Huron Township

Huron Township

The Township of Huron is irregular in form on account of its bordering on Lake Erie. The greatest length is from east to west, and the greatest width is at the western side where it extends from Milan Township on the south across part of Sandusky Bay and the base of Cedar Point to Lake Erie, whose turbulent and shallow waters wash its whole northern side, and at various points on the shores have dug away many acres of once valuable farming land. The Huron River, which enters the township from Milan and flows diagonally across the eastern portion, emptying into the lake at the eastern side of the Town of Huron, is a deep stream, with rather abrupt, though not high banks.

The bed of the river is of solid clay, and an old resident used to tell of having frequently seen steamers in turning around purposely run their bows against the side of the river bed in hopes of getting aground sufficiently to turn the boat by reversing the paddle wheels, but the abruptness and slippery nature of the river bed would invariably slide the boat back into the channel.

The river is navigable for quite large vessels for several miles, and for small boats for a much greater distance. Its mouth forms one of the best harbors on the south shore of Lake Erie, which made Huron an important point and caused it to be, probably, the first town settled in the Firelands. Early travelers coming up the lake in small boats found the Huron River an easy means of penetrating into the back country, and in the earlier times, explorers may have portaged across to the tributaries of the Ohio and found their way to the Mississippi.

This township is not favored with the rich river bottom lands to as great an extent as Milan, although in some places there are considerable areas of these lands. A great portion of the valley near the village is occupied by low marshes, into which the water is blown daily with the regularity almost of tides, by the lake breeze. There are about 1,500 acres of marsh land within the boundaries of the township, all of which is irreclaimable, from the fact that the land is all lower than the surface of the lake and consequently affected by the rise and fall of its waters.

The land east of Huron river, at the time of the first settlement, was covered with a dense forest, about half being second growth and the rest heavy timber. Much of it was white oak, used for ship timber.

of the prairies were discharged more slowly, previously to the extensive ditching which now drains off the water very rapidly, sawmills have been known to run the greater part of the year. But since the prairie has been thoroughly drained most of the water falling upon the land within twenty miles of the lake is discharged in the course of a week. The southwestern part of the township is mostly prairie. The northwestern part, except the marshes bordering on Sandusky Bay, is timber land.

Among the traces of the mound builders in this vicinity an old mound west of the river, on the Wright farm, some three miles above Huron, now much reduced by plowing and the explorer's shovel, is probably the most easily seen, and has the most definite outline. The base occupies nearly an acre, and the top has an area of several square rods. There is also an old earthwork at the mouth of Sawmill Creek, 214 miles west of Huron, on land formerly owned by Doctor Haskins. This relic is in the form of a fort, and encloses about half an acre. Many stone implements have been unearthed in this vicinity from time to time.

The following tables show the names of the original proprietors and those who came into possession of their claims, and to whom the lands of the township were awarded by lot.

Am't Loss Am't Classed Original Grantees Ni iste ase Classified by ee dhs GL Heirs of Richard William Joseph Packwood ...... Hl ay et Parkin, late of New 817 5 4 Bathsheba Smith ...... 465 14 10 London, Connecticut, 407 10 6 Richard Potter ........ Sheri | Se (deceased)... 5.1m PLO SUS Footing of (Classification .NO.03.jeeer eects ine ya atetlorten isle 1,344 7

Classification No. 4, Section 4 4 Am't Loss Am't Classed Original Grantees G38.) tds Classified by Ey le Heirs of William Stewart, New London, Con-

The time of the first settlement within the present limits of this township is uncertain, but it is generally believed that a French trading post established at the mouth of the river about 1749 was the first white settlement in this part of the state. This settlement was abandoned previous to the Revolutionary war.

