Portage Township

Portage Township

The County Commissioners at their session in March, 1835, "Ordered that original surveyed township No. 2 north, range 10 east, be set off into a separate township, politic and corporate, and named Portage. Ordered that the voters be notified thereof, and to meet the first Monday in April to elect township olficers."

This township derives its name from a branch of the Portage River, which runs through it. It lies on the north line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by xVllen township, on the south by Liberty, and on the west by Pleasant.

The first entry of land was made by Jacob Lamb, on the 13th of October, 1831, of the south half of section 19. Henry Culp, of Fairfield County, entered the north-west quarter of section 20, on the 24th day of September, 1830. The east half of the north-west quarter of section 15 was entered on the 21st day of April, 1831, by William Cromlish. July 24th, 1832, John Thompson entered the west half of the north-west quarter of section 22, and on the 19th of August, 1833, John Moorehead, of Stark County, entered the north-east quarter of section 27, and Samuel Moorehead entered the south-east quarter of section 22. On tiie 18th of June, 1833, Samuel Howard, of Richland County, entered the north-west quarter of the south-east quarter of section 4.

The first settlers in this township w'ere John Thompson, on the farm now owned by James Deter, and George McClay on the farm just north of him, Charles Crist, John and Amos Cooper in 1833, George Taylor, Ezra Hazen on the Edgingtou farm, Robert Walters, Samuel and John Moorehead, John Reed, sr., and a little later Sandford F. Dulin, George Mitchel, Mahlen Morris, Sw^itzer and John Norris-

A number of these old settlers still reside on the lands they entered and cleared up with so much labor. Samuel JNIoorehead resides here with his son, John E. John Cooper is still a resident of the township, and relates many incidents in pioneer life.

Sanford F. Dulin is one of those early settlers who always luxd faith in the future of this township. He has cleared up and now occupies, with his aged wife, a valuable farm, nnd although well up in years, is as jovial and light-hearted as in his younger days. Just at his farm, are a good brick school house, and a comfortable frame church, in the success of both of which Mr. Dulin has always felt a deep interest.

John Thompson, after a residence of many years in the township, got the western fever, which took him off, and I believe he is not now living. He was a most excellent man, and respected by his neighbors for his intelligence and liis honesty.

dustry and honesty accuinulated quite a property, passed peacefully away only a few years ago, surrounded by a number of his children, and in the midst of many friends.

John Reed, sr., too, is dead. After improving one ol' the tracts of land in the township, and rearing quite a large family, he died almost in the prime of manhood, lamented by all who knew him.

Mahlen Morris was one of nature's noblemen. Honest, industrious, intelligent, he was called upon by his neighbors to look after the affairs of the township, in more than one responsible station. He was four times in succession, elected a Justice of the Peace, and filled the office faithfully.

In 1846 he was elected to the office of County Treasurer, and with his family removed to Findley. In 1848 he was re-elected, and in LS49 he died of an attack of t3'phoid fever. His loss was universally lamented. Such had been his conduct of the affairs of the oflice that he had won the confidence of all the people of the county.

The first school house was built near Pleasant Hill, but the exact date I could not learn, perhaps in 1834. The second school house was built in Judge Cooper's district, and the first teacher was Miss Rebecca Hedges. There are now six good substantial school buildings in the township, and valued at $2,440. and an enumeration of three hundred and four youth.

The first church was built by the Presbyterians on Sand Ridge, near where Miles Wilson now lives. Amongst the first members were Miles Wilson and some of his family, John Norris and wife. The second church was built by the United Brethren, on Ten Mile, in 1836, Treat Demming and wife, and Samuel and Henry DeRhodes were of the first membership. There are now three churches in the town-

The first marriage in the township was that of Amos Cooper and Elizabeth Poe. Tlie first child born was Allen Cooper, son of the Judge, and the first death was that of a child of John Norris. There are many well improved farms, and many good, substantial and comfortable farm buildings in this township.

On the farm of Geo. Mitchell are very fine farm buildings; the same may be said of those of Judge Cooper and Adam Crumrine. John E. Moorehead, G. W. Montgomery, T. F. Edgington, John Lewis, and a number of other residents have fine d^\ellings and substantial out buildings. The roads and farms generally are in good condition, and thrift, industry and valuable improvements are seen every where, sure indications of the intelligence and prosperity of the people.

The soil in the north part of the township is of sand and loam ; the sandy portion is known as the Sand Ridge. The south part has a predominance of clay, of a yellowish hue. This clay in some places is mixed with sand and gravel, but all is easily tilled, and exceedingly productive. More than one-third of the land in the township is wood laud, primeval forest.

The timber in the north part is sycamore, elm, hickory, and oak. In the south poplar, oak, ash, walnut, beech and sugar principally. The whole surface of the township was heavily wooded.

This township is watered by the west branch of the Portage River, and by numerous springs along Sugar Ridge, and other points in the township.

moval of Mr. Mumphrey from the township, Joseph Johnston succeeded him, and held the office until his faculties became impaired by age, so that he was unfit to further discharge the duties, when Mrs. G. W. Montgomery, the present incumbent, was appointed.

