Townsend Township (part 2 of 2)

| and all for miles around (for the word j neighbor in pioneer history has a wide 1 meaning) came to his assistance, bringing ; with them their wives, daughters and sis- | ters to do the cooking and put in the odd I hours at sewing, weaving, or perchance i cheering the success of favorite beaux in the many trials of strength which were constantly going on in the clearing. The day usually closed with wrestling matches, lifting contests or other trials of strength and agility. The victories of strong and active men were rewarded by the loving smiles of honest women who were always ready to encourage with hand and heart, ; and were willing not only to lighten but to take upon themselves a fair share of the burdens of the times. On one of these gala days, which combined work with fun, as soon as darkness had driven day away, all the young people repaired to the place of dancing, to the cabin or a stand erected for the purpose, but in either case the floor was made of split puncheons. This sort of a floor had one recommendation, it was firm; but on account of roughness would be badly calculated for the graceful, gliding waltz of the present generation. Indeed, when we picture the conditions, we cease to wonder why the "women stepped higher" than now, when dancing is done on waxed floors. The round dance was a movement unthought of, but they performed all sorts of figures in the catalogue of square dancing. Those movements requiring most exertion were the most popular. The walk around quadrille of today is looked upon by the women and men of the old school as a silly performance, and perhaps it is. The "French Four," "Virginia Reel," and other similar exercises were participated in with an enthusiasm which would have been destructive to set-rings, bracelets, or lace sleeves, had the ladies worn them. But plain homespun, or in exceptional cases calico dresses, constituted the ladies' costumes. Wooden stays took the place of corsets, and the feet rested upon broad soles and heels. When the surrounding forest had echoed and re-echoed the inspiring notes of the violin and the clatter of joyful feet, till long after wolves had ceased their midnight howls, the party, tired of pleasure broke up, and all quietly followed woodland paths to cabin homes.

Daniel Rice, one of the earliest pioneers along the Sandusky River, and an early settler of Townsend, was born in Clarendon, Vermont, March 29, 1792. At the age of thirteen he went to New York, and served in the War of 1812, in Captain John Dix's company, New York militia. At the close of the war, in company with an older sister, he came to Ohio and located for a time in Franklin county, near Columbus. In 1819 he came to the Sandusky Valley, about eight miles below Fort Ball. He was a justice of the peace in 1820, and solemnized the first marriage recorded in Sandusky county, October 24, 1820, the parties being West Barney and Sophronia Wilson. Mr. Rice married, December 14, a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In 1825 thev settled in Townsend, on the farm on v ich Mrs Rice now lives, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They had seven children, four of whom are living. Daniel Rice died May 13, 1872.

M. B. Rice, son of Daniel Rice, was born in Townsend township in 1831. Be* foie he married he spent fourteen years of his life in California, where he was engaged 1 in mining. In 1868 he married Mrs. Anna (Hathaway) Rice, widow of Daniel Rice, jr. She was born in Scott township in 1838. They have two children - Thaddeus Waldo and DeWitt Clinton. Mr- Rice has a good farm and is a successful farmer. He dwells upon the old Rice farm.

Purdy and Warner Smith were early settlers of the township. Warner was a single man and lived with his brother Purdy until after the death of Tibbols, when he married the widow. He had been a magis-

James Lemmon, sr., was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1 7 79- In 1800 he removed to New York, and in 1805 married Rebecca Blake, a native of Connecticut. In 1827 he came to Ohio and settled on the North 'ridge in Townsend, where he died May 7, 1854. His wife died March 29, 1855. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters. Mathew M. was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1812. He came 1 to Sandusky county with the family in 1827, and still resides on the farm on which his father settled. He married Sarah McIntyre in 1848 and has a family of four children - Frank married Hannah Keilor, and lives on the homestead ; Harvey married Bessie Nearkoop, and lives in Townsend; Etta, wife of Luther Wilt, resides in Townsend ; George is unmarried.

John Bush came from New York with his family in 1827 and settled in Townsend township. The family consisted of five sons, viz: Fenner, Medina, Michigan;

After 1830 the township filled up so rapidly that it is impossible to give the names of more than a few of the more j prominent and influential settlers.

