Hancock County, Ohio - Chapter 25: County Officers, 1881 (part 1 of 2)

Chapter 25: County Officers

TABLE showing the number of school houses in each township, and their value, together with the value of school house sites, as far as could be ascertained.

HAVING completed a brief history of the county, I propose to briefly notice the individual organization of the several townships, and characteristics of the several towns. Of course these sketches are incomplete as a full history, and convey only a faint idea of the beginnings of each. But they will serve to somewhat enlighten the attentive reader as to the time and manner, and by whom these several organizations were effected, and of their present condition. All, I presume are interested in any and every thing which pertains to the history of each township, as well as of the general history of the county, and the rise and progress of the several towns, will help to form a correct opinion of our present status. The younger portion of my readers are perhaps in ignorance as to who were the real pioneers of the several parts of the county, and also as to the location even, of the different townships. In these sketches, I have endeavored to give them information on both these subjects. The extent, population and statistics of each is given, and of the towns the different business interests are noted, as well as the churches and schools.

This part of the history of the county will then be of peculiar interest, to the several localities described, as they speak of matters which have come under the personal observation of many who are still living.

Land Survevs

Land descriptions, as recited in deeds of conveyance, are "but imperfectly understood by many, and to some are simply riddles, not easily guessed. In order that they may be -comprehended by all, and easily understood, wherever found, I venture a brief explanation.

In order to make correct surveys and locate lands prior to the settlement of the State, or of the formation of bounties, or townships, or of the sub-division of townships into sections, the General Government found it necessary to liave a certain and fixed point from which townships and ranges should be counted.

The Ohio Survey, to which we belong, was made in 1819 and 1820, after the fixing by the Government oi iho^ first prmcipal Meridian, as it was called, which meridian commenced at the mouth of the Great Miami River, and running thence north on the line between the States of Ohio and Indiana, to the Michigan line. A line was also established, running east and west on the 49th Parallel of Latitude, and called the base line. This base line runs directly through the center of this county, dividing it into two equal parts, north and south.

Townships were numbered north and south from this base line ; those bordering on the line were called township number one - north or south - number two coming next, and so on. The Ranges, which included a township in width, or -exactly six miles, were numbered from the principal meridian east, beginning with number one, at the Indiana line, and numbering east. Hancock County is in Ranges nine, ten, eleven and twelve.

You will remember that the act organizing the county of Hancock, provided that it should comprise "townships one and two north, and one and two south, in ranges nine, ten,, eleven and twelve, east of the first principal meridian." That is to say, that townships one and two north, and one^ and two south of the base line, and in range nine, ten,, eleven and twelve east of the Indiana line should constitute the county. As these ranges are just six miles wide, the number of the range being given, it is easy to determine the exact distance from the Indiana line east. For example, the first range in Hancock County is number nine, then to the west line of the county there would l)e eight full ranges, or exactly forty-eight miles from the Indiana line to the west line of the county. The townships being just six miles long north and soutli, their nujnber determines their distance from the base line.

These townships, in their original I'orm, are just six miles^ square, and any change in the boundary of an original township, does not effect the range, hence we have in this, county some townships which include parts of two ranges. Nor would a change in the boundary of an original township change its number either north or south from the base line. To repeat then, the first row' of townships running north and south along the first meridian, or Indiana line, is called Range one east, the second row. Range two, etc., and the first row of the townships on the w est side of this county is in Range nine, the second in Range ten, the third in Range eleven, and the fourth in Range twelve. The iirst row of townships north of the base line, running east and west, are numbered one north, the second row number twO' north. The first row of townships south of base line is numbered one south, and the second row number two south-

These townships are divided into sections of one mile square, and numbered from one to thirty-six. The numbers always beginning with number one in the north-east corner of the township, thence west to the line, and then back on the next row of sections, and so on. These sections were divided into halves and quarters. A section comprises six hundred and forty acres, a half section, three hundred and twenty, and a quarter, one hundred and sixty acres. Bearing in mind what has been said, there would be no difficulty in determining the location of the surveys, even though the name of the township was not given.

The rule of the Land Department of the General Government prohibited the Deputy Surveyor, who fixed the boundaries of the townships, from sub-dividing the same into sections. This was done in order that any errors might be detected in the surveys, and to prevent fraud in measurements. The following exhibit will give the dates of the surveys of the townships, and also of the sub-divisions, and by whom made. These surveys are given as they are recorded in the Secretary of State's Office at Columbus, 0.

Township one (1) south, Range nine (9) east. - Union. Survey commenced May 23, 1819, by Sylvanus Bourne, D, S. Sub-divided into sections June 4, 18J9, by John Collett, D. S.

Township two, (2) south, Range nine (9) east. - Orange. Survey commenced May 27, 1819, by Sylvanus Bourne Subdivided into sections June 5, 1819, by John Collett.

Township one (1) south. Range ten (10) east. - Eagle. Survey commenced May 8, 1819, by James Holmes, per Alex. Holmes. Sub-divided into sections Aug. 14, 1819, by John Collett.

Township one (I) south, Range eleven (11) east. - Jackson and west one mile of Amanda. Survey commenced May 31, 1819. by Alex. Holmes. Sub-divided into sections Aug. 17, 1819, by John Collett.

Township two (2) south, Range eleven (11) east. - East epd of Madison and a portion of Delaware. Survey commenced June I, 1819, by Alex. Holmes. Sub-division completed July, 1819, by John Collett.

Township one (1) south. Range twelve (12) east. - Amanda. Survey commenced June 2, .1819, by Alex. Holmes. Sub-division completed Dec. 5, 1819, by Sylvanus Bourne.

Township two (2) south, Range twelve (12) east. - Delaware. Survey commenced June 2, 1819, by Alex. Holmes. Sub-division completed Aug. 14, 1819, by Sylvanus Bourne.

Township one (1) north, Range nine (9) east. - Blanchard. Survey commenced May 22, 1819, ])y Sylvanus Bourne. Sub-division completed Dec. 29, 1820, by J. Wampler.

Township two (2) north, Range nine (9) east. - Pleasant. Survey commenced Oct. 17, 1819, by Samuel Holmes. Subdivision completed Dec. 7, 1820, by J. Wampler.

Township two (2) north. Range eleven (11) east. - Cass and east half of Allen. Survey commenced Oct. 14, 1819, by Samuel Holmes. Sub-division completed Dec. 23, 1820, by J. Wampler.

Township one (1) north, Range twelve (12) east. - Big Lick. Survey commenced May 24, 1819, by Sylvanus Bourne. Sub-division completed - except Big Spring Reservation - Sept. 21, 1820, by John Glasgow^ Big Spring Reservation completed Sept. 22, 1832, by C. W. Christmas.

Township two (2) north. Range twelve (12) east. - Washington. Survey commenced Oct. 28, 1819, by Alex, Holmes. Sub-division completed Oct., 1820, by John Glasgow.

This township is on the northern line of the county, and was the last township organized in the county. It was formed of territory taken from the townships of Cass and Portage.

On the 3d day of June, 1850, the Commissioners of the county, " Ordered that a new township be erected of the following territory, and called Allen Township. Said territory of Allen to be composed of Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, 32, of township two (Cass) north, Range eleven east, and Sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35 and 36 in township two (Portage) north, Range ten east.

" Ordered that there be legal notice posted up in the new township of Allen, for the election of the following named officers for said township, to-wit : Three Trustees, one Clerk, one Treasurer and one Assessor."

This township was named in honor of Ethan Allen, of Revolutionary fame, and is bounded north by Wood County, east by Cass Township, south by Findley, and west by Portage Township. The Bellefontaine and Perrysburg State Road runs directly through its centre, north and south.

west half of the north east quarter of section i 3. On the 1st day of June, 1829, Nathan Frakes entered the west half of the south-east quarter of section 12, the farm now owned by Sam'l Spitler.

In December, 1828, Major Bright entered the east half of the south-west quarter section 36, and a year later, George C. Collins, of Hamilton County, entered the east half of north-east quarter of section 36.

These entries were followed in 1832 by others, made by Henry Barnel, George Ensminger, Elias Bryan, Wm. Wilkes, Christian Ensperger and others.

The first settlement was made in 1826 or 1827 by Nathan Frakes and one JNIiller, west of Van Buren, on the farm now owned by S. Spitler, and by Miller on the farm now owned by J. Kempher. In 1827, John Trout, Elias S. Bryan and John Burman came, and they were followed by Christian Barnel, (father of John, Adna, G. C. and Elijah,) who came from Perry County, and located on the Spitler farm, Frakes having purchased and removed to what is now the Infirmary Farm. John Barnel, son of Christian, came in the following year, and is still a resident of the township. He too, moved to the Spitler farm, and his father, with his family, moved to Findley. Then came Charles Baker, of Fairfield, the Ensminger's, of Wayne, Hugh and John Gilchrist, Jos. Howard and others. All of these families settled around and near the site of the present town of Van Buren.

The timber in this township was poplar, walnut, oak, ash, sugar, beech, hickory, &c. Poplar was very plentiful in the south part of the township, but it has nearly all disappeared, as a few years ago it was considered more valuable than any other kind of wood, and was used very largely for building purposes.