There are 15,443 acres of land in this township divided as follows : Plow land 6,623, meadow and pasture 2,646, uncultivated and wood 0,174, all appraised at $386,515. Houses appraised at $33,940, mills $600, other buildings at $21,650, total lands and buildings $442,105.

Joseph Johnston

Was a native of Virginia, where he was born on the 4th day of April, 1801. His father - Isaac Johnston - moved from Boutetot County, Va., to Ohio, in 1811, and settled at Portsmouth, in Scioto County. The elder Johnston was a potter by Crade, and followed that business whilst in Portsmouth.

The subject of this sketch has been a farmer all his life. In 1827 the family came to this county, and took up their residence in the village of Findley. Mr. Johnston was married in 1832 to Susan George, and removed to what is now Marion township, and in the same year was elected Sheriff of the county, which office he filled acceptably one term. He had for neighbors in this township, such men as Asher Wickham, Charles Thomas, E. S. Jones.

In 1853 Mr. Johnston sold his Marion township farm, and removed to this township, where he still resides. He had a ftimily of fourteen children, twelve of whom are living. He is of English descent, had but limited educational facilities, and was compelled to depend upon his own resources in that direction. He helped build the first school house in Marion township, helped to organize, and was a voter at the tirst -election held in that township. He was prominently connected with the early history of the county, and his industry and energy, with his good common sense, gave him quite an influence with the early settlers.

He has lived long enough to see the vast improvement's made in the county, and to enjoy the fruits of his lahor. His wife died in 1850, and he afterwards married Jane Dudgeon, who died in 1879. In 1863 he was appointed Post Master at Portage Center, which oflice he held about sixteen years. In 1870 he united with the Methodist Epis- <^opal Church, and is still a member. His family has be- separated, some reside in Michigan, some in Indiana, and some in this county. Few men have passed through so checkered a life as has Mr. Johnston, coming to the county at an age when new scenes w'ould be most vividly impressed on his mind, and when the surroundings would be most heartily and most fully appreciated. He remembers with pleasure those who were his companions in that half century ago, many of them long since dead. Mr. Johnston, although in feeble health from old age, and past hardships, still retains his memory, and loves to talk of those days and scenes, and people of long ago.

Was a native of Fayette County, Pa., where he was born April 25th, 1811. He is the oldest son of James Cooper, who came to Pennsylvania from New York. Mr. Cooper's ancestors on his father's side were Scotch, and on his mother's side were Low Dutch. His father was a farmer, in which business the Judge has been engaged all his life, and very successful has he been. In 1812 the family came to

Perry County, Ohio, and settled near Somerset. That part of the State was but sparsely settled, and the land which the Judge's father had entered had to be reclaimed from the wilderness, and here the Judge labored until 1832, when he came to this township, bringing with him his young wife, Jane Eliza, daughter of Daniel Cusac, whom he married in 1830. There were but seventeen families in the township, which included Portage and the west half of Allen, when he came here. He at once located on the same land on which he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper celebrated their Golden Wedding, at the fiftieth anniversary of their wedded life, and all their children were present.

His first neighbors in the township were John Thompson, Robert Walters and John Howard, and they were about the only residents of what is now Portage township. The Judge has held important offices in the township and county. In 1849 he was appointed one of the Associate Judges of the county, and held that office until the adoption of the present constitution. In 1862 he was elected County Commissioner, and served six years as such. He was also one of the first Directors of the County Infirmary.

Mr. Cooper had no other educational advantages than those furnished by a common country school. He is not a member of any church, but in religious belief has a leaning towards the old scho »1 Baptists. He has always been a fi-iend to schools and churches, and has taken an active interest in both. He is the father of nine children, six of whom are living.

Sa.Miel Howard

a farm, and has followed that vocation all his life. When but a few months old his parents came to Richland County, Ohio. Mr. H. is the oldest of eleven children, of whom eight are yet living. He came to this county in l833, and settled on what is called " Ten Mile Creek," in this township. They were surrounded by the forest ; Indians plenty ; game in abundance. Mr. Howard said that when they got up in the morning, and wanted to kill a turkey, they w^ere at a loss to know which direction to go, as they were gobbling all around. Mr. Howard said that his father had fifty dollars in money when he came here, and that he borrowed of him to enter forty acres of land, on the condition that he should keep the family in provisions for one year, and as there were eleven of them in the family, he said it required a great deal of hard labor on his part to do so, especially as flour was sixteen dollars per barrel, and corn one dollar and a half per bushel. The settlers then had to go to Tiffin to mill, and to the village of Findley to trade.

In December, 1837, he married Elizabeth Carroll, with whom he now lives, and built a cabin in the woods, and commenced life, full of hope and energy, determined to succeed. In 1850, having been elected Treasurer of the county, he sold his land and moved to Findley. He served two terms as Treasurer. He then purchased the old Trout farm, at Van Buren, After residing here for some years he sold out, and bought the Hollenbeck farm, joining the north corporation line of Findley, where he resided until about one year ago, when he moved into the town.

