THIS township, including the southern part of the "gore," was surveyed into quarter sections in 1820, by Price J. Kellogg, and the lands offered for sale in 1821.  Vince formed a part of Thompson Township from 1820 to 1829, when it was established a separate township and organized as such.  The year of its organization the population was confined to families of the officers elected in 1829, and perhaps a few others named in the pioneer section of this chapter.  In 1840 the census places the number of inhabitants at 1,222; in 1850, at 1,830; in 1860, at 2,013; in 1870, at 1,781, increased in 1880 to 2,231, and in 1885 to 2,600 (estimated).  In 1880 Attica Village claimed a population of 663, which number has been added to considerably during the last five years.  The name Venice was suggested by Johnson Ford to memorialize his home i Cayuga County, N. Y.
     Honey Creek enters the county in fractional Section 19 and flowing in a tortuous course west by north, through the old settlement of Caroline, leaves the township in Section 6.  A few small creeks are found both north and south of Honey Creek.
     The Columbus and Sandusky pike road runs diagonally through the township from Attica Station, a mile north of the old village of Attica, through Caroline to Carrothers.  The petition of Ezra Gilbert, presented to the county board in November, 1828, prayed for the establishment of a road beginning at the town line, two and one-half miles west of Attica, and running south by east so as to intersect the New Haven road, three and one-half miles east of Attica, near the line of Huron County.  The petition was granted, the line was at once surveyed by David Risdon, and cut through or underbrushed by Ezra Gilbert, Johnson Ford and Samuel Halsted, within six days.
     The Northwestern Ohio Railroad runs through the southwestern sections, while the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad passes across the extreme northeastern corners of fractional SEction 6 and Section 1.
     The lands are fertile, and the face of the country just sufficiently rolling to confer on it a beauty and utility which could not belong to a level country.
     Organic and Official -

