Jackson Township (part 1 of 2)

Jackson Township

Section sixteen in township four, range fourteen, Jackson township, was sold in September, 1837, for an average price of two dollars and sixty cents per acre.

The Sale Of School Lots In Croghansville How Proceeds Of Sales Are Disposed

The proceeds of all these sales are paid into the State Treasury and constitute an irreducible debt or fund on which the State pays six per cent, interest annually to the county; the interest is then credited to the county school fund, and by the county auditor the amount arising from each section sixteen sold is credited to the township school fund of each surveyed townshi]), and then distributed to the subschool districts according to the respective enumerations of the children entitled to the privileges of the common schools residing therein.

The total amount of the proceeds arising from the sale of school lands, now in the State Treasury to the credit of Sandusky county, is thirty-three thousand two hundred and fifteen dollars and fifty cents, producing annually one thousand nine hundred and ninety-two dollars and eighty-seven cents to be applied to the support of schools and distributed as above mentioned.

There is yet to be paid over to the State the further sum of three hundred and seventy-five dollars and twenty-two cents, being amounts due from purchasers who are delinquent in payment for their lands. When this delinquency shall be paid over to the State, as doubtless it soon will be, the total amount on which the county can draw interest will be thircythree thousand five hundred and eightynine dollars and twenty-two cents. The annual interest then to be drawn from the State for the support of schools, as long as the State may exist, will be two thousand and fifteen dollars and thirty-eight cents. This fund, under the law, is applied to the payment of teachers only, and as the law stands cannot be applied to any other purpose. The cost of building school-houses and all expenses of public or common schools, excepting wages of teachers, are paid out of money raised by taxation on the localities respectively. A further mention of this subject will fall properly under the chapter on schools, and may be mentioned there.

If these school lands had remained undisposed of until the present time, and were sold at present prices they would have brought not less than an average price of twenty dollars per acre, or an aggregate of seventy thousand four hundred dollars, yielding annually, at six per cent., the sum of four thousand two hundred and four dollars.

Whether the early selling of these lands was wise or unwise is a question useless to discuss at this time, but if anyone should feel inclined to charge imprudence on the pioneers and early settlers in the disposition of the land, there are some considerations in mitigation of any blame to be charged, if indeed there be not a complete justification.

The early settlers were poor; they desired to have their children educated, and needed the help which the interest on these sales afforded, in the support of schools. They were here making the roads, clearing away the forests, and undergoing many hardships not experienced by the present inhabitants. These early inhabitants might be compared to a young man in possession of a little sum of money, which, if invested at good interest, would make him an ample fortune in old age, but he has no other means, and is hungry; bread he must have even if it costs all he has, and though he give all and save himself, his money is well spent, even if his anticipation as to a future fortune must be all dissipated. These pioneers did well to begin as they did, to start the cause of education at an early day, though they sacrificed prospective pecuniary gain in doing so. Another fact should be considered, which is, that with the obligation on the part of the State to pay annual interest at six per cent., there is a time coming when, if summed up, the payments will overtake and far surpass any value the land can ever attain.

AT a session of the county commissioners, held in December, 1829, township four, range fourteen was constituted a separate town, with corporate powers and privileges. The name was conferred in honor of the celebrated general, who was then serving his first year as President of the United States. For several years after settlement began in the county, this township and its western and northern neighbors seemed a blot upon the face of the earth. The black surface earth, by its own robe of dense forest and luxuriant undergrowth of shrubs and grasses, had entirely excluded the light and heat of the sun. Vegetable gases rested upon the surface, undisturbed by a troubled atmosphere, and year by year the soil was absorbing chemical elements which, under cultivation, have made large houses and fat bank accounts.

But before the period of clearing and grubbing, all this level tract was a continuous marsh, and where now heavy ears of corn are bowing to the ground, fifty years ago only muskrats and snakes were able to live.

The general surface slope of the township is toward the northeast, the three principal streams - Wolf Creek, Muskallonge, and Mud Creek - flowing in that direction. The valleys of these streams are scarcely perceptible, and the channels are shallow.

A heavy stratum of limestone underlies the black vegetable earth, mixed with decomposed particles worn from the rock surface during the glacial period of geological history. The lime element greatly increases the productiveness of the soil. Long before man appeared on the face of the earth, and while this sheet of limestone rock was yet uncovered, huge mountains of ice, bearing at their base massive ledges of northern rocks, were slowly forced southward. These hard fragments of a harder and deeper stratum, called boulders, moved under great pressure, and ground from the native limestone surface a powder which, when a warmer age had reduced the glaciers to water, formed the basis of our fertile soil. A belt of boulders across the township marks the path of one of these moving ice mountains. These boulders came from north of Canada, and were transported more than a thousand miles. But this subject can not be understood without a general knowledge of the science of geology. The facts of geological history are as plainly and unmistakably written in the structure and conformation of the rocks as the events of human history are recorded on tablets and scrolls.

Nowhere is the relation between natural resources and industrial progress better shown than in Jackson township. A territory which fifty years ago was an unreclaimed wilderness will now compare favorably in improvement and wealth with any similar agricultural district in Ohio. In the winter of 1828 the first road was cut through the woods, and, by means of logs and brush, made passable for a wagon from Muskallonge to the Sandusky River. Piked roads now accommodate every corner of the township. Large, well-repaired houses and barns are evidence to the stranger of the productiveness of the soil and prosperity of the farmers.

Stone is quarried in several places. The ballasting of the two railroads which cross at Burgoon comes from these quarries, and large quantities are used on the public highways.

Original Proprietorship.'

The first entries of land within the limits of township four, range fourteen, were recorded in 1828, and the last entry was made in 1852. Many changes of ownership took place at the beginning and during the period of early settlement, so that the man who made the first purchase did not, in every case, make the first improvement. But no improvements, except temporary squatter shanties, were made before the entries. Settlement, in most cases, followed soon after the transfer from the Government. The following table will, therefore, show in a general way the date and location of improvements, as well as give the names, among others, of most of the early settlers. Many early settlers, however, purchased wild land at second hand; their names, theretore, do not appear in this list:

The Settlement

The first man to penetrate the thick forest and inhosj^itable marsh which once covered the whole of this township, was Peter Stultz. He was soon after followed by his brother, Henry Stultz. They were natives of New Jersey, and emigrated to Ohio about 1808. They settled in Frank- lin county where they remained until 182S. That year Peter, first, and then Henry, erected cabins and removed their famihes to Muskallonge, near the bridge on the Greenesburg pike. They were not, however, left long to the solitary enjoyment of forest life. Others soon followed their trail and pushed even further into the uninviting wilds, to the banks of Mud Creek. The creek lands were dryest, and consequently were the first chosen. Gilbreath Stewart was the probable builder of the third cabin. He located near the Mud Creek bridge, on the Greenesburg pike. There was at that time no road in the township. Settlers made their way through the woods as best they could, now and then cutting down a tree where it was impossible to get between. In the winter of 1828 the county commissioners, on the petition of Henry Stultz, granted a public road from Muskallonge to Chamber's mill on the Sandusky River. This road was cut through that winler, the logs and brush being used to bridge the swamp. Henry Stultz erected on his lot a saw-mill. This was a high water mill, the water in Muskallonge during most of the year not being sufficient to drive the machinery.