The soil in the south part of the township is in part what might be termed a sandy clay. In parts, however, it is almost all clay, whilst elsewhere it is entirely sand. On the north side of the township, between the ridge and Wood County line, it is a black loam, mostly vegetable matter. But all parts of the township are easily tilled and very productive.

The middle branch of the Portage River passes through this township, and is the most considerable stream in that part of the county, and which has water the year around. It passes out of the township at the north-west corner. There are no other runs or creeks in the township, yet there are natural drains in sufficient number, to make all surface drainage necessary.

The first election held within the bounds of the township, was in 1833, at which time both of the townships of Cass and Portage voted. There were then but eleven votes cast. The following are the names of the voters: John Burman, John Trout, Elias S. Bryan, James Wiley, Hugh Gilchrist, John Barnel, Charles Baker, George Ensminger, Michael Ensminger and Peter Hockenberry. Of these eleven, John Barnel is the only one now living. The first election in the present township was held in 1850, in accordance with the order before recited.

The first school house was built in 1836, on the farm now owned by Peter Whetstone. It was of the round log, clapboard roof, huge chimney kind, of course. There are now nine school houses in the township, all brick but one, which is a frame. The enumeration of youth of school age amounts to three hundred and thirty-three.

members were Samuel Huntington, John Leader, some Of the Mooreheads, of Portage Township, and the Campbells, of Wood County. This organization still exists. There are now four church buildings in the township. One Presbyterian, one Baptist, one German Lutheran, one United Brethren, and all located in the town of Van Buren.

The Baptist churc^li was organized in 1855, and Henry Roder and wife, Samuel Kagry, E. Smith were some of the first members. Previous to the building of the church, services were held at the house of Henry Roder, and as a branch of the Findley church.

The first marriages were those of a Mr. Beeson and Miss Trout; and Francis Rumor and Miss Ensminger. The first death was that of a child of John Trout.

John Burman built a mill on the creek east of Van Buren, at an early day, which was the first built in the township. But as it was propelled by water, and during a great portion of the year the water was so low in the creek, as not to furnish power, the mill was of not much benefit to the early settlers, who had to patronize the Teatserth Horse mill at Findley, or go to Perrysburg, or Sandusky City for flour and meal.

A very distressing accident occurred at a very early day, in the settlement of this township, by which two persons lost their lives. John Gilchrist and his little son,' d boy about twelve years of age, and his brother, Hugh Gilchrist, were out in the night season hunting coon. When about one and a half miles north-west of Van Buren, on the farm now owned by Hugh McMurray, a coon was treed, and it became necessary to cut the tree down in order to get it.

Thiji they did, but before it fell, John and his son took the dog, who was restless, and, to keep him from getting under the tree as it fell, went in the direction the tree was to fall, and at a distance they thought out of reach of the falling tree. When the tree fell, it struck another, which in falling killed the boy outright, and broke the thigh of his father. When Hugh found them, it being in ^the night season, he could not move them without help, and this was some distance away. Having procured it they took his brother to his home, where he died two days after. John left a wife and five children, all young. They were very poor, and were assisted by the neighbors.

In October, 1833, Mr. Barnd, with a neighbor, went into what was known as the " Wild Cat Thicket," to cut a bee tree, which had been found by Mr. Barnd, At that date wild bees were very abundant, and every pioneer, were he so minded, could always keep his table well supplied with honey. It so happened that in this instance, the bees were in a very large poplar tree, perhaps five feet in diameter. Others besides Mr. Barnd and his friend knew of the tree, for attempts had been made to chop it down, but its great size had been discouraging, and it had been abandoned Mr. Barnd himself had, after examining it, about concluded that there was too much labor in the cutting, for the pay he .was likely to get, and had concluded to spare the tree, and lose the honey. Whilst looking up at the bees, busy at work in the body of the tree, he discovered another swarm at work in a large limb still higher up. This, he says, gave him courage for the undertaking, and they two worked with a will until the tree fell. The limb broke off at a distance of about twelve feet from the body of the tree, and at that place honey could be seen. On cutting into the limb at several places, it seemed to be tilled with honey. He and his friend took the buckets they had with them, and filled them from the body of the tree, went home, got their wives, and with them took buckets and tubs, and returned to the tree, where they procured the honey from the limb, which amounted te sixteen gallons.

Mr. Barnd says that when he came to the county, th( -'' Wild Cat Thicket," which extends through this township, was so densely covered with an undergrowth, as to be hardly passable, and although game was plenty elsewhere, it could not get through this thicket. The timber or brush was then quite small. A few large trees only were standing.

Game was very abundant, and the second year that Mr. Barnd was in the township, he killed forty-five deer, besides large quantities of smaller game, yet he did not consider himself a hunter, as he had his farm to attend to.

The first frame building erected in the township, was the Presbyterian church, which was built by John Kelley. The first brick building was that of John Trout, on the south the town of Van Buren. Old Johnny Appleseeds wa^^ through this part of the county, and there are still standing several appletrees of his planting, some of which are on the farm of Mr. Barnd.

At a meeting of the Pioneer Association of Hancock County, held a few years ago, Mr. George W. Trout, read a paper, giving an account of the emigration of his father's family to the county, and of some of his recollections of frontier life. I take the liberty of making some extracts from that paper.

Perry County, Ohio, for the regions of Hancock. We passed through Thoruville, Newark, Johnstown, Sunbury, Delaware and Marion, thence into the Wyandotte Reserve^ where we remained one night, at the house of a widow Walker, a half-breed Indian, formerly the wife of an Indian. Here we had sight of the first Indians we ever beheld. We took dinner and fed our teams the next day, at a tavern in Upper Sandusky, kept by one x\rmstrong. Mrs.*Armstron^ was an Indian. We crossed the Tymochtee Creek near the dwelling of John James. From this place we sent back our four horse team, and father and my brother Ephraim proceeded to Van Buren, or rather to the settlement near there^ as at that time and for many years thereafter, there was no town, to procure teams to take us the balance of the journey. After procuring the necessary teams, on their return, taking the Indian trail, they cut their way back, by w-ay of the Big Springs. We w'ere eleven days, anxiously awaiting their return. We again took up our line of march, and on the following night, stopped with Peter George, in what was then known as the ' Swamp Settlement.' On leaving Mr. George's, we were told to strike the river as far up as possible on account of high water. This we did, and came to the river at a point called * Ashery Ford,' but even here the water was so high, that in crossing, it ran into the wagon box. That night we camped in the woods, having failed to reach any settlement.

'^The next day, by dint of hard traveling, by a road we had to make as we went, we, at sunset, arrived at the house of a Mr. Powell, about three miles above Findley. On the next day, al)out noon, we reached the old ' Fort,' passing on the wav, a school house, which was a very insignificant log-

'.'Though the town was then in its infancy, its people showed, by the generous assistance afforded us in crossing the river, they at least possesed noble hearts. We crossed the river in a ' Pirogue,' and passed the night in a shanty near where Carlin's mill now stands. We still had seven miles togo. ^Mother, brother John and myself started on foot, and so continued our journey as long as the logs in the w^y furnished a passage over the water. But presently we reached the end of this natural bridge. Here, luckily for us, a Mr. Foster came to our relief. He took mother on the horse he' had brought with him. All that was left for John and I w^as to wade, and we did wade until we reached Mr, Foster's house. We had by this time become quite cold, for it had snowed the night before.

Having been refreshed by the kindness of Mr. Foster and ~ his family, we continued our journey, urging our cattle through the mud and over the logs, and at last, about the middle of the afternoon, tired out, we arrived at the houseof Mr. Miller, on the farm on which Samuel Spitler now resides. In the evening, the balance of our party arrived with the horses, but no wagon. The wagons had got stuck in the mud about three miles back, and the horses were unable to extricate them. It required all the next day to secure the wagons and bring them in, for it was sunset on December 15, w^hen they arrived at the cabin on the hill. These cabins were of the rudest build, and plainest surroundings. On the morning after the first night in our cabin, our first inquiry w^as, who are our neighbors, and how iarare we from any place. We were on the eastern frontier of our immediate neighborhood. Miller, Bryan and Frakes.

living about one ball" mile to tbe west of us. Our nearest neigbbor on tbe east, was a Mr. Wade, who lived about eighteen miles distant. On the south, Mr. Foster lived at a distance of about six miles. On the west the nearest settlement was at Fort Defiance, about forty-eight miles away. Twelve miles to the north lived Mr. Haskins.

" Soon after our arrival, the Mr. Miller of whom I have spoken, died, and Mr. Frakes moved to his new^ home on the river, now the Infirmary farm, w-hich left but two men in the settlement."

Mr. Trout has resided in tbe township ever since he came to tbe county, and has witnessed the vast improvements, made here, and the almost unparalleled increase in wealth and population. Tbe wilderness has disappeared, and been replaced by beautiful farms, pleasant homes, comfortable churches and school houses.

