Hancock County, Ohio - Chapter 1: Before the Organization of the Colwtv, 1881

Chapter 1: Before the Organization of the Colwtv

[NEED oDly remind the reader, that as a part of Ohio, Hancock County was a part of that great "North-west Territory," ceded by Virginia to the United States Government, and which territory has since been carved up into States, which have rose to the tirst rank in this Union of States, none of which are more prominent than our own beautiful Ohio. Her military chieftains are no less prominent that her statesmen, and the highest judicial honors of the nation have been conferred on more than one of her distinguished sous. Every citizen of this free Republic, is proud that he is a;n American, and we may be excused for the feeling of pride, that in addition to being an American citizen, we are also a native " Buckeye."

was an imbroken wilderness, and far from civilization. June 21, 1785, a treaty was concluded at Fort Mcintosh, with the Wyandotte, Delaware, Chippewa and Ottowa Indians, by which the boundary line between the United States and the Wyandotte and Delaware nations, was declared to begin " At the mouth of the river Cuyahoga and to extend up said river to the Portage between that and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum; thence down the branch to the crossing place above Fort Laurens ; thence westerly to the Portage of the Big Miami which runs into the Ohio, at the mouth of which branch the fort stood which was taken by the French in 1752; thence along said Portage to the Great Miamee or Omee (Maumee) river, and down .the south side of the same to its mouth ; thence along the south shore of Lake Erie to the mouth of the Cuyahoga river where it began." In this boundary Hancock County was included.

In 1796 Wayne County, Ohio, was established, including all the north-western part of Ohio, a large tract in the north-eastern part of Indiana, and the whole Territory of Michigan. As late as 1816, this, with the counties of Hardin, Wood and some others, was embraced in Logan County, Bellefontaine being the county seat. It was not until after lb05, that by treaties with the Indians, all the country watered by the Maumee and the Sandusky and their tributaries, was acquired by the Uuited States.

The first white settlement in the territory now embraced within the limits of Hancock County, so far as we have any authentic account, was made at' the present site of the town of Findley, in about the year 18J5. It is possible, however, and indeed, we have a tradition to that effect, that a man by the name of Thorp or Tharp, came here with the soldiers, who occupied Fort Fiudley iu the war of 1812-15, and remained here after its evacuation, and either lived alone, or with the Indians. Not much, however, is" known or remembered of him.

The first white family settling here, was that of Benjamin -Cox. Upon their arrival, nought but an unbroken forest, save in the immediate vicinity of the old Fort, greeted them. Indians and wild beasts roamed the woods. No neighbors within many days journey perhaps. All was new, all was solitude, and it must have been a most trying time for that one lone family. After making this their home for a few years, the family removed to Wood County, where some of them are still living. On their removal, one of the daughters acted as an interpreter between the whites and the Indians, she having a knowledge of the language of both the Wyandotte and Ottowa tribes, who frequented this part of the country.

But not long did they remain here alone. Others, through a spirit of adventure, or restless desire for new scenes, came and formed settlements. Emigrants were attracted by the richness of the soil, and the abundance of game. Or perhaps with imaginations reaching out to the future, they pictured to themselves the exceeding loveliness, and fruitfulness of the lands, when redeemed from the wilderness, and were constrained to make this their abiding place.

True it is, that from whatever motive they were actuated, they came here and formed settlements, cleared up the forests, built themselves cabins and roads, and laid the foundations, deep and permanent, for our present great prosperity and wealth, and transmitted to their children a rich and beautiful inheritance.

About the middle of June, 1812, the army, under Gen. Hull, left Urbana, Champaign County, Ohio, and passed north through the present couuties of Logan, Hardin, Hancock and Wood, over what was known during, and after the war, as "Hull's Trail," into Michigan. This army cut a road through the unbroken wilderness, uninhabited except by hostile Indian? and wild animals.

In the same summer (1812) General Edmund W. Tupper, of Gallia County, enlisted about one thousaud men for six months service, mainly from Gallia, Lawrence and Jackson Counties, who, under orders of General Winchester, marched from Urbana north by "Hull's Trail" to the foot of the ]Maumee Rapids. Tiie enemy attacked Tupper's forces, but were driven otf with considerable loss. They then returned to Detroit, and the Americans, under Tupper, returned back to Fort McArthur.