The early settlement of Huron Township was quite intimately connected with that in the northeastern part of Milan, and the Moravian mission founded there might perhaps as justly have been credited to Huron, since both townships were organized under one local government until 1820. B. F. Flemond is said to have visited the country along the lower Huron as early as 1790; but however that may be, he settled _ here in 1805, on land known as lot 15, and lying on the east bank of the river just above the present Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad bridge.

highly educated, at least in the arts and sciences, but had considerable knowledge of the French and English languages, and spoke several Indian dialects quite fluently. Endowed with an excellent memory, a genial disposition, and indomitable courage, he was of great service to General Harrison in the War of 1812 as a guide and scout. He was also interpreter and assistant executioner in the case of the two Indians hanged at Norwalk for the murder of John Woods and George Bishop.

Mr. Flemond was married in 1811 to a daughter of W. Pollock, who resided near the south line of the township. This was probably the first Christian marriage solemnized in this vicinity. His first enterprise in this section was the establishment of a trading post for the purpose of bartering eastern goods with the Indians for furs and other articles of value. Mr. Flemond died, it is thought, about the year 1827, and his wife survived him for about twelve years. He also left three

Jared Ward and family came into the township in the spring of 1808, living on a part of the Flemond farm until the next year. He then moved to a place in what is now Milan Township. Mrs. Betsy Collins, wife of Isaac Collins, was a daughter of Jared Ward. She was born in Painesville, Ohio, in 1804, and was married to Mr. Collins in Milan. They moved to Huron in 1858, where she resided until her death, September 1, 1877. Isaac Collins was in Huron in 1812, but made only a short stay, going the same year to Columbus, Ohio; came back to Milan in 1818.

Almon Ruggles and Jabez Wright came to Huron in 1808. Mr. Wright was for many years agent of William Winthrop, who owned at one time nearly the whole township. Winthrop H. Wright, son of Jabez, married Tamar, daughter of Almon Ruggles.

Cyrus Downing came to Huron in 1809, settling on land west of the present town, near Sawmill Creek, where he resided about three years, removing to Cleveland, and dying there about the beginning of the War of 1812.

Jeremiah Daniels came here in 1809 also, and married a daughter of Mr. Downing in 1813, settlng on a farm near the old Downing home, afterward owned by W. J. Hinde.

Mr. Daniels carried the mail between Huron and Cleveland for several years. Barring accidents, the round trip was made in a week, and was considerable of a journey, when the condition of the roads and the dangers of the forest are taken into account. Savages at that time were making some trouble on the Western Reserve, and though Mr. Daniels never met with any serious injury, it is said that he passed through several exciting experiences.

Maj. H. Russell came to Huron in 1809, and in 1810 built a log house on land afterward owned by Jeremiah Van Benschoter. The building was used as a hotel and store, and was probably the first public house in Huron. It was opened for the reception of travelers in 1810. In the same year Russell, with J. S. Sprague as iron worker, began the construction of a 40-ton sailing vessel, which he finished in 1811. This boat was fastened mostly with wooden pins instead of bolts. Two years later a second and larger vessel was completed and named The Fair America. British agents soon after purchased her, and she is said to have been delivered to them at Buffalo.

Mr. Russell cleared a field on the W. G. Sage farm about this time, but it was afterward abandoned and allowed to grow up again to timber. The soil, ike much land east of the river in this township, was sandy, and was considered by the pioneers to be nearly worthless. It is now known to be among the best farm lands on the Western Reserve.

Jonathan S. Sprague came to Huron with his family in 1810, from Canada. He married Mahala Daly. He was a man of more than ordinary talents. Though not having the benefit of even a common school education he was held in such high esteem by his neighbors that he was frequently elected to offices of trust. He was justice of the peace for eighteen years in succession, when he declined re-election, feeling that he had done his share of public service. He died in 1861. His wife followed him in 1872, dying at the residence of her son-in-law, J. Dunham.

Asa Smith visited the country in and around Huron in 1809, and moved into the township with his family in June, 1810, coming from Romulus, Seneca County, New York. In 1811 he was elected justice of the peace, at the first election held in the township after its organization. He was the father of six children. He died in Huron in 1815.

