Bloom Township

Bloom Township

T N the preceding chapters the recurrences to Bloom township and its early settlers were so frequent that very little else seems proper to be said in making up its history. One leature. however, must be admitted by all. vi/: that the early settlers here were men of good judgment and great sagacity. ,vhen they resolved to drive their stakes tor homes. The}' saw in the near future the grandeur, beaut) and agricultural wealth these valleys, in the hands of industry, intelligence and economy, would present to the world Its soil, timbers, building stones, prospects for market, all these and more, were great incentives for the founding of new homes in the forest. A glance at Bloom township now. with its beautiful (arms in a high state of cultivation, with large barns, splendid larm houses, fields teeming with rich crops, its pastures enjoved bv excellent stocks ot horses, cattle, sheep and hogs; its commodious school houses and churches, etc.. give strong prool how well the aim of the pioneer settler u'as directed when first the tall timbers tell by the woodsman's axe, along Honey creek and Silver creek. running through the township.

Thomas Bovd was one of the earliest settlers here. He came in iSjj, and settled on section eleven, where he lived until his death, \\li.i h i>n nrred November j^th. 1^47. Soon alter him came also his brother, fame-. Bovd, and his widowed sister. Mrs. Marv honiiell. Mrs. Thoma^ Uaker is a daughter ot fames Bovd, and is still living. Her father mo\i d to Iowa, where he died. Thomas Bovd had tour sons: James, j. s-e. !effcr-on and Samuel, ol" whom |esse is the only one living. 1 I '- . - .1 wealth \ tanner at Springfield. Ohio.

Thomas B<,\d was a remarkable man. 1 le was of fair complexion : his hair was thin and white: he had a nervous temperament, and was very a< live. He was about six feet high, very raw-boned, and a little >toop shouldered, vcrv careless about his dress, vcrv talkative, and to I>r draves one day to have a tooth pulled. He sat down on a chair, and when the I >octor came up to him with his turnkey Ind^e Robinson opened h:-> mouth \ cry wide, and I >r. ( I raves said to him. " Never mind. Indue. I prefer -landing on the outside."

Thoma- West settled on section three also, but soon sold out to I»a\id Roop, and moved on (o section ten. where he lived many years. ami thru sold to lacob Hetwiler. when he moved to I'.loomvillc. where rerently he d'ed.

Mrs. hmneil bought a piece ol hind near thai of her brother Thomas. Her land had a very line spring on it. which still bears her name. She sold out am! went to Iowa w-ith her brother lames.

( >n the 4th of Juiv. 1X74. the Rev. Robert Fockhart established the first newspaper here, the J''.>ifcrprise. He published the paper about three month>. when he turned it over to J. N. Fee, who, after a few weeks, sold it to 1 ). \Y. Fisher, who issued the first paper January ist, 1^75- the />'/('< nn^ille banner. The Adams Brothers then became the owners next, and sold to Mr. Kaga. and he again to Mr Fisher, who, at'ier one issue, sold to \V. S. Hammaker, and he, after about eight months, stopped the publication, and sold the institution to the present enterprising and able editor of the Seneca L\>iiiit\ Record, (). M. Hoicomb. FSIJ.. who is making the RecorJ a success.

IHoomville was incorporated by a special act of the legislature in 1X71. Jacob Hossler, Fsq.. was elected its first mayor. Several additions have been made to Bloomville during the ten years last past, by Conrad Klachr. Mrs Melinda Fee. Fli Winters and John Krilly. The oar factory, established in 1X74. by J D. Wilsey, was quite an important event in the history ot the town.

The Rev. deorge R. lirown. I'niversalist, preached here in 1X40. Dr. Jones is the pastor of the M. F. Church, and Rev. |. W. Shaw of the Reformed ( 'liurch.

In 1X75 the public schools opened up. under the superintendence of Mr. J. K. Hamilton. The building is a fine two-story edifice, with fourrooms, and cost about 87.000.

My reverend and esteemed friend, the venerable Flder Fewis Seit/, wa^ so kind as to furnish the writer with a statement of his early recollections ot J'doom township, and the reader will find pleasure in its perusal. I am very sure. It is given here as written, without a word of < omment. May its moral lesson be heeded and cherished.

Nearly all who were hen* before me had settled aloiitf the rich valley of Honey creek. Fur two or three \ears before mine was reared, cabins had beirun to appear in our \\ilderne-s. Antony their occupants I remember

I ladles n| limit inn', that . iz'ame u'i'ttinu" scarce, he had .1. < '. Hampton to haul his t'amil) ami li'oods mostl) steel traps to the licad of canoe navigation on the >cioto. in I lardin count) . Here he dm; out twolarire walnut canoes. lashed t hem side b\ sjde. and started for Cairo, on the Mississippi. \\'itli one !><iai \\rccUed on the rauinu; Scioto. he ne\ ertheless reached I'ortsmoiitli \\ ith tin- ui her. his fa mil) walking most of the wa\ . At this point a captain of ;i steamer hound for Iowa, \vhither lladle) was n'oiny. struck with admiral ion for a man \\ ho would vent lire his all i n a canoe on t lie ( Hiio. ofl'eretl to can') him without charge to his destination. Thus tlie Imss pioneer hunter oi' 111 oo n i to\\ 1 1 ship lel'l ( )hio for u'anie in the far west .

