Patterson Township

Patterson Township

To the northeast and in close proximity to the site of old Fort Loramie, and bounded north and east by parts of Mercer, Auglaize and Shelby, is situated Patterson Township, a part of Darke County devoted with good results to the interests of agriculture.

Its history is a record of individual exertion. Orchards and groves have been made to alternate with fielus of corn and wheat. Much of the olden time yet remains in the fields of woodland, tracts of the original forest, and the work of reconstruction still proceeds. Annually, the area of woodland is diminished ; the timber, however, is no more gathered in windrows, and the settlers are no longer called to log-rollings. A chopper or two, felling the trees carefully, cords the wood for the home fire or the city market, but the smaller branches feed the element that once consumed the finest and most valuable of timber. Much of the lands of Patterson are the depository of the golden seed, whence the landscape is clothed in summer green, and granaries later filled with corn and wheat.

It is strictly an agricultural section, although its citizens were not inferior in soldierly ability during the momentous years of the civil war. Its territory earlier formed the northern portion of Wayne Township, and, while so constituted, the first settlement was made in 1827 by Isaac Finkbone, and upon the adjacent section a man named Philip Pitzenberger erected a cabin, and, clearing a few acres, lived for a time upon the land as a squatter. The location of these two pioneer clearings was Sections 32 and 33.

The township was formed in 1841, and its original boundary is described as " commencing at the east line of the county, at the southeast corner of Section 33 Township 1 1 north, Range 4 east ; thence west to the southwest corner of Section 35, Township 12 north. Range 3 east (the east line of York Township) ; thence north to the county line ; thence following the county line to the northeast corner of the county ; thence south to the place of beginning."

A portion of the township was taken in 1848, to complete the area of Mercer County, and the county line ceased to be identical with that of the Greenville treaty.

Patterson was still farther limited in territory during the same year, by a transfer to Wabash Township of Sections 2, 11, 14 and 23, of Township 12 north Range 3 east.

The population in 1850 was 319, and this had increased twenty years later to 978. Soon after the formation of the township, a schoolhouse was erected of the old log pattern on Section 32, and a man named A. L. Wilson was engaged as the first schoolmaster. Judgment may be passed upon the interest attached to education by the knowledge of the fact that of the 319 inhabitants of 1850, there were but a score of persons over twenty years of age who could neither read nor write. Nine years subsequent to its formation, Patterson's real estate was valued at $49,865. There were 57 improved farms, upon which there were 1,624 acres of improved lands and 4,028 of unimproved. The cash value of the farms was $48,470 ; of farming implements, $2,274 ; and of stock, $7,883. Upon the farms were 127 horses, 136 cows, 10 yoke of oxen, 331 sheep, and 672 swine. There had been raised, in 1849, 4,305 bushels of wheat, some rye, 5.225 bushels of corn, and 1,292 bushels of oats. The pasturage and the industry are shown by the statement of 7,010 pounds of butter made. Such is a passing glimpse at a township whose present status establishes a continued and permanent progress from 1840, when there were scarcely a dozen inhabitants in the region at a time, not even midway to the present. Its future is assured, since in the wealth of the soil is found the basis of all real and substantial strength, whose perpetuity is secured by intellectual culture and physical exercise.

Turn we to note in brief a tew facts pertaining to the initiatory settlement and concurrent events, with a further glance at consequent social progress.

The administration of justice in minor courts was a feature of the early day. A suit was brought in Patterson by lsa;ie Finkbone against Reason R. .Millet upon a book account kept by the latter for the former. In the book all the leaves containing credits in favor of Finkbone had disappeared. James Patterson aeted as Constable. The ease was tried before William J. KuLdish, the first Justice of the Peaee in the township, and interest attaches from the circumstance that this was the first resort to legal tribunal for redress of grievances in the neighborhood. The defense employed James Brandon as counsel, wdio won the case on good legal ground, though his client was morally in error.

The Millers became obnoxious to the community, and it is said that their habitation was destroyed, and they themselves finally disappeared from this vicinity.