The Fort at Findley was erected by Col. James Findley, under orders from Gen. Hull, and was named in honor of the Colonel. It was a stockade of about fifty yards square, with a block house at each corner, and a ditch in front. It stood on the south bank of the Blanchard River, just west of the present iron bridge, and was used as a depot for military stores.

The Fort was garrisoned by a company under the command of Captain Arthur Thomas, who lived at King's Creek, three miles from Urbana. So far as known, there were no battles fought at Fort Findley, and garrison duty was no doubt monotonous and irksome. But little to excite or amuse the men, they no doubt longed for peace

Colonel William Oliver, late of Cincinnati, left Fort Meigs, on the Maumee River, about 8 o'clock on a dark and stormy night, during the war, in company with a Kentuckian, on an errand of importance to Fort Findley. Thev had proceeded but a short distance on their perilous journey, through the wilderness, surrounded with enemies, when they unexpectedly came upon an Indian camp, around the fires of which the Indians were cooking their suppers. So near had they got to the camp, that the noise of their approach alarmed the savages, who at once sprang to their feet and ran towards them. Oliver and his companion reined their horses into the branches of a fallen tree. The horses, as if conscious of danger, as were their riders, remained perfectly quiet, and the Indians passed around the tree without discovering them. At this juncture, the daring messengers put spurs to their horses and dashed forward into the woods, through which they passed to the Fort, where they arrived safely, but with the loss of their clothing, which had been torn from them by the brush through which they had passed - their bodies bruised and lacerated. Nor were they a moment too soon in their arrival, for the Indians, enraged at their escape, had pursued them so closely, that Oliver and his companion had scarcely been admitted into the Fort, when their pursuers made their appearance on the opposite side of the river. After giving vent to their disappointment at the loss of the scalps of the^^aZe/rtce.b^ in hideous yells, they very wisely retraced their steps toward the Maumee, on the lookout for some unsuspecting but less fortunate white man.

returned to Urbana. On their journey home, the Captain and his sou lost their horses, and separated from the rest of the company in search of them.

They encamped at the Big Spring, near Solomon stown^ about five miles from Bellefontaine, and the next morning were found murdered and scalped. Their bodies were taken to Urltana by a deputation of citizens.

In connection with this account of the fate of Captain Thomas, I will give a copy of a letter received by me from one who speaks knowingly of the matter, and although he is unknown to me, yet I have no doubt but his statements are correct, and as a matter of history, are of great interest. But to the letter:

D. B. Beardslev, Esq.; - Dear Sir: - I saw in a sketch of the early history of Hancock County, Ohio, as read by you at the Second Annual Pic-nic and Reunion of the Pioneers of your county, publislicd in the Findley Jeffersonian, an account of Captain Arthur Thomas and son, that was killed by the Indians at the Big Springs, some five miles from Bellefontaine, and thinking I might furnish you an item or two, concluded to drop you a line. My father was stationed at a block-house called Menary, about two miles north-west from Bellefontaine, there being a small company of soldiers, I think commanded by Lieut. Joiin Kelly. The object seemed to be to guard and keep in bounds some pet Indians that the Government had in care, and was furnishing supplies through an Agent by the name of McPherson.

On the morning af^er the murder of Thomas and son, the word was brought to the company, and a deputation was sent out after them, among whom was my father (John

Rathbun) and when they reached the spot, and found them in the broiling sun, being scalped, and the blood oozing from their heads, he thought it the most sickening sight he ever beheld; and made him declare vengeance against the tawny tribe, pet or no pet. He always said that it was the pets that done the deed, for as they were returning with the men to the block-house, three of the half-breeds came in sight armed and painted, contrary to orders. The horsemen took after them, and succeeded in stopping them, but the Commander would not let the Post Guard come up in shooting distance, lor he knew there would have been three red-skins less in double quick.

The officers let them go with some good promises on their part, not to be found there arrayed again. After reaching the block-house, they (the Thomas') were put into the hands of the citizens, that conveyed them to their homes and final resting place, as you have it recorded. At Roundhead there was a large village of those pets or friendly Indians, as they were called, and an order was sent out from the Post, to have them come in on a certain day, but the day came and none made their appearance; the second day none. The third day a deputation started after them, but they met them in sc^uads coming in. They were old men, women and children, all the warriors had gone to fight for the British, except a few young men that had charge of affairs. When they reached the village, all had left but one, and he dodged out of sight in a moments time. About all that was accomplished, was to show that while we were taking care of their families, the warriors were fighting against us.