In 1811-12 William B. Smith and his mother started a hotel at the mouth of the Huron River, and continued it during the war. Mr. Smith remembered hearing the guns of the Battle of Lake Erie, September 10, 1813. With his father he started for Put-in-Bay the next day, arriving there the following day, and saw Perry's fleet and their prizes at their moorings. He was married in 1819, moved to Sandusky in 1820, and was elected county treasurer in 1840. He was esteemed as one of Ohio's best citizens by all who knew him.

In 1816 Reed & Sanford opened a trading post at the mouth of Huron River, near the old Smith Hotel. J. B. Flemond and F. Graham had direct charge of the business, which was very successful. Mr. Flemond's command of the Indian dialects, and his genial disposition and knowledge of the tastes and habits of the Indian made him very valuable in such a position.

N. M. Standart and Cyrus Butler opened a general store at the mouth of the Huron River in 1819. They dissolved partnership a year later, Standart going to Milan and Butler to Norwalk.

In 1824 Daniel Hamilton and N. W. Standart opened a general supply store and commission business at Huron, Charles Standart and P. Adams serving as salesmen. Mr. Adams boarded men working on the harbor improvements about this time, and later, removed to the old Adams homestead on the Sand Road. When Mr. Adams left the store the stock was purchased by Charles Standart and G. H. Gibbs, who conducted the business until the winter of 1826-27. Mr. Standart then took the business alone and conducted it a year or two, when he built a warehouse and dock, and embarked in the general storage and commission business. '

Tower Jackson came to Huron in 1819 from Milan. He was married at Monroeville in 1822 to Sarah Clock, a lady widely known and highly respected, and an aunt of D. H. Clock, editor and proprietor of the Erie County Reporter, of Huron. He engaged with H. W. Jenkins in the dry goods and grocery trade on his settlement at Huron, remaining with him for several years. In 1830 he went into partnership with R. E. Cole in the general merchandise and vessel building business. They built the Steamer Delaware in 1832. Mr. Jackson removed to Racine, Wisconsin, in 1846, and 1848 to Cleveland, Ohio, where Mrs. Jackson died in 1854. He returned to Huron a year or two later, and was married to Miss Button. He built the Huron House in 1832 and the American House in 1840.

H. W. Jenkins built the Ohio Hotel in 1832, or thereabouts, which was burned down on the Fourth of July, 1854. He went to Cincinnati in 1840, and afterwards removed to the Isthmus of Panama, and engaged in the carrying business across the isthmus. He died there in 1850.

In 1827, Squire Merry, of Milan, as agent of the United States Government, took charge of the harbor improvements at the mouth of the river. He was assisted by a number of efficient mechanics, among whom T. Clark is considered worthy of mention. He was in charge of the extensive carpenter work, which was very important from the fact that the

The harbor improvements immediately attracted capital from Buffalo, Detroit and other lake cities, and a great impetus was given to ship building. Milan not yet having secured the canal, Huron was much the more prominent place of the two.

In 1828 the steamer Sheldon Thompson, of 242 tons burden, was built here by Capt. F. Church. In 1832, the United States, of 336 tons, and the Delaware, of 170 tons. The Columbus, of 391 tons, was completed in 1835. Captain Walker, in 1836, built the De Witt Clinton, of 493 tons, and the Little Erie, 149 tons. In 1837 the Cleveland, and in 1838 the Great Western, of 780 tons, probably the first upper cabin steamer on the lakes, and the General Scott, of 240 tons, were finished.

Huron was a general stopping place for the boats that carried all the passengers and freight that was moved from east to west until the completion of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad. J. B. Wilbor, who came here on the steamer Walk-in-the-Water, in 1820, from Tonawanda, New York, used to tell how some eight yoke of cattle were hitched to the old steamer to assist in bringing her up the current of the Niagara River from that port, her engines, like those of other steamers of an early day, being too weak to propel her against any considerable resistance.

