Richland County, Ohio - Polk Township and Galion., 1880

LocaTion - NAME - EaRLY SetrLers - First RoAps - AN InpvIAN CamMp - Mutis - Firsr ScHooits anp TEACHERS - Earzty Rerigious Societigs AND PREACHERS - THE EsTABLISHMENT OF GALION - First Post OFrFice AND Storg - Cuurcues - THE RaAitRoaps AND BANkS - THE Press.

Ludlow, and bears the name of President Polk. It once belonged to old Richland, but is now the southeastern township of Crawford County. It contains twenty-one sections of land, considered among the richest in Central Ohio. Galion, the only important town, is located in the southern part of the township. Its early settlers were principally from New York and Pennsylvania.

Benjamin Leveredge and his sons, James and Nathaniel, together with George Wood and David Gill, came in 1817, and-were the first settlers on the present siteof Galion. To these were added, in 1818, Benjamin Sharrock, and, in 1819, Asa Hosford. The Leveredges did the first clearing and put up the first cabins. Benjamin Leveredge's cabin was erected of unhewn logs, near the spring, now within the corporation limits, on Atwood street. That of James Leveredge stood on the site now occupied by David Mackey's fine brick residence on Atwood street, and Nathaniel's stood near the center of the present public square. The old weli on the square, filled up several years ago, was dug by him, and was but a few yards from his cabin door.

The Whetstone Creek (formerly called the Olentangy) passes a little north of Galion, and upon land north of this creek, George Wood and David Gill settled in 1818, erecting their cabins near the old army road over which troops passed in 1812, which was, probably, the first road cut through the township by white men. The site of these cabins is yet marked by a few apple-trees.

In those early days, the Wyandot Indians had a camp on the south*side of the Whetstone, east of the Catholic Cemetery. They were peaceable, and rendered valuable assistance to the whites at their log rollings, and in the construction of their primitive homes,

Asa Hosford, yet living near Galion, relates that he employed these Indians to assist him at a log rolling, the only pay required for their services being a plentiful supply of whisky. In the evening, after working hard all day, and being slightly intoxicated, they, at his request, executed a war-dance at his house. They placed one of their number, named " Buckwheat," in the center of the cabin floor, and began their dance in a circle around him. They became greatly excited, but Mr. Hosford had taken the precaution to conceal their arms, that they might not be able to commit any | serious outrage. After a time, they dragged Buckwheat roughly from his seat, threw him upon the floor, and one of them, placing his foot on his neck, imitated the operation of taking his scalp, and of plunging their knives into him; and Buckwheat played his part well, going through all the necessary motions of a dying white man.

; : ery and hunter, and erected his cabin near Reisinger's Corners, west of town. Rev. James Dunlap came 1n 1822, and Nathan Merriman in 1824, the latter erecting, in the following year, the first distillery in Polk Township. It was located near the spring, before mentioned, and was familiarly known throughout the settlement as the "still house."

About the same year, the first grist-mill in the township was erected by John Hibner on the land now owned by John Burgener. The buhrs were made of "nigger heads." Near the railroad bridge may yet be seen the ruins of this mill. The next mill was built by Asa Hosford, a few years after, on his farm southwest of Galion, which is yet in operation and owned by him.

The first hotel was kept by Asa Hosford in 1824, on the J. R. Clymer property west' of town. The large orchard adjoining the property was raised from the seed by Mr. Hosford. He was elected in 1826, the first Justice of the Peace, and was, from the time of his location, one of the prominent men, visiting the State capital frequently in the interest of this section, which owes much of its prosperity to his efforts. He circulated a petition to have a road cut through the woods from Mansfield to Upper Sandusky, and was afterward instrumental in getting a north and south road, from Columbus to Lower Sandusky, through this settlement. The opening of these roads aided largely in developing and settling the country. These roads intersect at Reisinger's Corners, and Main street, in Galion, was formed by that portion of the east and west road, which passed within the present limits of the corporation. Its original

'course was, however, changed nearly fifty years ago. When laid out, it diverged to the northward at the corner of East Main and North Columbus streets, following the meanderings of Whetstone Creek to a point beyond the present eastern limits of Galion.

in 1822. It was of round logs, and was modeled after the generality of cabins in those days. The first school teacher was David Gill, who, however, only taught two or three weeks, when Asa Hosford took the school and continued it to the end of the term. The next schoolhouse was of "scutched logs " (which means that the logs were lightly hewed on the outside after the building was erected) and stood on the ground now occupied by the old graveyard on West Main street. This building was also used for religious worship. This building having been destroyed by fire, the next school was taught in a log building on the site of Joel Riblet's residence.