     Pioneers of Venice. - Half a century and eight years have elapsed since the pioneer of American civilization looked into the wilderness of Venice Township, and called it his home.  To Cornelius Gilmore, Jackson Ford, Samuel Halsted, the first road-makers, the first farmers, the first actual workers in the township, the special honors pertaining to pioneers are accorded.  Although they first settled on the head waters of Honey Creek a full decade after the adventurous pioneers of Delaware County visited and settled on the Sandusky at Fort Ball, and eight years after the Welches settled on lower Honey Creek, the honors are still due; for then the beautiful district, now called Venice, was a wilderness, unvisited by the pioneers of other parts of the county and indeed unheard of by them.  In the following pages the writer has made an effort unheard of by them.  In the following pages the writer has made an effort to group all the pioneers together, and speak of each so far as authentic accounts permit.
     John Armatage settled here in 1829, coming that year from Maryland, where he was born in 1806. . . . John Barrick settled in Seneca County in 1834. . . . Joel Billings settled here in 1829. . . . Lewis Bollinger (deceased), born in Germany in 1825, came from Stark County, Ohio, to this county in 1844, settling in this township.
     Jeremiah Carpenter and Charles D. and Emeline (Michener) Carpenter - former born in 1823, died in 1868, latter born in 1830, died in 1873, parents of William A. Carpenter - were early settlers .... Samuel and Elizabeth (Wiloughby) Carson, natives of Pennsylvania, father of J. W. Carson, came to this county in 1835, and here died at advanced ages .... Robert Carson, grandfather of J. W. Carson, came to the county at an early date and here died in 1836.  His wife died same year . . . . H. M. Chandler came from Connecticut in 1838 . . . . Matthew J. Clark, who died Jan. 4, 1882, in his fifty-sixth year, was an old settler of Venice Township.  He moved to Tiffin many years ago . . . . Jacob Cook settled here in 1829 . . . . H. B. Courtwright, in 1832 . . . . James Madison Crabbs, father of Cyrus N. Crabbs, came here at an early date . . . . Samuel Croxton settled here in 1829.  
     Stephen and Magdalena Dick came from Alsace, Germany (then France), to this country in 1830; lived twenty-two years in this and seventeen in Bloom Township, finally locating in Thompson Township in 1872.  Stephen Dick died in 1876; his widow resides near Frank's Corners.
     Jacob Ebersole, born in Pennsylvania in 1807, has resided here since 1834 . . . . Gov. Edwards settled here in 1829.
     Elisha Fair settled here in December, 1828 . . . . Philip and Christina (Kerner) Falter, natives of Germany, came thence to Seneca County, in 1833; former died in 1842.  J. B. Falter, their son, also a native of Germany, born in 1826, lies in Venice Township . . . . Philip Falter, born on mid-ocean in 1823 (his parents being on their way from Germany to the United States, and who died in Venice Township), married Miss Elizabeth Houck, and they then came to Venice Township, where they both died, in 1872 . . . . Johnson Ford, born in Rensselaer County, N. Y., June 9, 1796, came to Seneca County in 1828, from Cayuga County, N. Y., and, purchasing 160 acres of land, where Attica Village now stands, entered on pioneer work in the wilderness.  His neighbor, Cornelius Gilmore, settled in the township the year before, and a few others came in 1829.  Mr. Ford opened the first farm in Venice Township, clearing, plowing, and sowing the seed himself.  His wife, Esther, died Mar. 19, 1829, and her remains had to be carried to the Scipio Cemetery.  Shortly after he revisited New York State, and there married a second time; returning with his bride to the wilderness.  In 1833 or 1834 he was appointed superintendent of the Union Sunday School, succeeding John Martain, and this position he held until 1858 or 1859; when the Presbyterian Church was organized in October, 1833, he was ordained an elder.  He and Ezra Gilbert suggested the name Attica for the present village in 1829, and the same year he gave the name of Venice to the township.  For over half a century he has made the township his home and shared in every effort to develop it . . . . J. J. Friedley and his father, Ludwick Friedley, a Pennsylvanian, settled here in 1838, latter dying in 1871.  Barbara (Link), wife of J. J. Friedley, born in Germany, came when two years old with her parents, who were among the first settlers of Seneca County.  It is stated on other authority that this family came in 1833.
