Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1888-03-01

On the 4th of July, 1872, The Watch
TbtCer, the first newspaper In the coun-
ty was established at Urbana by Cor
win and Blackburn. UTbana WAS the
point where the main army OF Hull
rendezvoused before leaving for De-
troit. The celebrated Simon Kenton
was here at an early lay.
Highland county was formed In May,
1906, from Ross, Adams and Clermont,
and so named because II was on the
watershed between the SciotO and Lit
tie Miami. It was first settled In the
year 1901. the settlers were mainly
from Virginia and North Carolina, and
many of them were "Friends." The
celebrated Simon Kenton made q
trace through this county near Hills
boro, called "Kenton's Trace" The
Hon. William A. Trimble, brother Of
Gov. Allen Trimble, was native Of
this county. He was a major Of the
Ohio Volunteers, in the war Of 1872,
was at Hull's surrender and was liberia
ted on his parole. In the defense and
sortie from Erie he acted with great
bravery and received wound which
after terminated in his death. He con-
tinued in the army until 1919, with the
rank of observation-disclosures
when he was elected to the National
Senate to succeed Mr.. Morrow. In
December, 1919, he took his seat; he
served two terms in Congress and died
December 13, 1881, aged 35.
Preble county was formed from Mont
gomery and Butler, March /, 1908. 1t
was named from Captain Edward Pre-
BILE, who distinguished himself in the
war with Tripoli, where he died in 1906.
Eaton, the county seat was laid out
1906 by the proprietor, VIM. Bruce,
and Eamed in honor of Gen. VIM.
Eaton, also conspicuous in the Tripoli-
tar war. About mile west of Eaton
is the site of Fort st. Clair, erected in
the severe winter of 1912. On Novem-
ber 6, 1892, severe battle was fought
almost under the cover of the guns of
st. Clair. between corps of rifemen
and body of Indians.
Portage county was formed from
Trumbull, June Z, 1907. It's name was
taken from the old indian portage path
of about seven miles in length, be-
tween the Cuyahoga and the Tuscara-
was, which was within its borders. Ra-
VIENNA, the county seat, was laid out in
June, 4799, by Hon. Benz. Tappan. On
his journey out from New England, Mr..
Tappan fell in with Mr.. David Hudson,
the founder of Hudson, Summit coun-
ty, and assisted him on the journey
for the sake of his company"
Miami county was formed from
Montgomery, January Is, 1907 and
Staunton made the temporary seat OF
Justice. Tue word miami, in the Otta-
wa language, is said to signify mother
The Miami Indians were originally
called Twiyhtwas, or TawiXtawees by
some. These Indians belie\ ed they
were created in the Miami valley. The
celebrated Gen. Rogers Clarke led all
expedition against these Indians, as al.
ready narrated, in 1882. Troy was laid
out in 1908, and Piqua in 1909. The
word piqua signifies "a man made out
of ashes," and belonged to one of the
Shawandese tribes of Indians who as.
scribe their origin to such man, com.
ing out of the smoke, at the annual
feast of the Shawandese. Upper Piqua,
three miles north of Piqua, was the
residence of Col. John Johnston, fol
the greater part of his life, an agent OF
the United States over the Indians.
His parental care of their interests
caused them to regard him in the light
of a father. He escaped death, but his
brother and other relatives were killed
by the Indians. His son, Captain
Abraham r. Johnston, of the 1st U. s.
Dragons, and aide to Gen. Kearney
was killed at the battle of San Pasqual,
California, December 6, 1846. He was
born at Piqua, in 1915, was graduate
of Miami University and West Point, a
ripe scholar and possessed of noble
qualities.
Delaware county was formed from
Franklin, February 10, 1908. 1t was
named from the Delaware Indians who
lived within its limits and had exten-
sive cornfields pear the town of Della
ware. The name of the tribe meant
"the people from the east" or ''sun
rising" But previous to that they
were called the Lenni-Lennapes, or
wolves, and had a curious tradition that
they emigrated from the west across the
Mississippi. ascended the Ohio, and
fought their way until they reached the
Delaware river near Philadelphia. The
Iroquois by crafty means induced them
to Join the Five Nations. and after
wards suhjugated them and compelled
them to remove west of the Ohio.
Knox county was formed from Fair
field, March /, 1908, and named from
Gen. Henry Knox, of Revolutionary
fame. The early settlers were mainly
from New England. Mt. Vernon, the
county seat, was laid out in 1905. The
seat Of Kenyon college is at Gambler,
five miles cast of Mt. Vernon. The
history of this college is very inter.
esting.
Tuscarawas county was formed from
Muskingum, February Is, 1908. The
name was taken from tribe of Indians,
and signifies "open mouth" We have
already allude at full length to the
Moravian settlements in this country
Eight miles from Dover is a curious set
tlement of Germans, who came here in
1917, established community at Zoar,
where everything was in common.
They were from Wuertemberg. Ger
many, were of the sect called "Separa-
lists" Jos. Bimeler was at the head OF
the commune. On the Tuscarawas, Mr.
Kitchener enumerates thirteen towns
in ruins, extending for fifty miles north
of Coshoct)n as far the ancient Seneca
capital called "Tuscarawas," and each
in its day the scene of indian glory and
daring deeds.
Huron county was formed Feb. Z
1909, and organized in 1915. 1t origi.
nally constituted the whole of the "Fire
land ~ The name Huron was giveI