warmest supporter, and its recognized head, Asa Hosford. In times of emergency, and in times of depression all looked to him, and he responded with all his vigor and his genius, and practicallv all that Galion is today it owes tc Asa Hosford. And when the time comes, as come it will, that the city he builded lavs out some park, it would be only a just and fitting tribute to the memory of Gallon's most progressive citizens that it should be called Hosford.

In the next few years there was quite a settlement in that section; John Cracroft and Tacob Miller came in 1821 : Rev. Tames Dunlap, William Murray, John Eysman, John

Hauck, John Jeffrey, Wm. Murray, Alexander McGrew and Rev. John Rhinehart in 1822; Owen Tuttle in 1823; James Auten and Nathan Merriman in 1824; William Neal, George Row, James Reeves, and John Schawber in 1825 ; John Ashcroft, Jonathan Ayres, Thomas Harding, Phares Jackson, and John Sedous in 1826; Francis Clymer and Rev. John Smith in 1828 and Samuel Gerbrecht in 1829. Many of these settled at the corners; others in the Leveridge part, and still others on farms near the two settlements.

When Asa Hosford, at the suggestion of Col. Kilbourne, endeavored to secure a part of the Leveridge land, a friendship was formed between the two which existed through life. Hosford had confidence the section was a site for a thriving town, but like Kilbourne he was satisfied the place was on the higher ground. But Hosford had no money, and Col. Kilbourne had surveyed a new road from Columbus to Sandusky, eleven miles further west, and had laid out the town of Bucyrus. Hosford in the meantime assisted his brother in the blacksmith shop, and helped Wood at the carpentering business, and turned his attention to whatever odd jobs he could secure. His father's double log cabin at the Corners was the largest building, and here travelers were given meals and lodging, but William Hosford had no desire to run a tavern, only caring for travelers as an accommodation, and in 1824, Asa Hosford took charge of the tavern, and his father built and opened a store. Asa Hosford ran a regular tavern, and being single his sister assisted him as the landlady. In 1825 he secured a permanent landlady by marrying Miss Alta Kent of Bucyrvis, and he ran the tavern for several years. In the meantime he had saved $100, and with this he bought 43 acres on the higher ground to the east, on the advice of Col. Kilbourne, as both agreed this was the proper place for the town. He built a frame barn at the Corners, and later the first frame house in Galion, on the northeast corner of the Square. He did fairly well with his hotel, and in 1829 entered into rieeotiations with Samuel Brown to join with him and lay out a town.

who later married Isaac Criley. When they arrived the Ruhls made their home at the Corners in a log cabin without a floor. John Ruhl came from York county. Pa., where he had prospered, and for those days was wealthy. He was a man of good judgment and the strictest business integrity. He had the means, arid purchased much of the land where the city of Galion now stands. The centre of section 31 is two blocks west of the Scpare, at the junction of Boston and Main street. The northeast quarter of this section he sold to his son Jacob, aiid the southeast quarter of the same section he sojd to his son Michael. This land extended frMi Boston street east to South street. Near this land was the 43 acres owned by Asa Hosford. The northeast quarter was bought from Samuel Brown, and the contract between Ruhl and Brown for this quarter section is interesting:

"Article of Agreement, made an entered into this first day of August, A. D. 1831, between Samuel Brown, of Sandusky Township, Richland County, Ohio, yeoman, of the one part, and John Ruhl, of Sandusky Township, and Crawford County and State aforesaid, yeoman, of the other part :

"Witnesseth, That the said Samuel Brown, for the consideration hereinafter mentioned, doth grant, bargain and sell unto the said John Ruhl, a certain tract of land, with all thereonto belonging (excepting one acre in the southeast* corner of it, which being sold for a churchyard), situated in Sandusky Township, Richland County, aforesaid, being the northeast quarter of Section 31, Township 20, Range 20, and containing - acres, and adjoining the public road leading from Mansfield to Bucyrus, Frederick Dickson and others, for which the said John Ruhl is to pay unto the said Samuel Brown, the sum of fifteen hundred dollars, in the manner following, viz: Eight hundred dollars in hand on the first dav of September next, and seven hundred dollars on the first day of September, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirtythree. The said John Ruhl is to have six geese, six hens and one rooster, to be delivered up to the said Ruhl when said Brown gives full possession, and the said Ruhl is to have liberty to cut timber, dig, etc., on said land from the date hereof, and the said Brown is to give the said Ruhl a good right and title for said tract of land when he pays the hand money. But the said Brown is to have the crops now on the ground, and have privilege to live on the said land until the first day of April next; then he is to deliver up all onto the said John Ruhl, excepting the house now on the State road (now occupied as a schoolhouse), which, in case said Brown would not move on the first day of April next, he is to have the privilege of living in two months after, and Sarah Brown is to have stuff for a new frock when she signs the writing.* The said Brown is to have the privilege of sugar camp next to the house, and all the pasture on the farm, excepting the six-acre meadow. But Ruhl is to have privilege to plow the fields. For the true performance of the above agreement, both parties bind themselves, their heirs, executors or administrators, one to each other, in the sum of thirty hundred dollars. In witness whereof, both have hereunto set their hands and seals, the day and the year first above written.

This sale of land by Brown to John Ruhl was an astonishment to Mr. Hosford, when he was called upon to witness the agreement, as it prevented the carrying out of his expectations of laying out a town in partnership with Mr. Brown. It appears the Ruhls also had an idea that the high ground was the proper place for the town, and Jacob and Michael Ruhl who now owned the east half of section thirty-one, went to Hosford and asked what price he would take for his land. Mr. Hosford saw that it was useless to attempt to lay out a town in competition with the Ruhls, and to have at least some compensation for his disappointment he asked what was then quite a high price, which the Ruhls paid cheerfully and without demur. In fact, it can be said of the Ruhls, father and sons, that while they were shrewd business men they

Having now secured the land they sent for the surveyor of Richland county, the land being then in Sandusky township of that county, and on September lo, 183 1, the present town of Gallon was laid out by Michael and Jacob Ruhl. The original plat commenced at the alley, half way between Liberty and Columbus streets, and extended west to the alley, half way between Union and Boston streets. The only east and west street was Main, the north and south streets were Columbus, Market and Union. There were but thirty-five lots, and every one fronted on Main street, eighteen on the south side of the street and seventeen on the north. About the centre was the public square. In 1833 the Ruhls laid out a second edition, east of their original plat, extending to South street, including where the Big Four station now is. These lots were still all on Main street, with the exception of eight lots south of their original plat, five on the west side of Market street and three on the east. Two of these lots on the west side were south of Walnut street, and the town now had two east and west streets. John Kraft became the owner of lots i and 3 of the original plat, the extreme eastern lots of the original plat on the south side of Main street. An ancient tax receipt shows these two lots were valued at $14, and were taxed at $1.40. The receipt further shows taxes of $1.57 for chattel property, making Mr. Kraft's entire taxes

It was now a rivalry between the Gallon at the Corners and the Gallon laid out by the Ruhls. When they had bought out Hosford, Jacob Ruhl started a hotel in the building on the northeast corner of the square originally erected by Hosford. On the south side they built a frame building in which Michael Ruhl started a store, carrying goods of all descriptions necessary for the settlers in those early days. In connection with this general assortment, he carried quite a stock of medicine and although he was not a physician he advised and prescribed for the settlers. The town grew slowly. It was the recognized site for a village, but it was discouraging to look half a mile to the west, and there on the low and sickly ground to see the busy cross roads set- tiement with teams passing and repassing on the two roads, and the half dozen little shops patronized by the neighboring settlers. Even the store of William Hosford at the Corners did double the business of the store of Michael Ruhl, which carried twice the stock, but as time went on a gradual change took place, and the little shops drifted from the Corners to the new town, and soon afterwards the post office was removed, and from that time on the Corners became less and less, and today there is not a house on any one of the four corners, which was once the centre of business for that section and a hive of industry, but it has the honor of being the first start of Gallon, the place where the present city originated. And now the Corners will undergo another change, for the land around the cross-roads which for more than forty years has been bare of buildings was laid out into town lots in 191 1, and will become one of the residence sections of the city, the improved sewerage system of Gallon making this once unhealthy site a desirable residence section.

