This
township is the seat of the oldest permanent settlement within
the present county limits. The surface is generally flat,
broken only by the St. Marys River and Mercer reservoir.
The canal crosses from south to north, through the town of St.
Marys. This village is the only one within the township,
and is the site of an old trading point, but subsequently became
an important storehouse of supplies during the years 1812-13.
During this period, it was the point of important military
operations, as troops were concentrated and organized in
preparation for the northern campaign.
Rich. M. Johnson was here elected Colonel by a
reorganized regiment, and in 1813, the regiment of Colonel
Barbee built the fort which was named for the Colonel.
As the southern limit of Harrison's base of supplies, it was
from here that provisions and munitions were forwarded to Forts
Defiance and Wayne. Three companies of Colonel Johnson's
regiment were here discharged, at the expiration of their terms
of enlistment. As this matter comes within the scope of
our general history, we turn to a period subsequent to the war
1812, and find something of a settlement at this point, visited
largely by traders and hunters. No material growth of
population or enterprise was manifested by the isolated
settlement prior to 1824, and even then the outlook was not
promising, as will be seen by the exhibits of population and
wealth which here follow. Exhibit of taxpayers of St. Marys
township, as listed by Isaac Applegate in 1824: -
John Armstrong
Isaac Applegate,
James Bodkins,
Richard R. Barrington,
Joseph Blew,
John Carter,
John Catterlin,
Nimrod Hathaway,
William Majors,
Hamilton Majors,
Charles Murray,
John Murdock,
John Manning,
Charles McCumsey, |
Joseph Catterlin,
Martin Cleland,
George Conner,
Isaiah Dungan,
Asa Hinkle,
James Hay,
William Heath,
William Houston,
Peter Opdyke,
John Pickeral,
Thomas Scott,
Henry Smith,
Ezekiel Swren,
Jacobus J. Van Nuss,
Lucas Vanosdoll. |
Total taxable property and
tax: - Horses, 33; cattle, 166; tax, $26.64.
List of taxable lots, and value thereof, as returned by
Isaac Applegate, Lister, and Isaiah Dungan,
Appraiser, June 7, 1824: -
Charles Murray, lots number 3, 4, 22, 27, 28,
42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 49, 50, 63, 64, 67, 68.
James Lord, lot number 21.
Leander Houston, lot number 2.
John Manning, lots number 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12,
13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 53,
55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 31, 30.
William A. Houston, lots number 1, 5, 23, 24,
25, 26, 41, 29, 47, 48, 51, 52, 61, 62, 65, 66.
Christian Benner, lots number 7, 8, 17.
The forgoing 68 lots in St. Marys town and township,
valued at $68.00, were taxed $0.005 each, or a total of $0.34
(thirty-four cents). Total tax of town and township
$26.98.
State of Ohio, Mercer County,
June 7, 1824.
Agreeable to the
duties assigned to said county commissioners, they have called
on the county treasurer for a statement, and it appears that no
money had been received by him, and his bond was delivered up,
and he released; thereupon the said John P. Hedges was
appointed treasurer for the ensuing year, and gave bond,
according to law. He appointed Samuel Hanson
collector of taxes, who gave bond accordingly. The said
Hanson agreed to collect for five dollars all the taxes of
Mercer and Van Wert Counties.
The above business was done before David Hayes
and Solomon Carr, commissioners of said county; which I
do certify is a correct proceedings of all business ordered by
said commissioners to enter on said day's proceedings.
W. B. HEDGES, Auditor.
Auditor's Office,,, Mercer
County, June 7, 1824.
No. 1. Order issued to John Dougherty
for locating seat of justice, $42.
No. 2. Order issued to Asa Coleman for
locating seat of justice $36.
No. 3. Order issued to Samuel Newell for
locating seat of justice, $33.
No. 4. Order issued to John Lillie for
listing and appraising property, $4.
No. 5. Order issued to Benjamin Roebuck
for listing and appraising property, $1.25.
No. 6. Order issued to Peter Opdyke for
making election returns, $1.
No. 9. Order issued to Solomon Carr for
his services as commissioner, $2.25.
No. 10. Order issued to D. Hays for his
services as commissioner, $2.25.
October 12, 1824.
No. 11. Order
issued to Isaiah Dungan for listing and appraising
property in St. Marys township, $1.
No. 13. Order issued to Judge James Wolcott
for services rendered in opening last election returns, $2.50.
No. 15. Order issued to James Wolcott for
services in last May court, $2.50.
No. 16. Order issued to James Wolcott for
services in last September term, $5.
