Seneca County, Ohio - Chapter 23: Pleasant Tcwnship, 1886

THIS is the third division of the county which received the American pioneer, dating its settlement back to 1819, when the Seneca Indian Agency was established.

This particular neighborhood was known as the Seneca country prior to 1 82( I, when it was surveyed into quarter sections by J. T. ^A'orthiugton, and given the title of Town 3 north. Eauge 15 east. Under this name and that of Fort Seneca it was known to land buyers and others until 1831. The inhabitants, in 18'J(). comprised the families of the pioneers of 1819-2(1. the officials at the agency and the white captives of the Indians; ten years later the number of inhabitants was placed at 70(1; in 1840 the popidation was estimated at over 1,100; in 1850 it reached 1,592; in I860 it decreased to 1,522; in 1870 it decreased to 1,352: in 1880 the census returns give the figures 1,417, and in 1885, a consen'ative estimate places the entire pojnilation at 1,592, the same as in 1850.

The Sandusky River enters the township in Section 32, flows northeast to the center of Section 28, forking in Section 29, and forming a large island in the southeast quarter of that section. From the center of Section 28 it flows in a general northwestern course to the village of Fort Seneca, and thence east to the west line of Section 22, thus fomiing a great bend. From this point to the extreme southwestern corner of Section 10, it observes a northerly course, thence flows generally northwest, and leaves the township and county at the northeastern quarter of Section 5.

Spicer Creek flows through Sections 33 and '!'<. entering the river near the center of the last named section. Sugar Creek flows from Section 25 thri>ugh Sections 26. 27 and 22, where it enters the Sandusky. Two or three spring creeks also flow into this river fi-om the west in the township: while the eastern fork of Wolf Creek runs in a tortuous course north from a point west of the village of Fort Seneca to the northwestern corner of Section -'>. where it leaves the county. Beaver Creek, which has its source in Thompson Township, flows into the lake on the northeast quarter of Section 12, thence north- west and north through Section 1. This is also called Green Creek, and the stream, rising in Sections 12 and 11, flowing north, is a fork of this creek.*

Owing to the river passing through the township the surface is much broken. A large area of bottom land is found here, while on the plateau some of the richest farm lands and most beautifiil farms in the county are found.

Railroad'^. - Two lines traverse Pleasant Township: the "Nickel Plate" and the Indiana, Bloomington & ^\'estern The former enters the township at Section 7, and. taking a northeasterly and easterly course, leaves at Section 1. The latter penetrates the township at Section 34, and running almost due northeast, leaves in the extreme southeast corner of Section 1 2.

Orijanic nnd Official Histori/. - A petition signed by many inhabitants of Seneca Township, of which Pleasant Township formed a part, was presented to the commissioners by Caleb Kice, June (), 1831. This petition prayed for the establishment of a new township out of fi'actional Township 3 north. Range 15 east, and all that part of the Seneca Indian Reservation within the county. James Gordon, then a member of the board, proposed the name of "Pleasant, and under this name the township was organized. In March, 1833, it was established within its present boundaries.

The early records of Seneca Township, noticed in the chapter on that township, give the members of the local government board down to 1832. From this date forward to 1S4U. the records of Pleasant Township are defective or wanting; so that the jaossibility of making an authentic list of township officials for those years is too remote to attempt such a list. To the courtesy of A. L. Abbott, the present township clerk, the writer is indebted for the roll of officials fi-om 1850 to the present time.

The elections of April. 1885. resulted in the choice of the following named officers: Trustees, C. Flumerfelt (Dem. ). George Seckman (Dem.). Lyman Abbott (Rep.); treasm-er, W. F. Shuman (Dem.); clerk, Moses Abbott (Rep.)*; assessor, Lewis Shannon (Dem.); constables, P. S. Sheets (Rep.), J. Novinger (Rep.); justice, W. W. Jones (Rep.).

Pioneers and Pioneer Events. - The first settlers in what now constitutes Pleasant Township were William Spicer, to whom the Spicer Section in Pleasant Township was granted by the treaty of Miami of Lake Erie ( patented January 18, 1822), and he may be termed the first white settler here. For forty years previous to 1819 he resided among the Indians of the Sandusky, and grew in wealth among them Benjamin and West Barney came to the coimty in 1818, and settled here in 1819. Benjamin B. Barney, who. in 1824, became a pioneer of Pike County, 111., with his son, Joseph M'. Barney, settled here in 1818 or 1819. When ninety-one years old, Benjamin B. Barney crossed the plains to California, but died on board shija while retiu-ning in 1854. He was a native of Savoy, Berkshire Co. , Mass. , and on coming here settled with his brother. West Barney, in a cabin which Spicer built in 1818. Benjamin Culver came about this time. Anson Gray, also a pioneer, moved to Illinois in 1824. In 1819 a son of Benjamin B. Barney, named Benjamin, his daughter, Annar, and Friend Orr arrived. Daniel Rice and Caleb Rice, natives of Clarendon County, Yt. , came about the same time, so also did the McNutts.

