Sandusky Township

Sandusky Township

THE territoiT now included in Sandusky Township maintained its primitive condition until about 1817, before any permanent white settler made his appearance. The first white men to press the soil of the township, so far as is definitely and positively known, were the armed, belted and buckskinned knights under Col. William Crawford, in 1782, as the}' went silentl}', swiftly and with grim determination to battle, death and disaster on the Sandusky plains. They halted at Spring ^lills over night, and in the morning took a prett}' direct course west, crossing the township very near the site of Crestline, but probabl}' a little north of that place, striking the Sandusky River near Leesville. This was a good hunting ground for the AYyandots and Delawares ; a chief of the latter tribe, Wingenund, having his camp for man}- ^ears on the river near Leesville. Col. Crawford was captured near the latter place. This was a beautiful home for these red men ; the beautiful sparkling little streams, the plains stretching away for man}- miles, surrounded b}' deep, dark forests, full of game of every kind, and dotted over b}- little clumps of trees ; all made a paradise which the}' were loathe to relinquish, and only relinquished after years of hard fighting and much l)loodshed and suflering. The remorseless white man, however, was determined to possess this beautiful country, and. being superior in numerical and intellectual strength, succeeded.

When the first settlers entered Sandusky Township, it was one of the best huntinggrounds in the State. All kinds of wild game was so plenty that the hunter could supply his table with meat almost without stepping outside his cabin door ; had it not been for this, they would have suffered greatly for provisions the first two years, as but little could be planted the first year, on account of the difficulty of making an opening in the gi'eat woods, and, before the first crop of corn grew to maturity, says Mr. Snyder, one of the earliest settlers, " the squirrels came by hundreds and thousands and took it all."

It is a difficult matter to get the names and locations of the earliest settlers in the township, as nearly all have gone to their long homes or moved away ; but the following persons were among the earliest settlers, and, it is believed, were the earliest in the township. Some of these settled in what is now Crawford County, ])ut some are known to have settled within the present limits of Sandusky Township, as at present constituted. The first were Christian Snyder and Jacob Fisher, who came in 1817, and settled about two miles southwest of the present town of Crestline. Following these were John Doyle, 1818 ; Joseph Russell, 1818 ; Louis Lyberger, 1819 ; Daniel 3Iiller, 1818 ; Henry Hersner, 1819, and John Reed, 1818. Of these, Louis Lyberger and Hemy Hersner are known to have settled within the present limits of Sandusky Township, probably on Section 23. The first settlement, therefore, occurred near the center of the township. The others settled in what is now Crawford County ; and

Mr. Snyder saj-s there was not a white settler in the territory now embraced in that county when he came. The first settlement east of them was the Douglas settlement in Springfield Township, and, when they started west from this settlement, on their arrival, they were compelled to cut a road for their teams to the land they had entered. This was the second road cut through the township, the soldiers on their march in 1812 having cut the first through the northern part. This was the only road for many years, but was finally abandoned. A few of these settlers came from Western Pennsylvania, and the remainder from near Steubenville, Ohio.

The early settlers who arrived after those named were Mordecai Harding, Section 36 ; Daniel Riblet,came in 1831 and settled on Section 25 ; John Brookwalter, Section 26 ; Christopher Fletcher, Section 25 ; Jacob Haflich, 1828, Section 24; George Johnson, Section 13, 1820 ; Carson, Section 13 ; Andrew Taylor, Section 1 ; Rev. Culler, Section 13 ; George Walters, Section 12. The Hardings and Snyders were among the first settlers in the southern part of the township. Daniel Riblet was a prominent man in the township and count}- ; was Justice of the Peace eighteen years and sei-ved two terms in the Legislature - from 1840 to 1844. He was from Union County, Penn., and died November 6, 1865. For many years, he kept what was well known as the Riblet House, at a point on the Mansfield & Bucyrus road, about half-way between Ontario and Gallon. This was a stopping-place for the stages. The house was first built of logs, afterward a frame was added. It is yet standing and is occupied as a dwelling. A post office was established here while the stages were running - one of the first, if not the first, in the township; and the militia musters frequently occurred here, making it altogether an important point.