Near this section on the south side of West Main street, there still stands the first brick house ever erected in Galion, known as the Clymer residence which was built over seventy years ago, by Jacob Ruhl, and is still used as a residence and is in a fair state of preservation.

The first business industry ever established in Galion was a distillery. It was built near the springs between Atwood and Cherry street by Nathan Merriman, in 1824. Here the settlers disposed of their surplus grain and were enabled to buy whiskey for from 18 to 25 cents per gallon. Owing to the pureness of the water, Merriman made a very good brand of whiskey. Prior to the establishment of the distillery John Hibner had a grist-mill, but this was a mile east of Galion. James Nail also had a grist-mill southwest of Galion, on the Whetstone, and still further down the stream was the Benjamin Sharrock mill. Another mill was the Snyder mill near Middletown, and at one of these the early settlers went to have their grain ground into flour, for in those early days what is now Galion was farming land, and on this land the settlers raised their crops, which they must use to exchange for necessaries.

Mr. Dunlap thus speaks of the condition of that section m the early days: "In 1825 we had a manufacturing establishment in Galion erected by Nathan Merriman, of Bucyrus, to make whiskey of our spare corn and rye. About the same time there was a horse-mill put up by Mr. Snyder at Middletown, where we could get grinding done. The farmers for miles around would put a bag of corn or wheat on a horse, with harness on, take another, if he had it, and go to the mill. If his turn came before night all right. If not, he would hitch up in the night and keep himself awake by traveling around after his horse, and thus grinding his own grain. If it were wheat he could turn a crank attached to a. bolting cloth, and get his flour bolted by hand, and when his flour was ground would come home whistling and singing as happy as a lark."

The Nail and Sharrock mills were run by water power, large mill races having been constructed. When Nail built his mill about 1823 he contracted with Albigence Bucklin at Bucyrus to make the mill stones, and when they were completed went to Bucyrus with an ox - team and hauled the stones back to Galion.

When Asa Hosford disposed of his property to the Ruhls he purchased land on the Whetstone a half mile west of Galion and here he erected a water-mill, which is still standing. It was built in 1832. The buhrs were made in the east and were shipped by water to Sandusky and he drove to that place and brought them overland, and they are still in use in the mill. While some things about the original mill have been changed, the original leather belts are still in use to convey the flour in the elevator cups to be bolted and sacked. Some of the large logs are of walnut and poplar, the heavier ones being nearly two feet square, and are as solid, and substantial, today as when first put in. The liberal use of walnut in the construction of the mill can easily be seen. In the early days more flour was made than the local trade could consume and this excess had to be hauled for forty miles over the old Portland road to Sandusky where it was either sold or shipped to the east. Upon one of the posts in the mill is an inscription which was written shortly after the news came of the election of William Henry Harrison as president, in 1840, and the language indicates it was written by a friend of Van Buren, the defeated candidate. The words are "i^ook out for a storm - Harrison is elected president of the United States of America." Another inscription is the rallying cry of the Whigs in that campaign "Tippecanoe and Tyler too." Notwithstanding the fact that Hosford was a miller with his business a short distance from Galion he was yet the active man in all important affairs relating to that place.

Isaac Criley, who married John Ruhl's daughter, lived on a farm which is now the southeast portion of the city. The west line of his farm was what is now South street. On his land he built the second brick residence at the corner of Main and Pierce streets. The first brick business block was on the northeast corner of the square where the Commercial Savings Bank now is. The brick was made by Dr. Beard, who had a brick yard just west of the Big Four station. When completed the building was occupied as a store by Davis & Bloomer.

Isaac Criley had a carding-machirie and fulling-mill and for a time did a good business. The machinery was run by steam and his was the first steam engine ever introduced into Galion.

In 1836 Jacob Ruhl started a saw-mill on the Whetstone on North Market street, and this old mill was used for picnic parties and Fourth of July celebrations, at which large crowds were present from the surrounditig country, people sitting on the logs to listen to the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and the logs being of further use as tables, on which to serve the meals which the patriotic citizens brought with them.

When the first post ofifice was established on June 4, 1825, Horace Hosford was appointed postmaster, and the office was in his blacksmith shop at the Corners. He was succeeded on May 2, 1829 by Calvin T. Dorwin. the office still beine at the Corners. But when the town of Galion was laid out by the Ruhls in 1831, it so rapidly increased in business that on January 12, 1837, Michael Ruhl was appointed postmaster with the office in his store on the south side of the square. When Hosford was postmaster, in his four years of service the letters received at the office during his entire time did not amount to more than one a day.

Letters at that time were delivered by the mail carrier commg on horse back and some times on foot from Mansheld. In those days letters did not need to be prepaid, and it tell upon the recipient to raise the money or go without the letter. Postage at that time was 25 cents per letter. It was about 1834 that a line of stages which had been runnmg from Pittsburgh to Mansfield was continued through Galion to Bucyrus.

Jenkins' Gazeteer of 1841 thus speaks of Galion ; "The name of a post office and town in Sandusky township, Richland county, about sixty miles northeasterly from Columbus and on the state road leading from Mansfield to Bucyrus, fifteen miles from the former and eleven from the latter place. It contains about 25 dwelling houses, three stores, two taverns, seven mechanics shops, etc. The first buildings were erected here in 1831. The post office is supplied by a tri- weekly mail in two horse coaches running from Wooster to Bucyrus." In bad weather it took four horses to draw the coach. Michael Ruhl was postmaster for two years and was succeeded on Nov. 5, 1839, by Solomon P. Nave, and the office was east of the square on the south side of Main street, near the corner of Columbus street. He held the office for nine years, and on Feb. 3, 1848, Daniel Hoover was appointed. He was a cabinet maker and wheelwright, and had a little shop built of hewed logs, on the south side of edst Main street, west of the Big Four Road, and the post office was removed to this building. Here it remained nearly a year, when, on Sept. 5, 1849, Jacob Bryfogle was appointed postmaster and the office was taken back to the room it formerly occupied under Nave. On June 21, 1853, John S. Davis was appointed postmaster, and the office was in the Davis & Bloomer store on the northeast corner of the Square. Daniel Riblet became postmaster on Jan. 15, 1855, and the office was in the Riblet dry goods store the frame building west of the First National Bank, now occupied by the grocery store of Frank Snyder. During his term of office Mr. Riblet erected a small frame building across the street, just west of the Central Hotel. On April 22, 1861, H. C. Carhart was appointed postmaster. He was a lawyer and one of the leading workers in the new Republican party at Galion, and secured the office, and then placed his brother, Ehnore Y. Smith, in charge as deputy, and on Nov. i6, 1864, Mr. Smith received the appointment of postmaster, serving for 13 years. During Mr. Smith's sixteen and a half years in charge of the office he started in in the Kesselmeier building, half a block east of the square, then to the Mackey block on South Market, and the Howard block and finally to a little frame on Market street, half a block north of the Square. On Nov. 29, 1877, Robert A. Cowden was appointed and there being a mistake in the name by the accidental insertion of the initial "A," a new appointment was made on Jan. 29, 1878, this time the commission being made out correctly for Robert Cowden, and the post office was removed to the northeast corner of the Square, north of the Commercial Savings Bank, the same site it occupies today. Following Robert Cowden were T. C. Davis, Feb. 6, 1882; William H. Raymond, April 6, 1886; Morris Burns, March 29, 1890; John W. Alsop, April 17, 1894; John W. Cupp, Feb. 16, i8g8; George W. Nickels, June 14, 1905.

