CHAPTER XXI.
MARION TOWNSHIP AND DELPHOS
pp. 441 - 465

Boundaries, Area and Population - Streams - Railroad Viaduct - Lumber and Bark Industry - Soil - Organic History - List of Original Land Entries - What Mr. Harrison Says - Schools - DELPHOS - Its Favorable Location and Many Advantages - Social and Intellectual Status - Malaria and Cholera Troubles - Miami & Erie Canal - Railroads - Railroad shops - Original Town Plats - First Houses - First Saw-mill and Grist-mill - First White Child - Physicians - First Election - Mayors, Recorders, Treasurers, Marshals and Councilmen since 1852 - Postmasters - Churches - Schools - Societies, etc. - LANDECK VILLAGE - Its Location - Catholic Church - Railroads  and Postoffices in Marion Township.
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     THIS township, forming the northwestern division of the county, is bounded on the north by Putnam and on the west by Van Wert County.  It has an area of forty-two square miles, and a population of 5,000 (year 1885), including the eastern part of Delphos.  Outside the town the population in 1880 was 2,485, or 59.16 to the square mile.
     The Auglaize River enters the township in its southwest quarter, flows north through a tortuous channel, and leaves the county in Section 21, Town 2 south, Range 5 east.  The river at this point is an important stream, running between steep banks in some places, through broad bottom lands in other places.  In the valley of the Auglaize the surface is much broken, yet exceedingly fertile.  A hundred streamlets - tributaries of the Auglaize and Ottawa - course through the township in almost level channels rendering the complete drainage of the country practicable at little expense.
     The elevation at the railroad viaduct, over the Miami & Erie Canal, at Delphos, is 188 feet about the level of Lake Erie, which gives a natural fall toward the lake of about thirty inches per mile.
     Throughout the township numerous groves of excellent hard-wood timber are found - all the species named in the chapter on Natural History attaining their full growth here.  So early as 1843 the lumbermen came into the woods of Marion.  In 1845 the bark industry caused war to be waged against the huge elms, ash, juniper, and almost all the trees and shrubs to be found here.  The lumber and bark industries stripped the primeval forest of its beauty.  When, in 1872-72, the great timber manufacturing concerns were established, the material was still there to cull from; but the appearance of the woods told of vandalism and waste.
     The lands of the township are admirably adapted to agriculture.  For many years the early settlers were content with their small clearings.  At present many large farms mark the progress of this district.

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ORGANIC HISTORY.

     The township of Marion, as originally constituted, was set off from the north end of Amanda in December, 1833, by the Commissioners of Allen County, acting on a petition presented to them that year by the settlers in Township 3 south, Range 5 east.  When the counties of this district were redistricted in 1848, the south half of the original township of Marion was added to the north half of Amanda, under the name Amanda, while the south half of Town 2 south, Range 5 east, was taken from Jennings Township, in Putnam County, added to the north half of original Township 3 south, Range 5 east, and set off under the name of Marion.  At the same time six sections were taken from the northeast part of the original town of Jennings, in Van Wert County (Town 3 south, Range 4 east), and added to the reorganized town of Marion, giving this northeastern township an area of forty-two square miles, and making it co-extensive with the township of Richland, in the northeastern part of the county.  The first Trustees were Christian Stukey, Michael Swisher and Thomas J. Fair; Clerk, With J. Cochran; Treasurer, Ferdianad Miller; William Brady and William Scott, Road Commissioners to open the Auglaize & Van Wert Road.

LIST OF ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES.

     The original land buyers within the territory now comprised in Marion, are named in the following lists of entries made in the Land Receivers' books from 1825 to 1854, when the last parcel of public land was sold.  By far the greater number of the persons named had settled here previous to purchase, or came to reside on their lands immediately after entry.  Others, who then resided west of the county line, or in other towns of Allen, were interested in lands here, and many of them took a full part in the development of this township.

TOWNSHIP 2 SOUTH, RANGE 5 EAST.

TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 5 EAST.

