Palmer Township

Palmer Township

Palmer township was the last one organized in the county and dates its independent existence from 1854, previous to which time it had been known as North' Greensburg. It was named in honor of Judge Palmer, an eminent jurist who had served on the bench in Putnam county with universal satisfaction to the people of the county. The late organization of this township was due to the lack of a sufficient population to justify its creation.

Ittnam Cotntv, Ohio. I43

By the fall of 1854 the citizens resident within the proposed township satisfied the commissioners that the creation of a new township was necessary, and the commissioners accordingly ordered an election for January i, 1855. The thirteen voters selected the following corps of officials: John Frazee, John Kerns and John S. Welch, trustees; John Hamilton, treasurer; David Caldwell, clerk; John Kerns, justice of the peace; David Caldwell, constable. This combination of Johns and Davids started the township on its independent career, and although sixty years have come and gone since they were elected, yet many men are still living in the township who can recall these excellent citizens.

Palmer township is situated in what was then known as the "Black Swamp," a descriptive term which fitly explains the reason why the township was so slow in being settled. The beavers threw hundreds (jf trees across the sluggish North and South Powell creeks and the water, thus dammed up, spread over a goodly portion of the area of the township. Old residents can still recall how these unique dams had to be torn out before the land could be drained. Many }'ears elapsed before the streams were cleared of the obstructions in such a way that artificial drainage could be secured to any advantage. At the present time nearly all of the township has been brought under cultivation and no better land is to be found in the county than that which was until, a few years ago covered with from one to two feet of water.

The present .Palmer township officers are as follows : Justices of the peace, George A. Alt and John S. Schaf er ; trustees, Martin Gebhardt, Laurence Seimet and James Troyer ; clerk, William R. Stuber ; treasurer, C. C. Schaf er ; constables, John Seimet and William La Fountain.

Miller City

The same year that marked the beginning of the once famous little town of Hector saw the birth of another village in Palmer township. Miller City, although taking a slow growth at first, was destined to a longer life ihan her sister city. It was, laid out and platted by Aaron Overbeck on August 22, 1882, and dedicated under the name of St. Nicholas, by Nicholas Noriot and Nicholas Miller, the proprietors of the two parcels of land upon which the village plat was located.

The country around this village became a veritable garden spot after it had become thoroughly drained of its swamps and was known as the South Prairie. Large and small garden and farm produce was raised in abundance and Miller City became the shipping point for these enormous crops, as well as much of the timber and lumber products manufactured in its vicinity. Stores were established under this impetus and the town grew with such rapidity that Mr. Miller deemed it necessary to lay out new additions, which he did in 1884 and 1887.

Upon petition to the county commissioners, the town was duly incorporated on November 26, 1890, under the name of Miller City, being so named for the original proprietor, Nicholas Miller, to whose energy and business tact the growth and progress of the village was largely due. This city, situated as it is on the Nickel Plate railroad, which affords it a ready outlet to eastern markets, is certain to make advances. The Miller City Tile Company is one of the greatest industries at the present time and, with her other business establishments, the town has assurance of the country trade.

The present officers of the town are as follow : Mayor, J. M. Dobneyer ; clerk, F. E. Kern; treasurer, William Hohenbrink; marshal, Jacob Warnamont; councilmen, C. M. Huber, Frank Gasken, John Noon, Joe Snaiger, L. P. Maxwell, Oswell Brown.

Kieferville was laid out and platted by D. A. Kiefer, the surveying and platting being the work of ex-County Surveyor Lewis E. Holtz, in 1870. This town was laid out on the old Continental railroad grade, the Nickel Plate railroad having taken over this proposed line a few years later and used it for their main line, and the Defiance pike, which crosses the Nickel Plate at this point. The town has experienced no booms and has struggled along with its existence. A hotel, church and general stores accommodate the inhabitants of this little village. Kieferville bears the distinction of being the first town laid out in Palmer township.

North Creek

North Creek was the second town laid out in Palmer township. It was platted in 1879, and lies on the Clover Leaf railroad. The first lots were surveyed for William Schafer, who was a man of energy, and the pro.sperity and growth of North Creek were due to his efforts.

Hector

Hector was platted and laid out on December 26, 1882. This town was the home of the Hector Stave Company, which was one of the largest and leading industries of this county until the timber was exhausted. The town was platted by E. W. Dimmock, county, surveyor, and named in honor of Hector Havemeyer, one of the members of the company.

The growth of this little village was very rapid and at the height of its prosperity it was the center of the mercantile trade of that locality. The Hector store, through its standard methods and square dealings, was known throughout Putnam county. The proprietors of Hector were liberal in contributing their efforts and means toward the development of the town. The Hector Creamery and Cheese Company was organized in 1891 and the first creamery in the county was thus started. Churches, school building and a Knights of Pythias lodge hall were built through the contributions of this company. The history and growth of the company will be taken up in another chapter. With the exhaustion of the timber, the prosperity of the town began to wane and at the present time this once flourishing town and commercial center is nothing more than a railroad stop.

Palmer township furnished eight volunteers between July 2 and August 22, 1862, as reported by the assessor, Samuel Watters. The list follows: Henry Sigafoose, Elias Sigafoose, William Truitt, Joel Osborn, Joseph -Osborn, Joseph Aquila, Wayne Hazelton and George Earnest.