Williams County, Ohio - Chapter 21: Millcreeic Township, 1905

THE territory embraced within this township, as originally organized, included all the land now within its limits, as well as three tiers of sections, afterward detached as a part of Gorham township in Fulton county, and all of the present township of Madison, save the western tier of sections, which were joined to Bridgewater. The organization of Millcreek dates from 1839, and its original territory has contributed in the formation of Madison township, in Williams county, and Gorham township in Fulton. Millcreek is not only one of the most fertile and naturally wealthy townships of the county, but it is also one of the most prosperous in its material development. The township is watered by Mill Creek, and its principal tributary, Brush Creek, and the water power afforded by them was utilized in a very early day, when the primitive mills were hailed with delight by the industrious pioneers.

The first permanent improvement which was made in Millcreek township is credited to Theron Landon, who settled on a farm of 160 acres in the fall of 1835. He was born in Litchfield county, Connecticut, May 21, 1814, and was of English descent. His father died when Theron was but seven years of age, and for some time thereafter he drifted about in various parts of the East. Finally he located in Millcreek township, as stated above, bringing his mother with him ; but she died April 20, 1836, being the first death of a white person to occur in the township. Mr. Landon laid out the now defunct town of Hamer, and was the first postmaster in that part of the county. He was also the first justice of the peace in the township and held the office for several years. In politics he was originally a Whig; but after the disintegration of that once powerful party, he became an ardent Republican, and never changed his fealty to that organization. -

Quite a numerous population had settled in Millcreek as early as 1836. Besides Theron Landon, there were Josiah Woodworth, George Berone, James Black, Joseph Haines, John Haines and some others who moved in during the years of 1835 an(l 1836. Talmond and Joseph Reasoner, Justus Alvord and Samuel G. Wallace were among the early settlers. Talmond Reasoner and his family were of the number who came from New York and settled in Northwestern Ohio. They came to Millcreek township in 1837, an<^ here the old gentleman lived his remaining years. His son, Joseph

Reasoner, was born in Montgomery county, New York, January 31, 1814, and passed his early years in his native state, farming and working on the Erie Canal. In 1837, he came with his parents to Millcreek township and settled on 160 acres, being thus, of course, one of the earliest pioneers in that part of the county. In politics, Mr. Reasoner was a Republican, and he filled many offices, among which were those of county commissioner, justice of the peace (for twenty-four years), township trustee, assessor, infirmary director, etc. In 1875, he removed to and settled on a farm of 120 acres in Fulton county, and there he lived the remainder of his life.

Justus Alvord was a native of Massachusetts and of English descent. In 1841, lie came to Ohio, but stopped in Fulton county until the spring of 1843, when he removed to Millcreek township, and there ended his days. The first hotel in the township was kept by Henry D. Alvord, son of Justus; the first postmaster, as stated above, was Theron Landon, who was a farmer, and, as above stated, served as justice of the peace for many years. The first schoolhouse in the township was built 011 the present site of the Lutheran church, in section 21. This was also the first preaching place, and when the schoolhouse was removed the first church in the township was built there and dedicated in the winter of 1871.

As before stated, Theron Landon, the first settler, laid out the town of Hamer, but it was abandoned because of poor location or some other reason, and Alvordton was its sprightly successor. The first sawmill was erected at Hamer, in 1855, by George Berone. Landon & Haines were the first merchants in the township and opened their store at Hamer, in 1853.

The first election of which we have any record occurred at the house of George Berone, on the first Monday in April, 1839; but the names of the fortunate ones - who were called from obscurity and compelled to withstand the trying ordeal of having political honors thrust upon them - have not been preserved to posterity.

The town of Alvordton, which had a precarious existence for the first years of its life, gradually assumed the proportions of a thrifty town. Prior to the construction of the Wabash railroad it was scarcely a business center, and had but few families living in it, though there were successful business enterprises located near by. Primrose was one mile to the north, and Hamer three and one-half miles to the southeast, and they, having the first start, seemed to maintain the advantage. But with the building of the Wabash and the establishment of a station there, the town began to take on life and soon thereafter was incorporated. It is supported by a rich agricultural district, remote from formidable towns, and is an extensive shipping point on the Wabash and Cincinnati Northern railroads. Its business men are a class of progressive and enterprising people, who command ample capital and first-class facilities for the transaction of the large volume of business. Though it has not made rapid strides in growth, yet its popu- lation is mainly of that solid, permanent character, which adds financial strength and stability. According to the census of 1900, the population is four hundred and eighty two. The town now has well built residences and business blocks and good educational advantages and church facilities.

Isaac Shaefifer was the first druggist in Alvordton, going into business there in 1880. Shipman & Page established the first hardware store, the same year.

Millcreek is well supplied with district schools, now in striking contrast with the log houses and antiquated methods of instruction of former days. Among the early teachers in the township were Joseph Reasoner, Miss Sarah McClean, S. B. Doty and David Black - all "sturdy knights of the birch/' with the possible exception of the lady. Reference has been made to the first schoolhouse, just north of Alvordton, where, in addition to education, "celestial fire" was sometimes infused into the souls of those who yearned for it. But those were not its only mission. While serving in the multitudinous capacities of town hall, voting place, a general receptacle for itinerant shows and all classes of public meetings, it was also the birthplace of educational interest in Millcreek township. The old log schoolhouse has been superseded by a fine structure in Alvordton, with a systematic arrangement for the instruction of pupils in all grades of advancement, each of the various departments being in charge of a teacher specially adapted to the class of instruction required, and the whole under the supervision of an educator of known ability and success. The schools of Alvordton are second to none of like grade in the county and reflect in a marked degree the intelligence and public spirited enterprise of those who sustain them.

The soil of Millcreek township is generally fertile and well adapted to the raising of all kinds of grain, grasses and fruits. The valleys of Mill and Brush creeks are rich and productive, and as a whole the soil of the township is of excellent quality. It was originally covered with a fine growth of timber in which the hardwood varieties predominated.