This county, formed April 1, 1820, was named from Gen. Israel Putnam, an officer of historical fame connected with the American Revolution.  Until 1834 it was attached to Williams county for judicial purposes.
     Frederick F. Stevens, who originally settled in Putnam county, but removed to Defiance in 1826, says: "On the Blanchard, in 1825, one mile above its mouth, resided John Ridenour, and at the junction of that stream with the Auglaize, Andrew Craig, who claimed to have been the first white settler in Putnam county.  Excepting these two, there were no white families on the Blanchard below Findlay.  Henry Wing had previously settled near the mouth of Blanchard, but abandoned his place, and removed to Defiance.  Sebastian Sroufe was on the Auglaize, one mile above Blanchards fork and William Bowen 1-1/2 miles above Myers' Mill, or 'Kilkannon's ripple; and yet above these, on the Auglaize, Elias Wallace, James J. Martin, Daniel Sullivan, David Murphey, (who also claimed to have been the first white settler in Putnam county;) Rufus Carey, (2-1/2 miles below Fort Jennings,) and a Mr. Harris, then the only inhabitant at Fort Jennings.  Yet above the Fort were Mr. Hill, Joseph Sutton, Wm. Cochran, Josiah Closson, John Welch, Daniel and Wm. Sunderland, Thos. and Wm. Berryman, and Samuel Washburn.
     John Lang, made a publication in the Delphos Herald, containing the following statement: 
     "The Indians remained in this neighborhood, their last encampment being at Sulpher Springs, until the year 1833, and below Fort Jennings as late as 1839.  Settlements were made at Fort Jennings in 1834, when Von der Embz, John Wellman, and others, settled there, and were soon after joined by Henry Joseph Boehmer.  Disher, Peters, Raabe, Rader and Shroeder, 'squatted' on Jennings as early as 1832."
     Judge George Skinner, who removed to Kalida in 1839, and is yet a resident in that neighborhood, says: "David Murphey was the first white settler in this county - residing in a house he had built of poles at the mouth of Blanchard. The first house built was by two men and one woman, a mile above the mouth of Blanchard.  The first county Court was held in the house of Christian Sarber, half a mile south of Kalida - Wm. L. Helfenstein, presiding as Judge, and the family table serving as Judge's Clerk's desk, bar table, etc., and the Judge making use of the bed for a seat.  The jury held their private consultations in the woods.  John Sarber, Christian Sarber, and Ezra Hicks, members of the first grand jury, are yet living.
     "The third order issued by the Auditor read as follows:
     '" To the Treasurer of Putnam county, Ohio: Pay William Treat three dollars and eighty cents for services as pack horse in running the Napoleon road.'
     "On the Court record of 1836, I find this entry: 'The Court appoint James Taylor Clerk pro tem., in place of Daniel W. Gray, resigned.'  William ('Commadore') Phillips obtained a renewal of his tavern license.  Marriage licenses were granted to David Stoufer and Elizabeth Nicewarner, John Armstrong and Elizabeth Strain, Christian Lugibill and Catharine Stoufer.
     "Jennings Creek took its name from Col Jennings, who led a body of men there from Fort Recovery and built a stockade at the junction of that stream with the Auglaize.  Col. Jennings died and was buried here.  Ottawa river was named from the Indian tribe who had their hunting grounds along its course.  The name of Hog Creek had its origin in the fact that, during the war of 1812, some white men living near Piqua undertook to drive a lot of hogs to the military garrisons on the Maumee; and having reached this stream, which they found much swollen, and becoming alarmed at the hostile movements of the Indians, they undertook to force their stock across, some of which reached the opposite shore, another portion perished in the waters; but the most remained upon the first bank, and all were left to their fate by the owners, who made a rapid retreat homewards.  The surviving hogs multiplied and replenished the wilderness.  Hence the name of 'Hog Creek,' or "Swinonia,' as Count Coffinberry, under a poetic inspiration designated it.
     "Sugar Creek derived its name from the maple orchards which supplied the Indians at Charlow with the sugar; Plum Creek, from the annual wealth of wild plums that its rich bottoms supplied, 'without money and without price;' and Cranberry, from the numerous marshes that bore that fruit in its vicinity.  Riley and Deer Creeks were named by the Government Surveyor, Capt. James Riley; and Blanchard, by an Indian trader, who was the first white settler upon its margin.
     " The first store in the county was established by an Indian trader on Section 16, Liberty township.  The first general muster was held at Ottawa in 1839, at which all the able-bodied 'sovereigns' of the county were gathered, with plenty of 'corn dodgers,' music and whiskey."