Alpheus McIntyre, a native of New j York, settled in Townsend in 1830. The j maiden name of his wife was Lois Sanford. He had been deputy sheriff of ! Hamilton county, and in this county served as associate judge of the court of i common pleas. He was one of the early 1 school-teachers and magistrates of Townsend. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Sally Curtis, nee Cleveland, who was j the first school-teacher in the township.

Nathan and Sidney Crandall came to the township about 1830. Nathan was a sailor and spent only his winters here with his brother, Sidney, who owned a farm and had a family.

A man named Lyon lived on Pickle street soon after the road bearing' that name was laid out. A little ill-feeling between him and Mr. Smith about a piece of meat gave the road its name.

Zelotes Parkhurst was a native of Vermont. He spent his early life in some of the Southern States, and subsequently in New York. In 1828 he married Lois Stevens, of Livingston county, New York, and in 1830 came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Townsend township, wrhere he died, January 2, 1844. The three sons, W. T., J. S., and Phineas W., all served in the army. Phineas W. married, in 1869, Miss S. Z. Richards, of Townsend, and is now cashier of the Clyde bank. Zelotes Parkhurst laid out and donated to the public the Parkhurst cemetery, in which his remains repose.

Phineas Stevens was born in Massachusetts, in 1754. He served in the war of the Revolution, and afterwards settled in New York. In 1830 he came to Ohio and settled in this township, where he died in 1840. His wife survived him two years.

The Whitmore family settled in this township on the Wadsworth farm in 1830. George and Margaret were the names of the parents. The children who came with them were Rachel, born in 1804; Janet, born in 1814; and John. Rachel married Holcomb Allen, and died at Port Huron, Michigan. Janet married Benjamin Winters, and died in this township. John Whitmore was born in Leicester, Livingston county, New York, May 29, 1816, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1837. He married Marcia (Swift) Chapman. They had only one child, now living, Ann J., the wife of Walter Davlin. Mr. Whitmore became a most successful business man and a very prominent citizen. He died January i, 1881.

The Beaghler family settled in this county in 1831. E. Beaghler, still a resident of Townsend, was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1826. In 1845 he married Lavina Morse, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living - Nancy (Batsole), Michigan ; Mary (Young), Ballville; and Amelia (Thompson), Townsend. He married for his second wife, in 1858, Caroline Jackson. One child is the fruit of this union, Anson J., living in Townsend. Mrs. Beaghler was a daughter of A. C. Jackson, one of the early settlers in Townsend.

Hezekiah Higley, who is still living in Townsend township, was born in Massachusetts in 1790, April 6. When eleven years old, he went to New York State, whence he emigrated to Portage county, Ohio, from there to Erie county, and in 1832, to his present abode. In 1815 he married Jerusha Clark, who was born in Berkshire county in 1794, and died in Townsend township in 1876. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom are living: Laura, wife of Cyrus Daniels, Riley; Anson, Hudson, Michigan; William, Hessville; and Orson, Townsend.

Simeon Haff was born in the State of New York in 1769. At the age of thirty he married Betsey Lyon, of the same State. In the spring of 1830 he came West, settled in Townsend, and passed the remainder of his days here. He died October 10, 1841. Mrs. Haff died March 18, 1852, aged sixty-six. The family comprised five sons and six daughters. Four sons and two daughters are living - Hiram, Clyde; Israel, Indian Territory; Francis, Michigan, and Cyrus in Riley township. William, the third son, lived and died in this township, and brought up a family.

1 December 16, 1812, at which time his father was serving in the war. He came I with his parents to this county, and resided upon the old place until 1854, when he moved to York township. About two years ago he moved to Clyde, his present residence. July 4, 1836, he married Cynthia Avery, of this county. She died | in December, 1876. They reared six sons and three daughters, who are now located as follows: Sanford, Wyandotte, Kansas; Edwin, Lenawee county, Michigan; Elisha, Reuben and Fred, Townsend ; and Hiram B., York. The daughters: Mrs. Melinda Lewis, Townsend; Mrs. Betsey Whitaker, Henry county ; and Mrs. Belle Heffner, Clyde.

