Wayne County, Ohio

WAYNE COUNTY was established in 1796. The surface is mostly rolling, with numerous glades of level land, the prevailing soil is a deep clayey loam, capable of the highest fertility. It has excellent coal mines and quarries of building, and is one of the best wheat counties of Ohio.

Area about 540 square miles. In 1887 the acres cultivated were 215,848; in pasture, 36,641; woodland, 55,274; lying waste, 4,950; produced in wheat, 886,580 bushels; rye, 1,540; buckwheat, 307; oats, 942,657; barley, 2,613; corn, 947,969; broom corn, 3,495 lbs. brush; meadow hay, 32,211 tons; clover hay, 31,328; flax, 174,565 lbs. fibre; potatoes, 100,132 bushels; tobacco, 147,685 lbs.; butter, 1,039,793; cheese, 138,053; maple sugar, 15,148 lbs.; honey, 4,966; eggs, 950,51.2 dozen; grapes, 63,463 lbs.; wine, 1;312 gallons; sweet potatoes, 235 bushels; apples, 79,361; peaches, 26,549; pears, 3,701; wool; 134,874 lbs.; milch cows owned, 10,770. Ohio Mining Statistics, 1888: Coal, 91,157 tons, employing 208 miners and 44 outside employees. School census, 1888, 12,830 teachers, 354. Miles of railroad track, 153.

Townships and Census	1840	1880	Townships and Census	1840	1880
Baughman,	1,741	2,473	Lake,	1,145
Canaan,	1,826	2,135	Milton	1,352	1,864
Chester,	1,985	2,105	Mohecan,	2,046
Chippewa,	1,787	3,527	Paint,	1,610	1,474
Clinton,	873	2,077	Perry,	2,100
Congress,	2,008	2,851	Plain,	2,134	1,993
East Union,	1,864	2,048	Salt Creek,	2,223	1,775
Franklin,	1,504	1,460	Sugar Creek,	2,223	2,093
Greene,	1,751	3,309	Wayne,	1,841	1,831
Jackson,	1,645		Wooster,	3,119	7,061

Population of Wayne in 1820,11,933; 1830, 23,327; 1840, 36,015; 1860, 32,483; 1880, 40,076:of whom 29,767 were born in Ohio; 5,642, Pennsylvania; 322, New York; 243, Virginia; 227, Indiana; 15, Kentucky; 1,152, German Empire; 348, Ireland; 323, France; 305, England and Wales; 98, Scotland; 63, British America. Census, 1890, 39,005.

Wayne county was established by proclamation of Gov. St. Clair, August 15, 1796, and was the third county formed in the Northwest Territory. Its original limits were very extensive, and were thus defined in the act creating it: “Beginning at the mouth of the Cuyahoga river, upon Lake Erie, and with the said river to the Portage, between it and the Tuscarawas branch of the Muskingum: thence down the said branch to the forks at the carrying place above Fort Laurens, thence by a west line to the east boundary of Hamilton county (which is a due north line from the lower Shawnese town upon the Scioto river), thence by a line west northerly to the southern part of the Portage, between the Miamis of the Ohio and the St. Mary’s river; thence by a line also west-northerly to the southwestern part of the Portage, between the Wabash and the Miamis of Lake Erie, where Fort Wayne now stands; thence by a line west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan; thence along the western shores of the same to the northwest part thereof (including the lands upon the streams emptying into the said lake); thence by a due north line to the territorial boundary in Lake Superior, and with

the said boundary through Lakes Huron, Sinclair and Erie to the mouth of Cuyahoga river, the place of beginning.”

These limits embrace what is now a part of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and all of Michigan, and the towns of Ohio City, Chicago, Sault St. Mary’s, Mackinaw, etc.

In February, 1846, the principal part of the townships of Jackson, Lake, Mohecan and Perry were taken from Wayne to form a part of the new county of Ashland.

This county was named from Gen. ANTHONY WAYNE. He was born in Chester county, Pa., January 1, 1745. After leaving school he became a surveyor, and paid some attention to philosophy and engineering, by which he obtained the friendship of Dr. Franklin, who became his patron. He entered the army of the revolution in 1775 and was made brigadier-general in 1777. He was in the army through the war, and particularly distinguished himself in the battles of Brandywine, Germantown and Monmouth. His attack upon Stony Point, in July, 1779, an almost inaccessible height, defended by 600 men and a strong battery of artillery, was the most brilliant exploit of the war. At midnight he led his troops, with unloaded muskets, flints out, and fixed bayonets, and without firing a single gun, carried the fort by storm and took 543 prisoners. He was struck, in the attack, by a musket-ball in the head, which was momentarily supposed to be a mortal wound; he called to his aids to carry him forward and let him die in the fort. The crowning acts of his life were his victory over the Indians on the Maumee, and the treaty of Greenville in 1795. His life of peril and glory was terminated in 1796, in a cabin at Presque Isle (now Erie, Pa.), then in the wilderness. His remains were there deposited, at his own request, under the flag-staff of the fort, on the margin of Lake Erie; and were removed in 1809, by his son, to Radnor churchyard, Delaware county, Pa. Wayne was one of the best generals of the revolution. He was irresistible in leading a charge, and a man of great impetuosity of character, bordering on rashness; but he conducted his last campaign with great caution and skill.

Kilbuck’s creek, in this county, was named from KILLBUCK, a Delaware chief. His village, called Killbuck’s town, was on the road from Wooster to Millersburg, on the east side of the creek, about ten miles south of Wooster. It is laid down on maps published as early as 1764. When the country was first settled, KILLBUCK was a very old man. There were several chiefs by this name.

An Indian settlement stood just south of Wooster, on the site of the Baptist burying-ground. It was named Beaver-Hat, from an Indian chief of that name, who resided there with a few others. His Indian name was Paupelenan, and his camp or residence was called by him Apple chauquecake, i. e., “Apple Orchard.” The Indian trail from Pittsburgh to Lower Sandusky passed just north of Beaver-Hat.