An encounter of n \V\ and"! Indian \\ itli a pack of hungry wolves in South IJlooiu is \\orth record inn1. lie had tracked a \\onnded deer some distance in t lie siio\\ . u hen sudden!) lie came upon it surrounded by a pack of wolves, makimi of it a hast) meal. Intent ii|>oii ha\in^ some of the meat himself. In- t ricd lo dri\ e tin1 u o| \vx h\ shoot in LT one of them. This en raided the rest . and the\ rushed upon him. Hacking against a tree, he kept them at hay \\ithhistoniahawk. till hunger overcoming raye. they returned to linish iheirmeal upon the deer. The Indian, convinced that --discretion was the better part of valor." was <;lad to escape. The pioneer who succeeded best in making a comfortable living, .did not make a business of limiting, but chopping' and Iodine; and burning \\ as the chief work. Much t imber. which to-da\ would lie \aluable in market, was burned on the ground. No where could liner poplar, walnut, blue ash and butternut trees be found than in I 'doom township.

The lirsl saw mill was built b\ Iloswell Mmisel and the Donalds, on Ilone) creek, near the present Kal"r mill. Soon after .John I)avis built a not he i' mill, a mile further down, where m\ lirst lumber was made. A few \ ears later Abraham Ka^\ put up a saw mill, and the Steeles a saw and jurist mill on Silver creek. It ma\ be well to remind the reader that in those days our waler courses furnished powei' much more steadil) and for a greater part of i he \ car. Through the clearing!' a\\a\ of fallen timber and general drainage, our creeks L;a\e short lived spii-ts of \\ater. and then Steele's ^rist mill could lie heard da\ and niu'hl for more than halt the \ear. M\ lirst ui'iiidin.LT \\as done at 1 1 edges' mill, just belo\\ Tillin. \\hen \\c bewail to have wheat to sell our nearest public market \\as at Venice or 1'ortland Sam bisk) City. This was so until the pioneer railroad in ( )liio made us a market at Ilepublic.

took an active part in its welfare, and was the steward of" it when he died. He died .July 14. Is4n. in his sixty-third year. Mother died November 4. 1MU. There were six children of us. of whom live are still living. Father \\as a devoted Christian and kind to all his neighbors, and especially to the poor. I le supplied all those that were ueed\ . and lie had jilenty to do with. The P.o\ds. Uohinsons. Valentines. Martins, father. P.laekmans. Treats. Don. ilds. Hoops. Coolxs. and others were the leading Whin's. Tlie».Mc( 'h 1- lands. 1 Vrke\ s. Sells. Strolis. Kuchs. Kag\ s and .Joseph Miller were the lea< - ing 1 >eiiiocrats of the township.

}o. iXo(>, in Steuben townshij), Adams county, Pennsylvania, on alarm. When fourteen years old, in 1X20, his lather moved to Stark count}. Ohio. Here, on the 2^1 of September. Mr. Mossier was married, and in iS^4 he moved to Pdoom township, where he still resides. For twenty vears he ran a saw mill on Stoner creek. lie moved right into the woods when he came, and opened up a fine farm. To show how Mr. Mossier stands in the estimation of his neighbors, it is only necessary to say that for thirty years lie held the office ot justice of the peace and was mayor of llloomville four years. Me is still in the enjoyment ot excellent health.

Is also one of the pioneers of Pdoom, who have imprinted their individualities upon the township. He was born in Frederick count\. Maryland, on the first day of January, 1X07. His father died when John was but six vears old, and he was taken care ot by his uncle, Paul Talbot, who moved to [-airfield count}', Ohio, where he was married. There they settled in the woods and young John worked among the iarmers and was finally set in to work on a carding machine on Indian < reek, in 1 airfield count}', owned bv one I >avid Swasey. From there lie came to Pdoom in iX2X. in the fall, and worked for his uncle. John Valentine, untii the following Christmas. The Mohawks. Senccas ami Wyandots were then --swarming through the woods." He became well acquainted with all the old settlers here, already named. Me returned to [-'airfield, and all his earnings in the following spring put together amounted only to the sum ol SXo, lacking >2O. to buv eight}' ai res at govt rnmcnt prices. A friend loaned him the 820 and he started on tool for helaware. in the tail ol 1X29, and entered the eighty a< res th.it [ohn Meilman now owns, near Honey creek. He returned to Kairtrjld and worked eighteen months longer on a (arm until he had earned some more monev. II is. uncle, John Valentine, then wrote to him that Mr. Bever had eighty a« re-, which he would sell, adjoining the other lot. Mr. Reid Carted <>n ( 'hri-tma- day and came to Bloom on foot, where he arrived and bought the Bever land on New Year'> day. iS.$i.

I >r. (iibson also spoke, relating his boyhood days antl scenes of early lite on Honev creek. His mother held the chair while her husband w.is sitting upon it. shaking with the ague His father got nearly cra/y c\crv time the fever came on. One time his father was at Sandusky for provisions. It always took a week to get back. The roads were bad and the horses poor. Judge I.eath happened to be at Sandusky the same time with a load of water melons to sell. He and the Doctor's father started for home together. On the way the latter became < ra/.v with the fever, and hail it not been for the Judge he would never have found his way back. The Doctor also referred to Black [onathan. who lived with the Mohawks on the Vanmeter place. Jonathan Pointer was half negro and half Indian. He was the interpretor for the preachers and gave the Indians the sermons by piece-meal as best he could, but whenever a subject or a point was a little difficult to transfer or comprehend, he would add: -' I don't know, myself, whether that is so, or not."

Dr. Gibson when yet a boy was very att-entive upon the sick in the neighborhood, and thus naturally became a doctor. I Ie applied himself to the books, and with hard study and his experience, became a distinguished physician. He was. indeed, a gentleman and a valued friend. He was one of that class ot thinkers who take nothing for granted because they cannot help it. U e ought to have much charity for such people.

The venerable Noah Seit/. must not be forgotten. He came here from Fairi'ield county and settled on the northwest quarter of section five on the 5th of April. 1822, and it is generally admitted that he was the first settler in Bloom. He sold out soon alter to Fdward Southerland and moved to Fden. Mrs. Southerland is still living in the third ward ot Tiffin, and is known as the widow of Francis Bernard.