Washington Taylor

Was the son of William Taylor, and was born in Bedford County, Pa., July 4th, 1818. Mr. Taylor came to Ohio with his parents in 1824, and located in Richland county, about four miles from Mansfield. Ten years later, Mr. T.'s father died, and in 1836 the family came to this county, settleing first in Portage township. After living in the town of Van Buren a few years, Mr. Taylor, in 1843, moved to the farm on which he now resides. In 1838 he was married to Martha Moorehead, who is still living.

The farm w hich is owned by Mr. T. is a very valuable one, and beautifully located, with a good brick residence, and commodious farm buildings. His five living children are all near him, and are honest, industrious citizens. After a long life of toil and privations as a frontiersman, Mr. T. is now

John Hardy

John Hardy was the oldest of a family of five childrenr and was born in the city of Philadelphia, on the i 5th day of July, 1797, and came with his parents to Ohio in 1822, and settled in Stark county. He was married in August 1822, to Martha Orr. In 18o2 he came to this county, and took up his residence on the farm now owned by Ezra Karn in Cass township. Mr. H. had entered six hundred acres of land in the county, previous to his removal here. In 1835 he removed to his farm in this township, it being then a part of Portage township, where he resided up to the time of his death, in November, J 860.

Mr. Hardy was a man of strong common sense, and a fair common school education, He was one of the first school teachers in the county, and taught school in the winter seasons, for more than twenty-five years. He was a man of decided opinions, and always had the courage to defend them. With his neighbors, he was noted for his honesty, intelligence and industry, and his counsel and advice were sought by his acquaintances.

Mr. H. w^as one of the pioneer Methodists of the county, having been a member of that church before his coming to the county, and remained so until his death. His membership in the church covered a period of more than forty years. His house was one of the early preaching places,, and the itinerant minister always found a warm welcome at his table and fireside.

the widow of John McConuell. resides in Findley. Hannah, the youngest daughter, married the Rev. B. A. Desney, a minister of the Methodist church, has lately taken up her residence in Findley. Joseph 0., the oldest son, is now and has been for the past twenty-six years a resident of Pendleton, Ind., at which place he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. Oliver P. is <ine of the substantial farmers of Eagle township. Addison, the youngest son, died about ifive years ago, leaving to his young family, a fine home in 'Cass township.

John Barnd

Came to this county in 18.33 from Perry county, his father's family having preceded him the year before. Mr. Barnd had married just ])revious to his coming here, and being determined to make for his family and wife a home, engaged in the serious business of clearing up the forests with a will, and by his untiring industry, his economy, and intelligent use the means at hand, he succeeded in surrounding himself with all the comforts of life, and after assisting his children, -of which he had a large family, to start in life, has an abundance left for himself and aged wife, who still lives to share the fruits of their united toils, and early deprivations.

No man in the township commands a greater respect from all classes of people, than does Mr. Barnd. Throughout his long life, he has been noted for his honesty and hospitality. Coming to this new^ country, when neighbors were few and far between, when social enjoyments were almost unknown, and w^hen strangei*s as well as friends were welcome, Mr. B. always, and on all occasions, displayed the natural goodness of his heart, in extending to all that generous hospitality, for w hich the genuine frontiersman was noted. He

Mr. Barncl was the lirst Justice of the Peace elected in the new township of Allen, and held the office ten consecutive terms. His discharge of the duties of the office was satisfactory to his constituents, and liis decisions were marked with such candor and fairness, that appeals were very seldom made to the higher courts. Mr. Barnd is still living on his old home place, spending his time peacefully and quietly in the company of his family, who are near him. Mr. Barnd has always followed the occupation of a farmer.

George Ensminger

Entered the land on which a part of the town of Van Buren now stands, in 1832, and in 1833 he, with John Trout, laid out the town of Van Buren. Mr. Ensminger followed farming for a livelihood, and was the owner of much valuable land in this township. His descendants iiave all left the township.

Justices Of The Peace Grain Crop And Value Of Domestic Animals In 1881

An exhibit of the acreage and products of the grain crop and the number and value of domestic animals, as reported by the Assessor of the township in 1881 :

Van Buren

This town was laid out by George Ensminger and John Trout, in December, 1883, and is located on parts of sections twelve and thirteen, in range ten, and sections seven and eighteen, in range eleven, and comprised fifty-three lots. The town is laid out in the form of a cross, with a public square in the center. There were quite a number of large and substantial buildings put up, and nearly all the lots facing on the square were built upon. For a time the place assumed considerable importance in trade, but as the country became settled, other towns sprang up, and were fortunate enough to secure rail-roads, and this place gradually lost its prestige, until now it may be safely said to be on the down hill side of life. There are here still some pleasant residences, and a very genial, intelligent population, but business has almost entirely departed. The surrounding country is a rich and well improved agricultural district.

In June, 18(56, upon the petition of thirty of its citizens, this town was incorporated. Daniel Frick was first Mayor, and C. S. Wilkinson, J. H. Loehr, Dr. E. C. Wells, Dr. E. George, A. Mumert and L. P. McCune have succeeded him.

The business of the place is transacted by one dry goods store ; otie grocery ; one saloon ; ofie steam saw mill ; three blacksmith shops; one wagon shop. There are also one Baptist, one German Reformed, and one United Brethren Church, and one Physician. There were one hundred and thirty inhabitants here in 1880.

Amanda township borders on the east line of the county, and is bounded north by Marion and Big Lick townships, on the east by Wyandotte county, on the south by Wyandotte county and Delaware township, and on the west by Jackson.

This township was organized in 1828, and beside Eiudley and Delaware was the only one organized in the first year of our county existence. In the year 1830, at the time of the organization of Marion and Liberty townships, we have mention of Amanda township, for the territory included in this and Findley township was so divided up as to form the four townships of Amanda, Marion, Liberty and Findley. In December, 1831, it was ordered by the Commissioners that " the township of Amanda shall hereafter consist of the original towuship one south, in Range 12, and sections 34 and 35 in the original surveyed township one north, in the twelfth Range.

This township at the present time, and ever since the formation of Wyandotte county, sections 34: and 35 having been restored to township one north (Big Lick) by act of the County Commissioners, comprises Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36 in township one south, Range eleven east, and

Thomas Thompson made the first entry of land in this township, on the 25th day of February, 1822, being the east half of the north-west quarter of Section three, and on the 27th day of the same month, the west half of the north east quarter of the same section was entered by Henry Mc- Whorter. In October, 1823, John Brundige entered the north-west quarter of Section thirty-six. and John Smith entered the west half of the south-east quarter of the same section in December of the same year. In the month of March, 1825, Isaac Gifford, of the State of New York, made entry of the east half of the north-west quarter of Section twelve. In 1826, Ira Baker and John Shoemaker made entries. These were followed in 18li7 by John Beard, Peter George, Henry George, Abraham Cole and others, and in 1828 by Jesse Gill>ert, John J. Hendricks, Andrew Beck and others.

The first settlement in this township was made by Thomas Thompson, in 1824, near the Big Springs, about one mile from the present town of Vanlue, and in 1825 John Huff and William Hackney came. They were followed soon after by James Beard, John Shoemaker, Henry George and Thomas Cole. Very soon after these Peter George, James Gibson, John Hewitt and Aquilla Gilbert settled here. Judge Abraham Huff was also one of the pioneers of this township.

Thomas Thompson was a resident of this township for more than a half century, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. He was a farmer, an occupation which he followed to within a few vears of his death, when old age and

Peter George, who was known as the " Pioneer land hunter," he having entertained, and guided through the forest of Hancock County, more land hunters and emigrants than any other men in the county perhaps, is still living ; And though bent by age and hard labor, is yet cheerful and happy, and loves to recount the experiences of a backwoodsman. Mr. George was County Commissioner for six years.

Aquilla Gilbert, one of the first settlers of Jackson, as well as of this township, and who taught the first school in this township, still lives here. Mr. (jilbert has been prominently connected with the affairs of the county almost from its first organization, and has held office in both county and township. He was six years one of the Commissioners of the county, having been elected in 1837. He served as Justice of the Peace for five consecutive terms in Jackson township, and for three terms in Amanda township.

The first election was held in the township in 1828. The first school house, as stated by Aquilla Gilbert, was built in the Messmore neighborhood, and the first school was taught by Mr. Gilbert. Another opinion, that of J. M. Von Horn, is that the first school house was built near the center of the township, and that the first school in the township was kept in a house on the farm of Uriah Egbert, in about the year 1831, and that one George Smith was teacher. It is not very material which of these gentlemen is correct, for

There are now eight sub-districts in the township, each one of which has a comfortable school-room. The enumeration of youth is 180 males, and 176 females; total 356 in township, and in the village of Vanlue, special school district, the enumeration is 170.

The first church was built in 1831, in the south part of township, and known as the " Swamp Church," The Lutheran denomination owned it, and amongst the first membership we find the names of Fred. Brenner and wife, Adam Alspoch and wife, John Fenstenmaker and wife, and several members of the Beck family. The first sermon preached in the township was by a Rev. Thompson, an Indian Missionary. There are now" in this township eight church buildings, owned as follows : One Methodist Episcopal, one Methodist Protestant, two United Brethren, one Baptist, one German Reformed, one Lutheran and one Disciples.

