History of Ohio; the rise and progress of an American state

Front matter

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Preface

THIS volume covers that period in the history of the people of Ohio in which they displayed the fullest strength of their capacity for development and self government. It was the Heroic Age of their history. It was during this time that they felled the forests and tilled the soil, established popular government and founded a great State, subdued the Indians and repelled a foreign invader, built canals and constructed a common school system ; and as a result of this their State leaped from the eighteenth in rank in population to the third, and all of this was accomplished in two score years.

This marvelous development was not due to the mere accretion of growth resulting from time, but it was the direct work of the men who met and solved the problems of the period in which they lived. No better blood was ever given to found a State than that of the pioneers of Ohio; strong and healthy strains of other lands have since entered into its life.

Such a people cannot fail to have an interesting career, and in these pages is recorded their history. If, as Bacon says, "history makes men wise," it is because he who writes it deducts lessons from the past. So, remembering that "history is philosophy teaching by example," I have not been content wholly with making this volume a mere chronological table or a skeleton of facts, but have at times undertaken by deduction, criticism or otherwise, to give the reader a text for the thoughtful consideration of the lessons that can be derived from the past.

Columbus, Ohio. DanIEL J. Ryan.

CONTENTS CHAPTER I.

THE SOCIAL LIFE OF THE PIONEERS

Judge Timothy Walker's Address 3

The Character of the Pioneers 4

The Advent of the Trappers . : 5

Dangers and Adventures of the First Settlers 7

Their Ancestors and Blood 8

Traits and Occupation 9

Their Voyages on the Ohio River 10

Building the Cabin 11

How it was Furnished 13

The Cooking of the Pioneer 14

His Dress and that of His Family 15

The Husking Bee 16

Quilting Parties and Weddings 19

The Religious Temperament of the Pioneer 21

The Camp Meeting 32

The Revival of 1800 23

James B. Pinley, the Pioneer Preacher 24

His Description of Spiritual Phenomenon 25

The Early Schoolhouse 27

The Rigorous Laws of the Time 28

The Pillory and the Whipping Post 30

Pioneer Courts and Judges 31

The Passing of the Cabin 32

Chapter II. The Beginning Of Representative Government In The Northwest Territory