The first Indian sub-agent of the Senecas, James Montgomery, settled at Camp Seneca, November 20, 1819, at a time when only five families resided between the camp and Oakley Village.

In the summer of 1820, William Harris, his wife (nee Mary Mead) and children, Samuel, John, Marshall. Minerva, Tabitha and June Harris, moved fi'om HaiTisbui'gh, Penn., and settled in this township: Samuel Hams and John Eaton, being the prospectors here late in 1819. Samuel died in Sandusky County in 1826; Augustus Harris and his family came in 1821, and in that year his wife died. This William Harris was a Revolutionary soldier, and a pensioner fi'om 1825 untU 1834, when he died. This pension was foimded on representations made to the Government by Abel Rawson. Eli Downing named in the history of Clinton Township and elsewhere, was one of the fii'st settlers, having his cabin in the valley south of what was known as Baker's Mill. Annar Barney was married to David Rice in the fall of 1820, and. in December of that year, Minerva Harris married Benjamin Barney; David Smith, the pioneer justice of the peace of Fort Ball, officiating, with Erastus Bowe, witness. The first recorded marriage is that of West Barney and Sophronia Wilson by Justice David Rice, October 24, 1820. The Dnmonds came in 1821, and buUt a cabin on the west bank of the Sandusk}'. which was in a good state of preservation a few years ago. The first permanent settlers on the Fort lands were Jacques Hulburt. who came from New York State in 1823, and Shepherd Patrick, who also came in 1823. They purchased the old Fort lands and farm(>d there for some years. Patrick sold his lands to Hulbiu't and retiu-ned East, whUe the latter moved to Fremont, and opened a store there. The Rum- leys built ;i mill on Greeu Creek, in I'S'H, and shortly after, Moore erected one on the Sandusky. The Hedges Mill, on Beaver Creek, did not come into existence until 1S;JS. The lieginnings o£ settlement made by tho.se pioneers attracted to the town.ship a numl)er of equally industrious men; all joined in the arduous work of olden days, and witliiii the succeeding decade gave to the county one of its principal divisions, well worthy of the name it bears. In th(> following pages many if not all of the old residents are noticed.

Lorenzo Abbott, a native of Massachusetts, came with his parents to Seneca County, in 18121; was married here, in 1825, to Miss Jennette Sherwood, who came with her parents from New Jersey in 18'21; the former died in 1876, the latter in 1877 .... William H. Anders, an early settler, came fi'om Virginia. His wife [ucc Sarah A. King), a native of Maryland, was also one of the first settlers. . . .William Astor. a native of Ohio, settled here in 1858.

Felix Beck came to this township in 1847, from Maryland .... William Bonnell, who died in 1885, settled here in 1838; his widow, Mi's. Anna M. (Bnj-ter) Bonnell, is still a resident .... Marshall Barney came with his brothers and sisters in LSIU, settled in the vicinity of Fort Seneca, and dii'd there shortly after. . . .Annar Barney (who married David Rice), and other members of this family, were pioneers of 1819.... West Barney, who settled herein 1818, moved to Missouri and died there in 1878. . . . Gahart and Sarah ( Remby) Beck, parents of Mrs. Moses Abbott, came from Pennsylvania to this county at an early date. . . .Vincent Bell, one of the founders of Fort Seneca, in 181^6, was a pioneer of this township. He was one of the early justices of the peace, serving in 188t') . . .Dr. F. M. Bell was a resid^ent physician at Fort Seneca in 1847 . . . .Abraham and Sarah (Betts) Borough, natives of Pennsylvania, jiarents of Michael Borough (who was born in Sandusky County, Ohio, in 1836), came in an early day with then- parents to this county fi-om Wayne; Mrs. Borough died in 1883; Mr. Borough now resides at Fostoria. . . .Michael Borough settled here in 1868. . . .Jacob and Susan (Gittinger) Bowersox, natives of Indiana, parents of Mrs. Joseph li. Drown, came here in 1838, and died in 1877. ....John and Hannah (Onau) Blue, parents of Jlrs. Bartholomew ShauU (mother of JIi-s. John Puffenberger, of Liberty Township), were early settlers of Pleasant Township .... Jacob E. and Anson (Ulrich) Brenneman, pjirents of Mi-s. Reuben Sellers, a native of Ashland County, Ohio, came to this county in an early day, where they still reside.