It is a singular fact that the post office records at Washington give the post office as Galion, Richland county, up to 1845, when the eastern four miles of this county was transferred from Richland to Crawford; yet when the post office was at the Corners it was in Crawford county, the dividing line between Richland and Crawford being about 200 feet east of the Portland road.

For a number of years much of the trade of Polk township followed the line of the Columbus and Sandusky City road, the farmers using that highway to the Lake markets and bringing back with them such produce as they needed, such as groceries, salt, etc. ; but the stores mostly brought their stock over the mountains from Philadelphia and Baltimore, freight being $5 to $6 a hundred pounds. A strap railroad being built in 1840 from Sandusky to Monroeville, over which the cars were drawn by horses, the farmers after that year took their produce to Monroeville, as they thus saved three or four days of time, and secured a better price. After the construction of the Sandusky, Mansfield & Newark road as far as Mansfield and Shelby, the latter places became the principal market for the township, and continued to be so until the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad was brought to Galion. This ended the era of taverns on the old highway, 'ihe building of this latter road was a great stimulus both to Galion and to the township outside of it, the population increased until in a few years it exceeded that of Bucyrus and its township. The interests of the township, outside of the city, have always remained agricultural, aside from the stone quarries, tile works, and the saw and grist mills of early days.

Notwithstanding the success which attended the efforts of the founders of Galion, and their immediate helpers and successors, and the healthy growth which the place put on, it remained up to 1850 merely a country village - a convenient center for agricultural interests. There were no mines or valuable water privileges to stimulate it to a more rapid growth, and there was no railroad. Galion and Polk township went abroad with their products in search of a market, selling their produce at Mansfield and Shelby, both of which were on the railroad. But a change was now at hand. The project of a railroad through the township and city began to be agitated and Asa Hosford was entrusted with the responsibility of putting it through during the winter legislative session of 1844-45. -^s first proposed, it was to end on the south at Columbus and strike the old Sandusky, Mansfield and Newark Railroad at some point near Shelby. Mr. Hosford had to encounter, however, both opposition and indifference. The Richland county people were well aware that with the construction through Galion, Mansfield people would lose much of the trade which they derived from this section, and they had brilliant and able men to protect their interests in the courts and in the Legislature - such men as Gov. Bartley, Thomas Ford, Judge Brinkerhoof, Judge Stuart, Barnabas Burns and others. The people at Bucyrus, also, were not much in sympathy- with the proposition, as they were engaged in a desperate contest with Galion to secure the county seat. At that time Thomas Bartlev, the president of the Senate, was from Richland. Mr. Hosford succeeded in shelving the county seat question for two years, though it is said that Galion came within one vote of securing the location. The represen- tatives of the two north and south extremes of the State were for some time indifferent about the road, as they could not see that the interests of their constituents were affected; but suddenly Cleveland and Cincinnati conceived the idea of extending the road so as to directly unite their respective cities, thus throwing a steel highway across the Stafe from the Lake to the Ohio river. This changed the attitude of their representatives on the question from one of indifference to one of active co-operation with Mr. Hosford. On March 15, 1845, they exhumed an old charter granted for some similar project in 1836, and armed with this went to work. The road was completed in 185 1 and was known as the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad. No greater good fortune could have happened to Gallon. The road gave her a highway to the markets of the world; she was now herself a market and others came to her to trade. The prosperity of the place was immediately advanced, new buildings were erected, of a more modern type, new interests arose, many of the citizens engaged in new and more promising occupations, and from a country town Gallon rapidly assumed the habits and manners of a railroad center. Previous to 1852 there were no houses on Market street south of Walnut, and where the Erie depot now stands was where the citizens took a Sunday stroll when they wanted to take a walk into the country.

In 1840 Gallon became a borough and elected Joel Todd as the first mayor. The population at this time must have been small, as nine years later it was only 379. In 1859 the Bellefontaine & Indiana Railroad, which had secured a charter in February, 1848, completed its road and it was consolidated with the Bellefontaine & Indianapolis Railroad, forming the Indianapolis Division of the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati Railroad. Some strips of land had been donated to the company by Alpheus Atwood. The Bellefontaine & Indianapolis shops were finished in 1854. In 1863 the Atlantic & Great Western was finished through Gallon and shops were built shortly after. In 1871-72 large brick shops were erected; and these important works, with the large number of men which came in, gave an additional stimulus to the growth of the city.

& Great Western road was sold by the foreclosure of mortgages and passed into the hands of the Ohio & Pennsylvania Company. This company carried out some important improvements, one of which was the narrowing of the gauge to the standard width. This work was accomplished on June 22, i88a, and all preparations having been carefully made beforehand, down to the smallest detail, was accomplished in less than half a day. The work of narrowing the trucks of engines and rolling stock tpok longer to complete and was more expensive, the work on the engines costing on an average about $1,600 each, nearly all of this work being done at Gallon. The shops were enlarged from time to time and new machinery put in.

On August 14, 1899, the first car of the Ohio Central Traction line was run between Galion and Seccaium park. The construction of the road was commenced in Galion in the early spring of 1899 and pushed rapidly, and two weeks after running to the park the servive was extended to Bucyrus. Two years later the line was extended eastward to Crestnne. A rival line started to build into Crestline, also, which resulted in the new company buying out the Ohio Central holdings. The line was later extended to Mansfield, and is now a part of the Cleveland, Southwestern & Columbus system. This traction line, besides giving service to Cleveland and Columbus and intermediate points on its own line and their numerous ramifications, gives Galion easy connection with the Pensnylvania lines and the B. & O. at Mansfield, the Pennsylvania at Crestline, the T. & O. C. and the Short Line at Bucyrus, and the Hocking Valley at Marion. Several' other traction lines are being proposed; ultimately some of these, at least, will be built, and when this is done it can only add to the material advantage of Galion and her prestige as a railroad center.

In January, 1852, Louis Kossuth, the Hungarian patriot, passed through Galion, the first prominent man to pass through the county on a railroad, and J. A. Crever, of the Journal, thus describes the event:

"Learning that Kossuth would pass down the railroad from Cleveland to Columbus on Wednesday, February 4th, we with a goodly number of our citizens from Bucyrus went to

Galion to catch a glimpse of him. We found assembled several hundred persons, who were anxious to see the great man of the age. The cars arrived some minutes after one 'oclock with the great Magyar on board. He made his appearance on the platform of the car and was greeted with enthusiastic cheers of those assembled. He did not attempt to make a speech, but talked to those around him. The cars stopped but a few minutes, but we believe that all present saw Kossuth. He appeared very much worn down.. He was alseep when the cars stopped, but was awakened by some of his suite."

The editor then writes of the town: "The village of Galion, near the eastern border, is advancing with rapid strides. Many fine buildings have been erected during the past year, and quite a number of business houses and private residences are in course of construction. At this place the Bellefontaine & Indiana Railroad unites with the C. C. & C, which passes along the eastern side of the town."

Much credit is due to the early German settlers in and around Galion for the part they took in building up the community. Most of them came to this locality direct from Germany, and came with money to buy their land. There was, indeed, little else to buy at the time, but they settled down to hard work, and today many of their descendants, inheriting the sturdy virtues and thrift of their fathers and grandfathers, are among the most prosperous and respected residents of the city and its environs Among them may be mentioned the Rensches, the Sebers, the Eichorns, the Zimmermans, the Cronenwetts, the Bohls, the Krafts, the Rickers, and others. Most of these Germans arrived from 1832 to 1835. Daniel Eichorn, a widower, with four sons and three daughters, arrived in 1835. He possessed considerable wealth and bought a farm south of Galion.