Mr. Howard was Captain of Co. G, 118 Regiment, 0. V. I., in the late war, and was with that Regiment in all its marches and battles until the spring of 1864. In 1863 'Capt. Howard was detailed to go to Boston to assist in or- ganizing the drafted men of Massachusetts. He remained there for three months, when he rejoined the Regiment and went to Eastern Tennessee. In the spring of 18G4 he had the misfortune to get his leg broken, and was discharged.

He is the father of eleven children, six of whom are living. Mr. Howard has always been noted for his public spirit and liberality. He has been prominent in many of the enterprises which have so greatly benefited our county.

Such is the confidence in which he is held by the people of the county, that he was again elected Treasurer of the county in 1878, and re-elected in 1881.

Samuel Moorehead

Was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1798, and came to Ohio with his father's family in 1814. and settled near Massillon, Stark County. Mr. M. lost his mother before leaving Pennsylvania, and his father married again soon after he came to Ohio. He is a farmer, reared to the profession by his father, who followed the same business. In 1821 he married Mary Edgar, and in 1834 came to this county, and settled in Portage township, on the farm now owned by his son, John E. His parents were of Irish descent. The Mooreheads are generally large muscular men^ endowed with groat physical endurance, and industrious, frank, open-hearted, liberal and hospitable. Their genial,, good nature is notorious.

Mr. Moorehead has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for more than fifty years, and was one of the pioneers of that denomination in this part of the county. He is the father of but two children, one son - John E. - who resides on the home farm, and one daughter - Mrs. W. K. Leonard - who resides in Big Lick township. His wife died about 1854, and he never re-married. He accumulated quite a large property, which he and his children are now enjoying. Mr. Moorehead, though now in his eighty-fourth year, retains his mental faculties almost wholly unimpaired, and is the same jovial, kind-hearted man he was in his younger days.

Lafayette

Jacob Andre laid out a town on the north part of the east half of the north-west quarter of section 15, on lands now owned by Daniel Warner, and called it Lafayette. It comprised seventy-two lots, and had great expectations. But here ends its eventful history.

A table showing the number and value of live stock and the number of acres and bushels of grain raised in this township, as returned by Township Assessor in 1881. Horses, 388 number. $18,490, value.

Source changes here: from History of Hancock County, Ohio : Containing a History of the County, Its Townships, Towns ... Portraits of Early Settlers and Prominent Men, Biographies, History of the Northwest Territory, History of Ohio, Statistical and Miscellaneous Matter, Etc, by Brown, Robert C, published 1886; 2,866 words in this source stream.

Portage Township

FOR nearly eight years succeeding the erection of Findlay Township, in May, 1823, the territory now embi-aced in Portage Township formed a part of Findlay, but on the 6th of December. 1830, Liberty Township was erected, and then included all of the lands in this county lying west of the present western boundary of Findlay Township, or nearly one-half the county. The lands now composing this township remained a part of Liberty till March 4, 1833, when the commissioners ordered that Township 2 north. Range 10, be set off into a separate township, and named Portage. The two eastern tiers of sections in Township 2 north. Range 10 (now Allen), were a part of Findlay Township until the erection of Portage and Cass, March 4, 1833, when they were included in the former subdivision. The name of this township was derived fi'om the river which flows through it; and the act of erection provided for an election of township officers on the first Monday in April, 1833, at which time an organization was effected. Upon the erection of Allen Township, in 1850, the two eastern tiers of sections of Portage were taken in the formation of the new subdivision, leaving it with an area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres, and no change has since occurred in its territory. Portage is bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Allen Township, on the south by Liberty

Like the rest of Hancock County, the lands of this township originally bore up a heavy forest growth. Sand Ridge extends from east to west across the northern part of the township, composed of a sandy, gravelly soil. North of the ridge the soil is a sandy loam, while on the south side we find a yellowish clay with here and there a mixture of gravel and sand deposits well adapted to the growth of the cereals. Sugar Ridge runs parallel with Sand Ridge across the center of the township, and was so named because of the large number of sugar maples that grew upon it. The soil on Sugar Ridge is of a sandy, gravelly nature and very fertile. The general dip of the township is towards the north, and the surface is slightly rolling. One of the forks of Ten Mile Creek, a branch of Portage River, heads in the southwest part of the township, while the other flows in from Allen. The former takes a northeast, and the latter a noi-thwest direction, and, after uniting on the southeast quarter of Section 4, passes northeastward, and leaves the county on Section 3, near the northeast corner of the township. These branches are fed by numerous springs, which also form the head-waters of both forks.

