Allen Township

Allen Township

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.

Source changes here: from History of Hancock County, Ohio : Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns ... Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, Biographies, History of the Northwest Territory, History of Ohio, Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc, by Brown, Robert C, published 1886; 3,669 words in this source stream.

Allen Township

THIS township was the last one organized in Hancock County, being erected in Jnne. 1850, fi'om territory previously embraced in Cass and Portage Townships, taking twelve sections from each. It was named in honor of Gen. Ethan Allen, of revolutionary fame, and contains an area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres. The official census of 1850 gave Allen a population of 869; 1860, 1,009; 1870, 969, and 1880, 1,025. The west half of the township lies in Township 2 north, Range 10, and the east half in Range 11. Allen is bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Cass Township, on the south by Findlay Township, and on the west by Portage Township.

When the first settlers built their cabins in this portion of the county,, the original forest was unbroken by a single clearing, unless the almost impenetrable tract called "Wildcat Thicket" could be so named. This was a strip of fallen timber extending across the township from west to east, and covered with a dense undergrowth, where wild animals of every sort took refuge. The forest had evidently been blown down by a hurricane from the west long prior to the coming of the whites, and bushes and vines of every sort covered the decaying timber like a perfect network of defense.

The Middle Branch of Portage River flows in from Cass, and winds across the northwest portion of Allen Township; while the east fork of Ten Mile Creek di'ains the southwest corner westward into Portage. The southeast corner of the township is di'ained by a small branch of the Blanchard. Along the Middle Branch the surface is somewhat broken, and back from that stream may be termed elevated and rolling. The " Wildcat Thicket" was originally low and wet, but the removal of the fallen trees and judicious drainage has reclaimed the greater part of this tract. A sand and gravel belt, known as Sugar Ridge, crosses the north half of the township in a southwest direction, Van Buren being on the summit of the ridge.' South of this ridge the soil is generally a mixture of sand and clay, while north of it a black, sandy loam prevails.

Pioneers. - Nathan Frakes was the first settler in this township. In 1827 he purchased of John Gardner the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 13, Township 2 north. Range 10 (entered by the latt^' in 1826), upon which he at once erected a small log-cabin. Frakes settled in Madison County, Ohio, prior to the organization of that county in 1810. He was there known as one of the ' 'fighting men' ' of the county, and his name figures in one or more assault and battery cases at nearly every term of court held during the first years of that county's history. He subsequently removed to Logan County, where he bore the same reputation, and kept it up after settling in Hancock, voting and fighting at the first county election, in April, 1828. As a good illustration of his character at this period, the following anecdote is told by one of the pioneers who knew him well: "A man named Enochs, who lived in Logan County, was one of the contractors in opening the Bellefontaine road, and Frakes worked for him. Enochs became afflicted with a strange and apparently incurable malady. He was not a good man by any means, and one night, believing his end was nigh, and possessing little of that religious spirit necessary on such occasions, requested Frakes to pray for him. Nathan swore he could not pray for himself, and roughly told Enochs to do his own praying. The latter finally concluded to make the attempt, and in a self-important manner began: 'Oh! Lord, what have I done that Thou persecutest me so?' when

Frakes sold his improvement in Section 13 to Isaac Miller December 13, 1828, and in June, 1829, entered the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, upon which he had previously erected a cabin, with the intention of entering the land. On the 11th of June, 1830, he sold this tract to Elias L. Bryan, and removed to a farm of 115 acres in the southeast quarter of Section 10, Township 1 north. Range 10, now a part of the Infirmary Farm, which he had bought of Joseph Eversole, of Fairfield County, in January, 1830. Here he resided till his death, he dying about five years afterward, leaving a large family of children. His wife, Susannah, was an ardent Methodist, and constantly deplored her husband's combativeness. Finally Frakes met his match, being badly worsted in a roughand-tumble fight with Josiah Elder, of Delaware Township. Going home considerably crestfallen over his defeat, he exclaimed: "Susy! Nathan has been whipped; I'll now join a temperance society, and also the church!" He kept his word, and ever afterward was a very peaceably inclined citizen. He was a large, muscular man, and bore the marks of many a savage encounter, possessing not a perfect finger on either hand.

Isaac Miller was the second pioneer of what is now Allen Township, coming in the fall of 1828. In December, 1828, he purchased the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 13, of Nathan Frakes, who had bought it of John Gardner. Miller died here early in 1830, and his family soon removed from the county.