John Kraft, Sr., came to the country in 1833, landing at Baltimore, where he worked at his trade of cooper until the next year, when he walked to Ohio, working a short time at Gambier, and then came to Galion. He erected a one-room log cabin, the present site of the city building, which he used as a residence and cooper shop. He made buckets, tubs, barrels.

In 1836, John Kraft married Margarethe Eichorn, and from this union there were eight children, and of these the five older were born on what is now the city hall lot, the others on the southwest comer of Columbus and Main. It is a singular fact that four of these children are still living,, all daughters: Mrs. Sophia Remy, Fremont, aged 74. Mrs. Catherine Euler, Washington, D. C, 73 ; Mrs. Lena Hofstetter, Galion, 72 ; Mrs. Mary Franks, Mansfield, 70. In 1837 Kraft erected a larger shop on the same lot, and in 1845 he bought a tavern from Jacob Bryfogle, which was on the southeast corner of Main and Columbus streets. This he conducted until he erected a brewery on east Main street, where later was the block owned by Henry Row. In 1852 he started a brickyard on his farm just west of Galion, and here made the brick from which the present brewery was erected, the old part of which is still standing, with the new addition added. Here also was made the brick for the old "Bee Line" round house and shops, and he shipped the bricks for the shops at Marion. He continued in the brewery business until 1868, when he retired living on Church street, Galion, where he died in February, 1888, in his 80th year, his wife dying February 13, 1891.

In 1840 Galion had a population of nearly 200 people. A line of stages passed through the city, and they had two taverns, three stores and several small shops, and the enterprising citizens decided they were large enough to become a village. lu 1840 they elected Joel Todd as mayor, and he was succeeded by George Downer in 1845, Daniel Hoover in 1847, Andrew Poe in 1858, W. C. Parsons in i860, Charles Quigley in 1864, Peter Cress in 1866, M. V. Crane in 1868, O. T. Hart in 1870, M. Burns in 1872, who resigned and was succeeded by Samuel Myers; Jacob Meuser in 1874, who resigned, having been elected to the

Ihe town had grown and was now on the high road to prosperity; railroads and manufactories had added to the population. The little village of less than 200 under its first mayor was about 400 when William C. Parsons became its fourth mayor, and then came the first railroad, and it was followed by another, and in i860 it was a busy place with a population of 1,966 people; another road and still more factories followed, and in 1870 it had nearly doubled its population, and had 3,523, passing Bucyrus, and becoming the largest place in the county, a position it held for forty years. After 1870 its marvelous growth continued, and by 1878 the citizens decided that they had the 5,000 people necessary to incorporate as a city. A census was taken, showing more than the requisite number, and the city of Gallon was incorporated, divided into four wards, and in 1879 James R. Homer was elected the first mayor; he was followed by Abraham Underwood, 1881 ; Robert W. Johnston, 1883; Charles B. Shumaker, 1885; Hugh Ross, 1887; A. C. Squier, 1889; Albe Moe, 1893 ; C. H. Briggs, 1895 ; J. R. Homer, 1899; D. O. Castle, 1903; W. J. Geer, 1906; W. H. Hartman, 1908 and 1910. The United States census in 1880 showed Galion was a city, as it gave the population as 5,635 ; in 1890 this was increased to 6,326, and in 1900 to 7,282. The next census was taken in May of 19 10, and was not reported until the following January; it gave Galion a population of 7,214. This return was so apparently erroneous that a new enumeration 'was requested by Galion, but the request was not granted. It was difficult to locate the error until the enumeration by wards was published later, when it was found the serious error had occurred in the first ward, where only 985 names had been returned, the ward having over 1,500 people. The city council in the spring of 191 1 ordered an enumeration of the entire city, and the official report to the council showed a population of 8,175, an enumeration officially recognized bv the state but not by the government census. The first ward, as anticipated, showed that errors had occurred somewhere or somehow amounting to over qoo.

Polk township and those of the corporation of Galion to erect a building for a court room and other public offices, and, after much discussion in regard to the location, lot 48 of Michael and Jacob Ruhl's second addition to Galion was selected. The building was to be 66 x 75 feet in ground dimensions, three stories in height, and to be built of brick and stone. In 1875 the contract was awarded to George Wimmie and in the following year the building was completed. The lower story contained one storeroorn, two election rooms (one for city and one for township), one room for Star steamer and hose-cart and one jail room. The second story had six rooms, among them being the mayor's and justice's court room, the council room, fireman's room, and a room to be used temporarily as an infirmary. In the third story was the opera hall, with stage and other accessories. It was arranged that the township should receive two-thirds from opera house and one-third from the rents below. The site of the building cost $3,500 and the cost of the building was $26,336.22, which was generally considered a reasonable price.

Many of the citizens, however, remained dissatisfied with the location, especially with that of the opera house, and about 1880 Dr. H. R. Kelly, Davis Stout and John Riblet fitted up for stage purposes the hall in the upper story of the Sponhauer block, enlarging the stage and providing new scenery.

The first theatrical performance given in public in Galion was about 1840 by a barnstorming company in the dining-room of the old tavern run by John Kraft. The dining-room was cleared, and planks resting at the ends and middle on chairs, were used for seats. The children had to sit on the floor in front, owing to the scarcity of seats. The play given was "The Babes in the \\'^ood."

The City Hall Opera House was the principal place for entertainments and public meetings for thirty years, when the opera hall was condemned by the state board, so that now the building is used exclusively for city purposes, and for the township offices.

The first religious services of which there is any record in Galion, were held at the cabin of Benjamin Leveridge, on Sunday, September 20, 1820. Asa and Horace Hosford had come from Norwalk the day before to see about lo- eating in that section, ar.d there being no hotel, Mr. Leveridge's was the stopping place for all travelers. Ihe Leveridge caDin was the largest of the three or four that had been built, and on the Sunday morning the Hosfords were there ten or twelve men and a few women came to the cabin and took their seats, and Asa Hosford talked with them concerning the locality and advisability of locating in that section. Finally a tall, raw-boned man appeared, sunbrowned and hardy in appearance. He was dressed in a linsey-woolsey shirt, wore a belt, and leather pantaloons, had moccasins on his feet, and over his shoulder a powder horn and bullet pouch. In the belt around his waist was a large hunting knife, while across his arm he carried a rifle. The tall man entered and without a word or nod of recognition to anybody, deposited his accoutrements in one corner and took a seat. All sat silent for a few moments, when the hunter arose and sang an old hymn, the audience joining in. Then he knelt and prayed, all kneeling with him. After thv; prayer he talked for over half an hour, delivered a sermon and the servives were over. Then he talked with those present and they soon departed for their homes, the man remaining to dinner. This preacher was Benjamin Sharrock, who lived about a mile or two southwest, where he later ran a saw-mill, and this was the first meeting between Asa Hosford and Benjamin Sharrock, both of whom did so much for the developing of that section, Sharrock in the country and Hosford in the city. He was a Methodist but not an ordained minister, but in the early days expounded the gospel to his neighbors.

As settlers arrived services were held in the cabins whenever any traveling missionary passed that way. A year or two after the Hosfords arrived, George Wood and Asa Hosfor4 built a frame barn near the Coriiers and this, being the largest building, was frequently used as the place for holding services. One of the early traveling preachers here was Russell Bigelow, who traveled this circuit for the Methodists, and for a time was located on a fann near Gallon ; also Mr. Matthews, a Presbyterian, who was the first man to receive any pay for his services, the Presbyterians in that section raising a subscription of fifteen dollars a year to reimburse him for his expenses in making Gallon one of the points on his rounds. Rev. John Rhinehard came in 1822 and also preached in the barn. Later a log school house was built on West Main street and here services were held, and in other barns when they were first erected. These buildings were used until the settlement was large enough to erect churches. In summer services were frequently held in the open air, the principal places being the grove northwest of the square and also another grove south of the square. Here, in the open air, camp meetings were held, and at one of these Bishop Harris, when a young man, was in attendance and became converted. He later became a professor at Delaware University an ordained minister, and eventually the celebrated and prominent Bishop Harris, of the M. E. church.

