Seneca County, Ohio - Chapter 4: Organic History, 1886

Chapter 4: Organic History

IN the second part of this work, the History of Ohio, the political divisions of the State are named, and their organization noted. The act of February 12, 1820, authorized the New Purchase or the territory acquired under the Indian treaties, to be laid off into fourteen counties, one of which - Seneca - was to embrace surveyed Townshijas 1, 2 and 3, north of latitude 41°; Ranges 13, 14, 15, 16 and 17, east of the first Ohio meridian. This territory was attached to Sandusky County for judicial purjioses until April, 1824, a period of four years. During this time a territory (now known as Thompson, Reed and Venice Townships, with a strip two and a half sections in width, along the east side of the teiTitory, now known as Adams, Scipio and Bloom Townships), 143.| square miles, was set off April 25, 1820, by the commissioners of Sandusky County, under the name of Thompson Township, The township of Seneca was set oft' May 8, 1820, This embraced the whole county outside of the original Thompson Township and the reservations. In June following, that portion of the present townshij) of Clinton east of the Sandusky River, was established under its present name, and one year later the present township of Eden was ordered to be organized, and the election to be held at John Searle's house June 4, 1821,

Organization of Seneca County. - The act of the legislature passed January 22, 1824, provided for the organization of Seneca County, the election of officers, continuation of law suits, etc. , etc. The elections under the act were held in April. 1824, when Agreen Ingraham received 190 votes for sheriff, and Leverett Bradley 206 votes for coroner. Those, with the commissioners, Clark, Olmsted and Whitmore, were the only officers elected in April {vide Political History),

The seat of justice for Seneca County was not located until March 25, 1822, when Herford, Spink and Miner, the commissioners ajipointed for that piu'pose, aiTived and selected the village on the east bank of the river to be the county seat.

Juno 7. 1824, AVilliam Clark, Jesse S. Olmsteadand Bi'iijamin Whitmoiv. commissioners present, a petition to build a road from the northeast corner of Section 1(), Township 2, Range 14 east, to Levi Cressa's house and Bowes' land on the State road, was granted. Joseph Pool, George Stoner and W. D. Sherwood were appointed viewers, and David Risdon, sui-veyor. A permit was granted on the petition ot Isaac Gurnee to build a road from Zinn's Mill to Henry Crow's, on the State road. Ezra Brown, Elisha Clark and Rd. Jaijiia were viewers, and Franklin Baker, siu'veyor. On petition of Thomas Btjj'd, a road was ordered from the south side of Stony Creek to the Seneca Reservation. Thomas Boyd, 'WiUiam Wright and AN'illiam Anway were appointed viewers, and David Risdon, siu'veyor. Thomas Boyd and Lowell Robinson petitioned to have the road known as the Mansfield and Tiffin Road reviewed, with the object of changing its course before its opening. Rd. Jaqua, Ed. Sutherland, John Seitz, Lowell Robinson, R. Munsell and George Denison were reviewers.

June 7, 1824, Thomas Boyd presented a petition to the commissioners, signed by many qualitied electors of Eden Township for the establishment of Bloom Township. The petitioners stated: '"Laboiu'ing under grate iuconvinance from the distance of attending Piiblic Elections, and also having a sutiicient number of quallified electors in the township, we therefore pray that the Honorable board to sit off said Township, No. 1 and 2 in the 16th Range, and constitute it a legal Township, to be known by the name of Bloom Township." The commissioners, in granting this petition, decreed that Townships 1 and 2, in the Sixteenth Range, formerly organized with the township of Eden, and Townships 1 and 2 in the Nineteenth Range, together with fractional Townships No. 1 and 2 in the Eighteenth Range be established as one township, imder the name of Bloom.

Bloom Township was established Juno 7, 1824. On the same date Milton McNeal was appointed treasurer of Seneca County, and David Risdon tax collector. A petition to have a road from fractional Section 19, Range 18, on the county line, thence on the best route from Tiffin via Mom-oe to Norwalk, was granted. S. D. Palmer, Chris Stone and Thomas Webb were viewers. This authority was repealed immediately. June 8, 1824, John Mimm was allowed §12. 18 for repairing court house. Judge Jacques Hubbard was allowed §0 for three days' services as associate judge of Seneca County, and a similar amount was allowed Judge Matthew Clark. The svim of S2.2o was allowed Nathan ^\'hituey for listing Thompson Township; Joseph Osborne was allowed S3. 75 for listing Eden Township; George Park, SI. 87 J for listing Clinton Township; Joseph Keeler, $2.25 for listing Fort Seneca Township, and D. Smith was allowed §8 for services as clerk of the commissioners' board for thi-ee days, and S1.43| for a blank book which he purchased (a book which could l)e purchased to-day for 30 cents. - Ed.). June '.), 1824, the commissioners authorized the auditor to purchase blank books for the use of the county officers, and ]>ay for them from the tirst moneys received into the county treasurj'. They also authorized payment to Benjamin Whitmore and Jesse S. Olmstead for three days' service, and to William Clark for one day's service as commissioners. This completed, the first meeting of the commissioners of Seneca County was something of the past.

December 0, 1824, Dr. Dunn, Thomas Boyd and Benjamin Whitmore, commissioners, met at Tiffin. Elisha Clark presented a petition for a road from Seneca Creek, ' " at the Heights of Land, at the j)resent new travelled Road, ' ' to the southwest corner of east half of southwest cjuarter, of Section 28, thence to "Hem-y Crows' new dwelling house." Franklin Baker, John Downs and

Selden Graves were appointed viewers, and were instructed to meet at John Gibson's house on December 24, to view and locate the road. Case Brown petitioned for a road from the corners of Sections 13, 14, 23 and 24, in Clinton Township, south to the Kilboiirne State road, at Sections 13 and 14, Eden Township. Eoswell ^lunsell, Henry Blackman and Richard Jaqua were appointed viewers, 'William Clark, siureyor. and Hamilton McCollister's house was designated as the place of meeting. On the same day. on petition of David Clark, the same viewers and surveyor were ordered to locate a road from Honey Creek through the center of Clinton Township, on Section line between 14 and 15 and 10 and 11. December (5, 1824, "William Anway presented a petition for the establishment of Scipio Township, signed by sixteen legal voters. John Cary presented a petition for a road from his house in Crawford Township, to Joseph Gates' (or Gales' ) house, thence to the county road and from Joseph Chaffee's west. Cyprian Stevens, Peter Carr and Elisha Brayton were appointed viewers, and David Risdon, surveyor.