Elias L. Bryan came in 1829, and built his cabin on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, which he entered November 9th, of . that year. In June, 1830, he bought out Nathan Frakes, who removed to his farm on the Blanchard, Bryan taking possession of the Frakes cabin. Bryan subsequently read medicine under Dr. Fisher, of Arcadia, and practiced the healing art in this township. He finally left the county, but at what time or where he went is not remembered. The cabins of Frakes, Miller and Bryan stood but a short distance apart, and there are few now living who personally remember their locations.

The sons of John Trout claim that he came to Hancock County in the summer of 1828, selected land and built a double-log cabin on the site of

Van Buren, and then returned to Perry County for his family, whom he brought out in December, 1828. The book of entries shows that John Trout entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 13, Town 2 north, Kange 10, September 1, 1829, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 7, Town 2 north, Range 11, June 2, 1830. It is therefore opined that Mr. Trout did not settle on the site of Van Buren until December, 1829, as his first entry in this county was not made till September of that year. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Perry County, Ohio, where he married Miss Eleanor Skinner. Leaving Somerset November 12th, the family did not reach the little settlement on the Middle Branch of Portage River till December 14, 1829, and on the following day Mr. Trout took possession of his cabin. The trip was long and arduous, and well calculated to discourage the stoutest heart. Fording swamp, stream and river, and being compelled at times to cut their way through forest and thicket, the sturdy parents with their five children, Eliza, Ephraim, John S., George W. and Philip, trudged many a weary mile ere reaching their destination. Eliza afterward mari'ied Elisha Beeson, which was the first marriage in the settlement; while the first death was that of Cornelius, her youngest brother. Mr. Trout served in the war of 1812, and in early life followed the potter's trade. In 1833 he and George Ensminger laid out the village of Van Buren iipon their land. Both he and his wife died in this township, and of their children but two survive: Ephraim, the oldest living pioneer of Allen, and John S. , a resident of Liberty Township.

John Burman settled in Section 17, in April, 1831, and there resided till his death April 7, 1864, his widow surviving him until February 4, 1871. Mr. Burman was born in Northampton County, Penn. , April 8, 1784. Removing to Fairfield County, Ohio, he was there married in 1813, to Miss Catherine Fisher, a native of Berks County, Penn., born November 16, 1796. He served in the war of 1812, and followed the gunsmith trade until coming to this county. In 1835-36 he erected a grist-mill on Portage Creek, but on account of low water it ran only at intervals. Mr. Burman was a worthy citizen of the'county for thirty-three years, and left a family of seven sons and two daughters, only one of whom, Adam, resides in this county, he being now proprietor of the hotel at Van Buren.

Christian and Rebecca (Skinner) Barnd, with four sons (Jacob, Adna F., Elijah and Gamaliel C.) and four daughters, came from Perry County, Ohio, in 1831, and took possession of the cabin in Section 13 previously occupied by Isaac Miller. Mr. Barnd was a native of Germany, and his wife of Pennsylvania. They were married in Somerset County, Penn. , and subsequently removed to Perry County, Ohio, whence they came to this township. On the 27th of June, 1831, he entered the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 13, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 18, now mostly owned by his son, John. In 1832 Christian Barnd and family removed to Findlay, where he and his wife spent the balance of their lives. He was a saddler and tanner, and earned on a tannery in Findlay for many years. He also served as sheriff of Hancock County for two terms, and was one of the progressive men of his day. Three of his sons have filled county ofiices. Jacob was prosecuting attorney a short period, and recorder two terms ; Elijah was auditor two terms; while Gamaliel C. served three years as associate judge, and two terms as probate judge. The eldest son, John, has filled the office of justice of the peace in Allen Township for thirty years.

The year 1832 brought in quite a large number of settlers, among whom we find John Barnd, George Ensminger, Michael Ensminger, Charles Baker, Hugh Gilchrist and Peter Hockenberry. Mr. Barnd was born in Somerset County, Penn., December 30, 1808, removed to Perry Covinty, Ohio, with his parents, there grew to manhood and married Miss Sarah Garlinger, and in 1832 came to this township. He located on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 13, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Barnd was the first justice elected for Allen Township, and served continuously in that office fi'om 1850 to 1880. He reared a family of eleven childi'en, ten of whom are living. His wife died March 29, 1884, after a happy married life of more than half a century. Squire Barnd is one of the few living pioneers to whom the writer is indebted for mxich important information relating to early events in this portion of the State.