The Indians in their expeditions against .the early settlers travelled a regular system of trails or paths as familiar to them as our highways and railroads are to us: it is a somewhat remarkable fact that many of our railroads follow the line of the same trails, they having served to point out to the engineer the best route. It is said that the earlier emigrants west of the Mississippi, aware of the singular engineering tact of the Indians (which is .also possessed by the buffalo), never hesitated to follow an Indian or buffalo path, certain it would lead by the most direct accessible route to its destination.

The early settlers soon acquired a knowledge of these trails, and by them traced marauding Indians to their villages. In later years they served as highways to the pioneers seeking future homes.

They were narrow paths through the forests and along the streams, more or less beaten and marked according to the amount of recent travel, and generally followed the banks of some water-course.

from thence northwest to Wayne county, passing south of where Wooster now is, crossing the Killbuck north of the bridge on the Ashland road; continuing west passing near the present site of Reedsburg to Mohican Johnstown, crossing the Jerome fork of the Mohican; thence west of north passing through Wyandot town (now Castalia) to Fort Sandusky on Sandusky bay and continuing on to Fremont; the entire distance covering 240 miles. This was a much travelled route probably for many years before white men were even known in this region.

This trail also branched off at Mohican Johnstown, passing through Plain township by the “Long Meadow” or perhaps a little south by Mohican John’s Lake in Wayne county, thence across Killbuck some twelve miles south of Wooster where Rogers crossed that stream, and probably Col. Crawford also crossed and encamped near O’ Dell’s (formerly Mohican John’s Lake) on his expedition to the Moravian settlement on Sandusky creek, in Crawford county. There was another trail from Mohican Johnstown running north-west to Greentown, by or near the site of GOUDY’S old mill, to the Quaker springs in Vermillion township; thence southwest over Honey creek to a point about three miles west of Perrysville. This trail, afterwards known as the Old Portage road, was the route of many of the pioneers in Green township. The trail continued in the direction of the site of Lucas to near Mansfield.

From Mohican Johnstown another trail ran up the Jerome fork, a favorite route of the Mohicans on their hunting excursions on the Black river; and the north part of Ashland county, to the junction of the Catotaway in the eastern part of Montgomery township, where it crossed and passed near the residence of Moses LATTA and BURKHOLDER’S mill, thence up the creek past the old GIERHART farm, where resided CATOTAWAY, an old Indian hunter after whom the stream was named. There was another trail passed up in the direction of Vermillion lake and down the Vermillion river. Various other trails generally following the course of some stream branched out to different points.

At the early settlement of the country these trails were well marked and so worn by the Indians (who travel in single file) that they were easily followed by the pioneers. For the Indians they served as highways between the Lake villages and those in the southern and in eastern parts of the State and in turn became the arteries through which flowed the hardy pioneers who redeemed this great State from barbarism and developed its resources.

Wooster in 1846.—Wooster, the county-seat, named from Gen. David Wooster, an officer of the revolution, is 93 miles northeast of Columbus, and 52 southerly from Cleveland, on the stage road between the two places. It is situated near the junction of Apple with Killbuck creek, on a gradual slope of ground, elevated about fifty feet above the latter, and is surrounded by a beautiful undulating country. To the south, from the more elevated parts of the town, is seen the beautiful valley of the Killbuck, stretching away for many miles, until the prospect is hid by the highlands in the county of Holmes, 12 or 14 miles distant.

Wooster is compactly and well built, and is a place of much business. The view was taken near ARCHER’S store, and shows a part of the public square, with the west side of Market street: the county buildings are shown on the left, and the spire of the Baptist church in the distance. The town contains 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist, 1 German Lutheran, 1 German Reformed, 1 Seceder, 1 Disciples, 1 Lutheran, 1 Baptist church, a female seminary in good repute, 4 grocery, 10 dry goods, 2 hardware, 2 book and 3 drug stores, 1 bank, and had, in 1840, 1913 inhabitants, and now is estimated to contain 2700. Carriage-making is extensively carried on.—Old Edition.

This county lies within what was once called “the New Purchase,” a very extensive tract, lying south of the Reserve, east of the Tuscarawas, north of the Greenville treaty line, and extending as far west as the western line of the Reserve. The land office for this tract was at Canton, Col. Thomas GIBSON, register, and Col. John SLOAN, now of Wooster, receiver. The first lands were sold in this district at Canton, in 1808, when was purchased the sites of Mansfield, Richland county, WOOSTER, and a few scattering tracts in the purchase.

first house built in the county was a log structure now (1846) standing on Liberty street, in Wooster, immediately west of the residence of William LARWILL. It was raised about the time the town was laid out, and was first occupied by William LARWILL and Abraham MILLER, a young man. The next spring the father of the latter moved in from Stark county, with his family—the first that settled in the town—and opened it as a house of entertainment. About the same time, James MORGAN, from Virginia, settled with his family on Killbuck, just north of the old Indian town. In 1810 the yellow brick building on the north side of Liberty street, adjoining the public square, was erected by John BEAVER, being the first brick edifice erected in the county. In the fall of 1808 a road was cut from what is now Massillon to Wooster, which was, it is said, the first road made in the county. The first State road running through the county, from Canton to Wooster, was laid out in 1810, by the commissioners.

When Wooster was settled there were no white inhabitants between it and the lake; on the west, none short of the Maumee, Fort Wayne and Vincennes; on the south, none until within a few miles of Coshocton, and those on the Tuscarawas were the nearest on the east. Wooster was made the seat of justice for the county, May 30, 1811. Previously, the whole county was comprised in Killbuck township, which had, by the census of 1810, but 320 inhabitants. Wooster was not the first county-seat. The spot chosen by the first commissioners was on an eminence now known as Madison hill, about 1¼ miles southeast of the town, on land then owned by Bezaleel Wells & Co., which place they called Madison. But a single cabin was afterwards built there. The selection displeased the people of the county, which resulted in the legislature appointing new commissioners, who located it at Wooster.

