Williams County, Ohio - Chapter 9: Resources and Early Enterprises, 1905

AS the main source of wealth in Williams county is agriculture, a chapter descriptive of the resources of the county may appropriately be prefaced by an account of the land. The features of topography are St. Joseph and Tiffin rivers and their tributaries, and the few eminences that rise above the usual level of valley ' and upland. "In common with the adjacent counties north of the Maumee river, its surface has a general slope to the southeast, and the highest land in this portion of the state is in the township of Northwest, where the general surface lies from 970 to 1,020 feet above the level of the sea, and where a few hills rise fifty feet higher." The altitude above sea level at Stryker is 719 feet; Bean Creek, 698 feet; the railroad track at Bryan is 771 feet; at Melbern, 843 ; at Summit, 874; at Edgerton, 843, and Butler, Indiana, is 870 feet. These elevations are not much more than that of the water of Lake Erie, (573 feet).

The southeastern corner of the county is 300 feet lower than the northwestern, the descent being gentle, and, with one notable exception, uniform throughout. This exception is occasioned by a ridge which crosses in a northeast and southwest direction just east of the St. Joseph river. Topographically, it is a mere swell on the surface of the plain, six or eight miles broad at the base, with a maximum height of fifty feet, and not differing in superficial characters from the adjacent country. All of the country west of this ridge 'is drained by the St. Joseph river, which flows southwestward and, by a junction with the St. Mary's at Fort Wayne, Ind.> forms the Maumee. East of the ridge the water is collected by Tiffin river (or Bean Creek, as it is more commonly called), which crosses the southeast corner of the county and flows southward to the Maumee at Defiance. The small streams rise in the main from perennial springs, and are lively and clear, and the beds of all the streams rest upon rock.*

The indurated rocks, being everywhere covered by a heavy bed of drift, have been reached in this county only by boring, and this only at a few places. A well drilled for oil at Stryker, after traversing \2() feet of drift, met the Huron shale, with a thickness of sixty-eight feet, and underlaid by limestone. Comparing this record with the railroad levels, the base of the Huron shale is shown to be here fifty feet below the level of Lake Erie. Comparing this, again, with the altitude of the same horizon at various points along the Maumee river, it appears that its dip is to the north, or northwest, at the rate of seven or eight feet to the mile. In adjacent portions of Michigan, the dip, so far as known, is in the same direction; and it is hence presumed to be continuous through the unexplored interval. There is reason to believe, too, that the gradual rise of the county toward the northwest is accompanied by a corresponding and equal activity of the rock surface. It follows as probable that the higher land is underlaid by 500 feet of strata superior to the base of the Huron shale, and that the upper portion of this base belongs to the next succeeding base - the Waverly. The lower margin of the Huron shale is in every direction beyond the limits of Williams county. The stratagraphical data are so unsatisfactory that the map of the country has been made to represent, instead, the features of the surface geology, which in their relation to the distribution of soils are of more interest and importance.

The geology of the soils is independent of the underlying rocks and is referable exclusively to the drift; they are divided into two somewhat marked provinces bv the upper beach ridge. This enters Williams county at Williams Center, and passing with a nearly straight course, just west of Bryan and Pulaski and through West Unity, crosses into Fulton county, a half mile north of the "Fulton Line." Its soil is sandy, and in some places objectionably light on the summit of the ridge, but the eastern slope affords everywhere a rich and highly-prized sandy loam, which shades gradually into the clay loam of the plain. Easy drainage, easy tillage, and the advantage of building sites at once pleasant and salubrious, led to the early occupation of this land, and it now bears prominently the visible marks of prosperity. A second ridge, lying a little east of the other and running from the south line to Bryan, presents similar characters, and some sand ridges lying east of West Unity may be included in the same category. West of the upper beach the surface consists of unmodified Erie clay, and the soils present all the variety of that heterogeneous deposit. The major part is a yellow or buff clay, with enough sand and gravel to render it arable and permeable. Patches of unmixed clay are frequent, but small; and though sometimes friable, are more commonly very adhesive and difficult of management. Except in swales, the accumulation of mold is inconsiderable, but the soil is retentive of vegetable manures and gives a good return for their application. Carbonate of lime was originally very abundant and remains on the more level portions, but appears to have been washed from the slopes. Sand is rarely predominant, but in Northwest township a tract of two or three miles area is covered by a clean, yellow sand. It has for the most part a subsoil of clay so near the surface as to render the land valuable, but near Nettle Lake it is deep and light. The country generally is rolling or undulating, and originally abounded with deep marshes, in which are extensive deposits of marl, and peat or muck. Along the St. Joseph river, and appearing alternately on the opposite banks, is a strip of flat, sandy land, nearly identical in character with the bottom land that forms the immediate bank of the river. It is in fact an ancient bottom or flood-plain of the St. Joseph, formed when its current was checked by lake water standing at the height of the upper beach. At Edgerton this deposit has a depth of forty feet, and its extreme width is about one mile. It can be traced northward as fai as Pioneer, but above there is not distinguishable from the present bottom. Like most river bottoms, it forms a valuable soil and is not subject to the disadvantage of occasional overflow. East of the beach ridges, and between them, the plain is of a rich, friable clay loam, entirely stoneless, and varied near the ridges by streaks of sandy loam. It is formed of fine material derived from the Erie clay, and spread smoothly by lake currents. Lying so near level that the water of rains runs off but slowly, it has accumulated a rich store of vegetable mold and needs but thorough drainage to develop its wealth. This covers the greater part of Pulaski, Brady and Springfield ; but in the latter townships are some slight swells exhibiting the gravelly clay of the western portion of the county - truncated knolls of the Erie clay that were not covered by the lacustrine deposits.