In the spring of 1829, David Klotz* removed his family from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and came to this township, John Garn being one of the party. i\fter remaining at Chamber's mill, on the river, about one week, they followed the westward trail, p^issed the Stultz improvement, and finally arrived at the cabin of Gilbreath Stewart, where they were received until a cabin was completed. In the course of a couple of weeks the log frame was covered, and the family, consisting of five persons, moved in. No chimney had yet been built, and the cooking was done on the outside, except in rainy weather, when smoke was left to find its way through the cracks in the sides and roof.

David Vernon moved to this township in the fall of 1829, and his son-in-law, Mr. Campbell, immediately set to work to make an imnrovement. Mr. Vernon was a retired Scotch merchant, a bred gentleman, and stood high in the regard of the early citizens of Lower Sandusky, where he lived for a time. An incident once occurred in Olmsted's store which shows that the spirit of Puritan Scotland had not forsaken him, even in this wicked border town. Judge Howland, a man habitually profane in conversation, became provoked, and swore terribly. As soon as Howland had left the group, Vernon, then a late immigrant, with an expression of surprise and indignation, enqun-ed:

It is said that when the family were moving to this township they stopped at the Klutz cabin, where an interesting situation of affairs can be imagined. The Scotch people made several enquiries which the good Dutch people of that home were unable to understand. After enthusiastic gesticulation on both sides, an understanding was finally arrived at. A bountiful supper was spread, and although the guests could not understand their hosts, or the contrary, their friendship became mutual. The Vernons were all good people, but unfortunate. Sickness afflicted them and two of them died. A small lot was set apart for a burying-ground, which has since become a pubHc cemetery - the Metzger cemetery, in Scott township. David Klutz was buried in this graveyard in 1834.

John Gam made an improvement on Mud Creek. He was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county with the Klutz family. Here he married Catharine Garn, a second cousin. He built a saw-mill on Mud Creek, which has long since been abandoned.

John Waggoner first settled within the limits of this township but soon moved down the creek, and is more properly classed with the pioneers of Washington township.

These few settlements attracted the attention of the many emigrants then seeking homes. It now began to appear that the swamp wilderness could be made a fit place for the habitation of man. The spring of 1832 brought from Pennsylvania, and from the counties of Central and Southern Ohio family after family. The scenes of a decade earlier in York and Townsend, had now become the every day life of the "Black Swamp" country. It is impossible in the scope of this book to sketch every family that came to the township. But it is due to those who endured the toil and bore the self-sacrifice of pioneer life, that their names should be preserved to posterity.

George Overmyer, a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio and settled in Perry county, in 1804, and lived there until 1829, when he came to Sandusky county, and settled soon after in this township, near the centre. Lewis Overmyer joined him in the spring of 1832. Both were highly respected citizens. Daniel Overmyer died March 28, 1859, leaving a family of ten children - six boys and four girls.

father, and has been a resident all his life, except about ten years, during which he lived in Washington township. He married, in 1838, Elizabeth Overmyer, by whom he had six children, two of whom are living - Joel and George W. She died in 1849. ^^ married for his second wife, in 1854, Harriet Coon, whose father, Adam Coon, settled in this township in 1853. William H., Charles L., Cornelius K. and Adam N. are the children by his second wife. Mr. Overmyer has held nearly all the local official trusts within the gift of the people of his township.

John Moomy, a native of Pennsylvania, came with his parents to Pickaway county, Ohio. In 1830 he came to this township, where he has resided since that time. He has helped to improve the township and seen it transformed from a wilderness into a garden of plenty. He married Elizabeth Abbott, who gave birth to seven children, five of whom are still living.

John Mpwry was one of the first to penetrate the damp and unbroken woodlands of the southern part of Jackson. He was born m Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, being the fifth of a family of eleven children. He married, in 1831, Eliza Gear, born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1810. The fruit of this union was nine children, five of whom are living - William A., Aaron J., Absalom, Sarah E., and Amos G. Mr. Mowry is the type of the real pioneer. He saw in the uninviting swamp, to which he came in 1832, rich possibilities^ and all his energies were devoted to the development of them.

Hugh and Mary (Huff) lams, both natives of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, emigrated with their family to Franklin county, Ohio, in the year 181 1. In 1832 they came to Sandusky county and settled in Jackson, where Mr. lams died in 1838. The family consisted of ten children, four boys and six girls. Jasper lams, the fifth child, was born in Franklin county, in 1821. In 1844 he married Mary A. Moomy, of this township, and lived here until 1857, when he moved to Washington township, his present residence. Mr. lams' family consists of eleven children, four boys and seven girls. Their names are as follows: Harriet, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Minerva, Sarah, Franklin, Russell, Jesse, Marcella and Etta.

Michael and Eleanor Shawl emigrated to Ohio in 1822 and settled in Seneca county. Two years later they removed to Sandusky township, this county, but made final settlement in Jackson, in 1832. Seven children of the family are living viz: Margaret (Remsburg), Illinois; Elizabeth (Michaels), Indiana; Sophia (Remsburg), Seneca county ; George W., Jackson township, Vincent, Illinois; Melissa (Vandersall), Seneca county, and Caroline (Overmyer), Scott township. George W. Shawl was born in Sandusky township in 1832. He married in 1854, Mahala Havens. The fruit of this union was six children, five of whom are living. John W., Alamina, Birchard, Hattie, and Edwin. Caroline Shawl was born in 1843. She was married to Benjamin Franklin Overmyer in 1862. Their family consists of two children living - WiUiam G. and Hattie. B. F. Overmyer died in February, 1879, aged thirty-nine years. He was a son of Hugh and Eleanor Overmyer, of Jackson township. His mother is still living in Huron county.

George Gier, a native of Carlisle, Penn:- sylvania, came to the township in 1832 and settled near the site of Burgoon crossing. His descendants have all left the township.

Hugh Mitchel, a brother-in-law of Eewis Overmyer, came in about the same time. He was one of the most useful men of the times. His presence seemed necessary at every log-rolling and raising, where, all recognizing his superior tact, placed themselves under his command. His familiar voice sounding the "Heave, oh, heave" had a peculiar inspiring effect. He was not one of those rural generals who insulted a jolly crowd by imperious commands, but always with a good natured "Come on, boys," led the way. Nor did he ever refuse the heaviest handspike. But an untimely death deprived the community of his services. While holding the handspike he called out, "Take care of me," and in a few minutes expired. His son, William Mitchel, is still a resident of the township. He was born in Perry county, in 1832, and in 1850 married Sarah J. Stewart. The fruit of this union was five children, two of whom are living - -Charles E. and Austin. Mr. Mitchel served in this township as trustee a number of years.

George Roberts removed from Perry county, Ohio, and settled in Jackson township in 1833. He remained a resident here until his death, in 1880. The family consisted of seven children. John Roberts, of Washington township, and a son of George Roberts, was born in this township in 1835. ^^ ^^^7 he married Louisa Hufford. Their family consists of six children - Annie, Edwin, William, George, Hettie, and Sarah.