The Governor and the Judges 35

The First Territorial Legislature 36

The Members of the House of Representatives 37

The Members of the Legislative Council 38

Cincinnati the Seat of Government 39

Its Moral and Social Condition 40

The Men of the first General Assembly 41

A Conflict of Authority 45 viii THE RISE AND PROGRESS

Locating County Seats 46

The Work of the First General Assembly 47

A System of Taxation Established 48

Slavery in the Territory 49

William Henry Harrison 58

His Revision of the Land Laws 59

Effects of His Plan 61

The Lottery System 62

Qosing Days of the L^slature 63

Address to the President 64

Opposition to Governor St. Clair 65

The Movement for Statehood Commences 66

Chapter III. The Struggle For Statehood

Governor St. Clair Opposes Statehood 69

His Letter to William Henry Harrison 70

The Division of the Territory 71

Effect of that Legislation 73

Nathaniel Massie's Settlement of Chillicothe 73

The Advent of Edward Tiffin 74

His Life and Work 75

Governor Arthur St. Clair 78

His Revolutionary Record 79

His Conflict with the Virginians 80

The Second Session of the Legislature 81

An Address to the Governor 82

The Governor's Reply 83

Thomas Worthington's Efforts for Statehood 84

The Legislature is Prorogued 85

Address by Edward Tiffin and Others 86

St. Qair Reappointed Governor 88

Chillicothe Made the Capital 89

The Conffict over Statehood 90

The Chillicothe Mob 9^

The Political Assault on St. Clair 93

Charges Filed Against Him 94

St. Clair's Letter to the President 97

Jefferson Refuses to Remove St. Clair 99

OF AN AMERICAN STATE ix

Arguments For and Against Statehood lOO

Congress Passes Enabling Act for Ohio loi

Population of Territory in 1800 106

The First Constitutional Convention and its Members 107

The Struggle for Statehood Ended 108

Chapter IV. The First Constitutional Convention

The Location of its Membership iii

Their Character 113

The Single Vote Against Statehood 113

Cost of Constitutional Conventions 114

The Proposed Constitution 115

The Article on the Judiciary 1 16

The Bin of Rights 118

No Sentiment for Slavery in Convention 1 19

The Insult to Governor St. Clair 120

His Offensive Address 121

The Constitution not Submitted to the People 124

Jefferson's Influence on the Common Peopfe 126

Ifis Opinion on the Constitution 127

His Removal of Governor St. Qair 129

St. Qair's Letter to Madison 130

The Subsequent Life of St. Clair 133

A Summary of the New Constitution 136

Address to the President 140

Final Acts of the Convention 141

Chapter V. The Genesis Of A State

Decadence of the Federal Party in Ohio 145

Election of Edward Tiflfin as Governor 146

The State of Ohio Organized 147

Governor Tiffin's First Annual Message 149

When was Ohio Admitted to the Union 150

EHscussion of Various Dates Claimed 151

March i , 1 803, the Correct Date 153

Constitutional Amendments Rejected by Ohio 154

Conflict between the Legislature and Judiciary' 1 55

Impeachment of the Supreme Court Judges 157

'*The Sweeping Resolutions" 159

The Power of the Judiciary Discussed i6o

Chief Justice Marshall's Opinion i6i

Alexander Hamilton's View in the Federalist 163

Gubernatorial Contest between Massie and Meigs 163

Sketch of the Second Governor, Thomas Kirker 166

Governor Tifl&n Elected United States Senator 167

Increase of Towns in Ohio 168

The Markets for Ohio Farmers 169

Education in the New State 170

Academies and Private Schools 175

Development of the Newspapers 176

Influence of the Press 179

The Early Libraries of the State 180

The Works of the Shakers 181

Location of State Capital at Zanesville 182

Election of Thomas Worthington as Governor 183

The First Steamboat on the Ohio River 184

Robert Fulton and His Promoters 185

Old Fashioned Transportation on the Ohio River 186

Nicholas J. Roosevelt's Tour of Observation 187

The Latmching of the " New Orleans" 189

Effect of Steam Navigation 190

Chapter VI. The Operations Of Aaron Burr In Ohio

Burr's First Visit to the West 193

His Ancestry and Youth 194

In the Attack on Quebec 196

Joins General Washington's Staff 197

Resigns from the Army and Admitted to the Bar 198

The Political Rival of Alexander Hamilton 199

Jefferson's Election to the Presidency 200

Political Duels in New York 202

A list of Famous Duelists 203

Hamilton-Burr Duel and its Results 204

Burr's Ambitions 205

His Vi^ts to Pittsbtu^ and Marietta 208

At Blennerhassett's Island 209

The Island Home and its Master 210

Margaret Blennerhassett 213

BiUT Visits New Orleans 215

His Land Purchase 216

OF AN AMERICAN STATE xi

Starts on His Second Trip to the West 217

The Letter of Senator John Smith 218

Burr's Answer 219

Sketch of John Smith 221

The Administration Opposes Btirr 224

The Work of Jefferson's Agent 225

CHAPTER VII. THE OPERATIONS OF AARON BURR IN OHIO— Concluded

Governor Tifi&n's Message to the Legislature 229

Stringent Legislation Passed 231

The Tifl&n Correspondence 232

The Governor's Second Message 237

Movement Against Senator Smith 240

Seizure of Boats and Stores at Marietta 241

Escape of Blennerhassett and Tyler 243

The Excitement at Cincinnati 244

Senator Smith Secures Arms 245

Collapse of the Burr Expedition 247

Jefferson's Letter to Tifl&n 248

Attempt to Expel Smith from the United States Senate 249

John Quincy Adams' Resolution 251

His Report 252

Smith's Resignation and Death 253

Chapter VIII

OHIO AND THE WAR OF 1812 THE ARMY AT DAYTON THE SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS DUDLEY'S DEFEAT AND MASSACRE