     Among the veterans at Gilboa, on the Blanchard, were Andrew, Thomas R. and William McClure, John P. Flemming, Otho and John Crawfis, Elisha and Isaac Stout, Nathaniel M. Creighton, Joseph Hickerson, Matthew Chambers, Abraham Hardin, Samuel and Jesse Hall, Wm. B. Thrap?, colonel Milton C. Ewing, Stanbery Sutton, Dr. Hiram Alford and Dr. H. Luce.
     At Croghan Post Office, which place was afterwards Shannon, and now Bluffton, Allen county, were the families of Daniel W. Goble, Mr. Viers, John Amstutz, John Carnahan, John McHenry, John Steiner, Josiah and Budd Gaskill and Hugh Lee.
     At Pendleton were Joseph Patterson, Dr. H. Day, Mr. Kilheffer and Mr. Hamilton; at Columbus Grove, Capt. Fred. Fruchey, John Bogart and Y. Sackett, Wm. Henderson, George Agner, Moses Sutton, John Race, James Clark, Christian Huber, Wm. Galbreath, James F. Adgate, Dr. C. M. Godfrey, Michael Row, Samuel Runyan, John and David Cox and Wm. Williams; at Glandorf, Rev. John W. Horstman, Henry Ridenour and Ferdinand Breidike, who settled in 1833, and in the same year, in the neighborhood, John F. Kahle, the first German naturalized in Putnam county.  At an early date, also, were Gasper and Wm. Schierloh, Henry Umverfert, B. H. Kemper, Lewis Baker, and Mssrs. Bookhold, Oskamp and Mohrman.
     On the Blanchard below Glandorf, were W. Leemaster, Henry Wing, John Snyder, Nutter Powell, John P. Simons, Solomon Carbaugh, Joel Wilcox, Dilman Switzer, John Ridenour, Wm. Bell and Mr. Shank.
     At Kalida and neighborhood the following were among the early residents; Winchton and Orville Risley, Francis H. Gillett, Dr. Moses Lee, James Wells, George J. Wicherton, James H. Vail, Jacob Bean, Robert McCreary, Robert and Isaac McCracken, Hugh and Willie Crawford, Sheldon Guthrie, Clark H. and Levi Rice, Col. J. White, Capt. Thomas Coulter, George Skinner, Alonzo A. Skinner, James Thatcher, J. S. Spencer, Wm. Monroe, James and Andrew J. Taylor, David Ayers, Wm. Phillips, Richard Lee, Jesse Hight, Ezra Hicks, Adam Sarber, John Parrish, Joseph Nichols, Hugh Hughes, Evan R. Davis, Henry Moneysmith, John Ayers, James Rodgers, and several Families named Guy.
     On and near Hog Creek, above Kalida, were Benjamin Clevinger, and his sons, Joseph, George, Jacob, Eli, James, Samuel and John; Col. John Kuhns, Jenkins Hughes, John Guffey, James Nicholas, Mr. Rhoades and John Gander. 
     Below Kalida, and on Hog Creek and the Auglaize, were James Hill, Rufus Carey, Wm. H. Harris, Elias Wallen, Wm. Bowen, David Murphey, Daniel and Jackson Sullivan, Thomas Carder, Obed. Martin, Rev. P. B. Holden, Rev. John Tussing, Henry Pence, Wm. and Daniel Thatcher, Samuel and Peter Myers, Ellison Ladd and Mr. Rhoades.  The early inhabitants in the neighborhood of the junction of Hog Creek with the Auglaize, by reason of the eccentricities of some of them, were generally known as the "Auglaize rangers."
     In Greensburg township the first white inhabitant was Henry Wing, who removed to it in 1825.  At the first election held April 1835, Wm. Bell, Abraham Crow and Joshua Powell were elected Trustees Frederic Brower, Clerk; Nutter Powell, Treasurer; and Frederic Brower, Justice of the Peace.  At this election eight votes were cast.  F. Brower is the oldest resident now living in the township, having settled there in 1833.
     Liberty Township was settled in 1835 - Alexander Montooth being the first white male inhabitant.  Then came, a few months later, C. Hofstaeter; Nicholas McConnel; Samuel, James and John Irvin; Mr. Krebs and Oliver C. Pomeroy.  In the succeeding years came L. Hull; Jacob Sigler; Henry Knop; and George Hagle; Robert Lowery; James Woodell; George Gell; and James McKinnis.  Pete Arm, one of the head of the Tawa tribe of Indians, opened a small stock of goods on Section 16 - he being the first merchant.