December 6. 1824, a petition was presented to the commissioners, which was recorded as follows: "'December 6, 1824, ilr. William Anway presented a petition to the Ijoard from the inhabitants of the second township in Range 16. now attached to Bloom Township, beg leave to represent to your honors the nedcessity of seting off and organizing said township, and we wish your honors to order the same organized, together with such other townships or parts of townships as your honors should, in your wise consideration, think proper to attach to said township, and that the name may be known by the name of Scipio Township." This petition was granted by the board, who declared a legal organized township, to be known by the name of Scipio Townsnip, to-wit : The second township in Range 16; second township in Range 17 and second fractional township in Range 18 shall constitute the same.

On petition presented by Neal McGaffey, December 7, 1824, a road from the public ground at Fort Ball, running across the Sandusky River to the public ground at Tiffin, was authorized. Jesse Gale, George Free and Charles B. Fitch were appointed viewers, and David Risdon, surveyor. On petition of Joseph Chaffee, authority was granted the people of Crawford Township to elect three trustees and one treasurer, on December 25, 1824, to take charge of the school lands belonging to Crawford Township. Hopewell Township was established December 7, 1824.

The following is of record: "December 7. 1824, the inhabitants of Seneca Township presented an application for a new township, to be set off and organizedas follows, to-wit: Composing of original siirveyed Township 2, in Range 13, also the original surveyed township in Range 14, excepting a fraction on the east side of the Sandusky River, to be known by the name of Hopewell Township, was granted by the board, and ordered that the qualified electors of said Hopewell Township .shall meet at the house of Joseph Pools, in said township, on Saturday, December 25, 1824, and proceed to elect township officers. ' ' The board of commissioners declared the above township legally organized and to be known by the name of Hopewell Township, and at the same time and place the qualified electors shall proceed to elect three trustees and one treasurer, whose duty it shall be to take charge of the school lands belonging to said township, and dispose of the same as the law directs.

December 7, 1824, Town 1, Range 13. and Town 1, Range 14, were established as one township, under the name of Seneca Township, and the electors ordered to meet at the house of Abram Courlwright, December 25, 1 824.

^'illard Wright presented a petition asking for a county road from the countv line, south of David Clark's house to the county road running from

David riiderliill's to Sandusky, where the road crosses the center line of Thompson Township, thence to the Kilbourne road, and thence by William Frink's house to Tiffin. Agreen Ingrabam. Itollin Miiller and Ira Bassett were appointed viewers, and David Kisdon, sTirveyor. with instructions to locate the road on January 11, 1S"25. Elisha Smith was allowed S8 for listing Seneca Township. Chris Stone was allowed !57, and Thomas A\'ebb 1J6 for viewing new roads. The roads from Zinn's Mill to Eden Township, and from Honey Creek to Seneca Reservation, were declared public highways, December 7, 1824. Reuben Williams asked for a road from the James Bearnsides lane or Mansfield road, in Section '28, Town 2, Range 15, by Eighteen Mile Run and William M. Ewen's house, and thence to the Kilbourne road. Bearnsides. Williams and Leverett Bradley were appointed viewers. December 8, 1824. it was voted that Thomas Boyd be commissioner for one year, Benjamin Whitman for two years and Dr. Dunn three years. The auditor was ordered to call on Sanduskj' for settlement of revenue and expenditiu'e.

December 8, 1824, the north room in George Park's house was rented, at $1 per month, to be used for clerk and auditor's office. The commissioners concluded their first year's work by declaring new roads to be public highways, and appropriating pay for their clerk, D. Smith, and themselves.

December 8, 1824, the commissioners ordered that the fraction on the west side of Sandusky River, included in original Township 2 north. Range - 15, together with the fraction on the east side of the river, included in Town 2 north. Range 14. be attached to Clinton Township.

At a meeting of the commissioners, held March 7, 1825, Township 1, Range 15; Township 1, Range 16; and Township 1, Range 17, soiith of base line, were set off as one township under the name of Sycamore, and an election ordered to be held March 25, 1825.

A road was authorized from James T. Percas land Section 2, Township 3, Range 10, to the town of Tiffin. Willard Knight, W. D. Sherwood and Joseph Pool were appointed viewers and David Risdon, sru'veyor. Williiim Mead, John Craig and Alexander McNutt entered security for the establishment of this road. Elijah Brayton petitioned for a road from his saw-mill, via Chaffee's and Whitaker's stores, to the state road. Agreen Ingraham, RoUin Moler and James Gardin were appointed viewers: E. Brayton and James Richards were securities. A road from Upper Sandusky to the city of Sandusky was authorized. On the application of the inhabitants of Crawford Township, the electors of Township 1. Range 13 south, were ordered to elect on the last Saturday of March, 1825, three trustees and one treasurer to manage the school lands of the district. A similar decree was entered in the case of Scipio Township, the meeting to be held at John A^' right's house. On petition of Neal McGaffey a road from the east end of Miami Street, Fort Ball, to the public square of Tiffin was authorized. McGaffey, Ingraham and John Galbraith offered secvirity.