Who will not remember the tall slender form of Abraham Kagy. Fs<|.. am! his beautiful, pleasant home on Silver creek, where, for more than a half century, vou were met with a hand ot welcome and an open, honest, friendly countenance? These honored land marks of time should ever be cherished by those who will occupy the places so rapidly beco'nir.g vacant.

Source changes here: from History of Seneca County, Ohio, by Leeson, Michael A., [from Old Catalog] Ed, published 1886; 5,870 words in this source stream.

Bloom Township

BLOOM, or Town 1 north, Range 10 east, is one of the oldest and richest divisions of the county. The population in 1S3(1 was 389, increased in 1880 to 2, 11)2, including the village of Bloomville. which then contained ()89 inhabitants. The township is watered by Honey Creek, Silver Creek and tributary streams. Honey Creek enters the townshij) in the northeast quarter of Section 1, flows in a general southwestern course, and leaves the township in the southwest (juarter of Section 18. Along its banks are numerous springs, and here, too. many of the early saw and gristmills were erected. The pioneers selected the neighborhood of the crei'k for their homes, and opened their first farms. Silver Creek may be called a native stream, has its soiu'ce in the southeastern corner of the township, and. flowing generally northwest, leaves the township in the northwest quarter of Section 1 5). The county drain enters this creek, and it is also fed by a number of rivulets.

The geological formation of Bloom has been referred to in Chapter I. The State Geologist, in Volume V, page 033, says: " For building purposes the limestone which is quarried from the cornifi^rous formation at Bloomville. Seneca County, has a higher reputation than the Holderberg limestones, and indeed, it is said, that these quaiTies produce one of the best limestones in northwestern Ohio. The material has been quite extensively used in Tiffin for many years foi; trimmings and stone fronts, and also for general building purposes in Mansfield and siuTounding country. Good material for flacrginsr, bridces and foundations is quan'ied. and a slab twenty-five feet square might be obtained. It has already displaced in a measure the sandstones which are quarried in that vicinity."

The specimens of this stone are of an attractive gi'ay color, and are highly fossiliferous. Some fossils have apparently been entirely removed at some period, and their places supplied with a clear crystalline calcite, and some of the fossil forms are therefore strikingly apparent upon polishing the sui'face of the stone. Under the microscope the stone is foi;nd to be a grand aggregate of fossil fragments, among which are rhombohedi'al crystals.

In November, 1884, a dynamite explosion took place at the old Francis Stone quarry, just east of Bloomville. A dynamite blast had failed to discharfife, and Alexander West, a brother of Dr. West, and two Germans were trying to remove the dynamite and prepare a new fuse, when it exploded. Mr. West's hands and arms were terribly mangled, one of his eyes badly injured and the side of his face frightfully bruised. The Germans were only slightly hurt.

Orgnnic and Official. - Bloom Township, as established in 1824, comprised the towns of Bloom, Scipio. Reed and Venice (vide transactions of commissioners' board), and was named in honor of the German patriot. Bloom, on the suggestion of John Seitz. In after years, Scipio," Venice and Reed were organized, and this township was reorganized within its present boundaries. In December, 1824, Scipio was detached; in December, 1826, Reed was established, and in June, 1829, Venice was set off as a separate township. Owing to the vagrant character of the pioneer clerk' s office, the records of the fii'st decade of the township are not to be found. The record of elections from 1835 to the present time has been fortunately preserved, and fr'om these old books the following list of leading town officers is made:

The officers of Bloom Township in 1885 are William Reid, Republican, S. B. Hossler, Republican, Henry Kirgis, Democrat, tnistees; P. F. Samsel, Democrat, clerk; H. S. Samsel, Republican, treasurer; S. S. Lehman, Republican, assessor; B. H. Spitler, Democrat, Fred Bolland. Republican, constables.

Pioneers of Bloom Township. - When Hadley and Hampton beheld this township in 1821, it appeared beautiful in its wildness. In 1822 the vanguard of the pioneers arrived, and then was begun that round of labor which resulted in giving to the county even before its organization, a garden spot for all time and a well-organized community. In reviewing the history of the settlement of the county, the following names are selected to represent the pioneers of Bloom. The few who may chance to be left unnoticed in this particular portion of the work, find mention in one or other of the many chapters devoted to general, local and personal history.

James Beauchamp, who owned 135 acres on the southwest quarter of Section 6, died in 1830, when Thomas McMillan was appointed administrator of the estate. Sidney Smith was appointed guardian ad litem for his five children .... Jacob and Rosa Bessey, natives of Germany, jiarents of IVIrs. Abraham Sponseller, who was born in this county in 1842, came to Bloom Townshij) in an early day. Mr. Bessey died in 1867 ; his widow now resides in Crawford County .... Joseph Burnsides or Birnside, who subsequently settled near the present City Cemetery of Tiffin, located land near Bloomville in 1822, but found it to have been previously piirchased .... The Bixler family must be named among the pioneers, so also Henrj' Blackman, a name familiar in all old residents' societies .... George Bever, Robert McClellan, Jacob Black, Noah Rhinehart were the only supporters in this township of Butterfield's History, in 1848 .... Thomas and Elizabeth (Hughes) Boyd, located on Honey Creek in 1822, being the first permanent settlers, where they resided until their death - Mrs. Boyd dying in 1834, Mr. Boyd November 27, 1847 .... James Boyd, born in 1805 in Pennsylvania, came to Bloom with his parents in April. 1822. man-ied Miss Eliza Steele and after her death mamed Miss Mercy Smith, who died in 1865. Mr. Boyd died in 1 871 at his home on Honey Creek .... James T. Boyd, son of James Boyd, was born in Bloom Township in 1842 . . . .Adam and Catherine (Fike) Buchman, natives of Bavaria, came in 1833 to Bloom Township, where the former died in 1881 .... James and Eliza Boyd (both deceased), parents of Mrs. George Shiunaker, of Pleasant Township, came from Pennsylvania to Bloom Township in an early day.

