U.S. Migration to Ohio, 1785 - 1850

Ohio occupied a special position with respect to the early settlement of the Old Northwest. On its southern boundary was the Ohio River, which became a major thoroughfare for migrants moving south and west; and to the north were the Great Lakes, which became an extremely important westward passage after the opening of the Erie Canal in 1825. During this pre-1850 settlement period geographers Wilhelm and Noble describe Ohio as "the smaller end of a huge funnel through which America's migrating masses were channeled on their way to the broad interior." Although Ohio's population in 1800 was only 45,000, by 1850 it had exceeded two million.

The predominantly American-born settlers migrated to Ohio from three cultural regions of the United States: New England, the Mid-Atlantic, and the Upland South. Migrants from the New England settled predominantly in the Connecticut Western Reserve, located in the northeast part of the state, and neighboring Firelands. Marietta, Ohio's first authorized settlement, and other cities like Putnam, Granville, and Worthington, were also settled principally by New Englanders. These migrants from the northeast brought with them distinctive cultural elements: for example, towns that were laid out with a central greens and commons area; Greek revival-style buildings; and protestant religious institutions like the Congregational Christian Church.

The largest number of migrants in the pre-1850 period came from the Middle Atlantic states, particularly Pennsylvania. Migrants from this border state were mainly Germans and Scotch-Irish and constituted 43% of all migrants during the first half of the 19th century. Most of the migration followed routes along Ohio's mid-state drainage divide and the southwesterly slope of Zane's Trace. The middle regions of Ohio are thus often connected with a strong German influence, manifested in distinctive log cabin styles and barn construction, and pietist religious beliefs. Pietism was a protestent revival movement, emphasizing an earnest and heart-felt approach to religious devotion. New Jersey and its neighboring states were also well represented in the settlement of Ohio, largely due to the Symmes Purchase, a real estate venture organized by a prominent New Jersey judge, John Cleves Symmes.

The majority of southern migrants came to Ohio from Virginia and settled in the Virginia Military District lands located in the west central portion of the state. Southern influence in this region can be seen in the greater number of large farms, the predominance of the I-house style of dwelling (long brick houses with a double porch), the larger percentage of Scotch-Irish, and the prevalence of Presbyterian religious beliefs.

European Immigration to Ohio, 1775 - 1850

Overseas immigration also contributed to the settlement of Ohio in the early half of the 19th century. The vast majority of immigrants came to Ohio from northwest Europe, particularly Germany and Ireland. By 1850, nearly one half of Ohio's immigrant population came from various regions of Germany. In addition to settling alongside areas favored by the Pennsylvania Dutch, German immigrants also settled in the Scioto and Miami valleys and in Auglaize, Stark, and Tuscarawas counties. Cincinnati, Cleveland, and other large Ohio cities also received German immigrants in great numbers.

Irish immigrants also came to Ohio in large numbers, constituting 22% of pre-1850 immigration traffic. The majority of Irish came to Ohio initially for economic opportunities and later to escape the economic hardship caused by the mid-century potato famines. Irish immigration tended to be more urban in character, although employment opportunities in the railroad and canal industries directed Irish immigrants into rural areas as well.