Samuel dinger removed from Hocking county, Ohio, to Jackson, in 1833, and was one of the first settlers of the eastern part of the township, on Wolf Creek. He was married in 1831 to Anna Hite, who, with their oldest son, John H., came with him to the new home, which has been his residence since that time. The other three children - Mary A., Sarah, and

Elizabeth J. - were born in this township. Mrs. CHnger died June i, 1873. John H., born in 1832, their only son, lost his first wife, Mary A. Ridley, whom he married in 1856, in 1865. He married for his second wife, August, 1868, Sarah M. Wise. His children are Daniel M., Samuel J., and Estella. Mrs. dinger had by her first husband one child, Emma A. (O'Bryan).

About 1835 ^^^ Hite family removed from Fairfield county and settled in the southeastern part of this township, where representatives of the family are still living. Isaac Hite, sr., was the father of five sons, all of whom settled, lived, and died in Jackson township, with one exception, Isaac, who died in Michigan in 1881. Their names were : Abraham, John, Isaac, Thomas, and Martin. There were also five daughters: Anna became the wife of Samuel dinger; Sarah married Jesse Holt; Polly, and Nelly (Eldridge); Betsy married David Hill, and lives at Green Spring, she being the only survivor of the family. Isaac Hite, sr., married a second time. Seven children by this marriage are living.

Abraham Hite came with his parents, and lived where his son Thomas now resides, from X842 until his death in 1858. He mairied Susan Bruner, a native of Pennsylvania. But one of their children is .living.

Thomas A. Hite, son of Abraham Hite, was born in this township in 1840. In 1862 he married Catharine King, by whom he had two children, one of whom, George W., is living. For his second wife, in 1867, he married Sophia King, born in Seneca county in 1844, by whom he has three children - RoUand D., Myra S., and Cora E. Mr. and Mrs. Hite are both working members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Hite is a carpenter, and has worked at his trade about five

Jacob Winter came from York county, Pennsylvania, to Oliio, in 1830, and settled in \Vayne county, where he remained until 1833, when he removed to this township. From that time to the present he has been a leading citizen of the county, and taken an important part in the affairs of his community.

Francis M. Winter was born in 1845. He married, in 1866, Samantha Fry, daughter of George Fry, of this township. They have one child, William F. Mr. Winter served in the army. He was a member of company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth regiment Ohio National Guards, from May 2, 1864, until September 4, 1864.

Another of the settlers of 1833 was Peter Whitmore, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1801. He was a resident of the township until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1875. He was accompanied to the county by his wife, Catharine Stofer, whom he married in 1832. The fruit of this union was seven children - six boys and one girl - Joseph, Fulton county; Jacob, Jackson township; Samuel, Michigan; Levi, deceased; John, deceased; Andrew, Fremont; and Susanna (Smith), Fulton county.

Peter Warner, a son of Jacob Warner, was born in Union county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 182 1. The family emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Wayne county in 1826, and remained there until about the year 1833, the time of coming to this township. Peter Warner has been married twice, first to Susannah Ickes; she died in 1863. He married, in 1866, Elizabeth Lockland. The family consists of three children - John M., Aaron N., and Howard M. Mr. Warner is a carpenter, and worked at that trade until

Andrew Svvickard was brought with his parents from Washington county, Pennsylvania, to Franklin county, Ohio, when he was quite young. In 1833 he made an improvement in Jackson, and removed here with his family. The first campmeeting in the township was held on his farm. He died in 1849. Of a family of four children but one is still living. Daniel, the second child, was born in Franklin county in 1824. He married Harriet Metzger, who died in 1850. He married in 185 1, for his second wife, Sarah A. Garn, who was born in Washington township in 1834. His family consisted of eleven -children, seven of whom are still living. Their names are as follows : Marietta (Vandersall), Jackson; Huldah (Cramer), Fremont; and a son who died an infant. These were by Mr. Swickard's first wife. By his second wife: Margaret M. (Havens), Jackson; Perry D., Scott; Elba J., Jackson; Isaac, died, aged eight years; Eli, Jackson; Deborah (Dudgeon), Scott; Clark died at the age of two months and seventeen days; and another son died in infancy.

This brief notice of the settlers of 1833 cannot be closed without speaking of the Havens family. Henry Havens was born in New Jersey in 1809. At an early age his father moved to Ohio. In 1832 Henry married Sarah lames, and chose for his home the then new country of Jackson township, where he moved soon after. He and his wife bore a full share of the labor and self-sacrifice of pioneer life. Mr. Havens, after serving his community and family faithfully, "closed the earth chapter of life in 1853," at the age of forty-four years. His wife preceded him two years. William J. Havens, oldest child of Henry Havens, was born in this county December 13,

1833. He married Ann M. Paden, who was born in this county the same year. The fruit of this union was ten children, eight of whom are still living. Mr. Havens served his township as treasurer for a period of ten years.

Birchard Havens was born August 16, 1846. He married, in 1867, Elizabeth C. Overmyer, daughter of Lewis Overmyer, They have four children - Clara, Harriet, Myrta, and Adella, ail of whom except Myrta are still living.

Six children of the family of Henry Havens survive, viz: William J., Hugh, Mahala (Shawl), Birchard, Orra (Stahl), Jackson township; and Mary J. (Carr), Michigan.

The township after 1833 filled up rapidly with an industrious class of people, whose axes made the forests ring in every direction. Roads were laid out and the natural water course_s cleared of logs and underbrush, so that the fertile soil became dry and ready for the plow. During the winter and spring few days passed without a raising or log-rolling somewhere. Later in the spring the evening sky, in all directions, reflected the leaping flames of burning logs and brush. There is something romantic and fascinating in the imagined scene, but when all the realities of that period of work and privation are contemplated, the picture loses its agreeable cheerfulness. Looking from this distance we are too apt to see in fancy only the spectres outlined on a background of dull horizon, by curling smoke from clearing fires. It is well to appreciate the poetry of pioneer times, for it is the gold which occupies small fissures in the great granite mass of that life.

We will notice briefly a few of the representative families who have become citizens of Jackson since the period of early settlement, which we have arbitrarily fixed at previous to 1833.

Elijah Voorhies, a native of Hamilton, New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio in 1834, and settled in the eastern part of the township, where he lived until his death, February 11, 1863. His family consisted of ten children, eight of whom are still living - five boys and three girls. Oliver D., the ninth child, lives on the homestead on which his father settled in 1834. He was born July 12, 1843. August 22, 1863, he married Lucina Schoch, who died in 1871. In 1872 he married, for his second wife, Sophia Stahl. The fruit of both marriages is five children - Mary J., Vernon B., Benjamin W., George and Frederick.

John Doll, a native of Pennsylvania came to Ohio in 1834, with his family, and settled near the centre of this town, ship, where he lived until his death, in 187 1. He was married in Penn. sylvania to Catharine Day Hoff, by whom he had a family of eleven children, seven boys and four girls. Samuel, the sixth child, was born in 1835. In 1859 he married Mary A. Hummel, whose father George Hummel, settled in this township in 1833. Eleven children blessed this union, viz: Artemus J., Mary C., Harmanus, John Leroy, Lucy M., Eddie, George W., Elsie E., Orvill, Arvilda, and Estella. Harmanus, John Leroy, Eddie and George W. are dead.