Williams county contains no stone quarry, and the great depth of the drift forbids the hope that one may be discovered. In the northern and eastern townships, bowlders have been found that sufficed for the foundations of farm houses; but most of the land east of the lake ridges lacks even these.

Long after Williams county was raised above the sea, as a sort of plain, topped by the ocean-rippled shales of the Waverly series ; long after the depressions and up-raisings that accompanied the deposit of the carboniferous or coal-bearing rocks to the eastward; and long after the streams of that ancient time had cut away the rocks to form the valleys nearly as they are today, throughout a period of erosion when the Alleghany mountains were reduced from a height of five miles to something near their present modest altitudes - after all this, the ice age came and covered the greater part of Ohio with a glacier sheet which completely enveloped what is now Williams county. This county, therefore, has the same glacial history as has all the northern part of the state. Not a summit is there that stood above the glaciers, and the clay and bowlders that mark the drift overlie all the ordinary high land of the county. The areas covered by the drift furnish far more varied and fruitful soils than the native rocks, and hence the lands in Williams county take their place among the best lands in the state of Ohio.

Soon after the establishment of the county seat at Bryan, an unexpected source of water wealth developed itself, being artesian or flowing wells. These famous wells, the first of which were developed in 1842, have their source in the Erie clay. They have become so numerous, and the search for them has been so general, that their distribution in this and the adjoining counties is pretty well defined, and some explanation of them may be given. They are found in a belt of country which, in common with the other geological features of the vicinity, has a northeast and southwest trend. Its western limit is the more definite, and, through Defiance county and the southern part of Williams, follows close to the upper beach line; the belt then follows more to the east, and terminates in Gorham township, Fulton county. Its width varies from two to ten miles, and seems to be affected by the proximity of a deep cutting stream, as the Maumee river, or the lower course of Bean creek. The beds of sand are sometimes isolated and dry, and sometimes connected in broad systems, through which water percolates, following the descent of the land. West of the upper ridge, it finds its way to the surface at many points, forming springs along the streams; and the water, in neighboring deep wells, rises no higher, or but little higher, than these springs. East of the ridge, the unbroken lacustrine clay cuts off the discharge through springs, as far as the nearest deep-cutting stream. This taps the sandbeds and lowers the head for some distance ; but the sand, through which the water seeps, affords sufficient resistance to maintain an artesian head near the ridge. The discharge, though copious, is sensibly limited. Every new fountain well diminishes the flow of those near it, and, as the number of wells in a locality increases, the head is lowered. It is said by older citizens that the fountain head at Bryan has fallen several feet in their recollection, and that many wells, which originally flowed, now have to be furnished with pumps. The source of this everwelling water, artesian and otherwise, is, of course, higher than the discharge, and, consequently, west of the lake ridges. Its perennial flow suggests a distant reservoir, while the small percentage of its mineral constituents, and their variable character, point to one near at hand. The superficial, yellow portion of the Erie clay, is, in great part, permeable, and, storing a portion of the water that falls on it, yields it gradually to the underlying sand beds whenever it touches them.

The mineral impurities of the well and spring water of the country are as variable as the constitution of the clay from which they are derived. The usual earthy carbonates, constituting it "hard" water, are always present, though not often in great amount. Oxide of iron, accompanied by sylphydric acid, is very common, and frequently in considerable force, giving a yellow coating to the spouts and troughs that convey the water. A few wells in various localities afford what is called "bitter water." This is rendered noxious, and fortunately, at the same time, unpalatable, by the presence of iron, alum or perhaps copperas.