Clark (former born in 1807. latter in 1802 in New York State), parents of Mi-s. David B. Anders, came to this township in 1834. where they now reside with David B. Hume.... Town and Philothe (Case) Clark, natives of New York State, parents of Mi-s. Rasselus R. Titus, came here in 1835. Mr. Clark died in 1S40, his widow in 1880. . . .Calvin Clark is named among the old residents. He sei-ved as commissioner .... John Collister. a Jlanxman, was an early settler .... Andi-ew Culright. who died in 1836, owned the south i>art of the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 6; settled, however, south of Tiitin at an early date, and liad the only cabin on the river between Fort Ball and McCutcheonville in 1820. .. .Benjamin Cidver died in 1840. .. .James and Maiy P. (Haskell) Crockett, former born in Maine in 1798. came to the county in 1828 and settled in Pleasant Township.

Solomon and Fanny (Dennis) Drown, natives of New Ham])shireand Maine, respectively, parents of Joseph R. Drown (who was born in Pennsylvania), came to Adams Township in 1837. Mr. Drown died in 1857, Mrs. Drown in 1880. . . .Andrew and John Dukes and Michael Durand were among the early settlers. . . .Isaac I. and Sof)liia (Dukes) Dumond, natives of New York State and Delaware, respectively, parents of Lorenzo A. Dumond (who was born here in 1834i), came with their parents to this county in 1820, and were married here in 1823. Mr. Dumond died in 1880, his widow in 1881.

John Eaton settled in the township in 181'.l; married Mrs. Polly Orr. . . . Uriah Egbert settled on the North Greenfield road in 1822; moved in 1823 to Pleasant Township and died there October 1, 1876; he was a native of New Jersey, while his wife [nee Susannah Williams) was a native of Maryland; she died in 1875.... John D. Egbert, born in Franklin County. Ohio, in 1819, came with his parents to Seneca County in 1822; here he married Miss Ary A. (xriffiu .... Jeremiah W. and Lucy A. Egbert, natives of Ohio, parents of Norman D. Egbert, of Clinton Town.ship (who was born in 1843), came to Pleasant Township after marriage and have since remained here.

James M. Figgins was drowned near the Pleasant Township bridge in April, 1848; Jo.shua Stackhouse was di-owned with him. . . .Cornelius Flumerfelt settled here in May, 1826; died in August, 1871 D. V. Flumerfelt came with his parents to Pleasant Township in 182f). . . .Phineas Frary was among the pioneers .... Milton Frary, who married Miss Sally Montgomery March 25, 1832, died in 1852. . . .Philip H. Fry, a native of Prussia, born in 1 805, came in 1833 to America and in 1834 to Tiffin, where he helped to hew out the timbers for the first courthouse in Seneca County; also built houses, chui'ches and bridges in the countv; he and his wife settled in Pleasant in 1838.

James T. Gangwer, one of the pioneers of Pleasant Township, died January 4, 1885, in his eighty-first year; he resided for years three and a half miles north of Tiffin .... Tilgman Gangwer came from Pennsylvania in 1!S51 .... Daniel and Jane (Dudi-ow) Gittinger (both deceased), parents of IMi's. John 6. Bonnell, came fi-om Maryland to this county in an early day .... Edward D. Griffin, a native of Virginia, came with his dairghter, Ary Ann (now wife of John D. Egbert), to Adams Township in 1831, and here man-ied his second wife, Mrs. Colena (Titus) Chiu-ch; Mi-. Griffin died in 1876; bis widow died since that time. . . .Stephen and Christiana (Sheels) Grove, natives of Maryland, parents of William H. Grove (who was born in Maryland in 1832), came to this township in 1S35. Mr. Grove died in 1876; his widow in 1877.

William Han-is, a soldier of the Revolution and a gunsmith, was pensioned in 1825, and died in 1834; he settled in the township in 1820. ... Augustus Harris, son of William Harris, came in 1821, and the same year his wife died. . . . .Samuel Harris and John Eaton came in 1819, as the pioneers of the family ; Samuel died in 1826. . . .Tabitha Harris (who married Benjamin Culver, in 1828), now Mrs. Stanley, is a resident of Tiffin, and one of the foiu- sirrvivors of first settlement. There are other members of this family refeiTed to elsewhore .... Emmanuel Hall, a native of Ohio, settled here in 1824 .... Lewis and Caroline Hemmintjer, are named among the old settlers .... John and Margaret (Byers) Hoke, parents of Mrs. William Montgomery, came to this county about 1848; Mrs. Hoke died in 1857, Mr. Hoke in 1874.". .. William and Catharine Holtz, parents of Mrs. Norman D. Egbert, of Clinton Township (who was born in Pleasant Township in 1845), were early settlers here, where former died in 1862, and latter now resides. . . .Jacob P. and Susannah (Huss) Holtz, came here in 1834, and still reside in this township. . . .Joseph and Catherine (Gulmire) Hoover, parents of John A. Hoover, who was born in this township in 1839, were early settlers here .... Jacques Hulburt came in 1823, and, with Shepard Patrick, pm-chased the Fort Seneca Reservation. He conducted the first grammar school in the countv until his removal to Lower San- dixskj'; diwl December 2r), 1886 .... Sylvia Ann Hunt and Maria Hnnt, came as visitors at an early day, and married Samuel Wright and John Wright re- spectively. Sylvia .inn was divorced from her husband, and soon after married Eiifus W. Reid, a Tittin merchant. Mr. Reid died years ago, but his widow is still a resident of Ohio .... Samuel V. Humes, born in Champaign County, Ohio, in 1821. settled in Pleasant Township in 1834.