George Ensminger settled on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, while his son, Michael, located on the northwest quarter of Section 7. They came from Wayne County, Ohio, in 1832, and the following year the former and John Trout laid out Van Buren. In 1836-37 George Ensminger built a saw-mill on Portage Creek, which proved a useful appendage to the settlement. He reared a large family, and both he and his wife died upon the old homestead. None of the childi'en are residents of this county. Charles Baker, of Fairfield County, Ohio, built his cabin on the northeast quarter of Section "8, in 1832, where he died. The widow and family went back to Fairfield County, whence in after years one of the sons, George A. , returned and occupied the old farm. Hugh Gilchrist took up his residence the same year on the northwest quarter of Section 13, and there resided till his death. The family went West soon after this event. Peter Hockenberry was a noted hunter, who located on the northwest quarter of Section 19, in 1832. He subsequently removed into what is now Portage Township, thence to Hemy County, but afterward returned and died in Hancock. He, farmed very little, most of his time being devoted to the chase.

In 1833 Isaac Weisel, David Dorsey, Peter Heller and Henry Rader located in the township. The first two mentioned were brothers-in-law, Mr. Weisel having married Jane Dorsey, and both were natives of Pennsylvania. Weisel settled on the southeast quarter of Section 2, where both he and his wife died in 1878 or 1879. They were the parents of ten childi-en, six of whom survive. David and Rosanna Dorsey came from Bedford County, Penn. , in October, 1833, and located near the site of Van Buren in Section 18 in what was then Cass Township. Here Allen, now a resident of the township, was born in February, 1834, being one of the first births in the settlement. In 1835 David was elected justice of Cass Township, and reelected to the same position. He reared a family of seven children, four of whom survive, Allen and Cordelia being residents of the township, where both the father and mother died. Peter Heller, of Wayne County, Ohio, settled on the southeast quarter of Section 25, in 1833, and the same year was elected justice of Portage Township, and re-elected in 1836. He finally sold his farm, and removed to Indiana. Henry Rader, a native of A'^irginia, settled in 1833 on Section 13, where his son, Adam, now lives. Both he and his wife died in this township.

sey and Isaac Wolf are believed to have settled here in 1833-34. The first mentioned located in Section 14, in February, 1834, and there a son, Daniel C. , was born the following November. Mr. Warner died at the home of this son in Portage Township, in 1881. John Gilchrist located permanently near his brother Hugh in 1834, though he was in the county and voted in October, 1831. Soon after coming the Gilchrists went out one night "coon" hunting, and treed a "coon" about a mile and a half northwest of Van Buren. It became necessary to fell the tree, which, in falling, brought down another, the latter striking and killing the twelve-year old son of John Gilchrist, and injuring the father so badly that he died two days after the unfortunate occurrence, leaving a wife and five small children! Christopher Ernsperger was a son-in-law of George Ensminger, and came about two years after the latter. He subsequently removed from the county. William Dorsey came to the county about the same time as his brother David, or soon afterward. He is still a resident of the township. Isaac Wolf settled in Section 25, where he resided until his death. Two of his sons, David and John, are living in the county, the former in Findlay.

James Moorhead, of Stark County, Ohio, built his cabin on the southwest quarter of Section 26, in 1835. His wife, Agnes, died there, and he married again. He reared a large family, and now makes his home with his daughter in Eagle Township. John Raney settled in Section 23 in 1835, but soon moved away. Josiah Moorhead came in 1836, and settled in Section 36. Cyi-us Hart also located here in 1836, and Abraham Kempher, John Beeson and Samuel Huntington in 1837. John Hardy moved in from Cass Township in 1837, and resided here till his death, in 1860. He was one of the pioneer school teachers of the township, and for more than twenty-five years taught during the winter seasons. He was a member of the Methodist Church after his marriage with Martha Orr, in 1822, and settled in what is now Cass Township in 1833, whence he removed to Portage (now Allen) four years afterward. Mr. Hardy was the father of five children, two of whom are residents of the county. His widow died in 1866. Others may have come in i^rior to 1837, but if so, careful research has failed to discover their names.

First Electors. - At the organization of Cass and Portage Townships in April, 1833, each embraced half of what is now Allen Township, and Squire John Barnd says that the following list includes all of the voters then living inside of the boundaries of the latter subdivision: Elias L. Bryan, John Trout, John Burman, John Barnd, Hugh Gilchrist, Charles Baker, Peter Hockenberry, George Ensminger, Michael Ensminger, James Wiley and James Howard. The last two mentioned never settled in the township, but were staying here temporarily at that time, and were allowed to vote.

