Jackson Township (part 2 of 2)

Samuel and Elizabeth Ludwig with their family removed from Berks county, Pennsylvania, to Crawford] county, Ohio, in 1831. Jeremiah, the second child, was born in Berks county, in'iSri. In 1836 he married Rachel Meller, and in 1839 removed to Jackson township, where he still lives. They have eight children living - Elizabeth, Rachel, Samuel J., Thomas I., Mary J., Geneva, Jeremiah M., and Michael W. Mr. Ludwig was well known in former years as a stockbuyer and drover. Henry Ludwig, the ninth child of Samuel Ludwig, was b:rn in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in 1826.

In 1857 he married Anna Townsend, 'of Erie county, and two years later settled j on the farm on which he now resides. 1 Mrs. Ludwig died in 1864. In 1875 he married Loretta Hodgson, by 'whom two 1 children were born - A. C. and Anna. Henry Ludwig has also engaged in the stock trade.

There is near Millersville a German settlement composed mostly of industrious, hard-working people, whose labor has assisted materially in the economic development of the township. A representative family of this class are the Hoffmans. John G. Hoffman, a son of Frederick Hoffman, was born in Loteringen, France^ in 1814. The family came to America and settled in Stark county in 1831. In 1834 they removed to Ottawa county. John G. married, in 1839, Catharine

Young, a native of Loteringen, and settled where he now lives, in Jackson township. Twelve children blessed this union, seven of whom are living. The children were: John, Mary, Catharine, Geoige, Barbara, Henry, Catharine, Joseph, Flora, Michael, Rose M., and Fred. Mr. Hoffman worked at tailoring for about twelve years. The children are all married except the youngest. Henry L. Hoffman was born in 1843. He married, in 1870, j Mary C. Weible, and settled on a farm in I Scott township. Their family consists of ! three children, - Agnes R., Lawrence, and i Jacob. Henry Hoffman was born in Loteringen, in 1813. He married, in 1840, Barbara Livingston, a native of Stark county. In 1848 he came to Sandusky county, settling first in Sandusky township, then in Riley. He settled permanently in Jackson in 1861. Six of their nine children are still living, - George W., Henry L., Elizabeth, Barbara, Charles, and Jacob. The Hoffmans were early settlers of Ottawa county, and bore bravely the hardships of pioneer life. They settled there about 1835.

David Koleman came, in 1826, from Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1809, to Ohio and settled in Wayne county. In 1833 he removed 10 Stark county, and in 1847 settled in Jackson township. He married for his first wife, in 1841, Catharine Carr, who died in 1851. Four years later he married Lucinda Carr. The children by his first wife were: Mary E., Lucinda (deceased), and Harriet (deceased); by the second, Rosetta C., Jacob F., Perry E., and William A. Mr. Koleman served his township as clerk fifteen years and as treasurer seven years.

Most of the settlers of a later period came to the township from Wayne, Franklin, Perry, Stark, and other counties of Central Ohio. They were originally,, however, Pennsylvania or Maryland people.

Otho Lease, a native of Maryland, came to Ohio in 1834 and settled in Wayne county, whence he removed to Seneca county, and thence to Sandusky county, and settled in this township, where he lived until his death, in 1876. His family consisted of six boys and three girls. Jefferson, the eighth child, was born in Seneca county in 1843. He married, in 1864, Rebecca Carr, a daughter of James Carr, of Ballville township. The fruit of this union was four children, only j one of whom is living - Maria B. Mr. Lease owned the saw-mill at Jackson for j about six years.

Samuel M. Smith was born in Wayne | county, Ohio, in 1825. He married, in i 1857, Elizabeth Deahofr, and settled in Seneca county. The following year he removed to Sandusky county, and has been a resident of this township since that time. Their children are John W., Alfred, and Samuel.

John H. Feasel was born in Franklin county in 1822. In 1843 he married Martha J. Bowers, and in 1853 made permanent settlement in this township. The children were Mary J., Susan, Alexander, and Amanda E., all deceased.