Time passed on, the war ended, and when I reached my fourteenth year, I went to visit an uncle that lived on what was called the Block-house farm. The house was in rather a dilapidated couditiou, the roof off aud half the upper story had l)eeii removed. It brought to miud mauy iucidents that I had heard my father relate thirty-six years ago. I left the place of my nativity and settled in what was called the Black Hawk })urchase, or Iowa. Had not been here Ions: before I heard of the Thomas familv havinn" settled at Cascade, where the son of a In-other of the Captain, and son alluded to, owned a fine mill proi)erty, and in the course of some three years I went to his mill, where I saw the whole family, the widow, her son and three or four daughters, all married except the widow. She never married, or at least not to that time. Thomas sold his mill and went further west, and I have lost sight of him. I always like to cherish in memory those who have suffered in their country's cause.

Nelson Rathbun

The Lakes, and Greers, aud Elders, and Hamlins formed a settlement at the present site of ^It. Blanchard, in one of the most beautiful and fertile portions of the county. And today, around the town of Mt. Blanchard, are some of the most valuable farms in the county.

Wilson Vance, and Carlin, and Hamilton and Johnston and the Chamberlains, with others, formed the settlement of Findley and vicinity, aud in casting their lots here, they were not disappointed, in the fertility of the soil, in the natural advantages of the location, or in their estimate of the future of the town.

The McKinnis, the Poes, the Fishels and other kindred spirits, formed a settlement down the river from Findley, in a most beautiful part of the county, aud it was not long

Morelaud and Helms and a few other families formed a settlement in the south part of the county, where their industry and energy enabled them to soon open up the country, and wdiere they resided many years, respected by all who knew them, for their honesty and fair dealing.

A little later along perhaps, a settlement w^as formed still further dow^u the river than was the McKinnis settlement, by the Dukes brothers, John, Richard and Lewis, and by the Moffitts, and the Downings, and Groves, and Davis. These men, all farmers, w^ere fortunate in the se- /lection of their lands, and to-day there is not a richer region of country in north-western Ohio than is this same Dukes settlement. Farms of unsurpassed loveliness; acres of most productive lands, bordering on the Blanchard River on either side ; lirst-class farm buildings; lands in the highest state of cultivation, all tell of the industry, economy and good managament of these broad acres.

Todd, and Kalb, and Algire and other families settled at or near the site of the village of McComb. These families, true pioneers, made for themselves homes, and where was one unbroken w'ilderness, now stands the prosperous village of McComb. xA.nd a few of these first settlers, these frontiersmen of half a century ago, are still alive, and look with just pride upon the results of their labor.

And as it is in all new' countries, so here the bold emigrant bought his land, built his cabin, and then addressed himself to the more serious business of reclaiming the lands, and making for himself and his family a home.

dealing honestly with all men, of fulfilling every promise, of redeeming every pledge, of rendering to his neighbor, without hope of fee or reward, that assistance which was necessary. But of course this state of affairs could not last long. The time would come when these settlements must be organized into political divisions, and when rulers must be elected. Not so much perhaps by reason of any real necessity, on the part of the inhabitahts, but because the state had some claims on the people. For the protection it threw around them, it must be paid, and hence taxes must be levied and collected, and the rights of the people must be respected, and this could not be done without olUcers, and officers must be paid for the time they devoted to the public good, so the county must be organized, and of this organization we will speak in the next chapter.

But before doing so I deem this the proper place to relate an interview I had with a daughter of Benjamin Cox, spoken of before as the first white settler in the county. In the summer of 1880, 1 visited Mrs. Eberly, the daughter before spoken of, at her home about one mile east of Portage, Wood county, and spent a few hours in conversation with her^ and from her learned many incidents of the earliest history of the county. But I will give the substance of what she said to me in the shape of a narrative, and as nearly in her own words as I can. I was warmly received by Mrs. Eberly and her worthy husband, who seemed to be delighted in talking over the wild scenes of fifty years ago.

I am the daughter of Benjamin Cox, and was born in Green County, Ohio, in 1806, and when about nine years old, my father removed with his family to Findley, in Han- cock County. Our family was the first white family to settle in that county. My sister Lydia, born in 1817, was the first white child born in that county. We lived in a hewed log house, located where the brick residence of the late Wilson Vance now stands, on the south bank of the river, and on the east side of Main street. When Mr. Vance came to the place, we had to move into a log cabin a little east of the hewed log house, into which Mr. Vance took his family.