First Settlers. - It is generally admitted that John Thompson and Robert Walters formed the vanguard of the early settlers who located in what is now Portage Township. Several families had settled some years previously in the two tiers of sections taken from Portage in the erection of Allen; but up to the summer of 1833, the present territory of this township was an unbroken forest. On the 24th of July, 1832, John Thompson entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 22, and the following summer located on his land, now the home of James Deter. He came here frem Champaign County, Ohio, and was a very intelligent man and much respected by those who subsequently settled around him. After clearing up a farm and residing here for many years, he removed with his family to Kansas. Robert Walters, a Virginian, settled on Ten Mile Creek in Section 8, in the fall of

1834. He was born in Fayette County, Penn., April 25, 1811, whither his father had emigrated from New Jersey. In 1812 the family removed to Perry County, Ohio, where John grew to manhood and married Jane E. Cusac, daughter of Daniel Cusac. In the spring of 1834, the young couple took up their residence on the west half of the southeast quai-ter of Section 29, entered in April of that year, where they have ever since resided. Nine children blessed their union, six of whom survive, Allen being the first male born in the township. Though a man of limited education. Judge Cooper has filled the ofiice of associate judge and county commissioner very acceptably. He has been far more successful than the average pioneer, and is to-day one of the wealthiest farmers in the county.

Amos Cooper, a cousin of the judge, also came in March, 1834, but was then a single man. The following November he married Elizabeth Poe and settled permanently in the southeast quarter of Section 32, entered by him in April, 1834. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence his parents removed to Perry County, Ohio, where he lived till his coming to Hancock. His wife died on the old homestead in 1872, and he in Findlay in 1879, leaving six children, all of whom are still residents of the county.

In May, 1834, John and Abigal (Simpson) Howard, with a family of nine children, located on Section 4, where he had entered eighty acres June 17, 1833. The parents and eldest son, Samuel, were natives of Pennsylvania, and in 1815 removed to Eichland County, Ohio. Here eight childi-en were born, all of whom came out with the parents in the spring of 1834. Two childi-en were born afterward. John and his wife resided on Ten Mile Creek until their death; but three of the sons are yet living in the county. Samuel, who resides in Findlay, is perhaps the best known of the family. He was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 7, 1814, and was in his twentieth year when the family settled in Hancock. In June, 1833, he borrowed $50 of his father with which to enter forty acres of land in Section 4, agreeing to keep the whole family in provisions for one yeax-, and thus pay back the borrowed capital. He faithfully fulfilled his agreement, and thus became the owner of his first real estate. In 1837 he married Elizabeth Carroll, and settled permanently on his land. Eleven children were born to this union, six of whom are living. Mr. Howard has filled qu.ite a prominent place in the political affairs of Hancock County, and has served four terms as county treasurer. He is well and favorably known fi-om one end of the county to the other.

Daniel Warner, a native of New York State, born in 1799, came to Hancock County in 1834, and entered 160 acres of land in this township where he died in 1881.

The Moorheads - John and Samuel - came in the spring of 1834. Their mother dying in Pennsylvania, they removed with their father from that State to Stark County, Ohio, in 1814, where they both grew to maturity, and married. Samuel settled in the southeast quarter of Section 22, and John in the northeast quarter of Section 27, both tracts being entered August 19, 1833. The latter died a few years ago at the home of his son-in-law, Isaac Hart - the same farm he settled on in 1834. Samuel died in 1885 after a residence in the township of over fifty years. Both attained ripe old ages, and have left descendants in the township to perpetuate their memory.

John Reed and family, of Wayne County, Ohio, settled in the southeast quarter of Section 27 in the spring of 1834, where he afterward built the first brick house in the township. He subsequently removed to Findlay, and engaged in the hotel business in a frame building, which then stood on the site of the Commercial Hotel. Both he and his wife died in Findlay Township, but their daughter, Mrs. James Kerr, is a resident of Findlay.

Other settlers of 1834 were Mahlon Morris, Sanfred F. Dulin, Charles Crist, John Bushong, John McClay, George Taylor and Ezra Hazen. Mr. Morris settled in the southwest quarter of Section 22 in the fall of 1834. In 1830 he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected three times in succession. In 184G he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1848, but died August 5, 1849, while serving his second term. He left a family of three sons and six daughters. The surviving son is a member of the Findlay bar, and four of the six daughters are living, three in this township. His widow, Elizabeth, died in April, 1865. Sanfred F. Dulin is yet residing on the farm, where he settled in December, 1834. His parents, William and Charlotte Dulin (he a native of England and she of Germany), were married in Maryland, thence removed to Virginia, where Sanfred F. was born in 1810. In 1816 the family settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, and in January, 1830, came to Findlay, where the father died in 1832. A family of ten children grew to maturity, Sanfied being now the only sui-vivor. The mother died at Mr. Dulin's home in 1866. Mr. Dulin was one of the pioneer school teachers of the county, and though seventy-five years have come, and gone since he first saw the light of day, he is still one of the active, energetic, progi-essive men of his township. Charles Crist, a native of Maryland, settled on Section 29, but sold out and removed to Darke County, Ohio. John Bushong located in the northeast quarter of Section 28. Both he and his wife died at the home of their son, Jacob, in this township. John McClay settled on Section 15, but did not remain long in this locality. George Taylor and Ezra Hazen built their cabins on Section 21. After living here two or three years, both sold out and left the county.