Daniel Mo wry removed from Pennsyl. vania to Stark county, Ohio, in 1823, and after a residence there of several years he removed to Wayne, whence, in 1834, he came to Sandusky county. His son Samuel, who was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in 1820, married, in 1844, Rebecca J. Rosenberger, and is father of a family of five children living, viz: Sarah J., George W., Michael N., Alice I., and Milan E. One son died in the army, Henry A., the oldest.

Perry county, Ohio, where he remained until 1835, when he removed to Jackson township, where he resided till the time of his death, in 1875. His family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are still living - George, Peter, Minerva, Mahala, Francis, Mary A., and Oscar. Peter, the second son, was born in 1828, in Perry county. He has been a resident of Jackson ever since the settlement of his family here. He married, in 1856, Sarah A. Hodgson. Their family consists of one child, William A., who married, in 1878, Sylvia A. Powell. Mr. William Kenan has a fine collection of Indian relics.

William Fisher, a soldier of the War of 181 2, was born in \'irginia in 1789. He settled in Jackson township in 1836. He had previously lived in Perry county, where his first wife, whose maiden name was Jane Anderson, died in 1833, leaving five children living: James A., in Colorado; George W., Harriet H. (Fought), Margaret (Hummel), and Mary E. (Hufford), this county. Mr. Fisher married for 'his second wife, in 1833, Mary Mc- Cullough. The fruit of this union was eleven children, six of whom are living, viz: Belinda (Miller), William T., Thomas H., Peter B., Sarah (Klotz), and Flora. Six of Mr. Fisher's sons served in the army - William T., Thomas H., John, and Austin T. in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Sardis B. and Peter B. in the one hundred days' service. Mr. Fisher died in 1872. George W., the oldest son living in this county, was born m 1 81 9. In 1844 he married Clara Black, and has a family of three children living - Rhoda J. (Hathaway), John C, and William F. John C. Fisher was born in 1848. He married Celia Moore in 1873. They have five children - Claude, Guy, Webb, James, and Maud.

northwestern part of Jackson township. He was the father of six sons and five daughters. Five sons and four daughters are yet hving. All of the sons, excepting the oldest, were in the army. The sons are: Josiah, Steuben county, Indiana; William C, Wood county; Samuel, Jackson township; James H., died in the war; Silas C, Blackhawk county, Iowa; and Francis M., Jackson township. The daughters are: Mary Ellen (Robbins), Indiana; Margaret (Grimes), St. Joseph county, Michigan ; Eliza Jane (Rickle), Berry county, Michigan; and Elizabeth Ann (Garn), Steuben county, Indiana. Martha died in Pennsylvania when about two years old. Samuel Boor was born in Pennsylvania the year before the family came to Ohio. He married, in 1S69, Mary E. Snyder, and settled on a farm in Scott township. They have three children - Mary, Jessie, and John. Mr. Boor served throughout the war as a member of the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Francis M. Boor, youngest of the eleven children of William Boor, was horn in Jackson township in 1845. He married Elizabeth N. King in 1867, daughter of George King. Their family consists of two children - Charlotte and Charles.

Peter Nickles was born in France in 1815. He emigrated from that country in 1836, and, after stopping a short time in New York, settled in Jackson township in the fall of the same year. In 1858 he settled on his present farm in Washington township. He married Sarah Joseph in 1845, who has borne eleven children, viz: Sophia (Hufford), Washington township; Mary A., deceased; Christina (Mapes), Iowa; Margaret (Wengert), deceased; Sarah (Ross), Fremont; John G., Washington township; Anna, deceased; Jennie C, Lydia E., George H., and Minnie.

family to Wayne county, and subsequently settled in Jackson township, where they still reside. They were originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but came to this State from Pennsylvania. John was born in Baltimore in 1808. He came to Wayne county in 1826, and to Jackson township in 1836. Two years later he married Catharine Crites, a native of Stark county. Ten children blessed this union: Valentine, x\braham (deceased), Isaac, Jacob, Elizabeth, Mary C. (deceased), William, Lydia, Mary, and John. Before coming to this county Mr. Shale worked at the carpenter trade.

Isaac Shale, the third child of John Shale, was born in Jackson township in 1 84 1. He married first Barbara Myers in 1865, who died in 1870, aged twentyeight years. He married for his second wife, in 187 I, Lavina Clapper. The children by the first marriage were: William F., Ida E., and Samuel C; by the second, Solomon C. and Harvey L. Mr. Shale, besides his farming operations, was in the grain trade at Burgoon for about three years.

Nicholas Shale, jr., was born in Baltimore in 1 8 10. About 1835 he came to Ohio, and in 1836 settled in Jackson township. For his first wife he married Elizabeth Herring, a native of Bedford, Pennsylvania, who bore one child, now dead. His second wife is Mary Herring, a sister of the first. They have had no children. The Shale family are all members of the Evangelical Association.

John Vandersall has been living on the same farm since 1838. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 18 14. His father, Jacob Vandersall, removed to Stark county in 18 18. In 1837 Mr. Vandersall married Susan Kaler, a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1838 he settled on the farm, where he now resides. The family consisted of eight children, four of whom survive: Jacob, William, John and George. Two sons were in the late war. Jacob Vandersall, jr., was born in Stark county in 1818. He married in 1842, Lucetta Hair, and the following year settled in Jackson township. The fruit of this union was two children - Isaiah and Maria. Isaiah married for his first wife, Mary J. Feasel. After her death he married for his second wife Mary E. Swickard.

Samuel and Elizabeth Ludwig with their family removed from Berks county, Pennsylvania, to Crawford] county, Ohio, in 183 1. Jeremiah, the second child, was born in Berks county, in'iSti. 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 bjrn in Berks county, Pennsylvania, in t826_ In 1857 he married Anna Townsend, of Erie county, and two years later settled on the farm on which he now resides. Mrs. Ludwig died in 1864. In 1875 '^^ married Loretta Hodgson, by whom two 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 |)eople, 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 1 8 14. 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 townshi]). 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, Mary C. Weible, and settled on a farm in Scott township. Their family consists of three children, - Agnes R., Lawrence, and Jacob. Henry Hoffman was born in Loteringen, in 181 3. 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. Si.x 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 to 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 \Villiam 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 tVom 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. ^'^ married, in 1864, Rebecca Carr, a daughter of James Carr, of Ballville township. The fruit of this union was four children, only one of whom is living - Maria B. Mr. Lease owned the saw-mill at Jackson for about six years.

Samuel M. Smith was born in Wayne county, Ohio, in 1825. He married, in 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. Li 1S43 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 inthistownship, 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), Ballville; 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 township in 1853. He married, in 1875, Clara B. Hunlock, and has one child - John C.

Frederick Miller, a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, came to America and settled in New York in 1828. In 1854 he came to Ohio and settled in this township. He married, in 1S31, Sarah Hoil, a native of Pennsylvania, and has a family of five children living - Christian F., William S., Sarah, John R., and Frederick C. Christian, 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, MagdaHne, 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 187 1. In 1866 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" 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 sneakmg 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," dirrected 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 bv^en 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 which, 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 Garn, 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 Muskallonge, 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, 1853. There were at that time five school-houses. Eightythree dollars were ordered expended on 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 187 1 ; a building was erected the same year at a cost of si.x 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 estabHsh 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 ^""^ 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 remam.

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 Loom is, 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 Garn.

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 the chapter on Washington.