TOWNSHIP 3 SOUTH, RANGE 4 WEST

     Mr. Harrison, in his paper on the settlement of Delphos, states that:  "About the year 1834, William Scott and William Brady opened the first road from the Auglaize River through the present site of Delphos to the village of Van Wert.  It is stated that this road passed through what was then known as the 'ten-mile woods,' and that not a single cabin was seen in all that distance.  It was a dreary and sickly region

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at that time.  The great experiment of the introduction of slackwater navigation had been tried under the administration of Gov. De Witt Clinton in the State of New York, and was gradually increasing its advocates in Ohio.  As early as 1828 the United States gave to the State of Ohio certain lands, on the condition that the State would build a canal from Dayton to Defiance, on the Auglaize River.  These conditions were that the State should have all the even-numbered sections on the above mentioned route for the construction of said canal.  Some three routes were surveyed under the direction of Samuel  Forrer, and immediately difficulty was experienced in fixing the precise location of the canal.  Speculation was entered into, and the price of lands were greatly enhanced.  Finally the present site was agreed upon, and in due time the work was commenced and completed.  These routes were surveyed in 1830, and the canal was completed about 1845.  As soon as the location of the canal had been fully determined, there was quite a rush for lands.  A number of Germans, who had settled in the neighborhood of old Fort Jennings as early as 1834, at once discerned the rising of real estate in what is now Marion Township.  Ferdinand Bredeick immediately purchased a tract of land for himself and also another parcel of land for his brother, who was then in Germany.  In this northwest part of Marion Township the following old settlers located:  Ferdinand Bredeick, Theodore Wrocklage, Bernard Esch, John Bredeick, Conrad Loudeck, Casper Geise, Mathias Shroder, George Wilte, Conrad Wellman, Henry Lause, Henry Schroeder, Casper Mesker, Casper Luesmann, C. D. Geise M. Hemker, F. Reinemeyer, John Grothaus, D. Kariman, H. Linderman, and Mrs. Osenbach."  In the foregoing record of land buyers, again in the history of Dephos, and lastly in the assessment roll for 1834, the names of the pioneers of this township are all given.

SCHOOLS.

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employed.  The number of pupils enrolled is 611.  Just west of the county line, in Washington Township, Van Wert Co., is the Delphos Union School building.  The building was erected in 1869, at a cost of over $30,000.  In the following historical sketch of Delphos, a great deal relating to the settlement and progress of this township is to be found.

DELPHOS

     This village is favorably situated on the Miami and Erie Canal, above the confluence of that waterway with the Wabash and Erie Canal system.  Here also is the center of the Toledo, Cincinnati & St. Louis Railway system, as well as an office of the main line of the Pennsylvania R. R. Flouring mills, lumber manufacturing establishments, banks, stores, churches, schools, hotels, railroad depots, canal freight house, lodge rooms, fire department buildings, livery stables, residences, are all here, many of the buildings claiming a commercial and architectural importance not excelled in Ohio.  The telegraph system is an old institution, while the telephone, in all its shapes, is found here.  In a word, many of the luxuries and all the conveniences which modern times suggest have been adopted by the citizens.
     The people of Delphos have always paid much attention to educational matters.  From pioneer times down to the present day, the school has formed a subject for their serious inquiry.  A love of educational advancement forms one of the leading characteristics of the citizens.  The school has been always fostered by them.  It has been raised up from very humble beginnings, until now the system of both common and denominational schools here has won high encomiums from all conversant with it.  The churches, too, serve to form an index to character.  The buildings devoted to religious purposes are all substantial.  In one instance—the Catholic Church—a building has been raised which ranks with the greatest church edifices in the Union.  The literary, musical and benevolent societies are all well conducted, and the newspapers well edited.
     It has been stated, with some show of authority, that Delphos could not have been settled without the aid of quinine.  The air was so poisoned with malarial effluvia from swamps and marshes, that not only the pioneers, but also the very dogs of the settlement, suffered intensely

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from fever and ague.  Quinine was the sins qua non of life even up to the period when the location lost its name of Section Ten.

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CHURCHES

     Catholic Church. —The history of the church is identified with that of the settlement and progress of this division of the county.  From printed
and written reminiscences it appears that in December, 1845, thirty-six male members of the Catholic Church met in a log cabin and drew up ten
articles of agreement, providing that each inhabitant of section 10, who

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[PHOTO OF JACOB ALT_____]

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SCHOOL.