Mi-s. Sally (Frary nee Montgomery) Ingham, born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 4, 1811, settled at Fort Seneca with her father. Rev. James Montgomery, in November, 1819. She married Milton Frarj', March 25, 1832. He died in 1852. The same Mrs. Fraiy moved to Tiffin and resided in that city until 1869, when she married Alexander Ingham, and moved with him to Cleveland, Ohio. INIr. Ingham died in April, 1870, and two years later 'Mxs. Ingham I'eturned to Tiffin, where she erected her present residence on Minerva Street, about thii-teen years ago. To this ladj' the waiter is indelited for solving some historical conundrums relating to church affairs at Tiffin, and early settlers and events connected with Pleasant Township. She is one of a quartette of old residents who settled here between 1818 and 1822. and still resides in the county.

David H. and Mary (Dumond) Jopp, fonuer born in Conn., in 1791, latter in New York State in 1793, gi-andparents of Orson Jopp, came in 1831 to Pleasant Township. ^h\ Jopp died in 1849, his widow in 1876. . . .Luther S. and Emeline (Madison) Jopp (both deceased), parents of Orson Jopp, were

David B. King, a Pennsylvauian, came to this county in 1814, and died in 1877. He was married to Sarah Robertson, now of Pleasant Township .... The Keeler family were among the old settlers, biit, residing on the rivt>r bank in the bottom lands, they were afflicted with ague until they left the county.

Martin Lane, Indian interpreter, was an early settler here, but had no part in the industrial life of the township. Reference to him is made in the chapter on Seneca's Red Pioneers. . . .The horrible death of Newton J. Lamkins, at Virginia City, occuiTed April 5, 1861 .... John Loose, a Pennsylvauian, settled here in 1841, and died in 1875; his widow. Sarah (Mise) Loose, resides liere with her son, John H.

David Martin came from Pennsylvania and settled in Liberty Township at an early date. His death occurred in 1872; Mrs. Rachel Pope Martin, his widow, is now a resident of old Fort Seneca .... Lester and Emily (Shattuck) Mclntire, and Smith and Catherine (Larkins) Mclntyns settled here at an early date .... John McGee was an early settler, but of him little else can be learned. .. .William S. and Sophia (Stewart) McMeen. natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Mrs. Alfred L. Shafer (who was born in 1842), came to this" county in 1835. . . .A. McNutt, who settled here in 1S19, was mamed to Miss Dimiond, about 1828. His brother, Daniel McNutt, also came in 1819, bringing with him his family .... George E. Miller, an Ohioan, came here in 1826. Tobias Mill(>r, of old Fort Seneca, kept a hotel there for years, and was known as one of the" most genial hosts; he settled here in 1825. and four years later, his first wife, Maiy Young, died here: Tobias died in 18(9, aged ninety-seven years. . . .John and Elizabeth (.A.bbott) Michaels were here at an early date. . . .John Jloore, born in Pennsylvania, in 1S03, settled in this townshij) in 1836; he was married in Pennsylvania, to Eliza Kopp. and both reside here .... Rev. James Montgomery, first Indian agent for the Senecas, settled at Old Fort Seneca in 1819, residing in one of the lilock-hou.ses; this house, with a second log house moved near it in 1820, ho fixed up, and made of it the best house then in Seneca County. Dimng this year his son died here, and his remains were placed in a box made by Daniel Rice and J. Cbapin. for interment. AVith him were JIi's. Kezia (Rouse) Montgomery, and nine children. About 18"i7 the family moved to the Montgomery farm near the fort, where James Montgomery die.d June 1, 1830. He was justice of the peace from 1S27 to his death. Of the entire family, Mi-s. Sally Ingham is the only one living. .. .William and Christianna (Plank) Montgomery (fonner a native of Ireland), parents of William Montgomery, who was born in Clinton Townshij) in 1820, were early settlers of the coimty; former died in 1830, latter in 1873. . . . .John and Eunice (M'alker) Myers are classed among the old settlers.