Edward Cooley was one of the early settlers, liut the exact date of his coming cannot be ascertained. He erected the first house on the site of the present

Bloom Tow.Nshu'

John and Hannah (Kershner) Davis, former a native of Maryland, born in 1785. latter of Pennsylvania, born in ITUt), were married in 1816, and November 12, 1824, came fi'om Pen-y County, Ohio, to Si>ction 8, Bloom, where they permanently settled. John Davis and Kussel Miinsell built, in 1820, a saw-mill on that farm, which mill was rebuilt later and sold to John Shoutz. Mrs. Davis died in 1840, Mr. Davis in 1849. Their son, William M., of Bloom Township, was born in 1819, in Perry County, Ohio. . . .Jacob and Elizabeth Detwiler, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Jacob Detwiler, who was born in 1828 in Columbiana County, Ohio, settled here in 1844. Jacob Detwiler, Sr., died in 1 Sr)0, his widow in 1800 .... Edward Delaney came from Ii-eland in 18151 or 1832, and selected the beautiful wilderness of Bloom for a home. . . . Mrs. Mary Donnell widow of James Donnell and sister of the pioneer, Thomas Boyd, came in 1822. James Boyd, a brother, arrived at the same time. The latter moved to Iowa in later years with his sister, and died there .... James Don;dd. who was one of the builders of the first saw-mill, arrived jirior to 182(). . . .Evan Dor.sey first settled in Bloom, and afterward became interested in other townships .... William DeW'itt, father of Mrs. James T. Boyd, of this township, was a pioneer of Bloomville.

John and Elizabeth Einsel, natives of Pennsylvania and Maryland, respectively, jiarents of Henry Einsel, who was born in 1834, came fi'om Fairfield County, Ohio, to this county in 1833, where Mrs. Einsel died in I86r), and Mr. Einsel in 1872.

John and Barbara (Myers) Fisher, of Maryland, located here in 1835. John Fisher died in 1879. his wife in 1859. . . .James Fisher, M. D.. a name well known in the histoiy of Tiffin, and who is referred to in the chapter on physicians, first settled in Bloom .... George Free settled here about 1823, and was known as " Section 3;" he passed to his reward long years ago. . . . George and Elizabeth (Ellenberger) Free, former born in 1785, died in 1848, latter born in 1796, died in 1867 (parents of John Free, late of Reed Township, born in Virginia in 1819, died in 1874), came to Bloom Township in 1822.

Samuel Gross, one of the oldest men living here, was born in 1810 in Pennsylvania, and in 1831 moved with his j^arents to Tiffin. He maiTied, in 1830, Miss Ann Owen, born in Pennsylvania in 1807, and they then located in Bloom in 1831. The old couple still occupy the log house which they built on coming here, which is the oldest residence in the township, and Mr. Gross' workshoi) still stands, a well-known landmark.

Nehemiah Hadley and J. C. Hampton, who settled in Bloom in 1822, are referred to in the chapter on pioneers, .It is there related that they were temporary s(>ttlers as early as 1821, the former accompanving the latter on a commercial inciu'sion. Hadley was a great hunter, and was known to the pioneers of Iowa, where he settled. . . .John Coles Hampton, born in Virginia in 1803, settled permanently in Bloom Townshii) in 1822, and here mamed. in 1832, Elizab(>th Long. He was an auctioneer here for nearly forty years, until his death in 1S85. . . .Bev. Henry F. and Susan (Sellon) Hall, parents of Mrs. John Rice, of Bloom Township, who was born in New York State in 1826, settled here in 1835. {vide Pioneer Chapter) .... John George and Catherine Hawblits, natives of Germany, came to Stark County. Ohio, in 1830, bringing their son, Peter Hawblits, now of Bloom Township, who was born in 1829. After nine years' residence in Stark County. Ohio, they settled in Bloom Township, but are now residents of Venice Township. . . .Jacob Hossler, born in 1806, in Pennsylvania, father of Samuel B. Hossler (latter born there in 1842), moved with his parents (his father, Frederick Hossler, was born in Pennsylvania in 1782) to Stark County, Ohio, in 1821, and there married Anna Funk, a native of the place, and in 1834 came to Bloom .... Jonas Hossler, Benjamin Hottel and Isaac Jeffries are named among the old residents of the county. . . .Michael and Hannah Hiinsicker, parents of Mrs. Conrad Briner, of this township, were early settlers here. ,

Abraham Kagy, born in Virginia in 18(^3, came with his parents, in 1820, to Faulield Coimty, Ohio, there married Miss Elizabeth Kuch, of that, county, and in 1823 they settled in Bloom Township. They had a large family, and at one time owned over 1,000 acres of land. John, their son, has lived all his life in Bloom Township. Abraham Kagy still lives on the old homestead. His wife died in 1803. His mother, Hannah Kagy, died in this township when over ninety years of age .... Truman King, George King and Rufus Kirstmer were all early settlers here .... John and Eve (Eeigle) Koller, foimer a native of Pennsylvania, settled on Honey Creek. Bloom Township, fi'om Pennsylvania, in 1834. Mr. Koller built the lii'st brick house in the tovmship. He died in 1845, and his widow, who subsequently manied WOliam Watson, died in 1863. Nathaniel, son of John and Eve Koller, was born here in 1834. . . . Simon Koller was born in 1802, in Pennsylvania, married there Mi-s. Mary M^gdalena Bricker, also a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1810. In 1.838 they came to Ohio, and to Bloom Township in 1846. Mrs. Koller died in 1881, Mr. Koller in 1882.