In March, 1825, John Mimm asked for a road from Tiffin to Thomas Leaper's house, on the Negro Town road. N. Egbert, James Earl and S. S. Palmer, viewers, Solomon Kuder and Josiah Hedges were securities. Russell Vibber, John Seitz and AVillard Knight were appointed viewers of a road from the north end of Washington Street to intersect the easterly end of Adams Street, in the town of Fort Ball. In JEarch, 1825, the electors of Clinton Township were ordered to meet in April and elect three trustees and one treasm-er to take charge of the school lands of Clinton. William Connell was ap|)ointed keeper of the standard measure on March 9. On the same day the commissioners declared the roads which they authorized to be

The foui'th session of the commissioners was held June 6, 7 and 8, 1820. A number of road petitions were granted, and Ijills aggregating about $7t ' were ordered paid; including §4.50 to George Park for use of room for fomand a half months.

The commissioners assembled in special meeting July 4, 1825, to consider proposals for building a jail. Elijah Farquson was granted the contract on his bid of $450. Josiah Hedges signed the contractor's bond. An adjoui-ned meeting was held October 15, to receive Assessor William Patterson's account. He was allowed for assessing the county, $48.

The principal business of the commissioners, in session December 5, fi and 7, 1825, pertained to roads. December 5, organic changes were made in Clinton and Hopewell Townships. December 7. Xeal McGaft'ey was allowed $17.85 for blank books and repaii-ing clerk's and auditor's room, and David Smith S4. 50 for blank books supplied to the auditor. Benjamin Whitman was allowed one day's pay for services on the Board of Equalization and one day's pay for inspecting work on new jail. Chris. Stone, appraiser of Clinton Township, was allowed SI for his services during the year 1825. Each of the commissioners received pay for three days' services.

December 5, 1825, Agreen Ingraham presented a petition from the inhabitants of the townships of Clinton and Hopewell, praying that all that part of the original surveyed township of Clinton, lying on the west side of the Sandusky River, should he attached to Hopewell Township. This petition was granted, it appearing to the commissioners that the want in bridge conveniences justified a partition of the original town of Clinton.

The commissioners met March 0, 1826. when on petition they authorized the establishment of " Tyamochtee " Township fi'om Crawford Township. Thomas Johnson was allowed .?51 for blank books. Elijah Farquson received SI 50 on account of jail building in S15 orders. The -time of completing the jail was extended to July 1. 182(5. March 31, 1826, the commissioners met to accept the jail building fi'om the contractor, and issue orders for S200 in his favor.

March 7, 182(), an application was made to the commissioners to set off Township 1, Range 14 south, fi-om Crawford Townshij) and establish the township of " Tyamochtee, " which was granted. The electors of Crawford were ordered to meet in April at the house of Joseph Chaiffer to choose ofScers, and the electors of the new township to meet at the house of Jesse Gales.

The special meeting of June 5 and 6, 1826. was devoted to road affairs and accoimts. Josiah Hedges was allowed S25.85 in exchange of an order issiied and paid for the location of the seat of justice for Seneca County, on the treasiu-er of Sanduskv' Coimty. Milton McNeal was reappointed treasurer of the coiinty, and William Patterson tax collector. Thomas Boyd. Ben Whitmore and James Gordon were commissioners.

The meeting of December 5, 1826. was devoted to road permits and organic changes. Reed and Adams Townships were set off; a portion of Clinton was attached to Hopewell. The commissioners organized with James Gordon, commissioner for one year; Timothy P. Roberts, for three years, and Thomas Boyd, two years.

Reed Township was set off December 5, 1826. It comprised Township 2, Range 17, together with the fi'actional Township 2. Range 18. including land east to Huron Cotmty line. The election was ordered to be held at Seth Reed's house in January, l827.

Adams ToA\Tiship was set off December '), 1820. It comprised fractional Townsliiy) 3. Kanj^e 1*5, includiiij^ one tier of sections off the west side of Township :', Kange 17. The election was ordered to be held at Samnel Whiteman's house December 2."), 182().

The commissioners decreed that all that jnirt of Clinton Township, or Township 2, Range 15. lying on the west side of the Sandusky River, should be attached to Hopewell Township, December 5. 1N2(5.

The meeting of March 5. 1827, gi-anted authority to constiiict a nimiber of new roads. Milton M. Neal reported f (543. HU in county orders, being part of his credits as treasurer for 1820. Neal ilcGaffey presented $27.05 as amount of oflice rent and stationery. David Risdon was appointed assessor: a bounty of $2 in addition to Stat(> bounty, was offered by the commissioners in March, 1827. A special meeting was held in June. 1827. David Risdon received -IflS. 50 for assessor's services of 1827. The taxes decided upon were 8 mills per dollar for State tax; 8 mills per dollar for county tax: 8 mills per dollar for road tax, and .j mill [lor dollar for school purposes. In August, 1827. the board met to consider the propriety of building a bridge across the Sandusky River, and ordered one day's pay for each member.

Deceml)er 8 and 4, 1827, Case Brown, 1'imothy P. Roberts and Thomas Boyd, county commissioners, met at Tiffin. William Toll, jailer, presented his bill of 88.40 for fees and boarding prisoners. The repairs of the jail, in

The commissioners met March 8. 1828. John A. Rosenberger presented a petition. ])rayiug that a part of the original town of Clinton, on the west side of the Sandusky, should l)e attached to Clinton Township; not granted. David Bishop was ai)]iointed seal(>r of weights and measm-es. The board at a special meeting held March 24, 1828, decided to build a court hoi;se, and on Aiiril 11,

The commissioners in session, March 2. 1829, ordered that the State treasury be called i;pon to pay the amoimt of three per cent fund apportioned tt) Seneca County, under the act of February '.), 1820. The clerk of the court of connnon jileas was authorized to pm-chase a desk for his office.

At a special meeting held June 1. 1829, Ezra Gilbert presented a petition fi'om the peojjle of Township 1. Range 17, praying to have that township set off under the name of Venice.

The township of Venice was set off June 1. 1829; as then established, it Comprised Township 1, Range 17, and fractional Township 1, Range 18. which was attached to Bloom, foiTuerlv. The petition to establish was presented bv Ezra Gilbert.

David Beck was allowed §24 for making a secretary's desk for clerk's office, in June, 1829. Josej)li Howard, the county clerk, was allowed 810 in advance to purchase stationery for the use of his office. The board of equalization made heavy additions lo the capital of local merchants.