The first mill was erected in the county in 1809, by Joseph STIBBS, of Canton, on Apple creek, about a mile east of Wooster. Some time after, STIBBS, sent a man by the name of Michael SWITZER, who opened for him, in a small building attached to the mill, the store, consisting of a small stock of goods suitable for the settlers and Indians.

One morning a singular incident occurred. In the store was William SMITH, Hugh MOORE Jesse RICHARDS, J. H. LARWILL and five or six Indians. SWITZER was in the act of weighing out some powder from an eighteen-pound keg, while the Indians were quietly smoking their pipes filled with a mixture of tobacco, sumach leaves and kinnickinnick, or yellow willow bark, when a puff of wind coming in at the window, blew a spark from one of their pipes into the powder. A terrific explosion ensued. The roof of the building was blown into four parts, and carried some distance; the sides fell out, the joists came to the floor, and the floor and chimney alone were left of the structure. SWITZER died in a few minutes. SMITH was blown through the partition into the mill, and badly injured. RICHARDS and the Indians were also hurt, and all somewhat burned. LARWILL, who happened to be standing against the chimney, escaped with very little harm, except having, like the rest, his face well blackened, and being knocked down by the shock.

The Indians, fearful that they might be accused of doing it intentionally, some days after called a council of citizens for an investigation, which was held on the bottom, on Christmas run, west of the town.

In the war of 1812 a block-house was erected in Wooster, on the site of Col. John SLOAN’S residence. It was built by Captain George STIDGER, of Canton, and was intended more particularly for a company he had here and other troops who might be passing through the country.—Old Edition.

WOOSTER, county-seat of Wayne, ninety-three miles northeast of Columbus, on the P. Ft. W. & C. R. R., is near the junction of Apple creek with Killbuck. It is the seat of Wooster University.

Boydston; Infirmary Directors, Joseph MARSHALL, Francis LITTLE, Elias LANGELL; Probate Judge, Hiram B. SWARTZ; Prosecuting Attorney, Asbury D. METZ Recorder, Joseph A. SCHUCH; Sheriff, Ethan A. BROWN; Surveyor, Philip MARKLEY; Treasurer, Rezin B. WASSON. City officers, 1888: J. R. WOODWORTH, Mayor; C. C. ADAMS, Clerk; Philip ELISPERMAN, Marshal; Edward MILLER, Street Commissioner. Newspapers: Republican, Republican, H. N. CLEMENS, editor and publisher; Jacksonian, Democrat, J. F. MARCHANDS, editor and publisher; Journal, German-Democrat, M. E. WEIXELBAUM, editor and publisher; University Voice, College, Chas. K. CARPENTER and Chas. M. MAINS, editors and publishers; Wayne County Democrat, Democrat, E. B. ESHLEMAN, editor; Wayne County Herald, Prohibition, J. W. CAMPBELL, editor; Collegian, Students of Wooster University, editors and publishers; Royal Arcanum Journal, Order of the Royal Arcanum, T. E. PECKINPAUGH, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 Catholic, 1 German- Lutheran, 2 Presbyterian, 1 German Reformed, 1 Lutheran, 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, 1 United Presbyterian, 1 Reformed. Banks: National Bank of Wooster, John ZIMMERMAN, president; Curtis V. HARD, cashier; Wayne County National, Jacob FRICK, president; A. G. COOVER, cashier.

Manufactures and Employees.—Plank Bros., flour and feed; Hartman & Durstine, sash, doors and blinds, 24 hands; Standard Coach Pad Co., coach pads, etc., 34; Landis & George, furniture; D. W. Immel, tannery; Fred. Weis, lager beer; J. R. Naftzger, flour and feed; Wooster Brush Works, brushes, 27; C. K. Bowman, rye whiskey; M. P. Huston, laundrying, 6; E. Thoman, tannery; Wooster Co-operative Foundry Co., 12; D. C. Curry & Co., sash, doors and blinds, 24; Overholt & Co., flour and feed, 20; W. Young, bottling works; Alcock & Donald, granite works; B. Barrett’s Sons, general machinery, 10; W. H. Banker, carriages; Underwood Whip Co., whips, 64.—State Report, 1888. Population, in 1890, 5,901 School census, in 1888, 1,950; W. S. EVERSOLE, school superintendent. Capital invested in industrial establishments, $256,000. Value of annual product, $371,000.—Ohio Labor Statistics, 1887.

The UNIVERSITY OF WOOSTER was founded in 1868 by the Ohio, Cincinnati and Sandusky Synods of the Presbyterian Church. Ephraim QUINBY, Jr., a wealthy and liberal citizen of Wooster, generously offered a handsome site on an elevated knoll, containing twenty-one acres of oak forest. The citizens of Wayne county raised a subscription of more than $100,000, which they offered for the erection of a building on the Quinby grounds. Over $250,000 in other subscriptions was raised by the executive committee of the university by October, 1869. The institution was formally opened and dedicated with appropriate ceremonies on September 7, 1870.

The university has been very successful from the start. In 1877 it graduated from its collegiate department the largest number of classical alumni of any college in Ohio. In 1889 it had 24 instructors; 451 male and 225 female students, graduating in that year 32 male and 12 female students. Since its founding it has graduated 434 male and 76 female students. It has property valued at $385,000, and its library contains 11,000 volumes. Sylvester F. SCHOVEL, president.

The following miscellaneous collection of incidents and experiences is extracted and abridged from the valuable “History of Wayne County,” by Mr: Ben. Douglas, of Wooster:

The chief made him pay for the animal, Mr. BUTLER receiving therefore two deer skins, which the Indian indignantly kicked toward him. It was soon after that Mr. BUTLER’s cabin was burned, and he claimed that the gang of Indians did it. Mr. BUTLER rebuilt his cabin on the same spot, and lived there until his death in 1837.