D. T. Lee settled in the township abotit 1835. . . .John Lewis, wife, four sons and one daughter came to Bloom Township in December, 1833, and settled on the Marion State )-oad near the county line. John Lewis died there about 1845, and Mrs. Lewis in 1840. Both are buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in Eden Township .... In June, 1835, Henry F. Hall settled in the northeast corner of Bloom Township, having come fi-om Steuben County, N. Y. , in June of that year. His daughter, Mrs. John Rice, refers to the farm as follows: "There was also a pretty good log-house that the original builder had intended to be a nice one for those pioneer times. The doors and wind(;ws were cased nicely; the gable ends were sided up and the roof was covered with shingles instead of clapboards, but he had sold out before it was all finished, and a man named John Lowman owned it. He was a rare specimen of the genus homo, and spent his time in studying out a jierpetual motion, and the doors, both outside and inside, were covered with ch'cles, angles and ciu'ves and all sorts of geometrical designs that would almost have di'iven an inventor crazy. He was too much of a genius to spend his time on commonplace things. He had lived there live years without any sash or glass in his windows. In winter they hung blankets over them, and in summer he said they put a chau' in at night to keep out the dogs. Unlike most of the houses of that day. the chimney was built inside of the house, but the big lire-place occupied a large place below the stairs, and the chickens had a nice comfortable roost behind the chimney on the ends of the sticks of which it was made, and those that did not come in at the door, found their way in through the chinks between the logs. Father had the true Yankee i)luck and went to work, and soon the dogs and chickens found out that a new family had moved in."

Nathan and Elizabeth (Devins) Martin, former born in Pennsylvania in 1785, came from Canada to Bloom, in 1839, where his two brothers had settled at an earlier date. He died in 1862. his widow in 1870. This old settler was a soldier of the Revolution .... John Chapman Martin born in 1798, in Pennsylvania, came to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1812, and there maiTied Miss'Maiy Ann McCandlish, a native of Ohio. They came here in 1828.

Mrs. JIaitin ciiod in 1S70, SIi-. Martin in 1881 . . . .Goorgo and Magdalona (Troxol) iNIiickloy, former a nativo of Germany, latter of Pennsylvania, jiari^nts of Mis. Jacob Dotwiler, of Bloom Township, who was born here in 1884, came from Stark County, Ohio, in 183:1 Mr. Muekloy died in 1843, and his widow marrii'd Isaac Kohrer and now lives in Mahoning County, Ohio .... Joseph McClelland, born in Miillin County, Penu. , August '25, 1 787, moved to Shelby County, Ky., in 1815, to Bloom Township in 182'2, to Hopewell in 185 1. where he died aged seventy-two years,' four months and thirteen days .... A. B. McClelland, born January 7, 1818, in Centre County, Penn., settled in Bloom in November, 1834 .... Jacob Meyer was a settler of the third decade ...Butler and Mary (Boyd) Muusell, parents of Mrs. Isaac S. Baldwin, of Bloom Towushi]!. who was born in this township in 1838, were early settlers hero. . . .Roswell Munsell settled in Bloom in 1822, and the following fall assirited Davis in erecting the first sfiw-mill .... Aaron Malony and wife, Mrs. Edwin Bristol, S. G. Malony and John C. F. Malony left Maryland in October, 1830. and arrived in Bloom Township in January, 1831. Kaehel McLelland, two daughters and one son, James Beecham and wife and childi-en came also to Bloom in 1831. and the three families settled in this township.

Lewis E. Owen, born in 1815, in New York State, came to Bloom Township from Scipio Township, in 1835 .... Zeli Owen and William Owen were also old settlers.

John Pennington and Henry Perkey, are named among the old residents. .... Philij) J. Price one of the early settlers of Eden, moved to Bloom Township, and is mentioned in the history of Tiffin.

Samuel and Elizabeth (Parks)Ralston, parents of Mrs. Samuel B. McClelland of Bloom Township, who was born in Virginia in 1828. settled in this townslv]) in 1834. Mi-. Ralston died about 18G7 ; his widow stOl resides here. .... John T. Eeid, born in Maryland in 1807, came to Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1813, with his imcle, and to ISloom Township in 1831. It is also stated that this settler amved in 1828 .... Lowell Robinson settled in Bloom in 1823; dieil in California. He served the county as associate judge, and for this reason, a sketch of him appears in the law chapter. . . .Gain Robinson and Lyman Robinson are names identified with the early years of Bloom .... Rev. James Robinson settled here in 1830, and took a prominent part in the chiu-ch work of that period .... Jacob Rodezel settled in Bloom about 1 829