John King was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1819. He married Mary Mowry in 1841, and, in 1851, settled in this township, where he remained twenty-five years, then removed to Ballville township, where he still lives. He has seven children living - Mary (Musier), Allen county ; Lydia Reichelderfer, Auglaize county ; George, Allen county; Sarah (Mowry), Ballvilie: John, this township; Jacob and Perry, Ballville; and Elmira (Searfoss), Scott township.

John W. King, son of John King, sr., and Mary (Mowry) King, was born in this j township in 1853. He married, in 1875, \ Clara B. Hunlock, and has one child - j John C

Frederick Miller, a native of Wurtem- | berg, Germany, came to America and set- | tied in New York in 1828. In 1854 he | came to Ohio and settled in this township.

I Sarah, John R., and Frederick C. Chris- I tian, William, and John, were in the army, and one of the sons-in-law, J. R. Rosenberger, died in the service. Christian, the oldest son, is married to Sarah Zink, and lives on the homestead. He has one child - Esther A.

Joseph Burgett, second child of John Burgett, was born in Mahoning county in 1832, and in 1856 he settled on the farm on which he now lives. He married, in 1855, MalindaHammon,who died in 1879. In 1880 he married Alma Flood. The family consists of three children. Mr. Burgett worked at blacksmithing in Mahoning county about ten years. During the war he was appointed to supervise the Greenbrier road in West Virginia.

Jacob Andress settled in Ballville township in 1835, being a native of Buffalo, New York, where Joseph L. Andress, his son, now living in Jackson, was born in 1834. In 1859 he married Anna Young, a daughter of Michael Young, and settled in Jackson township. Their family consists of eight children - Mary A., Jacob, Catharine, Johanna, Magdaline, Rosa, Theresa, and Joseph L.

Michael Ickes settled in this township in 1856. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, where he was married, in 1839, to Hannah Ow. Six of their children are living - Joseph H., Jackson; Harmonous, Anna M. (Oswald), Jackson; Margaret I. (Kenan), Illinois.; Sarah C., Jackson; and Lucinda J. (Garn), Jackson.

in Perry county, Ohio, in 1836, and in 1856 came to Seneca county, where he remained six years, and has since been a resident of this township. He married Eliza C. Wilson, and has seven children : Calvin, Elijah H., Mary E., Emma J., Minerva E., Anna, and William. Mrs. Laird died in 1866. He is a blacksmith by trade, but is now living a retired life.

Alexander Smith, fourth child of Richard Smith, was born in York county, Pennsylvania, in 1824. He married in 1846, Catharine Richerd, a native of Germany. This union was blessed with twelve children, seven of whom are living: Mary J., Elizabeth, Alexander, Anna, William H., Matilda, and Josephine C. Before coming to this county Mr. Smith worked at | blacksmithing for a period of twenty years.

David A. Pence, son of David L. Pence, was born in Seneca county in 1844. He settled in this township in 1871. In 1866 i he married Henrietta Gallant, who died in 1877, leaving three children, William D., Oliver L., and Carrie E. Mr. Pence married for his second wife, in 1880, Amelia Finkbeiner.

Rev. Joseph Blaser, pastor of the Catholic church of Jackson, was born at Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1846. He came to America in 1874, and began pastoral duties in Defiance county, Ohio. Since 1877 he has been officiating in Jackson.

The Last Bear

The last of the tribe of bruin seen in this township was shot in the fall of 1833 by Mr. Zimmerman, who lived on Muskallonge. This species of forest inhabitant prefer hills and clear, flowing, rapid currents, and were consequently infrequent visitors of this flat country. Now and then one, however, sought refuge in the deep shade of this impenetrable forest, and having sought out some hollow tree or stump, lived a quiet life. But the time came when even the "Black Swamp" 1 ceased to be a refuge. The last one seen in Jackson fell a victim the fourth year of the settlement. Zimmerman was quietly strolling along the bank of Muskallonge, carrying his gun, when a little black animal arrested his attention, which, after sneaking up to within fair shooting distance, was seen to be "a fine fat cub. A well aimed ball made the youngster his victim. But the sound of the gun and smell of blood brought an angry mother from her quiet den. A moment later the composed hunter was confronted by the fiery eyes and open red mouth of the enraged beast. "A message of death," directed by a steady hand, did its work. One more cub was seen and quickly dispatched. The settlers, who were all recent arrivals, purchased the meat. The cubs were especially "fine eating."