The Morgan Block-House.—This fort stood on the Thomas DOWTY farm was quite a large structure, and a source of protection to the pioneers. During the summer of Hull’s surrender a company of soldiers was stationed here from Tuscarawas county. A would-be brave soldier of this company was ever boasting of his courage, and ached for a fight with the Indians. The boys concluded they would accommodate him. They caused to be painted and decked in true Indian costume one of their number, and had him secrete himself in a swamp close by. The company proceeded on one of its scouts and passed by this swamp, when the mythical Indian sprang out, yelling, and pointing his gun, took after this Sir Valiant soldier, who rushed at the top of his speed and concealed himself in a marsh. The company and the painted gentleman rapidly returned to the block-house. Soon thereafter the would-be Indian fighter, who had lost his shoes in the swamp, returned. Some of the boys went in search of his shoes, and brought them to camp.

To show the uneasy and excited state of the public mind for some time subsequent to Hull’s surrender, we relate an incident that occurred in what was called Smith’s settlement, near the site of the present county infirmary. One afternoon two of the Smith women had heard what they supposed to be guns firing in the direction of W Wooster “at the rate of five hundred a minute.” The neighborhood was soon assembled, numbering between thirty and forty persons, men, women and children. After consultation it was decided that James McINTIRE should approach Wooster cautiously to ascertain the exact state of affairs there, and that the balance of the company should at once set out for Steubenville by way of the Indian trail, the women and children on horseback, the men on foot with their guns.

The party travelled in silence during the entire night, not a child giving the least sign of fretfulness. In the morning they were overtaken by McINTIRE, who brought the welcome news that Wooster was resting in quietude, and that the noise that had frightened the two women was the sound made by men cutting straw with axes in a trough for feed. At this intelligence the main part of the fugitives returned, hungry and weary, to their cabin homes in the forest. A few, however, continued on their flight to the old settlements in Pennsylvania.

Nevertheless this stampede of the settlers was not without thrilling incident. When the party in its flight was crossing Big Sugar creek, they discovered a camp-fire close to the Indian trail, the Indian dogs barked, and immediately Indians raised the whoop. At this the company took shelter in the brushwood as best they could. All became quiet in a short time, when those with guns began to scout around in order to ascertain the character of the Indians in the camp. They proved to be Chief JOHNNY-CAKE and his tribe. The story the whites told alarmed them, and they said they also would flee the country, as they were, as friendly Indians, equally in danger from the hostile tribes, but that they must have their supper first off the deer that was then roasting at the fire.

Afterwards, McINTIRE passed their camp blowing a large tin horn, and riding at a full gallop to overtake the flying settlers and apprise them of their groundless apprehension of danger, at which JOHNNY-CAKE and his braves evidently fled supperless, as the returning settlers next day found the camp entirely deserted, and the deer, burned to a crisp, still suspended over the smoldering embers. JOHNNY-CAKE and his people were never seen again by the whites in that settlement, although they had heretofore been inconveniently familiar.

Between Springville and Millbrook the land-owners in plowing, but more especially in ditching, come in contact with the remains of cedar trees. Half a century ago immense logs were taken out, three feet from the surface, that had lain there for ages, and were sawed into boards. Trees were found three and four feet in diameter. More recently, in ditching in the lowlands directly south of Millbrook, have been found more of these cedar relics. What is mysterious about this is the fact that there are no cedar forests in that section, nor have we any knowledge of them from any source whatever. South and east of the village on the old CULBERTSON farm, and the one where James BRUCE lives, were found buffalo skulls and horns, and remains of human bodies of immense size.

The following adventure was related by his daughter, and had never been published before it appeared in Douglass’ “History of Wayne County:”

While living on the Ohio two Indians crossed the river, both of whom were intoxicated, and came to Adam POE’S house. After various noisy and menacing demonstrations, but without doing any one harm, they retired a short distance, and under the shade of a tree sat down and finally went to sleep. In the course of two hours, and after they awoke from their drunken slumber, they discovered that their rifles were missing, when they immediately returned to POE’S house, and after inquiring for their guns and being told they knew nothing about them, they boldly accused him of stealing them and insolently demanded them. POE was apprehensive of trouble, and turning his eyes in the direction whence they came, discovered three more Indians approaching.

Without manifesting any symptoms of surprise or alarm; he coolly withdrew to the house, and saying to his wife, “There is a fight and more fun ahead,” told her to hasten slyly to the cornfield near by with the children and there hide. This being accomplished, he seized his gun and confronted the five Indians, who were then in the yard surrounding rounding the house, and trying to force open the door. He at once discovered that the two Indians who came first had not yet found their guns, and that the other three were unarmed. So he dropped his gun, as he did not want to kill any of them unless the exigency required it, and attacked them with his fist, and after a terrific hand-to-hand encounter of ten minutes, crushed them to the earth in one promiscuous heap. After having thus vanquished and subdued them, he seized them, one at a time, and threw them over the fence and out of the yard.

Henry FRANKS was born in Fayette county, Pa., and came to Wayne county, Ohio, in 1816-17, settling on a farm a short distance south of; Doylestown, where he died in 1836. Henry FRANKS, known as “Old Henry,” with some others, was taken prisoner on the Ohio river by the Indians when he was a young man, and held in captivity by them. He was tall, straight, and a large, powerful man, and his captors immediately fancied him, and by ceremonies introduced him to Indian citizenship. Its first condition being to run the gauntlet, he was compelled to comply with it, and at the end of the race he was, to save his own life, forced to strike an Indian with his hatchet, whom he nearly killed. This successful act of daring on his part ingratiated him with his captors, who exclaimed, “He make good Indian.” Mr. FRANKS receiving a wound in this test of mighty manhood, the Indians instantly took charge of him, nursing and treating him kindly until he thoroughly recovered. After the capture of Crawford in Ohio, and during the excitement of his horrible death all of which Mr. FRANKS witnessed, he made an effort to escape, in which he was successful. He fled to the lake shore, boarded a British vessel, went by water as far as Montreal, crossed to the American side, and thence on foot to Philadelphia, Pittsburg, and to his home in Fayette county, Pa., after a captivity of five years.