The first religious meeting in the township was held in Benjamin Leveredge's cabin, near the spring. It was a Methodist meeting, at which Russel Bigelow, who organized many churches through this county, in an early day, preached a most eloquent sermon. Though possessing a limited education, Bigelow was very eloquent, and one of the most remarkable of the pioneer preachers. :

Galion was laid out September 10, 1831, by Michael and Jacob Ruhl, whose father had entered several quarter-sections of land in the neighborhood. The original plat consisted of thirty-five lots, and extended from the Ristine Block, which covers Lot No. 1, to the alley west | of the old frame meeting-house on West Main street.

The first post office was established in 1824, and Horace Hosford was first Postmaster. Mr. Hosford says if they averaged one letter per day, they did well. When this office was established, the inhabitants could not agree upon a name for the town. It had previously been numerously and variously named, but was best known as Goshen, Greensburg, Moccasin and Hardscrabble. The matter was submitted to the Postmaster General, who christened it Galion.

town was situated at Reisingers Corners, but | buildings were rapidly erected upon higher ground to the eastward, where the new town had been laid out by the Ruhls. The public square became the favorite spot, and the best buildings at the Corners were removed thither. In 1832, Asa Hosford erected upon this square the first frame house in the township. He also erected the first frame barn on what is known as the I. R. Clymer property, west of town, where he had kept the first tavern.

At this time, Jacob Ruhl kept a tavern where the Sponhauer Block stands, and his brother Michael kept the village store in a double log cabin on the Central Hotel corner. The first saw-mill in the township was erected by Jacob Ruhl in 1836, on North Market street, near the bridge.

In the log schoolhouse on Joel Riblet's lot, -was organized the first Sabbath school in Galion by Mrs. Sarah Ruhl and Mrs. Dr. Johnson. They were Lutherans, and the first religious services of the Lutherans were held in this building. | In 1839, the first brick block was erected by Dawis & Bloomer, in which they carried on the dry-goods business for many years. The building is yet standing on the-northeast corner of the public square.

The old red brick church, that stood many years on the corner of North Union and West Church streets,7was erected in 1840, by the Lutheran and German Reformed congregations. The Lutherans afterward purchased the Reformed interest. This was the first church, and the Rev. F. J. Ruth, yet living and preaching, officiated at the laying of the corner-stone. The first Pastor was Rev. John Stough.

The same year work was commenced upon the old Methodist. Church, yet standing on West Main street, and it was the first fully completed and ready for worship. The ground upon which it stands was donated by Father Fellows, who was an active worker in the church for many years.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church on East Main street, though no longer used for worship, was erected in 1851. Rev. Peter Kreush of the | Shelby settlement was the visiting Pastor.

There are at present, eleven churches in Galion, viz.: the Methodist Episcopal, corner of Columbus and Walnut streets; United Brethren, Walnut street, between South Market and Columbus streets; English Lutheran, Columbus street, between Main and Walnut ; Baptist, Walnut street, between South Market and Union; Presbyterian, South Market street ; German Reformed, West Main street ; German Lutheran, South Market street; German Methodist, corner of South Market and Atwood streets ; Episcopal, Union street, between Atwood and Walnut ; St. Patrick's Catholic, North Liberty street, and St. Joseph's Catholic, North Washington street.

Between 1850 and 1854, two railroads, the Bellefontaine & Indianapolis, and the Cleveland, Columbus & Cincinnati, were completed to Galion. These were afterward consolidated, and have been for years under one management. Their shops were located at Galion, and these, employing a large number of hands, have materially added to the wealth of the place. The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad put in an appearance at Galion in 1863. These three roads with their immense business and shops constitute the life and vitality of the town, which has made some mighty strides since they were completed. Sixty-five per cent of its population, of over five thousand, are railroad employes, and the average monthly sum paid out by these roads, to these employes, is over $40,000.