In 1885 Merryman Price, Kichard Wall, James Cooper and Valentine Miller came into the township. Price was from Richland County, and biiilt his cabin in Section 4, on Ten mile Creek. He was the second justice of the township, but after living here several years he removed to Indiana. Wall also settled on Ten Mile Creek, thence removed to Pleasant Township, where both he and his wife died. Their son, William H., is a resident of Portage. James Cooper, familiarly known as "Big Jim" Cooper, located on Section 34, where he and his wife passed the balance of their lives. They reared three childi-en, one of whom, Catherine, lives in Findlay Township. Valentine Miller was a German, and settled in the southwest quarter of Section 18, and there died.

Jacob Deter and Benoni Culp took up their residence in Portage in 1836. The former and his wife, Sarah, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Richland County, Ohio, coming in 1836 to Hancock County, and settling on Section 8, this township. They reared a family of seven childi-en, and died on the old homestead where Peter now lives. Their sons James, Peter, Philip and Jacob are residents of Portage Township. Benoni and Magdalene Culp came from Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1831, and settled in Findlay Township. In 1836 they removed to Section 20, Portage ToVnship, where both spent the rest of their days. They reared eight children, four of whom are residents of the couDty.

Andi-ew Moorhead, Miles Wilson, David Culp, John Edgington, John S. Miller, and AVashington Taylor all came in 1836. IVIr. Moorhead was a brother of John and Samuel Moorhead, previous settlers of the township. He located in the northeast quarter of Section 31, where his son, Samuel E., now resides. He was twice married and left a family of five sons and five daughters. Mr. Moorhead died in 1884. Miles and Elizabeth Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania, came fi'om Champaign County, Ohio, and settled on Section 4, where both died. Their son, David, lives upon the old farm. David Culp, a brother of Benoni, settled on Section 20, and there died. His widow died in Pleasant Township, and none of their children live in this county. John and Catherine Edgington, of Richland County, Ohio, built their cabin near where their son, Thomas F. , now resides. He died here in 1848, and his widow in Iowa, in 1856. John S. Miller located on Sand Ridge, whence he removed to Pleasant Township and there died. Washington Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, with his widowed mother and three brothers and two sisters, came here from Richland County, Ohio, and settled on Section 17. The family subsequently removed to what is now Allen Township, where Washington and Charles yet reside. William lives in Findlay.

These settlers were soon followed by Andrew Nigh, yet a leading farmer of the township, James Mays, John Kempher, Jeremiah Pressor (colored), Jacob Switzer, George Mitchell, Samuel Oram, George Archer, Jacob Andre and William Edgar. John Norris, who first settled in Washington Township, in 1831, was also a pioneer of Poi'tage, locating on Section 32, quite early. He was twice married, and in 1877, sold his farm to Judge Cooper and went to Texas. Though others may have come into Portage dui'ing the years mentioned the foregoing list embraces the majority of those who can be properly termed pioneers.

Schools. - The first school in Portage Township was taught by Frederick S. Ankeny, in the winter of 1836-37. It was held in the wagon shop of Benoni Gulp, on Section 20, and was attended by the Gulps, Coopers, Edgingtons and others. Mr. Ankeny died during the term and the school was closed. The first schoolhoiase was built near Pleasant Hill, about 1837. The next year (1838) a building was put up in Section 31, on the Moorhead farm and a school opened by Miss Rebecca Hedges. She received $1.25 per week and "boarded around." The Coopers, Moorheads, Norrises, Gulps and Grams went to this school. Soon afterward another schoolhouse was erected on Section 27, where No. 1 school now stands. Sanfred F. Dulin was the first teacher in this building, which was attended by the Mitchells, Harts, Reeds, Bushongs, Shoops and others. It was not long until every part of the township had its schoolhouse. Portage now contains six school buildings wherein school is held seven months in the year. The young men or women who now grow up in this State without the advantages of an education are rarely found, for if they do so the fault lies with themselves or their parents. Good schools are now the rule, and all may freely enjoy the advantages they offer.

Churches. - The Regular Baptists organized the first society in the township at Merryman Price's cabin, about 1836. Merryman Price, Richard Wall, Price Blackford, Henry Rader, Henry M. Rose and their wives, and Isaac Comer, A. B. Kagy and Rebecca Beals were the first members. The society held alternate meetings at the Govui House in Findlay ; Isaac Comer's, in Liberty Township; Henry Rader' s, in Allen Township; and Merryman Price' s cabin, on Ten Mile Creek. This society subsequently bu.ilt a church in Van Bm-en. The Presbyterians, under Rev. George Van Eman, organized the Pleasant Hill Society in 1837. Miles Wilson, Sr., and family, the Moorheads, John Thompson, Samuel Huntington, John Norris and wife, Hugh Hudson and Paul Adams being among the first members. In September, 1837, John Thompson and John Bushong gave a piece of ground for a church and cemetery, and here a hewed-log building was soon afterward erected, which was used for several years. The society subsequently put up a fi-ame building near the home of Miles Wilson, Sr. In September, 1843, this society and Ebenezer Society, of Portage Township, were united under the name of West Union Church of Van Buren, where worship has ever since been held. The United Brethren denomination organized a society quite early, on Ten Mile Creek, and built a church on Section 4. This society is still in existence, and has a good church and a respectable membership. Central Methodist Episcopal Chapel was organized about 1850. In 1858 the present building, in the southeast corner of Section 28, was erected, and has ever since been used. The trustees at that time were Abraham Hart, Sanfred F. Dulin, Jacob Bowlby, Charles Deatsman,

Thomas Fountain, Abraham Beals, John Hardy, William H. Fountain and David Gulp. This denomination has now two churches in the township, both possessing good congregations.