Religious Societies

There are in this township seven churches, and it is with pleasure we chronicle 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 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. Jeremiah Brown occasionally preached here. After Jacob Winter settled on Muskallonge, 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. Ranisey, 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, in the 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'sand 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 Leffler 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 about 1840, and the class took the name of its faithful leader, and was called, and is yet commonly known, as Shale's class. A new house of worship, known as Zion's church, was erected in 1867, at a cost of twenty-five hundred dollars. Rev. Daniel Stroman was then the preacher in charge. During the winter following the building of the new church, an awakening revival 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 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 cost of twenty-three hundred dollars. This class also belongs to the Bettsville circuit.

Catholic

There is in the northwestern [)art 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 Miller, John Rumble, Casper Foos, George Rush, John Newberg, Leodegan Lehman, Benjamin Ontrich, George Strassel, and Andy Foos.

The congregation was organized by Father Engly. Succeeding pastors have been: Fathers Folm, Barber, Young, Litters, SproU, 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 1878 a new parsonage was built, which cost two thousand dollars. In 187 1, during 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 farming. In 1826 he married Catharine Wiley, of Mercer county.

In 1 83 1 Mr. Rozell left New Jersey and came to Jackson township, Sandusky county, and purchased the farm upon which he passed the remainder of his day.s. 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 woods. 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 w-ife 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 restricted themselves to the necessaries of life. They made sugar from the maples for the family use, and strove to curtail expenses in every way.

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 of 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 181 2. Her father also served in the War of 181 2. Robert Bay married Tama Ann Phillis, of Pennsylvania. Mr.s. 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 filth 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 reproach, 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.

Source changes here: from History of Sandusky County, Ohio : with Portraits and Biographies of Prominent Citizens and Pioneers, by Everett, Homer, published 1882; 10,452 words in this source stream.

Jackson Township

Section sixteen in township four, range fourteen, Jackson township, was sold in September, 1837, for an average price of two dollars and sixty cents per acre.

The Sale Of School Lots In Croghansville How Proceeds Of Sales Are Disposed

The proceeds of all these sales are paid into the State Treasury and constitute an irreducible debt or fund on which the State pays six per cent, interest annually to the county; the interest is then credited to the county school fund, and by the county auditor the amount arising from each section sixteen sold is credited to the township school fund of each surveyed township, and then distributed to the subschool districts according to the respective enumerations of the children entitled to the privileges of the common schools residing therein.

The total amount of the proceeds arising from the sale of school lands, now in the State Treasury to the credit of Sandusky county, is thirty-three thousand two hundred and fifteen dollars and fifty cents, producing annually one thousand nine hundred and ninety-two dollars and eighty-seven cents to be applied to the support of schools and distributed as above mentioned.

There is yet to be paid over to the State the further sum of three hundred and seventy-five dollars and twenty-two cents, being amounts due from purchasers who are delinquent in payment for their lands. When this delinquency shall be paid over to the State, as doubtless it soon will be, the total amount on which the county can draw interest will be thircythree thousand five hundred and eightynine dollars and twenty-two cents. The annual interest then to be drawn from the State for the support of schools, as long as the State may exist, will be two thousand and fifteen dollars and thirty-eight cents. This fund, under the law, is applied to the payment of teachers only, and as the law stands cannot be applied to any other purpose. The cost of building school-houses and all expenses of public or common schools, excepting wages of teachers, are paid out of money raised by taxation on the localities respectively. A further mention of this subject will fall properly under the chapter on schools, and may be mentioned there.

If these school lands had remained undisposed of until the present time, and were sold at present prices they would have brought not less than an average price of twenty dollars per acre, or an aggregate of seventy thousand four hundred dollars, yielding annually, at six per cent., the sum of four thousand two hundred and four dollars.

Whether the early selling of these lands was wise or unwise is a question useless to discuss at this time, but if anyone should feel inclined to charge imprudence on the pioneers and early settlers in the disposition of the land, there are some considerations in mitigation of any blame to be charged, if indeed there be not a complete justification.

The early settlers were poor; they desired to have their children educated, and needed the help which the interest on these sales afforded, in the support of schools. They were here making the roads, clearing away the forests, and undergoing many hardships not experienced by the present inhabitants. These early inhabitants might be compared to a young man in possession of a little sum of money, which, if invested at good interest, would make him an ample fortune in old age, but he has no other means, and is hungry; bread he must have even if it costs all he has, and though he give all and save himself, his money is well spent, even if his anticipation as to a future fortune must be all dissipated. These pioneers did well to begin as they did, to start the cause of education at an early day, though they sacrificed prospective pecuniary gain in doing so. Another fact should be considered, which is, that with the obligation on the part of the State to pay annual interest at six per cent., there is a time coming when, if summed up, the payments will overtake and far surpass any value the land can ever attain.

AT a session of the county commissioners, held in December, 1829, township four, range fourteen was constituted a separate town, with corporate powers and privileges. The name was conferred in honor of the celebrated general, who was then serving his first year as President of the United States. For several years after settlement began in the county, this township and its western and northern neighbors seemed a blot upon the face of the earth. The black surface earth, by its own robe of dense forest and luxuriant undergrowth of shrubs and grasses, had entirely excluded the light and heat of the sun. Vegetable gases rested upon the surface, undisturbed by a troubled atmosphere, and year by year the soil was absorbing chemical elements which, under cultivation, have made large houses and fat bank accounts.

But before the period of clearing and grubbing, all this level tract was a continuous marsh, and where now heavy ears of corn are bowing to the ground, fifty years ago only muskrats and snakes were able to live.

The general surface slope of the township is toward the northeast, the three principal streams - Wolf Creek, Muskallonge, and Mud Creek - flowing in that direction. The valleys of these streams are scarcely perceptible, and the channels are shallow.

A heavy stratum of limestone underlies the black vegetable earth, mixed with decomposed particles worn from the rock surface during the glacial period of geological . history. The lime element greatly increases the productiveness of the soil. Long before man appeared on the face of the earth, and while this sheet of limestone rock w.as yet uncovered, huge mountains of ice, bearing at their base massive ledges of northern rocks, were slowly forced southward. . These hard fragments of a harder and deeper stratum, called boulders, moved under great pressure, and ground from the native limestone surface a powder which,- when a warmer age had reduced the glaciers to water, formed the basis of our fertile soil. A belt of boulders across the township marks the path of one of these moving ice mountains. These boulders came from north of Canada, and were transported more than a thousand miles. But this subject can not be understood without a general knowledge of the science of geology. The facts of geological history are as plainly and unmistakably written in the structure and conformation of the rocks as the events of human history are recorded on tablets and scrolls.

Nowhere is the relation between natural resources and industrial progress better shown than in Jackson township. A territory which fifty years ago was an unreclaimed wilderness will now compare favorably in improvement and wealth with any similar agricultural district in Ohio. In the winter of 1828 the first road was cut through the woods, and, by means of logs and brush, made passable for a wagon from Muskallonge to the Sandusky River. Piked roads now accommodate every corner of the township. Large, well-repaired houses and barns are evidence to the stranger of the productiveness of the soil and prosperity of the farmers.

Stone is quarried in several places. The ballasting of the two railroads which cross at Burgoon comes from these quarries, and large quantities are used on the public highways.

