Deer Creek Township

Deer Creek Township

This township derived its name from a stream which flows through its confines. The stream, it is said, was so called because of the great number of deer which, at an early day, were found along its banks.

The township is situated in the extreme southern part, of the county. A portion of its territory was formerly included within the "Great Miami Reservation." Accordingly, settlement did not com¬ mence there at so early a date as in those townships removed some dis¬ tance from the Reservation and situated nearer the county seat.

In the year 1838, there were found two men willing to try a home in the unbroken wilderness of what was soon to become Deer Creek Township. They were Noah Fouts, who settled on the farm now be¬ longing to his son, Henry, and Joseph Neff, who selected for his future home the land owned at present by William Snider. There was but little difference in the arrival of the two gentlemen named above, both coming about the same time. Several sons of the last named are now living in the village of Walton, Tipton Township.

The next man who possessed the necessary hardihood to brave the exposures and dangers of the woods was J. Reagan, who came in 1839, and settled on the Danial Hyman farm. His widow, having survived the hardships of an eventful life, is still living in the town¬ ship.

During the year 1840, according to the best authority at our command, only one man was added to the little colony. This was Mr. Joshua Coshow, who settled on the farm belonging to Isaac Sence.

The year 1841 brought four. They were Win. Duncan, who located on the land where he is still living; John Mcllwain, on the William Holland farm ; Alexander Murphy, also on what is now the Holland farm, and Robert Coat, on the land owned by the widow Green.

In 1842, came William Buchanan, who settled on the widow Sence farm; John Payton, on the farm owned by John McClosky, and Henry James, on the George Hubler farm.

In 1843, the number was largely increased by the following men: John N. Poundstone, on the farm where he is still living; A. F. Coin, on the farm owned by his son, S. R Coin ; Barnett Wilson, on the place where he lives ; George A. Ewing, on the John Roush farm; James W. Smith, on the farm which is still in possession of his heirs ; James Logan, also on the land owned by his heirs ; Geo. W., Jacob and Jackson Harness, the former on the farms where they are living, the latter on that owned by his heirs; Jacob Eder, on the Flinn and Beech farm, with Daniel and Jacob Shelley, who were "squatters," not at first making permanent entries of land.

In 1844, Daniel and Lewis Hyman, still citizens of the township, settled on the Escher farm Among others who came soon after that date and are justly to be mentioned among the early settlers, were David See, James Stanley, William Hall, William Holland, Jacob Shern, John Davis, John Hampshire, Benjamin Hoover, John Grist, William Smith and Thompson Vaughn.

Doubtless there are many names that should appear here, but they have been forgotten by those from whom we have gained our information; accordingly we must content ourselves with having given the basis of the early settlement.

The first religious meeting in the township was held at the cabin of Noah Fouts, about the year 1840, by the Cumberland Presby¬ terians. Their preacher was the Rev. John Hay. The next denomi¬ nation was the Baptist, who held their meetings in a log school house, on the Escher farm. About the year 1845, the Methodists built a church on the Reeder farm. The same year, a church was built by the Quakers on the Enos McDonald farm. The next was by the Christians or Disciples in Young America.

The first school house in the township was built on the Hyman farm about the year 1840. The first school held in the new house was taught by Josiah Brown. Soon after this, Milton Jerrett taught a school in the same place. When the population had increased suf¬ ficiently to demand it, a second school house was built on the Holland farm, and also, at an early date, a third on the Poundstone farm.

The township was organized July 26, 1842. Soon after the per¬ fecting of this organization, an election was held at Holland's. John Grist is thought to have been the first Justice of the Peace, while John Mcllwain and Thompson Vaughn served at an early date in the capacity of Township Trustees.

In March, of the year 1841, there was born to Z. Reagan and wife a daughter, who was probably the first white child born in the township. About the same time, a son, Josiah, was born to Jo¬ seph Neff and wife.

In the line of casualties, perhaps nothing has occurred in the his¬ tory of the township which has so aroused her citizens, as the attempted murder of Abraham Johnson. This is of recent occur¬ rence, having transpired in 1877, and is accordingly fresh in the minds of all. It is not our province here to give details, but to state facts briefly and concisely as possible.

On a certain day in the latter part of the year named above, Mr. Johnson, having been on business a short distance from Young America (his home), was returning thither, when he was met, about a mile west of said village, by three men in a spring wagon, who claimed to have some machinery which they were very desirous that he (Johnson) should examine. While preparations were being made for showing said machinery, Mr. J. suddenly received a heavy blow on the head, which no doubt was intended by the giver to be a fatal one, the effect of which was to render him unconscious for many hours. When consciousness returned, Mr. Johnson found himself in a hollow log. From this, after much difficulty, he extricated himself, and finally succeeded in reaching a house where he was cared for, and sot.-n taken to his home. For some time he lay in a critical condition, but finally recovered. At the time the assault was made, Mr. John¬ son was supposed to have considerable money in his possession. Sev¬ eral arrests have been made, but in each case the parties arrested have successfully proved their innocence.

In considering the progress Deer Creek has made in the way of improvements, we must take into consideration the late date at which her lands came into market; yet, so well has she played her part in this respect that the stranger passing through Cass County would scarcely believe Deer Creek ten or twelve years younger than many of her sister townships.

Young America

The proprietors of this enterprising town were Laban Thomas, John Roush, Lewis Hyman and Robert Hinton. It was laid out about 1856. Its business men at present are as follows: M. B. Marris, dry goods, etc.; J. G. Johnson, grocery; L. W. Coin, drug¬ gist; H. N. Turley, grocery; Philip Wykle, wagon maker; Theodore Kreseen, blacksmith; B. F. Rhodes, grist-mill; Abraham Johnson, saw-mill; Abner Ratcliff, planing mill; William Hunter, shoemaker; Edward Montgomery, shoemaker; J. T. Snodgrass, tinner; Robert Hunter, undertaker; A. C. Walter, harness maker; Robert Cum¬ mins, hotel; physicians are D. C. Barnett; I. A. Cooper and A. B. Strode. One church, Christian or Disciple ; one school house. Pop¬ ulation, about 225.