     Cornelius Gilmore was the first settler and first blacksmith in Venice Township, having settled here in June, 1827, where O. J. McPherson's house now stands, on the south bank of Honey Creek.  About 1832, Mr. Gilmore removed to Caroline postoffice, when a new office was established at Attica . . . . The first road in the township, form a point two and a half miles west of Attica to the Huron County line, was cut through in November, 1828, by Ezra Gilbert, Johnson Ford and Samuel Halsted, and a year later Ezra Gilbert erected his cabin where the Ford & Stranler hardware store of Attica's later days stands, Ezra Gilbert settled here in April, 1829, and was the first postmaster, and first settler on the site of Attica.
     James Hanna, born in Pennsylvania in 1804, came to Venice Township in 1834 . . . . Samuel Harper here in August, 1828 . . . . The Hamiltons were here in 1845 . . . . Samuel Harper, a soldier of the Revolution, an Irishman, was buried in Sycamore Township in 1821 . . . . Samuel Hawk was here in 1835 . . . . George Heabler, Sr., a native of Pennsylvania, located in Venice Township in 1835, bringing his son George, of Attica and Tiffin . . . . George Herr came from Germany in 1852 . . . . John Hillis, a native of Ireland, came direct from his native land to Seneca County, settling in Venice Township in 1846, dying in 1875 . . . . John Holmes, born in Jefferson County, Ohio, in 1807, came here in an early day, and now resides with his son, David . . . . Samuel and Charles Hoyt settled here in 1854.  Samuel died in 1872.  Charles resides in Wyandot County . . . . J. W. Huffman, born in Columbiana County, Ohio, in 1837, was brought by his parents, Jacob and Catharine (Weaver) Huffman, to Venice Township in 1839; Jacob Huffman died in 1855 . . . . Michael Hull, a native of Pennsylvania, born in 1807, came to this county in 1834, settling on 560 acres of land on Section 7 of Venice Township, where he still resides . . . . Michael and Barbara (Free) Hull, parents of George F. Hull, were early settlers of this township, were Michael Hull now resides.
     Thomas Kemp, born in Pennsylvania in 1813, came with his parents, David and Sarah (Ward) Kemp, to Venice Township in an early day . . . . David J. Kelly was here in 1849.
     John C. and Christianna (Eichenhofer) Lebold parents of Jacob F. Lebold, all natives of Germany, came from Tuscarawas County, Ohio, in 1842, to Section 16, this township, where John C. still resides . . . . Avery Leonard born in Pennsylvania in 1798, came here with his family in 1834 . . . . John Lepard was here in 1831 . . . . Jacob and Maryann (Gerling) Link, natives of Germany, came to this county in 1838, the former dying in 1841.  Their son, J. W. Link, born on the ocean, when his parents were on their way to America, resides in Venice Township . . . . John Lozier came in 1853.
     J. McCarty and Daniel McCarty, natives of Ireland, settled here about 1832 or 1834 . . . . John and Elizabeth (Hannah) McClelland, natives of Pennsylvania, settled here in 1836 . . . . James McKibben came here in June, 1830. . . . James B. McKibben, a Pennsylvanian, was here in 1832 . . . . Willialm McPherson settled in Venice Township in November, 1828.  He was born in Scotland in 1793 . . . . Henry and Rebecca (Free) Meyers, former a native of Switzerland, born in 1808, were early pioneers of the county.  Mr. Meyers came in 1835, a comparatively poor young man, and at his death in 1884 he owned over 2,000 acres of land . . . . Nathan Merriman settled in Venice in 1829 . . . . The Metcalf family settled here previous to 1836 . . . . John M. Miller, a native of Germany, father of Paul Miller, immigrated to America in 1832; resided about four years in Medina County, Ohio, and then settled permanently in this county.  He died in 1884 . . . . Maurice and Hannah (Davis) Moore - former a native of New Jersey, born in 1797; latter a native of Wales, born in 1800 came to the county in 1834, settling in Venice Township.  They died in 1883 . . . . Andrew Moore settled here in 1830; died in 1846.  His widow died in 1880 . . . . Philip Muck settled in Venice in 1829 . . . . Jacob and Fanny (Werder) Myers (or Meyers), natives of Switzerland, came to Ohio in 1829 and to this county in 1831.  Their son, Henry F. Myers, also a native of Switzerland, born in 1822, came with them and is a farmer here . . . . Henry Meyers, "Tailor Meyers," as he was known to all, was born in village of Oberendengen.  Switzerland, Apr. 26, 1807; died at Attica in July, 1884.  In 1835 he brought the first $5 in gold ever seen in Tiffin, and also purchased the first mowing machine and the first grain drill in Venice Township.  Five years after he came to Seneca County, on July 11, 1840, he was married.  After working six years for one man at his trade in Philadelphia, he left there on the 10th of July, 1835, and came by canal to Sandusky, Ohio, arriving on the 29th of the same month, and walked to Attica on the old turnpike, where he had previously purchased wild land.  For six years after his arrival in Seneca County he worked at his trade in Tiffin, after which he worked for five years in the village of Attica, using his money thus earned for the improvement of his land.