Original Proprietorship

The first entries of land within the limits of township four, range fourteen, were recorded in 1828, and the last entry was made in 1852. Many changes of ownership took place at the beginning and during the period of early settlement, so that the man who made the first purchase did not, in every case, make the first improve ment. But no improvements, except temporary squatter shanties, were made before the entries. Settlement, in most cases, followed soon after the transfer from the Government. The following table will, therefore, show in a general way the date and location of improvements, as well as give the names, among others, of most of the early settlers. Many early settlers, however, purchased wild land at second hand; their names, therefore, do not appear in this list: lin county where they remained until 1828. That year Peter, first, and then Henry, erected cabins and removed their families to Muskallonge, near the bridge on the Greenesburg pike. They were not, however, left long to the solitary enjoyment of forest life. Others soon followed their trail and pushed even further into the uninviting wilds, to the banks of Mud Creek. The creek lands were dryest, and consequently were the first chosen. Gilbreath Stewart was the probable builder of the third cabin. He located near the Mud Creek bridge, on the Greenesburg pike. There was at that time no road in the township. Settlers made their wavthrough the woods as best they could, now and then cutting down a tree where it was impossible to get between. In the winter of 1828 the county commissioners, on the petition of Henry Stultz, granted a public road from Muskallonge to Chamber's mill on the Sandusky River. This road was cut through that winter, the logs and brush being used to bridge the swamp. Henry Stultz erected on his lot a saw-mill. This was a high water mill, the water in Muskallonge during most of the year not being sufficient to drive the machinery.

In the spring of 1829, David Klotz* removed his family from Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and came to tins township, John Garn being one of the party. After remaining at Chamber's mill, on the river, about one week, they followed the westward trail, passed the Stultz improvement, and finally arrived at the cabin of Gilbreath Stewart, where they were received until a cabin was completed. In the course of a couple of weeks the log frame was covered, and the family, consisting of I five persons, moved in. No chimney had yet been built, and the cooking was done on the outside, except in rainy weather, when smoke was left to find its way ! through the cracks in the sides and roof.

David Vernon moved to this township in the fall of 1829, and his son-in-law, Mr. Campbell, immediately set to work to make an improvement. Mr. Vernon was a retired Scotch merchant, a bred gentlei man, and stood high in the regard of the I early citizens of Lower Sandusky, where ; he lived for a time. An incident once ocj curred in Olmsted's store which shows ; that the spirit of Puritan Scotland had 1 not forsaken him, even in this wicked border town. Judge Howland, a man habitually profane in conversation, became pro- 1 voked, and sw'ore terribly. As soon as Howfiand had left the group, Vernon, then , a late immigrant, with an expression of sur- I prise and indignation, enquired:

| On being informed that that was his j office, the high-bred Scot continued: i " Indade, saire, and you mak' such I mon judge in this America! In Scotland, saire, they wud scarcly allow him to ba a i wetness."

It is said that when the family w-ere ! moving to this township they stopped at the Klutz cabin, where an interesting sit- uation of affairs can be imagined. The j Scotch people made several enquiries ; which the good Dutch people of that j home were unable to understand. After i enthusiastic gesticulation on both sides,

A bountiful supper was spread, and al- : though the guests could not understand their hosts, or the contrary, their friendship became mutual. The Vernons were | all good people, but unfortunate. Sickness afflicted them and twro of them | died. A small lot was set apart for a burying-ground, which has since become a public cemetery - the Metzger cemetery, in Scott township. David Klutz was buried in this graveyard in 1834.

John Gam made an improvement on Mud Creek. He was a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, and came to this county with the Klutz family. Here he married Catharine Garn, a second cousin. He built a saw-mill on Mud Creek, which has long since been abandoned.

John Waggoner first settled within the limits of this township but soon moved down the creek, and is more properly classed with the pioneers of Washington township.

These few settlements attracted the attention of the many emigrants then seeking homes. It now began to appear that the swamp wilderness could be made a fit place for the habitation of man. The spring of 1832 brought from Pennsylvania, and from the counties of Central and Southern Ohio family after family. The scenes of a decade earlier in York and Townsend, had now become the every day life of the "Black Swamp" country.

It is impossible in the scope of this book to sketch every family that came to the township. But it is due to those who endured the toil and bore the self-sacrifice of pioneer life, that their names should be preserved to posterity.

George Overmyer, a native of Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, came to Ohio and settled in Perry county, in 1804, and lived there until 1829, when he i came to Sandusky county, and settled soon after in this township, near the centre. Lewis Overmyer joined him in the spring of 1832. Both were highly respected citizens. Daniel Overmyer died March 28, 1859, leaving a family of ten children - - six boys and four girls.

father, and has been a resident all his life, except about ten years, during which he lived in Washington township. He married, in 1838, Elizabeth Overmyer, by whom he had six children, two of whom are living - Joel and George W. She died in 1849. He married for his second wife, in 1854, Harriet Coon, whose father, Adam Coon, settled in this township in 1853. William H., Charles L., Cornelius K. and Adam N. are the children by his second wife. Mr. Overmyer has held nearly all the local official trusts within the gift of the people of his township.

John Moomy, a native of Pennsylvania, came with his parents to Pickaway county, Ohio. In 1830 he came to this township, where he has resided since that time. He has helped to improve the township and seen it transformed from a wilderness into a garden of plenty. He married Elizabeth Abbott, who gave birth to seven children,

John Mowry was one of the first to penetrate the damp and unbroken woodlands of the southern part of Jackson. He was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1808, being the fifth of a family of eleven children. He married, in 1831, Eliza Gear, born in Cumberland county, Pennsylvania, in 1810. The fruit of this union was nine children, five of whom are living - William A., Aaron J., Absalom, Sarah E., and Amos G. Mr. Mowry is the type of the real pioneer. He sawr in the uninviting swamp, to which he came in 1832, rich possibilities, and all his energies were devoted to the development of them.

Hugh and Mary (Huff) lams, both natives of Bedford count}-, Pennsylvania, emigrated with their family to Franklin county, Ohio, in the year 1811. In 1832 they came to Sandusky county and settled in Jackson, where Mr. lams died in 183S. The family consisted of ten children, four boys and six girls. Jasper lams, the fifth child, was born in Franklin county, in 1821. In 1844 he married Mary A. Moomy, of this township, and lived here until 1857, when he moved to Washington township, his present residence. Mr. lams' family consists of eleven children, four boys and seven girls. Their names are as follows: Harriet, Elizabeth, John, Mary, Minerva, Sarah, Franklin, Russell, Jesse, Marcella and Etta.

Michael and Eleanor Shawl emigrated to Ohio in 1822 and settled in Seneca county. Two years later they removed to Sandusky township, this county, but made final settlement in Jackson, in 1832. Seven children of the family are living viz: Margaret (Remsburg), Illinois; Elizabeth (Michaels), Indiana; Sophia (Remsburg), Seneca county ; George W., Jackson township, Vincent, Illinois; Melissa (Vandersall), Seneca county, and Caroline (Overmyer), Scott township. George W. Shawl was born in Sandusky township in 1832. He married in 1854, Mahala Havens. The fruit of this union was six children, five of whom are living. John W., Alamina, Birchard, Hattie, and Edwin. Caroline Shawl was born in 1843. She was married to Benjamin Franklin Overmyer in 1862. Their family consists of two children living - William G. and Hattie. B.F. Overmyer died in February, 1879, j aged thirty-nine years. He was a son of | Hugh and Eleanor Overmyer, of Jackson township. His mother is still living in Huron county.