SOCIETIES, ETC.

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INDUSTRIES, BANKS, ETC.

     The Industry known as the curing of Slippery Elm bark was founded at Delphos in 1855, by Dr. J. W. Hunt.  The trade in this bark may be said to have its headquarters at Delphos for many years.  Ten years previous to this time Theodore Wrocklage and B. Esch established a potash and pearl-ash factory.

     The Empire Excelsior Works, established by Charles Whittier, was purchased in 1873 by August Boehmer, who has been operator of them for the last eleven years.  The factory gives employment to eight men.  The machinery is valued at about $3,500.  The capacity is about 1,000 tons per annum.  The principal market is at Cincinnati.

     The Dephos Chemical Works, manufacturers of pearl-ash, was established in 1871, by Ishmael Malick.  In 1872 the works were purchased

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by J. & T. Rice.  The product since the decrease in price, has not exceeded ten tons annually.  The price is 3 cents per pound.

     The Delphos Elevator, built by W. F. Mills & Co., in 1879, has a capacity of 30,000 bushels.  The original building was erected by Curtis & Bliss, about thirty years ago, on Canal Street and Pennsylvania Railroad.  The Narrow Guage Railroad runs a track along the west side.

     In 1870 a hub and spoke factory was established on the side of the canal, by A. B. Risk and M. A. Ferguson.  This industry was carried on where the Moennig hardware store now stands,  until consolidated with the Ohio Wheel Company in 1872.

     The Ohio Wheel Company, founded at Toledo in 1868, moved to Delphos in 1872.  The Company was incorporated Oct. 20, 1871, with W. P. Garrett, Ed Flickinger, Henry Flickinger, P. M. Ainslie and William Johnson, of Toledo, and Theo Wrocklage, M. A. Ferguson, D. L. Williams, J. M. C. Marble, Peter Phelan, S. D. Chambers,  H. J. Moennig, A. B. Risk, T. W. Brotherton, J. W. Hunt, L. G. Roebuck, F. H. Stallkamp, F. Buettner, C. A. Evans and D. H. Tolan.  At their Toledo works, buildings and machinery were valued at $40,000.  The buildings were erected in in 1872-72, and opened in the fall of 1872.  The estimated cost of buildings, $20,000, and machinery $45,000.  The number of hands employed in January, 1873, was 32, the number at present, 80.  The presidents have been Henry Flickinger 1868 to 1873, and J. M. C. Marble 1873 to 1885.  Henry J. Trame has served as secretary from 1873 to present time.  The value of annual products is about $120,000; the monthly pay roll is about $3,000.

     The Union Flouring Mill Company was organized under State law in 1872, with F. J. Lye, Peter Phelan, H. J. Moennig, H. J. Gerdeman, Theo Wrocklage, S. D. Chambers.  In 1880 the name was changed to the Eagle Mills.

     The Eagle Mills were purchased in July, 1880, by Alex. Shenk and George F. Lang, who have conducted this industry down to the present time.  The machinery is valued at about $15,000, and the buildings about $10,000.  The capacity is estimated at 125 barrels per day.  The annual product is 25,000 barrels.  The number of hands employed is ten.

     Delphos Flouring-Mills, built in 1847 by E. N. Morton, were purchased in 1856 by Abram Miller, J. Shotwell and T. F. Conklin; pur-

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chased by Cooper & Conklin, again in 1858 by Miller & Shotwell.  In 1861 P. W. Morton purchased Shotwell's interest, and in 1876 acquired three-fourths of the interest with Abram Miller.

     Pittsburg Hoop & Stave Company was established in 1872, with C. Meyran president; Thomas A. Weger, superintendent; W. Steinmeyer, Treasurer; and G. W. Hammer, secretary.  The new company organized Feb. 20, 1884, is presided over by J. Shaffer, with H. Goette, secretary and treasurer, and F. A. Wege, superintendent.  The value of machinery is $6,000, and of buildings $4,000.  The value of annual product (estimated) is about $80,000; the number of men employed, 30.

     The Stave Company, one of the great industries of Delphos, was organized in 1869, with J. M. C. Marble, Theo Wrocklage, John Ostendorf and H. J. Trame, incorporators.  Mr. Ostendorf presides over this Company, with C. P. Washburn treasurer and secretary.