Destruction Of Crops

The settlers of the spring of 1833, by dint of hard labor, succeeded in getting into ground a few acres of corn - enough in the event of a good crop to keep their families in corn-bread over winter. The work required to raise corn on this new, black soil, can be imagined only by the experienced. Although standing trees were only deadened and not cut down, an enormous mass of decaying logs had to be cleared away, underbrush grubbed out, and the water drained into its natural channels. After the planting has been accomplished, the difficulty of keeping down the weeds will readily be appreciated. But this small patch of grain was all the newcomer, without money, had to depend upon for his next year's living. He cultivated and watched, therefore, with zealous care. The season of 1833 was fortunately good. Corn promised well, and all things were encouraging until about ripening time.

furnished them a perching and roosting place, while heavy ears were being rapidly stripped of their yellow fruit. The blackbirds were not long alone. A larger and more destructive fowl played havoc with the corn. Wild turkeys were so plenty that it was almost impossible to discharge a load of shot into the field without bringing one or more of these ravenous intruders to the ground. Blackbirds and turkeys were not alone in the general campaign against these first cornfields. The raccoon tribe carried on an active and powerful warfare, while squirrels of all kinds lost no time in laying aside for winter use a fair share of the crop. It is unnecessary to state that this activity was of short duration. Grainless cobs were the only mementoes of what had been.

Mr. Jacob Winter informs us that of five acres wThich, at roasting ear time, promised a good crop, not a full ear and scarcely a grain was left. Some became discouraged and left the country. Faith in a better day ahead detained others. There was, indeed, occasion for discouragement. Flies and mosquitoes made war upon the household and stock no less industriously than the birds, turkeys, raccoons, and squirrels upon the corn, the only difference being in degree of accomplishment. To add to this more or less sickness incident to a new and wet country, we have a picture of distress seldom equalled.

Organization

The first election was held at the residence of Henry Stultz on Christmas Day, 1829. We regret that the first records were either not preserved at the time or have since been lost, for it would be a satisfaction to give the - names of the settlers who had conferred upon them honorable Christmas gifts. John Gam, George Overmyer, Jacob Winter, and Henry Haven were among the early justices of the peace.

The first school-house in the township was a log building which stood near the bridge, across Mud Creek on the pike. James Drake was the teacher. This house was built by Campbell, Klutz, Garn, and a few others, about 1832. Webster's spelling book was the standard for spelling, and at the same time served as primary reader. "The English Reader" was the consummation of an English education, and very few pushed beyond the "rule of three" in arithmetic.

The first school-house in the southern part of the township was located on Musi kallonge, and built about 1834. The school board as constituted by the act of 1852, the act which provided for and enforced a free public school system, met ; the first time in April, 18 15 3. There were at that time five school-houses. Eightythree dollars were ordered expended on j repairs.

A public library - the Ohio School Library - was furnished the schools, and for a time faithfully managed according to the rules. But like all other libraries of this sort, it was in a few years dissolved by neglect.

Rev. Father Young, pastor of the Catholic church, founded a parochial school in 1871; a building was erected the same year at a cost of six hundred dollars. This school is in a flourishing condition, the average attendance during the winter of 1880-81 being about seventy-five.

There are in Jackson at present twelve public school-houses, including the double brick building at Burgoon. This district employs two teachers, one for the primary and one for the higher grade.

give the names only of a few who remained to establish themselves in a practice. Dr. Moore opened an office at Winter Station before the war. He went into the army as a volunteer and never returned to the county. Dr. Lee and Dr. Orwich were successive practitioners at Winter's Station.

Dr. Andrews removed from Fremont to Millersville in 1872, being the first physician at the place. In 1875 he removed to Genoa, where he is continuing the practice. Dr. Paul succeeded him at Millersville and remained a few years. In 1879 W. J. Gillette, a graduate of Cleveland Medical college, located at that point.

We do not know the exact year of the building of the first saw-mill, but it was during the period of early settlement. It was located on Muskallonge and owned by Henry Stultz. The machinery has long since been removed and but few traces of its existence remain.

