Person:Josiah Hedges (3)

Biography

...JOSIAH HEDGES.
...Among the most remarkable of the leading pioneers of Seneca county, was Josiah Hedges, the founder of Tiffin. He was born April 9, 1778 near West Liberty, Berkley county, Va., and throughout his whole life preserved the characteristics of the true Virginian. He left his father's home at an early age, with a determination to carve out his own fortune. The first enterprise which he undertook on his own account, was a trading excursion to New Orleans on a flatboat, laden with fruit, which he floated down the Ohio river from Wheeling to New Orleans. The voyage lasted six weeks. He finally settled in Ohio in 1802, one year before it was admitted as a state, and located in Belmont county, where, for a number of years, he was one of the most active and prominent citizens. He was the first sheriff of that county, and for a number of years, clerk of the court. He next engaged in the mercantile business at St. Clairsville. His capital was limited, but was slowly and surely increasing by prudence and sagacity—firm traits in his character that never forsook him through life.
...In those days, merchants in the west were wont to purchase their goods in Philadelphia, journeying across the Alleghany mountains on horseback, and carrying their specie in their saddle bags. In 1819, he opened a branch store in Mansfield, having as a partner his brother, Gen. James Hedges. Soon thereafter he removed from St. Clairsville to Mansfield. In 1820, he made a journey to Fort Ball, in this county.
...His natural foresight very soon suggested to him the possibility of a spéculation, and he immediately decided to enter the land opposite to Fort Ball, on the right bank of the Sandusky river. Here the county seat was incited soon thereafter, in the heart of the town that Mr. Hedges caused to be platted immediately after his purchase of the land at the Delaware land office. In 1822 the first stick was cut on the plat of Tiffin, at a place near the Commercial bank, in the first ward. In the same year Mr. Hedges built a saw mill on Rocky creek, a short distance east of the court house, and a frame building on the lot north of the court house, which was afterwards used for very many purposes — for a court house, Masonic hall, offices and shops, etc. The same building is still in existence, and stands near the mouth and on the left bank of Rocky creek and also on the bank of the Sandusky river, and is now used as a paper box factory. In the same year he also built the flouring mill on the Sandusky river, which was afterwards known as the "Hunter Mill." By a prudent and liberal course in disposing of his town lots, he saw the place increase steadily, and in 1828 he secured the removal of the land office from Delaware to Tiffin, thus giving the town a new impetus. In 1825, and again in 1830, he was elected a member of the House of Representatives from this district, in which capacity he served to the satisfaction of the people. In 1837 he disposed of his interest in the store to a son, and from that time to them close of his life, devoted all his time to the interest of Tiffin and his growing wealth.
...In his younger days Mr. Hedges was an athletic and vigorous man, and well up to nearly four score years he retained a large portion of his mental and physical vigor, and was always able to attend to his own affairs. He was generous and just in his dealings with his fellow men; benevolent and kind. He assisted all the Christian denominations in Tiffin, and granted lots for the erection of churches, in addition to his liberal subscriptions. He was the originator of many, and the supporter of all, public improvements. He was possessed of that large and unselfish hospitality that characterized all the early settlers. He was generous to the poor, and always willing to lend a helping hand. When a man bought a lot from him on which to build himself a home, and could not pay as he had agreed to do, Mr. Hedges would never trouble him, as long as the purchaser showed a desire and willingness to pay. Yet he looked after his interest, and expected men to come up to their promises. While he had no love for drones and loafers, the man of work and industry always found in him a friend. Those that sought his advice in business, never called on him in vain; and when he knew the man to be true and faithful, was ready to help him, if necessary, with material advice. He was as sincere in all his intercourse with his fellow men as he was just and generous; and while he was the good neighbor and citizen, the safe counselor and faithful friend, he was also an indulgent and affectionate father and devoted husband. His kindred, both old and young, will ever gratefully remember him. To him they could always go with loving confidence; his heart was ever open to them.
...Although not a member of any church, Mr. Hedges was a good and true man; and upon his dying couch he expressed a willingness to go, and assured his friends around him of his unfaltering trust in that Savior "who has promised to save all who may turn towards Him in faith and penitence." He sank away quietly, as if but entering upon a sleep. Without a groan or a struggle, the good old man took his departure, and passed away "like one that draws the drapery of his couch around him and lays down to pleasant dreams."
...Mr. Hedges was first married September 29, 1807, to Rebecca Russell, in Belmont county, Ohio. He had by this union six children, two of whom are still living — Mrs. Clarinda Hunter, widow of William Hunter, and Mrs. Rebecca Walker, widow of Joseph Walker. His first wife died July 8, 1816, aged thirty-one years. After living a widower about one year, he was again married on the 10th day of July, 1817, to Eliza Hammerly, of Martinsburgh, Virginia. This union was blessed with nine children, of whom Cynthia A. wife of Luther A. Hall, Esq., of Tiffin, Ohio, Mary Jane, wife of A.C. Baldwin, of Tiffin, Ohio, Minerva, wife of Harrison Noble, Esq., the present mayor of the city of Tiffin, Elizabeth, wife of John G. Gross, for many years a prominent merchant of Tiffin, and Sarah, wife of the Hon. W.W. Armstrong, late secretary of state, and now of the Cleveland Plaindealer, of Cleveland, Ohio, the faithful and esteemed friend of the writer, are still living. His second wife died on the 10th day of November, 1837. He was married again October 29, 1844, to Harriet, daughter of Henry Snook, of Seneca county, who is still among the living, highly respected. Mr. Hedges died in Tiffin, on the 15th day of July, 1858, aged eighty years, three months and six days.
...Up to about his seventy-fifth year his step was permanent and regular, and his carriage wonderfully straight for one of his age. From that time onward the increasing years wrought their mark upon his powerful frame. On a pleasant day he would walk with short steps about town, in his double gown, with a stick in his hand, dragging his shoes, tramped down at the heels, often with his smoking cap on and smoking his familiar short pipe — the very picture of a comfortable sunset after a long, summer day.
In stature Mr. Hedges was a little over six feet high, and well proportioned. His carriage was very straight, his movements and gestures, as well as his conversation, very decided. He had nothing of suavity or "blarney" about him. He was very economical with his words in business transactions, and would say no more than was necessary to accomplish the work in hand. His intercourse with men, while it was pleasant enough in business, and utterly void of offense, yet bore that peculiar, almost indescribable, natural aristocracy that so much characterizes the true Virginia gentleman of the olden school. His voice was clear, a little metalic, and on a rather high note for so large a person. He had a fine forehead, a sharp, small, black eye, a prominent nose, not very large, clenched lips, high cheek bones, heavy lower jaw, and in his tout ensemble was the very image of firmness and decision.

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2} Lang, William. History of Seneca County, from the close of the Revolutionary War to July, 1880: embracing many personal sketches of pioneers, anecdotes, and faithful descriptions of events pertaining to the organization of the county and its progress. (Springfield, OH: Transcript Printing, 1880)
   Ch. XV, pp. 237 - 240.

   See Personal History