     Jacob Newkirk settled in Venice in 1831 . . . . Leonard and Mary (Hachter) Noble, natives of Germany, former born in 1822, latter in 1829, came the year they were married (1852) to Venice Township, and some time after moved to Reed Township, where Mr. Noble died in 1871.
     Mrs. Catherine Olds died at the residence of her son, Wallace Olds, three and one-half miles west of Attica, July 18, 1878, aged seventy one years, five months and thirteen days.  Mrs. Olds was one of the old pioneers of Seneca County, having resided here forty-two years.
     William Pollinger, a Pennsylvanian came in 1855.
     Jeremiah Rex (vide Chapter V) . . . . S. H. Ringle, an Ohioan, was here in 1832 . . . . Stephen Rogers, a native of England, came to America in 1818, and to this county in 1837.  John Rogers, a pioneer farmer of the county, born in France in 1819, is a son of his . . . . David Roop settled here in 1829 . . . . Aaron Rush, an old settler of Venice Township, died in 1837.
     Jacob Schaaf, who came from Germany in 1829, is an old settler here . . . . Sebastian Senn, a native of Switzerland, born in 1828, came in 1838 with his father, who settled on a farm in this county . . . . Samuel Shade, Sr., born in 1800, purchased, in 1834, 300 acres of timber land in Venice Township; he came from Columbiana County, Ohio; died at Tiffin in 1872.  Samuel Shade, his son, resides in Eden Township . . . . J. L. Shirey came from Pennsylvania in 1844 . . . . Christian Shuly, a native of Pennsylvania came in 1856 . . . . Ludwig Shoup came from Germany in 1854 . . . . George Sillman, father of Mrs. Michael Kirchner, of Tiffin, came from Germany and settled in Venice township about 1833. . . . Martin Smeltz, a native of Germany, was among the early settlers of this county . . . . John and Mary (Weaver) Smith, natives of Pennsylvania, parents of Martin Smith, of Venice Township, came to the county in 1838, and settled in this township, where John Smith died in 1882. . . . Jacob and Catharine (Myers) Smith, natives of Switzerland, parents of Mrs. Norman Benham, of Scipio Township, came to America in 1827, and in course of time were early settlers of Venice Township . . . . Jeremiah Smith born in Bedford County, Penn., Feb. 18, 1818, came to Seneca County in 1834, and died here Jan. 5, 1885 . . . . Eli Snow, Cold Creek (see story of the Indian "Pumpkin"), . . . . Henry Speaker, Jr., settled here in 1829, and erected the first saw-mill in 1831 . . . . Samuel and Hannah (Harper) Speaker, parents of Samuel Speaker, came in 1840; Samuel die din 1868 . . . . Huckins Spencer, born in Maine, father of I. A. Spencer, of Venice Township, settled in this county in 1834 . . . . Frederick Steigmeyer, a native of Switzerland, came from Pennsylvania to Seneca County in 1836 . . . . John Steigmeyer, father of Mrs. John B. Blum, was a native of Switzerland, born in 1811; he settled, in 1835, two miles west of Attica, where he still resides . . . . Martin and Elizabeth (Lang) Steinmetz, parents of Mrs. J. B. Falter, natives of Alsace, came to Seneca County about 1833 . . . . M. C. Steinmetz, born in France in 1829, came with his parents, Martin and Elizabeth (Baltz) Steinmetz, from France to America about 1831, and to Venice Township about 1837 . . . . James D. Stevenson, a native of Vermont, settled here in 1838, died in Michigan in 1865 . . . . John A. Stephenson, father of Prof William H. Stephenson, of Attica, and a native of Pennsyvania, settled in Venice Township in 1831. . . . E. P. Sutton, known as "Pomeroy" Sutton, an old resident of Attica, died Dec. 27, 1879, at New Washington . . . . Lester Sutton  came from New York State in 1852.
     John Tompkins, a native of New York, came in 1835 . . . . Peter Trumpler, a native of Bavaria, was among the early settlers of the township . . . . John Trumpler was here in 1841.
     Samuel Weaver, father of E. Weaver, of Attica, was born in Maryland in 1822, and came among the early settlers to this county; he died in 1863 . . . . Martin S. Weaver, born in Pennsylvania in 1811, came here in 1833 . . . . Thomas West settled in Venice in October, 1828 . . . . James Willoughby, who owned the northwest quarter of Section 34 in 1829, died in 1835 . . . .Jacob Wise, a Pennsylvanian, settled here in 1828 . . . . Samuel Wise, a native, was here in 1837. . . . John and Samuel Woolet settled here in 1829 . . . . Christian and Hannah (Lehman) Worm came into the county from Germany in 1833.