In 1832 Mr. Wilbor, with N. M. and Charles Standart, engaged in commission business and general mercantile operations under the firm name of Wilbor & Co., continuing until 1837, when the firm dissolved, and Mr. Wilbor went into trade with J. Fleeharty. The latter firm continued until 1844, when Mr. Wilbor moved to Milan, where he remained a few years, but returned to Huron, from whence he was elected county treasurer in 1850, and removed his family to Sandusky in 1854. Returning to Huron in 1857 he went into partnership with J. W. Sprague, building several large vessels here, and doing a general commission mercantile and forwarding business until 1861.

A. Shirley came to Marblehead Peninsula in 1810, with his wife's family, the Ramsdells. He resided on the peninsula when the Indians killed the three pioneers whose death is commemorated by a little granite slab near the Killey farm. It is said that he took an active part in driving the savages away. He removed to Huron in 1828 and kept the old red tavern for several years, when he purchased the land known as South Huron and laid it out in town lots. The surveying was done by S. Van Rensselaer and B. Carman.

Mr. Shirley built the Shirley House, at the corner of Main and Berlin streets, in 1833. He died a year or two later of Asiatic cholera. He was an active and respected citizen, taking an important part in all matters of general interest. His wife was noted for her benevolence, intelligence

D. Curtis settled on the lake ae very soon after Flemond came here. His son, Harvey Curtis, who was born on the old homestead in 1807, was probably the first white child born in the township. Mr. Curtis remembered hearing the guns at Perry's battle on Lake Erie. Minor Curtis, senior member of the firm of M. Curtis & Son, dealers in threshers and engines at Milan, is a relative of Harvey Curtis.

Huron's first religious organization was the Presbyterian Church, which began in 1835, though occasional services were conducted by Revs. E. Judson, A. Newton and others from 1829 to this year. Mr. Newton was ealled to Norwalk in 1835, where he remained for thirty-five years.

Regular meetings were held in the schoolhouse until 1840, when A. Sprague, J. Wright, J. Sly and J. Tracy built the house afterwards occupied by Mr. Alvord, and leased it to the church at a nominal rental for a number of years.

Arrangements were begun in 1850 for the erection of a church building, which was completed and occupied in January, 1854. Rev. E. Cole made the dedicatory prayer, and Rev. C. H. Taylor preached the sermon. The latter was installed as pastor the same day. The parsonage was not built until 1884. |

The Episcopal society was started in 1837, by Rev. F. M. Levenworth. He was succeeded in 1839 by Rev. Samuel Marks, a man of '"'sterling qualities, fine education and affable disposition,'' who was ordained by Bishop Mcllvaine, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This gentleman was held in unusually high esteem by his neighbors and parishioners. His name has been commemorated by both the Masonic and Odd Fellows societies, of each of which he was a member.

Mr. John Graham, who was of Scotch-Irish descent, erected a church for the Methodists of the western part of the township, in '' West Huron."' Gustavus Graham and John Graham, Jr., are descendants of the founder of this church.

Prominent among the early papers of the Reserve was the Commercial Advertiser, published in Huron. It began in January, 1837; was burned out in 1838, resumed in 1839, and discontinued in 1842. It was a four-page paper, six columns to the page, and largely made up of clippings. The markets were reported, and some effort was made to keep up with local port entries and clearances, but the present style of general local news was'almost entirely wanting. One number contains an account of the appearance of a wolf on the ice in the harbor, and the efforts of hunters to capture the brute. Among the literary clippings is an account of General Santa Anna's visit to Louisville, Kentucky, and the statement by a Cincinnati whig correspondent that an irate citizen of Cincinnati wert gunning after the distinguished Mexican, but failed to get him because of a change of route, occasioned by an ice gorge in the river. Under ''Late and interesting news from Texas,'' this journal tells eight days after the occurrence, of the interment of General Austin; it also mentions indications of a rumpus between Mexico and the United States over affairs connected with the Republic of Texas. The issue of February 21, 1837, contains an account of a public meeting for the purpose of preventing blacks and mulattoes from coming to Sandusky, in violation of a statute law. Dr. G. R. Morton 1s reported as chairman and Albert S. Cowles as secretary ; committee on resolutions, Messrs. Wheeler, Brown, Cowles, Lester and Hull. A local correspondent ealls attention to the fact that Huron, while behind only one town, Cleveland, on the lake shore between Buffalo and Detroit, and while building two and three steamers costing from $30,000 to $70,000 each, has not a fit place in which to worship the God vouchsafing her material blessings. The issue of March 21, 1837, contains Martin Van Buren's inaugural address. April 11th of the same year announces the opening of the Welland Canal upon the 15th of that month. April 25th contains a proclamation concerning public lands by Samuel Houston, president of the Republic of Texas. May 30th announces that there are all told fortytwo steamboats plying on the lakes, and expresses great satisfaction at the increase during the preceding twelve years, from one to the number stated. The issue of Tuesday, July 18, 1837, says, ''Daniel Webster arrived in Huron on Friday, on the steamboat Thomas Jefferson. A goodly number of our citizens went on board, but the lateness of the hour deprived many of the opportunity who wished-to see him. He is, as we learn, hastening on his way homeward.'' Many clippings in this paper from contemporaries would be of interest to readers of United States history, as they cover the Seminole war, Texan struggle with Mexico, and the Patriot war in Canada. The publishers were H. C. Gray & Co.

