History of Crawford County, Ohio

Editors Preface:

The writing of this history has been the work of over a year of constant research and work, and the idea of the editor has been to show by contrast the difference between the past and the present. The latter all know, and its blessings all enjoy. But the former, with its trials, its hardships, and its struggles bravely met, manfully born, and successfully over- come should make the thoughtful reader more content with the conditions of today.

In finishing the work, it is but an act of justice on the part of the writer to express his thanks to Hon. Carl C. Anderson, the member of Congress from this district for the valuable information he secured from the old records at Washington; to Judge Daniel Babst of Crestline and Hon. R. W. Johnson of Galion, for much valuable information; to James D. Ferree for his valuable collection of historical data; to the county officials of Crawford for their uniform courtesy and assistance in the search of all records; to the officials of Delaware, Huron, Marion and Richland for similar favors. In the preparation of the work, first credit is due to the History of Crawford County published in 1880, by Baskin and Beatty, and written by many people, but the histories of Bucyrus by Thomas P. Hopley and of Galion by Dr. J. C. McIlvaine were most valuable. The old files of the Crawford County Forum,with its pioneer letters of James Nail, James Dunlap and others and of the Bucyrus Journal with the letters of John Moderwell, Robert Cowden and others furnished the substantial early history of the county, the Moderwell letters being the most complete of the early records in existence.

 

Table of Contents

CHAPTER I
Geological History 21

CHAPTER II
Discovery of America 29

CHAPTER III
Indian Occupancy 37

CHAPTER IV
Settlement of the County 64

CHAPTER V
Organization of the County 88

CHAPTER VI
Political 118

CHAPTER VII
Transportation Facilities 143

CHAPTER VIII
Auburn Township 179

CHAPTER IX
Bucyrus Township 194
CHAPTER X
Chatfield Township 212

CHAPTER XI
Cranberry Township 224

CHAPTER XII
Dallas Township 232

CHAPTER XIII
Holmes Township 242

CHAPTER XIV
Jackson Township and Crestline 253

CHAPTER XV
Jefferson Township 264

CHAPTER XVI
Liberty Township 273

CHAPTER XVII
Lykens Township 290

CHAPTER XVIII
Polk Township 299

CHAPTER XIX
Sandusky Township 310

CHAPTER XX
Texas Township 319

CHAPTER XXI
Tod Township 328

CHAPTER XXII
Vernon Township 338

CHAPTER XXIII
Whetstone Township 349

CHAPTER XXIV
Bucyrus, The County Seat 362
City of Galion 414

CHAPTER XXVI
Manufactures 437

CHAPTER XXVII
The Press 453

CHAPTER XXVIII
Military History of the County 469

CHAPTER XXIX
Bench and Bar 515

CHAPTER XXX
Medical 531

CHAPTER XXXI
The Underground Railroad 539

CHAPTER XXXII
Miscellaneous 547
Biographical Sketches 571

 

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Publishers' Preface:

The aim of the publishers of this volume and of the author of the history has been to secure for the historical portion thereof full and accurate data respecting the history of the county from the time of its early settlement and to condense it into a clear and interesting narrative. All topics and occurrences have been included that were essential to this subject.

The reviews of resolute and strenuous lives that make up the biographical part of the volume are admirably calculated to foster local ties, to inculcate patriotism and to emphasize the rewards of industry dominated by intelligent purpose. They constitute a most appropriate medium for perpetuating personal annals and will be of incalculable value to the descendants of those commemorated. These sketches are replete with stirring incidents and intense experiences and are flavored with a strong human interest that will naturally prove to a large portion of the readers of the book one of its most attractive features. In the aggregate of personal memoirs thus collated will be found a vivid epitome of the growth of Crawford County, which will fitly supplement the historical statement, for its development is identical with that of the men and women to whom it is attributable.