The timber is principally walnut, ash, oak, elm, hickory, beech, sugar. There were a few places in the township that were but sparsely wooded ; notably so a tract in the north-east part know^n as the fallen timber region, and a portion of the south part known as the swamp.

In the eastern part of the township the soil is clay, mixed wdth sand and gi-avel, and when once properly cultivated is very productive. As before remarked, in the south part is what the people here call the " swamp," a strip of land not many rods w ide, but extending almost across the township, from east to west, the soil of which is a deep rich vegetable loam, mixed with sand. This tract at the early settlement of this section, was thought to be almost, if not quite wholly worthless. But as agricultural science developed the means by which it might be brought into use, it was found not only possible to reclaim it, but that when so reclaimed, it was unusually productive. The river bottoms of a sandy, gravelly nature, plentifully mixed with the rich deposits of vegetable matter, made by the overflows of the water, of course are easily tilled, and yield most abundantly. In the northern part, as we have before observed, is a tract of about eight hundred acres, known as the " fallen timber," the soil of which is a muck, mixed with portions of clay and sand. This tract was originally very wet, and it is owing to this fact, perhaps, that so much of the timber, especially the larger, had fallen.

The Blanchard River enters this township near the south west corner of Section twenty-five, runs east to about the center of the section, and then almost directly north through sections twenty-four, thirteen, twelve, and into section one, when it takes a north-westerly direction, leaving the township near the north-west corner. This river furnishes an abundance of water, as well as drainage, for the most part of the township, and is of immense value.

Buck Run, a small and unimportant stream, is the only tributary of the Blanchard, and is important only as a source of drainage. The Big Spring on the land of David Smith, in the north-east part of the township, is most valuable on account of the great volume of water discharged, as well as the excellent quality of the same. This is undoubtedly the largest spring in the county. Such is the amount of water discharged that an abundance is furnished for the watering of stock in all this part of the township.

This is one of the most populous townships in the county, and it is fast becoming one of the wealthiest. Each year sees the better improvement of the older farms, and the re- claiming of new lauds ; the erection of a better class of farm buildings, and the introduction of the latest improved farming implements. The early settlers came principally from the eastern counties in the State, and their descendants are an active, energetic, and progressive people.

There have been three Post Offices in this township, but two of them were long since discontinued. The first established w as the " Blanchard Bridge," at the house of Aquilla Gilbert, on the Blanchard River. Mr. Gilbert was the first and only Post Master. The office was in existence for many years, and was a great accommodation to the citizens. But villages sprung up in the vicinity, and travel took another route, and the office was discontinued. Shortly after the establishment of "Blanchard Bridge," another office was established near the Richard Hall farm and called " Ashery." Joseph Twining w'as the first and only Post Master here. This office was long since discontinued for the reason that the necessity for its existence had passed away. The third office was established at Vanlue, of which we will speak in the proper place.

The town of Capernaum, w'hich n^as in this township, was laid out by x\braham Huff in March, 1831, on the west half of the north-east quarter of section three, and comprised in all sixteen lots. The land on which the town was located, now belongs to John L. Sheridan, and aside from the fact that it was platted and recorded, the town has no record. The site was probably abandoned before any lots were sold. At least its history is less brief than is that of the city of the plain, for which it was named. It is exceedingly doubtful if any one in the vicinity is able to even point out the site.

Tliis town was laid out by William Vanlue, Esq., in whose honor it was named, and is on the north-west part of the north-east quarter, and the north-east part of the northwest quarter of section nine. It is located on the line of the Findley branch of the Cleveland, Sandusky and Cincinnati R.ailroad, ten miles a little south of east of Findley. The town was laid out in May, 1847, and at that time consisted of forty-four lots. In November of the same year the proprietor laid out an addition of fifty lots more.

In October, 1853, S. N. Beach made an addition of fiftyseven lots, and in 1858, he, with others, laid out Beach's second addition of forty-nine lots. Charles Cross laid out an addition of ten lots in 1870.

From the sale of the rirst lots the town steadily improved, and was a very considerable grain market I'or a number of years after the completion of the railroad, but of no great importance otherwise.

There are many tasteful and comfortable dwellings, neat fences, shady streets, all giving the place a home-like appearance. The streets have never received that attention from the town authorities which they deserve, and consequently they are frequently in a bad condition. After a few years -of great prosperity, the town, as new towns do, slacked up, and stopped progress, came to a stand still, went through a sweat as it were. Business seemed for a time to have for- ;saken the place. Enterprise too, seemed to have taken its leave. Progress had got stuck somewhere, and everything seemed going to the dogs. But this state of affairs could not last long. The town could not stand still. It must go forward, or must retreat.

In 1866, upon the petition of fifty of the inhabitants, the village was incorporated under the laws of the State. Pur- ;suant to the Act of Incorporation, the first election for village officers was held on the loth day of April, 1867; Peter -Shuck, C. H. Hatch and Jason Lee as Judges, and Ira Plotts and John Dresbach, Clerks. There were thirty votes cast The following officers were elected : Mayor, Elisha Brown; Recorder, A. Brown; Councilmen, H. Pratt, Ira Plotts, B. A. Etherton, Charles Hatch and A. S. Roberts ; Marshal, W. L. Plotts. The following persons have held the offices of Mayor : Elisha Brown, Aquilla Gilbert, Fred .Shuler, J. H. Brown, B. F. Burnap, T. B. Gilbert, H. L. Lee.

There is one dry goods store, of considerable capital, and in which is kept a supply of the staple articles of merchandise, which are sold at very fair prices. This branch of trade has always been reasonably well represented, sometimes by three or four rival establishments, at the same time.

A gi'ocery and provision store has been lately opened,, and is meeting with fair encouragement, and promises not only to be one of the fixtures of the town, but to fill a want long felt in its line.

Daniel Gilbert has for a number of years been engaged in the drug business here, and has an establishment, which for completeness, in everything except extent of stock, is not surpassed by any similar establishment in the county. Here you may find anything necessary to be kept in a country drug store. The building is of frame, and was built expressly for this business.

There are also three saloons, one hotel, one harness shop, one hardware store, with a general stock of goods in that line. This establishment was owned and managed by the late Hon. John Wescott & Son, and had by a course of fair dealing, reasonable prices, and by keeping an assortment of goods, built up a flourishing trade. There is one furniture store, one tin shop, three boot and shoe shops, two barber shops, three dress makers and milliner shops, two blacksmith shops.

The steam grist and merchant mill of Fred Shuler, has no superior in the county as a good flour-maker. This mill was first built about fifteen years ago, and was fi-om the first noted for the fine brand of flour it turned out. Mr. Shuler conducted the business for a number of years, when he sold to a Mr. Vansant, who alter running the mill for a short time, had the misfortune to have it burned down, destroying everything of building and machinery. Not being able to rebuild, Mr. Vansant left the place, when Mr. Shuler again came to the front, and built the present building, completing it with the latest, best and most improved machinery, and now can boast of as good a flouring mill as there is in the county, at least.

The English Lutherans have quite a comfortable frame church building, and a good congregation. Some three years ago the United Brethren, who had long had a society here, and a church building, erected a neat frame church,, well furnished and comfortable, and have quite a large congregation.

The Methodist Episcopal, the oldest church organization in the town, not to be outdone by her sister churches, recently completed one of the handsomest frame church build" ings in the county, furnished with bell, organ, beautiful pul" pit, and comfortable seats. They, too, have a large and interested congregation. All of these societies have flourishing Sabbath Schools attached.

The' village has a frame school building of three rooms, and boasts of one of the best schools in the county. The enumeration of youth in the district is one hundred and seventy.

The Findley branch of the C, S. & C. Railroad passes through this place, and the town being surrounded as it is by a rich agricultural district, there is quite an amount of freighting business done.

Table exhibiting the number and value of live stock, and the acreage and product of grain, as shown by the return of the Township Assessor in 1881.

The act of the Commissioners organizing this township^ was passed in 1833, in these words: "That original surveyed township num])er one north, range nine east, shall be known and organized by the name of Blanchard."

In March, 1834, the Commissioners " Ordered that township two north, raDge nine (Pleasant Tp.) be attached to Blanchard township," but a year later this township was detached from Blanchard and organized into a separate township.

Blanchard is on the west border of the county, bounded north by Pleasant township, east by Liberty, south by Union, and west by Putnam county line. It derives its name from the river of the same name, which passes through it from east to west, dividing it into two almost equal parts.

The first entries of land made in the township were the north half of north-west quarter of north-east quarter of section thirteen, by David Stinson, and the north-east quarter of north-east quarter of same section, by John Veal, both entries being made on the 12th day of August, 1822. On the 19th day of the same month and year, W. A. Johnson entered the south-east quarter of the north-west quarter of section fifteen. On September, 1825, John Hunter took.

up the south half of south-west quarter of section fifteen, James McClish entered the east half of north-east quarter of section twenty. In 1827, Orlando Moffitt entered west part of south-east fractional quarter of section seventeen, and John Dukes the east half of the north-west quarter of section fifteen, and Henry Epley the east part of the south-east quarter of section eighteen. These entries were followed by others, and a settlement of the township followed close on the entries.