George Gier, a native of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, came to the township in 1832 and settled near the site of Burgoon crossing. His descendants have all left the township.

Hugh Mitchel, a brother-in-law of Lewis Overmyer, came in about the same time. He was one of the most useful men of the times. His presence seemed necessary at every log-rolling and raising, where, all recognizing his superior tact, placed themselves under his command. His familiar voice sounding the " Heave, oh, heave" had a peculiar inspiring effect. He was not one of those rural generals who insulted a jolly crowd by imperious commands, but always with a good natured "Come on, boys," led the way. Nor did he ever refuse the heaviest handspike. But an untimely death deprived the community of his services. While holding the handspike he called out, "Take care of me," and in a few minutes expired. His son, William Mitchel, is still a resident of the township. He was born in Perry county, in 1832, and in 1850 married Sarah J. Stewart. The fruit of this union was five children, two of whom are living - Charles E. and Austin. Mr. Mitchel served in this township as trustee a number of years.

George Roberts removed from Perry county, Ohio, and settled in Jackson township in 1833. He remained a resident here until his death, in 1880. The family consisted of seven children. John Roberts, of Washington township, and a son of George Roberts, was born in this township in 1835. In 1867 he married Louisa Hufford. Their family consists of six children - Annie, Edwin, William, George, Hettie, and Sarah.

Samuel Clinger removed from Hocking county, Ohio, to Jackson, in 1833, and ! was one of the first settlers of the eastern j part of the township, on Wolf Creek. He was married in 1831 to Anna Hite, who, with their oldest son, John H., came with him to the new home, which has been his residence since that time. The other three children - Mary A., Sarah, and

Elizabeth J. - were born in this township. Mrs. Clinger died June i, 1873. John H., born in 1832, their only son, lost his first wife, Mary A. Ridley, whom he married in 1856, in 1865. He married for his second wife, August, 1868, Sarah M. Wise. His children are Daniel M., Samuel J., and Estella. Mrs. Clinger had by her first husband one child, Emma A. (O'Bryan).

About 1835 t^ie Hite family removed from Fairfield county and settled in the southeastern part of this township, where representatives of the family are still living. Isaac Hite, sr., was the father of five sons, all of whom settled, lived, and died in Jackson township, with one exception, Isaac, who died in Michigan in 1881. Their names were : Abraham, John, Isaac, Thomas, and Martin. There were also five daughters: Anna became the wife of Samuel Clinger; Sarah married Jesse Holt; Polly, and Nelly (Eldridge); Betsy married David Hill, and lives at Green Spring, she being the only survivor of the family. Isaac Hite, sr., married a second time. Seven children by this marriage are living.

Abraham Hite came with his parents, and lived where his son Thomas now resides, from 1842 until his death in 1858. He married Susan Bruner, a native of Pennsylvania. But one of their children is living.

Thomas A. Hite, son of Abraham Hite, was born in this township in 1840. In 1862 he married Catharine King, by whom he had two children, one of whom, George W., is living. For his second wife, in 1867, he married Sophia King, born in Seneca county in 1844, by whom he has three children - Rolland D., Myra S., and Cora E. Mr. and Mrs. Hite are both working members of the United Brethren church. Mr. Hite is a carpenter, and has worked at his trade about five

Jacob Winter came from York county, Pennsylvania, to Ohio, in 1830, and settled in Wayne county, where he remained until 1833, when he removed to tiiis township. From that time to the present he has been a leading citizen of the county, and taken an important part in the affairs of his community.

Francis M. Winter was born in 1845. He married, in 1866, Samantha Fry, daughter of George Fry, of this township. They have one child, William F. Mr. Winter served in the army. He was a member of company H, One Hundred and Sixty-ninth regiment Ohio National Guards, from May 2, 1864, until September 4, 1864.

Another of the settlers of 1833 was Peter WTitmore, who was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, July 7, 1801. He was a resident of the township until the time of his death, which occurred in March, 1875. He was accompanied to the county by his wife, Catharine Stofer, whom he married in 1832. The fruit of this union was seven children - six boys and one girl - Joseph, Fulton county; Jacob, Jackson township; Samuel, Michigan; Levi, deceased; John, deceased; Andrew, Fremont; and Susanna (Smith), Fulton county.

Peter Warner, a son of Jacob Warner, was. born in Union county, Pennsylvania, April 15, 1821. The family emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Wayne county in 1826, and remained there until about the year 1833, the time of coming to this township. Peter Warner has been married twice, first to Susannah Ickes; she died in 1863. He married, in 1866, Elizabeth Lockland. The family consists of three children - John M., Aaron N., and Howard M. Mr. Warner is a carpenter, and worked at that trade until

Andrew Swickard was brought with his parents from Washington county, Pennsylvania, Co Franklin county, Ohio, when he was quite young. In 1833 he made an improvement in Jackson, and removed here with his family. The first campmeeting in the township was held on his farm. He died in 1849. Of a family of four children but one is still living. Daniel, the second child, was born in Franklin county in 1824. He married Harriet Metzger, who died in 1850. He married in 1851, for his second wife, Sarah A. Garn, who was born in Washington township in 1834. His family consisted of eleven children, seven of whom are still living. Their names are as follows : Marietta (Vandersall), Jackson; Huldah (Cramer), Fremont; and a son who died an infant. These were by Mr. Swickard's first wife. By his second wife: Margaret M. (Havens), Jackson; Perry D., Scott; Elba J., Jackson; Isaac, died, aged eight years; Eli, Jackson; Deborah (Dudgeon), Scott; Clark died at the age of two months and seventeen days; and another son died in infancy.

This brief notice of the settlers of 1833 cannot be closed without speaking of the Havens family. Henry Havens was born in New Jersey in 1809. At an early age his father moved to Ohio. In 1832 Henry married Sarah lames, and chose for his home the then new country of Jackson township, where he moved soon after. He and his wife bore a full share of the labor and self-sacrifice of pioneer life. Mr. Havens, after serving his community and family faithfully, "closed the earth chapter of life in 1853," at the age of forty-four years. His wife preceded him two years. William J. Havens, oldest child of Henry Havens, was born in this county December 13,

1833. He married Ann M. Paden, who was born in this county the same year. The fruit of this union was ten children, eight of whom are still living. Mr. Havens served his township as treasurer for a period of ten years.

Birchard Havens was born August 16, 1846. He married, in 1867, Elizabeth C. Overmyer, daughter of Lewis Overmyer, They have four children - Clara, Harriet, Myrta, and Adella, all of whom except Myrta are still living.

Six children of the family of Henry Havens survive, viz: William J., Hugh, Mahala (Shawl), Birchard, Orra (Stahl), Jackson township; and Mary J. (Carr), Michigan.