Justices. - John Barnd (fi'om 1850 to 1880), W. L. Heller, J. W. Mc- Caughey, Philip Burman, Robert Thornburg, G. W. Barnd, John H. Spitler and Thomas Briggs. The last two mentioned are the present incumbents of the office.

Early Schools. - The first schoolhouse in this township was a small log structure built in 1836, on the section line immediately west of the present building on the farm of Peter Whetstone. It stood in the center of the road now occupying the section line between 13 and 14, and was built of round logs, covered with a clapboard roof, had greased paper windows and a huge fireplace in one end. The Bryans, Trouts, Burmans, Ensmingers,

Barnds, Gilchrists, Warners and Raders attended this school, which was the only one in the settlement for several years, excepting one on the farm of James Moorhead. which was also opened at an early day. The pupils attending the latter, however, were principally from what is now Portage Township, and the pioneers of Allen scarcely remember it. With the growth of population more schoolhonses became a necessity, and from time to time districts were organized and schools opened. There are now nine good school buildings in Allen, that in Van Buren having two rooms.

Churches. - The two Presbyterian societies - Pleasant Hill and Ebenezer - organized in Portage and Cass Townships, respectively, united September 1, 1848, as West Union Church of Yan Buren, and put up a frame building in Van Buren, about 1855, which was the first church erected in the township. The Presbyterians of this vicinity have since generally attended services here. The old building has been replaced by a substantial brick one, more in harmony with the times. Rev. George Van Eman was the earliest pastor of this congregation, which embraced many of the pioneers previously spoken of in this chapter, besides those in Portage and Cass. The old fi-ame is now used as a dwelling. The Baptist Church in Van Buren is the lineal successor of the society organized at the cabin of Merriman Price, on Ten Mile Creek, about 1836, though reorganized at Henry Rader's in 1855. Meetings were held at the houses of members until the erection of the present building in Van Buren, which has since been used. The United Brethren erected their church in Van Buren in 1868, while the German Lutheran and Reformed denominations purchased and fitted up the old frame schoolhouse in Van Buren. These are the only churches in the township, and most of them have good-sized congregations.

Villages. - Van Buren was laid out December 28, 1833, by George Ensminger and John Trout, on Sections 12 and 13, Range 10, and 7 and 18, Range 11, and originally comprised fifty-three lots surrounding a public square. It was named in honor of Martin Van Buren, who at that time was one of the eminent public men of the nation. Several buildings were put up at once, and for a time the little village became quite a busy point; but after a season of prosperity its growth came to a standstill, and it has never got further than a small country town. A postoflfice was established in the village in 1837, and the following postmasters have held the office: Dr. George Springer, John Zarbaugh, S. M. Heller, C. S. Wilkinson, Lewis Michaels, Dr. E. C. Wells, Daniel Friek, L. J. Hissoiig, Solomon Zarbaugh, H. C. Hartman, John Lee and Mrs. E. Wells. In June, 1866, Van Buren was incorporated, and Daniel Frick elected mayor. His successors have been C. S. Wilkinson, J. H. Loehr, Dr. E. C. Wells, Dr. Edward George, Abraham Mummert, L. P. McCune and Abraham Mummert. The town lies seven miles north of Findlay, on the Toledo. Columbus & Southern Railroad, which was completed through Van Buren in the winter of 1882-83. Its business interests consist of two general dry goods and gi-ocery stores, a shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a steam saw-mill, a produce dealer, a hotel, a saloon and one physician - Dr. Edward George. A steam grist-mill was built in Van Biu'en many years ago, but it has been abandoned about seven years, and the deserted building is all that is left of its past usefulness. In 1870 Van Buren had a population of 157, and in 1880, 130, a falling off of 27 in ten years. No apparent increase has since taken place, and the village wears an appearance of age

Silverwood, better known as Stuartville, -was laid out in March, 1883, by Addison J. Silverwood, Nancy A. Silverwood and Anthony Huntington. It lies in Sections 24 and 25, Range 10, and Section 19, Range 11, on both sides of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. The Toledo, Columbus & Southern Railroad passes north and south a short distance east of the village, which has therefore good railroad facilities. Two small stores, a blacksmith shoj:), a saloon and a grain elevator make up the business interests of Stuartville. In May, 1883, a postoffice named Mortimer was established here, with James Huntington as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1885 by Mrs. A. V. Myers, the present incumbent.

