Pulaski Township

Pulaski Township

PREVIOUS to March 3, 1834, the territory of Pulaski township was attached to Tiffin township for the convenience of the people in the adjustment of legal affairs. On the date above written, the board of county commissioners had the following placed in their record of proceedings : "Upon application, the Board orders that a new township be erected, composed of original surveyed townships, six, seven and eight, north of range three east, to be denominated 'Beaver Township;' and the Board further order that the inhabitants assemble at the house of John Perkins, in said township, on the seventh day of April next, and proceed to elect, according to law, the necessary officers for the purpose of organizing said township, and that the auditor advertise accordingly."

It is thought by some that Pulaski is the oldest township in Williams county, but this idea is erroneous, as St. Joseph township was organized nearly two years prior to the date mentioned above. However, it has the distinction of being the second one organized, and, although its name was changed, the functions of local government continued uninterruptedly from the time of its organization.. Beaver township originally included in its domain what are now Jefferson township in Williams county, and Washington township, in Defiance county; but on August 7, 1837, some territory was taken from town 7 (Jefferson) and added to town 6 (Pulaski) and the name of the latter was changed. The commissioners' record of that day reads as follows: "It is ordered by the Board that the south half of range

3 east, be taken from said town and be added to town 6 in said range ; and upon petition the name of said town is changed from Beaver to Pulaski, and the said township of Pulaski is hereby organized ; and the auditor is ordered to give notice for an election at the house of Alonzo Rawson, on the 26th inst., for the purpose of electing the necessary officers for the government of said township." This election was necessary to fill vacancies caused bv the organization of Jefferson, some of the officials of old Beaver being residents of the territory included in the newly erected township.

December 4, 1837, the last change in boundary, which reduced Pulaski to its present size, was made under the provisions of the following: "The Board took into consideration the petition of sundry citizens of town 7, in the county of Williams, praying that the boundary lines of said township might be so altered as to include the same territory included in the original survey of said township, and the board order that the prayer of said petitioners be granted." This action of the Board necessitated another election, and the next day the following entry was made on the record : "In addition to the order of the Board of yesterday, the Board further orders that the auditor give notice to the electors of Pulaski township to meet on the 16th day of December, 1837, at Thomas ShorthilFs, in said township, for the purpose of electing such township officers, whose places have become vacant in consequence of the alteration in said Pulaski township, at the present session of the Board." The adjoining townships to Pulaski are Springfield on the east, Jefferson on the north, Center on the west and Washington township, in Defiance county, on the south.

The topographical features of the township are not very striking, if to be so comprehends a great variety of natural scenery. The broad and fertile fields, rich and productive, are the principal sources of agricultural wealth. The first settlers of the township were of the class of the heroic pioneers who accompanied the Perkins party and were later identified with the settlement of Bryan. Some remained in the village for a time and subsequently sought homes on the rich lands adjacent, and others came a few years later, so that the lands of Pulaski township were very generally occupied by actual settlers at an early date in the history of the present limits of the county.

In October, 1833, Judge John Perkins removed from Brunersburg with his sons, Isaac and Garrett, and son-in-law, John Plummer, and, these, accompanied by John Moss, George Lantz, Henry Jones and a Mr. Hood, established themselves on Beaver Creek and named their colony Lafayette. Judge Perkins built a grist and saw-mill on the creek, which, it is believed, was the first mill for grinding grain erected within what now are the limits of Williams county. Alonzo Rawson came some time afterward. He belonged to one of the most eminent pioneer families of Northern Ohio, his three brothers being the late Abel Rawson, a distinguished lawyer who settled in Tiffin, in 1826, and Dr. L. Q. Rawson, who settled in Lower Sandusky (now Fremont), in 1827, and Dr. Bass Rawson of Findlay, one of the early pioneers of Hancock county. 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. At this time there was no white settlement in the township, except at what is- now Pulaski, and its inhabitants, like those at Williams Center, then anticipated that when the seat of justice would finally leave Defiance for a point near the geographical center, it would settle permanently in their midst. No dreamer then expected the erection of Defiance and Fulton counties and the destruction of the original county lines.