The Olmstead family settled in Pleasant Township, down the river from Tiffin .... David E. Owen settled on the Huber farm in 1829. He was the lirst Democrat ever elected to an office in Seneca County (1832); was connected with the land office, and from 1832 to the period of his death, Sej)tember, 18r)7. held a prominent place among politicians. . . .Mrs. Polly Oit. who married John Eaton in 1818, after the death of her husband and child, in 1819 or 1 820, came with her brothers - the Barneys .... Friend Oit, a fi'iend of the Barneys, settled in Pleasant in 1810, and died here a few years later; one of his children died here shortly after settlement: his widow married John Eaton.

Sedate Paddleford was a temporaiy resident in Pleasant Township, in 1810. .. .Benjamin and Lovina (Walsh) Palmer, parents of Mrs. John A. Hoover, came ftrom Maryland to Pleasant Township, in an early day, , . .Benajah Park, saloon keeper at Swope's Corners came with his brothers in June, 1826, was stabbed durins a dninken orgie in 1820, and died earlv in 1830. . . . Henry and Charlotte (Ros) Parker, parents of Ephraim Parker (a native of New Jersey, born in 1826), settled in Pleasant Township in 1826, and here Mr. Parker died in 1847: his widow still resides here. . , , Shepherd Patrick came in 1823, purchased Fort Seneca Reservation, in company with Jacques Hulbiu-t, but sold his interest to Hulburt and returned to the Atlantic States. . . .Jacob Pultz. a native of Virginia, born in 1811, came to Seneca County in 1836, finally settling here,

Caleb Rice was a settler of 181VI; he moved to Illinois in 18-tO and died there nine years later: his daughter, Uretta, was the first white child born in the county. . . .Daniel Rice, wlio settled in Pleasant Township in 1810, was a soldier of 1812; he died in 1872: he was one of the first justices of the peace, and solemnized the first maiTiage of record in Sandusky County, viz, : ' ' October 24, 1820, West Barney to Sophronia Wilson, by Daniel Rice.'' John G. Bruennert died September 11, 1885, aged seventy-eight years: when forty-five years old, he left Thnringia, Germany, for the United States, and fm- many years resided on his farm a few miles west of Fort Seneca .... Eliphalet Rogers settled on the A\'olf Creek farm (subsequently known as the Snook farm), and married Hannah Jackson, who settled at Tiffin as early as 1818 and worked in the Rowe Tavern.

Frederick, Jr., and Hannah (Shcidler) Sellers, fonner born in Germany in 1817, latter in Stark County, Ohio, in 1816, parents of Reuben Sellers, who was born in this township in 18r)6, were early settlers. Frederick Sellers, Sr,, father of Frederick, Jr.. still resides in Pleasant Township, where he came in 1833 ... .George and Mary (Lautzenheis'er) Shannon, parents of Frank M. and William (Shannon), settled in this county in 1847 and still reside here .... Heni-y and Mary E. (Myers) Shedenhelm, natives of Maryland and Virginia, respectively, parents of Charles D. Shedenhelm (who was born in this township in 1855). came to this county in au early day. Mr. Shedenhelm died in 1882; his widow resides at Green Spring .... Bartholomew Shaull is a son of John and Elizahctli (Beiinor) iSliaull. wlio woro aiiioiij^ the oarliest settlers of tleasant Township. . . . Abram D. Shidlcv came in 1S4<). . . . Green - berry and Marsella (Slieets) Sheets, natives of ^Maryhmd. [larents of Mrs. rhilip Kiui;. came to this county in 18:} 1. Mr. Sheets was born in 1811; died in 1854. Mrs. Sheets was born in ]8()'i; died in 1877 ... .George Shiiluaker, born in Pennsylvania in 1822, settled here iu 1888. . . .Simon Shnman, who settled here in 1844, died in 1880. His widow, Mi-s. Mary (Beck) Shuman, resides in Liberty Township. . . .William Sil)eral, a soldier of 1812. settled in Pleasant Township in 182S; died hero and was biu'i(Hl in the Kidtje Cemetery. . . .John Sib(>ral came from Kentucky iu 1824. . . .AVilliam Sneath, reference to whom is made in the histoiy of Clinti)n Township, moved here iu 1841k... Mrs. Marij;aret (Kuhn) Staub, who came with her husband. Philip Staub, died in 1S74. . . .Philip Staub, a Revolutionary soldier, settled in Pleasant Township iu 1834; died in January, 1870, and was bm-ied in St. Joseph's Cemeteiy, Tiffin. . . .Joshua Stackhouse was drowned near the Pleasant Township bridge in 1848. . . .Joseph and Anna M. (\\'alt) Stoner, parents of Henry Stouer (who was born in Pennsylvania in 1817), came with their family in 1847 .... Lewis and Julia A. (Steinbergen) Switser, natives of Germany and Pennsylvania, respectively, parents of Mrs. AVilliani Shannon, came to this county in an eai'ly day.