No. 17. Order issued to Benjamin Roebuck,
grand juror, $1.
No. 18. Order issued to John McMilligan
for two days as grand juror, $2.
No. 21. Order issued to Calvin Dennison
for grand juror, $1.
No. 23. Order issued to Judge John Graves
for sitting at May term, $2.50
No. 24. Order issued to Judge John Graves
for services at September term, $5.
October 20, 1824.
No. 26. Order
issued to Michael Horner for services as grand juror, $1.
No. 28. Order issued to John Mustang for
services as grand juror. $1.
December 10, 1824.
No. 61. Order
issued to Joseph Steward for surveying the State road
from Sidney, Shelby Co., to St. Marys, Mercer Co., $6.12½.
No. 62. Order issued to Asa Hinkle,
commissioner, to locate State road from Sidney to St. Marys,
$3.90.
No. 63. Order issued to John Johnson,
commissioner, to locate State road from Sidney to St. Marys,
$3.34
No. 64. Order issued to John Bloks as
chain carrier, on State road from Sidney to St. Marys, $1.67.
No. 65. Order issued to Henry Bryan, as
chain carrier on State road from Sidney to St. Marys, $1.67.
March 5, 1825.
No. 69. Order
issued to Judge Thomas Scott for two days' attendance at
February term, $5.
No. 70. Order issued to W. B. Hedges as
auditor, $31.62.
No. 95. Order issued to John P. Hedges,
late treasurer of Mercer County for his percentage of business,
$2.91.
No. 100. Order issued to Joseph D. Blew
for carrying chain in surveying town lots in St. Marys, $0.75.
No. 633. Order issued to Robert Linzee for
services as blazer on State road from Mrs. Flinn's to
Waupaughkonetta out of Allen County funds, Aug. 16, 1830, $1.75.
Saturday, June 11,
1825.
The commissioners met pursuant to adjournment, and proceeded to
take, from the proprietors of the town of St. Marys, a deed for
the lots donated for county purposes. They also appointed
Thomas Scott agent to sell and convey the lots Nos. 1, 7,
15, 25, 33, 5, 39, 44, 48, 52, 57, on the following conditions;
one-third in hand; one third in one year; and one-third in two
years.
| |
Isaiah Dungen )
Ansel Blossom,)
Solomon Carr, ) |
Commissioners. |
| Asa
Hinkle built the first county jail, for which he
received lots No. 31, 34, 37, 42, 50, and paid $150
in cash. Sold Dec. 29, 1825. |
| |
Ansel Blossom,
)
Thomas McCumsey) |
Commissioners. |
|
The commissioners met and proceeded to examine an
account laid by Leander Houston for the court
as constable, at February term, in 1825, and allowed
for the same seventy-five cents. They also
allowed George Conner $9.50 for carrying the
returns of the annual election to Eaton, Preble
County, Ohio. Also directed the auditor to
issue an order to Thomas McCumsey for $4, and
to David Hays for $4; both for services as
commissioners at the March term 1827. No other
business appearing, the meeting adjourned. |
| |
Wednesday, June 8, 1825.
|
|
The commissioners met agreeably to adjournment, and
appointed John Murdock collector of county
tax for the ensuing year; they also appointed
John Manning treasurer, for ensuing year, of
Mercer County. The auditor was directed to
take the bond of said Manning in the sum of
five hundred dollars. The commissioners made a
settlement with the auditor, his accounts amounting
to $18.66¾. They,
not considering that a sufficient compensation,
allowed him $21.33¼ more, making in all $40, for his
services for the year. They levied a tax on
each horse, ass, and mule three years old and
upward, of thirty cents; and upon each head of
cattle, three years old and upwards, a tax of ten
cents. |
| |
June 10, 1825. |
|
Received eighty-three dollars and a half; for lots
sold for county purposes, which was entered on the
books, "Paid," and the order destroyed. |
| |
WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, Dept.
Auditor. |
|
After a division of the lots by the commissioners
they set apart fifteen lots on which to build public
buildings: these were Nos. 5, 13, 18, 23, 27, 31,
34, 37, 42, 46, 50, 55, 58, 60, and 63. The
proceeds of the other fifteen lots to be used for
other county purposes. This day the
commissioners received the resignation of W. B.
Hedges, and they appointed David Armstrong
as his successor to the office of county auditor. |
| |
St. Marys, June 5, 1827.
|
The commissioners met pursuant to adjournment, and
proceeded to settle with the treasurer for Mercer
County levee, and received fifty-two dollars and
fifty-seven cents ($52.57), leaving a balance of
ninety-four dollars and five cents ($94.05), which
could not be accounted for; also thirty-five dollars
and eighty-three cents and seven mills ($35,83.7)
the whole amount of the State and canal tax, for
which he could not account.