The commissioners James Gordon, T. P. Roberts and Case Brown - met December 8, 1 829. They allowed George Donaldson, trustee of the meetinghouse, §18 as rent of the same, for May, August and November terms of coiu-t in 1829. M'illiam Toll, jailer, presented his account for the year, which amounted to 812.42.U

This session of the commissioners opened March 1, 1830, with Gordon, Brown and Roberts, present. Apart fi-om the establishment of public roads.

little other business was transacted. Jacob Plane, treasvirer, was instructed to demand from William Clark the county orders he received in June, 1828. The $15.91y\ of the three per cent fund was appropriated for the Mt. Vernon road between Tiffin and Morrison State road. Matthew Clark was allowed S 11. 12 for a stove for the jail.

At the June meeting William Toll, jailer, was allowed $83. 79 for boarding Peter Pork, 211 days; Walter Bates, 49 days; Merrit Goodyear, 2 days: together with jailer's fees, for the year ending June, 1830. One-half of threefourths of a mill was authorized for township tax in Hopewell, 7 mills for county purposes and 3 mills for road purposes. Harry Blackman, of Bloom Township, was appointed a commissioner to expend the three per cent fund on the Kilboiu'ne State road. In August a special meeting was held, which adjoiu'ned to September 18.

January 27, 1831. a meeting was held to consider road petitions. At the June meeting a number of roads were authorized; Pleasant Townshij) was established. The tax levy was 8 mills for county purposes, 3 mills for roads and 1 mill for schools. A special session was held in December, 1S31.

At a meeting of the commissioners, held June 6, 1831, a petition was presented by Caleb Eice, from the inhabitants of Seneca Township, praying for a new township, to be named Pleasant. The board ordered that fractional Township 3, Range 15, and all that part of the Seneca Indian Resei-vation, lying within Seneca County, be established under the name of Pleasant.

The commissioners met March 5, 1832. A number of road petitions were granted and viewers appointed. Loudon Township was established. In June, 1832, Liberty Township was set off. The tax levy was placed at 5 mOls for county purjjoses, 1 mill for school purposes, and 3 mills for road purposes. Jackson Township was established December 4, 1832. The sum of §6 was allowed to George Donaldson, trustee of the meeting-hOuse, as rent for that building during the March term of court.

The commissioners, in their order of March 5, 1832, decreed that Township 2 north. Range 13 east, be organized as a separate township under the name of Loudon.

December 4, 1832, the inhabitants of Township 3, Range 13, Jackson, petitioned the board to set off that division of the county as a sepai'ate township, under the name of Jackson. This petition was granted.

A petition was presented by John S. Fleck, from the inhabitants of Township 3, Range 14, Liberty, then attached to Seneca Townshij), June 5, 1832. In gi-anting this petition; the commissioners confen-ed the name of Liberty upon the new township,

March 4, 1833, John Keller, David Eisdon and Case Brown, commissioners, assembled at Tiffin, At this meeting the question of changing the township boundaries was discussed. The boundaries of Thompson, Scipio, Adams, Clinton and Pleasant Townships were altered so that each would comprise an original surveyed township. In March, 1833, John Tennis presented a petition praying for the organization of Township 2 north, Range 13, for school piuposes. This petition was granted.

In June, 1833, a number of road petitions were gi-anted. In December that portion of original township of Clinton, lying west of the Sandusky, was detached fi-om Hopewell and attached to Clinton. The commissioners decided to erect county buildings, in December, 1833, and made application to Valentine Pentzer, of Mechanics Town, Va, , for a loan of !?(>,000. Calvin Bradley and John Baugher were appointed commissioners to visit the county seats of Lorain, Portage and Richland Counties, and to take a correct description, cost,

The question of erecting good connty buildings was discussed in November, lS3>i. John Baugher and Calvin Bradley were appointed commissioners by the board to visit Ravenna. Elyria and Mansfield, with a view of selecting a plan for the new county buildings. The site for the jail was j)urchased fi'om Josiah Hedges.

In March, 1833, at the twentieth meeting, the boundaries of Thompson were so altered as to embrace the original siu'veyed townships 3 north, Ranges 17 and IS.

The boundaries of Clinton Township were changed in March, 1833, so as to include the fractional part of the original sm-veyed To%vnship 2 north, Range 15, which lies in the Seneca Reservation.

On petition of George W. Gist, that portion of the original township of Clinton, on the west side of Sandusky River, was detached from Hopewell and reattached to Clinton. December 3. 1833. In March. 1834. David Risdon presented a remonstrance fi'om the inhabitants of this part of the county.

In Januaiy, 1834, the visiting committee /)/ re coui-t house matters reported in favor of adopting the style of the Portage County building. The bill of expenses presented by this committee was $'J3. 80, which was ordered to be paid. Januiiry 17, the board ordered advertisement for jjroposals to build a coiui house, and February 14. the commissioners entered into a contract with John Baugher to build a court house in the town of Tiffin, for $9. 500. David Campbell was allowed §2 for printing the proposals in the Tiffin and Sandusky Clarion.

In March, 1834, the twenty-second meeting of the commissioners accepted a deed from Josiah Hedges for a certain lot of land for the piu'pose of erecting a jail, valued at SI 50, in part payment of materials named in said Hedges' bond due said county. Marcus Y. Graff, one of the commissioners, notified Mr. Hedges that the commissioners required payment of the residue of the moneys and materials due on said bond. David Risdon presented a remonstrance fi'om the )>eople of that i)ortion of Clinton Township west of the river, against the action of the commissioners in reannexing it to Clinton in their order of DecemVier, 1 833. The board decreed that it was iuexjjedient to repeal their last order in regard to this biennial question. A petition was presented by Charles W. Foster from twenty electors in Loudon Township, praying that three trustees and a treasurer be elected to take charge of School Section 16, agreeable to an act to incoi-porate the original siu-veyed township. The petition was granted. In March, 1834, Enoch Trumbo asked for an order to elect tnistees and treasurer to take charge of School Section 16, in Jackson Township. The order was issued.