| and settled in Townsend township, his | present residence. In 1853 he married i Mary Rice, daughter of D.aniel and Ann | Rice, of this township. To them have been born three children - Merritt, who ] married Mary Beebe, daughter of Enoch j and Jane Beebe, and resides in Townsend ; Alma L., the wife of Eugene Win- I ters, Eaton Rapids, Michigan; and Jennie,

G. \V. Sanford, son of Zachariah and Mary Sanford, was born in Townsend township, February 2, 1840. He lived at home until he began work for himself. In 1863 he married Miss Adaline Hawkins, daughter of Hiram Hawkins, of Townsend. He has been residing on his present farm since 1868. Politically Mr. Sanford is a Republican.

James Lewis removed from Ontario county, New York, in 1833, and settled in the northeast corner of Townsend. He retired from the farm some time since and is now living at Clyde.

Benjamin Hooper, another of the settlers of 1833, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1787. He emigrated to America in 1833 and settled in Townsend the same year. His family consisted of four daughters and one son.

Edward Chambers, a native of Ireland, removed from Boston, Massachusetts, and settled in Townsend township on the farm now occupied by Andrew Smith, in 1845. He married Mary Hooper, who is still living at Clyde. Three of their children are living - F. R. Chambers in Townsend, A. B. Chambers, Hannibal, Missouri, and Mary A. Chambers, Clyde. Edward Chambers died in March, 1879. F. R. Chambers was born in Townsend township in 1847. He married, November 1, 1880, Annie Mahr, daughter of G. P. and Anna M. Mahr, of this township.

Isaiah Golden was born in Pike county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. In 1823 his father removed to Wayne county, Ohio, and thence to Huron county. Mr. Golden, in 1840, came to this county and settled in Townsend township. He married for his first wife, Lucy H. Gifford. For his second wife he married Sarah Ann Short. The fruit of this marriage is four children living - Seth, Townsend township; Polly

Z. P. Brush was born at Danbury, Connecticut, in 1816. His father's family soon after removed to New York, whence Z. P. emigrated to Erie county, Ohio, in 1836, and in 1841 married Almira Tibbals. He removed to Townsend the next spring, and settled on the farm on which Abraham Townsend had made the first improvement in the township. After Townsend removed, this farm was owned by Zeno Tibbals, the father-in-law of Mr. Brush. The Brush family consists of five children living - Z. T., commercial traveller; Joseph B., Townsend; Mildred (Nichols), Kansas; James Z. and Allie, Townsend.

The White family settled in Townsend township about 1843. Lytle White was a native of the State of New York. He married, in Townsend, Mrs. Ann Kittle, nee Winters, who still survives him. To them was born Benjamin L., who now resides in this township. By her former ! marriage Mrs. White had one child, Mary, deceased. Mrs. White was born in Canada in 1799.

1 in 1840. In 1848 he came to Sandusky county with his father, and in 1865 married Catharine Wahl. Three children are ! living - Charles F., William R., and Ella, j Mr. White was elected to the office of in- ; firmary director in 1878, and has also ; served his township as trustee.

Joseph Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1830, and settled in Townsend township. In 1864 he married Caroline Wadsworth. Four children of this union are living - J. Henry, Anna, Addie, and Bertie. Joseph Miller died in 1 March, 1881, aged sixty-eight years.

grandson of the venerable William Fuller, ! was born in this township in 1847. In i 1873 he married Clara Stone, and has a 1 family of two children, Raymond and Zella. Mr. Fuller has filled the offices of township assessor, trustee, and treasurer.

Walter Davlin was born in Erie county in 1833, his father having been one of the pioneers in that part of the State. In 1862 he married Ann J., daughter of John Whitmore, and four years later settled permanently in this township. His children are: William, Marcia, Sadie, Margaret, and Ann J. Mrs. Davlin had two children by a former marriage, Carrie and John. Mr. Davlin is postmaster at Whitmore Station.