The Causes of the War of 1 812 257

Canada's Secret Agent 258

Ohio's Readiness for War 259

Concerning Governor Return J. Meigs, Jr 260

He Calls Out the Ohio Militia 261

General Hull Given Command at Dayton 262

An Unfortunate Selection 263

Hull's March to Detroit 264

His Timidity and Indecision 265

Detroit Surrendered to the British 266

Hxill's Disgrace and Court-martial 267 xii THE RISE AND PROGRESS

The Man of the Hour — General Harrison 368

Appointed to Command Army 369

His Campaign in the Northwest 270

Anecdote of James Logan, Shawnee Chief 371

His Attack on Colonel Elliott and Party 373

Death of Logan 373

Defeat of General Winchester 374

Harrison Establishes Port Meigs 375

Its Siege Commenced 376

A Thrilling Story of Bravery 377

General Proctor's Demand for Surrender 378

General Dudley's Defeat and Massacre 379

Tecumseh Stops Massacre of Americans 380

The Siege Abandoned by Proctor 381

General Harrison Dismisses Ohio Militia 383

It Creates Great Dissatisfaction 283

General Harrison Proceeds to Cincinnati 284

Chapter IX

THE COUNCIL AT PRANKLINTON SECOND SIEGE OF FORT MEIGS DEFENCE OF FORT STEPHENSON PERRY'S VICTORY

The Indian Situation 287

General Harrison Calls the Cotmdl of Franklinton 288

I£s Address to the Indians 289

The Success of the Cotmdl 290

The Second Siege of Fort Meigs 291

Major Croghan and Fort Stephenson 292

Harrison's Advice to Croghan 293

Croghan Ordered to Abandon the Fort 294

Proctor Demands His Surrender 295

The Attack on Fort Stephenson 296

Defeat of British and Indians 297

Terrific Loss of the Enemy 298

Croghan and the Ladies of Chillicothe 299

Oliver H. Perry 3«>

He Constructs Fleet for the Lake 301

A Comparison of American and British Fleets 302

History of Ohio

The Rise and Progress of an Amencan State

I •

Emilius O."" Randall and Daniel J. Ryan

Volume Three

By DANIEL J. RYAN

THE CENTURY HISTORY COMPANY NEW YORK

I9I3 xiv THE RISE AND PROGRESS

He Zrges the State to Imrestigate Cabals 341

A CommiaBioo Appointed to Sorvey Routes 542

Its Report 343

Shows Effect on Land Vaioes 344

Makes Estimates of Cost 345

Lav Passed for Construction of Canals 346

Alfred KeHey. the Master Spirit 347

His Early Career 348

Judge Yaple s Opinion of KeUey 349

Kdley as Canal Coamussioner 350

His Record in the Legislature 351

His Financial Seiviees to the State 352

Borrowing for Ohio in New York 353

Raises Funds in His Own Name 354

Originates the Banking Law 355

Author of the General Property Tax 356

Ohio's Benefit from This System 357

Alfred Kdley*s Place in History 358

Canal Construction Begins 359

Cost of Canal Sj-stem 360

Its Mileage and Extent 361

The Effect of Canals on the State 362

The Future of the Canals 363

CHAPTER XII.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS AND

THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE COMMON SCHOOL SYSTEM

The Foundation of the School System 367

School Lands of Ohio 368

Primitive Schools 369

First Schoolhouse in Ohio 370

Early School Teachers 371

Opposition to Common Schools 372

Ephraim Cutler First Plans School System 373

Nathan Guilford Continues the Work 374

Caleb Atwater and His Labors 375

He Describes the Work of His Commission 376

Nathan Guilford Favors Tax for Schools 377

His Letter to the Commission 378

His Report on Schools 379

Advocates Education for All 380

Compares School Systems of Other States 381

Approves New England System 382

OF AN AMERICAN STATE xv

Legislature Establishes Common Schools 383

The Results of the Law 384

An Educational Revival 385

The "Western College of Teachers" 386

Superintendent of Common Schools Appointed 387

Samuel Lewis and His Work 388

His Letters 389

His First Annual Report 390

Attracts Attention in the East 391

He Reports Conditions and Prospects 392

The Effect of Lewis' Work and Ideas 393

Boards of Education First Established 394

James A. Garfield on the Ohio School System 395

Progress of Education in Ohio 396

CHAPTER XIII.