John Seitz. a native of Virginia, born in 1 790, came to Fairfield County, Ohio, with his parents, in 1801. There he man-ied, in 1811, Miss Magdalena Spitler. also a native of Virginia, and in 1823 they located j^ei-manently in this townshij), the name of which was bestowed by Mr. Seitz the year previous. Mi-s. Seitz died in 18(')2, Mr. Seitz in 1874. Their son Daniel, born in 1825, and the first white male child to see the light of day in Bloom Township, is now the oldest resident of this part of the county. . . . Elder Lewis Seitz, a native of Fau-tield County, Ohio, born in 1802, father of Aaron Seitz of Bloom Townshi]) (who was born in the township in 1844), man-ied, in 1823, Miss Barbara l^agy, and in 1824 moved here. Mi-s. Barbara E. (Bretz) Seitz, wife of Daniel Seitz, of Bloom Township, daughter of David and Frances Bretz, natives of Virginia, was born herein 1834. . . .Martin Shaffner. father of 'W. H. SbafFner, of TiJiin, came to Bloom Township from Crawford County (formerly from Pennsylvania), in 1843. He was the father of twenty-one children. . . . George Showman was a settler of 1835 .... Jacob Shock, a native of Stark County. Ohio, (father of Mrs. Aaron Seitz, born there in 1842.) was an early settler. Died in 1878 .... Jacob and Catharine (Seitz) Spitler. natives of Virginia, parents of Martin J. Spitler, a native of Fairfield County, Ohio, born in 1824, came to that county about 1802. where they were man-ied. and in 1850 they moved to Bloom. They had seventeen children, and at their death left 127 descendants. Jacob Spitler died in 1805, his wife in 1863. Martiu J., their son, came to this township in 1845 . . . .Lewis Spitler is also an old settler .... Frederick and Elizabeth (Prouse) Sponseller, natives of Stark County, Ohio, former born in 1815, latter in 1818, parents of Abraham Sponseller "of Bloom Township, who was born in the township in 1845. were married in 1840 and then located here .... James Steele put up a saw and grist-mill about 1833 or 1834. . . .Adam Stinebaugh. born in 1799, in Pennsylvania, moved when very young with his widowed mother to Maryland. There he married, in 1829, Miss Susanna Bowser, sister of the old pioneer of this county. Jacob Bowser, and same year came with her father, John Bowser, to Seneca Coimty. He bought a tract of land where Republic now stands, and which he sold in 1835. In 1836 he bought land in Bloom Township, and here made a permanent settlement. Mrs. Stinebaugh died in 1856. Their only child. Isaac B. , of Bloom

Swigert, who died August 18, 1884, and her husband are numbered among the pioneers. . . .John Stinchcomb came from IMarylaud to this county in 1825. settled in Bloom Township, and there remained until 1851. when he moved to Clinton Township, where he died. His father. George Stinchcomb, was a native of Scotland, and died in Maryland. James Stinchcomb, his son. now

Sutherland came in subsequently .... Joseph and Susana Swigart. natives of Maryland, parents of George Swigart of Seneca Township (who was born in Maryland in 1825), came to this county and first settled in Bloom Township, afterward in Eden Township, where Mrs. Swigart died. Mr. Swigart is also deceased.

George and Mary (Grove) Valentine, former a Revolutionary soldier, a native of Pennsylvania, latter of Mai-yland. came to Fairfield County. Ohio, in 1807, but spent their latter days in Bloom, and Mr. Valentine's grave in Woodland Cemetery is one of the few Revolutionary' soldiers' gi-aves in Seneca County. John Valentine, their eldest son, born in ^Maryland, for a time a soldier in the war of 1812. was married to Miss Sarah Talljott, also a native of Maryland; they settled in 1829 on a quaiier section of land in Bloom Township, obtained from the government in 1822, and Thomas George, of this township, their son, born in 1820, a soldier three years and three months in the war of the Rebellion, now occupies that same quarter section of land.

father of Mrs. Frank A. Chatfield, of Bloomville, was one of the pioneers of Bloom Township, where he died in 1873; his widow, Mrs. Elizabeth J. Watson, an old settler of Eden Township (1845) sui-vives. Mi-s. Margaret Watson, born in Centre County, Penn., June 25, 1823, settled in Bloom in 1830. .... Jacob Webster is named in the pioneer roster Thomas West, born in

1800, in New York State, came to Bloom Townsbip in 1828, and here married, in 1824, Miss Margaret C. Donnoll, who was bom in 1804, in Pennsylvania, eomino; to Bloom Townshiji with her parents, John and Mary (Boyd) Donnell, in 1822. She died in IK'A), and Mr. West then maiTied Miss Naiicy B. Boyd, born in Pennsylvania in ISOO. Mr. West died in 1875); his widow, who resides on the family homestead, is the second oldest pioneer in the township, and the only representative of her father's family in the county.

Bloomville Village

Bloomville was surveyed in December, 1837, by James Diu'bin, for P. J. Piice, Thomas T. and Julius Treat, on Section If). John C. Hunsicker's addition was surveyed June 4, 1852, by G. H. Heming. Huddle's addition was surveyed in April, 1863, by G. H. Heming, for Lewis Hudille. north of New Haven Street. Henry Schearer's addition was sm-veyed April <), 187 1 , by Dennia Maloy. Conrad Klahr's addition was surveyed by P. H. Ryan, in February, 1872. Ed P. Bliss made an addition in February, 1JS72, the sm-vey being made by P. H. Eyan. E. J. Tmuer's addition was siu-veyed in Jidy, 1878, by Samuel Gray. At the same time he siu'veyed the plat of Thomas West's addition. Henry Ditteuhafer's addition was surveyed by Samuel B. Gray, in March. 1873, and his out-lots in August, 1873. John Kriley's addition was surveyed by S. B. Gray, in April, 1873.

West & Knapp's, sui-veyed Jidy, 1873; Eli Winter's, siu-veyed September, 1873; Eli Winter's, siu'veyed September, 1874; Com'ad Klahr's, surveyed October, lb73: West's, surveyed August 11, 1873; Melinda Lee's, svirveye'd March, 1875; Benjamin Knapp's, siirveyed January, 1877; Melinda Lee's, surveyed April, 1876; Henry Schafer's, surveyed September, 1880; Northwest, surveyed June, 1880; Ki-iley's. surveyed May, 1882; Martin Roller's surveyed July, 1883.

