Richland County, Ohio - Hanover Township., 1880

Norges oF THE SURVEY - ORGANIZATION AND PuysicaL FratrurEs - Earty SEetrLeERS - LoupONVILLE - ,THE BANK - Mitis - Txe Business or Lovuponvitte - Secret Sovinries - Tue CHURCHES AND ScHoots - THE Press - THE Mayors.

_J ANOVER TOWNSHIP was surveyed by James Hedges, who commenced March 15, and ended March 25, 1807. In his notes of ithe survey he says: "The east boundary had much burnt woods. On the fifth mile going south, came to an old Indian boundary line, being, perhaps, the north line of Gelloway Reservation, ip Knox County." The line runs southwest across the township, and passes out nearly in the middle of Section

31. In subdividing the township, between Sections 1 and 2, he touches Armstrong's Creek, 150 links wide, running southwest. This creek is so named from Capt. Thomas Armstrong, an Indian chief, who resided in the village of Greentown, some eight miles higher up the stream. It is also described by other surveyors as the Muddy or Black Fork of Mohican John's Creek, but more popularly known as the Black Fork, or principal head of the Walhonding or White Woman's River. The junction of the Clear Fork and Black Fork is mentioned. the width being 140 links. south boundary going west. he came to an old Indian path or trail leading north.and south. perhaps to the Gelloway settlement of the Walhonding. The land of Hanover is described as being rugged and poor. with stunted timber. much burnt on the northeast part of the township.

Hanover was organized October 4. 1818. out of the southern half of Greene. The surface is broken and hilly ; some of the lofty and precipitous hills reaching an altitude attaining the real grandeur of mountains. A considerable portion of its surface is not. therefore. adapted to cultivation, though there are many farms in the valleys not surpassed in fertility by any in othertownships. A great deal of the landis better adapted to grazing. Clear Fork enters the township near the northwest corner. flowing southeasterly about five miles. when it unites with the Black Fork. As this stream is confined among the hills and the fall is rapid. it furnishes excellent water-power. which is sufficient the year round to run any number of mills. The Black Fork enters the township at Loudonville, and pursues a southwesterly course until it unites with the Clear Fork.

The early settlers of the township were Samuel Garrett, 1825, Section 11; Nathaniel Haskell, 1820; John Hildebrand, 1823; Mark Mapes, 1822; James Loudon Priest, 1810 ; George Snyder, 1818; Stephen Butler and family, Caleb Chappel and family, 1814.

The township being a little out of the line of travel, and not quite as inviting in appearance as some others, was not settled so early nor so rapidly.

Of these settlers, Mr. Garrett served in the Revolutionary war, in the Life Guard of Gen. Washington, and states that upon his discharge he was paid off in Continental money, which was so worthless that it would not purchase him a single meal. Mr. Haskell was one of the first merchants and millers in the township, and was engaged in freighting to New Orleans by flathoats, shipping pork. flour and whisky. Flour then cost 32.50 to $3 per barrel, and brought in New Orleans $5 and $6. Mr. Priest immortalized his name by laying out the town of Loudonville. He first settled in Lake Township, building the first cabin in that township, and becoming its first Justice of the Peace. During the Indian troubles, he erected a fort upon his premises, for the safety of his family and those of his neighbors.

The township sustains a lively and flourishing little city. called Loudonville, situated on the line of the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. It was laid out August 6, 1814, by Stephen Butler and James Loudon Priest ; the latter gentleman purchasing the northwest quarter of Section 1. upon which Loudonville stands. The first sale of lots was made September 14. 1814.

Chappel. who settled near the town site in 1814, was Mr. Butlers nearest neighbor, and it appears that the latter was the only citizen of the place during that year. He was at that time a Justice of the Peace. Priest lived five miles east, and Mr. Oliver five miles west. Loudonville. at one time, like all other towns in the new country, expected to be a place of note. and aspired to become the county seat. The "Walhonding Canal" was the thing that was going to make it a city, and although it excited great expectations, they were of short duration, as the project failed for want of proper financial support. Mr. Butler was the first Justice of the Peace. and the only business man in the township for a number of years. Later, Mr.

Haskell was, perhaps, the most public-spirited citizen. He early laid out an addition to the place. He erected, at his own expense, a brick building known as "Haskell's Academy," employed teachers, and by his influence and energy, kept it going for several years. He started the first bank here in 1868, which after his death was continued by his nephew, George C. Haskell. When the latter died in 1876, the business was continued by the Loudonville Banking Company, consisting of George Schauweker, William Garrett, J. W. Bull, William Campbell, J. L. Quick, J. H. Sanborn and J. W. Stacher. It is not a national bank.

A. A. Taylor, of Loudonville, is now the owner of one of the largest mills in that part of the country. It is capable of turning out about two hundred and fifty barrels of flour daily, and is located in one of the best wheatgrowing regions in the State. In order to erect this mill, Mr. Taylor was compelled to demolish one of the first mills of the county, which had been erected about 1819, by Alexander Skinner.

Thomas H. Stewart, yet living in Loudonville, was one of the first Associate Judges of Richland County, and his wife, yet living, is the only one of the first pioneers yet remaining in the township. She was the daughter of Caleb Chappel.

The population of Loudonville, at present, is about two thousand. There are four dry-goods stores kept by William Fisher & Co. J. W. Stacher, Adam Ullman, and Frederick Arnold ; three clothing stores, by Wise & Co., C. Openheimer, and Steitzel & Co.; five grocery stores, by Jacob Buckheisen, Lewis McMahon, Samuel Hess, Joseph Yuncker and John Redd. There are two hotels, two butter and egg packers, a very extensive tannery by Godfrey Schawaker ; drug stores, by P. Ullman & Co., Leopold & Co., and M. Clough; two hardware stores by Hartupee & Reed, and Priest & Frankheiser ; three stove and tin stores by Henry Pippet, G.