For fifty years Rev. F. J. Ruth was one of the prominent ministers of the Lutheran church, not only in Gallon but all over the county. He was licensed to preach by the Lutheran Synod of Maryland in 1830, and came to Gallon in 183 1; in 1835 he organized the church at Bucyrus, caring for charges at Sulphur Springs and Gallon at the same time. In 1 83 1 he left Mansfield, and reaching Shelby inquired the way to Gallon, but no one there knew of any such place. He continued his journey south and at West Liberty was informed the place they thought he wished to reach was. called Horse Shoe. He continued his trip through Leesville and eventually reached the Corners. It was late and he put up at a hotel, which was then on the north side of Main street about two blocks west of the square. Here he found a rough crowd, who gave him to understand there was no opening for a German Lutheran minister in that section, and the next morning, discouraged, he returned to Mansfield. A few days later the Ruhls heard that a German Lutheran minister had been in the village and they went to Mansfield to hear him preach and prevailed upon him to return to Gallon. The Ruhls were zealous and earnest Lutherans and the first church of that faith was on land donated by Jacob Ruhl. The first Sunday-school was started by Mrs. Sarah Ruhl and Mrs. Dr. Johnson. Revs. John Stough, Francis Clymer, Ludwig Gerth and John Smith were active in early religious work.

The Evangelical Lutheran church of Galion was organized by Rev. John Stough in 1831, and the early meetings were held in the cabins of the settlers and in the school houses. Shortly after the church was organized the Sundayschool was started by Mrs. Sarah Ruhl and Mrs. Dr. Johnson, but it was undenominational and largely attended. It was held in the old schoolhouse on North Market street. In 1840 a brick church was built at the corner of Union and Church streets, being very prettily located in a handsome grove. The corner stone was laid by Rev. F. J. Ruth, and Rev. John Stough was the first pastor. Both English and German Lutherans used the church at the start, but the Germans withdrew in 1843. They were so strong numerically that their witjidrawal weakened the English part of the congregation, but under Mr. Ruth and others they finally prospered. In 1867 they moved to their present site on South Market street.

The German Evangelical Lutherans were much strengthened by the arrival of. so many of their denomination among the Germans, and although they assisted in building the first Lutheran church, in 1843, they sold their interest to the English-speaking members, and united with the German Reform in building a church on South Market street, where services were held in their own language. There was no union of the two churches. It was a joint ownership of the building, both denominations using it and both adhering strictly to their own doctrines. The Lutherans finally bought out the Reformers and in 1874 enlarged the church by erecting a handsome new addition at the front.

The German Reformed church started prior to 1840 with services in the houses, and in 1843 united with the German Lutherans in the building of a brick church which was used in common, until in 1858 the Lutherans bought out their interests, and they in turn bought an acre of ground on West Main street, just west of the old burying ground, and here they remained until 1868, when they removed further west on Main near Boston street. One of their ministers was Rev. Abraham Keller, who died of cholera in Bucyrus in 1852.

the first minister to visit the Methodists, Services were held in whatever new barn had been erected, and in the cabins. Their first building was a small frame on West Main street and donated by Jonathan Fellows. It was land originally owned by Benjamin Leveridge, the, first settler in Galion. Here they remained until in 1859 they moved to their present location on the corner of Walnut and Columbus. Prior to 1840, Christian Nast, later one of the most prominent men in the German M. E. 'church, visited Galion and sowed the seed for a German church. He preached in the old log school house, and later Rev. Nuhfer, who followed Mr. Nast, organized the church, and the first regular minister was Rev. John Bier. They held meetings in the school house and in the other churches, and when the English Methodist church was built in i860 they held services in the basement of that church and finally bought the old frame building erected by the Methodists, and here they remained until 1873, when they sold the building, and it was transformed into a residence, and they erected a fine large brick at the corner of Atwood and Market.

It was in 185 1, at the time of the coming of the railroad, that the first steps were taken toward the organization of a Presbyterian church at Galion. For several years meetings and occasional services were held at the home of John McClelland, and occasional services in one of the sister churches, and in i860 a site was secured on South Market street, but the breaking out of the war, and the weakness numerically of the members made the building of the church very slow, but it was finally finished in 1863, and the congregation heavily in debt, after many discouragements, but ever faithful and hopeful, had the satisfaction of wiping out the debt, and placing the church on a solid foundation.

The Baptist church was organized in January, 1859. In the spring of 1862 they began the erection of their building on Walnut street, west of Market, and in its erection Elder J. B. Sutton, the pastor, as soon as the foundation was laid, worked as a mason in the laying of the brick until the walls were completed. The building was dedicated August 3, 1862, by Rev. J. W. Osborn, of Mansfield. For two

The United Brethren in Christ commenced the holding of services early in the 40s, the first sermon being preached by the Rev. Francis Clymer in the German Lutheran church at the corner of Union and Church streets. Other early preachers were Rev. W. R. Rhinehart and Rev. Peter Flack. This church held several camp meetings in which there were many conversions. The church was finally organized in 1852, and their church erected on the corner of Walnut and Market streets, and this was the first church erected after the completion of the Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati road, and was then on the edge of town.

The coming of the railroad brought with it a number of Catholics, and in 1854 they were organized into a congregation by Rev. Matthias Kreusch. Services were first held in the home of Mr. Rudiger, near the C. C. & C. depot, and in 1855 they built a small frame on Main street, east of the railroad track. This they used until they bought the property and erected a church north of the Union School building in 1865, and at the same time started a parochial school. The priest in charge at the time was Rev. John P. Pitts and, a part of his parochial duties was the teaching of the school. The membership of the congregation was German and Irish and in 1867 the two separated and both had parochial schools. In 1873 St. Patrick's church was erected at the corner of Washington street and Payne avenue and in 1877 St. Joseph church bought three lots on the corner of Liberty and Church streets. On these lots was the first brick school house built in Gabon, and this was remodeled and used by the church until they built their present structure.

In 1869 Rev. George S. Davis visited Galion for the purpose of forming an Episcopal church, and in December of that year an organization was perfected, known as Grace Episcopal church. Mr. Davis remained with the church about six months and was followed by other ministers, efforts being made to have services at least as often as every alternate Sunday, the Baptist church being used. But the church was not yet strong enough and although the organization was kept up services were discontinued. In 1873 the work was resumed by Rev. Mr. Hilyar, and the hall of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers secured for their meetings. In 1874 they purchased a site on South Union street. Here a very neat chapel was built and the first sermon was delivered in it on December 19, 1875. The congregation was in debt $1,100, but $800 was paid through the work of the ladies of the church and the other $300 was assumed by T. A. Phillips, division superintendent of the A. & G. W., and the church was dedicated on Ascension Day, May 25, 1876. Among those who filled the pulpit in Grace church was Rev. William M. Brown, who after leaving Galion served as archdeacon at Cleveland, and later became the Rt. Rev. Bishop Brown of Arkansas. He has written several valuable works on the history of the church.

The Church of Christ first held services in the old frame church on West Main street, and later bought their present site on East Payne avenue, where they erected their present church about I 90 I.

The first schoolhouse erected in Galion was in 1822. George Wood was the carpenter, and on the day selected the settlers all attended and united in the erection of the building. It was of round logs with a clapboard roof. This roof and the sides of the building were stuifed with moss and plastered with clay to keep out the rain. It was built on West Main street, where the Crim residence now stands. It was a well lighted building for those days as three windows were placed in it, and Wood being a carpenter and desiring to show what he really could do, when the logs were cut out for the windows, placed window frames in the building. The seats were split logs with the flat sides up, and were made by the settlers themselves. David Gill was the first school teacher. Other early teachers in Galion were Phares Jackson, John Morrison, Joel Todd and James Dunlap. In the early days schools were taught by subscription, the teacher securing \\'hat pupils he could at a certain amount per month.