Source changes here: from History of Hancock County Ohio, by Various, published 1886; 3,680 words in this source stream.

Allen Township

A Bpkidas township was the last one organized in Hancock County, being erected in June. 1850, from territory previously embraced in Cass and Portage Townships, taking twelve sections from each. It was named in honor of Gen. Ethan Allen, of revolutionary fame, and contains an area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres. The official census of 1850 gave Allen a population of 869; 1860, 1,009; 1870, 969, and 1880, 1,025. The west half of the township lies in Township 2 north, Range 10, and the east half in Range 11. Allen is bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Cass Township, on the south by Findlay Township, and on the west by Portage Township.

When the first settlers built their cabins in this portion of the county, the original forest was unbroken by a single clearing, unless the almost impenetrable tract called "Wildcat Thicket" could be so named. This was a strip of fallen timber extending across the township from west to east, and covered with a dense undergrowth, where wild animals of every sort took refuge. The forest had evidently been blown down by a hurricane from the west long prior to the coming of the whites, and bushes and vines of every sort covered the decaying timber like a perfect network of defense.

The Middle Branch of Portage River flows in from Cass, and winds across the northwest portion of Allen Township; while the east fork of Ten Mile Creek drains the southwest corner westward into Portage. The southeast corner of the township is drained by a small branch of the Blanchard. Along the Middle Branch the surface is somewhat broken, and back from that stream may be termed elevated and rolling. The " Wildcat Thicket" was originally low and wet, but the removal of the fallen trees and judicious drainage has reclaimed the greater part of this tract. A sand and gravel belt, known as Sugar Ridge, crosses the north half of the township in a southwest direction, Van Buren being on the summit of the ridge. South of this ridge the soil is generally a mixture of sand and clay, while north of it a black, sandy loam prevails.

Pioneers. - Nathan Frakes was the first settler in this township. In 1827 he purchased of John Gardner the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 18, Township 2 north, Range 10 (entered by the latter in 1826), upon which he at once erected a small log-cabin. Frakes settled in Madison County, Ohio, prior to the organization of that county in 1810. He was there known as one of the ''fighting men'' of the county, and his name figures in one or more assault and battery cases at nearly every term of court held during the first years of that county's history. He subsequently removed to Logan County, where he bore the same reputation, and kept it up after settling in Hancock, voting and fighting at the first county election, in April, 1828. As a good illustration of his character at this period, the following anecdote is told by one of the pioneers who knew him well: ''A man named Enochs, who lived in Logan County, was one of the contractors in opening the Bellefontaine road, and Frakes worked for him. Enochs became afflicted with a strange and apparently incurable malady. He was not a good man by any means, and one night, believing his end was nigh, and possessing little of that religious spirit necessary on such occasions, requested Frakes to pray for him. Nathan swore he could not pray for himself, and roughly told Enochs to do his own praying. The latter finally concluded to make the attempt, and in a self-important manner began: 'Oh! Lord, what have I done that Thou persecutest me so?' when Frakes, looking at him in unfeigned disgust, blurted out, 'That's a d d nice way to pray! What the h - l is it that you haint done, I would like to know!' "'

Frakes sold his improvement in Section 13 to Isaac Miller December 13, 1828, and in June, 1829, entered the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, upon which he had previously erected a cabin, with the intention of entering the land. On the 11th of June, 1830, he sold this tract to Elias L. Bryan, and removed to a farm of 115 acres in the southeast quarter of Section 10, Township | north, Range 10, now a part of the Infirmary Farm, which he had bought of Joseph Eversole, of Fairfield County,in January, 1830. Here he resided till his death, he dying about five years afterward, leaving a large family of children. His wife, Susannah, was an ardent Methodist, and constantly deplored her husband's combativeness. Finally Frakes met his match, being badly worsted in a roughand-tumble fight with Josiah Elder, of Delaware Township. Going home considerably crestfallen over his defeat, he exclaimed: ''Susy! Nathan has been whipped; I'll now join a temperance society, and also the church!'' He kept his word, and ever afterward was a very peaceably inclined citizen. He was a large, muscular man, and bore the marks of many a savage encounter, possessing not a perfect finger on either hand.

Isaac Miller was the second pioneer of what is now Allen Township, coming in the fall of 1828. In December, 1828, he purchased the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 13, of Nathan Frakes, who had bought it of John Gardner. Miller died here early in 1830, and his family soon removed from the county.