Brown and Magill were allowed §3.25 for printing notices to build court house, and Calvin Bradley S15 for furnishing tb'aft and bill of particulars for court house. Orders for those amounts were issued in March, 1831. A sum of S50 was a])pro]iriated toward building a bridge over Rock Run. at th(> east end of Market Street, in the town of Tiffin. The board gave a bond to Jacob Stem, and authorized him to obtain a loan of $6,000. David E. Owen, county auditor, was allowed !?5S. 79 for his services for the year eiidinp; JIarch (), 1884. In May. 1S34, Jacob Stem obtained the loan of .*0.0()(), and lodged the amount in the Baltimore Savings Institution, Maryland. The lioard loaned this money to Stem until April, ] 885, the interest being considered equivalent to his services in raising the money. In June $59.42 were appropriated for the sustenance of A\'arren C. Burns, a convict in the county jail, fi'om September, 1883. to May, 1884: James W. G. McChier received this money. At the June meeting Enoch Umsted was allowed §18 for the use of Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch as a coiui room in May. 1884. The cost of assessing the county, in 1884, was S47.25. The tax of 1884 was 5 mills for county, -i mills for county buildings. 1 mill for schools and 8 mills for roads. Nicholas Goetchius. John Crum and John Seitz, were commissioners. In August, 1884. $2,000 were paid John Baugher on account of work on the court house. The commissioners, in November, 1834, were John Seitz, Benjamin '\^'hitm6re and Lorenzo Abbott. A sum of $45 was granted Alonzo Rawson for advertising " ' Exhibit of Receipts and Expenditures" in the Independent Chronicle.

March, 1885, session of the commissioners was devoted mainly to the consideration of petitions for county roads, ^^'illard ^\"hitney presented a petition asking relief from tax on his mercantile capital, as assessed in 1834. Reuben \\'illiams resigned his ofiSce of assessor. M. Y. Graff reported the expenditure of §50 on the Rock Run bridge, at the east end of Market Street. In April a sj)ecial session was held. The June session opened with Benjamin Whitmore, Lorenzo Abbott and John Seitz, present. The tax levy ordered was 4i mills, county: li mills, school, and 2i mills for road f)wrposes, of which total, li mills were ordered to be reserved for public Ijuildings. Three mills were added to the road tax in Scipio Township. In December, Nicholas Goetschius and Joel Stone presented bills for sustaining the prisoners Benjamin Aleut and James King. A sum of $18 was allowed Heniy Ebbert as rent for the Methodist Ejiiscopal Church in use dming two sessions of the coiu't in 1835. Abel Rawson was allowed §25 tor office rent and fire-wood for the year entling December 0, 1835. John AV'alsh was sworn in as assessor. Alonzo Rawson was allowed $2.75 for printing the shei-ifp's proclamation.

Diu'ing the spring and summer sessions of 1836 a large number of road petitions was presented and granted. The tax levy Ordered was 41 mills for county pui'poses. 1 1 mills for school purposes and 8 mills for road jiiu'poses. A further appropriation of .$100 was made to complete the West Market Street bridge. In August, 1880, David E. Owen, auditor, resigned, and Levi Davis was aj)pointed. In September. 183(). Ebenezer Smith was granted $100 to build a bridge over Beaver Creek. In December $27 were granted as rent ftir use of Methodist Episcopal Chiu'ch diu'ing the three terms of com-t. Eli Norris received $17.50 as rent for jiuy room during two terms in 1834, three terms in 1835 and two terms in 1836.

In March, 1837. Lowell Robinson was appointed county assessor, John C. Donnell and A. Maloney were appointed assistant assessors. The auditor was sustained in his suit against Latham Stone & Co. , "for attempting to show their natural curiosities and horsemanship at Republic, on May 21. 1887." One hundi'ed and thirty-three dollars were apjjropriated toward the five bridge over the Sandusky road on ^\'est Market Stre(>t. About this time the now familiar notice, "no person shall be allowed to ride over this bridge faster than a walk, ' ' was adopted. The limit of traffic was confined to ten head of cattle or ten head of hogs at any one time.

The tax levy for 1837 was 4J mills for county, 1 mill for school and 3 mills for road purposes. In August, 1837.it was resolved to re-roof the court house.

and. in Novomber.ll'riiili P. Cooni'iid presented a bill of $281.50 for this work. In March, 1838, Isaac P. Ingraham was appointed assessor, vice the assessor elect, who failed to give bonds. Joel Stone received $H-i for services in guarding prisoners at night diu-ing the year ending June 9. The first account for lam]) -oil was n-ndered about this time. John W. Vrowman was released from })a\mont of >?7.80. tax on §1,000 alleged to bo loaned by him on interest. In December Francis Bernard was allowed $U for calcimining and cleaning the county jail. Abel Eawson was allowed §21) for record book and transcription of Seneca lands. John Terry, John Seitz and Lorenzo Abbott presided at the last session in 1838.

Meetings From 1839 To 1800

The several sessions of the commissioners in 1839 were principally devoted to road matters. In December Joshua Seney was allowed $30 for attorney's services rendered in the suits against Josiah Hedges and Jonatrhan Keed & Co.

In January, 1840, Lorenzo Abbott and Andi'ew Jloore. commissioners, pi'esent, §11 were gi\iuted to Samuel A. Griswold for printing. John Terry was present in March, 1840. In June the tax le\y was fixed at 3:'j mills for county. 1 mill for school and 3 mills for road piu'poses. The taxes on Josiah Hedges" saw-mill, §G. 37.V, were remitted in December, 1840.

