The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1874-09-04
"Reminiscences, Relics, and Ancient
and Modern Biographies, &c.


DAVID DEAL,
a worthy old pioneer settler in this county,
has come under our notice in che past week,
and furnishes a brief biography of some con-
siderable interest. Born in Pennsylvania, in
! 1913, DAVID made his debut in this State, in
company with his father, in 1905, the family
locating on farm in Perry county, then
known as Fairfield. With an inherent desire
to excel in agricultural pursuits, he diiligent-
ly labored and lived with his inustrious pateT
up to 1913, when claims of his country during
that memorable war, gave rise to the draft,
and David was necessitatsd to foTego the
plow in favor Of the musket for SIX months
against the British invaders This duty he
cheerfvlIy buckled to and rallied under the
command of the gallant Col, Stevenson, to
whom was entrusted the charge Of a militia
brigade detailed to guard q small fort at Up
per Sandusky-and ultimately transferred as
reinforcement to Fort Meigs, on the Maumee
river. Here they arrived on the lst day Of
April, but were not on duty long before they
discovered that their removal on that partieu-
lar day was no "fooIing" matter, for soon af-
ter the Fort was subjected to a severe ssige OF
ten days, resulting in the repulse Of the enc
my. Comparative quiet then reigned until
the end of July,when the British, h,supported by
the Indians made another sortie and contin-
usd siege of five days longer, until compel
led to relinquisb their object. Capt. Harri-
SON had the command, at this time,
of Fort Seneca, and CrOghan nobly held his
own at Fort Stephenson. About the middle
Of August, Peter, and the rest Of his compa-
ny, had completed their term Of service, and
proceeded to Fort Seneca, then the head
quarters) and were duly paid of. He next
returned home, and espoused his original
calling. But the following year he lost his
father, and then assumed the responsibility Of
the farm. Resolved, however, to remove
eastward, ne visited TifEn in 1890, where he
invested an even 500 with a government
agent to secure so acres OF land in what is
now known as Washington township, whittier
he at once removed with wife and six child
ren. Assisted by his brother-in-law, the little
band made the distance Of 40 miles, by wag-
on, in something like week, and on their
arrival found tho ouly white families settled
there, just before them, were Michael Foncht,
Alec. Ross, Henry Spoon, David Grant, John
Ickes, and John Garn-the former Of whom
Hospitality entertained the new eomers until
David succeeded in raising log hut on his
own lot. The look out for our plncky pioneer
was certainly gloomy, when with only IS in
his pocket he went to building, andi that in
locality where the average wages for toiling
with the broad az, in clearing the forests, did
not exceed 25 to IS cents per day. But Peter,
ike many others, took all in good part, and
struggled manfully with difficulties on this
farm for three years, which he Justly says
was "life in the wilderness" and no mistake
About 1884, Mr.. Deal sold out to one John
Walters, and sought for himself more civil
lied existence in the cnnduct Of a small gro
Gerry in Lower Sandusky, now Fremont, which
store then stood on the corner Of Front and
Croghan streets. Finding this kind of life
more adapted to his taste, he then bought
lot on the corner Of Garrison and Front sts.,
and there resumed the grocery and baking
business, adding hotel accommodations there
to. He coon became popular both as grocer
and ''mine host" and though he was burnt
out in 1919 at a loss OF from $500
10 $4,000, still, with steady persever-
ance respectfully reared family of ten child
ren, though only six are still living. Twenty
FIVE years later he sold his lot and boilbings
thereon TO his son, and retired from active
life to spend his declining years in quietude.
He now resides with his daughter, ths wife
of Mr.. John Geeseman, of Garrison street,
md at the round old age Of 81 years be Is ap-
oarently hale and hearty, whils it does one
good to indulge chat with HIM over by-gones
and observe the readiness and pleasure with
which he consuits his unimpaired faculties to
lford answers to even the most minute ques-
ions of interest put to him. Mr.. Peter Deal !
he had two sons and three grandsons in the
ate war-his oldest son, Paul, attaining the
rank Of Captain in one of the /
avalry regiments. Mr.. Cornelius Deal, now
+ the palace Dining Hail." Toledo, is ais a
on Of the worthy old pioneer, and though |
iaving been for several years a martyr to
heumatism, is gaining high reputation in
be ''corn city" for his excellent conduct of
hat famous institution. OF the venerable
Id Peter it may bs fairly said
Pledgd to this nation, every way,
He fought or labOred, day by day;
Inspired by honor-every way
COlumbia's veal was his.