Jacob Winter built a mill on Muskallonge in 1843. Considerable work was turned out in wet seasons. As the country became more generally cleared the stream became less reliable as a source of power.

The fourth saw-mill, and the only one remaining, except the steam mill and factory at Burgoon, was built by Joshua Smith, and is located on Muskallonge, near Winter Station. It is now operated by Thomas Fleming, and steam power is depended upon.

Winter Station

The first village was laid out by Jacob Winter and was located on the line of railroad then called the Lima & Fremont, now the Lake Erie & Western. For the accommodation of the neighborhood a petition for a post office was sent to the . Department, which was granted, and the new office christened Winter's post office. From that time the place was known as Winter's Station. The man who laid out a town, and whose name it bore, erected the first business building, in which David Lemmon placed a stock of general merchandise. Mr. Edwards opened the second store; John Keen succeeded him.

But Winter's Station came to grief in its youth. When the Toledo, Tiffin & Eastern railroad was built the town was discovered to be about one mile too far to the northeast, for the railroad crossing was undoubtedly the most promising site : for a village.

The land on the east side of the Lake Erie & Western, extending as far north as the pike, belonged to Peter Warner. After the completion of the Toledo, Tiffin & Eastern railroad he laid out a section of town lots and gave the prospective village his own name. Mr. Warner was not long permitted to enjoy a monopoly of village making. A company, consisting of Messrs. Huss, Noble, Nailor, and Loomis, purchased twelve acres of the Wise estate and laid it out in town lots. M. F. Hostler purchased a half interest in this company soon afterwards. The subject of a name caused a division of opinion. Mr. Warner's friends insisted that it should be called Warner ; Lorain was the choice of the stockholders across the road, but the post office was listed Burgoon, as a compliment to the superintendent of the new railroad.

menced by Rufus Baker in 1873. He was succeeded in a short time by Randall Glass, who continued the business about three years. J. W. Powell was the next merchant. After about two years he sold to A. J. Mowry. P. J. Kenan opened a store in 1880. His business was destroyed by fire on the night of March. 29, 1881.

It is within the possibility of things for Burgoon to become a town of some importance. Surrounded with an agricultural territory inferior to none, and with good railroad facilities there is no reason why it should not prosper.

This is a post village at the crossing of the pike and the Pittsburgh, Fort Wayne & Chicago railway. When the railroad was built the farmers in the community raised, by subscription, sufficient money to build a depot. The site seemed auspicious for a town. Peter Miller laid out a small portion of his land in town lots, and the new burgh was called Millersville. The founder of the town was commissioned first postmaster, and, after serving in that capacity a short time, was succeeded by the present incumbent, John Gam.

A man named Grulich opened the first general store. He was succeeded in 1877 by S. S. Wright. A blacksmith shop and two saloons compose the balance of the business part of the village.

A sketch of Helena, which is divided ' by the township line between Washington ! and Jackson townships, will be found in 1 the chapter on Washington.

Religious Societies

There are in this township seven I churches, and it is with pleasure we chronij cle the fact that the leading citizens are included in their membership. The pioneer preacher of this community was Rev. Jacob Bowlus, of Lower Sandusky. He ! extended his missionary labors all over the | west part of the county, and the many | flourishing classes and neat white churches ; belonging to the conference of United ! Brethren in Christ, testify that seed was i sown in good ground. Evangelical (Albright) missionaries also labored faithfully ! and successfully.

United Brethren

The first sermon was preached in the residence of Gilbreath Stewart, in 1829, by Jacob Bowlus. After the school-house was built at the site of Mud Creek bridge ! on the pike, meetings were held there, j Jeremiah Brown occasionally preached | here. After Jacob Winter settled on Mus- ; kallonge, meetings were held in his barn, generally under charge of Jacob Bowlus. It was in this barn that Michael Long, who has since distinguished himself for usefulness in the church, preached his maiden . sermon. A class was here organized which,

] about 1840, built a meeting-house in the ; Mowry neighborhood. The class prospered and grew. In 1866 it became necessary to ; build a new house of worship. A difference of opinion in the matter of location was happily settled by the preacher, Mr. Long, proposing that while the subscription paper was being passed around, each one should indicate his choice of location.