The poll book for an election for justice of the peace, held in Pulaski township, April 6, 1840, gives the following names of voters, and they probably fairly represent early established families in the township: Daniel Davidson, David Pickett, Reuben H. Gilson, Robert Thompson, Isaac Swager, Daniel Wyatt, Sr., William Kilpatrick, Isaac Perkins, James McKinley, Philetus S. Gleason, Jabez Jones, Ezra

Among the pioneers of Pulaski township was Philetus S. Gleason, who was born June 24, 1814, in Tompkins county, New York. He was reared to manhood in his native county and at an early age was apprenticed to learn the cabinet-makers' trade. In October, 1835, migrated to Williams county and located in Springfield township. At that time, Williams county was in a state of nature, but Mr. Gleason took up a piece of land, which he began clearing, at the same time working at his trade when opportunity afforded. From Springfield he removed to Pulaski township, some time prior to 1840.

Benjamin Kent came to Columbiana county, Ohio, from Virginia, in 1824. He was a plasterer and worked at his trade there until 1840, when he came to Pulaski township and died there, December 27, i860. He was the father of Dr. Thomas Kent, who is given a biographical notice in the chapter on the "Bench and Bar."

Pulaski township does not differ materially from the other townships of the county in regard to early industries. The pioneer mills, distilleries, churches and schools had their existence, and with the exception of the latter, have mostly passed away with the increasing prominence of Bryan as a marketing and trading point, coupled with the superior advantages of the village in a religious and educational way. The principal grain crop is wheat and corn, for the production of which the soil is admirably adapted. Corn is the staple product and this is largely fed to cattle and hogs, these being the source of a large income. Horses and sheep are also raised with profit on the rich grazing fields afforded on the fountain-watered farms, and which are not used at the time for the cultivation of crops.

There are nine school districts in Pulaski township, exclusive of the Bryan public schools. With a carefully graded course of study, these give the persisting students the advantages of a good common school education and fit them for the ordinary business of life.

With an honorable record of sixty-five years of existence, Bryan well sustains her long established reputation for solidity and the merited compliment of being a good town. The men who established the little hamlet in the wilderness, in 1840, founded that reputation, and their descendants and successors have well maintained it.

The religious and educational affairs of the village also received early attention, and liberal support. Merchants were aggressive and publicspirited, their stocks oftimes rivaling in value those exhibited bv present day dealers. The early banking institutions were flourishing and impregnable and general prosperity crowned the efforts of the people. But if the reader will but reflect he will observe that all the business of the earlier days, as well as at present, was closely related to agricultural supremacy. Williams county was then, as now, the center of one of the richest agricultural districts in the United States, a distinction which the locality has retained with creditable success. All business was directed toward handling the products of the farms and in supplying the farmers' needs.

The early settlers and business men of Pulaski township were generally people with agricultural tendencies and traditions. They were sons of farmers, and parental traditions and customs are strong within the human breast. These men purchased land, cultivated and improved it, erected houses and lived out their allotted days in the peace and harmony of the quiet community their industry had established.

Bryan has a population of three thousand one hundred and thirtyone, according to the census of 1900. It contains a number of handsome and expensive residences and public buildings, while the average homes evince the air of thrift and prosperity in their surroundings, in keeping with the industry and frugality of the occupants. The village contains fewer poor and squalid residences, indicative of poverty and misery, than most villages of its size.

The sanitary conditions are excellent and the drainage system as good as can be had. The board of health and sanitary officers are vigilant in the discharge of their official duties, and the streets and alleys are kept in the most perfect sanitary condition. A well organized and trained volunteer fire department is equipped with the latest and best apparatus for the purpose designed. The efficiency of the department has been demonstrated on many occasions. A police force, the guardians of the public peace and property, although few in number, are noted for their efficiency in the line of official duties, and the village marshal, August Heidley, has received high commendation for successful detective work. He and his deputies are courteous and obliging men. to whose vigilance and alertness is due the small percentage of burglaries and unlawful acts, of which the village boasts.

Garlow ; chief of the fire department, Frederick Yunck: clerk, John W. Hoke ; treasurer, John A. Kiel : marshal, August Heidley. The council is organized as follows : Edward Leake, president, Frank E.

Adams, William R. Ames, Philip Christman, Edward Farber and Frederick E. Mader. The board of health is organized with Nicholas Vineyard as health officer.