     Early Industries - Henry Speaker's saw-mill was erected between Caroline and Attica in 1831.  The power was supplied by oxen.  The first grist mill and carding mill was established in 1832.  This was simply a conversion of Speaker's old saw-mill.  The Metcalf Steam Saw-Mill was erected in 1836 by Ebenezer and George Metcalf, close to the spot on which the Heabler Mill was afterward built.  The fire of March, 1840, destroying this building.  The Kinnaman Steam Saw & Grist Mills were erected at Caroline by Peter Kennaman, and carried on until destroyed by fire.  In 1857 Ephraim Groves' son was scalded to this, owing to the explosion of the boiler in this concern.  The Steigmeyer Steam Saw-Mill was erected near the site of the Metcalf Mills, and a grist-mill added subsequently.  This industry is now carried on by the Heablers.
     The conspiracy of 1857 to defraud the people reached its zenith at Attica.  Schuyler, Higley and Chandler were among the leaders of those fraudulent dealers.  The counterfeiters were also busy at this time and had a den in this township.

ATTICA.

ORGANIC AND OFFICIAL.

BUSINESS INTERESTS.

CHURCHES.

     The first sermon in Venice Township was delivered by the Presbyterian preacher of Melmore about 1830, and a Union Sabbath-school was organized early in 1833, by Agent Patty, of which Martain was chosen superintendent.
     The Presbyterian Society was organized in October, 1833, with thirteen members, by E. Conger and E. Judson, of Huron Presbytery.  John Holmes and Johnson Ford were the first elders.
     Attica Baptist Society was organized in 1841, with nine members.  Not however, until Apr. 2, 1842, was the first preacher appointed in the person of Rev. S. M. Mack.  In 1852 the Baptist Church was erected.
     Baptist Church of Attica was organized July 17, 1841, with the following members: Nathan Childs, Adam Philo, Russel Windruson, Leonard Gipson, Thomas Rundell, Eliza Childs, Electa Philo, Hannah Windruson, Huda Gipson and Nancy Rundell, all of whom have gone to join the church above.  The pastors of the church have been A. Abbott, E. Goodnow, V. R. Wall, Elder L. Mack, F. Freeman, A. C. Lockhart, E. W. Clark, J. Hawker, Reason Lockhart, Robert Lockhart, J. L. Wiley, Frank Lyon, A. Buell, T. Dyall, and E. W. Lyon.  The secretaries of the society were R. H. Blodgett, H. P. Philo.  L. L. Gipson and John Riddle.  The last named has served twenty years.  The membership is fifty-nine, and the value of church property is $3,000.
     United Brethren Society was organized in 1855 by Rev. M. Bulger, with the following named members:  William Seed, Henry Hershiser and wife, Mr. Miller and Mrs. Huddlestone.  The pastors of the church, since its organization, are named as follows:  Revs. M. Bulger, S. Jacoby, S. Altman, - Ogden W. W. McCurdy, Klingle, O. H. Ramsey, C. L. Bevington and W. A. Keesy, the present incumbent.  The society is building a new brick church on the lot where the old church stands on Eden Street.
     Universalist Church at Attica was organized Dec. 29, 1860.  Apr. 26, 1860, a number of citizens of Attica and vicinity, met to consider the means for buildings a Universalist Church, when a vote in favor of the enterprise was carried.  William Rininger, Mark E. Crow, and Samuel Crobaugh were elected trustees; John Childs, secretary.  Individual subscriptions were ordered to be divided into shares of $5 each, and each share was entitled to a vote.  Samuel Crobaugh presented his interest, valued at $60, to the church May 2, 1861.  Among the original members, besides those named above, were Parthena Crow, Miranda Crow, Maria Crow, Mary Metcalf, Naomi Pruden, Harrison Hathaway, Lodency and Louisa Childs.  The pastors have been Rev. E. R. Wood, six months; H. R. Nye, twenty-four months; J. W. Henley, eighteen months; J. F. Rice, six months; N. A. Saxton, six months; A. J. Seitz, twenty-four months; G. R. Brown, eighteen months, and J. F. Rice, the present pastor, twelve years.  The secretaries of the society have been H. Hathaway, J. H. Boyle, Maria and Allie Boyle, Martha Silcox, Anna Meyers, Arvilla Green, J. N. Lee, W. T. Meyers, F. H. Steigmeyer, Nettie Couch, and L. J. Todd. The house of worship was erected in 1860.  The membership is ninety.
     The Methodists of Venice organized in 1835.
     Methodist Protestant Church was organized at Attica early in 1866.  The names of original members are William McPherson and wife, Maurice Moore and wife, Mrs. George Ringle, Mrs. David Ringle, Mary Bennet, Mrs. Lester Sutton, Mrs. Elizabeth Day, and Mrs. Vahnluah Williams.  The names of pastors are given as follows:  Mary Ann Steinbaugh, H. J. Bradford, James Williams, W. S. Cairns. J. H. Gray, L. Boman.  The present pastor is D. C. Coburn.  The number of members is placed at 105, and the value of property at $4,000.