The advantage of a country store to a rural community and the chance of a livelihood by carrying on business in such a place was first understood b}r Joseph Vanky, who opened a grocery in Woodland a short time after it was laid out. Through the efforts of Dr. S. A. Greer, one of the oldest and most influential residents, a post office was established at this same place some time before the civil war. It was kept in his house, which stands a half-mile south of Woodland. It was removed to the didders' farmhouse, Mr. Childers being appointed Postmaster, and a year and a half later was brought back to Dr. Greer's, and Abner Clark became Postmaster. The office was temporarily discontinued until the spring of 1879, when Willow Dell Office was created and located at Woodland, with John C. Schilling, Postmaster.

Among the first township officers may be named Dr. Greer, Richard Mendenhall. John Puterbaugh, Samuel Day, James Davidson. James Patterson, Anthoivy Coble, John Deweere and Robert Brandon. Of those oldest settlers who have died may be mentioned John Day. J. P. Puterbaugh, J. Davidson, S. Day and R. Mendenhall. William Russel came to Piqua from North Carolina, and moved into Patterson Townsiph in 1834 or 1835. and settled on forty acres of Section 28. He had a son Joseph, now deceased, and the place is now owned by John Piquenot. Thomas Mendenhall moved in from Miami Count}- in 1835 or 1830, and located near the northwest corner of the township. Arphaxed Julian, of Shelby County, settled in the west part of the township. James Patterson, Sr., father of him who gave his name to the section, came to Ohio in 1817 from Westmoreland County, Penn., made a brief stay at Lebanon. Warren County, then came to Union, and a year later entered 160 acres south of Webster, on the Stillwater. His wife died in 1826, and. selling his land, he went back to Warren County, and thence returned to what is now known as Patterson Township, where he entered eighty acres southeast of Woodland, in Section 28. Town 11, Range 4 east, being the east half of the northeast quarter. He died on this farm in 1855, at the age of fifty-six years. His first marriage was to Polly Mclntyre, his second to Catharine Rudy. There were fourteen children in the two families. A son. James Patterson, is owner of 280 acres in Sections '1- and 28, adjoining the Shelby County line, is a leading citizen, and has been Justice of the Peace for a number of years.

The land in Patterson was entered principally in small traets of forty and eighty acres, but there have been among the settlers large landholders. John Deweere has 600 acres after Inning disposed of as much in farms to his children. Nicholas Plinney has about 500 ; J. Patterson, having sold 120. has 280 acres ; Peter Shields has 480 ; Hamilton Coble has ISO ; Anthony Coble has disposed of about 600 acres, and has 200 left ; Henry Starke has tOO acres. Seven hundred and fourteen acres was entered by one party, and John Wood, of Chillicothe, entered an entire section.

The southern part of Patterson is rolling, and much of the soil is light clay. The timber is beech, sugar maple and oak. The northern part is a darker and stronger soil, bearing more of lime, sycamore and walnut. There is moist, cold land in the north, which is rapidly being improved by drainage. The hamlet of "Woodland is on the watershed, the slope being southward toward the Stillwater, and northward into Mercer County. The village school is a short way south of the place, and J. B. Martin, the present teacher, has an average attendance of about thirty pupils. There are seven school districts, having six frame houses and one of brick.

No railroads traverse the township. It contains three churches. The Lutheran, in Woodland, built in 1865, with a parsonage. The first residence for the minister was a log house, erected in 1868, the present is a frame. The first preacher was Rev. Shaffer, followed by Rev. Framer, Rev. Suter, and he by the present pastor, Rev. Leiderman. A Sabbath school, held during the summer, is largely attended. The Pine Church (Christian), is located two and a half miles north of Woodland, on the Berlin pike, in the Coble settlement. The house was erected in 1863. Rev. Richard Brandon was the first minister, succeeded by Abner Long, and he by Rev. Butts. Preaching is held once a month. The membership has been as high as forty. The Christians are now engaged in building a church in the Speelman settlement, on the northeast quarter of Section 25, Range 3. A congregation and Sabbath school are established in that neighborhood. Meetings are held at the house of John Blotner, and in the schoolhouse on the farm of A. Mendenhall, part of the southwest quarter of Section 24. Services and Sabbath school are largely attended. The people of Pleasant Ridge and vicinity, belonging to the United Brethren, have Sabbath school in the house on the northeast corner of the farm of John Long. Church services are held once in three weeks. About thirty pupils attend the school, of which Joseph Wolf is the Superintendent. The Christian denomination held religious services at Grange Hall (formerly a schoolhouse), and their Sabbath school is superintended by W. W. Richardson.