The DRISKEL family were among the first settlers of Wayne county; they came from Columbiana county prior to 1812, and for a time lived near STIBBS’ mill, on Apple creek. For some years they were generally regarded as honest and respectable citizens, but suspicion of dishonest practices finally fastened upon John DRISKEL and Steve BRAWDY, a connection by marriage. BRAWDY was arrested and sent to the penitentiary for stealing a heifer and making a murderous assault and stabbing Moses LOUDON while the latter was assisting in his arrest.

A series of thefts and other unlawful acts had convinced the authorities that the neighborhood was infested with a gang of outlaws, and the arrest and conviction of a young man named Ben. WORTHINGTON, for stealing a yoke of oxen from Gen. BEALL, led to revelations that proved DRISKEL and BRAWDY were the leaders of this gang.

DRISKEL was finally arrested for stealing horses in Columbiana county. He was sent to the penitentiary, and with a chain and fifty-six weight fastened to his leg was set to work on the Ohio canal. He made his escape by picking up the ball in his hands and starting on a run. Immediately six guards fired their guns at the escaping convict, but failed to hit him. Arriving at a farm-house, he found an axe in the wood-shed, and severed the ball from the chain. He then made his way back to his family in Wayne county, where the chain was filed from his leg.

rose upon them, capturing old John, his son William, and others of the gang. These were immediately shot, and his youngest son David was soon afterward caught and hanged to a tree by Judge Lynch.

The leading villanies of this gang-composed of John DRISKEL’S family, BRAWDY and others—consisted in burglaries, incendiariam and horse-stealing. They concealed their stolen horses in the dense thickets of the woods, stole corn from the farmers to feed them, and at a suitable opportunity conducted them out of the county. They were men of invincible courage, of powerful physical strength, and enjoyed nothing so well as a carouse and a knock-down.

On one occasion at a public muster in Lisbon, Columbiana county, John DRISKEL challenged any man to a fight. No one responded to his challenge, when, selecting a large, bony specimen of a man, named Isaac PEW, he offered him sundry indignities, and then, suddenly and without warning, hit him a stunning blow, sprang upon him and bit off PEW’S ear. When next muster day came around DRISKEL and PEW were both present; the latter remarked, “He has my ear, now I’ll have his nose.” PEW followed DRISKEL around, and watching his opportunity, sprang upon him and bit his nose off.

On another occasion old John was parading the streets of Wooster, talking boisterously and shouting that he weighed 208 pounds, and no man could whip him. Smith McINIRE, who was clearing off some land on the ROBISON farm, south of Wooster, came to town in his shirt-sleeves to procure tobacco. McINTIRE was a good, quiet citizen, industrious, honest and honorable. Being a very muscular-looking man, Gen. SPINK and Mr. McCOMB approached him and asked him if he thought he could whip that man, pointing toward DRISKEL. McNTIRE said, “I can whip anybody, but I don’t know that man, and I am a stranger here, and more than that I am. a peaceful man;” whereupon he started back to his work, when SPINK and McCOMB called to him to return. He obeyed their summons and, after some entreaty, consented to whip DRISKEL, upon the consideration of preserving quiet and establishing order. SPINK remarked to DRISKEL that here was a man pointing to McINTIRE that he had not yet whipped, when DRISKEL rapidly advanced toward him and said, “Do you think you can handle me?” to which McINTIRE responded, “I do.” DRISKEL said, “Well, let us take a drink, and then to business.” McINTIRE responded, “I want nothing to drink.” DRISKEL took his drink and faced McINTIRE, and when the word “ready” was given McINTIRE hit him one blow that knocked him insensible, and so serious was the result that Dr. BISSELL had to be called, and it was several hours before he rallied from the prostration.

Not satisfied with this encounter, in a short time afterward he challenged McINTIRE to a second test, which the latter accepted, having General SPINK and Colonel James HINDMAN for his seconds, DRISKEL choosing for his backers one of his sons and his son-in-law, BRAWDY. The contestants met, and with a similar result. McINTIRE, after his adversary was on the floor, picked him up like a toy and started with him toward the fire-place exclaiming: “I will make a burnt offering of him!” but which rash purpose was prevented. This fight occurred in the bar-room of NAILOR’S tavern.

In 1833 a market house was erected on the southwest side of the public square in Wooster. The dimensions of the building were about 75x40 feet, one story high, with ceilings arched and plastered.

In a few years after its construction, located in such a prominent place, it soon became a nuisance to the citizens doing business around the public square, and the town authorities were besieged for its removal, but refused to act in the matter. An unsuccessful attempt was made, by an unknown incendiary, to destroy it by fire. Finally, on the night of August 9, 1847, a number of disguised men, said to be among the “first citizens,” made an attack on the market house. They were armed with axes, hooks, rope and tackle, and with the assistance of a strong horse soon razed the objectionable structure to the ground. This act created considerable excitement; the dignity of the law had been offended. The mayor offered a reward for the apprehension of the guilty participants, but no arrests were made, as the sympathies of the public were with the despoilers, although many deprecated the accomplishment of the end by such unlawful means.

until 1815, when he removed to Wooster. During his residence in New Lisbon he filled various public offices, and took much interest in the militia. In September, 1812, he was made brigadier-general of Ohio volunteers. He immediately organized a detachment, and at the head of several hundred men marched to Wayne and Richland counties to protect the frontier, and subsequently joined the troops under Generals Wadsworth and Perkins at Camp Huron, when the command devolving upon General Perkins as senior officer, General BEALL returned home.