Freese, George Griffin. Ed Turner and H. Kannell, conneilmen. The elections, 1885, resulted as follows: Mayor, O. M. Holcomb, Democrat; clerk, James Turner. Eepublican; treasui-er. Henry S. Samsel. Republican: councilmeri, H. Einsel, Democrat; Hemy Kannel, Republican; Paul Miller, Democrat; marshal, B. H. Spitler, Democrat; street commissioner, John Strouse, Republican; school board, A. J. Shintz, Democrat; J. "\V. Snyder, Democrat. Daniel Hai't was the first street commissioner, elected in 1870. Jacob Leach was elected marshal in 1876; U. E. Coiy, in 1877: L. L. Lehman, 187'J; T. S. Hanna, 1883 ; W. S. Lowry, 1884-85. E. J. Turner was elected treasurer in 1877,' and Henry Samsel, in 1881.

Postmasters. - Thomas T. Treat was the first postmaster at Bloomville in 18S7-38. On the jiiu'chase of Treat & Price's store by the Brown Bros., it is said that they can-ied on the postoffiee for some time. In Februaiy, 1873, Lorenzo Bevington succeeded Daniel Behm as postmaster. In September. 1885, David Blaney was commissioned postmaster at Bloomville.

Cliwches. - The Baptist Chiu-ch of Bloom dates back to May 27, 1827, when the " Honey Creek Church " was organized. Three years later Elder Lewis Seitz was appointed pastor, and has held that office down to our own times.

In 1840 an itinerant preacher, named Rev. George R. Brown, succeeded in establishing a Universalist society at Bloomville, but it disestablished itself after a veiy short time.

Mount Pisgah Reformed Church, Bloomville. was organized Aiigust 25, 1850, with H. K. Baines, pastor; George Swigart and Philip Heilman. elders; Adam Baker and F. Zimmerman, deacons. The church was built on an acre tract of land donated by Simon Koller. The jiastors of the church since Mr. Baines' time have been J. C. Klahr, D. Kelley, M. KeefFer. J. H. Good. W. W. James, J. A. Keller, L. Grosenbaugh. J. A. Steplar. J. D. Gehring. Samuel Shaw (appointed in 1870), J. "W. Shaw, and J. S. Myers, the pastor ia 1884-85.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Bloomville has a history extending over more than half a century, being almost a contemporary of the old church at Melmore, and a sharer in its official and ministerial life for many years. In 1835 the society erected a house of worship on the Stinchcomb farm, and the old building was carried down the years until a chiu-ch of native stone was erected. The membership of this chiu-ch at Bloomville is about 100. and th(» value of the property 13,500. Rev. E. S. Tompkins is the present pastor.

United Brethren Church of Bloomville was organized May 7, 1882, with the following named members: Rev. Jacob Gerber, Mrs. Elizabeth Scott, Mrs. Heniy Dittenhafer, Mrs. Maggie Koller. Mrs. J. R. Wilson. John Shook, Susan Shook, A. J. Spitler and Sirs. Ellen Spitler. The church house was dedicated to the worship of God on the 14th of May, 1882, Bishop J. Weaver officiating. The house is a neat brick structui-e, beautifully situated on comer of High and Marion Streets. On the 28th of May, 1882, a Sabbath-school was qrganized with a membership of twenty persons, with A. J. Spitler as superintendent. The school has since that time steadily gi'own to a prosperous condition, numbering at the present time 100 or more members. Only one death has occurred in the class since its organization. The pastors have been Rev. M. E. Spahr and Rev. G. P. Macklin, and the present incumbent is J. H. Arnold.

The Presbyterian Chui'ch of Bloom, in its earlier history, belongs to that of the chiu'ch at Scipio Centre. In 1834 a frame building was erected by the

Prpsbyterians of Bloom, who had been orj^auized by Rev. James llobiason in 1880. John Davis was tlie Icailiuf^ builder of this chiirch. On its destruction bv lire u small brick house was erected on what is known as the Kavely farm. This stood the test of time so well that it had to be torn down, and its pioneer brick is, in fact, a large factor in the more irretentions building in Bloomville Village. Rev. ^^'. T. Hiui is pastor of this church.

Schools of Bloomri lie. - The condition of the schools of Bloomville at the close of August, 1884, is shown by the following statistics: Total number of pupils, 188 - 83 boys and 100 girls, of whom 18 were attending the high school: 1 school-house, value of property §12,000; 4 teachers, average pay Sfw, $45 and §88; local tax, §1,787.45; revenue, $2,415.00; expeuditiu'es, $1,'J71.05. The schools are now presided over by the following named teachers: Prof. Bowman, superintendent; high school. Prof. Bowman; grammar school, C. H. Shock; intennediate school, Miss Cable; primary school. Miss Snyder. The school building of the village was completed in 1875. at a cost of S7,500, and opened by Supt. J. K. Hamilton.

Ni'irspapers. - A reference to the chapter ou the press of the county jioints out the beginning of newspaper enterprise at Bloom\'ille, in July, 1874, and the changes which led up to the publication of the Record by the present mayor of the tow^u.

Societies. - Bloom^dlle Lodge No. (56 (, I. O. O. F. , was chartered May 10. 1877, with the following members: J. "\V. Bell, J. Swigert, Arthiu- Adams, Henry ]M. Patterson, John Winters, A. D. Einsel, J. S. Mvers, L. L. Hossler, S. G." McClelland, Val. Dennis, H. H. Beel, A. B. Stewart and M'. P. Dove. The P. Gs. are named as follows : A. Adams. J. AV. Bell. H. H. Beelman, Vid. Dennis, William Dove. H. F. Carson, L. L. Hossler, F. P. Klahr. M. D., S.