Lafayette. - On the ISth of March, 1837, Jacob Andre laid out a village of 72 lots on the north part of the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15, which he named Lafayette. But that is as far as the town ever got, and Portage has never possessed a village or hamlet.

Portage Centre Postoffice. - In April, 1857, Portage Centre postoffice was established, with Jarvis Humphrey as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1863 by Joseph Johnson, who served sixteen years. Mrs. George W. Montgomery, the present incumbent, is Mr. Johnson's successor.

Justices. - The following list embraces all who have held the office of justice of the peace in Portage Township since its organization: Peter Heller, Merryman Price, Mahlon Morris, John Edgington, Samuel Howard, John Kelley, Henry B. Wall, Adam Crumrine, Charles B. Thomas, William M. King and Thomas F. Edgington.

Source changes here: from History of Hancock County Ohio, by Various, published 1886; 2,862 words in this source stream.

Portage Township

Here nearly eight years succeeding the erection of Findlay Township, in May, 1823, the territory now embraced in Portage Township formed a part of Findlay, but on the 6th of December, 1830, Liberty Township was erected, and then included all of the lands in this county lying west of the present western boundary of Findlay Township, or nearly one-half the county. The lands now composing this township remained a part of Liberty till March 4, 1833, when the commissioners ordered that Township 2 north, Range 10, be set off into a separate township, and named Portage. The two eastern tiers of sections in Township 2 north, Range 10 (now Allen), were a part of Findlay Township until the erection of Portage and Cass, March 4, 1833, when they were included in the former subdivision. The name of this township was derived from the river which flows through it; and the act of erection provided for an election of township officers on the first Monday in April, 1833, at which time an organization was effected. Upon the erection of Allen Township, in 1850, the two eastern tiers of sections of Portage were taken in the formation of the new subdivision leaving it with an area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres, and De change has since occurred in its territory. Portage is bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Allen Township, on the south by Liberty

Like the rest of Hancock County, the lands of this township originally bore up a heavy forest growth. Sand Ridge extends from east to west across the northern part of the township, composed of a sandy, gravelly soil. North of the ridge the soil is a sandy loam, while on the south side we find a yellowish clay with here and there a mixture of gravel and sand deposits well adapted to the growth of the cereals. Sugar Ridge runs parallel with Sand Ridge across the center of the township, and was so named because of the large number of sugar maples that grew upon it. The soil on Sugar Ridge is of a sandy, gravelly nature and very fertile. The general dip of the township is towards the north, and the surface is slightly rolling. One of the forks of Ten Mile Creek, abranch of Portage River, heads in the southwest part of the township, while the other flows in from Allen. The former takes a northeast, and the latter a northwest direction, and, after uniting on the southeast quarter of Section 4, passes northeastward, and leaves the county on Section 3, near the northeast corner of the township. 'These branches are fed by numerous springs, which also form the head-waters of both forks.

First Setilers. - Itis generally admitted that John Thompson and Robert Walters formed the vanguard of the early settlers who located in what is now Portage Township. Several families had settled some years previously in the two tiers of sections taken from Portage in the erection of Allen; but up to the summer of 1833, the present territory of this township was an unbroken forest. On the 24th of July, 1832, John Thompson entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 22, and the following summer located on his land, now the home of James-Deter. Hecame here frem Champaign County, Ohio, and was a very intelligent man and much respected by those who subsequently settled around him. After clearing up a farm and residing here for many years, he removed with his family to Kansas. Robert Walters, a Virginian, settled on Ten Mile Creek in Section 8, in the fall of 1833, where both he and his wife resided till their death.

John Cooper was the next settler in this subdivision, coming in March, 1834. He was born in Fayette County, Penn., April 25, 1811, whither his father had emigrated from New Jersey. In 1812 the family removed to Perry County, Ohio, where John grew to manhood and married Jane E. Cusac, daughter of Daniel Cusac. In the spring of 1834, the young couple took up their residence on the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 29, entered in April of that year, where they have ever since resided. Nine children blessed their union, six of whom survive, Allen being the first male born in the township. Though a man of limited education, Judge Cooper has filled the office of associate judge and county commissioner very acceptably. He has been far more successful than the average pioneer, and is to-day one of the wealthiest farmers in the county.

Amos Cooper, a cousin of the judge, also came in March, 1834, but was then a single man. The following November he married Elizabeth Poe and settled permanently in the southeast quarter of Section 32, entered by him in April, 1834. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence his parents removed to Perry County, Ohio, where he lived till his coming to Hancock. His wife died on the old homestead in 1872, and he in Findlay in 1879, leaving six children, all of whom are still residents of the county.