In 1813 he was elected to Congress, resigning his seat in 1814 to accept the office of register of the land office for the Wooster district, which office he held until 1824. He was chosen to preside over the great Whig mass convention held at Columbus, February 22, 1840, and afterwards was chosen a Presidential Elector. He died at Wooster, February 20, 1843.

JOHN SLOANE was born in York, Pa., in 1779. At an early age he removed to Washington county, Pa., and from thence to Ohio, settling first in Jefferson county and then Columbiana county. He was a member of the State Legislature, 1804-6, serving as speaker the last two years. He was receiver of public moneys at Canton in 1808-16, when in conjunction with General BEALL he removed the office to Wooster. He remained in the receiver’s office until March, 1819, when he resigned to take a seat in Congress, to which he had been elected the preceding fall. He served in Congress by successive elections until March, 1829.

In 1831 he was appointed clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, which place he held seven years. In 1841 the Legislature appointed him Secretary of State for three years. On November 27, 1850, he was appointed by President Fillmore Treasurer of the United States, serving till April, 1853. During the war of 1812 he was colonel of militia. He died in Wooster, May 15, 1856.

EDWARD THOMAS was born in Portsea, England, October 12, 1810. When seven years old his parents removed to Wooster, Ohio. He studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, receiving his diploma when nineteen years old.

He practised in Wooster and Jeromeville. He united with the Methodist church April 29, 1832, and the following July was licensed to preach. On September 19th of the same year the conference at Dayton admitted him on trial. From the first his great abilities were apparent. In 1837 he became principal of Norwalk Seminary, and in 1843 was offered the chancellorship of Michigan University and the presidency of Transylvania College. In 1844-48 he was editor of the Ladies’ Repository, which position he resigned to accept the presidency of the Ohio Wesleyan University, where he remained until 1860, when he was elected editor of the Christian Advocate. Here he remained until 1864, when he was elected Bishop of the M. E. Church.

He was an eloquent and powerful speaker, a profound student, and an able editor, but his highest achievements were in the department of education. “Here he seemed a prince in his native domain. He ruled by the charms of personal goodness, and by the magic spell of an inimitable character. He taught with felicity, and made every topic luminous by fertility and aptness of illustration.”

He was married in Mansfield, Ohio, July 4, 1837, to a daughter of Hon. Mordecai BARTLEY, afterward Governor of Ohio. His first wife died December 31, 1863. He was married a second time May 9, 1866, to Miss Annie E. HOWE, well known for her piety and poetic genius. Bishop THOMSON died in Wheeling, West Va., March 22, 1870, and was buried in Delaware, Ohio. In 1846 he received the degree of D. D. from Indiana Asbury (now DePauw) University, and in 1855 that of LL.D. from Ohio Wesleyan. Among Bishop THOMSON’S published works are “Educational Essays” (new edition, Cincinnati, 1856); “Moral and Religious Essays” (1856); “Letters from Europe” (1856), and “Letters from India, China and Turkey (2 vols. 1870).

born in Erie, Pa., in 1831. The family removed to Wooster in 1839, and the daughters received their education in the public schools of that place. They both acquired considerable reputation for literacy ability, not only as writers of poetry, but also for their prose contributions to the press.

In 1852 Frances removed to Michigan, a year later was married to Jackson BARRETT, of Pontiac, Michigan, and subsequently removed to the Pacific Coast. She obtained a divorce from Mr. BARRETT, and was married second time to Mr. VICTOR, a brother of her sister’s husband.

METTA FULLER, the younger sister, at the age of fifteen, composed a romance, founded upon the supposed history of the dead cities of Yucatan, and entitled “the Last Days of Tul.”

In July, 1856, she was married to O. J. VICTOR, and the following year removed to New York. Numerous prose and poetical, humorous and satirical productions over the nom de plume of “single Sybil” attest her genius. The following from “Body and Soul” is an example of her poetry:

N. P. Willis wrote concerning these sisters: “We suppose ourselves to be throwing no shade of disparagement upon any one in declaring that in ‘Singing Sybil,’ her not less gifted sister, we discern more unquestionable marks of true genius, and a greater portion of the unmistakable inspiration of true poetic art than in any of the lady minstrels, delightful and splendid as some of them have been, that we have heretofore ushered to the applause of the public. One in spirit and equal in genius, these most interesting and brilliant ladies, both still in the earliest youth, are undoubtedly destined to occupy a very distinguished and permanent place among the native authors of this land.”

THOMAS THOMPSON ECKERT was born in St. Clairsville, Ohio, April 23, 1825. In 1849 he was appointed postmaster at Wooster, and in connection therewith operated the first telegraph line to that place. He became an expert in telegraphy, arid, being possessed of fine executive abilities, soon won his way to a high position in the Western Union Telegraph Company.

From this time till the close of the war he was on intimate terms with President Lincoln and Secretary Stanton. In 1864 he was brevetted lieutenant-colonel, and afterward brigadier-general. The same year he was appointed Assistant-Secretary of War, resigning in 1866 when he became general superintendent of the eastern division of the lines of the Western Union Telegraph Company, and in 1881 became vice-president and general manager of the company.

WILLIAM B. ALLISON was born in Perry, Wayne county, Ohio, March 2, 1829. At school he was somewhat familiarly known as “Big-Eyed Bill;” and the girls of those days about Wooster, Ohio, used to laugh at the awkward and overgrown youngster, who took it good humoredly, however, and soon showed that he had good stuff in him. A lady who was in school with him says:

“Little did any of us think that boy would ever amount to anything. He was at the foot of our class and the butt of all, he was such a greenhorn. He lived on a farm, and walked into Wooster every day to school. He never wore any suspenders, and was always hitching up his trousers like a sailor. When we girls made fun of him he would run after us, and if he caught one that girl was sure to be kissed. And he had a horrible tobacco breath. I believe that boy chewed tobacco from the time he put on boy’s clothes. But he was kind hearted and would never tell the teacher, no matter what we put on him. Yes, ‘Big Eyed Bill’ was patient as an ox.”