Of course, the more pupils he secured the higher his wages, but it was seldom in those sparsely settled regions a teacher could secure enough pupils to make his salary more than eight or ten dollars a month. Many settlers had large families, so large in fact that only one or two of the children could be sent to school, the parents being unable to pay the tuition fees for all. It occasionally happened that some child who was attending school was sick, or detained at home for some cause. This matter was easily adjusted as the parents sent one of the other children to take the absentee's place. The rule was he had paid for a certain number of days' schooling and he was entitled to that number of days for whatever children he might send and sometimes each child was given a week alternately. It was not until 1847 that a regular school system was introduced in Gallon. Preparing for this new system^ the officers of school district No. 9, which was the Gallon district, made some improvements in their schoolhouse. The contract was with George Rensch, and he was to make 15 seats and 15 desks four feet long. The desks were to be 18 inches wide and the seats ten inches broad. He was to make a double desk and two seats eight feet long. He was to build a platform four feet square, raised six inches from the floor, with a desk on it four feet long and 18 inches wide, and build a seat behind the desk. He was also to build a door, put glass in the windows, patch the plastering and furnish all the material. The contract was made on October 20, 1846, and the work was to be completed in a good and workmanlike manner by November iq, and for all this work he was to receive 20 dollars.

The old grave-yard was selected as the site of the second schoolhouse. but this building was destroyed by fire in 1834 and- was never rebuilt. The third schoolhouse was built of hewn logs on the east side of Market street, the first block north of the square. It was provided with slab seats and "Jim" Mason was one of the teachers. W. C. Parsons taua;ht a school in a room of the Bickler house, across the street from the above schoolhouse. Ludwig Gerth also taueht German school in the old loe buildine on the site of St. Tosenh's church. It was used as a primary department after the first brick building was erected. School was

The first brick school was erected in 1847 on the corner of Church and Liberty, and was used as a school house until the erection of the large central building in 1868, when it was used as a woolen mill, and in 1877 purchased by St. Joseph church, who remodeled it and used it as a church, and today it is the parochial school. It was in this brick public schools were first taught. At the start the tax levy failed to keep the schools running more than a few months, and subscriptions were made to continue the schools the balance of the year. There were four schools in the building, No. i, the primary, was so crowded that it had two teachers, Mrs Crim and Mrs. Hackadorn; No. 2 was taught by Hugh Williams ; No. 3 by John R. Clymer, who afterward became county clerk and editor of the Bucyrus Forum; No. 4 by David Kerr, who was the first superintendent of the Gallon schools.

Between 1830 and 1840 a wave swept over the state for the laying out of towns. A generation had passed and another wave swept the state, which was the erection of large, handsome, central school houses. Gallon was not behind her sister towns, and in 1867 it was decided to build a spacious and commodious central building. Prof. J. C. Hartzler was superintendent of the schools, and the Board of Education was composed of P. W. Weber, president; F. A. Keen, secretary; Samuel Shunk,' treasurer; Dr. N. E. Hackedorn, Jacob Riblet and Charles Quigley. The site selected was the north half of the block that extended from Walnut to Atwood, and from Union to Boston streets. It contained four full lots, and cost $9,000. The architect was J. W. Thomas, and the principal contractors were Bird & Woodward, of Mt. Gilead, whose bid was $31,- 000. The cornerstone was laid on June ig, 1868, but the building was slow in completion, owing to many changes made in the original plans as it progressed, and also the lack of funds. More bonds had to be issued, until finally an investigation was demanded on January, 1872, and J. G. Meuser and S. G. Cummings were appointed to investigate and report. They found that up to that time the cost had reached $87,571. The building has a frontage of 144 feet and a depth of 70 feet. It is three stories in height, the first and second measuring 13 feet and the third 16 feet. The whole is surmounted by two handsome towers, the height from the basement to the top of the towers being loi ft. 3 in. On the the first floor are five schoolrooms and an office for the superintendent; on the second floor six rooms, and on the third floor four rooms and the assembly hall, with a seating capacity of 600. Prof. I. C. Guinther has been the superintendent for the past 15 years; the high school is in charge of Prof. Frank C. Honnold with a corps of eight teachers, while in the other departments there are twenty-eight teachers. Out of a school enumeration of 1910 there is an attendance of 1,495. The first class was graduated in 1871, and numbered two, Willis Stentz, who became a banker in Gallon, and Samuel S. Pague, who later was appointed a cadet at West Point, and became an officer in the army. The graduating class today frequently numbers fifty, and a standard oratorio is the feature generally given each year.

The growth of the population has far exceeded the capacities of the handsome central building, and ward schools have been erected as needed, the first being made necessary as early as 1S79.

The city of Galion is provided with the usual number of fraternal and secret societies. The Odd Fellows were the first in the field, the charter of Galion Lodge, No. 215, I. O. O. F. being dated March 9, 1853. None of its charter members are known to be living today. This lodge met in various rooms until it leased the third floor of the Hofstetter block, situated near the public square. Here it stayed until it built the third floor of the Kesselmeier block, where it has since maintained its quarters. Today the lodge is in a prosperous condition, owning its own hall and its room being richly and invitingly furnished. A German lodge of Odd Fellows was at one time organized and continued for some years, but finally the charter was surrendered and the members joined Galion Lodee. No. 215. Lebonah Encampment of Odd Fellows was formed here a number of vears ago and is still in existence, while the ladies' auxiliary, known as Cassandra Lodge, Daughters of Rebekah, instituted many years ago, is also in a flourishing condition.

Masonry attained a permanent footing in Galion when Fidelity Lodge, No. 327, F. & A. M. was granted a charter on OctoDer 17, i860. Un October i, 1868, a second Blue Lodge was instituted and was known as Galion Lodge, No. 414, many of the original members of which are still living. Fidelity Lodge - of whom the only living charter member is Peter W. Weber, met on the third floor of the Hackedorn block, while Galion Lodge occupied the third floor of the Mackey block. A few years ago the two lodges were merged under the name of Galion Lodge, No. 414. They have commodious quarters in the Mackey block, but plans are on foot whereby they will soon own their own building and hall. The Royal Arch Masons received their charter October II, 1878, as Crawford Chapter, No. 142. The ladies are represented by membership in Naomi Chapter, No. 47, Order of the Eastern Star.

A lodge of Red Men was at one time organized in Galion but has long since ceased to exist. The Masons and Odd Fellows held sway for a number of years until Galion Lodge, No. 186, Knights of Pythias, was instituted. It was composed mainly of young men and many of its original members are still living. It first met in Howard's Hall, but some years ago leased the entire third floor of the Hackedorn block, which was remodeled into lodge and banquet rooms and richly furnished. This organization is prospering and is increasing its membership.

In iqo8 the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks organized Galion Lodge, No. 1 191, and two years ago they purchased their own building on East Main street. Other orders are Galion Aerie, Fraternal Order of Eagles, No. 630, who meet at the Eagles Home, west Main street; Galion Nest, No. 11. S4, Order of Owls, 130 East Main street ; Galion Lodge, No. 303, Loyal Order of Moose, who meet in the Howard Block.

The first of the so-called insurance fraternities was the railway men's organization known as Division No. 16. Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, which first met in a part of the third floor now occupied by the armory. This lodge is still in existence and continues to prosper. Later on the Order of Raihvay Conductors, the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen, and the Brotherhood of Railway Train- men, all fraternal railway organizations, were organized and continue to exist, wielding much power for the good of their members, as well as the national organizations. Auxiliaries to these organizations are the Grand International Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers, Eclipse Favorite, Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen, and Pride of 35 Lodge 79, Ladies' Auxiliary to the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen.

