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In 1864, a group of oil men visited Findlay and Hancock County with a view to putting down some wells in an exploratory venture. They came from Gallipolis on the Ohio river and represented Rufus R. Dawes, of Marietta. They leased some 800 acres of land in Hancock County and filed their leases at the courthouse, where the records tell the story of their plans. It was just about the first extensive leasing operation attempted in the local community before the oil and gas boom which developed some 20 years later.  The Dawes' family became the principal figure in what later became the Pure Oil Co. A relative, Charles G. Dawes, became vice-president of the United States in the Coolidge administration in the 1920's.    (The Courier Opinion by R.L. Heminger)

The following lease is for Enos M. Jones and Rufus Dawes, another lease was found for Levi Williamson a cousin of Enos M. Jones. The lease was recorded 135 years ago.

Deed Vol. 20 Pg. 111

Enos M. Jones & Rufus R. Dawes

This lease, made and concluded this 14th, day of November in the year One Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty Four between Enos M. Jones of Eagle Township, in the county of Hancock in the state of Ohio. Party of the first part and Rufus R. Dawes of Marietta in the County of Washington in the state of Ohio of the second part witness that the said party of the first part in consideration of Twenty five cents and the stipulations unto and continuing hereinafter contained on the part of the said party of the second party his executor administrator and assign us to be paid kept and performed, have granted, devised and let unto the said party of the second part his executors administrators and assigns for the sale and only purposes of mining and excavating for petroleum, coal, rock or carbon oil or other valuable mineral of volatile substance all that certain tract of land situate in Hancock County and state of Ohio, and bounded and described as follows.

To Wit: Party acres in the N.E. Corner of S.E. Quarter of seslian one south range Len east in Eagle township Hancock county Ohio, the right of mining and excavating until oil shall be procured in paying quantities shall be confined to one half an acre in a square in the N.E. Corner of said tract and until oil in paying quantities is procured the party of the second part shall have the rights or privileges on any other part of the above tract then the said half acre. To have and to hold the said premises for the said purposes and unto the party of the second part his executor administrators or assign for during and until the full term of twenty years next ensuing the day and year above written the said party of the second part hereby covenant in consideration of the said grant and demise to deliver unto the said party of the first part his heir and assigns the full equate one eighth 1/8 part of the petroleum, coal rock or carbon oil, or other valuable mineral or volatile substances discovered excavated, purified and raised on the premises herein leased as produced, excavated or purified in the crude state at the well. The said party of the first part to furnish barrels for the same, the said party of the first part is to fully use and enjoy the said premises for the purposes of village. Except such part as shall be necessary for said mining purposes and all right of way over and across the said premises to the place or places of mining or excavating, the said party of the first part covenant to grant to the said party of the second part the right to move any machinery or fixture place on said premises by said party of the second part, the said party of the second part, covenants to commence operations for the said mining purposes within two years after executing this lease, or thereafter pay to the party of the first part twenty five dollars per month until such operations are commenced and in default of such monthly payment, this lease and all rights and privileges under it shall be forfeited: In witness whereof or the said parties of the first and second parts, have hereunto set and hands and seals the day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and delivered in Enos M. Jones and Rufus R. Dawes presence of George Hoy, J.M. Hamlin state of Ohio Hancock Co. S.S. On this 14th day of November AD 1864 before me, I notary public in and for said county personally appeared the said Enos M. Jones and Rufus R. Dawes above: named and dually acknowledged that they did sign and seal the forgoing instrument and that the same is the free act and deed of each of them, for the uses and purposes thereon named. Given under my hand and seal the day and year aforesaid J.M. Hamlin Notary Public, filed January 13, 1865 recorded January 14, 1865 . I hereby certify that the foregoing deed is duly stamped with fifty cents M.S.R. Stamp & canceled hereunto the law. Adam Steinmen Recorder.