The transactions of the commissioners in 1841, outside of road affairs, com- })rise the appointment of G. J. Keen, county agent, to collect §(j4 fi'om James Durbin, formerly county siu'veyor, paid him on an order issued July 10, 1838, for obtaining platii and field notes of Seneca County fi'om thesiu'veyor-general's office, a duty which had to be performed in 1840 by John Terry. In March, 1841, the sheriff was authorized to give the use of the court house for religious and political meetings, as he may deem proper. In June. 1841, the auditor was instructed to advertise for proposals to rebuild the court house in the Van Biirrnitr and Gazette of Tiffin, the Oliio Statesman and Ohio State Journal, of Columbus, the Norwallk Experiment the Sanduslci/ Democrat, and the Findtaij Courier. For some time after the com-t house was destroyed in 1841, com'ts were held in the Methodist Protestant Chtu-ch. The county paid the Methodist Protestant Society $25 for rent for iise of church in ]Mav and June, 1841.

In July, 1841. th(> ([uestion of rebuilding the court house was before the board; John liaugher projiosod to complete the carpenters' and joiners' work for §2,990; Jacob Emick and Jacob liowk contracted to do all the stone and brick work for §S00; Allison Philips the plastering for §450. These proposals were accepted. John Andrews' bid to point th(f l)riek work for $150 was accepted. George Stoner. John Terry and Andi'ew Moore were the commissioners.

In ^larch, 1842. Robert G. Pennington presented a petition to the board, setting forth that the Seneca County Agricultural Society had organized according to law, and asking for a county subscription. The commissioners appropriated §100. At this time also the act of January 13, 1829, to '"improve the breed of sheep," was adopted by the board of Seneca County.

In April. 1842, Uriah P. Coonrad received §13.75. for boarding an insane man named Samuel Dorland. At the same time Dr. Ely Dresbach pronounced the man's insanity only periodical, and the commissioners ordered his discharge.

Vincent Bell asked that the assessment for 1842, on his saw and gristmills, be r(>mitted. as they were useless. In December Joseph McClellan took his place on tlie boai-d. John G. Br(>slin's bill of §202.50 for publish- ing the delinquent list of the county, was allowed. The notes of the Granville Bank and other uncurrent notes were ordered to be exchanged. Eden Lease presented a bill of S3. 75 for guarding of the jail live nights diu'ing the confinement therein of Thomas C. Bartlett. Dr. N. R. E. McMeen received S'2, for medical services to another prisoner, named Hiram Cochrane.

In June. 1843, the lightning-rod man placed a rod on the jail, at a cost of S20. The new comi house was completed in the summer of 1843. Proposals for building a jail and sheriff's residence were opened June 9, 1843, T. B. Piatt's bid of §3,487 was accepted, but he failed to give bond. The contract was sold the same month to Ephraim Kiker. of Erie County. In December MoiTis P. Skinner took hi.s place on the board.

In April, 1845, a disagreement between Piatt and Eicker in re the building of the jail was settled by arbitration. The business of the board during the year was confined to road affairs.

In January, 1840, the commissioners ordered the auditor to effect an insurance on the court house. The tax levj' for 1840 was 5 mills for county, bridge and public buildings, 1 mill for school, and 3 mills for road piu-poses.

In March, 1847, H. T. Dewey was permitted to place a clock in the com-t house steeple, which he should be allowed to remove at pleasure if the county or citizens did not deem it worthy of being paid for. This was not adopted, but some years after Philip Siebold fvu-nished a clock, which was used until the last court hoiTse was taken down.

In March. 1847. Josiah Hedges suiTendered his toll-bridge charter (granted under the acts of January 13. 18'29. February 9. 1830. February 7, 1832, and February 7, 1833) to the commissioners, ou condition that the county would build a free bridge. The original bridge, at the north e'nd of Washington Street, was swept away January 1, 1847. In March and April the board appropriated moneys to build the Washington Street bridge and other bridges throughout the county. The tax levy ordered was 1 mill for road, lf\- mills for county, -j^q- of a mill for school and -^ of a mill for bridge purjjoses.

In March, 1848, the council of Tififin was authorized to build on the public square, in part occupied by the coiu't house, and on the south side of the same, along ]\Iarket Street, a market house and engine house, and to have control of the same for twelve years, after which the commissioners retained the privilege of disposing of the location, while the council held that of disposing of the buildings. In December John W. Patterson, William Lang and F. W, Green formed a joint committee of the commissioners and council to superintend the digging of a well on the public ground of Tiffin.

In Juue, 1S4'.I, the commissioners adopted the professional tax in the case of the hiwj'er.s. and assessed them as follows: AV. W. Culver, §1.50; John L. Lamaraux, Leander Stem, James P. Pillars, John L. Graves, Richard Williams and AVilliam M. Johnson, SI each; William Lang, S250; Joel W. Wilson, Warren P. Noble, R. G. Pennington, Jesse Stem, $3 each; Luther A. Hall, S2; Abel Rawson and William H. Gibson, $4 each.

In March, 18iJ"2, Philip Sj)ielman, county clerk, presented a petition from the bar, requesting a complete index to the court dockets to be toade. The clerk was ordered to make a complete index up to that time, for which reasonable pay would be granted, and to continue the index henceforth without jiay.

May 24, 1853, commissioners Saul. Burns and Clark decided to piurhase a fann to be used as a poor farm. On the 25th the board examined the fanus of H. H. Steiner, Henry Creager, Charles Miller, W. C. Hedges, Henry Carpenpenter, David Rickeubaugh and Daniel Brown. March 18, 1854, the lands of Samuel Hen-in, I. C. B. Robinson and heirs of J. C. Murray were pm-chased. In December, 1855, the commissioners visited the infu'maries of Champaign and Clarke Counties, and David C. Myers was instructed to draft the buildings at Champaign.

In Jime, 1852, the board appropriated $100 for the benefit of the Teachers' Institute, on petition of S. S. Rickley and others. A number of appropriations was made for the purpose of building new bridges and repairing old ones in the several townships. The grant of a part of thepublic square bj' the county to the city of Tiffin, made March 10, 1848, was rescinded March 17, 1852, by the commissioners: Barney Zimmerman, David Biu-ns and Samuel Saul.