     The township was organized in the spring of 1837 - Nicholas McConnell, Hugh S. Ramsay and John E. McConnel being among the qualified electors, and voting.  A. T. Printiss, who furnishes these notes, opened a school in the township, in the winter of 1839040.  The first church was the Associate Presbyterian, of Poplar Ridge, organized by Rev. Samuel Willson - Nicholas McConnel and James Strain being ruling elders.  The first settled minister was Rev. Samuel McLane, who took charge of the church in 1843, and remained until 1848, the period of his death.  The first church building, and the first established cemetery were upon the lands of James McKinnis.  The town of Medary was laid out in 1845, by S. Medary, Dr. Wm. Trevitt, J. W. Watters and J. M. Palmer; Leipsic, in 1852, by John W. Peckinpaugh.  Before the opening of the Dayton and Michigan road, the average prices current for produce at Leipsic were, for wheat, $1½ @ $2; pork, per lb., 2@3c.; honey, 8@10c.; butter, 4@6c.; eggs, 3@6c. per doz., and other articles of farm products, except fruits, in proportion."
     Among the first lawyers in Putnam county, were F. M. Gillett, W. L. Birge, A. A. Skinner, John Morris, E. T. Mott, and, later, B. F. Metcalf and James Mackenzie.
     The old physicians were Drs. Moses Lee, P. L. Cole and Andrew McClure, of Kalida; Drs. Alford and Luce, of Gilboa; Drs. Godfrey and Polmeroy, of Ottawa; Drs. Cooper and Dewees, of Franconia and Dr. Day, of Pendleton.
     Wm. Galbreath aided in the erection of Fort Meigs - was present during the two seiges - and witnessed, from the pallisades of the Fort, (May 5, 1813,) the disaster which occurred to the forces of Col. Dudley; and three days afterwards was with a force which crossed the river to bury the dead but the bodies were so advanced in decomposition, that it was impossible to execute their mission.  The wolves, eagles and buzzards held their hideous feasts during several days and nights.  Mr. Galbreath removed to Putnam county in 1834.
     Oliver Talbert, one of the old residents of the county, was at the surrender of Hull at Detroit, in 1812.
     The author of this work was formerly a citizen of Putnam county, and at one time Representative in the General Assembly of Ohio; and, it may not be improper to state, originated the proposition to reduce the valuation of the State Canal Lands, and secure their sales, in restricted quantities, to actual settlers.
     George Skinner made Kalida his residence in April 1839.  During this period he has served as Associate Judge, had charge of the settlement of numerous estates and probably made surveys of more acres of land in the county than any other person now living, and has discharged these several duties satisfactorily to the public and to all parties in interest.
     Dr. C. M. Godfrey, born in Adams county, Pennsylvania, June 17, 1816, established himself in Ottawa, Putnam county, in 1837 - studied medicine in the office of Dr. Pomeroy, and commenced the practice of his profession in 1840.  Directly after he became a resident, Dr. Godfrey took a leading part in every proposition made to hasten the development of the resources of the county.  He was elected County Treasurer in 1842, and re-elected in 1844; Presidential elector on the Cass and Butler ticket in 1848; appointed Trustee of the new Lunatic Asylums in the State in 1854, and re-appointed in 1855, and was elected a member of the Ohio Senate in 1861.  Dr. Godfrey is a good specimen of the race of self-made men who were so largely instrumental in giving a high character to the business and social life of the places of his residence.

CLARK H. RICE.

     The name of this honored citizen, as one of the old residents of Putnam county, has been elsewhere mentioned.  Mr. Rice was born November19, 1804, in Essex county, New York, near Lake Champlain; and in 1812, with his parents, removed to Richland county, Ohio.  He was married December 6, 1832, near Perrysville, Ashland county, Ohio, to Miss Catharine Mowers, who still survives him.
     Mr. Rice removed to Kalida in June, 1839, and engaged in mercantile business in which he continued during a period exceeding twenty years.  From here he removed to Ottawa in November, 1868, and established the banking house of C. H. Rice & Co., and remained in this business until the time of his death, which occurred September 27, 1870.
     It may with entire truth be stated that no man has lived in the Maumee Valley who left a more honorable business record than Mr. Rice; and although successful in worldly accumulations, his kindred and friends honor the stainless name he left, and esteem it a legacy of higher value than his wealth, considerable as that was.  With him, his word and his bond were convertible terms, and both would command unlimited credit wherever he was known.
     It will not be deemed improper or uncalled for here, inasmuch as a professed "history" of the part Ohio soldiers bore in the late civil war, has failed to render justice to the military record, among others made by Brig. Gen. A. V. Rice, son of the above, to briefly recapitulate the part the latter acted in that conflict.  Gen. Rice was born at Perrysville, then Richland county, Ohio, in 1836 - graduated in the class of 1860, at Union College, Schenectady, New York; - was a law student until the war between the States happened; when, to aid in the preservation of the Federal Union, he offered his services as a private soldier, with old school-mates and acquaintances, under the three month's call of President Lincoln.  April 29, 1861, he was elected Second Lieutenant of Company E., 21st Reg., Ohio Infantry; May 16, elected Captain, and served as such in the campaign of Western Virginia under Gen. J. D. Cox, until the muster out of his regiment, in August, 1861. 