In addition to the above fraternities, the Royal Arcanum is represented by Crawford Council, No. 20. The Independent Order of Foresters has three lodges - Court Gallon, 1360, Court Daisy, 74 and Court Mohawk, 4755- The Royal Foresters, No. 102, also maintain an organization here and all Forester Courts meet in the Howard Block. Camp No. 3766, Modern Woodmen of America; Gallon Tent, No. 407, Knights of the Maccabees; Gallon Hive, No. 230, Ladies of the Maccabees ; Peace Home, No. 14, and Galion Home, No. 178, Home Guards of America, are some of the insurance lodges which are doing an active and progressive work in this city and its environs.

The first patriotic organization in this city, having its origin in the Civil war, was Dick Morris Post, No. 130, Grand Army of the Republic, which today has about 60 members. Its Ladies' Auxiliary is known as Dick Morris Corps.

Star Council, No. 106, Junior Order of United American Mechanics, has been in existence for 21 years and has the third floor of the Dennig block under long lease, sub-renting its handsomely appointed lodge rooms to other lodges.

Hope Council, Daughters of Liberty and Bell of Liberty Council, Davighters of America, are ladies' lodges of a patriotic character, the latter being closely allied with the Junior Order and the former with the order of United American Mechanics, which has no lodge here at present.

There are several fraternal organizations in Galion fostered by the Roman Catholic church, all of a beneficiary character. The Catholic Knights of America were the first to organize a branch here, but the members afterwasd became affiliated with the Catholic Knights of

Ohio, maintaining St. Joseph's branch, No. 7, and Branch No. 92. St. Francis Council, No. 1234, Knights of Columbus, was organized about four years ago and is a flourishing institution.

The Catholic Ladies of Columbia maintain a strong organization. Other fraternal organizations are Galion Council, No. 476, United CoQimercial Travelers; Galion Tribe of Ben Hur, Knights of Honor, D. K. U. V., and Galion Lodge, No. 1226, National Protective Legioif.

The first burial ground in what is now the city limits of Galion, was there long before the first settlers had set a foot in this hunting region of the Indians. On the south bank of the Whetstone, west of Market street, was an Indian village occupied by members of the Wyandot tribe, while across the river was an Indian burial ground. Many interments had been made there long prior to the arrival of the first settlers, but with the incoming of the white man the Indian village was abandoned and the graveyard was seldom if ever used. The graves were generally quite shallow, and whether it was their aversion to work or an Indian custom, when one of their number died in winter, the bodies were placed on posts driven into the ground, and properly protected left to remain there until spring, when a very shallow grave was dug and the Indian buried. After the Indians left many of the graves were opened by the younger men among the settlers in the hope of finding something of value, but in no case was anything found beyond the weapons of some warrier. Still the desecration of these graves enabled some of the early physicians to secure skeletons, which they transferred to their offices.

After the pioneers arrived it was the custom there, as all over the country, for the settlers to bury their dead in some favorable a'nd pretty locality on their own land, but John Williamson and James Nail conceived the idea of establishing a graveyard in some central locality. The site selected was in the northeast quarter of section 31, on the north side of Main street jus<3 east of where the German Reformed church stood 20 years ago. This land belonged to Samuel Brown. It was a dense forest covered with sugar trees and underbrush and they bought one acre for $5.00. The cash was paid and Mr. Nail states that a deed was made out in the name of John WilUamson and others, dedicating the site for burial purposes, but the deed was never recorded. After securing the ground, a man by the name of Frederick Sedorus was employed for $14.00 to chop down a number of the trees, clear away the underbrush, and make the ground fit for use. This was probably in 1825, several years before Gallon was laid out. Nail states that in every transfer of the farm from that day to this the acre was consecrated to the dead. The first or second grave dug in this ground was for a child of James Nail, and he has eight members of his family buried there; two wives, and six children. The last burial was that of John Williamson. The graveyard had long since been abandoned, but he desired to be buried by the rest of his family. During all of Mr. Nail's life the ground was kept in repair by him and his last payment for that purpose was in 1866, when a payment of $25.00 was made to H. C. Carhart and James W. Gill for the last fence that was ever placed around the lot. At the time the graveyard was started, just south of it were several graves that had been dug on the Leveridge farm, the first burial there being that of John Leveridge, who was killed by a falling log while erecting the Williamson cabin in 1819; this was undoubtedly the first burial in Polk township. Several of the Leveridges were buried on this site, which is now Main street. The ruthless march of time made the ground where this first graveyard was located too valuable and the remains of the dead were carefully taken up and removed to Union Green Cemetery, one block north, which many years previous had been laid out as the cemetery of the city of Gallon. In this cemetery rests Disberry Johnston, the pioneer who came to this county in 181 7 with a wife and 17 children.

The Union Green cemetery was located on land donated by Jacob Ruhl. Prior to this the Nail-Williamson cemetery was used. Just north of this cemetery is the Catholic cemetery. After the Lutheran church was built near the cemetery in 1840 that church added more land, and in 1861 a final addition was made to it on the south side by Daniel Riblet. This addition brought the cemetery ground up to Church street and made it a block in size, about five acres. The rapid growth of the town after 1850 led to several propositions for a new and larger cemetery, but it was not until thirty years later that definite action was taken, and the site of the present Fairview Cemetery secured, a tract of 80 acres near the northeastern part of the city. It was appropriately named Fairview, being on high ground, overlooking the city. It was laid out in fine drives, additional trees planted, and Gallon's city of the dead demonstrates the taste and progress of that enterprising city, and reflects credit on the management of the Fairview Cemetery Association.

As in the early history of most towns. Gallon had no regular fire department. When a fire broke out it was extinguished - if, indeed, it was extinguished before it had burned itself out - by the voluntary efforts of all the able bodied citizens who could handle a pail, two lines being formed and the full pails or buckets of water being passed along one line to be emptied onto the fire, and then returned along the other line to be refilled. This plan, however, was adopted and a regular brigade formed only after the futility of unconcerted action had been several times demonstrated. Later a crude engine came into use, which consisted of small rectangular boxes supplied with pumps. The boxes held from one to three barrels of water and were set on low trucks. From four to six men could work at the levers. There was no suction and the lid of the box had to be kept shut while pumping. It was soon discovered, however, that it was just as effective to throw the water on the fire directly from the pails as to use this clumsy apparatus, and therefore it was soon abandoned and finished its career as a garden sprinkler. It had cost the village $100, the money being lent by Jacob Riblet. This inefficient machine was named the "Protection," which at this day seems rather humorous.

About 1853 the council purchased a more efficient apparatus in the Phoenix hand-engine - that is, it was more efficient whenever a fire happened to break out in the immediate vicinitv of where it happened to be located, for being low built and tremendously heavy it was not an uncommon thing to see it hopelessly stuck in the mud, with the foreman and crew making desperate efforts to extricate it, while the exul- tant fire fiend was making havoc with property, perhaps only a block or two distant. This machine had been built for use on the better streets of Cleveland, but as steam fire-engines were just then coming into vogue, that city did not want it, and Gallon secured it at a bargain. The engine could throw a considerable volume of water to a good height. Jacob Riblet, however, had opposed the purchase of the Phoenix engine, on account of its heaviness, thereby proving himself to be a man of considerable perspicacity, and after it had been purchased in the face of his opposition, he bet the company a keg of beer that the engine could not throw a stream of water to the top of Wimmie's block, and on the occasion of the trial ascended to the roof of the building so that he might be in a suitable position to render an accurate judgment. But apparently having some latent consciousness that he might have made a rash bet, he took the precaution to provide himself with an umbrella. In so doing he again justified his reputation for sagacity, as he had abundant occasion to use his weapon of defense against the copious stream that the triumphant fire fighters hurled over the building, paying particular attention to the spot where he stood in vain defiance. Even the umbrella was no protection, and he was compelled to seek safety in flight. The deluge of water was promptly succeeded by a deluge of beer, Mr. Riblet doubtless participating in the festivities. Thus was the honor of the Phoenix vindicated. But such triumphs were not exactly of the sort for which the city had purchased the engine, so in the year 1856, the Phoenix was traded to Button & Blake of Cincinnati, for the "Niagara," the authorities paying to the Cincinnati firm $800, as the difference in value between the two engines. The new machine was housed in a new and substantial brick building, which had been built the year previous on Atwood street, a tax of 6 mills being levied. A dozen cisterns were also built. As one hose-cart was found inadequate to carry all the hose needed, a second was purchased.