The first settlers in this township were John Hunter and John Chandler, both of Fairfield County, who came here in 1826, and located on the south side of the river, on the farm now owned by Alfred Davis, and known as the old Geo. Shaw farm. The first settlers of this part of the county were in the main from the interior and eastern counties of the State, with a few families from Pennsylvania and New York. These two first families were not long without neighbors, for in 1828, Richard, John and Lewis Dukes, of Franklin County, and Thomas Grove, of Pickaway County, settled on the opposite side of the river, and opened up extensive fiirms, and erected comfortable buildings. Thomas Groves still lives and occupies the old farm, and in his declining years, is surrounded by broad acres of the richest agricultural lands in the whole county.

Richard Dukes, who but recently deceased, occupied the old homestead, to within a few years of his death, when he removed to Findley, and so situated himself as to enjoy the society of his friends, and obtain the rest from toil, which he so much needed. His last years were peaceful and quiet, in the enjoyment of home and its comforts.

liand. Id a few years, by his indnstry and frugality, he was able, at the low wages even then paid, to accumulate enough money to enter a tract of eighty acres of land. This he improved, and was enabled as the country improved, to add many acres of valuable lands to it, until he has become one of the wealthiest men in the township. Mr. Dukes has been twice married, but was never blessed with children. He (united with the Methodist Church in early life, and has ever since been a consistent member, ever living up to his profession.

Mr. Dukes is of an unassuming nature, never seeking notoriety, and never urging his opinions on others. His industry, tact and economy are proverbial, and his opinions on business matters are clear and forcible. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he been unusually successful.

David M. Baldwin was one of the earliest settlers of the south part of the township, having come from Fairfield and settled on lands adjoining the town of Benton. All was a wilderness when he came, and he lived long enough to see one of the finest neighborhoods in the county. Mr. B. was a genial, whole-souled man, ever ready to accommodate to the extent of his ability, and ever ready to resent an insult. For years he kept a tavern, where the weary traveller always found a well laden table. His large family are living near their old home, which is occupied by his aged widow.

John Dukes remained in this township until he became well advanced in years, and had witnessed the many -changes w^hich occurred, when he disposed of his property and removed to Wood County, where after a residence of several years, he too was gathered to his fathers.

Thomas Moffitt. who with his brothers, William and John^ had made their residence here about the time the Dukes' came, after making for himself a home and its comforts, was attacked with the "Western Fever," sold his farm and emigrated to Iowa, or the " Black Hawk Country," as it was called, where he still lives. John and William Moffitt, and McClish, still reside in the township, and are amongst its most substantial men.

Michael Fishel, one of the early residents, only a few years ago sold his farm on the south side of the river, and now resides in the village of McComb. Alfred Davis, another frontiersman, and one of the solid men of the county, owns and occupies a magnificent tract of land on both sides of the river, and takes life calmly. George Shaw, one of the early commissioners of the county, owned a splendid farm here, on which he spent the greater part of his life, and here died and was buried. About the same time came Jeremiah Code, David Millham, Sol Foglesong and the Epleys.

These early settlers all chose the independent and honorable occupation of farmers, and well was their choice made, for no richer agi-icultural lands are to be found in the State,, than those which they occupy and cultivate.

The Dukes' brothers were early and consistent members of the Methodist Church, and friends to, and workers in the Sabbath Schools. The first church building in the county was put up in this immediate neighborhood, and they contributed largely, not only to its erection, but also to sustaining the ministers sent among them. This old log church.

still stands on the farm owned by Eli Dukes. Since its day, however, a frame building was erected a little further west, which was used by the same society for a number of years, when about two years ago, it in its turn, made room for a more comfortable and pretentious brick building - indeed one of the finest church edifices in the county. There are now two Methodist Episcopal, two United Brethren, and one Evangelical Church in the township, all good substantial buildings.

The first school house was a log cabin affair, and stood near where the present residence of 'ihomas Groves stands, and was built in 1830. The first school was taught by John C. Wickham. There are now ten school buildings in the township, and the enumeration of youth is three hundred and eighty-four.

The first marriage was that of John Dukes and Hannah Houchings, the Rev. Thomas Thompson officiating. Two little children of George Shaw were the first deaths.

The soil of this township varies with the locality. Along the river it is a rich sandy loam, mixed with vegetable deposits, made by the overflow of the river. On the south ridge it is a fertile, sftndy soil, and between the ridge and the river bottoms, the land is flat and rather wet, but covered by a rich, deep soil of vegetable loam, mixed in places with sand or clay. On the north side of the river, after getting back fi-om the bottoms, the soil is almost invariably clay; good wheat and grazing lands, whilst for the production of corn, the bottom lands are not excelled anywhere.

Oak, ash, hickory, sugar, beech, walnut and poplar, are the principal timbers. Of the latter kind, there were immense amounts, and of the finest quality, but such has been the demand for it, that it has almost entirely disappeared-

This township is well watered by the Blanchard River and Ottowa Creek. The river passes through the township, and furnishes water the whole year around, and also the best of drainage. It is subject to occasional overflows, but does no material damage.

Ottowa Creek rises in section thirty-six, in Uniou township, runs in a northerly direction, enters Blanchard township in section thirty-six, runs north, thence west, thence in a north-easterly direction, and empties into the Blanchard River in section fourteen. Its distance in the to wu ship is about four miles. It is quite a considerable stream, and there have been quite a number of saw-mills along its course, at different times. It furnishes the means of drainage for almost the entire south part of the township.

Shortly after the settlement made on the north side of the river, l)y the Dukes and others, the Powells, Foglesong, John L. and Richard Carson, Engle, Baldwin, Fishel, Hughes, the Downings, Knepper, and some other families settled in and near the present town of Benton. Solomon Foglesong, and his brother-in-law, Knepper, came there perhaps as early as 1830, and settled on the banks of the "Tawa," as it is generally called. Foglesong, almost the only survivor of the first residents, still lives on the old homestead, but the weight of years is heavy on him, and he may soon be called to follow his early companions. Daniel, William and John Powell still reside in the neighborhood of their first settlement. All have good farms, comfortable homes, and a competency of this world's goods. Jacob, another of the Powell brothers, died a few years ago, from the effects of a cancer, and after years of gi-eat suffering.

acquired a good farm by bis industry and economy, but within a few years bas found a wide reputation as the founder of the Powell Association, and the successful manager of two re-unions of the family, as well as the author of a memorial history of the Powell family, still liyes in the quiet enjoyment of bis farm, in the south part of the township.

Jacob Engle, the kind, generous, large-hearted Dutchman, as he was called, cleared up and occupied a splendid farm adjoining the present site of Benton, where be liyed for yeais amongst bis many friends, until about 1860, when he was called away to meet his reward. Honest, generous to a fault, be was a good neighbor, and a social, genial companion. He left a wife and large family of children, who haye since all emigrated to the West, the widow and most of the children being residents of Iowa.

Owen Hughes was one of those honest, up right, cheerful men, that one would expect to find in a new settlement. He lived to a good old age, and died as be had long liyed, a consistent member of the church, and a christian man. Most of his children are residents of the county. Mr. Hughes was twice married, but both wiyes died before he did.

All of my older readers, perhaps, will call to mind Dick Carson, at the bare mention of bis name. He was one of the champion fighters of the county. Not that be was quarrelsome, or sought to proyoke a fight, but he was one of these powerfully built, muscular men, courageous, sensitive to an insult, and whilst not ill-tempered, especially when sober, he was quick to resent an indignity, or an imputation of his courage or veracity. He was just such a man as every township or county wanted to defend its hon- or, as it was then the fashion, at a general training, or a country horse race. Dick was just the man for that, as many an unlucky braggart found to his utter discomfiture. But the reader must not suppose from this that Mr. Carson was a rough, a bruiser, or bully. On the contrary he was a good neighbor, a firm friend, and a peaceable citizen. His brother, John L., was at one time Surveyor of the county. The two Carsons and their families emigrated to the west many years ago.

The Downings were of the first settlers, and were a hardy, industrious family, and all became quite well off in course of time. George, David and William were carried off in 1849 by the California Gold Fever, but after a few years toil in that El Dorado, they all returned to Blanchard township, applied themselves to agricultural pursuits, and by industry and economy made gi-eat additions to their western earnings.

In after years William moved to Kansas, where he still resides, and has had the honor of representing his county in the State Legislature. He was followed to his new home by his father, old Johnny Downing, as he was familiarly, but respectfully called, and his brother Isaac and family. The old gentleman and Isaac have both died since. George resided in this township until about ten years ago, when he went to Iowa, where he now resides. David still lives in the township, and is not only one of its wealthiest, but one of its most respected citizens. He has a model farm, with one of the finest dwelling houses, not only in the township, but in the county, and commodious and convenient outbuildings. His pecuniary circumstances enable him to devote much time to the breeding and introduction of fine cattle in the county. He has some of the best herds in this part of the State. Pie deals largely in stock cattle, being quite an extensive feeder. He has been a member of the Board of Managers of the Hancock County Agricultural Society for a number of years, and has devoted much time in making the Society one of the best in the State, and his efforts, and those of his associates, have not been unsuccessful. Mr. Downing has, as he deserves, the confidence of the entire commnuity.

