The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1876-05-26
PIONEER HISTORY.

d6eklDs, al OlQ seItlef, udu prtpdIeu
and read the following sketch of the
early history of Huron township. As
anything pertaining to the early settel-
ment of Northern Ohio, is of interest
to the present generation, and as it
contains many items which may be of
service In historical way, we give the
sketch entire:
Lod,e. and t,enteSaen, and FeL5z0 Cytfzens:
In response to an invitation from our Town
ship Trustees have the honor TO present 10 our
citizens brief sketch of the early history OF HUI
ron township which have collected from various
sources Some from such Of the early settlers as
Ihave had the good fortune 10 communicate with;
some from old books and geographical desrrip-
tions, and some from early historical records The
necessity for and qualification TO the public gen
orally, 10 be in possession OF such history Is
quite generally acknowledged, but the difficulty
Of executing can only be known to him who un-
dertakes IT, as the time has nearly passed when
reliable information can be obtained from the real
pioneerz Therefore, hoping that these considera-
tons win plead with you for moderation in cnti-
cism, the following imperfect sketches are re-
spectfully presented 10 your notice:
HISTORICAL RECORD OF HURON.
The town Of Huron, situated at the mouth of
Huron river, fifty miles west Of Cleveland, and
about ten miles east of the mouth of Sandusky
bay. has probably been settled longer than any
other town in the Firelands, and now has popu-
lation Of about ] 900. The whole township Of
Huron contains about 1000 inhabitants II takes
its name from its location on the banks of Huron
river. The name Huron" was given by the French
10 the wysndot tribe Its ssignifcation is probably
unknown.
(Ohio Hist. COLI
Huron is an important point on account of the
great shipping facilities which il affords 10 the
surrounding farming country.
Huron river is one of the best herbors on the
south shore of Lake Erie. The channel OF the
river at all times has a depth of water not less
than twelve and one-half feet and, with little
cost, depth Of fully fifteen feet can be obtained
and when you get inside, as sailors say, there is
room for all the water craft OF Lake Eric.
The Morayian missionaries were probably the
irst white settlers. They located in part OF the
south corner OF Huron, and northeast corner
Of Milan townships, but abandoned their settle
ment previous 10 its occupation by the French
traders which was anterior TO the war of the Rev
oiution. OF the present settlement of Huron
township. John Baptist Flemmond is said 10 have
arrived at Huron some time in 1866. He was born
in Montreal, Lower Canada, about the year I77O,
Of French parents He located on the east bank
of Huron river, almost two miles from its mouth,
on lot number Is, section l. The land is now owned
by Simon knight. He opened small stock OF
goods. supplying the Indians and Others, as their
necessities required. In ISL he married adaughter
of William Pollok, near the south line of the
township. He served in the war of lsl2-probably
in the capacity of scout and spy. He understood
and spoke the Indian language, and was familiar
with their manners and customs. He died about
the year ls20. Mr. Flemmonds wife and three
daughters resided on the old farm many years af-
ter his death. Mr. Isaac Collins then of Milan
now of Huron, assisted at his funeral Mr. Isaac
Collins was in Huron at an early day. He was
born at Tioga point, Pennsylvania went to Colum-
BUSH 1917, and came to Milan in 1878. He helped
10 raise The court house at the old county seat He
came to Huron in 1888 where he now resides
Daniel Curtis and family came to Huron soon
after the arrival of Mr.. Flemmond. Nj. Curtis
lived for time on the lake shore short distance
above where Judge Wright built his brick house
where his son. Harvey Curtis, was born in 1901,
probably the rst white child born in the township
among the pioneer families of the present settle
ment He afterwards bought the farm about two
miles further west, on the road leading TO San
dusky, where his son Harvey now resides. Mr.
Curtis and his wife have both been dead many
yesrs- Harvey Curtis remembers hearing the guns
the day of Perry's battle. Many of the settlers
left the township Immediately after HulPs sur
render on account of the hostility of the Indians
Ii is said some people on the Huron river were
captured by them, and also at the head of Cold
creek, where woman and child were murdered,
and several others taken captive and carried to
Canada
Jared Ward and family came into the township
in the spring of 1908; lived the Flemmond place
near the present residence of Widow McMillen,
till the following year. He then bought part of
David Abbotts land in (now Milan town.
ship. near the Hathaway neighborhood, and
where his son William Ward now resides.