In October, 1872, the corporation purchased the Star steam fire engine of Ahrens & Co., Cincinnati, at a cost of $4,599- Another hosecart was also purchased at Akron, Ohio. This

The fire alarm system is used, twenty- four signal boxes being erected throughout the city. The department now has an abundance of hose, hook and ladder trucks, and the water supply is ample.

Previous to the year 1859 Gallon was without any system of illumination, which, taken with the intolerably bad condition of the streets, made getting around town after dark a decidedly hazardous undertaking. Lanterns were necessarily used to a large extent, but at best could only prove a very imperfect substitute for a good lighting plant. About the year mentioned a gas manufactory was established near the railroad on Main street, the works being constructed by William Stephenson. About two miles of wooden pipe were put down and answered their purpose for about twelve years. Among the principal stockholders of the company were Dr. John Reisinger, William, Hays, Martin Sponhauer, Joel, David and Jacob Riblet and others. Assessments were frequent but no dividend was ever declared, and the stockholders lost all they put into it, but they had the satisfaction of having the first gas in the county for illuminating purposes. The old factory was sold at sheriff's sale and bid in by Wm. Hays, who sold to Miller & Kuhn, of Pennsylvania. They enlarged the works, replaced the wooden pipe with iron, and put down considerable more pipes. In 1872 they changed the location of the plant, building new works on East Church street. A few years later the concern was made a stock company. Miller & Kuhn, however, retaining a controlling interest. The city is today lit by electric lights.

One of the greatest drawbacks of Gallon in its earlier history was the lack of paved streets and good sidewalks. The roads in the vicinity were as bad as they could be and during mild winters and in the spring were in a semi-liquid condition. About the first sidewalk put down, of which there is any record, consisted of a double row of logs, slightly raised from the ground, which extended around the square, the upper surfaces of the logs being hewn flat. As the town spread out board walks were put down and an occasional brick, but little done with the streets. In the spring of 1880 a petition, signed by a majority of the resident property holders, was sent to the city council, demanding that Main and Market streets be graded and paved in some manner. Plans were drawn up under the direction of F. L. Krause who had been elected city engineer, and it was decided to pike both streets, the improvements on Main street to extend from about one and a half blocks west of the square, over the C, C, C. & I. Railroad on the east, and those on Market street from the square on the south to the depot on that street. The cost was estimated at $30,000 and the contract was awarded to Gray & Co., of Cleveland. Thus was inaugurated a much needed improvement, which has since been extended to other streets.

The following report of City Civil Engineer A. O. Theobald, published last year, shows Gallon's present condition with respect to the important question of public improvements :

"Gallon has invested $153,632.00 in public improvements in the last year and expended $69,164.00 for similar purposes in the two years prior. This grand total of $222,000.00 invested by the city of Galion and its tax payers to better the condition of our city is a record of which perhaps no town of equal size can boast. It naturally follows how and where have these improvements been made. In the years 1908 and 1909 Galion was roused from her comatose condition by the paving of West Main street, and the taking of the first and greatest step the city has even taken in the path of modern sanitation. The Trunk Line sewer or out-fall sewer was constructed, giving the city an outlet for all future sanitary sewer construction for the east and west extremes of the city, as well as the north and south sides. The three miles of out-fall sewer constructed at the cost of approximately $22,- 000, carries the sewage of the entire city to a point approximately one mile west of t"he city, where it will be purified and disposed of in one of the most modern of Sewage Disposal Plants, the construction of which is now nearing completion.

"Following the paving of West Main street and the construction of the Trunk Line Sewer came the improvement of South Columbus street, an improvement that adds much to the beauty of that thoroughfare.

"The question of a disposal site for the anticipated sewage and the necessary sewer laterals now confronted the authorities. The site was purchased and the work was started on the construction of the Sewage Disposal Plant in the month of May, 1910.

"In the following months plans were prepared for districting the city, and districts Nos. I, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, and 11, covering almost the entire city, were prepared by the engineering department. In the fall of the same year actual work was started on the laying of all the mentioned district sewers, aggregating 17 3/10 miles of pipe.

"In the spring of the year 191 1 all laterals under construction were finished and again the authorities followed the wishes of the citizens, and the spirit of public improvement was not allowed to become idle. The city having been provided with the proper sanitations and safeguarded, our attention was again turned to the matter of street improvements. East Main and North Market, Atwood and Railroad streets being prepared and the former two streets are at the present time under construction. With the above named streets improved the city of Galion can boast of a record of three and a half miles of paved streets in three years.

"The city is being rapidly provided with storm sewers and at the present time the Eleventh District relief sewer is being constructed at a cost approximating $7,000.

"This unparalleled record of public improvement during the past few years has transformed the city of Galion. But a few years ago she had only a meager amount of public improvements, whereas today, with her rapid strides forward during the past few years, she stands head and shoulders above her sister cities and today she can justly point with pride to the wonderful progress made. The result of this forward movement is already reaping a harvest, for on every side may be seen the construction of fine modern homes and the erection of substantial business blocks. With her excellent improved streets, her efficient sewerage system and fine water supply, Galion is rapidly becoming a city of beautiful homes, as well as marching forward in mercantile and industrial lines."

U. Bloomer. This was established in 1852, their office being the first block east of the square, and the bank was successful from the start. It was reorganized in 1863 and moved to the northwest corner of the Square and Main street, Davis and Bloomer both remaining as members* of the new bank. On February 22, 1864, it became the First National Bank, with a capital stock of $50,000, C. S. Crim being president and J. U. Bl'oomer, cashier. E. M. Freese is president and H. L. Bodley cashier at the present time.

The Citizens' Bank was organized in 1866 by Mt. Gilead and Gallon parties, Gen. John Beatty being the first president and J. H. Green cashier. Their office was on South Market street, but in 1875 they bought their present location on the corner of the square and South Market street. In 1872, they became the Citizens National, with a capital stock of $60,000. In 1878 J. H. Green became president, and A. H. Lowe cashier, a position he has held ever since; D. Bachelder succeeded J. H. Green as president in 1895.

Another bank was the Hays bank, started by Gallon capital, with William Hays as president, and O. L. Hays as cashier. It became The Gallon National, and O. L. Hays succeeded his father as president, and some years ago it was compelled to suspend. The bank was located at the northeast corner of the Square and Main street.

On May 15, 1905, the Commercial Savings Bank Co. was organized with Mark Cook as president, and J. W. Cupp, as cashier. The capital stock was $50,000. On February i, 1907, A. H. Laughbaum succeeded J. W. Cupp as cashier. Their bank has always been at their present site, northeast corner of the Square and Main street.

The Citizens' Building Association of Galion was organized August 2, 1872, with David Mackey, president; J. G. Meuser, secretary; Citizens National Bank, treasurer, and with David Mackey, C. E. Klopp, F. A. Keen, S. G. Cummings, A. M. Brown, James Marshmann and J. J. Schaefer as directors.

The present building and loan companies are the Home Savings and Loan Co., of which A. W. Monroe is secretary, and the Galion Building and Loan Association, J. W. Geer, secretary.