The facilities for travel may be compared with those of today by noting that the steamboats proposed to make the round trip from Buffalo to Detroit with passengers in six days, during the summer of 1837. All their advertisements are the same in regard to this, and, of course, the distance could not have been made in so short a time by any other means of transportation.

The Huron Reporter was started in the spring of 1879, T. M. Clock having it in charge. It was then a four-page paper, but in the following December, Mr. Clock's father, D. H. Clock, took it in charge and enlarged it to an eight-page paper, securing local editors in the towns of Vermillion and Berlin as well as at Huron, and devoting a page each to matters of special interest to the respective villages.

Lake Erie Lodge I. O. O. F. was established in 1887. Morse Post G. A. R. was also established in 1887. The Knights of Labor also had an organization started the same year.

The first physician in Huron was Dr. A. Gutherie, who practiced here from 1813 to 1817, when he removed to Canada. A Doctor McCrea, an elderly gentleman, did some medical work in the western part of the township until he moved away; it is believed to New Jersey.

Dr. Charles Legget came here in 1830, and remained until his death, in 1832, when he and his wife were accidentally drowned in the Huron River, near Wint Wright's farm, by the upsetting of a rowboat.

It is said that in the early days a number of physicians were attracted to Huron by the marshes, which were supposed to be unhealthy; but as the marshes are on a level with the lake the water is pure, and they failed to supply the expected business, so these gentlemen moved away again.

That part of the mail line of the Lake Shore & Michigan Southern Railroad known as the northern division which runs from Elyria via Sandusky to a junction with the southern division at Milbury, near Toledo, runs through the town east and west. The Lake Shore Electric also passes through Huron, giving direct trolley connection with Cleveland and the East and through Sandusky with Toledo, Lima and the West. Besides these a branch of the Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad, leaving the main line at Norwalk, terminates here.

made the prospects of the village very bright, except for the cholera epidemic in 1834, when the growth and business of the place were seriously checked. All industry was given up for the care of the sick. In that year there was a heavy tide of immigration from Europe, and many of the immigrants arrived sick or dying. Of the five physicians in Huron, one died of the disease, when three others gave up and left, leaving Doctor Haskin to labor alone.

When the plague was checked by the early winter frosts business and immigration both increased until within the next decade a population of more than 2,000 had settled here; but from the completion of the canal business men began moving up to the new head of navigation, and a great shrinkage in real estate values followed. Property that had been worth thousands of dollars was sold for taxes, and destructive fires (said in some cases to have been set for the insurance) were quite common. -The records of the village were burned, which is quite an incon- venience to the historian. Some quite wealthy business men were so deeply involved in this business depression that they never entirely recovered.