January 31. 185(5, the commissioners, accompanied by D. C. Myers and N. N. Speilman, visited the poor farm, and staked out the site of the infirmary buildings. September 19, same year, the board accepted the buildings.

The petition of Josejjh Hedges, to have a sti-ip of forty-four feet taken off of the public square, for the purpose of widening Virgin Alley, was negatived by the board, December (3. 1856.

In December, 1858, the auditor of Seneca County was ordered to redeem the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 12, Town 3, Ran^e 12, Wood County, sold by Wood County for the taxes of 1856 and 1857. This land belonged to Seneca County from 1845 to January, 1862, when it was sold to M. P. Skinner for a small consideration.

In March. 18(j0, the petition to incorporate the town of Bettsville was dismissed for the reason that the board did not consider it just ' ' to incorporate men against their will. ' '

September 7. 1861, the Soldiers' Relief Committee, of Tiffin, petitioned the board to aid in the support of volunteers' families. The sum of $250 was appro) .riated. December 16, 1861, a tax kny of one-half of 1 mill per dollar on assessment was ordei'ed, and on the same day $4, 500 were borrowed from Tomb, Huss & Co. , for one year at 6 per cent for the retired soldiers' families.

In 1861 the controversy between the corporation of Tiffin and the county commissioners, in respect to the title of the court house square, was amicably settled. The city agreed to pay all costs and waive claim to title, and to join the county in building a new engine house.

In September, 1862, the commissioners authorized the issue of bonds to be negotiated by John JI. Naylor, military treasurer, and proceeds applied to the payment of bounties to volunteers. September (i. the sum of .S2,000 was boiTowed fi-om Samuel Hemn at 8 per cent interest, to be applied to thi> relief of soldiers' families. In January. 1863. the plan for distribution of relief fund was changed, the new plan granting -S'i.Go per week to a soldier's wife without children, and $4.64 to a wife with three or more children. In March, 1863, a sum of $3,000 was transferred fi'om the county fund to the relief fund. A bounty of $25 was offered in May, 1863. to all who would enlist in the One Hundred and First Regiment or in the One Hundi-ed and Twenty-third Regiment. In June a fuiiher transfer of $2,000 was made fi'om the county to the relief fund. The amount of soldiers" remittance fi'om December, 1863, to March 10. 1864. was $8,535. and of the relief fund $7,200. From March W, to June 0. 1 864. the amount of soldiers" remittance was $4, - 530; from June to September 8, $1,610. and from September S to December 8, 1864, $6,850.26 relief fund and §3,566.25 soldiers" bountv. The sokliers" remittance was $;31,278. From December 8, 1864, to March 8, 1865, there was paid out as soldiers' remittance, $16,640; military fund, $5,169.65; relief, and bounties. $37,570.36.

In February, 1864, the sum of $2,000 was transferred fi-om the relief fund to the county fimd in lieu of the transfer of 1863. In March, 1866, the amount of relief money due the townships and wards of the county was $0, 443, to be distributed among 1,472 necessitous persons, being a fraction of $<).4]J to each person. The amount of relief approjsriated for February. 1866. was $7, 360, or $5 to each person entitled thereto.

In June, 1866, there were only 286 persons entitled to moneys from relief fund in the county. The sum of $7,672.43 was appropriated, of which $6,864 was ordered to be distributed in the several townships and wards. July 5. 1866, the amount to be refunded bv the townships to the countv treasiu-er was $12,759.44.

In April, 1 865, the question of the distribution of relief fund was considered and equalized: a few townships, having received more than then* quota, were ordered to pay the amount overdi-awn to the county treasurer.

In Jiily. 1800, tbo transfer of moneys from the relief, military and volunteer bounty fund to the county and bridge fund, was ordered. The sum of -'r7,()()0 was transferred fi-om the relief and military fund, and $7,586.09 fi-om the volunteer bounty fund.

To recount the work of the county board since 1860 is beyond the scope or object of this histoiy. The most important acts of that body are noticed however, in connection with that division of the history which they effect. Thus, the history of court houses and jails is given with this chapter, and so on to the end. In closing the organic chapter the historian takes much pleasure in acknowledging the com-tesies of the late Auditor Stoner, of the Deputy Auditor, and of Auditor Norton, the present incumlient, and in congratulating the county on possessing many valuable records of this important office.

Treasurer Heabler. - The death of County Treasurer Heabler resulted in the discoveiT of a large deficit in the county funds. The first inquiry was made by the county commissioners, George Heabler and Capt. MUler. chief clerk in the deceased treasurer's office, in presence of George Hepler. Lester Sutton and A. B. Brant, a committee appointed \>y the bondsmen. The cash actually received was $153,541.22. and assets. $140,081), leaving $12,852,22 unaccounted for. Mr. Heabler was city as well as county treasiu'er, and on his bonds were the following citizens:

Recorder's Office. - Recorder Bennehoff completed, in May. 1885, a general index record of all patent deeds recorded in the county, by which he can tell in a moment whether or not the patent deed of any piece of land in the county is reconled. This is a great convenience, as heretofore it took from one to twenty-four hours to ascertain this. The plan of the book is excellent and a credit to the Recorder.

Public Buildings of the County. - In the first pages of this chapt(>r it is stated that the commissioners sold to Elijah Farquson the contract for building the first jail, July 4, 1825. This was a solid log box. laid off in two compartments, with its vulnerable points marked by wagon-tiro bindings. At the south end of this little penal institution there was a frame building erected, which was the jailer's official residence for some short time. and. in its later <lays. John Fiege's cabinet-shop. This building stood on the southeast corner of the public square, was completed the last day of March. lS2(i, at a cost of $450. The brick used in building the chimney of this jail were the tirst burned in the county. Thomas Chadwick was the brick manufacturer, while the jailer, William Toll, was the bricklayer, the tir-t completing his kiln in the

During the winter of 1840-41 this pioneer county building was torn down, as it was declared to be a trap for inducing practical jokes on the law.

