Jackson Township

Location And Boundary

Jackson is situated on the east line of Allen County, and is bounded as fol¬ lows: North, by Maumee Township; ea-t, by Paulding County, Ohio; south, by Monroe Township; west, by Jefferson Township.

Natural Features

A large marsh, known as the " Bear's Nest," covers the northern part of the township. While the advance of civilization in other portions, of Allen County resulted in the extermination of all the creatures of the forest from their accus¬ tomed haunts, this spot alone was left to them as a peculiar possession. As recently as four years ago, bears were seen and killed within the recesses of this >wamp by residents of the township, who still live to bear testimony to this fact ; and every year sportsmen seek it for the deer, which are not yet extinct. Small -ame abounds here, and the search of the hunter is rarely without some reward. The east and west branches of Flat Rock Creek flow through the southern part of the township, the two streams uniting at a point on Section 27.

Early Settlement

The early settlement of this township is not an interesting topic, and is almost barren of events, it was not an attractive spot to the seeker for a Western

The dispensation was granted February 6, 1874, and signed by Grand Masster Richard Owen ; and the charter was granted at the next communication of the Grand Lodge.

The first officers installed were M. Carey, N. G.; Eli Todd, V. G.; A. C. Crawford, Secretary; J. It. Parker. Treasurer; J. E. Whitney, Warden ; H. D. Stoneman, Conducter; Fred L. Gable, Inside Guardian; John C. Wilson, R. S. N. G.; Fred L. Fry, L. S. N. G.

The Lodge is now in good working order, with twenty-one members. It is free from debt, and has property valued at 8612.89. The present officers are as follows: A. F. McIntosh, N. G.; D. B. Snider, V. G.; A. Grodrian, R. S.; Upton Null, P. S.; William Dawkins, Treasurer. Following is a list of the Noble Grands since the organization of the Lodge: M. Cary, Eli Todd, J. C. Wilson, A. Grodrian, A. C. Crawford, J. D. McHenry, J. E. Whitney, William Dawkins. F. L. Gable, F. Fry, W. B. Wilson.

The village of Maples was laid out by 0. Bird November 17, 1853. It is a station on the P., F. W. & C. R. R. M. Carey & Co., dealers in general merchandise, are the only merchants in the village.

Local Industries

Stave Factory. - In 1865, N. H. & A. H. Fitch, began the manufacture of staves and heading at this place, and erected a building 50x70 feet, with a full set of machinery. Several months later, L. S. Maples purchased an interest in the establishment, continuing until January 1, 1872, when he retired from the firm. In the fall of the same year, the building and stock were destroyed by fire, causing a loss of about $18,000. It was rebuilt in the following winter, but on a smaller scale. The old boiler and engine were repau-ed, and are now in use. Five thousand cords of wood are annually manufactured into staves and heading, which find a market at St. Louis, Baltimore and New York. In busy seasons, Messrs. Fitch & Co. employ about forty men, and have paid as much as §1,000 per month for timber.

Saw-Mill And Hoop-Factory

This establishment was built in 1874, by Williams, Olds & Roberts, and conducted exclusively as a saw mill. Mr. Olds subsequently sold his interest, and the firm name was changed to Williams, Roberts & Co. Philip Bohyer then entered the firm as a partner, and the business was continued under the firm name of C. I. Williams & Co., uutil 1877. In that year, J. E. Shober purchased the interest of C. I. Williams, and the firm name then became Roberts & Co. In the fall of 1877, M. Cary & Co. purchased the interest of Philip Bohyer, and added the necessary machinery for the manufacture of wagou-felloes and hoops.

About 1 o'clock, on the morning of May 29, 1879, a fire broke out in the building, destroying all the stock on hand, excepting two car loads of hoops, ready for shipment to Chattanooga, Tenn. M. Cary & Co. then purchased Mr. Shober's interest and erected a new building, using the old boiler and engine. They employ fifteen men, and find a ready market for their goods at New York and other Eastern ports.

In the summer of 1879, L. S. Maples purchased the building formerly occupied as a saw- mill, and fitted it up with the necessary machinery for the manufacture of hubs. The business is yet in its infancy, but already he has built up a good trade.

Newton

home, and its lands were passed by as worthless. In fact, a large portion of the township was entered on the Government books as " condemned swamp lands." In view of the hopeless appearance of this locality, immigration was discouraged ; and, for years after other portions of Allen County had witnessed the establishment of prosperous settlements, Jackson Township remained a howl¬ ing wilderness. Its first white resident was George Hollinger, who came in 1838, and erected a cabin near the center of the township. lie was fond of hunting, and gave a large share of his time to this sport; but he.was also a good worker, and cleared and improved the land upon which he had settled.

David, John and Samuel Neff came from Dayton, Ohio, and entered large tracts of land in the southern part of the township, on which they " deadened " the timber, preparatory to clearing. Their object was speculation, and they were never numbered among the residents of the township. Finally, the brothers all died, and Alanson Whitney was appointed as their agent, for the sale of the land. Jacob and Robert Mooucy settled in the towuship in 1840, and both cleared farms on Flat Rock Creek. Jacob still resides on his farm, near the center of the township ; but Robert subsequently sold out and removed to Jefferson Towu¬ ship.

John Kline, Joshua Dickinson and Douglas Whitaker came in 1848 and began the labor of clearing farms. Messrs Dickinson and Whitaker subsequently moved away, but Mr. Kline still lives in the township on a good farm cleared by his own hands.