Curtis Titus and family, natives of Connecticut, settled in the county in 1883, where Mi-. Titus, Sr., died two years later. K. K. Titus is a son of this old settler; Mrs. Lucinda ("W'ilerman) Titus, his widow, died in 184t). . . .Rasselns R. Titus, a native of Connecticut, born in 181U, came with his parents to this connty iu 1833, and in 1841 settled in Pleasant Townshij) .... Benjamin Tomb, father of Benjamin F. Tomb (who was born here in 1844), came to Pleasant Township in 1842 and here died in 188."). His widow resides in Tiflin.

Samuel ^\ aggoner. an old settler of Pleasant Township, is referred to in the history of Tiffin as well as iu the histories of Hojiewell and Loudon Townships. . . .Jesse B. Wagner, born in Pennsylvania in 182i), came to this county in 1848; his parents. George and Margaret (Cai-]ienter) ANagner. natives of Pennsylvania came in 1840. .. .Margaret Watchier was bora in Lutzenberg, Gerratmy, December 23, 1843, and when but three years old came to America with her y)arents, four brothers and four sisters, and settled near Fort Seneca, in Pleasant Township. In 1803 she was united in marriage with John S. Harrison, moved to Tiffin, and was burned to death in that city A])ril 30, 1885. . . .James S. and Mary (Tennis nee Saltsman) Watson, parents of Mrs. Frank M. Shannon and George A\'. \\atson, were early settlers of this township; Mr. Watson died in 18()U, his widow still resides here William and

Jane (McMeen) AVatson, natives of Ireland and Pennsylvania respectively, jiarents of Thomas W. Watson (who was born in Pennsylvania iu ISI'.I). came to Seneca County in 1830; Mr. Watson was born in 1772 and died in 1850. Mrs.

Woltin. parents of Frederick (who was born in Germany in 1837). settled in Pleasant Township in 1854; Mrs. Weltiu died in 1802: Mr. Weltin

184'.). .. .James T. ^\'orthington. United States surveyor, may be included among the pioneers of the county. In 1820 he surveyed several townships,

Spicer, the Indian captive was here forty years before the Barneys or Rices looked in upon his retreat, and would, under ordinary circumstances, claim the honor of being the first white settler of the county. A chain of extraordinary circumstances brought him here, and that peculiarity in the nature of some whites which fits them to be barbarians of barbarians, belonged to Spicer and kept him here. He was an Indian of the Indians, without their natiu'al accomplishments or spirit, rich in the acquisitions of forty years, and withal as ugly and dirty-looking an Intlian as it is possible to describe. Much has been said relating to him in the Indian history, as well as in other chapters of this work, and from a histoi-y published in 1874 we glean the following regarding him: '"Spicer was captured in Pennsylvania, and to the day of his death was. as to his habits, manners, and language, a perfect Indian. When the country was first settled by the whites, he had resided upon the Sandusky forty years. Of his history but little is known. He was taken by the Wyandots to the banks of the Ohio River, and used by them as a decoy to bring boatmen to the shore that chanced to be passing ujion the stream. Tying him to a tree, near the water' s edge, they would compel him to utter the most jilaintive cries ti > be relieved from his unfortunate and perishing condition, while the savages lay in ambush, ready to fall upon the unsuspecting victims of Indian cunning and duplicity. Many thus fell a prey to savage cruelty, though it is to be presumed that Spicer was compelled to act as he did. " The true pioneers of this division of the county find mention in the foregoing pages of this chapter. With the the excejition of Mrs. Inghafti and Mrs. Stanley (both residing at Tiffin), all who settled here prior to 1S21 are resting forever after theti' pioneer toils and troubles.

Churches. - The establishment of the Christian Church in this county dates back to 1819. when James Montgomery came here as sub-agent of the Seneca Indians. In appointing him the Government had a two-fold object in view - to provide for the office a man who would administer its affau's honestly, and one who at the same time would teach the savages the Gospel. In the fh'st case the Government and agent were eminently successful; Vmt in the second, failure waited on their good Chi'istian intentions, as the old dwellers in the wilds were willing enough to receive good things from the reverend agent's larder, but none from his store-house of Christian knowledge. Mr. Montgomery was ordained a preacher of the Methodist Church at Lebanon. Ohio, a short time after he received his appointment as sub-agent, and devoted the greater jjart of his time and ability to the establishment of Jlethodist missions throughout this and adjoining counties up to his death in 1S3(\

The first Methodist Protestant Chiu-ch was organized in March. 18"2U. by Seneca Agent Montgomery, at Fort Seneca. In July, 1837, the first regular house of worshiji was erected at Tiffin. Rev. Alvin Coe preached Mi'. Montgomery's funeral sermon in ilay. 1880.