The Snyder family were somewhat remarkable for longevit}-. Christian dj-ing at ninetyeight, and his wife, Mary M., at one hundred and seven. An Indian trail ran across the township, east and west, very close to their house. Mr. Snyder says it was about the width of a sheep-path, and many times he has seen parties of Wyandots on this trail, passing along in single file, and while thus on the march, he never knew them to speak a word to each other, or make the slightest noise. They never disturbed the new settlers, but often divided their venison with them. The Indians and white settlers Ijoth made large quantities of maple sugar every year.

Among the early settlers, also, was a family by the name of Hibner, and the bear story, handed down l^y this family, is illustrative of the condition of the township in those early daj^s. They lived, as did everybod}- in those times, in a log house, with an immense chimney occupying most of one end. One day, while JNIr. Hibner was away from home and Mrs. H. was busy about her work, she heard a noise near the chimney, and, looking around, was horrified to see the great black paw of a bear, reaching through an opening beside the chimne}'. The opening was caused b}' one of the chimney stones having become loosened and rolled to one side. She had placed her babe upon the floor, on a blanket, near the fire, and the bear was endeavoring to reach it. Fortunately it was be3'ond its reach, and the mother was very quick to remove it still further away. Finding his chances for a dinner had disappeared, liruin moved away. iMany such stories are remembered by these earl}' pioneers, but space forbids the mention of them. It is not the paws of a bear that troubles the mother of to-day,- but croup and kindred diseases, that must have come with civilization, for they were not known in those early days.

The township was organized February 12, 1818, and at that time was twelve miles long from north to south, and six miles wide, and included Vernon, Jackson, Polk (the two last in

Crawford County), and what is now left of it. It remained in that shape until March 9, 1845, when it was divided, and the north half called Vernon, leaving Sandusky six miles square, in which shape it should have been allowed to remain ; but when the rage for county seats grew to an uncontrollable extent, and Crawford County was formed, February 3, 1845, four tiers of sections from the west side of this township were cut off and handed over to Crawford, leaving a strip two miles wide remaining of Sandusky'. In their cutting and slashing to get the new count}', two sections immediately south of Sandusky were left unprovided for, and these were consequently attached to the southern end of it, making the township seven miles long from north to south, and two miles wide, in which condition it has ever since remained. The only town in it is East Crestline. It has three railroads, the Atlantic & Great Western passing through near its center, and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago, and Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati & Indianapolis, through the northern part. The land is generally gently rolling, all tillable, and very fertile. It was once densely wooded with all species of hard Avood, but now contains beautiful and well cultivated farms. There are no streams of size within its limits, though Clear Fork near its sources passes through the southern portion, and the headwaters of the Sandusky River, through the northern part. There is not sufficient water-power in these for milling purposes, consequently there were no water-mills in the township in an early day; the settlers going to Bellville for their gi'inding. Later, two horsemills were erected, one by ]McQuade, in the southern part, and one by Snyder further north. Hominy lilocks were in general use before this.

said to have been the first teacher. He taught a " subscription " school of about a dozen scholars. He was an ignorant German, and did little good. Russell's schoolhouse, south of the present village of Crestline, was one of the earliest, if not the earliest, in the township.

JMr. Snyder sa^'s the third year of their residence in the woods, a terrific windstorm blew down their house and barn, and destroyed their growing crops, besides making gi'eat havoc in the timber.

Two churches have at present an organized existence within the limits of the township. The first one of these was erected by the Free-Will Baptists, about 1850, on Section 36, in the Harding settlement. It is a small frame church. Harvey Day, Samuel Nestlerode, Mr. Reese and some others were among the first organizers and influential members. This organization went to pieces for some reason, and the church remained unoccupied for some years. In 1877, it was taken possession of bj' the "Albrights," who organized a church of which Jacob Lohr, Phillip Corman, John iMorton and others were the organizers. Rev. Hawks was their first minister. A Sabbath school is connected with the church, which is kept up the entire year.

The other church, called Riblet's Chapel, was erected near the old Riblet Tavern, about or before 1800. It is a Methodist Episcopal, and cost about 1800.