The Patrons of Husbandry have an organization in this township, established in 1876, with a membership of about forty. Mr. Richardson, above named, was the first Master.

The present Township Trustees are William Hawk, David Speelman and J. M. Simon. The Township Clerk is F. P. Hawk. Merchandise is sold by J. C. Shilling and F. P. Hawk, in a building erected for the purpose, some twelve years ago, by G. B. Litman, the first storekeeper therein and the present owner of the premises. About eighteen years ago, a blacksmith, named Henry Howshilt, located in the township and still pursues his useful and laborious calling.

During the war for the Union, the people of Patterson were prompt and patriotic, their quota was speedily raised and the draft, obnoxious and dreaded, had little influence with them. Although late of settlement and remote from towns, the present of Patterson is not without much of interest, and the time approaches when it will stand well among the leading townships of the county.

JOHN DAY, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Willow Dell. Solomon Day, the father of John, was born in Loudoun Co., Ya., on the 17th day of December, 1812 ; he moved with his parents to Penns3*lvania when about 3 }Tears of age, after which he came with his parents to Belmont Co., Ohio, in the year 1828, where he remained about two years, thence with his parents to Darke Co., in 1832 ; he then went to Piqua, Miami Co.. and drove team for David Jordon, drawing crockeiy and building stone for one }'ear, after which he returned home ; he was united in marriage with Sarah Myers, in Shelby Co., near Houston. Dec 4, 1834 ; she was born in Miami Co. Aug I. L816 ; he then moved upon his father-in-law's place and farmed one season, during which time he entered 4o acres in Darke Co., Patterson Township ; this was in the 3'ear 1835; he then erected a nice little cabin, and moved into it in the spring of 1836; tapped a few sugar trees and went to his father-in-law's, Leaving hi- brave wife and one child in charge of the cabin ; she tended the sugar cam}' while he was away through the week, and on Saturday nights he would return am! boil sugar water : this lie continued to do for about three weeks, the distance being ten miles of which he would walk home Saturday night and return Sunday morning, and for the fruits ^l' this labor, their sirup and sugar that they made was equal to the best in the State ; his industrious and hard-working wife cleared off, made and planted garden in his absence ; they remained on this place some fifteen years, meeting with good success, and in 1848 he bought 85 acres in Sec. 17, in the same township, where he built a hewed-log house, his wife helping him to saw out the windows and doors, and also to clear off a garden spot, moving into the house in April, 1851 ; while raising his house, he came very near being killed by falling from the top joist to the ground below ; in this house he continued to live until his death, which occurred June 13, 1872, with cerebro-spinal meningitis ; Mr. and Mrs. Day passed through the many struggles, trials and incidents common to pioneer life ; was a member of the Christian Church some thirteen years, and lived a devoted and consistent Christian till the angel of death came and relieved him of this earthly tenement ; Mrs. Day is still living in the old home farm, enjoying good health, and is 63 years of age ; nine children was the fruit of this union, of which four are living, viz.: Rhoda, born May 27, 1837, now Mrs. J. W. Puterbaugh ; May J., born May 29, 1839, now Mrs. S. J. Hixon ; John, born Feb. 17, 1849, and Solomon J., born Jan. 13, 1857 ; Mr. Day had his full share of offices, being Justice of the Peace for nine years : Township Clerk one year ; Treasurer one year, and Trustee one year. Our subject was born in Darke Co. on the 17th day of February, 1849, and lived with his parents and worked on the farm and attended the district school in the winter till he was 16 years of age, after which he did not attend school but four days, but by his own exertions has obtained a good common-school education ; he continued to work at home until he was 21 years of age, and at that time he came to the conclusion to remain on the home farm, where he has since lived ; he bought 80 acres of land in Sec. 18, pajing $1,300, in the year 1871 ; sold out in 1873, for $1,600, and in 1874 bought 64 acres in Sec. 17, paying $1,508, and in 1876 sold this place for $2,500, and during the same }Tear he bought 77|- acres in Sec. 17, paying $3,500, and in 1879 sold 60 acres for $2,200 ; has been Trustee one year, and Supervisor two 3*ears, and is a Republican in politics ; Mr. Day was employed in the boat-yards at Wheeling, Va., with the Skags Brothers, building boats, working about two years altogether.