ion within a few years. In 1854, the brick schoolhouse on the corner of Liberty and Church streets was completed, and the first union schools organized by David Kerr, Superintendent. In 1869, the present large, brick school building was erected, costing over $75,000. The First National Bank was organized in 1864, and the Citizens' Bank in July, 1866. The Galion Weekly Times was started in 1855, by John H. Putnam, who moved the office here from Union City, Ind. The first numbers were printed in the building now owned by James Martin, on Hast Main street. Dr. D. Alger became a partner, and the name was changed to the Galion Weekly Train. It was independent in politics. In a short time, I. V. D. Moore bought out Alger. When the campaign of 1856 opened, Mr. Moore retired and Jacob Riblet became a partner. The paper became Democratic, and was called the Galion District Democrat.- In 1857, Andrew Poe purchased Mr. Riblet's interest. Mr. Putnam soon after left it, and it was sold out on execution. In 1864, it was bought by Matthias brothers, and the paper edited by P. Schnur, who was soon succeeded by H. 8S. Z. Matthias, and the name changed to Galion Democrat. The paper was soon after abandoned, and the office continued as a job office until July 6, 1865, when the Weekly Review was established by Mr. Matthias as an independent sheet. In 1871, it was purchased by John C. Covert, of the Cleveland Leader, who changed it to a Republican paper, and its name to the Galion Democrat. In 1872, it was purchased by G. W. De Camp, and in 1874, passed into the hands of its present proprietors, A. D. Rowe and F. E. Coonrod, and given its present name, Galion Review.

October 31, 1872, the Galion Sun, an independent weekly newspaper, was established by its present editor and owner, George T. Ristine, and was soon enlarged to its present size. Steam power was introduced in December, 1875, making it the first steam printing house in Galion.

ERNON TOWNSHIP was organized March 9, 1825, out of the north half of Sandusky, and was, at this time, six miles square, including part of what is now Sharon Township. It remained in this shape until February 3, 1845 (the date of the erection of Crawford County), when it was reduced to its present dimensions - six miles long from north to south,-and three miles wide ; belonging since 1845 to Crawford County. It is an excellent township of farming land, being generally level or gently rolling. In its primitive condition, it was covered with a vigorous growth of hard-wood timber, and the land was generally swampy, but clearing and underdraining have rendered it very productive.

It is well watered by the tributaries of the Sandusky River, one of which - Loss Creek - rises in the southeast part, and, running northwest until near the center of the township, turns southwest, entering Sandusky Township and Sandusky River through Section 19. The general course of its waters indicates a gentle

This territory was largely used by the Delaawares as a hunting-ground, quite a band of that tribe under the chief Wingenund, having, for many years, a permanent camp on the Sandusky River, near Leesville. The great, dark woods and thick undergrowth formed excellent hiding-places for wild animals.

The township was first settled by white men about 1820, the first settlers generally following the Indian trails across Sharon Township, which soon became public highways. The wave of civilization gradually advanced from Mifflin Township, in the eastern part of the county, in 1809, to Sharon and Vernon, in 1818 and 1820.

The settlers generally came from Western Pennsylvania, but a few were from New England, and, in later years, a large number of European Germans settled in this part of the country.

Dickson, in 1822. Dickson was a single man, but returned to Pennsylvania, married, returned here with his wife in 1823 and is yet a resident. The next settlers were Eli Arnold, William McClelland, Jonathan Dickson, Dennis Orton and James Dickson.

The first assessment was made in 1823, by Adam Aumend, there being at that time only three families in the township, and but two of these had any property subject to assessment.

There are two small towns within its limits, West Liberty and De Kalb. The former is located on Loss Creek, on the southeast quarter of Section 17, and was laid out May 28. 1835. It contains at present but one store and a few dwelling-houses.

De Kalb was laid out November 21, 1838, on Section 5, by David Anderson. It is about the size of West Liberty. When the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad passed across the northeastern part of the township, in 1871, a station-house was erected a short distance from De Kalb, called "De Kalb Station." The little business of the place is now generally transacted at this station.

A church called the "Liberty Church," or "Church of God," is located in the northern and eastern part of the township, and was organized in 1850, by Elder William Adams. A few of the first members were Christopher Shade, Daniel Baker and wife. and Joseph Tombleson and wife.

The early meetings of the society were held in the schoolhouse. A frame church building was erected in 1860, at a cost of $800. <A few of the early ministers were William Adams, William Shaffer and David Shriner.

A Sunday school was organized about the time the church was erected. Samuel Dean was the first Superintendent. He was succeeded by Solomon Gross, who was Superintendent many years. This school is yet in successful operation, with a membership of about fifty.