History of Seneca County, Ohio

The object in writing the following pages has been to perpetuate the memory of our oldest settlers, and to rescue from oblivion such as is of interest to our citizens, by giving a faithful narrative of the most important events which have occurred within the limits of the county.

We had at first prepared a limited sketch, which was intended for publication in one of the county papers; but at the suggestion of our very esteemed friend, Mr. James Gray, of Melmore — and as, upon investigation, it was found that much matter might be added which would interest the public, we have produced this volume.

Much of the materials have been furnished us by those who are residents of, or have resided within the county; and while we have sought the homes of early settlers for information, we have been greeted with a frank welcome, characteristic of its inhabitants.

As our pleasant, though arduous task is now finished, we take this opportunity to acknowledge the many obligations due to those who have been pleased to render us assistance, and the work is now respectfully submitted to the public, for their careful and candid perusal.

 

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Ohio derives its name from the river which washes nearly all of its eastern and southern boundary. The name is of Indian origin; and some writers have imagined it to signify handsome river; as, about the middle of the eighteenth century, some French explorers of the country, who found the stream a pleasant one to sail upon, and fine lands along its borders, called it, "la-belle-riviere," or the beautiful river. But that circumstance could have had no influence with the Indians, at an earlier period, in inducing them to give it a name of that signification. Another, and more probable meaning of the word Ohio, is bloody. This was applied by the Indians to the river, from the circumstance of numerous bloody battles having been fought along the shore, by different tribes, in centuries past. This signification is corroborated by the white woman whose history has been given to the world, and which would seem to establish the fact beyond a doubt.