     During the month of September, 1861, he recruited a Co. for the 3 year's service, and was mustered in as Capt. Co. A., 57th Ohio Infantry, which Regiment he was appointed Lt. Co. by Gov. Tod, at the instance of his friends, and on the unanimous recommendation of the Officers at his Regiment.  He accompanied his command to Paducah, Ky., when it was made a part of what is proudly spoken of as "Sherman's Division."
     At the ever memorable battle of Shiloh, Miss., April 6th and 7th, 1862, he commanded his Regt., as Lieut. Col., which was in the thickest of the fight, losing one-third of its men, - he being wounded by concussion of a shell above him, and knocked off his horse during the engagement.
     In the advance and siege on Corinth, Miss., he took an active part in all the battles, and commanded his Regiment in such a manner as to elicit the encomiums of his superior officers.  He was constantly with and followed the fortunes of Sherman's Army, during the summer and fall of 1862; and at Chickasaw Bayou, Miss., in Sherman's effort to reduce Vicksburg, assumed command of his Regiment, during the different engagements there from Dec. 27, 1862, to Jan. 2, 1863.  On the last day, under instructions from Sherman, he commanded the rear guard of the evacuating army.  He was with his Regiment at the battle of Arkansas Post, Ark., Jan. 10th and 11th, 1863, and within 70 steps of the enemy's works, under orders to charge the same at the time of the surrender.  He worked on the "Canal" at Vicksburg from Jan. 21st to Feb. 12th, 1863.  In March he commanded the 1st Brig. of the 1st Div. 15th A. C. in the "Black Bayou Expedition" - an effort of Gen Sherman to reach a point on the Yazoo river above Haine's Bluff, and thus invest Vicksburg.  In this expedition his Brigade, by its prompt and energetic movements, relieved one gun-boat under Porter, and a part of the 2nd Brigade, which were surrounded by the enemy and in a most perilous condition.
     On the 30th of April, he took his command to Snyder's Bluff, on the Yazoo river, and assisted in making the diversion against that point, which enabled Gen Grant to capture Grand Gulf, Miss.  By rapid marches his command circled round Vicksburg, by the way of Richmond, La., and Grand Gulf, Miss., and reached Baker's Creek, Miss., in time to engage in the battle of Champion Hills, May 16, 1863.  He led his command in the engagement at Big Black river, May 17th, and pushing on to Vicksburg, was in the first assault on that place after its investment on the 19th of May, 1863.  On the 22nd of May he led his command in the terrible charge of the enemy's works at Vicksburg, in which he was severely wounded, his right leg broken by a shot below the knee, and a minnie ball received in his thigh.  These wounds kept his out of active service till January, 1864.
     For his actions in the various campaigns about Vicksburg, Gen. Sherman recommended him for promotion as Brigadier General.  In the meantime, May 16, 1863, he was appointed Colonel of his Regiment.
     He was again with Sherman on his most notable campaign of 1863 against Atlanta, taking part in the different battles of Sugar Valley, Resaca, Dallas, New Hope, Big Shanty and Little Kenesaw, from the 5th of May till the 27th of June, 1864, when, at the assault on Little Kenesaw, he received three wounds almost simultaneously - the first resulting in amputation of the right leg above the knee; the second badly shattering his left foot, and the third raking his head sufficient to bleed him freely.
     For his action at Resaca, Georgia, May 14, 1864, he again received an impromptu recommendation from the general officers for promotion to Brigadier General for "gallant conduct on the field, under their personal observation;" but the appointment was not made till May, 1865.
     His terrible wounds at Little Kenesaw kept him out of the service till April, 1865, when he again joined his army at Newburn, North Carolina.  He passed, with his command, in the great review at Washington May 24, 1865, and in June took them to Louisville, Ky., where he was assigned to the command of the 3rd Brigade of the 2nd Division of the 15th A. C., - which he took to Little Rock, Arkansas, June 24, 1865.  The same was mustered out, August, 1865.
     Gen. Rice was honorably discharged, January 15th, 1866, having given his best energies, and nearly 5 years of the best part of his life, together with a part of his physical being, to the service of his country.  He was married to the eldest daughter of the late Judge Metcalf, Lima, Ohio, October, 1866, and now lives in his old county of Putnam, at Ottawa, and succeeds his honored father as the head of a prosperous banking institution.
     The population of Putnam county, in 1830, was 230; in 1840, 5,189; in 1850 7,221; in 1860, 12,080; and in 1870, 17,081.  In 1852, the tax valuation of real and personal property amounted to $1,109,954; in 1862 to $3,115,499;; and in 1872, to $5,386,908.
     Notes regarding the progress and prospects of the several towns are very reluctantly ommitted.