Elias L. Bryan came in 1829, and built his cabin on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, which he entered November 9th, of that year. In June, 1830, he bought out Nathan Frakes, who removed to his farm on the Blanchard, Bryan taking possession of the Frakes cabin. Bryan subsequently read medicine under Dr. Fisher, of Arcadia, and practiced the healing art in this township. He finally left the county, but at what time or where he went is not remembered. The cabins of Frakes, Miller and Bryan stood but a short distance apart, and there are few now living who personally remember their locations.

The sons of John Trout claim that he came to Hancock County in the summer of 1828, selected land and built a double-log cabin on the site of

Van Buren, and then returned to Perry County for his family, whom he brought out in December, 1828. The book of entries shows that John Trout entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 13, Town 2 north, Range 10, September 1, 1829, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 7, Town 2 north, Range 11, June 2, 1830. It is therefore opined that Mr. Trout did not settle on the site of Van Buren until December, 1829, as his first entry in this county was not made till September of that year. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence he removed to Perry County, Ohio, where he married Miss Eleanor Skinner. Leaving Somerset November 12th, the family did not reach the little settlement on the Middle Branch of Portage River till December 14, 1829, and on the following day Mr. Trout took possession of his cabin. The trip was long and arduous, and well calculated to discourage the stoutest heart. Fordin swamp, stream and river, and being compelled at times to cut their way through forest and thicket, the sturdy parents with their five children, Eliza, Ephraim, John S., George W. and Philip, trudged many a weary mile ere reaching their destination. Eliza afterward married Elisha Beeson, which was the first marriage in the settlement; while the first death was that of Cornelius, her youngest brother. Mr. Trout served in the war of 1812, and in early life followed the potter's trade. In 1833 he and George Ensminger laid out the village of Van Buren upon their land. Both he and his wife died in this township, and of their children but two survive: Ephraim, the oldest living pioneer of Allen, and John S., a resident of Liberty Township.

John Burman settled in Section 17, in April, 1831, and there resided till his death April 7, 1864, his widow surviving him until February 4, 1871. Mr. Burman was born in Northampton County, Penn., April 8, 1784. Removing to Fairfield County, Ohio, he was there married in 1818, to Miss Catherine Fisher, a native of Berks County, Penn., born November 16, 1796. He served in the war of 1812, and followed the gunsmith trade until coming to this county. In 1835-86 he erected a grist-mill on Portage Creek, but on account of low water it ran only atintervals. Mr. Burman was a worthy citizen of the county for thirty-three years, and left a family of seven sons and two daughters, only one of whom, Adam, resides in this county, he being now proprietor of the hotel at Van Buren.

Christian and Rebecca (Skinner) Barnd, with four sons (Jacob, Adna F., Elijah and Gamaliel C.) and four daughters, came from Perry County, Ohio, in 1831, and took possession of the cabin in Section 13 previously occupied by Isaac Miller. Mr. Barnd was a native of Germany, and his wife of Pennsylvania. They were married in Somerset County, Penn. 7 and subsequently removed to Perry County, Ohio, whence they came to this township. On the 27th of June, 1831, he entered the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 13, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 18, now mostly owned by his son, John. In 1832 Christian Barnd and family removed to Findlay, where he und his wife spent the balance of their lives. He was a saddler and tanner, and carried on a tannery in Findlay for many years. He also served as sheriff of Hancock County for two terms, and was one of the progressive men of his day. Three of his sons have filled county offices. Jacob was prosecuting attorney a short period, and recorder two terms; Elijah was auditor two terms; while Gamaliel C. served three years as associate judge, and two terms as probate judge. The eldest: son, John, has filled the office of justice of the peace in Allen Township for thirty years.

The year 1832 brought in quite a large number of settlers, among whom we find John Barnd, George Ensminger, Michael Ensminger, Charles Baker, Hugh Gilchrist and Peter Hockenberry. Mr. Barnd was born in Somerset County, Penn., December 30, 1808, removed to Perry County, Ohio, with his parents, there grew to manhood and married Miss Sarah Garlinger, and in 1832 came to this township. He located on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 13, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Barnd was the first justice elected for Allen Township, and served continuously in that office from 1850 to 1880. He reared a family of eleven children, ten of whom are living. His wife died March 29, 1884, after a happy married life of more than half a century. Squire Barnd is one of the few living pioneers to whom the writer is indebted for much important information relating to early events in this portion of the State.