     Delphos Handle Factory was established in 1872, by the Hartwell Brothers.

     What has been said by Mr. Sutton in 1882 is doubly applicable to-day.  He states:  Within a radius of four miles of Delphos there are over thirty mills constantly employed in cutting and preparing lumber for the market by the railroads and canal.  The enterprise and growth of Delphos can be seen by the following list of business establishments:  two steam saw-mills, two grist mills, one paper mill, one woollen-mill, one machine shop and foundry, one stirrup factory, two planing-mills, one handle factory, one excelsior works, one union stave factory, one hoop and stave factory, one Washington stave factory, one tight-barrel factory, one wheel factory, two brick yards, four livery stables, four hardware stores, four stove and tin stores, nine dry goods stores, four millinery establishments, four drug stores, twelve grocery and provision stores, thirty saloons, four butcher shops, three jewelry stores, two harness shops, two undertaking establishments, three furniture stores, four wagon shops, six blacksmith shops, six boot and shoe shops, seven baker shops, one tannery, one brewery, two banks, two newspapers, two warehouses, three elevators, six hotels, two public halls, one steam fire-engine, two hand-engines, hose carts, etc.

     First National Bank was founded by L. G. Roebuck, F. J. Lye, J. M.

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C. Marble, T. Wrocklage, Peter Phelan, R. K. Lytle, H. J. Boehmer, B. Esch, F. H. Stalkamp, and Henry D. Clark, Feb. 16, 1863, with L. G. Roebuck, president, and J. M. C. Marble, cashier.  The capital stock is $60,000, and surplus $8,000.

     The Commercial Bank of Delphos was chartered under the Legislative act of February 26, 1853.  It was organized as a State bank in 1877, and in 1880 the capital stock of $100,00 was reduced to $50,000.

     The Fidelity Fire Insurance Company, of Delphos, was organized in August, 1875.  The first Directors were:  Aliex Shenk, B. Esch, Max Woerner, George W. Hall, Joseph Boehmer, Charles E. Shenk, B. J. Brotherton, M. A. Ferguson, Henry Weible, Theodore Wrocklage, Dr. Schneider, Lester Bliss, John Shaw, T. J. Godfrey and A. V. Rice.

     The Phelan House, built in 1880 by J. F. McShane, has been carried on by John Roby since April 25, 1881.  This is one of the best hotels in northwestern Ohio.

     The Rose House was built in 1881 by A. B. Risk.  This house is located on the P. F. W. & C. R. R., just west of the Union depot.  It has been variously conducted.

LANDECK VILLAGE

     Landeck, Sections 3 and 10, Marion Township, is a small village in the midst of a rich agricultural district.  The business portion of Landeck lies north of Main Street.  South are the lands of the Catholic Church, Sebastian Ley and J. Shaffer.  The school and a stream saw-mill stand on the western limits.

     Catholic Church -  About twenty families in and around Landeck asked and obtained permission of Bishop Rappe to erect a church under direction of Father Westerholt, then pastor in Delphos, and a frame one 40 x 60 feet was built on a lot donated by S. Ley.  Father Maesfranex was appointed pastor in 1868.  Rev. C. Seltzer succeeding him in 1869.  The following  year Rev. F. Brem was appointed his successor, and had charge eight years, when he went to Europe for his health,  Rev. B. Neier supplying his place during his absence.  Rev. J. B. Heiland succeeded

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him April 20, 1878.  During Father Seltzer's administration a neat pastoral residence was erected, and Father Brem built a schoolhouse and teacher's house.  Oct. 10, 1876, the house and contents were destroyed by fire.  Father Brem however, erected a more substantial residence of brick in 1877, a year later an addition of 20x44 feet was made to the church.  The congregation now numbers about ninety-six families making a total of about 500 members.

MISCELLANEOUS

     The Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad passes through Marion Township from southeast to northwest; the Cleveland, Delphos & St. Louis Railroad touches the most northwesterly sections on its way from Delphos into Putnam County, and the Toledo, Delphos & Indianapolis Railroad runs due north and south.  The postoffices are Delphos, Landeck and Scott's Crossing.