His sons and daughters, of which there are several, are all married, and I believe without an exception, all reside in this and adjoining townships.

This locality, on account of the abundance of fish and game, was one of the resorts of the Indians on their hunting expeditions. And indeed hunting and fishing were not -only among the amusements of the whites, but they were works of necessity with them, in order to support themselves. The fish-net and the rifle was a part of the furniture of every well regulated log cabin, and by the skillful use of these, the tables of the pioneer were spread with fish, johnny cake and venison, to which the neighboi and stranger alike were always welcome.

In 1848 a Post Office was established in this township called Oak Ridge, It was first located at the house of William Downing, on the Findley and Defiance State road, north side of the river, and Mr. Downing was the first Post Master. It was an office of no importance, only as it gave to the community in which it was located, mail facilities, and this accommodation has been such as to warrant the continuance of the office to the present time. Mr. Downing has been succeeded by the following persons as Post Masters, viz.: Robert Marshall, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Wm. Downing,

Benton

This town situated on the ridge running east and west through the county, and nine miles west of Findley, was laid out in November, 1835, by William Mires, on the east half of the north-west quarter of section thirty-five, and originally composed but thirty-six lots. In 1855, William Powell made an addition of five lots, and in 1867 he made a further addition of eleven lots, and in ] 868 he made a. third addition of ten lots.

The town was named in honor of the sturdy old Missouri Senator, Thomas H. Benton. The location is a beautiful and healthy one, and is surrounded by a rich and productive agricultural country. The immediate vicinity of the town was settled at a very early day by the Powells - William, Jacob, John and Daniel, - David M. Baldwin, Jacob Engle, Solomon Foglesong, Knepper, Michael Fishel, Owen Hughes and other like enterprising frontiersmen.

The business of the town has never been large, and confined principally to supplying the surrounding country with some of the most necessary articles of trade. Not having as yet any railroad facilities, the town has made but little real advancement.

A Post Office was established here in about 1840, called Benton Ridge, and D. M. Baldwin, William Miller, Philip Ballard, Isaac Sperow, M. Merchant, T. J. Saunders, J. G. Saunders, J. H. Saunders, and H. W. Hughes have held the office of Post Master.

The Methodist denomination have a fine brick church building, a good congregation, and a flourishing Sabbath School. The Evangelical Association have a frame church building, and an interesting Sabbath School in connection with their congregation.

The business of the town is conducted by two dry goods stores, fu'O groceries, one drug store, one saloon, one wagon shop, one blacksmith shop, one plow factory, one cabinet shop, one hotel. There are two physicians located here. A flouring mill and a saw mill are also in operation. The population of the village in 1880 was one hundred and eighty-nine.

Louis Vii Le

This town was laid out in 1851, by William H. Powell, Daniel Millham and Michael Shearer. The two last named have been dead for many years. The town plat was in the north-west corner of the east half of the north-west quarter of section fourteen, and the north-east corner of the west half of the north-east quarter of section fourteen in township one north, range nine east, and covered forty lots, but I think they were not all sold. The principal streets were Defiance (Main), running east and west, and East, Lima and West streets, ruuning north and south.

The town, however, after a sickly existence of a few years, was finally vacated, and remanded to the several original owners. In its palmiest days, it could boabt of a country dry goods store, a school house, and three dwellings. For a year or more John Boylan, an old resident of the township, kept a country store, where the staple articles of the market were on sale in small quantities, but the trade not being profitable, he abandoned the business. Such is the history of the birth, life, and decay of this town of great expectations, and it does not now exist even in name, and scarcely in the memory of the neighborhood. How many hopes were blasted, and how many expectations came to naught in the early decay of this prospective city?

The Commissioners of the county, at their session of March 7, J 831, after defining the boundaries and extent of Amanda Township. " Ordered that the original survey of township one north, in range twelve east, except sections thirty-four and thirty-five, shall hereafter be known and organized by the name of Big Lick."

At the session of the Commissioners held June 3. 1833, Robert L. Strother and John Rose, Commissioners, being present, the following order was passed: "Ordered that Big Lick Township shall include the whole of the original surveyed township No. one north, in range twelve." Since the passage of that order, the township been has known as an original township of thirty-six sections.

In September, 1821, Henry McWhorter made entry of the west half of the south-east quarter of section thirtyfour. This was the first entry of land in the township. In May, 1825, the east half of the south-east quarter of section twenty-seven was entered by John G. iVlspach, and September 5, of the same year, Eliza Huflf entered the east half of the north-west quarter of section thirty-four. In December, 1828, John Shoemaker made entry of the east half of the south-east quarter of section seventeen. These entries were followed in 1829 by those of John Huff, of the west half of the south-east quarter of section seventeen, of the west half of the north-east quarter of section twenty- 0 ne by John Long. In 1830, Henry Hinebaugh, of Fairfield County, entered the north-east quarter of section one, and in the same year, Uriah Egbert took up the west half of the north-west quarter of section nineteen, and about the same time an entry of the west half of the north-west quarter was made by Philip Essex.

William Hackett, of Stark County, William Roller, of Richland, Elijah Brayton, of Crawford, Mary Graham, of Madison, John Graham, William Wiseley and others made entries of land, and became residents of the township.

This township is on the east line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Washington township, on the east by Seneca County, on the south by Wyandotte County and Amanda township, and on the west by Marion township.

The lirst settler in the township was Samuel Sargent, who made an improvement on the limestone ridge, in the southeastern part of the township, sometime in 1826. The second person who made a permanent settlement was John Long, who located near the centre of the township the following year. In February, 1829, John vShoemaker settled about three-fourths of a mile west from Mr. Long's. Mr. Shoemaker still lives to recount the hardships and incidents of frontier life. Sargent came from Ross county, and Long and Shoemaker from Fairfield County, this State.

The first township election was held in 1831. at the residence of John Long. The electors present were John Shoemaker, Robert Long, Levi Poulson and Cornelius Poulson. AVhilst these men were holdijig an election and organizing the township, the good Mrs. Long prepared them a dinner of the best in her larder.

Amongst the early settlers here, were the Thomas's the Moore's, the Rollers, the Graham's, the Poulsou's, Wiseley and others, some of whom are still living in the township.

The general surface of the land is level, although some parts are undulating. The prevailing soil is clay loam. In the south-eastern part of the township is a sand ridge, and is underlaid with limestone. In that portion of the township is also a marsh or prairie, some fifteen hundred acres in extent, which is entirely a vegetable soil, and largely unreclaimed, except for grazing purposes. It will no doubt all be brought under cultivation in the near future, by the help of drainage. That so much of it has been reclaimed, is largely due to the enterprise and well directed exertious of Judge Cory, of Findley, who owns most of the entire tract.

The timber embraces numerous varieties, among which are white, red and burr oak, blue, black and white ash, beech, elm, hard and soft maple, sycamore, black and whitewalnut, hickory, basswood and buckeye. A ridge of white oak traverses the township, of such excellence, that shipment of logs have been extensively made to foreign countries.

No streams of water traverse the township of sufficient size to furnishj water power. The only stream that maintains a current during the entire year, is the outlet to the marsh or prairie. This sluggish stream takes its size in Seneca County, runs in a westerly direction, and empties into the Blanchard River near Mr. Allen Wiseley's, in Marion Township. There a number of smaller streams, which however, are^ouly water courses in wet weather.

Numerous Sulphur Springs on the farm of Robert Long, near the center of the township, comprise what used to be a famous deer lick, called "Big Lick," from which the town- ship derives its name. Large numbers of deer were killed here by the present owner, and by others, Mr. Long, on one occasion, had secured his seat in a tree convenient to the lick, when a colored man, who had been assisting in -driving some cattle from some point farther w^est, was on his return trip from the east, and night overtaking him, he -concluded to camp near the springs. Mr. Long not knowing who he was, and supposing him to be a rival at watching for deer, concluded to frighten him away. Whereupon he made such an unearthly noise, that the poor fellow took to his heels and never stopped until he brought up in the Blanchard River, near Allen Wiseley's. He had so overheated himself as to cause his death soon afterwards. Mr. Long's efforts to have a little fun, turned out quite seriously.

These early settlers were greatly annoyed by gangs of Indian hunters and trappers, who made the neighborhood their rendezvous. Especially was this the case with Mr- Shoemaker, who, more progressive than his neighbors, had secured a grind-stone. The Indians charged upon that grind-stone with their dull tomahawks and knives, until it w^as literally worn out. They also had a way of trading venison for pork and potatoes with Mrs. John Moore, in whic h she invariable came out second best. Knowing that the w ife w^as afraid of them, they would make their visits in the abssence of the husband, hence she, in order to get rid of them, would send them to the patch to help themselves. It being the first crop, and not a very large one, Mr. Moore soon discovered that the entire crop had disappeared. Vermin were also destructive upon the corn. The settlers could only protect themselves by the use of the rifle, and if one chanced to be poor shot, he employed some one by the day.