MORMONISM IN OHIO

The Church of the Latter Day Saints 399

The Book of Mormon 400

Its Theory and Origin 401

View of President Fairchild of Oberlin College 402

Joseph Smith, Jr 403

He and His Followers Locate at Kirtland 404

Brigham Young Arrives at Kirtland 405

His Marriage 406

Concerning His Ohio Wife 407

Joseph Smith, Jr., and His Work 408

His Cure of Mrs. Johnson 409

Strange Manifestations 410

Smith Opposes Religious Emotionalism 411

The Building of the Temple at Kirtland 412

Industry and Self Devotion of the Women 413

The I>edication of the Temple 414

Its Description 415

Growth and I>evelopment of the Church 416

Spirit of Speculation 417

Real Estate Project 418

The Kirtland Safety Society Bank 419

Its Failure 420

The Flight of Smith and His Murder 421

Litigation Concerning the Temple 422

Claims of the Reorganized Church 423

Court Decrees Temple to That Body 424 xvi Rise and Progress of an American State

CHAPTER XIV.

historical collections relating to men and e\^nts

The Capital Located at Columbus 427

Columbus Named and Laid Out 428

State Offices Removed f xx)m Chillicothe 429

Governor Thomas Worthington 430

He Establishes the State Library 431

Visit of Lafayette to Ohio 432

An Interesting Incident of His Visdt 433

The Flood of 1832 434

Its Effect in Cincinnati 435

Dangers of the Flood 436

Destruction Along the Ohio River 437

Ohio-Michigan Boundar\' Dispute 438

The Points of Difference 439

The Survey of the Harris Line 440

The Question Assumes a Serious Form 441

Letter of Governor Mason of Michigan 442

The Action of Governor Lucas 443

State Militia of Ohio Called Out 444

The Controversy Settled 445

Comment on Governor Lucas 446

Comer Stone of Present Statehouse Laid 447

Attempted Removal of Capital 448

The Progress of Ohio in 1840 449

The Governors of Ohio from 1803 to 1840 450

Ethan Allen Brown 451

Allen Trimble and Jeremiah Morrow 453

Duncan McArthur 453

Joseph Vance 454

Wilson Shannon 455

ILLUSTRATIONS

Governor Edward Tifi&n Froatiapkob

Governor Thomas Kirker Fadsg page 8

Facsimile of Territorial Marriage Certificate * * 20

James B. Finlcy • • 24

Jacob Burnet • • 42

Governor Samuel Huntington * * 48

Governor Return J. Meigs» Jr ** • 54

Facsimile of Ohio State Lottery Ticket ** * 62

Governor Othniel Looker * '70

Governor Thomas Worthington ** "76

First State House, Chillicothe • "88

Governor Ethan Allen Brown • • 100

Ephraim Cutler • • 112

Governor Allen Trimble • • 124

Governor Jeremiah Morrow * * 134

William Creighton, Jr., First Secretary of State * * I54

Governor Duncan McArthur * * 168

Facsimile "Centinel of Northwestern Territory" • • 176

Facsimile of Title Page of First Book Published in Northwest Territory • ■180

Aaron Burr • • 194

Tbeodosia Burr Alston • • 204

Harman Blennerhassett • • 218

House of Blennerhassett • • 230

Facsimile Governor Tifi&n's Commission to Mathew Nimmo. * * 240

Historic Sites of Northwestern Ohio • • 262

Siege of Fort Meigs • • 276

Plan of Fort Stephenson ** • 296

Major George Groghan • • 304

Medal to Croghan * * 314

Perry Ordering the First Firing • ■ 320

Perry on His Way to the Niagara * * 330

Perry's Victory • • 336

Medal to Perry • • 342

Charies Hammond • • 348 xviii Rise and Progress of an American State

Alfred Kelley Fkdng page 352

Nathan Guilford

Saonid Lewis

Caleb Atwater

Joseph Smith, Jr

MonnoQ Temple, Srtland

Interior Views of Temple

Facsimile of Elrtland Bank Note.

Facsimile of Mormon MSB

First State House, Cdumbos. . . .

Governed Robert Lucas

Governor Joseph Vance

Governor Wilson Shannon

372 380