In May, 1834, John and Abigal (Simpson) Howard, with a family of nine children, located on Section 4, where he had entered eighty acres June 17, 1833. The parents and eldest son, Samuel, were natives of Pennsylvania, and in 1815 removed to Richland County, Ohio. - Here eight children were born, all of whom came out with the parents in the spring of 1834. Two children were born afterward. John and his wife resided on Ten Mile Creek until their death; but three of the sons are yet living in the county. Samuel, who resides in Findlay, is perhaps the best known of the family. He was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 7, 1814, and was in his twentieth year when the family settled in Hancock. In June, 1833, he borrowed $50 of his father with which to enter forty acres of land in Section 4, agreeing to keep the whole family in provisions for one year, and thus pay back the borrowed capital. He faithfully fulfilled his agreement, and thus became the owner of his first real estate. In 1837 he married Elizabeth Carroll, and settled permanently on his land. Eleven children were born to this union, six of whom are living. Mr. Howard has filled quite a prominent place in the political affairs of Hancock County, and has served four terms as county treasurer. He is well and favorably known from one end of the county to the other.

Daniel Warner, a native of New York State, born in 1799, came to Hancock County in 1834, and entered 160 acres of land in this township where he died in 1881.

The Moorheads - John and Samuel - came in the spring of 1834. Their mother dying in Pennsylvania, they removed with their father from that State to Stark County, Ohio, in 1814, where they both grew to maturity, and married. Samuel settled in the southeast quarter of Section 22, and John in the northeast quarter of Section 27, both tracts being entered August 19, 1833. The latter died a few years ago at the home of his son-in-law, Isaac Hart - the same farm he settled on in 1834. Samuel died in 1885 after a residence in the township of over fifty years. Both attained ripe old ages, and have left descendants in the township to perpetuate their memory.

John Reed and family, of Wayne County, Ohio, settled in the southeast quarter of Section 27 in the spring of 1834, where he afterward built the first brick house in the township. He subsequently removed to Findlay, and engaged in the hotel business in a frame building, which then stood on the site of the Commercial Hotel. Both he and his wife died in Findlay Township, but their daughter, Mrs. James Kerr, is a resident of Findlay.

Other settlers of 1834 were Mahlon Morris, Sanfred ¥. Dulin, Charles Crist, John Bushong, John McClay, George Taylor and Ezra Hazen. Mr. Morris settled in the southwest quarter of Section 22 in the fall of 1834. In 1836 he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected three times in succession. In 1846 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1848, but died August 5, 1849, while serving his second term. He left a family of three sons and six daughters. The surviving son is a member of the Findlay bar, and four of the six daughters are living, three in this township. His widow, Elizabeth, died in April, 1865. Sanfred F. Dulin is yet residing on the farm, where he settled in December, 1834. His parents, William and Charlotte Dulin (he a native of England and she of Germany), were married in Maryland, thence removed to Virginia, where Sanfred F. was born in 1810. In 1816 the family settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, and in January, 1880, came to Findlay, where the father died in 1832. A family of ten children grew to maturity, Sanfred being now the only survivor. The mother died at Mr. Dulin's home in 1866. Mr. Dulin was one of the pioneer school teachers of the county, and though seventy-five years have come and gone since he first saw the light of day, he is still one of the active, energetic, progressive men of his township. Charles Crist, a native of Maryland, settled on Section 29, but sold out and removed to Darke County, Ohio. John Bushong located in the northeast quarter of Section 28. Both he and his wife died at the home of their son, Jacob, in this township. John McClay settled on Section 15, but did not remain long in this locality. George Taylor and Ezra Hazen built their cabins on Section 21. After living here two or three years, both sold out and left the county.

In 1835 Merryman Price, Richard Wall, James Cooper and Valentine Miller came into the township. Price was from Richland County, and built his cabin in Section 4, on Ten mile Creek. He was the second justice of the township, but after living here several years he removed to Indiana. Wall also settled on Ten Mile Creek, thence removed to Pleasant Township, where both he and his wife died. Their son, William H., is a resident of Portage. James Cooper, familiarly known as '' Big Jim'' Cooper, located on Section 34, where he and his wife passed the balance of their lives. They reared three children, one of whom, Catherine, lives in Findlay Township. Valentine Miller was a German, and settled in the southwest quarter of Section 18, and there died.

Jacob Deter and Benoni Culp took up their residence in Portage in 1836. The former and his wife, Sarah, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Richland County, Ohio, coming in 1886 to Hancock County, and settling on Section 8, this township. They reared a family of seven children, and died on the old homestead where Peter now lives. Their sons James, Peter, Philip and Jacob are residents of Portage Township. Benoni and Magdalene Culp came from Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1831, and settled in Findlay Township. In 1836 they removed to Section 20, Portage Township, where both spent the rest of their days. They reared eight children, four of whom are residents of the county.