The nucleus of the present city library originated in 1882, when the cultured ladies of Brvan took hold of the matter in earnest and organized the Bryan Library Association. The books were kept at various places in the town until about 1892, when a room in the basement of the court house was secured, and that was the home of the library until December. 1904. The first librarian after the association was organized was Miss Olive Wilber, who was assisted by Miss E. M. Willett. Later, Miss Alice Walt was given charge and she has continued to serve as librarian for many years. In 1903. negotiations were opened with Andrew Carnegie, looking to a donation by him to Bryan for library purposes. The effort was successful, the steel magnate agreeing to give ten thousand dollars upon condition that the citizens of Bryan would furnish an annuity of one thousand to support the enterprise. The Board of Education of the Bryan School District invoked the power which is given them by statute and levied a tax of one mill upon the property valuation of the district, and thus guaranteed the satisfaction of Mr. Carnegie's proposal. The cornerstone of the Carnegie library building, on High street - just off the public scpiare - was laid on Oct. 23, 1903, and the same was completed and made ready for occupancy by December 20, 1904. The library is open on certain days of the week and is a popular resort, much appreciated by the studious citizens of all ages, who often fill the convenient sittings provided in the reading room. Bryan may well be proud of her public library, where three thousand, five hundred choice volumes await the call of its patrons.

Bryan is represented in journalism by two weekly newspapers, but as these have been given appropriate mention in another chapter, a repetition is not necessary. Nothing like an extended notice of the various religious organizations which have existed in the village of Bryan can be attempted in this volume. The little leaven planted in the wilderness so many years ago has grown to mammoth proportions, and no town of like size in the state of Ohio possesses greater evidence of spiritual growth, or more devout and conscientious leaders in the great cause of Christian life. Several churches have been organized from time to time, in which the zeal of their promoters exceeded the demand for their services, hence they had but an ephemeral existence. But of the persisting organizations which have grown to prominence and influence, there are several, and their present day status is the best evidence of their high standing and iiberal support.

The first church of the Presbyterian faith was organized by the early pioneers and services were conducted in the cabins, or at any accessible point, until a church building was erected. The first churches were attended by the worshipping pioneers, regardless of their individual preferences as to creed ; and it was not until 1854 that the Presbyterian church began to maintain a separate organization, in Bryan. The first minister and organizing pastor was Rev. J. M. Crabb ; the organization was effected in compliance with the wishes of a few devoted settlers of the early day, and on the 9th of September, 1856, the church society legally incorporated as the "Presbyterian Church and Society Old School," a designation which it retained until 1872, when it became the First Presbyterian Church and Society of Bryan. As the congregation grew in numbers and interest, services were held regularlv and a commodious meeting place was provided for by the erection of a frame structure on North Lynn Street. A number of eloquent and zealous pastors occupied the pulpit of this church during its years of use, and it served until 1903, when the building of the present handsome church was completed. Rev. Thomas H. Kohr is the present pastor.

The history of early Methodism in Bryan dates from the first years of the town's existence and is centered around the old log court house and the first schoolhouse in the village. In the fall of 1840 meetings of this sect were held at the hotel of Thomas Shorthill. Soon afterward the congregation moved its place of preaching to the old log court house and continued to hold meetings there until the schoolhouse was built, and then occupied it until the members could build a structure of their own. Among the first supporters of this church were Thomas Shorthill, James Shorthill and William Yates. In the year 1853, a church was built on the corner of Beech and Butler streets - where the present structure stands - and the trustees at that time were D. M. Crall, David Fairfield, A. R. Patterson, M. B. Plummer, Jacob Over, Levi Cunningham and William Yates. The present church was erected in 1895. and is an imposing structure. Many familiar names have been associated with this congregation and many distinguished divines have been connected with the organization. Rev. John I. Wean is the present pastor.

There are in Bryan devout and pious Catholics ; but their numbers are small, and a missionary priest, at stated periods, holds service. They have a church edifice, and few as are the numbers of these* worshippers, they command a high degree of respect from co-religionists on account of the firmness they manifest in holding fast to their faith.

The first Baptist church of Bryan was organized, October 8, 1841. The first regular pastor was Rev. G. B. Lewis. The congregation has a neat church building on the south side of West High street. Rev. Clarke L. Randall is the pastor in charge, and the present success of the organization is largely due to his untiring efforts.