Source changes here: from Valley of the Upper Maumee River, with Historical Account of Allen County and the City of Fort Wayne, Indiana, published 1889; 1,001 words in this source stream.

Jackson Township

A large portion of this township was entered on the government books as "condemned swamp lands," and an extensive marsh covering its northern portion, dissuaded home-seekers from settling in the region. This region was of the same character as the famous Black Swamp which extended far down toward Lake Erie on the south of the Maumee, and was the terror of pioneers. The soil was a deep muck, overlaying 3'ellow and blue clays. The tract appeared level but gently slopes to the lake. Upon this basin grew a forest of greater density and loftiness than was to be found elsewhere in the interior valley of North America. These gigantic trees standing side by side, enclosed a vast and gloomy solitude, which the sun seldom penetrated to evaporate the water which in places stood to the depth of- two or three feet. In this Jackson and Maumee township marsh, known as the "bears' nest," hunting was an exciting pastime, long after large game had vanished elsewhere. Bears were hunted here by persons still living, and deer were found up to a recent period. The first cabin in this township was built by George HoUinger, who improved some land and also spent much time in the chase. David, John and Samuel Neff, from Dayton, Ohio, entered large tracts in the southern part, and deadened the timber, but did not settle. In 1840 Jacob Mooney became a permanent resident on Flat Rock creek, and his brother Robert, who settled at the same time, remained for a few years. In 1S48 John Kline, Joshua Dickinson and Douglas Whittaker settled, but the two latter subsequently removed. Other permanent settlers were Meads in 1850, and Peter Boody in 1859. In the fifties a number of French immigrants arrived, among whom maj' be named such prominent residents as Florant Voirol, Francis Parnin and Constant Pernot. John Cline was another settler before the war of 1861. The population even at this time is small, a considerable part of ,the lands being owned by capitalists who are non-residents.

Thomas Jones was born in Maryland in 1814. He emigrated to Harrison count)-, Ohio, in early life, and there married Susannah Edwards, April 12, 1836, who was born in that county June 6, 1820. They came to Monroe township in 1841, and located on the farm where the widow still lives. Mr. Jones was a true pioneer, being the twelfth voter in that township. He, with his few neighbors, endured all the hardships incident to back-woods life. After rearing a large famity, of which seven survive him, he died May 5, 1S74. Jasper W. Jones, the oldest son living, was born on the old homestead, near Monroeville, April 10, 1852. He attended the district school during his youth, and at the age of nineteen entered the Fort Wayne Methodist Episcopal college, where he remained two 3-ears. He was industrious and soon acquired a practical education, and also became a good teacher, a profession which he pursued for several years. He was married May 30, 1876, to Catharine A. Malle}', who was born in Scotland, Jul}- 4, 185 1. Five children have blessed this union: Thomas Andrew, born June 24, 187S; Mary Alice, December 22, 1879; Edward Conway, January 6, 1882; Jasper Burt, December 21, 18S4, and George Lee, April 10, 1886, who died January 9, 1887. Mr. Jones has been honored by various positions of trust. In 1878 he was elected a justice of the peace of Monroe township; in 1883 he resigned and removed into Jackson township, where, in 1884, he was elected township trustee and re-elected in 1886. In the campaign of 188S he was elected county commissioner by a majority of nearly 4,000 over a strong competitor, and will assume the duties of the office in December, 18S9. Mr. Jones is sociable, confiding and truslworth}', in his nature, never forgetting a friend.

Constant Pernot was born Februarj- 6, 1824, in France. He came to Allen county, Ind., December 24, 1852, and lived in Jefferson township until 1859, when he removed to his present location, in Jackson township. His father, Jean Baptiste Pernot, was born in 1790, and died in 1878, and his mother, Frances, was born in 1800, and died March 14, 1835. Mr. Pernot was married February 9, 1847, in France, to Mary Munnier. Her falser, Thomas, and mother, Mary Huguenard, were of French descent. Seven children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Pernot: Mary, November 9, 1847: Francis, July 27, 1848; Robert, in 1850 (deceased); Marceha, born in November of 1851; Peter, born March i, 1858; Rosie, born in September of i860, and Juhe, born October 8, 1863. Rosie married Louis A. Ressuche in August, 1884, and has four children: Clara, Marie, Julia and Charles. Mary was married to Emile Jabas in 1873, and has two children: Emma, deceased in 1887, and Emile. Mr. Pernot served in the French army three months, but France being at peace and he being a married man, he was released. He has been assessor of Jackson township for twenty-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Pernot are members of the St. Louis Catholic church in Jefferson township.

Florant Voirol was born in Switzerland, October 16, 1839. He came with his parents to Fort Wayne, thence in June, 1852, to Jackson township, Allen county, where he now resides. His father, Louis Voirol, was born in 1805 and died in 1867. The mother, Celestine, was born in 181 3, and died February 10, 1883. Mr. Voirol was married to Miss Euphrasie Socie, Februar}' 11, 1873. Her father, Eugene, was born in 1823, and the mother, Frances, was born in 1S22. Both are living in Ohio, and came to this country from Switzerland about 1840. To Mr. and Mrs. Voirol have been born ten children: Mary L., December 11, 1873, deceased August 9, 1874; Amelia J., November 15, 1874; Charles A., December 23, 1875; Jule S., October 31, 1877; Eugene L., March 13, 1879; Edward, February 18, i88i;MaryC., December 20, 1882; Joseph F., October 9,