W. T. Brown Post, G. A. R. No. 191, Bloomville, was established in December, 1881, and named in honor of W. T. Brown, a soldier of the One Hundred and Sixty-foiu-th Ohio National Guards. The charter members are D. Vt'. Fisher,

D. L. Fisher, N. S. Lehman, G. M. Martin, W. L. Reid. A. D. West, T. G. Valentine, J. T. Boyd, James Tui'ner, S. S. Lehman, S. H. Taylor, Jonathan Creshner, W. A. Teel, S. Hilbert, William Carson, Jacob Carson, N. Holt, R. R. Kershner, G. O. Olds, V. Dennis, F. S. Brobst, S. B. Hossler, T. A. McClellan, H. H. McClellan and J. Beelman. The commander of the post from 1881 to 1885 was J. T Boyd.

Mantijacturing Industries. - The Oar Factory was established in 1874 by J. D. "Wilsey, who operated it for eleven years. This was a great industry, and its recent removal was a serious loss to the business of the village. The buildings remain and offer a good opportunity to an enterprising manufacturer.

The Bloomville Mill Company was organized August 29, 1874, with W. Stewart, Jacob Hoplei-, A. B. McClelland, John Swigert, Benjamin Knapp and James Winters, members. The capital stock was $16,000.

The new tile and drain-pipe factory gives employment to a number of men. This is only the beginning of what will prove one of the largest industries in the county.

Shoutz & Sons" Steam FloiU'ing-mills were built in 1880 by the present owners, on the site of the old sash and door factory. The machinery consists of six sets of rollers, one buha% one purifier and one Morris Bolt elevator, giving a capacity of sixtv barrels per dav. The value of the mill is placed at $16,000. -

William Richard, the inventor of the pruning shears, in June, 1869, followed up this invention by a second, improving the first, and the second by a third, patented September 20, 1870, the first and last being jjuichased by Chester Hiinter, of Clyde. In May, 1885, he patented the "Eclipse" shears, one of the most perfect in the world. The small shears or scissors is certainly one of the finest scissors known - the patent is applied for. Mayor Holcomb is associated with the inventor in the ownership of these patents.

Small Settlements

The postal village of St. Stephen is an old settlement, but a now postal town. Here is the chiuch of St. Stephen, and in the neighborhood a large number of intelligent and industrious farmers. St. Stephen's Catholic Chiu'ch, southeast of Bloomville, was founded in 1842. Among the early members were Martin Steinmetz, Philip Falter, Matthew Delaney, Joseph Danker, John Worm, Fred and John Steigmeier, Jacob Maier, Nicholas Lehman, Stephen Dick, Joseph Juend, Henry Sieger and Nick Duercher. Rev. Salesius Bninner was the first priest. He was succeeded by Revs. Matthias Kreiisch, Jacob Ringely, A. Dambach, M. Baker and Nicholas Gales. February 1, 1874. Rev. Philip Rist, the present pastor, took charge of St. Stejihen's parish. Theconoregation numbers over 200 souls. The old chiu'ch has given place to the new church, erected at a cost of $7,000, the corner-stone of which was placed October 1, 1885.

Elizabothtown was surveyed August 2SI, 1S3S, by James Duxbin for James Fisher, on the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of Section (i, Town 1 north. Range 10 oast, and named after Eliza))oth Boyer, wife of Dr. Fisher. The location was on what is known as the "Beachman farm" or "Blackman's Corners." but eveiy vestige of it has disapi)eared before the industry of the agriculturist. The population of Elizabethtown in liS40 was ninety-six, and the business and manufacturing interests were represented by one saloon, one wagon shop, one blacksmith shop and the mere sign of general store, which did not materialize.

The only lin(> of railway which passes thi'ough Bloom Township is the North-western Ohio. This road strikes the township at the extreme northeast corner of Section 25, and, taking a northwesterly direction, in which it passes through Bloomville Village, it leaves the township at the northwest quarter of Section 5.

Statistics

The statistics of assessment and taxation of Bloom Township for 1884 place the value of 20,009 acres of land at §786,740, and of 292 acres in Bloomville at §128,460. Chattel property in the township is valued at §256,770 and in the village at §89, 420. Real and personal property in the township and village show a total value of §1,261,390; which, divided among the 2,161 persons in the township in 1880, would give the worth of each one at §583.06. The real worth of the township may be placed at $3,000,000. The total tax for 1884-85 is §16,706.63, together with §118 dog tax.

The predial statistics of the township for 1884 are as foUows: acres of wheat, 3,302: of rye, 5; of buckwheat. 4. yielding 22 bushels; of oats, 1,738, yielding 62,5SS bushels; of barley, 2, yielding 20 bushels; of corn, 2,491, producing 48,346 bushels; of meadow, 1,288, yielding 1,618 tons of hay; of clover, 1,3^6, producing 1,620 tons of hay, 1,338 bushels of seed and 25 acres plowed under for maiuue; potatoes, 108 acres, yielding 10,847 bushels; butter made for family use, 77,050 pounds; sorghum syrup, 78 gallons; maple sugar, 1,040 pounds and 1,283 gallons of syi-up; 4 hives produced 50 pounds of honey; eggs, 30,625 dozens; grapes for 1883, 5,950 pounds; sweet potatoes, 125 bushels; 427 acres of apple trees produced 8, 125 bushels in 1883; 190 bushels of pears, 2 of chenies and 3 of plums; acres of land cultivated, 14,184; of pastm-e, 1,109; of woodland, 3,940; of waste land, 136; total acreage. 19,31)9; wool, 32,218 pounds; milch cows, 492; dogs, 117; sheep killed and iujiued by dogs, 42; animals died of disease - 70 hogs, 32 sheep, 9 cattle and 5 horses.

The schools of Bloom Township, in August, 1884, present the following statistics: local tax, $2,124.80; total receipts, §4,476; expenditures, $2,590; number of houses, 9; value of property. 1,200; niuuber of teachers, 23; average salaiy, §38 and §21; number of pupils, 405 - 225 males and 180 females. The statistics of population are given fully in Chapter XIII of the general history.