The surroundings and discomforts of the early settlers here, and the scarcity of even the commonest necessities of life, may be shown in the pioneer life of Mr. John ^loore, now an old and much respected citizen of the township, and by the way, one of its most prosperous farmers. Mr. Moore at that time owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, and was perhaps as well fixed as any of his neighbors. He was however, compelled to manufacture all his own furniture.

His first child (A. J. Moore, a resident of this township), was rocked in a sugar trough, made by " Big River," a AVyandotte Chief, and which had been used before the arrival of Mr. Moore in the country, as a sap trough by the Indians. Mr. Moore's first bedstead was made by himself, of ironwood poles. The cords were of bass-wood bark, w^ell interlaced together. No straw was to be had with which to fill the ticks, i\Ir. Moore thereupon gathered forest leaves sufficient to make a mattress.

Mr. Moore was elected first Supervisor of roads in the township, and had for a district, the north half of the township, eighteen square miles. He superintended the opening of the New Haven road, from the east township line, westward to near the center of the township.

In those days, stock of every description was allowed to run at large in the forest, as all the inclosed land had to be cultivated in order to produce food for man and beast. The damage done to crops by stock running at large, made trouble amongst the people, and a board of fence viewers became necessary. This board were to determine, when called upon, whether or not the enclosure was a sufficient or legal fence.

Accordingly, William Roller, who Avas noted for his avordupoise, William Moore, who was noted for his diminutiveness, and Richard Bayless, noted for his activity, were chosen as the Board of Fence Viewers. It was then agreed, that any fence which would bear Mr. Roller, and through which Mr. Moore could not creep, nor Mr. Bayless jump over, should be declared a lawful fence.

The first school house in the township was built in 1836 - exclusively by voluntary labor - upon the farm now owned by the heirs of James Graham. It was located in the forest a full half mile from any public highway. There were but two sub-districts in the township, at the time. Sometime subsequent to the above date, there was another school house built, about two miles west of the first - on the lands now owned by the heirs of Moses McAnnelly. A. fair interest is now taken in the cause of education by the citizens of this township. There are now 413 youth in this township of school age, for the accommodation of whom there are ten school houses.

The first church erected in the township was a hewed log structure, thirty-six feet square, and located on the present site of Enon Valley Church, on the Findley and Tiffin road. It was built in 1844 by the citizens in the neighborhood, mainly, however, by the combined efibrts of the Presbyteriahs, Covenanters and Seceders. The first site selected for the building, was upon Robert Leonard's farm, some two miles south-east from the one subsequently built upon. Rev. R. II, Hollyday, still of Findley, superintended the building of the church.

There are now eight churches in this township. Two owned by the Evangelical denomination, two by the United Brethren, two Methodist Episcopal, one Presbyterian and

The township has heen so developed in its resources, as to be one of the richest in the county, In 1880 over 75,000 bushels of wheat was raised; corn, oats and grass are also produced in large quantities.

The Findley and Carey Branch of the Cleveland, Sandusky and Cincinnati Rail Road is the only road of that kind which touches the township, and that runs but a short distance in it.

John Moore

Mr. Moore was amongst the first settlers in this township, and came here with his young wife, when all was new, and when energy, industry and good health were the requisites to success. These qualities were combined in Mr. Moore and his brave wife. His strong arm soon opened up a farm, and his house was the stopping place of the stranger emigrant, and at his table was ever found welcome hospitality.

Mr. Moore endured all the hardships of frontier life, and now in his old age, surrounded by his children and grand children, he, in the midst of plenty, the fruits of his own toil, is enjoying life peacefully and quietly. He is one of the largest land owners, as well as one of the wealthiest men in the township. He has always followed the independent life of a farmer, and I believe his children are all engaged in the same business.

Mr. Moore has always been a friend of public schools. His own opportunities for obtaining an education when young has always made him seriously feel his loss, hence

Was one of the prominent men of the county, as well as of this township, coming here at an early day, and being a man of more than ordinary intelligence, he took the lead in the new settlements. He represented this county in both branches of the Ohio Legislature, and was regarded as an honest, upright man. He too was an agriculturalist, and made for himself and family, a pleasant and valuable home. Mr. McAunelly has been dead a number of years.

John Shoemaker

Came from Fairfield County to this township, in February, 1829, having the year previous entered lands in section seventeen. There were but a very few families in the township at that time, among whom were Samuel Sargeant, on the limestone ridge, and John Long in the immediate neighborhood of Mr. S.'s settlement. Mr. Shoemaker was present and assisted at the organization of the township in 183L

He is still a resident of the township, and is of the very few who came here at that early day. The cultivation of the soil has always been his occupation. Honest, industrious and hospitable he has always commanded the respect of the community. His sterling good sense has always made his advice valuable. He is reaping the fruits of his long years of toil and privation, happy in the consciousness of the unvaried rectitude of his life.

William Roller

One of the Associate Judges of the Common Pleas Court of the county, was also a resident of this township. As a Judge, his good common sense, and honesty of action, gave him his very flattering reputation. Honest in his convictions, sympathetic in his feelings, he could hardly err in his decisions, as he was a man of average intelligence and fair common school education. He never abandoned the occupation of a farmer, but succeeded in amassing a competency, and leaving a considerable inheritance to his children. He was respected by his neighbors, and was always a friend to those in need. Unostentatious in his private lifie, and courteous in public, he could not but have hosts of friends.

Freedom

Uriah E. Drake laid out forty-eight lots on the east half of the south-west quarter of section nineteen, on the 26th day of October, 1836, and called them the town of Freedom. So far as I can learn, the above is a complete history of the place.

West Independence

George Wyant, Peter Wyant and Henry M. Grose were the proprietors of this town. It is located on the east part of the east half of the north-east quarter of section two, and at present has a population of one hundred and thirty-four. The Evangelical Association have a church building, and there is a good, comfortable school house m the village. The business of the place consists of one hotel, one grocery and provision store, one saw mill, two slioe shops, one physician and one blacksmith and v/agon shop.

A post office was esttablished herein 1856, with Frederick Reamer as Post Master. Mr. Reamer was succeeded by J. L. Kenower, Jacob Ruth, John Peters, and Wm. Blinu, the present incumbent.

Table showing the number and value of live stock, and the number of bushels and acreage of grain in this township, as returned by the Township Assessor, in 1881 :

On the 1st day of March, 1833, the Commissioners " Ordered that the original surveyed township number two, in range eleven, be set off into a separate township, politic and corporate, and to be called Cass." Ordered that an order be issued to the voters of Cass, to meet on the first Monday of April, and elect Township Officers.

At the formation of Allen Township in 1850, Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 of this township were taken to assist in the forming of that township. Hence there are but twenty-four sections in this township at pros-. ent.

This township was named in honor of Gen. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, and is located on the north border of the county. Bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Washington township, on the south by Marion, and on the west by Allen Township.

David P. Day, of Wayne County, 0., made the first entry of land in this township, on the 10th day of March 1832, at which time he took up the north-east quarter of section eleven. Two days afterwards, John Franks entered the south-west quarter of section one, and the north half of section ten. Mr. Franks was also from Wayne County.

Mayo, 1832, Elam Day entered the east half of the north-west quarter of section twelve^ and on the 31st day -of the same month, Eleazer C. Fairchild, of Trumbull County, entered the south-west quarter of the south-east quarter of section two, and the w-est half of the north-west quarter of section twelve. In the same year, entries were made by Andrew W. Page, of Green County, D. Shippy, of Seneca, C. W. Colebaugh, Alpheus Eldridge, James Wood, Samuel McClellan, of Wayne, William Eckles, of Holmes, James Beeson, of Fayette.

The timber of this township is of the varieties'know^n in other parts of the county, such as oak, "ash, hickory, sugar, beech, elm, walnut, and poplar. And these several kinds of timber were very plenty.

The soil is of several kinds. On the ridge in the north part of the township, it is a sandy and gravelly soil. Between the ridge and the Wood County line, it is a loam of vegetable formation, whilst south of the ridge there is a mixture of clay with other soils.

The Portage river has its source in this part of Hancock County, and is the only stream of water in this township. Good drinking water, however, is obtained by sinking wells to a no very great depth.

The first school house was built in 1835, and there are now six school houses in the township, and the enumeration of youth of school age in 1880, was 278.

The first church w^as built in 1843, by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and was known as the Vickers Church on the ridge. There are now but two church buildings in the township, and they both belong to the Methodist Episcopal.

The first settlements were made in 1833, on sections one, two and three, by E. C. Fairchild, Daniel Fairchild, David P. and Elam Day, James Vickers, John Franks, James Brown, Samuel Harry, and on section twelve, by Charles Eckles, John Welch, George Elliot. On section eleven by John Hardy, Hiram Hulbert, James Woods. ,

There was a post office established is this township in 1837, and discontinued in 1867. Daniel Fairchild and Jas. Vickers were the only post masters.

