OHIO GENEALOGY EXPRESS - Seneca Co., Ohio

Source:
History of Seneca County : from the close of the Revolutionary War to July, 1880 :
embracing many personal sketches of pioneers, anecdotes,
and faithful descriptions of events pertaining to the organization of the county and its progress
Published: Springfield, Ohio: Transcript Print. Co.,
1880

Big Spring Twp. -
JOHN YOUNG settled in the woods about half way between Springville and New Reigel, in the spring of 1833. He came from near Canal Dover, where he hired a four horse team to bring him here. It took him three weeks to get here, and the few inhabitants of Springville were about one-half whites, and the others Indians. Here Mr. Young met a man whom he once knew in Stark county, by the name of Jacob Gwyer who offered to pilot young to his land, and said he lived near Springville, and pretended that he had to go home first to get the number of the section; but instead of going he lingered around, and he seen several times peeping into the big wagon, no doubt watching for a chance to get into the big hest. When Mr. Young told him that it was time to get the map, he went away and never returned, but was seen by some hunters sneaking around the camp the following night, dressed in an Indian costume.
     On the next day Mr. Young moved out onto his land, where the family was left in the woods, and the teamster returned to Jenkins' to feed. Jenkins kept a sort of trading post at the Spring. To get onto the land was no small job. There was no road that way, and the swales were full of water. Night overtook them before the land was reached. They unhitched, cut some wild grass for the horses, and ate and slept in the wagon. Mr. Young's family consisted of himself, his wife and three small boys. His father and his wife's brother came out here with him to see him get started in the woods.
     At night the men took turn about in watching. They kept up a large fire, and had a Newfoundland dog with them, who saved their lives, as will soon appear. On the next day they reached the land, about two o'clock, where they hastily unloaded, to give the teamster time to return to Springfield to feed his starving horses. The men then put up a temporary shanty by planting four forks into the ground, upon which poles were laid, and covered with clap-boards in a very rude manner. This "Grand Hotel de Young" answered the purpose about ten days, when the other house was ready to move into.
     Just as the family were about to retire on the first night in this shanty, the big dog sprang out into the darkness, barking very fiercely. He saw a man, and would have taken hold of him had not Mr. Young called him away. Mr. Young thought it was some hunter or friendly Indian that wanted to see the new-comers, but the man walked away, and Mr. Young concluded that it was Gwyer. Mr. Young's horse was let loose, and the cow was driven away that night. This created the fear in Young's mind that this plan would make the men run after the lost animals next day, and give the villain an opportunity to rob the shanty. There was no money in it, however, for Mr. Young had used it about all to pay for his land. Gwyer some time afterwards confessed the whole plan. The men were on the lookout, and kept themselves well armed.
     This Jacob Gwyer was afterwards arrested for murdering a man named Boyd, near Bucyrus. When his arrest took place in Detroit, he confessed the murder and several robberies, for which he had never been blamed; also his attempt to rob Samuel Young. Before the day arrived for the execution, he and three horse-thieves made their escape to Ohio, and Gwyer was re-arrested near Dayton, where his wife lived. While there in prison he cut his throat with a knife.
     Samuel Young was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, Aug. 13th, 1794. He was a cooper by trade. He married Isabella Sutton, Nov. 17th, 1818. He was five feet six inches high, ha black hair and deep blue eyes, light complexion short stubby nose, small mouth and chin, and was rather delicate in his features. He spoke some German, and was always very lively in conversation. He was a pleasant and peaceable man and esteemed for his good qualities and christian bearing. He served on juries often and refused several times to serve as a township officer. He died many years ago. Mrs. Young is still living at her home in Adrian. She is now 78 years old and enjoys the love and respect of all her neighbors and especially that of her children and grand-children, who annually gather around her with their smiles and congratulations.
     Mr. Young was 63 years old when he died here in 1859.
     Mrs. Young was born Dec. 31, 1802, and enjoys very good health for a lady of her age. She is the mother of ten children.
     In those early days a large family was a pride and a glory. The sin and crime of avoiding to have a family, are the children of these later days; sins and crimes that are not punished by law, and again which the church shuts both eyes, but the victims may be counted by the thousands.
     What will the world come to when this dreadful crime reaches the masses and religion fails in her mission to save.?
Source: History of Seneca County : from the close of the Revolutionary War to July, 1880 - Springfield, Ohio: Transcript Print. Co., 1880 - Page 489

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