The Church of Christ, in charge of Rev. Malo M. Amonson, is located on the south side of East High street, where regular services are conducted.

The United Brethren in Christ have an organization in Bryan, the church being located at the corner of Main and Wilson streets. Rev. C. E. Weidner is pastor in charge and conducts two services every other Sunday.

The German Evangelical Lutheran St. Paul's congregation commenced its existence December 21, 1861, having at that date no house of worship, though commencing with a membership of eighteen persons, and the pastor being Rev. Herman Schmidt, of the Ohio Synod ; and February 4, 1869, a movement was made to build a church edifice. Accordingly the house was erected on Beech street adjacent to the planing mills. Rev. Fr. Henkleman is the present pastor.

The English Lutheran church of Brvan was founded in Februaryi 1875. Rev. F. B. Heibert is the present pastor, and by his faithful efforts the church is prospering.

The First Universalist church of Bryan was organized July 10, 1870, with a membership of twentv-one. Rev. Rice preached for it during the first nine vears of its existence, and it is to his untiring industry and unwavering zeal that the church owes its foundation and early success. Services were held for several years in Long's Hall, north side of court square, but in 1875-76, a commodious church edifice was erected on the southeast comer of Main and Maple streets. Rev. G. H. Ashworth is the resident minister, and by his logical discourses and clear reasoning, together with a singleness of purpose which characterizes his work, he is making the church and himself deservedly nopular.

The Protestant Episcopal church is the youngest of the religious organizations in the village. Public services are held at Trinity Mission Chapel, alternate Sunday evenings.

The public burial place of Bryan is Fountain Grove cemetery, located one mile south of the public square, just beyond the corporation limits. Previous to the establishment of Fountain Grove cemetery, and beginning with 1841, there was a public burying-place near the present site of Gustave Christman's flour mills and Jacob Halm's brewery. But the development of the town in every direction deprived this place of the quiet and seclusion which one always associates with a burial place for the dead ; hence the selection of the present site, which has been enlarged and beautified as the years passed until it is now an ideal spot. It contains the mortal remains of several of Williams county's most distinguished citizens, whose final resting places are rendered conspicuous by the erection of worthy monuments. The private citizen and the soldier are equally honored by the reverence and sacrifice of surviving friends, to the end that this sacred spot is rendered1 beautiful in keeping with the sadly reverential purpose which made its existence a necessity.

The business interests of Bryan are varied and extensive. The mercantile houses compare favorably in extent, variety and quality of goods with any town of equal size in the state. The volume of business is very large when the close proximity of rival towns is considered. The mercantile houses are generally backed with resources commensurate to their demands, and the element of losses from bad accounts is reduced to the minimum by reason of the stable character of the buyers. Perhaps no town in the state, of equal size, has a smaller percentage of losses from bad debts. This is due, in part, to the fact that buyers are permanent residents, usually owning their own homes, though the element of honesty and business integrity among them is a dominant feature.

The early history of merchandising in Bryan is interesting, in that it covers the period of early settlement and development in every line of human endeavor, beyond the memory of the large majority of the inhabitants of today. Few can fully realize the fact, except through the continual "promptings" of history and the press, that for many years following the first settlement all goods displayed for sale were brought across the country from Defiance, to which place they had been shipped in canal boats. The telegraph and telephone were then unknown and the flat boat and keel boat had but recently supplemented a part of the labors of the horse. If merchants were obliged to procure their goods through that slow process in this day they would think the distance to New York an unsurmountable barrier to a successful mercantile career. One of the earliest merchants was William Yates, who brought the first stock of goods, drawn by ox team, across the country from Defiance. D. M. Crall and Jacob Boyer were among the first general merchants, and Charles Case began business in Bryan at about the same time.

A. M.; Northwest Chapter, No. 45, R. A. M. Independent Order of Odd Fellows: Fountain City Lodge, No. 314; Williams Encampment, No. 102. The Grand Army of the Republic has an organization - Evans Post, No. 149. Auxiliary to this is the Woman's Relief Corps. The Sons of Veterans have an organization known as Fountain City Camp No. 192. There are lodges of the Knights of Honor, Knights of Pythias (No. 221), Royal Arcanum, and the National Union. It would be interesting to have the history of these various organizations, particularly the more important ones, but lack of space forbids the attempt.