     Attica Mission of the Methodist Church, at Reed, was reorganized in 1872, and James Williams, Adolph Sallieres and Hiram Boyd were elected trustees Nov. 30, 1872.
     The English Lutherans organized in 1838, and in 1840-41, erected the Union Church, afterward controlled by the United Brethren.  This church was sold for debt, purchased by Johnson Ford and used as a Union Church for years.
     *Evangelical Lutheran Congregation, originally consisted of German Lutheran and German Reformed members who settled here between 1830 and 1840.  Rev. Conrad, Lutheran minister than residing at Tiffin, held the first services in 1835-37 in private houses.  In 1839 Rev. Krause also of Tiffin (Lutheran) was called and preached every four weeks for about six years.  In 1842 during his stay here the first church was built, a log structure to the east of Caroline.  In 1843 a complete organization was effected and a constitution adopted, and the church was known as the German Evangelical Lutheran and Reformed Congregation.  Rev. Krause's successor was Rev. Robert Graetz (now of St. Mary's, Ohio), 1845-55.  In December, 1855, Rev. w. Schmogrow (deceased), then of New Washington, was called.  In the ppring of 1857 dissatisfaction having arisen on the part of the Reformed on account of Lutheran practice at the Lord's Supper, a separation took place, both parties organizing separately.  The Lutheran portion organized in teh fall of the same year in accordance with the laws of the State as the "'German Evangelical Lutheran Bethlehem Congregation of Caroline, Ohio," and adopted its own constitution.  Its officers then were Conrad Lebold and Valentine Roehring, elders; MArtin Smeltz and Jeremiah Smith, deacons; John Spriger, Daniel Schaf and Jacob Faber, trustees.  The constitution is still the constitution of the congregatino.  The pastors following Rev. Schmogrow were Rev. Paul Mueller (now at Wichita, Kas.); Rev. Carl Schmidt (now at Hubbard, Ohio); Rev. Buechenstein, Rev. W. Braunwarth, Rev. A. C. Ulrich (now at Norwalk, Ohio); Rev. Kramer (now at Castle Garden, New York); Rev. J. Krieger (now at Arlington, Ohio); from May, 1883, to May, 1884, Rev. H. G. Sulter (now at Bellevue, Ohio), and since June, 1884, Rev. Carl Ackermann  In 1870 the present church was built at a cost of perhaps $2,500.  This spring a new parsonage was secured, costing $1,200.  The German language was always the medium used i preaching until Rev. Sulter was called, since which time German and English have been used alternately.  At present the congregation numbers about eighty communicant members.  Mr. Leonard Sachs is the present secretary of the congregation.
     English Reformed Church, at Carrothers, was founded some years ago.  This church at Caroline claims a membership of 100 and a large church building.  The Sunday-school of the church at Carrothers was organized in April, 1885, with the following named officers: superintendent, G. S. McKee; assistant superintendent, P. H. Buchman; secretary, Ida McClelland; treasurer, Katie Groetize.
     SS Peter and Paul Church, of Attica, is modern in organization, but old in its membership.  Previous to the year 1882, the few Catholics living in and around Attica, having no house of worship of their own, attended the nearest Catholic Church for religous services.  At a social meeting in the spring of 1882 the first steps toward the organization of the S. S. Peter and Paul congregation were taken.  The question of building a Catholic Church at Attica was then eagerly discussed by John and Frederick Steigmeyer and Sebastian Senn, three of the oldest and most respected settlers of Attica: J. B. Bum, F. X. Snyder and Krupp Bros.  The result was a subscription of $1,000 for buying a suitable place for the intended church.  Soon the work commenced and Oct. 29, 1882, the church was dedicated to divine service.  July 17, 1882, Rev. A. Huthmacher was appointed first pastor of the newly organized congregation but no religious service was held before Oct. 29, 1882, the day of dedication.  The value of the property is placed at $4,000.

CEMETERIES.

     The first death in the township was that of Esther, wife of Jonathan Ford, who died Mar. 19, 1829.  She was buried in the Scipio Cemetery.  Samuel Halsted's child, who died shortly after, was interred in a field near the pike road, while Philip Muck's child was interred on the "Ford Farm," where Johnson Ford donated and cleared a small cemetery.
     Myers Cemetery Association was organized Aug. 27, 1868, with Dr. J. C. Meyers, H. F. Myers, George W. Meyers, J. D. Meyers, D. Zimmerman, David Smith, D. C. Meyers, Abram Meyers and H. A. Meyers.

SOCIETIES.

REVIEW.

SMALL VILLAGES.

SCHOOLS.

GENERAL STATISTICS.

CONCLUSION.