My father was engaged in farming- -if the cultivation of a small tract of cleared land surrounding our cabin could be called farming - and keeping a public house. Shortly after we came to the place, Hamilton, Moreland and Slight came. Some other families came in, stayed a short time and then left. For to be candid about it, Findley was not then a very inviting place, whatever it may now be. There were two or three block-houses, and some pickets, the remains of Ft. Findley, standing when we came. The Ottowa Indians made frequent visits to the place, as it was stated that they were in some way related to the Wyandotts.

Before we left Findley, the Morelands, Hamiltons, Slights, Chamberlains, Frakes, McKinnis, Simpsons, Vances and Rileys had moved to the county. Hamilton and some others had started a settlement above the town, and Frakes and the McKinnis' below the town. I was at that time too young and too busy to make the acquaintance of many of these persons. But I shall never forget Susy Frakes - as she was called - the wife of Nathan Frakes. Many a day did 1 spend with them in their cabin on the river side, and I thought Susy the best woman I ever knew, kind-hearted, almost to a fault, hospitable and intelligent.

Mrs. Riley was perhaps the first white person who died in the county. She had heeu sick with the chills and fever, and had called in the services of a Mr. Smith, a Kentuckian, who pretended to he a druggist, and who gave her medicine which was so effective that she was soon a corpse. So sudden was her decease that it was suspected that a mistake had been made, either in the medicine or in its administering. It was said at the time that Smith had forbidden her to drink water, but such was her intense thirst that she prevailed on two little girls who were left to watch with her, to bring her some, of which she drank freely, and very shortly afterwards was found dead. Of course her sudden death was attributed to the drink of water.

I was l)ut a girl when Vance came to Findley. The first mill in the county was built whilst we were there. Mrs. Vance had gone to Urbana just previous to the birth of their first child, and Mr. Vance's sister, Bridget, came to keep house for him, l)ut had been with him but a short time when she was attacked by the ague. I then went to live with them, and not only cooked for the men who were digging the mill race, and boarded at Vance's, but I even worked in the race. My mother, my sister and myself gathered the stalks of nettles which grew on the river bottoms below the town, from which we stripped fiber enough, that on being dressed like fiax, was spun and woven into linen to the amount of forty yards, and was made into clothing for the family.

At one time We-ge-hah, or Tree-top-in-water, son of Inop-qua-nah, a Wyandott chief, became sick, and the Indians believed him to be bewitched by a bad spirit, and sent to Towa-town for Big Medicine to exorcise the spirit. My mother did not like the Indians verv well, and never went amongst them much. On this occasion, however, when the Indians sent out their invitations for the great pow-w^ow my mother received one. It was after much persuasion on the part of my father, and with the understanding tJiat I should accompany her, that she finally consented to attend. When we arrived at the place of meeting, which was a log house a little west of where Judge Cory now lives, we found a few Indians assembled. The Big Medicine and his interpreter occupied the center of the room. The lights were extinguished. The tom-tom was beaten and a great noise and hub-bul) was made. The lights were again set to burning, and after a short silence refreshments were passed around. During this time my mother and myself having been seated in the circle which was formed around the room, clung closely together, not a little frightened at the performance.

The sick man got no better. Big Medicine declared that the young chief was bewitched, and that the witch lived in Browutown, near Detroit, and that the sick man had a ])unch of hair in his breast, blown there by the witch, and he must cut it out. He went into a tent alone with the young man, and afterwards produced and exhibited a knot of bloody hair w^hich he pretended to have taken from the breast of the sick man. He said, however, that just as likely as not the old witch would find out that he had taken it out, and blow it back again, and if he did the young chief would die. The witch no doubt did so, for the young man died. The disease of which he died was no doubt the consumption.

I have not visited Fiudley Ijut ouce siuce I left there in J 8 -5, and that was about twenty years ago. There is but one person now residing in Findley that I remember to have been there during our stay, and that one is Job Chamberlain. When we first came to Wood County, I lived for some time in the family of Squire Carlin, who then resided there."

My visit to Mrs. Eberley was a very pleasant one, and she is a very pleasant old lady, having the appearance of a well preserved person of not more than sixty years.