Two points were centered upon - Mowry's Corners and Winter Station. Both parties subscribed liberally, but Winter Station was the point decided upon. A handsome frame building was erected and christened Eaton Chapel. This class has a membership of about fifty. Mr. Long held an interesting revival in the winter of 1867, and also the following year, when he was assisted by Rev. Mr. Hart.

In 1874 Otterbein class was formed, the first members being M. F. Hostler and wife, Absalom Mowry and wife, Aaron Mowry and wife, William Nye and wife, Aaron Warner and wife, Henry Disler and wife, and Emily Wise. Centennial Otterbein Chapel, a handsome brick edifice, was erected in 1876, as the name would indicate. The class was organized by Rev. Michael Long. His successor, G. French, was in charge when the meetinghouse was built. Succeeding ministers have been William Mathers, O. H. Ramsey, and Joseph Bever. Revs. Long, French, and Mathers, held revivals. The class belongs to Eden circuit, and has a membership of about twenty-five.

Bethlehem class was organized by Michael Long in 1875, *n school-house on the Greenesburg pike, with the following members: James Seagraves and wife, S. Dole and wife, Philip Klutz and wife, and Daniel Dole and wife. In 1876 a church was built at a cost of two thousand dollars. The first deacons were S. Dole, J. Seagrave, and W. J. Miller. The present membership numbers about forty.

A class was organized a number of years ago in the western part of the township, and named in recognition of that venerable and devoted member, Eli Fetters. " Fetters " class, though small in membership, maintains its organization and regular preaching. The old schoolhouse on the Fetters farm was purchased a few years ago and is used for worship.

Evangelical Churches

There are in the township two Evangelical churches - Zion's and St. Paul's. This form of Christian worship was established in the community at an early period of the settlement, some of the pioneers from Pennsylvania having previously been members. John Betts and wife, John Shale and wife, Daniel Mowry and wife, Samuel Leffier and wife, Nicholas Shale and wife, and perhaps a few others, are the oldest members. Aaron Younker and Thomas George are remembered among the early ; preachers. A log meeting-house was built I about 1840, and the class took the name : of its faithful leader, and was called, and is yet commonly known, as Shale's class.

1 A new house of worship, known as Zion's I church, was erected in 1867, at a cost of ! twenty -five hundred dollars. Rev. Daniel j Stroman was then the preacher in charge, j During the winter following the build- : ing of the new church, an awakening re- ! vival resulted in many accessions to the membership. The class, now numbering : fifty-four, belongs to Bettsville circuit.

St. Paul's Evangelical Association is the northern class of this denomination in the township. The early members I were: John Vandersall and wife, Jacob Vandersall and wife, Michael Shaffer and wife, Jacob Harley and wife, Abram Boroff and wife, and perhaps others. Meetings were held in the residences of these early members for a time and afterwards in school-houses. In 1867 a church was built in the Vandersall neighborhood, at a 1 cost of twenty-three hundred dollars. This class also belongs to the Bettsville circuit.

Catholic

There is in the northwestern part of the township a large settlement of German Catholics. They are an industrious, prosperous people, and the amount of money ; expended on church buildings proves their devotion. St. Mary's congregation was organized by a colony of about twenty families from the church at Fremont, in 1858. The leading members were: George Hoffman, George Baker, Peter Golwick, John Kuffler, Maggie Young, Peter Keen, Myron Hoffman, Joseph Weil, Michael Harmer, B. Wilhelm, - Groff, Peter Mil- ; .ler, John Rumble, Casper Foos, George Rush, John Newberg, Leodegan Lehman, Benjdmin Ontrich, George Strassel, and Andy Foos.

The congregation was organized by Father Engly. Succeeding pastors have been: Fathers Folm, Barber, Young, Litters, Sproll, and Blaser. The cost of the church besides the general work,, which was done voluntarily by the members^ was eighteen hundred dollars. A priest's house was built the following year, which cost about seven hundred dollars. In j 1878 a new parsonage was built, which cost two thousand dollars. In 1871, dur- i ing the pastorate of Rev. Father Young, a parochial school was established, and a school-house erected at a cost of six hundred dollars. The average attendance is about seventy-five.