On motion, the treasurer was allowed until the first
day of the November following to prepare for final
settlement. They then appointed Robert
Bigger, treasurer, who gave bonds in the sum of
$1000 according to law.
The following is a list of tax-payers of St. Marys town
and township in 1830:- |
John Williams,
William Crabb,
Isaiah Dungan,
Lucas Vanosdoll,
Martin Cleland,
Jonathan Wyland,
John Wyland,
John Johns,
Stephen Crabb,
John Crabb,
John Matson,
Israel Johns,
Jacobus J. Van Nuss,
David Woodruff,
Thomas McCumsey,
William Berry,
John Manning,
John Pickeral,
Michael Godard,
Isaac Nickols,
John Hollingsworth,
James Gibson,
William Murdock,
Christian Benner,
Charles Watkins,
James Douglass,
David Armstrong,
William McCumsey,
Robert Bigger,
William Armstrong,
R. R. Barrington,
Charles Smith, Sen.
Maria Dennison,
Robert P. Brownell,
Isaac Applegate,
Hiram Emanuel,
Thomas A. Armstrong,
Barney Murray,
Joseph D. Blew,
Thomas Flowers, |
Sloan
Miller,
John Miller, Jun.
Alexander Miller,
John Miller, Sen.
William B. Winters,
Benjamin Bennet,
Amos Compton,
C. Vincent,
William Bodkin,
John Armstrong,
Caleb Major,
Henry M. Helm,
James W. Riley,
John Helm,
Robert Brownum,
Picket Doute,
Charles Murray,
Richard Warfield,
Jonathan Longworth,
Joseph Catterlin,
David Catterlin,
John Hawthorn,
Joseph Doute,
Asa Hinkle,
Henry Hinkle,
Henry Smith,
Martin Reed,
Albert Opdyke,
Peter Vanmiddleworth,
William Crabb, Jun.
George Easter,
James Bodkin,
Charles Smith, Jun.,
William Health,
William Major,
Samuel Hatfield,
Joseph Sacket,
Samuel Sacket,
Hamilton Major,
Peter Opdyke |
From the foregoing lists and exhibits it is evident
that the years to which they apply form a period of
struggles, rather than of prosperity for the
township and village. Still the village became
the first seat of justice of Mercer County, and so
remained until 1840. This county was included
with Montgomery, Miami, Shelby, Allen, and Van Wert
in the old third judicial district until 1845.
Hon. Joseph H. Crane as president judge held
the first court at this place. During the
following fourteen years Judge Holt presided,
followed by Judges Helfinstein and Goode,
who each presided seven years. The presiding
judge rode around the circuit accompanied by the
lawyers. There were no law books in the
circuit, and each lawyer was compelled to rely upon
his legal ability independent of references.
Judge Crane was in the habit of relating the
following incident touching the first court held at
St. Marys. The grand jury had retired to some
logs under a large shade tree to hold a session.
The judge was in the cabin court-room awaiting the
report of the grand jury, when a large, burly
fellow, wearing a red hunting shirt, came forward,
leaned his rifle against the side of the door, and,
placing a hand against each door cheek, he asked the
Court: "Do you known this old hoss?" The Court
took in the situation, and said: "Mr.
Sheriff, put the 'old hoss' in the stable until
further orders." The sheriff conducted him to
the place used for a jail, and when he became sober
the judge directed the sheriff to "turn the 'old
hoss' out."
A jail was afterwards built on the corner of Spring and
Main Streets, and the same building is now used as a
dwelling and store-room.
Owing to the exposure and inconvenience of those days
they were careful to not hold court during cold
weather. The town maintained something of a
growth without business facilities until 1838, when
the canal gave stimulus to activity during its
construction, and laid the foundation for the first
business enterprises by furnishing as good water
power as may be found in the State. A few
years later several mills were erected along the
canal, among which were the flour mills of R. B.
Gordon and Neitert and Koops, the
St. Marys Woollen Mill, the Reservoir Mill, and the
Farina Mill, all in St. Marys. These mills
were the earliest in the county, except the old
Mission Mill at Wapakoneta, and as the county was
then settled more or less throughout, St. Marys
became the centre of milling operations for a large
section during several years. With these
enterprises the growth of the town was rapid, until
the erection of Auglaize County in 1848, when St.
Marys became a contestant for the seat of justice,
but was defeated as elsewhere shown. To-day
the village enjoys the advantages of the canal, and
the Lake Erie and Western Railroad, and is at the
junction of the Minster branch.