The people of this township have always been noted for their steady habits and peaceable disposition. There is much very valuable land in this part of the county, and the farms and farm buildings, for style and comfort, will compare favorably with that of any other township in the county.

The Lake Erie and Western Railroad runs across the south-east corner of the township, and the New York, Chicago and St. Louis road, now in course of construction, passes through the township from east to west.

John Franks laid out the town of Frankford, on the northwest quarter of section ten. The town of seventy-two lots were regularly laid out, with a public square or plaza, in the center. The prospective city, however, only existed in name, and no doubt would long since have been forgotten, had it not been a matter of record. There were, perhaps no lots sold, and the town returned to its original state, that is, cornfield.

John Burman

John Burman was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in February, 1783, and came to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was married to Catharine Fisher. Mr. B. was of Dutch descent. He was a gun-smith by trade, and worke d at that business until he came to this county, in 1828, after which time he was a farmer. Mr. B., his father and two brothers were in the service of the United States in the war of 1812, and had head-quartees at Franklinton, opposite Columbus, Ohio. When Mr. B. came to this county with his family he took up his residence in a lo^ cabin on the laud on Mliich he occupied up to the time of his death.

hundred and seveuty-five pounds, ef strong constitution and robust health, he was well calculated to do battle with the hardships of pioneer life.

In religious belief; Mr. B. was a Lutheran, and was a member of that church many years. He built the first mill in the township. During the first year of his residence here, his was the only family residing in the township. He has four sons and two daughters living. Two of his sons were in the army during the rebellion. Mr. B. died in 18(>3, and his aged wife survived him about five years.

Ezra Karn

Was one of a family of eight boys and four girls, all of whom attained full age except one, and was born in Washington County, Md., September I6th, 1815. The family removed to Ohio in 1817, and settled in Holmes County, then on the frontier, with only a few log cabins, and plenty of wild beasts. In 1836 Mr. Karn came to Hancock County with his family, and settled in this township, on the farm now owned by P. C. Redfern.

Again the family became frontiersmen, the country being new, and but sparsely settled, and without roads or markets. Here the Karn's had as neighbors, John Hardy, Hiram Hulbert, Daniel Fairchild, John Franks, John Eckles and James Vickers.

In 1839 Mr. Karn married Miss Elizabeth Albertson, and commenced at once to make for himself a home. He cleared up t*vo farms, and by his industry and perseverance, succeeded in surrounding himself and family with the comforts of a beautiful home. Mr. K. had a family of eight children, all now living but one. Mrs. Karn died in May, 1880, after a long and useful life. Mr. Karn has the confi-

of his neighbors and acquaintances, for his sterling honesty and good common sense. He has been a member of "the Lutheran Church for about forty years, and his life has been consistent with his profession.

Mr. Karn has always been a farmer, a progessive farmer, one whose experience and advice have been of advantage to his neighbors. For many years he has been an officer of 1;he Hancock County Agricultural Society. He was one of the very first members of this society at its organization in 1852, and has ever since lent his influence and aid to its building up, and its present success is largely due to his continual labors in its behalf He is now and has been for ibur years Vice President of the Society.

James Vickers

Was born in England, and came to this country in abont 1825, and settled in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1833, he made his way to this county, and commenced his labors on the farm now owned by his son James h.. No man in the township was more generally respected, than was Mr. Vickers. Conscientious, honest, temperate and hospitable, kind to all, a friend to the poor, and always ready to render assistance to the weary emigant. His house was the home of the Methodist itinerant, and here were held the services of the church, until a suitable building for the purpose was erected on his land. To the building of this house and the sustaining of the minister of the church, he was a liberal contributor. Mr. Vickers was a farmer, and by the aid of his good wife and his family, which was a large one, be always had an abundance. He died in 1867, lamented by the entire community. His wife survived him until 1881.

John Eckles

The subject of this sketch was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., on the 25th day of April, 1795, and resided in that State until 1836. In 1819 Mr. Eckles married Esther Booth, with whom he lived up to the time of her decease in 186'2. His ancestors were from Ireland. He, during his whole active life, followed the occupation of a farmer. He is a man of strong will and of very decided opinions, and is not easily swerved from his purposes.

In 1836, with his wife and four sons, he emigrated to this township. He purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land on the ridge, between Fostoria and Van Buren, principally of John Franks, sr., and went boldly to work clearing up a farm, and he succeeded in making one of the very best on the ridge. The country was new, no markets, no roads, no neighbors scarcely, and the family endured all the hardships incident to new settlements. Mr. E. united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and was one of the first members of that church at Van Buren. He is quite active for a man of his age, yet the weight of years is sensibly felt by him, but his former habits, and his early industry, enaable him to now live a quiet, peaceful life, free from toil or privations.

Statistical table showiDg the acreage and bushels of graia and the number and value of live stock, as returned by tbe Township Assessor, to the County Auditor in 1861. Wheat, 2,502 Acres. 52,668 Bushels.

In the year 1828, the territory now included in this township was organized and named Welfare. We find this record of the proceedings of the County Commissioners, under date of June 1st, 1829; "Agreeable to the petition of sundry citizens of Welfare township, in Hancock County, the name of Welfare is changed to that of Delaware, and to be known as such."

I have not been able to ascertain why the township was originally called Welfare, nor do the records disclose the reason for changing to Delaware. The township no doubt owes its present name to the fact that the Delaware tribe of Indians made this part of the county a favorite resort.

In 1823 entries were made in the following order as to dates; Michael Buck, west half of the north-east quarter of section 2, Curtis Berry, east half of north-east quarter of section 2, John Brundige, the south-west quarter of section 1, W. J. Greer, east half of north-west quarter of section 1, John Rose, east half of south-west quarter of section 11, William Da\is, east half of north-west quarter of section 14. Then followed entries by David Augustus, Marquis Lafayette Plumb, Levi Edgington and others in 1826, and by Josiab Elder, Godfrey Wolford and others in 1827.

The first settlement made in this township was by Asa M. Lake in the year 1822. Mr. Lake built a log cabin on a parcel of ground now owned by Michael Treece, and in the limits of the village of Mt. Blanchard. The parcel of land had been used by the Indians as a burying ground. Many skeletons and relics have been dug up, and even to the present day they are to be found. Mr. Lake was one of the very earliest settlers of the county. He entered and settled on the west half of the north-west quarter of section 1. This tract was on the east side of the Blanchard River, and is now occupied in part by the village of Mt. Blanchard.

Amongst the first settlers of this township were Asa M. Lake, Josiah Elder, the Hamlins, one of whom - Don Alonzo - was one of the first county officers, the Wolfords, of whom Godfrey was one of the first Commissioners of the county, and the Greers.

The settlement here was perhaps the very earliest in the county, next to that at Findley. Don Alonzo Hamlin was the first Sheriff of the county, and was also County Assess- or. Godfrey Wolford was Coroner of the county, and was also County Commissioner I believe, and Asa M. Lake was one of the first Justices of the Peace in the county.

The lands in this township were mostly purchased by emigrants from the south-eastern counties of Ohio. A few, however, were from Pennsylvania and Virginia. This was a full township of thirty-six sections until the formation of Wyandotte County in 1845, when one tier of sections on the east side were taken to help form that county.

Asa M. Lake, who first came to the county in 1822, resided here to the time of his death, lie was a fair specimen of the class of men who first emigrate to a new country, hardy, industrious and honest. He succeeded in building up for himself and children a home in one of the richest sections of our county, and lived long enough to see a thriving village built up on the very lands he had redeemed from the wilderness, and peopled with an intelligent and energetic population, supplied with schools and churches and other appliances of civilization.

The red-man, who had been his early companion, had long since been removed westward, and herds of domestic animals taken the place of the wild.

Josiah Elder, whose parents came to this part of the county almost simultaneously with the Lakes, after spending an honest, active lifetime, almost, in the township, died a few years ago, on the old homestead. Mrs. Henry Helms, a sister of Mr. Elder, related to me, a few years ago, the incidents connected with her wedding day, in that long ago. She was first married to William J. Greer, of this township. She relates that her intended husband, and herself, travelled from Delaware tow^nship to Findley on horse-back - both on one horse - through the almost trackless wilderness, where they obtained a license, and then in the same manner went to the residence of Joshua Hedges, a Justice of the Peace, three miles west of Findley, where they were married, and returned to their homes. The trip occupied three days. What do my fair readers think of that style of weddingtour ?

The soil of this township is generally a black sandy loam, intermixed with clay in some parts. The Blanchard Kiver traverses the township from south to north, and with its fertile bottom lands, and numerous creek bottoms, makes it one of the best agricultural districts in the county. Many of the most beautiful farms in the county are to be found here. The lands - as in all parts of the county - were ieavily wooded, and the improvements we see here are the result of the most arduous toil. The fruitful fields have teen redeemed from the wilderness, only by the most patient industry and economy.

The timber here found is of the usual kinds, indigenous to the country, such as sugar, beech, elm, white and black ash, the different varieties of the oak, walnut, hickory, hackberry, buckeye, etc.