STEPHEN A. GREER, physician ; P. O. Willow Dell. Aaron, the father of Stephen A., was a native of Kentucky, born in Bourbon Co. on the 23d day of November. 1785 ; Elizabeth, his wife, whose maiden name was Reed, was a native of Ohio, born in Chillicothe in August, 1792 ; they were united in marriage in Montgomery Co.. Ohio, and in 1816 moved to Darke Co.. where they resided till death called them from earth to heaven ; he departed this life in March. 1848, being 62 years 11 months and 23 days old ; she sank peacefully to rest March 5, 1871, at the ripe old age of 79. Stephen A., the subject of this memoir, was born in Darke Co., Ohio, on the 8th of June, 1817, being the first white child born in AVayne Township ; he spent his boj-hood days on his father's farm, assisting in the clearing and the cultivation of the soil, during the summer months, and in the winter season he attended the district school, which was held in an old log cabin, thereby obtaining a good common-school education ; he commenced to read medicine under Dr. L. Houston, of Shelby Co., Ohio, when he was 22 years of age ; taught school during the winters and read medicine till his funds ran out, then he would go to work, and managed in this way till he had gained sufficient knowledge of medicine to practice ; he now came to the conclusion that he would take in a partner for life, and on the 19th day of September, 1839, he celebrated his marriage with Miss Huldah Brandon, in Versailles, Ohio ; she is a native of Ohio, born in Versailles, on the 11th day of October, 1823 ; her mother, Lydia, was a native of New Jersey, born on the 12th of September, 1803, and departed this life Feb. 28, 1877 : her lather, Vincent (t. Brandon, was born in Virginia on the 31st of December, 1793. and departed this life, Jan. 5, 1870 ; after his marriage, he taught school and continued the study of medicine ; in 1845, he moved to Ft, Recovery and opened an office, where he followed his profession, meeting with good success, remaining there about one year, after which he moved to New Harrison, Darke Co., in the spring of 1847 ; he practiced here till 1848, when he moved to Patterson Township, and during the winter of 1849 and 1850 attended the Eclectic Medical Institute of

Cincinnati. When he moved to Patterson Township, it was a gloomy outlook, as he moved into an old log cabin, covered with chipboards, and. as he says, "we did not have an overplus of furniture ;" he purchased 40 acres in Sec. 20, for which he paid $200, the tract being all heavy timber; he now built a hewn-log house, into which he moved his family, and commenced the task of opening up a farm, and, at the same time, practiced medicine; he would work in the clearing during the day time, and at night study medicine, and. as he says, "lam not done reading vet." The Poet or has accumulated a considerable amount of property by his hard labor, in which he has been nobly assisted by his good and amiable wife ; he is strictly temperate in all his habits ; he owns 140 acres of land in Patterson Township. 80 acres in Kansas, near G-arnett, the American House and City Livery Stable, in Versailles ; he is in no sense of the term a political aspirant, although he has tilled nearly every office in the township ; in the fall of 1855, he was elected County Commissioner, which office he filled for three years ; in 1870, was elected Land Appraiser ; served as Township Trustee for several 3rears, also Township Clerk, and is now filling the office of Land Appraiser. The}' are the parents of ten children, of whom eight are living viz.. Rachael J., born Sept. 16, 1856; Vincent B., May 19, 1844 ; Aaron R, Jan. 19, 1847 ; Lydia A. Sept. 15, 1849; Millnor, Dec. 16, 1852; Stephen. Aug. 26, 1859, Mary B., Oct. 10, 1862; Elizabeth Irene, born Jan. 6. 1866. The Doctor was admitted to the bar of Greenville, Ohio, as an attorney and counsellor at law, on the 12th day of May, 1858 ; this acquisition he picked up himself by his own hard study, and it is said of him that he is an able attorney, a wise judge and a good pleader.