Auglaize County, Ohio

History of Auglaize County

Salem Township—Kossuth

Occupies the extreme northwest of the county, being bounded north by Van Wert and Allen Counties, east by Logan township, south by Noble township, and west by Mercer County.

Surface.—The surface is flat, with the exception of the shed formed by the ridge along the north side, through which the canal makes its "deep cut." The soil is rich but wet, and as yet remains largely unimproved. Still all over the territory fine farms have been improved, and the township is clearing, draining, and building. A large amount of waste land is caused by the river and canal, the improvement of any of which will be attended by great labor and expense, while with a large per cent, of such land improvement is yet impracticable.

Streams.—The St. Marys River winds an irregular course across the township from southeast to west, and forms a land line of very indifferent direction.

The canal too crosses the township, from south to north, and serves, like the river, as a land line, and like it, too, is very irregular.

Inhabitants—These are largely of English descent, with some German and Irish stock.

Village.—Kossuth is the only village within the territory, and is located on the canal. It contains one hotel, two general merchandise stores, one millinery store, one carriage shop, one wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, one school, one church, and a post-office.

Deep Cut, also on the canal, is situated near the Allen County line, and though not ranking as a village, is the site of an extensive warehouse, a general supply store, and post-office. These are all controlled by J. H. Dunathan, a member of the Board of County Commissioners.

The township is sufficiently supplied with school and church buildings, so far as numbers are concerned, but it is presumable that here, in common with new communities, the efficiency of means and methods might be greatly improved. With the growth of the township it is hoped this efficiency will develop.

Roads.—The section has been well laid out in roads, but no piking has yet been done. It has thus been impossible to preserve a passable condition of the roads throughout the year, but at this writing movements are favorable for the improvement of the roads and construction of river bridges.

From "History of Auglaize County, Ohio, with the Indian History of Wapakoneta, and the First Settlement of the County", Robert Sutton, Publishers, Wapakoneta, 1880