Andrew Moorhead, Miles Wilson, David Culp, John Edgington, John S. Miller, and Washington Taylor all came in 1836. Mr. Moorhead was a brother of John and Samuel Moorhead, previous settlers of the township. He located in the northeast quarter of Section 31, where his son, Samuel E., now resides. He was twice married and left a family of five sons and five daughters. Mr. Moorhead died in 1884. Miles and Elizabeth Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania, came from Champaign County, Ohio, and settled on Section 4, where both died. Their son, David, lives upon the old farm. David Culp, a brother of Benoni, settled on Section 20, and there died. His widow died in Pleasant Township, and none of their children live in this county. John and Catherine Edgington, of Richland County, Ohio, built their cabin near where their son, Thomas F., now resides. He died here in 1848, and his widow in Iowa, in 1856. John 8. Miller located on Sand Ridge, whence he removed to Pleasant Township and there died. Washington Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, with his widowed mother and three brothers and two sisters, came here from Richland County, Ohio, and settled on Section 17. The family subsequently removed to what is now Allen Township, where Washington and Charles yet reside. William

These settlers were soon followed by Andrew Nigh, yet a leading farmer of the township, James Mays, John Kempher, Jeremiah Pressor (colored), Jacob Switzer, George Mitchell, Samuel Oram, George Archer, Jacob Andre and William Edgar. John Norris, who first settled in Washington Township, in 1831, was also a pioneer of Portage, locating on Section 32, quite early. He was twice married, and in 1877, sold his farm to Judge Cooper and went to Texas. Though others may have come into Portage during the years mentioned the foregoing list embraces the majority of those who

2 peter tts first antiats in Portage Township was taught by Frederick §. Ankeny, in the winter of 1836-37. It was held in the wagon shop of Benoni Culp, on Section 20, and was attended by the Culps, Coopers, Edgingtons and others. Mr. Ankeny died during the term and the school was closed. The first schoolhouse was built near Pleasant Hill, about 1837. The next year (1838) a building was put up in Section 31, on the Moorhead farm and a school opened by Miss Rebecca Hedges. She received $1.25 per week and ''boarded around.'' The Coopers, Moorheads, Norrises, Culps and Orams went to this school. Soon afterward another schoolhouse was erected on Section 27, where No. 1 school now stands. Sanfred F. Dulin was the first teacher in this building, which was attended by the Mitchells, Harts, Reeds, Bushongs, Shoops and others. It was not long until every part of the township had its schoolhouse. Portage now contains six school buildings wherein school is held seven months in the year. The young men or women who now grow up in this State without the advantages of an education are rarely found, for if they do so the fault lies with themselves or their parents. Good schools are now the rule, and all may freely enjoy the advantages they offer.

Churches. - The Regular Baptists organized the first society in the township at Merryman Price's cabin, about 1836. Merryman Price, Richard Wall, Price Blackford, Henry Rader, Henry M. Rose and their wives, and Isaac Comer, A. B. Kagy and Rebecca Beals were the first members. The society held alternate meetings at the Court House in Findlay; Isaac Comer's, in Liberty, Township; Henry Rader's, in Allen Township; and Merryman Price's cabin, on Ten Mile Creek. This society subsequently built a church in Van Buren. The Presbyterians, under Rev. George Van Eman, organwed the Pleasant Hill Society in 1837. Miles Wilson, Sr., and family, the Moorheads, John Thompson, Samuel Huntington, John Norris and wife, Hugh Hudson and Paul Adams being among the first members. In September, 1837, John Thompson and John Bushong gave a piece of ground for a church and cemetery, and here a hewed-log building was soon afterward erected, which was used for several years. The society subsequently put up a frame building near the home of Miles Wilson, Sr. In September, 1848, this society and Ebenezer Society, of Portage Township, were united under the name of West Union Church of Van Buren, where worship has ever since been held. The United Brethren denomination organized a society quite early, on Ten Mile Creek, and built a church on Section 4. This society is still in existence, and has a good church and a respectable membership. Central Methodist Episcopal Chapel was organized about 1850. In 1858 the present building, in the southeast corner of Section 28, was erected, and has ever since been used. The trustees at that time were Abraham Hart, Sanfred F. Dulin, Jacob Bowlby, Charles Deatsman,

Thomas Fountain, Abraham Beals, John Hardy, William H. Fountain and David Culp. This denomination has now two churches in the township, both possessing good congregations.

Lafayette. - On the 18th of March, 1837, Jacob Andre laid out a village of 72 lots on the north part of the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15, which he named Lafayette. But that is as far as the town ever got, and Portage has never possessed a village or hamlet.

Portage Centre Postoffice. - In April, 1857, Portage Centre postoffice was established, with Jarvis Humphrey as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1863 by Joseph Johnson, who served sixteen years. Mrs. George W. Montgomery, the present incumbent, is Mr. Johnson's successor.

Justices. - The following list embraces all who have held the office of justice of the peace in Portage Township since its organization: Peter Heller, Merryman Price, Mahlon Morris, John Edgington, Samuel Howard, John Kelley, Henry B. Wall, Adam Crumrine, Charles B. Thomas, William M. King and Thomas F. Edgington.