The data of the development of agriculture in Williams county is the life story of the pioneers who cleared away the forests, and of the sturdy and faithful workers who have been their successors. Concerning them, much information is given in the township chapters of this work. What has been achieved in the eighty years since the organization of the county, as well as what are the principal lines of farm work, are told in the figures of the crops of the present, according to the statistics of the year 1904. The great crop of Williams county is corn, to which 31 ,377 acres were devoted in the spring of 1903. The crop of course varies from year to year, but, in 1903, it was 1,295,270 bushels. The wheat crop comes next, for as is well known this cereal does best in the drift lands of the northern part of t'he State. In fact, the glacial drift throughout the old northwest territory makes possible the great wheat crops and the wealth of the country. Williams county had 13,475 acres in wheat in 1903, and the yield was 231,349 bushels, according to the agricultural statisticians. Over twenty-three thousand acres are devoted to meadow hay, with a product of thirty-three thousand five hundred tons, and 17,392 acres to clover, with a yield of 22,713 tons of that sort of hay. These figures we suppose are given approximately, as everyone is aware that statistical figures of this sort are no more than approximations at the best. The potato crop in 1903 was about 75,000 bushels, the onion crop 23,000 bushels. The yield of oats was 796,- 137 bushels, of rye 3,157, and of buckwheat 379. There was no broom corn reported in the county, but there were 770 gallons of sorghum made. The maple syrup production was estimated at 6,524 gallons and the bees made nearly nine thousand pounds of honey.

The fruit yields were estimated as follows : One hundred and fortyeight thousand bushels of apples, ninety-six bushels of peaches, 140 bushels of pears, forty-eight bushels of plums, 430 bushels of other small fruits, and 10,380 pounds of grapes.

In the way of live stock the county had 5,820 horses, 13,735 cattle, 22,863 hogs, 22,178 sheep. The wool clip was 164,225 pounds. The milk sold was 451,567 gallons in addition to that used by owners of cows, and nearly 750,000 pounds of butter were made. The eggs gathered were estimated at 842,110 dozen.

According to the figures of the state board of equalization of taxes there are 129,520 acres of arable or plow land; 74,233 acres of meadow or pasture land, and 59,044 acres besides, classed as uncultivated or wood land, making a total of 262,797 acres of farm lands, which were assigned a value for taxation by the State board, of $5,225,612.

No county in Northwestern Ohio, probably, possesses better elements to guarantee prosperity to an agricultural organization than does the county of Williams. Except the waters of; Nettle Lake, which is small in size, and those that form river and creek channels, there is not a waste acre in the county. An agricultural society was founded in 1856. Levi Cunningham and David Morrow were prime movers in the enterprise and were prominent in the organization. In October, of the above named year, the society gave its first regular fair, and although the premiums offered were small in amount, the attendance was large, and the friends of the enterprise were much encouraged. This fair was held on the court house square. Grounds were afterwards obtained near town and exhibitions were held there annually until 1885, when the early organization ceased to exist.

The Union Agricultural society of Williams, Fulton and Defiance counties was organized at West Unity, in 1857, and a fair was held there in the fall of the same year. The officers of the association were Dr. G. W. Finch, president; Swain Pierce and John Kunkle, vice-presidents; N. S. Snow, secretary; Benjamin Borton, treasurer; J. S. Prickett, Asher Ely, John Miller, and G. R. Richardson, managers. Fairs were held with considerable success for several years, but on account of the war breaking out, in 1861, it was thought best not to hold a fair in 1862, and the organization soon afterwards went out of existence.

In 1885, another agricultural society was organized in Williams county, for the purpose of holding annual exhibitions at Montpelier, with Robert Ogle as president ; W. S. Boon, vice-president, and George Strayer, secretary. The directors were W. S. Boon, Jacob Leu, Franklin Brannan, Robert Ogle, M. E. Griswold, George Strayer, W. W. Kunsman, Fred. Fulton, William Clark, Chet. Holloway, Hugh Brandon, Simon Waterston, John U. Bauer, Adam Lattanner and Alfred Riley. This organization, with changes in personnel from year to year, maintained successful fairs until 1898, when the last one was held by that organization. A new association was then formed and incorporated under the name of Williams County Agricultural society, the grounds and equipments were purchased from the old association, and, beginning with 1900, very satisfactory and prosperous exhibitions have been held annually. There are reasonably large horticultural interests in the county and considerable attention is given to the growing of fruits, fine exhibits being made in this line at the agricultural fairs.

Granges of the Patrons of Husbandry were organized in Williams county, in 1874, the principal movers being John P. Marsh, Peter S. Garlow, Thomas Hodson, Stephen B. McKelvey, Daniel Thorp, Henry Kimball, A. J. Alvord, Timothy W. Stocking and J. A. Bowser. John P. Marsh of Jefferson township, was prominent in the farmers' organizations, and devoted considerable attention to matters affecting, the welfare of the husbandmen.