We cast a glance at the principal industries of the
village as represented by manufacturing
establishments.
Whip Stock Factory - Woolworth and
Cowles; established in 1874, and employs about
fourteen hands in the manufacture of thirty thousand
dozen whip stocks per year. These are shipped
throughout the United States and to Europe.
Reservoir Mills - Established in 1847 by
Scott, Linzee & Co R. B. Gordon,
Proprietor.
Farina Mills - Established in 1855 by present
owner. Manufactures farina, wheat, rye, and
buckwheat flour. All kinds of grain and seed
bought and sold. Philip V. Herzing,
Proprietor.
St. Marys Woollen Manufacturing Company - These
mills were built by William Gibson in 1866 at
a cost of $62,000. The main building is of
stone, brick, and slate, forty by ninety feet, and
four and a half stories in height, being one of the
most substantial along the line of the canal.
The mill is supplied with two sets of machinery of
the latest pattern. The establishment came
into the hands of the citizens of the village in
1871, when a joint stock company was organized with
a capital $50,000, under the title of the "St. Marys
Woollen Manufacturing Company." About one
hundred thousand pounds of wool are annually
consumed in the manufacture of flannels, blankets,
jeans, satinets, and yarn. E. M. Piper,
President. A. Althausen, Secretary.
Bank of St. Mary's - Organized and opened Sept.
1, 1876, under the name of the "Bank of St. Marys,"
by E. M. Piper, A. Althausen, and
Frederick Dieker. Each partner represents
one-third of the capital, and is individually
liable. In 1879 a new building was elected and
supplied with the latest improved vaults, safes, and
locks. A. Althausen, Cashier.
Wheel, Spoke, and Handle Factory - L. Bimel,
Proprietor. Established in 1870, but two years
later the works burned down and were rebuilt.
Twenty-five men are kept employed in the manufacture
of wheels, spokes, hubs, and handles. A
planing mill is connected with the factory.
St. Marys Carriage Works - L. Bimel,
Proprietor. Founded in 1855, and superintended
until 1872 by present owner. Employs twenty
men in the construction of carriages, buggies,
wagons, and sleighs, the annual production amounting
to one hundred and fifty jobs. Salesrooms at
St. Marys and Lima, Ohio. The proprietor has
just established a handle factory at Portland,
Indiana, which will employ about twelve men.
Carriage Works - Established in 1860, and
employs seven men in the manufacture of carriages,
buggies, wagons, and sleighs. Jacob Koch,
Proprietor.
St. Marys Foundry and Machine Works -
Established by present owner in 1876, and is the
only foundry in the county. Employs ten men in
the manufacture of all kinds of mill machinery,
pumps, pipes, fittings, Babbitt metal, and brass
goods. Attention is also given to repairing.
C. Buehler, Proprietor.
St. Marys Argus - This journal was established
and conducted at St. Marys, by E. B. Walkup,
present editor of the "Delphos Courant." The
first number was issued Aug. 26, 1872, and was named
the "St. Marys Courant." In Oct. 1874, J.
E. Fisher, present editor of the "Tuscarawas
Democrat," took charge of the "Courant," when it
became the "St. Marys Commercial." This
continued until December, 1876, when R. S. Clark
took charge, issuing his first number Dec. 7, under
the new name of the "St. Marys Free Press."
Clark continued in charge until his death in
Dec. 1877. The office then passed into the
hands of John Walkup and Wm. Shields,
who issued their first number Jan. 5, 1878, under
the heading of the "St. Marys Argus," edited and
conducted by John Walkup. On the 5th of
July, 1879, Frank Walkup and J. N.
Richardson bought the interest of Wm. Shields,
while the firm name continued John Walkup & Co.
Jan. 3, 1880, John
Walkup sold his interest to the other members of
the firm, and the style changed to Walkup and
Richardson, editors and proprietors.
This firm has secured a permanent office on the
second flor of the new bank building, on the corner
of Spring and Front Streets, St. Marys, Ohio.
Under their management the "Argus" has become a
lively local journal. Issued every Saturday at
$2.00 per annum.
Schools - The schools of the village were
organized under the old law for the organization of
city and village schools and have maintained a
steady growth. In 1859 the schools enumeration
was then about 450; while in 1869 it rose to 563,
and in 1879 amounted to 637. The schools are
now under good management, and promise greater
efficiency in the future. Dr. C. N. Phelps
is clerk of Board of Education.