The Methodist Episcopal Cluu'ch here was attended by Elijah Fields. Elam Day and other circuit preachers namsd in the history of the Tiffin and Bettsville Churches; Fort Seneca forming a part of Bettsville until 185'2. In August, 1852, the name of the mission was changed to Fort Seneca, and J. Brakefield appointed preacher. Subsequently the circuit was reorganized byadding new territory, and therel)y increasing the membership to forty. The foiu-teenth session of the Northwestern Ohio Conference (18.53-54) enlarged Fort Seneca ^Mission, established Fintllay District, changed Tiffin District to Sandusky District, added Fort Seneca to the new district, with Leonard Hill and Heiu'y Kerigan. preachers. The first quarterly meeting of Fort Seneca Mission, as now enlarged, was held in Wesley Chajiel; D. B. King. A. Bowlus,

F. Royoe, assistant preacher. Treat, a pioneer, died iu lSr)4, and was sue ceeded as steward by M. Smith. In Se])temlK>r. 185(1. A\'. C. Pierce was appointed presiding elder of Sandusky District, and 1{. Lawi-ence preacher at Fort Seneca. In !May. ISaP), the Northwestern Ohio Conference was divided and Fort Seneca attached to the Dehiware Conference. The first session of the Dehiware Conference held iu the fall of 185fi, at Luna, appointed Francis Plumb, preacher. In September, 1857, N. B. C. Love was appointed pastor at Fort Seneca, and in 1858 Bascom was annexed to the mission of Fort Seneca, Love reappointed jireacher. with T. W. Cozier, assistant. At this time there wen> only four Sunday-schools organized iu the whole of Fort Seneca Circuit (called a circuit in 1S59) up to the beginning of J. T. Caple's term as presiding elder, in 18511. when H. L. Nickerson was appointed ])reacher at Fort Seiu'ca. In 18(50 the Central Ohio Conference was formed, and the same year H. L. Nickerson and John T. Bowers were a])jK)inted to the Fort Seneca Mission. In ISC) 1 Josiah Adams and Israel Smith were preachers. In 1862 H. S. Bradley was ajipointed presiding elder of Findlay District, with David Dieken local preacher at Fort Seneca.

The members of the second conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, Sandusky Circuit, of the Muskingum District, organized under the act of January 26, 1S<)5. at Pleasant (xrove Church June IU, 1878, when John Slosser, J. B. Eosenbtrger and M. E. Kemp were elected trustees. In June, 1875, the storm which swejat away houses and bridges also demcjlished the ^lethodist Chiu'ch building. A new church now holds the place of the old stormsti'uck one.

The Reformed Church of Fort Seneca was founded in 1857, by Rev. M. Keiffer, and a building erected on laud donated by John Zeigler. In April, 1861, Rev. S. Shaw succeeded the organizing pastor.

The First German Reformed Church of Fort Seneca was reorganized under State law. with John Zeigler, Barney Zimmerman and Henrj' Stoner, trastees; Rev. Moses Keiffer, president, and August Hoke, clerk.

St. Paul's Evangelical Gei-man Reformed Church of Fort Seneca was organized by Rev. J. H. Good, Jmie 30. 1861. Felix Beck, S. Shumau, Jacob Omwake and Barney Zimmerman were elected first elders; Jacob Zeis, John Troxell, Henry Stoner and D. Riechart. deacons. This society foiTuerly belonged to tli(> English German Reformed Chiu'ch. but at this time separated, paying half the cost of chuTch Imilding and using it alternately.

G. AW ANilliard, with William. Clara aiul Francesca Steckel. Jacob and Susan Bowersox, William. Ann M. and Eliza Shriver, Sophia McMean. Lester M. Koous. Susan Smith, A. L. and Rachel Shaffer and Oliver AVatson. The church was erected in 1871, on a lot donated by Jacob Bowersox, at a cost of §1,000.

Schools and School Stafisticn. - There are no early records dealing with the schools of this township. Mrs. Sally Ingham lielieves that George Van Dorn was the first school teacher here. In 1 S"25 ^liss Narcissa Topping took charge of the school, and about this time Jacipies Hulbiul opened a grammar school, the first in the county. In 1829 Miss Sally Montgomery, after studying under Hulbiirt. attended Edson B. Goit's school at Lower Sandusky, and returning iu 182i) opened her school on the Sandusky road, two and three-<piarter miles north of Tiffin,, presiding there until her marriage with Milton Frary in 1832.

Among ]\L's. Ingham's scholars in 1829, while she taught in an Indian cabin two and three-quarter miles down tho river from ^\'ashington Street bridge, were Hamilton, Henry and Rebecca Crum, David, Sophia. Elizabeth and another of the Martin family, two Craun boys and Frank and Heniy Al)bott.

The condition of the schools of Pleasant Township in August, 1884, is shown by the following statistics: Local tax. $3,31-1. 29: total revenue, §7,088.83; expenditiu'es, $4,181; number of schoolhouses, 12; value of property, S4,050; number of teachers, 22; average pay, $40 and $29; male pupils, 220, female pupils, 156; total enrollment, 376.