Peter L. Warren, of Brady township, is prominent among the horticulturists of Northwestern Ohio, and having devoted a great deal of thought to the subject, contributes valuable articles to the public press upon Horticulture.

Benjamin F. Kniffin has been perhaps the most extensive horse breeder in Williams county. He was born in Huron county, O., in April, 1827, and comes of a family devoted to farming and stock raising. After he came to Williams county, in 1865, he immediately became engaged in the stock business, also giving some attention to blooded horses and sending some out to the racing fields. Among these, "Belle Gibson' was perhaps the most noted throughout Northwestern Ohio.

In 1892, the Bryan Fair Company was organized, mainly bv U. A. Wynn, Oscar Eaton, W. H. Taylor, C. H. Masters and Frank Yesbera. The association leased a tract of land off Main street, just north of the L. S. & M. S. railroad, and built a mile track. A meeting was held in the fall of 1892, devoted entirely to racing, but for

The first efforts of the pioneers were, of course, after providing a shelter, to raise something to eat. There was game in abundance - venison, wild turkey and bear meat. Corn was the great cereal crop, and out of it was made a coarse meal and corn bread, and a good deal of whiskey. Wheat was grown, and in time took the place of corn as an article of human food. Potatoes were easily grown, but were not so popular then as now. Fruit was, of course, very rare at first, but there was an abundance of wild berries which served very well.

Next to food the great necessity was clothing, and it was no small task to obtain it from "back east'' unless one were content with what the new country afforded. The home manufacture of buckskin clothes was not uncommon, as well as the weaving of flax shirts. "Linsy-woolsy" suits were considered full dress, except for the dandies or the city men of imposing rank and station. Buckskin was considered good material for moccasins until tanneries were introduced, and then men skilled in the handling of leather went from cabin to cabin to make footwear for the people.

Following the most primitive manufactures came the production of woolen yarn and cloth, flouring and saw mills,, blacksmith shops and forges.

The pioneer farmers in some sections engaged in the manufacture of corn meal themselves, using what was facetiously termed the "Armstrong" mill. A solid stump was cut square on the top and a cavity burned out in it, and when cleaned out this became the mortar, in which corn was put and vigorously pounded. The product was sifted through sieves made by stretching deer hides, when green, over hoops and puncturing them with small holes when dry. Coffee mills of good size were brought into Ohio by many settlers, and some member of the family was kept busy at the grinding.

The first water power mills of the settlers were "corn crackers," supported by two large canoes anchored in some stream where the current was rapid. Between the boats was left a chute for the water, in which the motor wheel hung and revolved. Primitive methods, such as have been described above, may not have been employed by the first settlers in the present limits of Williams county, but the older people will call to mind by the descriptions given the story of the hardships experienced in the earlier days of Ohio's history.

Water power was, of course, chiefly depended upon for the early industries. Consequently they clustered mainly along such streams as St. Joseph river. Bean creek, Nettle creek, Beaver creek, etc. Some of these pioneer enterprises arc described in the township chapters and some may here be briefly mentioned.

In October, 1833, John Perkins, with his sons, Isaac and Garret, and son-in-law, John Plummer, removed from Brunersburg. He was also accompanied by John Moss, George Lantz, Henry Jones and a Mr. Hood, and they all established themselves on Beaver creek, where they named their colony Lafayette. John Perkins built a grist and saw mill on the creek, which, it is believed, was the first grist mill erected within what are now the limits of Williams county. Mr. Perkins was one of the most notable pioneers of this section and served as county surveyor for years. He also was one. of the associate judges of the first courts held in the county.

Samuel Holton, an early settler of St. Joseph township, located one mile north of the present site of Edgerton and there built the first saw mill ever built in the township. It stood on the banks of Fish creek and was built as early as 1830. It was operated for many years, but finally fell into decay, was torn down, the dam destroyed, and the waters of Fish creek allowed to flow on unvexed to the St. Joseph river. This mill antedated the Perkins mill at Pulaski by about three years, and it was doubtless the first saw mill to be operated in the present Williams county. It was not a grist mill, although some time after its construction a rude contrivance was placed in it for the purpose of grinding. Every mark of these pioneer improvements has long since been obliterated, and a stranger, riding along the banks of the creek, would hardly dream that at that point existed an important and flourishing industry in the early days of the county. Later, a grist mill was built at West Buffalo, which, for many years, did the milling for the people of the four townships cornering there.

In the winter of 183; and spring of 1836, John Snider, John Coy, and Jacob Coy built a grist mill at Evansport, which was considered a grand thing for the adjoining country. In 1857, Kingsland & Chase built a grist mill in the west part of Stryker, which was the first one built in Springfield township. About 1855, John C. Chappius bujilt what is known as the "Eagle Mills" at Stryker, and as the other mill had burned afterward, "Eagle Mills" was left as the only one in Springfield.