On the 15th day of June next, will be offered for sale at public auction upon the premises, situated at the mouth of -Huron River, the one-half of a town plat containing 120 acres of land, surveyed and divided into small lots for the accommodation of purchasers. Said sale will be kept open two days if necessary, and the proceeds thereof appropriated towards making a harbor at the above mentioned place. Terms of payment: One-fourth part in 30 days from the time of sale, and onefourth part every 90 days thereafter until paid. Approved securing will be exacted. Ten per cent deductions will be made for prompt payment at the time of sale. Dated Milan, March 21, 1824.

The chartered banks in the cities of Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Richmond, and the District of Columbia, (except the merchants and the Franklin Bank of Alexandria, and the city bank of Baltimore), and the Bank of Geneva in the state of New York, are also taken; but no notes on any of the above mentioned banks, of a denomination less than five dollars are intended to be taken.

The notes on the following bank in Ohio are at present also receivable in said office, viz: Bank of Chillicothe, Dayton Manufacturing Company, Franklin Bank of Columbus, Lancaster, Ohio, Bank, Bank of Marietta, Bellmont Bank of St. Clairsville, Bank of Mount Pleasant, Farmers and Mechanics Bank of Steubenville, Bank of Steubenville, and Connecticut Western Reserve Bank.

Pioneer Pleasures

About the year 1814, the pioneers of Huron concluded they would have a sail and cherry festival. Cherries grew on the peninsula. They were to go on Abbot's boat and started before daylight; among them were Major Underhill, Judge Everett, Lyman Farwell and others. Lucy Abbot, then a girl of nine years, accompanied her father. As they passed down the Huron River, they took on board Judges Wright and Ruggles with their wives; Messrs. C. Curtis and Daniels with their Wives; some young people named Downing Smith and several others, and started for ''Gov.'' Wolcott's on the peninsula. On their arrival in the afternoon, a heavy rain had driven the water out so they could not land near Wolcott's house. Get cherries they must, and dance they would, so each gallant gentleman took a lady upon his back and struck out into the water for the shore and didn't ''go home until morning."' After a supper of fish, shortcake and cherries, preparations were made for the dance. Tables, beds and chairs disappeared, music being furnished by the worthy host. Dancing was kept up until morning. As there was not room for all to dance at once or even for all.to be in the house at the same time, part staid outdoors while part danced. After breakfast, they all went to picking cherries. Having obtained all they wanted, they set sail for the Huron River and arrived there about sunset.

Union Ball Exhibition Ball

Mrs. Newton, of this city, to whom we are indebted for these old time invitations, attended the one on March 10, 1828. It will be observed that the young folks began their parties at a somewhat earlier hour than they do nowadays. Whether they didn't "'go home till morning'' we are unable to say.

The Clarion of April 27, 1850, notes the dedication of a new Methodist Church on the farm of John Graham, to be dedicated by E. R. Jewett on May 5, 1850.

In February, 1851, Huron Township voted by 199 majority $20,000 of bonds to aid the Huron & Oxford Railroad, which ran in the direction of Bloomingville and has been abandoned for more than half a century.

In 1893 the town received a heavy blow by the failure of J. W. Wickham & Co., which was a prominent fish firm, whose failure gave the town a setback from which it did not recover for many years.

On April 17, 1903, two large fish houses of the village belonging to Hermes & Scott and W. G. Heyman were destroyed by fire, which inflicted a further injury on the town.

The mayor of Huron Village is A. E. Spear. The clerk, F. R. Toomey ; treasurer, P. A. Sperry; marshall, Ben Ackerman. The members of the council, C. Egbert, F. Wilkes, P. Hermes, J. Post, L. Gackstetter, C. W. Sales; the board of education, Doctor Houghtaling, Doctor Pollock, 8. A. Cunningham, John Fisher, John Holliday ; board of public affairs, H. Hull, F. McCormick, A. J. Gustavus; health officer, Robert Day; street commissioner, Geo. Hinderer; waterworks superintendent, J. C. Britton.

The town has two banks, The First National Bank, and a branch of the Berlin Heights Banking Company. It has seven churches. It is the center of a large fishing industry and the estate of Valentine Fries conducts a large lumber yard in the village.