Cemeteries. ^Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, in Pleasant Township, was sui'veyed in August, 1865, for the cemetery association, east of Portland State road, northeast of the Ridge Church.

Pleasant Ridge Cemetery Association was organized April 24, 1877, with the following named members: George Strickling, G. Shumaker. W. Hvter. J. W. Sonder, E. Sherman, A. S. Bonnell. G. Holtz, C. D. Holtz. G. L. Park and A. J. Miller. The object was to acquire and hold grounds adjoining the old Pleasant Ridge Cemetery for cemetery purposes.

Ridge Cemetery. Uriah Egbert donated the land known as Ridge Cemetery, and here one soldier of the Revolution and ten of the war of 1812 lie buried. Mr. Egbert's brother-in-law. Col. Williams (Jeremiah AVilliams. one of Marion's men in the ^Maryland Continental Regulars), is buried, however, in one of th(> cemeteries of Adams Township.

There are other cemeteries in the township, each well filled with the remains of pioneers and old settlers. William Harris, a Revolutionary soldier, who died in 1834. is bui-ied in this township.

Villages of the Toivnshi/i. - Fort Seneca, on the northeast corner of the north east quarter of Section 19. was surveyed and recorded January 14, 1830, foi' Erastus Bowe and Vincent Bell. The name as applied to this particular location is a solecism, as there never was a fort here; ^the military post of 1813 being down the river. Swope's addition to Fort Seneca was surveyed by David Risdon, in March. 1847. for Samuel R. Swope. John Zeigler's addition was surveyed by G.H. Heming in October. 1850. along the continuation of Sandusky Street in the old town. Vincent Bell's addition was made August 25, 1851. opposite Zeigler's lands. ^

Prior to 1836 the location was known as " McNutt's," and subsequently as "Swope's Corners." Prior to 1830 Benajah Park kept a tavern here, the same in which he was wounded by Peter Pork, and in which he died in January. 183(1. The place is now a pretty village, in the midst of a beautiful country, and commands a good view of the Sandusky Valley.

Town of Sidphur S])rings was laid out. )jut the date of platting the original town cannot bo ascertained. In October, 1834, Solomon Ivi-ider filed a petition for jiartition against Josiah Hedges, of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, the northeast fractional ((uarter of fi'actional Section ;>2, the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 1 2, the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 12, the east half of the northeast ((uarter of Section 12. Town 3 north. Range 15 east, except in Lot 40 in the town of Sulphur Springs. Whatever prospects existed, in 1834, for the establishment of a village at this jioint, were destroyed during the period of depression which followed in 1837. In 1838 the Hedges Floiu-ing mill was built on Beaver Creek below' the Pleasant Township spring, and must be considered the first of that class of mills in all this district, although the township claimed small grist-mills and even a distillery before the Hedges mill was erected.

wiis platted iu Juiu', ISS'J, by County Survoyor Xij^liswander for K. R. Titus, and a record of the plat was made October I, 1S82. The location is at the crossiui^ of the old Seneca road, upon the farm of R. R. Titus, about two and it half miles north of Fort Seneca, and upon the site of the old earthworks of that name. The site is a beautiful one, and Init for the inaccessibility by waijon road mi^ht in time become a jirosperous hamlet. The location and postoffice are known as Old Fort; W. N. Jones is jwstmaster.

Shedenhelm's Station. Grafton Shedenhelm established a saw-mill here about thirtiV-tive years ago, which he has carried on up to the pre.sent time. The capacity is about Tj.OOO feet per day. Fo.\ <i; Staley's stave factory, at this point, was established in 1.S84.

Bridges. - Up to 1 H7)-l there was not a bridge across the Sandusky River within this township. In 1848 the want of a safe means of communication between the two ]iarts into which the river divides the towushij) becamt^ very apparent; for, on April ^5. 1848. two men. Figgins and Stackhousi'. were di-owned while crossing the rivei- in a boat, while their comjianions. Shannon and 'Watson, had a very close call, barely saving themselves. Six years after the bridge on Section U was constructed and called Clark's Bridge."" owing to the fact that Calvin Clark, then commissioner, cast his whole intiuence with his northern neighbors, against a majority who desired the location to Ije at or near Pool's Mill.

In 187(1 the AVatson Bridge" was constructed across the river on Section '21, against the wish of a majority of the persons interested, and was used up tfO June, 1875, when a heavy storm carri(>d it off and sent it floating down the river.

In 1870 the bridge at Pool's Mill, so long desired, was constructed, and as tJiis was done in opposition to the fi'iends of the A\'atson Bridge, petition after petition was presented to the commissioners asking for the erection of a bridge on th(^ old Watson Bridge abutments. Perseverance conquered, and through the lil)eralit\- of D. Y. Flumerfelt, a $3,200 bridge was given to the county for $'2. ,-)()(».