In 1836, Walter Coleman built the first grist mill in Brady township. This mill was run by ox-power; but we are informed that the first wheat that was raised in that township was ground in Perkins' mill at Pulaski. It is told that Isaac Ritchey, at the age of fiftyfive, took his gun, and, shouldering two bushels of wheat, carried it from West Unity to the Pulaski mills without once laying down his burden. On his return trip he killed a deer, which he also shouldered and brought home with his grist. Mr. Ritchey died at West Unity in 1879, at the ripe old age of ninety-one. About 1852, Rings, Benson. Dawson, Calvin and Vail erected a flouring mill in the east part of West Unity. It was subsequently removed to Bryan by John A. Simon and was operated there for years.

About 1842, Jacob Bowman constructed a strong dam on Lick creek, near where the stream is crossed by the Center and Bryan road, and, with the help of eight or ten hired men, excavated a long race across the large bend in the stream, on sections 24 and 25, in Center township. Near the terminus of the race he erected a twostoried frame grist mill and placed therein two sets of buhrs, one for wheat and the other for corn. These mills were conducted quite successfully for many years and became well-known and well-patronized, saving long journeys through bottomless roads, to distant places. Henry Ruse purchased the grist mill after a number of years and placed in it a steam engine. The mill being destroyed by fire, he rebuilt it, but after a number of years it was burned again and the site was then abandoned for such purposes. The first "grist mill" in Center township, however, was conducted by Sebastian Frame, immediately after his arrival in the township, in the summer or autumn of 1833. He erected a small building on his farm, in which he placed a small set of "niggerhead" buhrs to be used in ''cracking corn." It was located on a branch of Lick creek and was operated by water power, and, later, by horse or ox power.

In 1838, a grist mill was built on the St. Joseph river, in the southeast corner of Florence township, by Elias Depew and John D. Martin, and from the start they had a fair patronage. The lumber which was used in its construction was prepared at a saw mill, near by, and, of course, consisted wholly of native wood. It has been stated that, before the erection of this grist mill, a small run of buhrs had been placed in the saw mill and used to crack corn for the few families who lived within five or six miles of the place. Mr. Martin sold out his interest in the mill, about 1840, to John Depew, a brother of Elias, and about four years later the brothers transferred their interests in the same to William Seemans. After a few years, the mill was again sold and continued operating under various ownerships until about the time of the Civil war, when the dam was destroyed and was never rebuilt. In early years the mill was widely known, more, perhaps, from the accommodations afforded settlers than from any capital merit of the flour produced. Great trouble was experienced in preserving the dam in times of high water, owing to the sandy nature of the soil used in its construction; and for this reason the mill would not have been successful had it not been for the excellent patronage extended it.

As an illustration of the hardships of the early days, the following incident is told of David Singer, Sr., who was among the first settlers of Florence township : At one time, for four weeks, his family lived without any bread whatever, their only food consisting of rice soup and wild meat. They had a little money and tried to buy a small quantity of potatoes that had had the eyes cut out; but they failed, the owner saying: "I will not sell, as I can live on potatoes without eyes, but cannot on money." Finally, Mr. Singer started to mill with his grist on his back, going first to Denmark, but failing there he went on to Jacob Dillman's, who could not help him, and thence on to Brunersburg. At the expiration of almost a week he returned home, carrying seventy pounds on his back and being completely worn out with his load and with fasting.

In 1856, Andrew Sheline erected a grist mill at Edon. The structure was two-storied, about 30x30 feet, contained two sets of buhrs and was operated by a steam engine. John Aller bought an interest

Andrew Ferrier and his sons moved from Coshocton county, irk 1835, and erected the first grist mill in Jefferson township, on Beaver creek, in 1837. His wife and self built the dam of cobble stones. The building was of legs. The wheat was ground and then conveyed to the second story by hand. The miller put the unbolted flour in a hole in the floor, while the patron turned the reel with the bolt on. In this way the early settlers in that vicinity procured their flour. The old gentleman was a Presbyterian minister. Prior to his advent, and before any other mills were established, the residents of that part of the county had to go to Brunersburg for their flour and corn-meal and pirogue it up Bean creek. It would take from four to six days to make a trip, and when they did arrive, oftimes, the flour made "sick bread."