In addition to the above, there are many other small business institutions of different kinds, and the usual number of mechanics and laborers.

The secret and benevolent institutions are the Hanover Lodge, No. 115, A., F. & A. M., organized in 1843; the I. O. O. F., instituted April 20, 1854; the Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor. The charter members of the first society mentioned were George H. Stewart. Adolph Clem, A. Haskell, John Ewalt, William Cullen, P. B. Griffith, E. B. Fuller and Jacob Boothe; and of the I. O. O. F., John Taylor, D. EK. Stockman, A. P. Mather, C. Hildebrand and A. Yarnell.

-The Methodist was organized in the spring of 1834 by Rey. Elmore Yocum, in Thomas McMahon's warehouse. The early meetings were held at the houses of Joseph White and James Martin, and in the old Plank Schoolhouse. The first church building was erected in 1836. It was brick and cost about $500. In 1856, a frame was erected at a cost of $1,500.

The Baptist Church was organized in May, 1839. Isaac Wolf and John Neptine were Deacons. Revs. Wilson, Stearns and William Leete were the early Pastors. A frame building was erected in 1843 at a cost of $1,250.

The German Reformed and Lutheran Evangelical denominations erected a church for joint use in Loudonville in 1846. This building was destroyed by fire in 1860. These societies then erected separate frame churches. The Reformed and Lutheran Societies also erected a church in

The Presbyterians had for many years a small society here, but were not able to erect a church until 1873, at which time they erected the present brick edifice.

But little can be said in favor of the Loudonville schools. Mr. Haskell's academy was, unfortunately, allowed to go down after his death, and there seems to be at present. an opening for the Loudonville people to exercise their public spirit in this direction.

The Loudonville Advocate was started March 20, 1873, being the fourth paper established in Loudonville. Itwasa stock concern, and edited by J. H. Ruth, formerly of Ashland ; continued in that position until December, 1877. when the office was disposed of to Messrs. Stauffer & Miller, of Quakerstown, Bucks Co., Penn. In December, 1869. Mr. Miller retired and Peter H. Stauffer became sole proprietor. The paper is neutral in polities.

this place by J. G. Herzog, a native of the State of New York, February 28, 1879, and has just closed the first year of its publication. Its circulation is over eight hundred. It is neatly printed, and in a prosperous and healthy condition.

The town was incorporated in 1850, and the following is a list of the Mayors: William Hook, John McCormick: (twice re-elected), A. L. Scott, John Strong, Jesse Hayes, A. L. Scott (four times re-elected), William Larwill (reelected), A. L. Scott, D. Rust (re-elected), A. L. Scott, John Strong, John B. Long, Robert Hill (re-elected), John B. Long (twice re-elected), John W. Bull and C. §. Deyarmond, the present incumbent.

- 4, 1816, out of Mifflin, being at that date twelve miles long from north to south, and six miles wide. It remained in this shape until October 15, 1818, when Clear Creek was formed out of the north half, leaving Milton six miles square in Richland County. When Ashland County was formed, in 1846, its four tiers of

No streams of consequence are found in this township. but there are many beautiful springs, one of the strongest in the county being found near the ~ Short farm."

It was surveyed in November, 1806, by. Gen. James Hedges. Like other townships in the county. it was densely timbered with oak, beech, hickory and other hardwood. The southern part is described as hilly and the soil of inferior quality. The eastern part is generally level and the soil good ; over the remainder of the township, the ascents and descents are regular, in places level, the soil generally fair for farming purposes, but clayey. It must have been a good hunting-ground for the Indians, as large quantities of their hunting implements and war weapons are found - stone axes, stone wedges, arrow-points, etc. Some of these evince great skill in workmanship.

The following extract from the official record of the Cees. of Milton is given as somewhat of a curiosity, being a little out of the usual way of performing that operation :

" Now, it came to pass when men began to multiply on this side of the river westward toward the lake, even the great Lake Erie, and the inhabitants of Milton Township became numerous and strong, that they said one to another, Go to, let us separate ourselves from Mifflin Township, to which we aforetime had been attached ; for why should we be oppressed by our brethren, and costs multiplied on us in carrying us before strangers ?

they prayed: the court at Mansfield, and their request was granted. Milton was formed, and became a free and independent township. This happened in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen."

The earliest settlers came in 1814, mostly from Pennsylvania. Inthat year, Mr. Alexander Reed settled on land adjoining the old Hopewell Church, Section 13. His farm contained 80 acres, which he sold, in 1821, to Joseph Marklay for 550 gallons of whisky.

James Andrews came in 1816. He was a man of superior ability and influence, having served in the war of 1812 as Captain in the Ohio militia, and was afterward Justice of the Peace in Milton for twenty-seven years. Abraham Doty also came in 1816; William Lockhart, in 1818; John Woodburn, in 1825. Other early settlers were Peter Brubaker, Joseph Bechtel, Joseph Charles, John Clay, John Hazlett, Henry Keever, John Neal and Michael Smettzer.

This is essentially a farming community, no town existing within its limits. Before it became:a part of Ashland County, Olivesburg belonged to it. Its early reminiscences are similar to those of other townships whose history has already been written, and need not be repeated. The same may be said of the struggles and triumph of its early settlers, who came to it a wilderness, and have, after years of toil, hardship and danger, dressed it in the garb of civilization. Its earliest settlers worshiped at the old Hopewell Church, erected in 1819, but organized several years before. This church stood very near the line between Milton and Montgomery. Its history is noticed in the history of the latter township.