There was at one time a flourishing congregation of Baptists in this township. The church stood near Winter Station. Among the members were: William Russel, Lewis Overmyer, Hugh Overmyer, Silas Kenan, B. Fried, and Mrs. Hansen. All things moved smoothly until the Seventh Day Adventists began to hold service in the church, the use of which was kindly granted them. The faith of some of the members was changed; the congregation weakened and finally died out

Charles Rozell And Family

Charles Rozell was born in Mercer county, New Jersey, October 21, 1803. His parents were John and Jane Rozell, both natives of New Jersey. Charles was the oldest of a family of twelve children, seven sons and five daughters. He passed his early years at home, and served an apprenticeship to learn the shoemaker's trade, but not liking it, left the shop and engaged in fanning. In 1826 he married Catharine Wiley, of Mercer county.

In 1831 Mr. Rozell left New Jersey and came to Jackson township, Sandusky county, and purchased the farm upon which he passed the remainder of his days. The farm was a wild lot; not a stick of timber had been cut, and only an unbroken forest marked the spot which he selected for his home. It was the month of March when he arrived. He erected a log house and cleared sufficient ground for a garden and cornfield, and in the fall sent for his family, consisting of his wife and two children. They came, accompanied by Mrs. Rozell's brother. Mr. Rozell met them upon their way and conducted them to his wild and unattractive home. At that date there was little of romance about life in the wroods. The roads, or paths - for there were no roads worthy the name - were in the worst condition imaginable. Lower Sandusky was the nearest point where milling was carried on. Mr. Rozell bought a pair of oxen with which to do his work. He used up nearly all of his money before his farm was in a condition to bring any returns.

Both Mr. Rozell and his wife toiled earnestly, and saved economically all they could gain. They denied themselves many of the comforts and luxuries now found in almost every farmer's home, and

In 1836 Mr. Rozell's parents came to Seneca county, and settled a few miles distant from their son's home. Mrs. Rozell died upon their farm in Seneca county, and Mr. Rozell a few years later in Jackson township.

John Rozell gave the land for the cemetery in Seneca county, south of Bettsville. There reposes his body and the remains of those of the family who have died in this vicinity.

The industry and economy of Mr. Charles Rozell were rewarded. He began with eighty acres of wild land, but added to his possessions at different times until, at his death, he had one hundred and seventy-four acres of cleared land, and eighty of wood land.

When the plank road to Sandusky was in process of construction, Mr. Rozell contracted to build several miles. In 1S58 he erected a costly and beautiful residence and furnished it neatly and tastefully. March 4, 1861, Mrs. Rozell died in her sixty-first year. She bore two children, both jf whom are living, viz: Susan Ann, wife of John Fabing, who resides on the farm adjoining her old home ; and Martha, the wife of Lucien Hull, who lives in Seneca county, about two miles from the place where she was brought up.

On the 14th of January, 1864, Mr. Rozell married Mrs. Rachel J. Reed. Her maiden name was Bay, and she was born in Morgan county, Ohio, November 9, 1822. Her grandfather, Robert Bay, was a native of Pennsylvania, who served throughout the Revolutionary war; also in the War of 1812. Her father also served in the War of 1812. Robert Bay married Tama Ann Phillis, of Pennsylvania. Mrs. Rozell's father, Joseph Bay, was born in 1790; died in 1835. In 1813 he married Catharine Derrick, who was born in England in 1795. She is still living in Zanesville. The Bay family were among the first settlers in Jefferson county, in this State. They lived there until 1822, then moved to Morgan county, and to Zanesville in 1824. Mrs. Rozell is the fifth of a family of eight children, three sons and five daughters. She has one brother and two sisters living at this time.

Mr. Charles Rozell was always active in his business, strictly fair and honorable in all of his dealings, and treated every man justly. He was kind to the poor and unfortunate, and ever ready to assist the deserving. Though not a professing Christian, his moral character was above re- x proach, and his reputation for sincerity of friendship and integrity was unsullied. By attending diligently to his business, be became the possessor of a good property, and departed from earth honored and esteemed. He was a Republican, a strong Union man during the war, and assisted the soldiers and their widows by every means at his command. He died at his home in Jackson, November 27, 1870, at the age of sixty-seven.