In 1844, a dam was constructed across the Little St. Joseph river, at Bridgewater Center, and a rude frame structure was erected, in which was placed machinery for a saw mill. In a short time, a small set of "nigger-head" buhrs were placed in an apartment of the building and used for about eight years. How well the settlers appreciated this rude grist mill will never be thoroughly understood, for it is practically impossible to realize the extent of the hardships and privations that were encountered by the pioneers. The stones were about two feet in diameter and the bolt was made of muslin. The mill was discontinued many years ago. In about the year 1848, Elias Depew erected a very large, three-storied frame grist mill in the southeastern part of Bridgewater township, on the St. Joseph river. The structure was about 40x60 feet, containing three or more run of stone, and it required the united labor of over one hundred men three days to erect the heavy frame work. After the mill had done an excellent work for the township, about 1861, it was destroyed by fire under somewhat suspicious circumstances.

At just what time the early residents of Superior township secured the blessing of a grist mill in their midst, is uncertain; but there is good authority for stating that among the very first buildings erected on the present site of Montpelier was a grist mill, erected by Daniel Tucker and a Mr. Huston, and located near the spot of the present structure.

In 1854, Philetus W. Norris built a grist mill at Pioneer, the motive power of which was steam, and two sets of buhrs did the grinding. This mill became one of the substantial institutions of Pioneer, and from the first met with an excellent patronage, under various owners who succeeded Mr. Norris.

Notable among the present flouring mills of the county arc the Bryan City Mills; the Montpelier City Mills, established, in 1861, by Joseph Diebely ; the mill of D. D. Keiss in Edon ; the Phoenix Flouring Mills at Pioneer, run by H. Hawk; one at West Unity, run by the Unity Mill Company, and one or two small mills in other portions of the county.

At one time there was a nourishing woolen factory at Bryan, but its site is now covered by buildings devoted to other industrial enterprises.

A woolen factory was erected in West Unity, in 1865, by George Rings, L. Grant and others. The present owners are the Unity Mill Co. In 1881, a knitting department was added and additional help employed, some of the finest knitting work in the country being turned out.

In about the year 1846, Daniel Wertz erected a building in the eastern part of Center township, in which he placed the necessary machinery for carding wool and dressing cloth. The motor for operating the mill was water from the stream on which the building was situated. A considerable quantity of wool was taken to his mill, where it was carded, after which it was taken home, spun, woven into cloth and returned to the mill to be fulled or dressed. The mill had all it could do during the wet months - the only times it could operate. It did a paying business for about ten years and was then discontinued.

In 1866, Andrew Sheline and Joseph Allomong erected a threestory frame building, 40x60 feet, at Edon, designing the same for a woolen factory. Three looms, one jack of 220 spindles, a set (three machines) of forty-eight inch manufacturing cards, a twenty-four inch double-roll card, a picker, a napper, a dresser, a fuller, a scourer and an excellent engine were placed in this building. At that time, just at the close of the war, woolen fabrics commanded almost fabulous prices, and at first an excellent business of carding, spinning, weaving and dressing was done, there being not less than seventy thousand pounds of wool used during each of the first two or three years. For several years after that, from fifty thousand to sixty thousand pounds were used; but after that the business decreased to an average of about twenty-five thousand pounds per annum. About 1870, Allomong sold his interest to Sheiine, and the latter, in 1881. sold to his son, Eli R. Sheline, who still conducts the business.

Joseph Spindler started a tannery in Edgerton, soon after that town was started. He continued in the business there for a number of years, making good leather and having a fine patronage.

Tn 1842, Jacob Youse established a tannery in Brvan and operated it until 1848, when he sold it to William R. Bowlbv. During the six years it was managed bv Mr. Youse it was the most important manufacturing industry in the place. A. M. Rolls also engaged in the business for a time, but for many years past Brvan has had no tannery.

Von Behren & Shoner started a tannery in Stryker, in 1862. Three years later. Von Behren bought Mr. Shoner's interest, and soon thereafter H. G. Shaffer bought a half interest in the establishment.

Snowdon & Schenk erected a tannery at Pioneer, about 1867, sinking some ten or twelve vats. The property changed owners many times and the business was continued for years. A great quantity of excellent leather was turned out.

It is thought that Chauncey Wells burned the first kiln of brick ever manufactured in Williams county. The kiln was located at W est Unity and the event occurred during the early history of that village.

The first store in St. Joseph township was established by Payne C. Parker in the now "deserted village" of Denmark, in 1836. Daniel Farnham clerked for him about four months that year, and, in 1840, started a store himself on his farm. He rafted lumber down the St. Joseph river to Fort Wayne and with the proceeds purchased his stock of goods. It is said that he kept his first stock in a box under the bed; but at any rate he prospered, remained on the farm until 1855 and then moved his store to Edgerton. Still later than Farnham, George Long started a general store at his residence on the Bellefontaine road, kept his goods in the sitting-room of his house and did a big business with the surrounding farmers. He afterwards built a store building near his residence and did business there until 1864, when he bought out John Ainsworth, at Edgerton, and entered into business there. The first stock of goods was brought to Edgerton bv the railroad company and afterward sold to William Hill.

