Jackson Township

Jackson Township

Jackson township lies between Perry and Jennings townships, on the north and south, and Union and Monterey, on the east and west. -It was originally laid out six miles square, although it was later decreased to twenty sections. In 1848 its area was increased to twenty-six sections by the addition of six sections taken from Perry township. The Auglaize river runs through the township from south to north and affords ample natural drainage. Within the past few years extensive systems of artificial drainage have been put into operation, with the result that now nearly all of the township has been brought under cultivation.

The records of the township covering the early years of its history were destroyed by fire many years ago and this renders it impossible to write the complete history of the township. The date of the first election and the first officers elected are unknown, but it is certain that the organization of the township dates from the first half of the thirties. The first officers of whom any record has been found are as follows : Thaddeus Harris, justice of the peace, and William H. Harris, constable.

Elias Wallen, who settled in the township in 1822, seems to have been the first permanent settler. Rufus Carey and John Harter came with their families the following year, entered land and started to make homes in the wilderness. Owing to the extreme swampiness of the township, the settlers came in very slowly for several years. Thaddeus Harris (1825) and Thomas Carder (1830) were all who came to the township before 1833. In the latter year, Phillip, Joseph and George Comer, Edward Ladd and John Heddrick located along the Auglaize river.

of the peace, H. Frank Rower and George W. Roose; trustees, Philip Stirn, John Kehres, G. Kimmerle; clerk, Henry Biedenharn; treasurer, F. J. Recker; constable, Philip A. Rower.

Jackson township, although ranking among the best townships in the county, does not have any large towns within its limits. Muntana is situated on the Cloverleaf railroad, three miles south of Cloverdale. It was surveyed and platted in 1881 by George Skinner, surveyor for George H. Calkins. It bears the distinction of being the first town laid out in this township. Huntstown is another town of about the same strength as Muntana and situated just two miles north of it. Huntstown was platted and laid out in 1883 by Samuel Starkey and also lies on the Clover Leaf railroad. Douglas is the third town in the township and finishes the list. This town was never platted, at least no record can be found in the plat book, and at present is the site for the Odenweller Milling Company. These towns, although small, draw from the rich farming community in this county and in time may prove quite important commercial centers.