Churches - Some of the churches date back to a
very early period. An M. E. Society was organized in
1825 by Rev. Jas. B. Finley. The
patriarch of the society was C. Vincent, who
came from Baltimore, Md. The society
worshipped for some years in the old log
school-house, which occupied the lot south of lot 5
W. A., which had been set apart by the owners for
religious purposes. In 1840 a frame church was
built on a half lot, back of Edward
Hollingsworth's brick residence. In
December the house was removed to the present church
lot, where it stood until the erection of the
present house. The society now consists of
about one hundred members.
Presbyterian Church. Nov. 14, 1848, Rev. J. L.
Bellville and I. A. Ogden, of Miami
Presbytery, met at the courthouse, St. Marys, with
the people of the town, for the purpose of
organizing a church, which organization was effected
with the following membership: H. W. and
Elizabeth Hazzard, A. P. Clark, Fanny Lattimore,
Jane Elliott, Catharine Timmons, Mary Pierson,
Sylvia Hart, J. H. and Eliza De la Mater,
Thomas Pierce, Rachel Van Nuy, Elizabeth Bigger,
and Mary Peterson, under the title of "First
Presbyterian Church of St. Marys, Mercer County,
Ohio. Thomas Pierce and A. P. Clark
were chosen ruling elders; J. H. De la Mater
and H. W. Hazzard deacons; and J. H. De la
Mater clerk. The present membership is
about seventy. Pastor, L. M. Lawson.
German Protestant Episcopal Church. Organized
June 10, 1849, with the following named officers:
L. H. Heusch, Sr., F. S. Nagel, A. Dieker, Adam
Lintz, Christ Franz, M. House, and
Adolph Coniadi pastor. The present
membership numbers eighty. Rev. Schultz
pastor.
Christian Union Church. This church was organized
by Elder Summers in 1863, with five members.
Afterward the church arose to a membership of forty,
but eventually disorganized. In 1878 it was
reorganized by Elder A. Hawkins with a list
of twelve members, since which time the membership
has increased to twenty-seven. They have built
a new church under the present organization, and the
congregation, under the pastorate of Elder A.
Hawkins, is in a promising condition.
In connection with these institutions and enterprises
are others of a more recent origin, but of large
industrial value to the town. These, with the
retail establishments which go to make up the
business interests of the town, are referred to in
the "Business Directory" of this volume.
OFFICIAL RECORDS.
The records
were burnt some time in 1840, and it is impossible
to give dates, as much valuable history was
destroyed.
MAYORS. |
| Stacy Taylor, |
1836 |
| Henry Lloyd, |
|
| George Timmonds, |
|
| William Hudson, |
|
| J. J. Rickley, |
|
| William Smith, |
|
| A. H. Trimble, |
1849-50 |
| C. W. Cowan, |
1851 |
| Levi Hamaker, |
1852 |
| William L. Smith, |
1853 |
| Donald Cameron, |
1854 |
| Henry M. Helm, |
1855. |
|
| S. Scott, |
1856-58 |
| L. H. Heusch, |
1859 |
| David Simpson, |
1860. |
| James Wilson, |
1861. |
| G. W. McLaughlin, |
1862. |
| Frank Koehl, |
1863-64. |
| William Sawyer, |
1865-73. |
| John S. Hickman, |
1874-75. |
| David Simpson, |
1876-77. |
| James Ennis, |
1878. |
| Theo. Nieberg, |
1880. |
|
|
RECORDERS.
|
| William L. Ross, |
1849. |
| C. W. Cowan, |
1850. |
| Anthony Dieker, |
1851-52. |
| E. M. Phelps, |
1853-54. |
| G. W. McLaughlin, |
1855. |
| A. Dieker, |
1856-57. |
| John Keller, |
1858-63. |
|
| L. C. Sawyer, |
1864. |
| John McLain, |
1865-66. |
| Benjamin Kelsey, |
1867-69. |
| John McLain, |
1870-75. |
| Charles Hipp, |
1876. |
| R. S. Marshall, |
1877-78. |
| O. E. Dunan, |
1880. |
|
The total number of
votes cast in 1851 was 72; in 1861, 168; in 1880, 366.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
R. R. BARRINGTON
THOS. S. STURGEON
JOHN HAWTHORN
SAMUEL R. GIDDENS
HENRY M. HELM
JOHN BLEW
HENRY L. BRANDENBURG.
THOMAS McKEE
HENRY SMITH.
JAMES PHILLIPS.
CHRISTOPHER GRABER.
HENRY HENKE.
HON. SAMUEL R. MOTT.
HON. WM. SAWYER.
FREDERICK KOOP.
JUDGE EDWARD M. PHELPS.
|