In the fall of 1841, William Yates brought with him from Wayne county, where he had formerly been engaged in mercantile business, a stock of goods with which he opened up the first store in Bryan. His freights were transported from Defiance in wagons drawn by ox-teams, and three days were consumed in making the distance, which, in a straight line, would be eighteen miles. In December, 1855, the store and dwelling of Mr. Yates were burned and he retired from the business. The three merchants who immediately succeeded him were, in order of time, D. M. Crall, Jacob Boyer and Charles Case. Alonzo Rawson opened the first stock of goods at Lafayette (since changed to Pulaski), in a house built by himself, and afterward sold to A. W. Boynton, when Mr. Rawson removed from the county.

Blinn & Letcher (Chester Blinn and William Letcher) started a store in Stryker in the fall of 1853 and did business there for several years, and E. W. Fuller was also one of the first dry goods merchants of that village.

Augustus F. Hull sold the first goods in Brady township, and the first store opened in West Unity was conducted by a Mr. Hastings. The merchants in that village, in 1847. were Plummer & Cline, G. H. Nitchey and Ayers & Co. In the spring of 1848. Rings & Benson started a store there and did a flourishing business up to the vear 1855, when Mr. Rings died. Plummer & Cline quit business in the summer of 1848, and in the fall, S. Walker of Adrian, moved in and did a good business for several years. In the year 1850. Seth Lindsley opened a dry goods store in West Unity, and in 1851, A. T.

Tressler opened a stock of general merchandise. About a year afterwards Mr. Lindslev moved to Stryker, and, in 1859, Mr. Tressler located in Bryan.

In 1836, Jacob Bowman opened a general store in Williams Center, and about the same time John D. Martin opened another at the same place. These stores furnished all sorts of useful articles needed in the backwoods, and almost any kind of produce was taken as payment. Deer skins were for many years almost legal tender for the payment of obligations. Money was very scarce and other mediums of exchange were sought and found. So many yards of calico were worth so many pounds of butter; so many pounds of sugar or coffee were worth so many deer skins or hams, or dozens of eggs ; and such a pair of hoots was worth such a hog, or such furs. Estimates of value were thus made from the self-regulated law of supply and demand with the various articles in the possession of the settlers. Stores were not opened in villages alone, they were kept in farmers' houses. Many of the settlers placed in their cabins dry goods, groceries, hardware, queensware, etc. In January, 1848, Giles H. Tomlinson opened a store in Williams Center with a general stock of goods which he brought from Bryan - where he had previously been in business - and continued in such business until 1862. Freeman & Freedy opened a store soon after 1848, and about the same time Ruse & Tharp did likewise. A Mr. Boyd of Defiance, sent a stock of goods to be sold at Williams Center, and Bowman & Core opened a store there also, but they finally sold out at auction. Gower Bros, began business there during the Civil war and for a number of years conducted a fair business. They were succeeded by Garver & Walker. Hugh Mills opened a store in 1861 and continued until 1877. David Lovejoy built one of the first houses in Melbern, in which he opened a small grocery, about 1866. In about 1871, William Thomas opened a general stock of goods there.

Benjamin C. Pickle, an old settler and an excellent citizen, started an ashery at Union Corners, in Florence township, at a very early day, and at the same time sold goods from a small stock he kept on hand. Several small stores were started in various parts of that township, until at last the foundation of villages led to their discontinuance. In Edon, a man named Herbert built a small plank house, about 1856, and began selling from a stock of notions. Robert Smith located there about 1858 and built a storehouse in which he placed a general assortment of goods. Two or three years later he sold the stock to George Huber, who did a lucrative business until 1866 or 1867, when he sold to Cook & Eichelberger, both of whom retired from business in a few years. John Aller and George Ball, under the firm name of Aller & Ball, opened a store in Edon about 1868. but after a few years retired. R. A. Leonard and J. K. Deal were the first merchants in Blakeslee, after the birth of the town in 1881, but they were small grocery establishments, and J. X. Chilcote has the distinction of opening up the first stock of general merchandise there.