Proposals to build a county jail at Tiffin were advertised for up to June, 1843, when the bid of Epraim Riker, S3, 487, to build a jail and sheriff's house on Madison Street, opposite St. Maiy' s Cemetery, was approved.

The new coimty jail and sheriff's residence was completed in April, 1878. The contractors were: X. N. Speilman. of Tiffin, excavation, drainage, stone work and brickwork; Fort Wayne Foundry Company, the iron work; Scudder Chamberlain, Tiffin, carpenter work; "\V. F. Gearhart & Co., Daj-ton, Ohio, galvanized ii-on work; Rood & Co., Toledo, phmibing and gas-fitting; G. B. Alexander, Delaware, painting and glazing; J. S. Norton & Co., Toledo, slate work and cresting; Miller & Herrig, Tiffin, plastering. D. W. Gibbs, of Toledo, was the architect. This building fronts on Market Street, in rear of the new court house. Under Sheriff Wlialen's administration this institution is well managed.

Court Houses. - The first meetings of the commissioners' board were held in Abel Rawson's office until December, 1824, when the county rented from George Park a room in Eli Norris' tavern, standing where is now the National Hall Building. This room was used as the clerk's and auditor's office, and commissioners' room, until moved to the Hedges Building, on Virgin Alley, a two-story frame house which stood on a part of the site of the present Advertiser office.* and in which Judge Lane opened the first coiirt April 12, 1824. The recorder and sheriff used their own offices and charged the county rent for same. In May, 1829, the commissioners arranged with Donaldson, trustee of the Methodist meeting-house, to have the ixse of such house for terms of courts until the completion of a county building, then proposed. This old church, a brick structiore, stood where the Joseph Harter marble yard is now located; was early English in style, and used by the sacred and profane indiscriminately, imtil August 19, 1830, when the fii'st county court house was completed. ( Vide Transactions of the Commissioners' Board, Chap. IV. )

The court house, which was begun in 1834, and completed August 19, 1836, was destroyed by fire, ]May 24, 1841. Owing to the energy of the people, part of the county records was saved. The office of Cowdery & Wilson was in this building, in connection with which is the story of Judge Lang's extraordinary escape. Cowdery learned that a number of valuable papers were not yet saved from the flames, and asked Judge Lang, then a young man, to rescue the "pigeon-hole" and its contents. Without hesitating the latter leaped into the room, cast out the ' ' pigeon hole, ' ' and jumped from the window at the moment when the logs and sand of the second floor fell in. Even after leaping to the gi-ound, the cornice and debris came tumbling down, from under which he had to be extricated.

From the destruction of the first court house to the completion of the sec- ond one, in January. 1843. courts were held in the Methodist Protestant Chiwch, while the official business of the county was carried on at such places as suited the convenience of the officers. July 23, 1841, John Baugher, under contract with the county, entered upon this work of rebuilding. The walls of the old house, then standing, were used in the restored structiu-e, and this

(with the additions made in 1S(')(')) was tho court house of Seneca County, until the spring of 1SS4, when the building was removed to give place to the present house, the oflBcers being transferred to a large brick building and frame annex, which fi'onted on Market Street, ojDposite the ' ' Lang House, ' ' just east of the south vestibule of the present building and the county jail. The cost of restoration was over $4, 400. The coiu't house square was cleared of the old locust trees in April, 1803.

The New Court House. - The corner-stone of this magnificent building was laid June 24, 1884, with appropriate ceremonies. The members of the committee, appointed by the commissioners to arrange for the laying of the cornerstone, met at the office of N. L. Brewer, and organized by electing N. L. Brewer, chairman; J. A. Norton treasurer, and E. B. Myers secretary. On motion the following named gentlemen were appointed as a finance committee, to raise funds to bear the necessary expenses of the occasion :

J. A. Norton, chairman; A. B. Hovey, John M. Naylor, S. B. Sneath, John D. Loomis, George E. Seney and John M. Kaull. The ward committees comprised: First Ward, E. B. Hubbard, Jacob Scheibley and Joseph Van Nest: Second Ward, Ai Kaup, William Dore, W. P. Noble; Third Ward, J. M. Hershberger. E. W. Shawhan and Jeremiah Eex: Foiu-th Ward, J. H. Ridgely, George D. Loomis and John Ehrenfried: Fifth Ward, J. N. Willard. A. M. Hart and Julius Kiessling.

Gen. W. H. Gibson delivered the orations in English, while Judge William Lang delivered an historical address in German. J. H. Good, D. D. , invoked the blessing on the work. Mayor Royer delivered the address of welcome. Rev. Mr. Reager offered prayer, and then the huge copper box, containing mementoes of our times, was placed within the stone, which was put in position by the Masons. The box contains the following mementoes:

The memorial badge worn by the participants in this celebration was quite in keeping with the elaborate details of the ceremony. The cost of this monument to Seneca County's advancement, was about $215,000, or about §-">. 40 2)er capita of the estimated mimber of inhabitants in 1885. A complete statement of costs and expenses in connection with the Iniilding of the new cotu't house, piu'chasing additional real estate, etc., is given as follows:

Court House Building Histouy Of Skneca Countv

The total value of taxable property in the county is S21,84r).r)-^0; so it will 1)0 seen that the total assessment in behalf of this improvement will be less than 1 per cent, on such valuation; and if paid for in ton years will re(|uire the payment of i?l per year ujion every tht)usaiid dollars of valuation on the duplicate.

County Poor Institution. - In the pages dealing with the transactions of the commissioners' board, the minutiiip of the history of the Infirmary and Poor Farm are given; while in the political chapter the vote on the question of their estal)lishment. as well as the votes polled for members of the infirmary directors' board, are of record. June 7, 1841. the (piestion of establishing an infirmary was submitted to the board. Fourteen years later a site was selected in Eden Township, and in bST)*) a building was erected by Messrs. Speilman, Myers and Toner, under contract with the commissioners. The fai'm comprises 240 acres which (with improvements) is valued at ?78. ()()().