Mr. Allison has grown into much more manly and graceful shape, and has acquired great mastery of the world’s ways; he is, m fact, a large, handsome and graceful man, and in personal intercourse quite polished and agreeable.

When Mr. Allison’s academic course was ended, he alternately taught school and attended college for some years, graduating at the Western Reserve College, at Hudson, Ohio. In 1851 he was admitted to the bar in Wooster; in 1854-56 he took an active part in politics as a Republican, and in 1857 he located at Dubuque, Iowa, which is still his home.

Mr. Allison’s law practice was soon large in Iowa, but he was invited to a front rank in politics at once. As delegate, writer and speaker he was very efficient, and as one of the secretaries of the memorable Chicago convention of 1860, he counted the votes and announced the nomination of Abraham Lincoln.

He was a member of the governor’s staff in 1861, and rendered valuable service in raising troops for the war. He was elected in 1862 to the Thirty-eighth Congress as a Republican, and returned for the three succeeding Congresses, serving in the House of Representatives from December, 1863, till March, 1871. In 1873 he was elected to the United States Senate for the term ending in 1879, and has been thrice re-elected.

with Raymond, meeting with unprecedented, success. He travelled throughout England, Scotland and Ireland, then France, Germany, Holland, Russia, etc., exhibiting before all the crowned heads and nobles of Europe, and receiving many marks of their personal favor.

He returned to the United States about 1840, having established a world-wide reputation and become the foremost man in his profession.

From that time he made annual tours of the States of the Union until 1854, when he united in marriage with Miss Sarah WALTER, daughter of John WALTER, of Wooster township, and settled down to the peaceful pursuits of rural life.

In 1875 he began hotel keeping at Apple Creek Station. Here, after two days’ sickness, on December 5, 1877, he died, leaving a widow and one son.

Herr Driesbach was a very remarkable man, and his life was full of perilous incident, adventure and romance.

Among the anecdotes related concerning him is one describing how he frightened Edwin Forrest, the actor, and his personal friend. Forrest was playing at the old Bowery, in New York, and the entertainment would close with an exhibition of lions by DRIESBACH. Forrest was one day saying that he had never known fear, and had never experienced any emotion of fright. DRIESBACH made no remark at the time, but in the evening, after the curtain had fallen, he invited Forrest home with him. Forrest assented, and the two, entering a house, walked a long distance through many dark passages, and finally DRIENSBACH said, after opening a door: “This way, Mr. Forrest.” he actor followed, and heard a door locked behind him, and at the same time he felt something soft rubbing against his leg. Putting out his hands he touched what felt like a cat’s back. A low, rasping growl greeted his ears, and he saw two fiery eyeballs glaring up at him. “Are you afraid, Mr. Forrest?’ asked DRIESBACH. “Not a bit,” replied Forrest. DRIESBACH said something, and the growl deepened and became hoarser; the back began to arch and the eyes to shine more fiercely.

Forrest held out for several minutes, but the symptoms became so terrifying that he owned up that he was afraid. He beseeched the lion king to let him out, as he dared not move a finger while a lion kept rubbing against his leg. After Forrest acknowledged that he knew what fear was, and agreed to stand a champagne supper, DRIESBACH released him.

The following is told in DRIESBACH’S own words: “I was exhibiting in the city of Baltimore. We were playing a piece in which one of my tigers was to leap from above upon me as though to kill me. After he would jump on me we would roll around on the floor as though engaged in mortal combat. The theatre in which we were playing had a large pit, and it was filled almost to suffocation that evening with men and boys. This time the tiger jumped over my head and was making for the pit when I caught him by the tail and hauled him back. I needn’t tell you that standing room was made mighty quick in that pit when they saw the animal coming. They rushed out, yelling and screaming for me to hold on to him.

Probably the only speech made by DRIESBACH was delivered by him in Philadelphia after he had conquered an enraged elephant. It was the time when the elephant Columbus killed his keeper in the Quaker City, and afterward roamed through the building, demolishing cages and other property. property. DRIESBACH succeeded in subduing the vicious beast, and, not content with placing him in shackles, he led Columbus into the ring, and, after making him lie down, Driesbach stood upon his head and addressed the astonished spectators as follows: “Gentlemen—Unaccustomed, as I am, to public speaking, allow me to say to you that this is the proudest day of my life. Napoleon and other warriors have left monuments of skulls, but I have the skull of a conquered elephant for my monument. This is my first and last appearance as a public speaker.”

Haskell Institute, Lawrence, Kansas. The story of her courtship and marriage is a pleasing romance from real life.

One August day in 1850 Driesbach, with his circus, was travelling over the old Wooster and Wheeling stage route, which passes through Mount Eaton. That little hamlet was reached at a meal hour, and the tavern there became the place of entertainment for Driesbach and his company. Mrs. Driesbach, then Miss WALTERS, was a boarder at the hostelry and assisted in preparing the meal. Her meeting with the lion tamer is given in her own words: “We had taken special pains to get up a nice meal, and I went into the dining-room to help wait on the tables. Like any other country girl, I was on the lookout for Driesbach of whom I had heard as the lion tamer. he came in and took a seat at the table near where I stood.