Nathaniel S. Dewey located in the southwestern part of Bridgewater township, some time during the year 1839. and began selling from a small stock of goods. U is related that Martin Perky, then a resident of northern Florence township and a very generous tobacco chewer, used his last "chew" and went to Dewey's store tor a fresh supply. Dewey exhibited his stock of tobacco, consisting of "twist," which filled a small box about the size of those now used in the cigar trade. Mr. Perky, in his enthusiasm and thankfulness, and thinking, doubtless as the boy did, that "gimlets would be gimlets next year," wanted to purchase the entire supply; but Dewey would not sell all, as others of his customers must be accommodated. Two good sized "twists" were sold, however, and the future Probate Judge went home reasonably happy. Dewey traded quite extensively with the Indians, who, at that early period, wandered in small bands all over the country. One day, two Indians, while in his store became enraged at each other, drew their knives and prepared for the encounter which seemed inevitable. Mr. Dewey, who was standing near, quietly opened the door and when one of the Indians came near it he violently pushed the blood-thirsty red-skin out into the yard and closed the door. Then a little parleying settled the matter. Richard Wittington conducted a small store, near Cogswell's Corners, about 1843. and after about a year and a half Alexander Parker bought the business, Riley Parker also owning an interest. Hill & Marshall conducted a store at Hill's Corners during the Civil war and did an excellent business. In about the year 1850, Edington Sterner opened a country store about a mile north of Bridgewater Center; but, three years later, moved his store to the latter place, and at the end of two years more sold out to Robert Scammel. Clark Backus and Henry Bennett were in with goods soon afterwards, and they were followed by Putnam & Corbett, Horace P. Moore. James Beatty and Waldo Corbett.

The first store in Millcrcek township was opened by Landon & Haines, in 1853, at Hamer. A second store, kept by O. S. Smith, was destroyed by fire in 1873. This was the first building destroyed by fire in Millcreek township - a locality which is in the midst of territory which since has been the scene of depredations caused by what is claimed to have been an organized gang of "fire-bugs."

It is conceded that Conroy W. Mallory opened the first general merchandise store in the place now known as Montpelier, in 1845. Following him in the trade were Brown & Crissev and James T. Platt. Prior, however, to Mr. Mallory's engagement in business, Jacob Snyder and William Crissev had a small store west of town, on the farm so long owned by the Brundvdge family. In its day, this place was known as "Tuckertown." Mr. Mallory continued business until 1852, when he sold at auction his merchandise stock and removed to Bryan.

In about the year 1846, William H. Billings opened a small store on his farm in Northwest township, where the unpretentious little village, called Billingstown, afterwards sprung up. He slowly increased his stock and continued in business some fifteen years. Charles Hall and Orin Fenton succeeded Mr. Billings in the mercantile trade, but they retired after a few months and were followed by Jacob Kintigh, who, for many years, kept a well-patronized country store. S. Wesley Houtz opened a store on "Gravel Hill," near Nettle Lake, about 1877, and, in 1880. Welch Brothers obtained it in a trade and conducted it for several years. Jacob Kintigh, mentioned above, built an ashery at "Kintightown," southeast of the lake, in about the year 1854, and at the same time began selling from a small stock of goods which he placed in his dwelling. For the first few years his goods were weighed with steelyards ; but, after about 1856, when he erected a small store building, he had a much larger stock of goods and much better means for weighing the same. He did a thriving business, as citizens without money could take their ashes to him and get goods from his store in exchange. This was a great accommodation to the neighborhood. His son, George, succeeded him in the mercantile trade, in about 1866, and at the latter's death, another son, Cyrus, secured the store and conducted it for several years. "Kintightown" at one time was a small industrial center. A dam across Nettle creek afforded excellent water power and a saw mill there did an extensive business. Dr. James Steward, of considerable local fame, practiced medicine there for a time, and a blacksmith shop was established and conducted by Aaron Shinn. In about 1850, George Porter opened a small store about half a mile east of the present site of Columbia, and about three years later moved into the village, which at that time was called Porter's Corners. Since his advent there, Columbia has been an important trading point for the surrounding country.

In about the year 1855, Augustus Moore opened a small store at K tinkle's Corners, in Madison township, the stock consisting largely of groceries. A fair trade was obtained, but after continuing some three years, the stock was closed out and the building sold to Levi Hendricks, who sold goods therein for a short time. I11 1854, Joseph Rogers brought the first stock of goods to Pioneer, which consisted of a general assortment of articles that were in demand at country stores at the time. Philetus W. Norris soon went in with him, but after a few years sold out and Rogers continued on alone until about i860, when he closed out his business. David Worth was the second merchant, a Mr. Colmer, third, and a Mr. Roberts, fourth. George R. Joy was the fifth, having taken Worth's place. After him came Bolds, the sixth, and then Canfield, the seventh.

The freight wagons that were driven in early days and gave Williams county merchants transportation facilities to the canal at Defiance, thence reaching the East and South, have become obsolete, their places being taken by the railroads. Of these the Lake Shore

& Michigan Southern has 24 miles of main track and 31 miles of second track and sidings in the county ; the Wabash system 45 miles of main and 22 miles of side track and the Cincinnati Northern 22 miles of main and 4 miles of side track. The total for the county is 91 miles of main track and 57 miles of second track and sidings. These roads pay over $40,000 taxes annually upon their property in the county.