George Ensminger settled on the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, while his son, Michael, located on the northwest quarter of Section 7. They came from Wayne County, Ohio, in 1832, and the following year the former and John Trout laid out Van Buren. In 1836-387 George Ensminger built a saw-mill on Portage Creek, which proved a useful appendage to the settlement. He reared a large family, and both he and his wife died upon the old homestead. None of the children are residents of this county. Charles Baker, of Fairfield County, Ohio, built his cabin on the northeast quarter of Section 8, in 1832, where he died. The widow and family went back to Fairfield County, whence in after years one of the sons, George A., returned and occupied the old farm. Hugh Gilchrist took up his residence the same year on the northwest quarter of Section 13, and there resided till his death. The family went West soon after this event. Peter Hockenberry was a noted hunter, who located on the northwest quarter of Section 19, in 1832. He subsequently removed into what is now Portage Township, thence to Henry County, but afterward returned and died in Hancock. He farmed very little, most of his time being devoted to the chase.

In 1833 Isaac Weisel, David Dorsey, Peter Heller and Henry Rader located in the township. The first two mentioned were brothers-in-law, Mr. Weisel having married Jane Dorsey, and both were natives of Pennsylvania. Weisel settled on the southeast quarter of Section 2, where both he and his wife died in 1878 or 1879. They were the parents of ten children, six of whom survive. David and Rosanna Dorsey came from Bedford County, Penn., in October, 1833, and located near the site of Van Buren in Section 18 in what was then Cass Township. Here Allen, now a resident of the township, was born in February, 1834, being one of the first births in the settlement. 1n 1835 David was elected justice of Cass Township, and reelected to the same position. He reared a family of seven children, four of whom survive, Allen and Cordelia being residents of the township, where both the father and mother died. Peter Heller, of Wayne County, Ohio, settled on the southeast quarter of Section 25, in 1833, and the same year was elected justice of Portage Township, and re-elected in 1836. He finally sold his farm, and removed to Indiana. Henry Rader, a native of Virginia, settled in 1833 on Section 138, where his son, Adam, now lives. Both he and_ his wife died in this township.

sey and Isaac Wolf are believed to have settled here in 1833-34. The first mentioned located in Section 14, in February, 1834, and there a son, Daniel C., was born the following November. Mr. Warner died at the home of this son in Portage Township, in 1881. John Gilchrist located permanently near his brother Hugh in 1834, though he was in the county and voted in October, 1831. Soon after coming the Gilchrists went out one night "'coon'' hunting,and treed a "coon" about a mile and a half northwest of Van Buren. It became necessary to fell the tree. which, in falling, brought down another, the latter striking and killing the twelve-year old son of John Gilchrist, and injuring the father so badly that he died two days after the unfortunate occurrence, leaving a wife and five small children! Christopher Ernsperger was a son-in-law of George Ensminger, and came about two years after the latter. He subsequently removed from the county. William Dorsey came to the county about the same time as his brother David, or soon afterward. He is still a resident of the township. Isaac Wolf settled in Section 25, where he resided until -his death. Two of his sons, David and John, are living in the county, the former in Findlay.

James Moorhead, of Stark County, Ohio, built his cabin on the southwest quarter of Section 26, in 1835. His wife, Agnes, died there, and he married again. He reared a large family, and now makes his home with his daughter in Eagle Township. John Raney settled in Section 23 in 1835, but soon moved away. Josiah Moorhead came in 1836, and settled in Section 36. Cyrus Hart also located here in 1836, and Abraham Kempher, John Beeson and Samuel Huntington in 1837. John Hardy moved in from Cass Township in 1837, and resided here till his death, in 1860. He was one of the pioneer school teachers of the township, and for more than twenty-five years taught during the winter seasons. He was a member of the Methodist Church after his marriage with Martha Orr, in 1822, and settled in what is now Cass Township in 1833, whence he removed to Portage (now Allen) four years afterward. Mr. Hardy was the father of tive children, two of whom are residents of the county. His widow died in 1866. Others may have come in prior to 1837, but if so, careful research has failed to discover their names.

First Electors. - At the organization of Cass and Portage Townships in April, 1833, each embraced half of what is now Allen Township, and Squire John Barnd says that the following list includes all of the voters then living instde of the boundaries of the latter subdivision: Elias L. Bryan, John Trout, John Burman, John Barnd, Hugh Gilchrist, Charles Baker, Peter Hockenberry, George Ensminger, Michael Ensminger, James Wiley and James Howard. The last two mentioned never settled in the township, but were staying here temporarily at that time, and were allowed to vote.