It was erected by the Lutherans, and during the first years of its existence was used b}- all denominations. In later years, however, it became exclusivel}' the property of the jMethodists. Rev. Coon was one of its first Pastors, and a few of its early influential members were Daniel Riblet, Jacob Haflich and John Wein. The Methodists organized about Januarj', 1876. The present Pastor is J. H. Johnson ; membership, about thirty. A Sunday school was organized in 1 876. John Riblet is Superintendent, with a membership of fift3'.

It looks as if Sandusk}' should follow the lead of townships north of her and take a slice from Springfield on the east, to compensate her for loss of territory- and make her equal in extent to the others. The name Sandusky comes from the Wjandots - their Sah-un-dus-kee meaning " clear water ;" or their San-doos-tee^ "at the cold water ;" and their Sa-undustee, "water within water pools." The latter signification is peculiarly applicable to Sandusky Bay and the extensive marshes on its borders, which are intersected in mam' directions b}' pools and channels of open water. The French traders, who were on the banks of the Sandusky River years before any other white men, called it Sandusquet.

Source changes here: from History of Richland County Ohio, by A.j. Baughman, published 1908; 1,585 words in this source stream.

Sandusky Township

Sandusky township was organized February 12, 1818, and at that time was twelve miles long from north to south and six miles wide. It remained that size for a number of years, and until Vernon township was created, 'which took the north half of Sandusky's former territory. Later, Crawford county was formed February 3, 1845, and took part of Richland's territory, and reduced the size of Sandusky to its present limits - seven miles long and two miles wide.

So far as is known, the first white men to traverse this region were Colonel Crawford's troop in 1782, their route leading across the northern part of the township, as they marched from Spring Mills to Leesville. The first settlers in the township were Christian Snyder and Jacob Fisher, who came in 1817. By 1820 the following had located there: John Reed, Daniel Miller, Joseph Russell, John Doyle, Louis Lybarger and Henry Hershner. The first settlement was made near the center of the township. The first settlers in the southern part of the township were the Hardings and the Snyders. The Riblets came in 1831, settled on section 25, and was one of the leading families there for half a century. Christian Riblet had been a soldier in the war of the revolution. He enlisted in 1779, at the age of eighteen years, and served till the close of the war. He died April 6, 1844, and is buried in the cemetery near Riblet's Corners.

Daniel Riblet, a son of this Continental soldier, was a justice of the peace in his township for eighteen years, and served two terms in the Ohio legislature - from 1840 to 1844. He kept the Riblet house, at Riblet's Corners, on the Mansfield-Bucvrus road, about midway between Ontario and Galion. The Riblet house was a stopping place for the stages that ran between Mansfield and Bucyrus. Riblet's postoffice was maintained there for a number of years. The farms in this neighborhood are valuable and under a high state of cultivation. The residences will compare favorably with the very best in the county. The homes of the Kuhns, the Overlys, the Flowers and others deserve special mention.

The inhabitants of Richland county may be called a religious people, and each township has about an average per capita of church membership. The Methodists, Lutherans and Baptists seem to largely occupy the field in Sandusky township. The Free-Will Baptists erected a church in 1850 on section 36, near Bailey's Corners. Mr. Reese, Harvey Day and Samuel Nestlerode were among its organizers and influential members. This society finally disbanded and the Albrights got possession of the building in 1877. This building has ceased to be a place of worship. It was sometimes called the "Red Squirrel church." Services were held there before the building was completed. Upon one occasion a red squirrel appeared upon a joist and took a position over the minister's head. He did not see it, but the audience did. It seemed to mimic the preacher in gestures and grimaces. It was but human nature for the audience to laugh, but their levity shocked the preacher and disconcerted him. But the good pastor forgave them when the situation was explained at the close of the service. The squirrel departed as quietly as it came. without waiting for the benediction.

While some townships boast of their wolf stories and their fox hunts, Sandusky does not deign to indulge in reminiscences of anything smaller than bears. One of these is the Hibner story. One day while Mr. Hibner was absent and his wife was busy with her household duties, she heard a noise near the chimney. and on looking in that direction was horrified to see the areat black paw of a bear reaching through an opening beside the chimney.

The opening was caused by one of the chimney stones having become loosened and rolled to one side. She had placed her babe upon the floor, on a blanket near the fire, and the bear was endeavoring to reach it. Fortunately it was beyond its reach, and the mother quickly removed it further away to a safer place and the bear went away. Many other bear stories were told by the pioneers of this locality.