Mrs. Betsy Collins, a daughter of Jared Ward
now residing in Huron, remembers the time when
her father came to Huron. and many events that
occurred while here and at Milan.
The Indians were quite numerous at that time
in the vicinity of Huron, but became less so on
the breaking out of the war OF 1872, and were
never afterwards as familiar as in former times
Mos Collins was born in gainesville, Ohio, A d.
1903
In November, 1902 Cyrus Downing and family,
consisting of his wife and two children located on
the lake shore, on land now owned by W. H.
Wright, where he resided until the summer of 1872,
when he left, soon after Hulrs surrender went to
Cleveland. where he died the next winter. Mrs.
Downing afterwards married Mr. Parker and
lived in Milan
jeremiah Daniels came about the same time as
Downing Mr.. Daniels carried the mail from
Huron TO Cleveland, making weekly trips, He
married Pamela Downing in the spring of 1872
and settled on the farm now owned by Vim.
Kinds, two and onehalf miles west of Huron
Almond Ruggles visited the Firelands five years
prior to moving his family to Huron in June, ISG9
Jabez Wright also came in June, 1909. The same
year these gentlemen together commenced a sur
vey of the township, laying il off in sections and
lots in course of that and the succeeding year.
completing the survey in 1910.
Mr. Ruggles built a house near Flemmonds
where he resided whilst surveying the township
He was subsequently appointed one of the Asso-
ciate Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of
Huron county. He built a very elegant house
aboat five miles east of Huron near the west line
OF Vermiliion township. where he moved a few |
years after completing the survey of Huron town. |
ship, where he resided at the time of his death.
Hr Jsbes Wright was born in l7SO. near Copen- |
hagen. New York. He married Miss Tamar Rug |
giles In ISL. He located on the west hank of HUI
ron river, about two and one-half miles from the /
lake, on land now known as wrfghts river farm, |
and owned by his son winthrop H. Wright, |
whe.e W. II. Wright was born December, lsls. |
Mr.. Wright was elected Justice of the Peace of |
Huron township, the exact date of which is not |
defhnitely learned. He was subsequently ap- |
pointed one of the Associate Judges of the Court
of Common Pleas of Huron county He acted as |
land agent of VIM winthrop, of New York city.
who had acquired title to the whole township.
Mr.. Winthrop died about the year ls26 when the
land went TO his nephew, VIM. II. Winthrop by |
WILL Mr.. Wright moved onto the lake shore in
1915, about one mile west of the mouth of The
river. In the year 1872 he built the first brick
house that was erected in the township. He con-
tinued TO acE as land agent for Vim. H. Winthrop
till the time Of his death, Dec. L. 1870, which was
caused by falling from the lake bank, near his
house. ON a dark night.
Judge Wright was an exemplary citizen, highly
respected, and all who knew him sadly mourned
his sad and untimely death. Ms Wright died in
1879 at the house of her son, Ruggles Wright
The first public highway that was erected in HUI
ron township was on the east side of the river
running sonth surveyed By Judge Wright in 1870
Major Himm Russell came to Huron in the win
ter of 1sosl0, built log house or land afterward
owned by jeremiah Benschoter, now owned by |
Mr.. Benschoters two daughters. Mrs. Widow |
Stspleton and James Paxton. Mr. Russell occupied |
his house as tavern and store, which was the first
tavern stand in Huron II was open to the public
il 1870
hesame year Mr. Russell commenced building |
a vessel, of about forty tons Surthen, near his |
house He was assisted by Jonathan Spngue |
father of the late Jonathan S. Sprague ESQ., who
did the blacksmith work. She was completed in
1911.
Jonathan Sprague came into the township with |
his family in 1870 located the east side of the
river, aiew miles above the railroad bridge
Mr. Russell built another vessel which he COM |
pleted in the spring of 1913. She was named the |
Fair American II said that this vessel sold
TO the British government and delivered to the /
British agents at Buffalo soon after being COM |
pleted-
Mr. Russell cleared a field on the farm now |
owned by Vim. G. Sage, present township trustee