118    UNITED STATES GAZETTEER.

unwholesome vapors in the summer and autumn, and, consequently, fevers, agues, and other
diseases incident to such localities, frequently prevail.

Religion. — The most numerous religious denominations are the Methodists and Baptists
These generally reside in the low country. At the west, there are many Presbyterians
The Episcopalians and Lutherans have a number of congregations in various parts of the
state; and there are also several bodies of Roman Catholics, Moravians, and Quakers.

OHIO. This state has heretofore been classed among the North-west States of the Ameri-
can Union; but the vast accumulation of territory lying still farther west and north has left
Ohio more properly among the Middle States, on the Atlantic side of the continent: indeed,
her relative position, considered in regard to the present north-western possessions of the
United States, is actually that of one of the Eastern States of this republic. Marietta, the
oldest town in the state, was settled, in 1788, by the “ New England Ohio Company." The next
permanent settlement was at Columbia, in the following year. In 1791, a company of French
emigrants founded the town of Gallipolis. Large bodies of New England people, in 1796,
settled several towns on Lake Erie. Before the above settlements were undertaken, several
of the neighboring states, which, by charter or otherwise, were proprietors of various tracts
of unappropriated western lands lying within this territory, had, from time to time, relinquished
their claims ; and numerous Indian titles were also extinguished by treaty. A territorial gov-
ernment was formed in 1799, in which year the legislature convened for the first time, at
Cincinnati, and elected General William H. Harrison as delegate to Congress. A state con-
stitution was formed in 1802, by virtue of which, and under authority of Congress, Ohio
became an independent member of the federal Union.

Boundaries and Extent. — Bounded north by the State of Michigan and Lake Erie ; east by
the States of Pennsylvania and Virginia, being separated from the latter by the Ohio River;
south by said river, which divides it from Kentucky ; and west by the State of Indiana. The
Ohio River washes the border of the state, through its numerous meanderings, for a distance
of over 430 miles. The state contains 40,000 square miles, and measures 200 miles from north
to south, by 220 miles from east to west. It lies between 38° 30' and 42° north latitude, and
between 80° 35' and 84° 42' west longitude.

Government. — The constitution provides for the election of a governor biennially; but he
cannot be elected for more than three terms in succession. Members of the Senate, 36 in
number, are elected for two years, one half chosen annually. The House of Representatives