“Another gentleman, whom I afterward learned was Gus Hunt, an old showman known as Uncle Gus, who had been with Driesbach for many years, sat at the side of Driesbach and remarked to him, ‘Well, Driesbach, how does this meal suit you? About everything here, ain’t there?’ Driesbach surveyed the table and replied, ‘Yes, about everything but an onion.’ I heard him mention onion, and I stepped up and inquired if he desired any. He told me he would take one if fresh. I ran out into the garden and hastily secured two nice onions, which I took to him. The man Hunt then said to him in a sort of undertone, which I overheard, ‘Old fellow, I guess you struck your match that time.’ Driesbach looked up at me and smiled and said, ‘Perhaps.’ That was all that was said then, but that evening I spoke to him casually, passing the compliments of the day.

“A few days after he had left I received a letter from him asking me to correspond. I answered the letter and from that on we corresponded. Tom ECKERT, who is now general manager of the Western Union Telegraph Company, was postmaster at Wooster at the time, and used to tease me about writing to the lion tamer. But I fooled Mr. ECKERT. Driesbach would send me the route of his show and I would inclose my letter in an envelope addressed to the postmaster of the town where the show would stop. It is told that a few months after I met Driesbach we were married. Such was not the case. We were married in April, 1854, four years after we first met.”

In connection with Herr Driesbach, mention of RAREY, the horse-tamer, is in place, and we give herewith the following sketch from Appleton’s excellent “Encyclopedia of American Biography:”

“JOHN S. RAREY, the horse-tamer, was born in Groveport, Franklin county, Ohio, in 1828; and died in Cleveland, Ohio, October 4, 1866. At an early age he displayed tact in managing horses, and by degrees he worked out a system of training that was founded on his own observations. He went to Texas. in 1856, and after experimenting there gave public exhibitions in Ohio, and from that time was almost continuously before the public. About 1860 he went to Europe and surprised his audiences everywhere by his complete mastery of horses that had been considered unmanageable. In England particularly the most vicious were brought to him, and he never failed to control them. One of the greatest triumphs of his skill was the taming of the racing colt “Cruiser,” which was so vicious that he had killed one or two grooms and was kept under control by an iron muzzle. Under Mr. RAREY’S treatment he became perfectly gentle and submissive, and was brought by RAREY to this country. In 1863 Mr. RAREY was employed by the government to inspect and report upon the horses of the Army of the Potomac. He was the author of a “Treatise on Horse Taming,” of which 15,000 copies were sold in France in one year (London: 1858; new ed., 1864).

ORRVILLE is eleven miles northeast of Wooster, on the P. Ft. W. & C.; C. A. & C. and W. and L. E. Railroads.

City Officers, 1888: Wm. GAILEY, Mayor; David BLACKWOOD, Clerk; Alexander POSTLEWAITE, Treasurer; J. L. HALL, Marshal; Jerome AMMANN, Street Commissioner. Newspaper: Crescent, Neutral, James A. HAMILTON, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 Presbyterian, 1 Reformed, 1 Methodist, 1 German Lutheran and 1 Lutheran. Bank: Orrville Banking Co., O. K. GRIFFITH, president, H. H. STRAUSS, cashier.

Population, 1880, 1,441. School census, 1888, 508; J. L. WRIGHT, superintendent of schools. Capital invested in manufacturing establishments, $80,000. Value of annual product, $95,000.—Ohio Labor Statistics, 1888.

DOYLESTOWN is eighteen miles northeast of Wooster, on the Silver Creek Branch of the N. Y. P. & O. R. R. Newspaper: Journal, Independent, J. V. McELHENIE, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 Presbyterian, 1 Catholic and 1 German Lutheran. Bank: Seiberling, Miller & Co., S. H. MILLER, treasurer. Population, 1880,1,040. School census, 1888, 449.

SHREVE is ten miles southwest of Wooster, on the P. Ft. W. & C. R. R.Newspaper: News, Independent, W. Jay ASHENHURST, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 Presbyterian, 1 Methodist and 1 Christian. Bank: Farmers’, A. J. MUMPER, president, J. L. CAMPBELL, cashier. Population, 1880, 908. School census, 1888, 312; James L. ORR, superintendent of schools.

DALTON is thirteen miles east of Wooster, on the W. & L. E. R. R.Newspaper: Gazette, Neutral, W: C. SCOTT, editor and publisher. Churches: 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 United Presbyterian, 1 Presbyterian. Population, 1880, 486. School census, 1888, 212.

STERLING is thirteen miles northeast of Wooster, on the N. Y. P. & O. and C. L. & W. Railroads. Newspapers: News, Neutral, H. I. MONROE, editor.

Manufactures and Employees.—Amstutz & Co., flour and feed, 4; The Sterling Wrench Co., 39.—State Report, 1888.

Population about 450. Capital invested in manufacturing establishments, $80,300. Value of annual product, $150,500.—Ohio Labor Statistics, 1888.

CRESTON is twelve miles north of Wooster, on the N. Y. P. & O. and W. & L. E. Railroads. Newspapers: Journal, Independent, J. W. PARSONS, editor and publisher. Bank: W. P. STEBBINS & Son. Population about 400. Capital invested in manufacturing establishments, $3,000. Value of annual product, $3,500.—Ohio Labor Statistics, 1888.

Manufactures and Employees.—John C. Lytle, 6; Imperial Flour Co., 5; M. L. Stophlet, 2; A. J. Peterman,10.—State Report, 1888.

CONGRESS is twelve miles northwest of Wooster. Population, 1880, 301. School census, 1888, 87.

BURBANK is thirteen miles northwest of Wooster, on the N. Y. P. & O. R. R. It has churches, 1 Methodist Episcopal, 1 United Brethren, and 1 Presbyterian. Population, 1880, 293. School census, 1888, 92.

APPLE CREEK is six miles southeast of Wooster, on the C. A. & C. R. R. School census, 1888,152.

WEST SALEM is fifteen miles northwest of Wooster, on the N. Y. P. & O. R. R. Population, 1880, 878. School census, 1888, 270.

MARSHALLVILLE is thirteen miles northeast of Wooster, on the C. A. & C. R. R. Population, 1880, 376. School census, 1888,160.