Justices. John Barnd (from 1850 to 1830), W. L' Heller, J. W. Me- Caughey, Philip Burman. Robert Thornburg, G. W. Barnd, John H. Spitler and Thomas Briggs. The last two mentioned are the present incumbents of the office. } ; :

Early Schools. - The first schoolhouse in this township was a small log structure built in 1836, on the section line immediately west of the present building on the farm of Peter Whetstone. It stood in the center of the road now occupying the section line between 13 and 14, and was built of round logs, covered with a clapboard roof, had greased paper windows and a huge fireplace in one end. The Bryans, Trouts, Burmans, Ensmingers,

Barnds, Gilchrists, Warners and Raders attended this school, which was the only one in the settlement for several years, excepting one on the farm of James Moorhead, which was also opened at an early day. The pupils attending the latter, however, were principally from what is now Portage Township, and the pioneers of Allen scarcely remember it. With the growth of population more schoolhouses became a necessity, and from time to time districts were organized and schools opened. There are now nine good school buildings in Allen, that in Van Buren having two rooms.

Churches. - The two Presbyterian societies - Pleasant Hill and Ebenezer - -organized in Portage and Cass Townships, respectively, united September 1, 1843, as West Union Church of Van Buren, and put up a frame building in Van Buren, about 1855, which was the first church erected in the township. The Presbyterians of this vicinity have since generally attended services here. The old building has been replaced by a substantial brick one, more in harmony with the times. Rey. George Van Eman was the earliest pastor of this congregation, which embraced many of the pioneers. previously spoken of in this chapter, besides those in Portage and Cass. The old frame is now used as a dwelling. The Baptist Church in Van Buren is the lineal successor of the society organized at the cabin of Merriman Price, on Ten Mile Creek, about 1836, though reorganized at Henry Rader's in 1855. Meetings were held at the houses of members until the erection of the present building in Van Buren, which has since been used. The United Brethren erected their church in Van Buren in 1868, while the German Lutheran and Reformed denominations purchased and fitted up the old frame schoolhouse in Van Buren. These are the only churches in the township, and most of them have good-sized congregations.

Villages. - Van Buren was laid out December 28, 1833, by George Ensminger and John Trout, on Sections 12 and 13, Range 10, and 7 and 18, Range 11, and originally comprised fifty-three lots surrounding a public square. It was namedin honor of Martin Van Buren, who at that time was one of the eminent public men of the nation. Several buildings were put up at once, and for a time the little village became quite a busy point; but after a season of prosperity its growth came to a standstill, and it has never got further than a small country town. A postoffice was established in the village in 1887, and the following postmasters have held the office: Dr. George Springer, John Zarbaugh, S. M. Heller, C. S. Wilkinson, Lewis Michaels, Dr. E. C. Wells, Daniel Frick, L. J. Hissong, Solomén Zarbaugh, H. C. Hartman, John Lee and Mrs. E. Wells. In June, 1866, Van Buren was incorporated, and Daniel Frick elected mayor. His successors have been C. 8. Wilkinson, J. H. Loehr, Dr. E. C. Wells, Dr. Edward George, Abraham Mummert, L. P. McCune and Abraham Mumnert. The town lies seven miles north of Findlay, on the Toledo, Columbus & Southern Railroad, which was completed through Van Buren in the winter of 1882-83. Its business interests consist of two general dry goods and grocery stores, a shoe shop, two blacksmith shops, a wagon shop, a steam saw-mill, a produce dealer, a hotel, a saloon and one physician - Dr. Edward George. A steam grist-mill was built in Van Buren many years ago, but it has been abandoned about seven years, and the deserted building is all that is left of its past usefulness. In 1870 Van Buren had a population of 157, and in 1880, 180, a falling off of 27 in ten years. No apparent increase has since taken place, and the village wears an appearance of age

Silverwood, better known as Stuartville,-was laid out in March, 1883, by Addison J. Silverwood, Nancy A. Silverwood and Anthony Huntington. It lies in Sections 24 and 25, Range 10, and Section 19, Range 11, on both sides of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. The Toledo, Columbus & Southern Railroad passes north and south a short distance east of the village, which has therefore good railroad facilities. Two small stores, a blacksmith shop, a saloon and a grain elevator make up the business interests of Stuartville. In May, 18838, a postoffice named Mortimer was established here, with James Huntington as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1885 by Mrs. A. V. Myers, the present incumbent.