The township after 1833 filled up rapidly with an industrious class of people, whose axes made the forests ring in every direction. Roads were laid out and the natural water courses cleared of logs and underbrush, so that the fertile soil became dry and ready for the plow. During the winter and spring few days passed without a raising or log-rolling somewhere. Later in the spring the evening sky, in all directions, reflected the leaping flames of burning logs and brush. There is something romantic and fascinating in the imagined scene, but when all the realities of that period of work and privation are contemplated, the picture loses its agreeable cheerfulness. Looking from this distance we are too apt to see in fancy only the spectres outlined on a background of dull horizon, by curling smoke from clearing fires. It is well to appreciate the poetry of pioneer times, for it is the gold which occupies small fissures in the great granite mass of that life.

We will notice briefly a few of the representative families who have become citizens of Jackson since the period of early settlement, which we have arbitrarily fixed at previous to 1833.

Elijah Voorhies, a native of Hamilton, New Jersey, emigrated to Ohio in 1834, and settled in the eastern part of the township, where he lived until his death, February ii, 1863. His family consisted of ten children, eight of whom are still living - five boys and three girls. Oliver D., the ninth child, lives on the homestead on which his father settled in 1834. He was born July 12, 1843. August 22, 1863, he married Lucina Schoch, who died in 1871. In 1872 he married, for his second wife, Sophia Stahl. The fruit of both marriages is five children - Mary J., Vernon B., Benjamin W., George and Frederick.

John Doll, a native of Pennsylvania^ came to Ohio in 1834, with his family, and settled near the centre of this town, ship, where he lived until his death, in 1871. He was married in Penn, sylvania to Catharine Day Hoff, by whom he had a family of eleven children, seven boys and four girls. Samuel, the sixth child, was born in 1835. In 1859 he married Mary A. Hummel, whose father, George Hummel, settled in this township in 1833. Eleven children blessed this union, viz: Artemus J., Mary C\, Harmanus, John Leroy, Lucy M., Eddie, George YV., Elsie E., Orvill, Arvilda, and Estella. Harmanus, John Leroy, Eddie, and George W. are dead.

Daniel Mowry removed from Pennsyl. vania to Stark county, Ohio, in 1823, and after a residence there of several years he removed to Wayne, whence, in 1834, he came to Sandusky county. His son Samuel, who was born in Centre county, Pennsylvania, in 1820, married, in 1844, Rebecca J. Rosenberger, and is father of a family of five children living, viz: Sarah J., George W., Michael N., Alice I., and Milan E. One son died in the army, Henry A., the oldest.

Perry county, Ohio, where he remained until 1835, when he removed to Jackson township, where he resided till the time of his death, in 1875. His family consisted of eight children, seven of whom are still living - George, Peter, Minerva, Mahala, Francis, Mary A., and Oscar. Peter, the second son, was born in 1828, in Perry county. He has been a resident of Jackson ever since the settlement of his family here. He married, in 1856, Sarah A. Hodgson. Their family consists of one child, William A., who married, in 1878, Sylvia A. Powell. Mr. \YTilliam Kenan has a fine collection of Indian relics.

William Fisher, a soldier of the War of 1812, was born in Virginia in 1789. He settled in Jackson township in 1836. He had previously lived in Perry county, where his first wife, whose maiden name was Jane Anderson, died in 1833, leaving five children living: James A., in Colorado; George W., Harriet H. (Fought), Margaret (Hummel), and Mary E. (Hufford), this county. Mr. Fisher married for his second wife, in 1833, Mary Mc- Cullough. The fruit of this union was eleven children, six of whom are living, viz: Belinda (Miller), William T., Thomas H., Peter B., Sarah (Klotz), and Flora. Six of Mr. Fisher's sons served in the army - William T., Thomas H., John, and Austin T. in the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and Sardis B. and Peter B. in the one hundred days' service. Mr. Fisher died in 1872. George W., the oldest son living in this county, was born in 1819. In 1844 he married Clara Black, and has a family of three children living - Rhoda J. (Hathaway), John C., and William F. John C. Fisher was born in 1848. He married Celia Moore in 1873. They have five children - Claude, Guy, Webb, James, and Maud.

northwestern part of Jackson township. He was the father of six sons and five daughters. Five sons and four daughters are yet living. All of the sons, excepting the oldest, were in the army. The sons are: Josiah, Steuben county, Indiana; William C., Wood county; Samuel, Jackson township; James H., died in the war; -Silas C., Blackhawk county, Iowa; and Francis M., Jackson township. The daughters are: Mary Ellen (Robbins), Indiana; Margaret (Grimes), St. Joseph county, Michigan; Eliza Jane (Rickie), Berry county, Michigan; and Elizabeth Ann (Garn), Steuben county, Indiana. Martha died in Pennsylvania when about two years old. Samuel Boor was born in Pennsylvania the year before the family came to Ohio. He married, in 1869, Mary E. Snyder, and settled on a farm in Scott township. They have three children - Mary, Jessie, and John. Mr. Boor served throughout the war as a member of the Seventy-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. Francis M. Boor, youngest of the eleven children of William Boor, was born in Jackson township in 1845. He married Elizabeth N. King in 1867, daughter of George King. Their family consists of two children - Charlotte and Charles.

Peter Nickles was born in France in 1815. He emigrated from that country in 1836, and, after stopping a short time in New York, settled in Jackson township in the fall of the same year. In 1838 he settled on his present farm in Washington township. He married Sarah Joseph in 1845, wh° has borne eleven children, viz: Sophia (Hufford), Washington township; Mary A., deceased; Christina (Mapes), Iowa; Margaret (Wengert), deceased; Sarah (Ross), Fremont; John G., Washington township; Anna, deceased; Jennie C., Lydia E., George H., and Minnie.

family to Wayne county, and subsequently settled in Jackson township, where they still reside. They were originally from Baltimore, Maryland, but came to this State from Pennsylvania. John «Tas born in Baltimore in 1808. He came to Wayne county in 1826, and to Jackson township in 1836. Two years later he married Catharine Crites, a native of ! Stark county. Ten children blessed this union: Valentine, Abraham (deceased), Isaac, Jacob, Elizabeth, Mary C. (deceased), William, Lydia, Mary, and John. Before coming to this county Mr. Shale worked at the carpenter trade.

Isaac Shale, the third child of John Shale, was born in Jackson township in 1841. He married first Barbara Myers in 1865, who died in 1870, aged twenty- | eight years. He married for his second wife, in 1871, Lavina Clapper. The chil - j dren by the first marriage were: William F.,

Nicholas Shale, jr., was born in Baltimore in 1810. About 1835 he came to Ohio, and in 1836 settled in Jackson township. For his first wife he married Elizabeth Herring, a native of Bedford, Pennsylvania, who bore one child, now dead. His second wife is Mary Herring, a sister of the first. They have had no children. The Shale family are all mem- . bers of the Evangelical Association.

John Vandersall has been living on the same farm since 1838. He was born in Bedford county, Pennsylvania, in 1814. His father, Jacob Vandersall, removed to Stark county in 1818. In 1837 Mr. Vandersall married Susan Kaler, a native of Pennsylvania, and in 1838 he settled on the farm, where he now resides. The family consisted of eight children, four of whom survive: Jacob, William, John and George. Two sons were in the late war. Jacob Vandersall, jr. , was born in Stark county in 1818. He married in 1842, Lucetta Hair, and the following year settled in Jackson township. The fruit of this union was two children - Isaiah and Maria. Isaiah married for his first wife, Mary J. Feasel. After her death he married for his second wife Mary E. Swickard.