As there are only small streams in the township, the gri=t mills were operated by horse power. There were two of these, one owned by Mr. Me- Quade, in the southern part, and one by Mr. Snyder further north.

But twelve votes were cast at the first election. John Williams was the first justice of the peace. The first school in the township was a subscription school, with about a dozen scholars. The Russell schoolhouse, south of Crestline, was one of the earliest. Many of the pioneers were of remarkable longevity. Christian Snyder liver to be ninety-eight vears old and his wife died at the age of one hundred and seven. In 1820, the third vear of Snvder's residence in the township, a terrific wind storm blew down his house and barn and destroved his growing crops.

A few vears after the township was first settled squirrels were so numerous that they would come sometimes by hundreds and make havoc with the farmers' corn crops.

Three railroads and one trolley line run through this township - the Erie, the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago. and the "Big Four." and the Mansfield- Crestline-Galion-Bucyrus, the latter being the new trolley line recently opened, and whose large comfortable cars glide along our streets like moving pictures. East Crestline is in Sandusky, and is its only town. But the township needs no towns of its own, for it is within convenient reach of several of the best little cities in Ohio. and Harvey Woods daily delivers mail to its people. The pioneers cleared the wilderness and now orchards and fields of grain in season occupy the ground where a heavy forest once stood, and these farms convince the observer that the township was intended by nature for a people engaged in agricultural pursuits - one of the noblest of vocations, for no one has greater reasons to be thankful and contented than the men whose faces are to the earth and whose backs are to the sun, for what they produce feeds the people. Therefore, farming is the grandest calling. Further. there are no promises to any other pursuit or calling like those to the farmers. The farmer has a special promise, that. while the earth stands. seed-time and harvest shall not fail. Farmers scatter precious seeds. showing the sublimest act of faith in burying in the earth the last grain of wheat from his granary. believing that in due time it would doubtless come again with rejoicing. bringing sheaves with it.

The history of Rome is shrouded in myth and fable, but the history of this country is an open book. Our fathers planted a republic. which in less than a hundred years spanned the continent. Our people have advanced as the people of no other country ever did, and our wonderful achievements are due to the sturdy and resolute pioneers who laid the foundation of our ereatness.

A Marriage Incident

The marriage, several years ago, of a Sandusky township couple, and the incidents connected therewith, afforded entertainment at the time for those who witnessed the nuptials, and is even yet amusingly recalled.

One day as S. G. Cummings, of the law firm of Cummings, McBride & Wolfe, was seated at his desk, engaged upon a legal paper, a Sandusky township farmer, whom we will call John Smith, entered the office. Mr. Cummings had taught school in that township in the years agone, and Mr. Smith had been one of his pupils. -\fter pleasant greetings, Smith took a seat and a short conversation followed. Mr. Cummings, being busy, hoped the interview would be brief, but, the perfect gentleman that he is, he did not betray this in his looks or conversation. Finally. Mr. Smith moved his chair closer to Mr. Cummings and said:

John, who was a widower. went on to explain that he had brought his prospective bride with him. and that she was waiting at Scattergood's. store while he came to Mr. Cummings for advice - to know if he could get married on $3 (all the money he had) and have some left to buy groceries, with which to comience housekeeping. Mr. Cummings assumed an air of dignified seriousness and stated that upon such an important problem he preferred to have a consultation of the firm. and the Hon. C. E. McBride was called into Mr. Cummings' room and the case stated to him. As the bride-to-be was in waiting, Mac told the expectant groom that while he had not time to look up the authorities, he thought he could help him out in a business-like way. Mr. Cunmnings went for the license and Mr. McBride for a magistrate to perform the ceremony. Within half an hour everything was in readiness and a client who had dropped in was invited to be one of the witnesses.

waving his hands. He then turned to McBride and said, "Give me $2." But the astute attorney cut the fee in two on account of blunders made. The account then stood: License, 75 cents; marriage fee, $1; leaving $3.25 of the five-dollar bill. With this balance they bought groceries and wended their way to Sandusky township, happy and with hopeful thoughts for the future. These attorneys often laugh over this amusing episode, for "a little fun now and then is relished by the wisest men."