Giles Ray removed from Erie to Sandusky county in 1866, a few months before he had married Sophia Brown, the fruit of which union is four children - Scott, Jesse, Sophia, and Eva. Mr. Ray served three years in the army, being mustered out as a corporal. Giles Ray is son of Alexander Ray, now living in Clyde. Giles was born in Erie county in 1841. Mrs. Ray is a native of the same county, and was born in 1844. Her father, Orlando Brown, still resides in that county.

James Black was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1835. In t86i he enlisted in the Seventeenth Ohio, and served three and one-half months. He settled in this county in 1865.

Manasseh Prentice was born in Erie county, Ohio, in 1827. He is a son of Levi and Mary Prentice. Levi Prentice was born in Madison county, New York, in 1801; died in Erie county, Ohio, in 1834. His wife, Mary Hartwell, was born in Canada in 1808; died in 1872. Manasseh was the oldest of their five children. He married Elizabeth W. Barnes in 1846, and resided in Erie county until 1867, when he became a resident of Townsend. There are seven children

A Tornado

The uthof April, 1834, is memorable in the annals of Green Creex and Townsend townships. Warm thunder-showers interspersed by intervals of hot sunshine had prevailed during the day, until about the middle of the afternoon, when a cloud of midnight blackness overhung the thick forest in the neighborhood of Green Creek. As this huge mass of blackness approached the earth, trees surged, then reeling fell, some twisted to pieces, others torn from the ground. Like a great ball, it rolled in a northeasterly direction. The rugged trees of the forest for a moment seemed to offer resistance to its progress, then snapped and were broken like bone between the lion's teeth. Smaller trees and shrubs bowed obeisance to the passing giant, but were crushed beneath the ruins of their stronger neighbors. The earth trembled and trees bowed down for half a mile on either side of its path.

The course was on across the pike and down through Townsend crossing the North ridge road near the county line. Its path proper was less than a quarter of a mile wide, although the effect of the storm was traceable for half a mile on either side. Not a tree was left standing in the path, but shattered timber lying in every direction covered the ground. One cabin was scattered and its pieces carried on the bosom of the winds. The roof of one house on the ridge, although not in direct line of the storm, was blown off, and the good house-wife's feathers filled the air like snow in a winter storm.

The tornado fortunately did not pass over a thickly settled portion of country. So far as is known but one life was lost - that of Mr. Keiser, of Townsend. Stephen Gillett had his arm broken by a falling tree. He was holding to a stump , to keep from blowing away, when a limb struck his extended arm. The movement of the black cloud was very rapid, and its demonstrations caused great excitement. The date we have given is from the diary of a trustworthy lady who still lives in Townsend.

A Criminal Episode

A curious episode of early times in Townsend was the treatment of a thief who entered the cabin of Mr. A. C. Jackson, carried out some clothing and the gun, and left the house in danger of being burned. Mr. Jackson was away from the house and Mrs. Jackson was out on the farm, when a stranger, who had the - night before been the recipient of the household's hospitality, entered and committed the crime spoken of. On Mrs. Jackson's return she aroused the neighborhood. The woods were carefully searched and the man found, but the gun and bundle of clothes, which included all the spare wearing apparel of both members of the family, were not so easily found. The culprit was asked to tell where the missing articles could be found, with the understanding that restoration should requite the crime. The place of the gun's concealment was faithfully described, but not so with the clothing. The neighbors, j exasperated with this deception, again ; seized the robber, and with cudgels and j switches began to inflict punishment. To free himself from torture, the thief again, although not yet willing to tell the truth, deceived his executioners, who retaliated by plying their cudgels with heavier strokes to his body, already bruised to blackness.

The whipping in this wise continued for more than an hour, the poor man suffering excruciating torture all the time. At last he was released on the promise of woiking for Mr. Jackson in the clearing to the value of the stolen property. This arrangement was effected largely through the intervention of William Tew, who adjudged the man crazy, and insisted on his release. The thief worked for a few days according to contract, but soon became tired of the clearing and was never seen afterwards. The goods were sometime after found in Huron county.

Early Events

The first road laid out through the township followed the ridge from the Cold Creek mill, and intersected the pike at Hamer's tavern. Stages followed this road to Sandusky, and made the cabin of A. C. Jackson an intermediate stopping place. Addy Van Nest also kept public house at which the stage occasionally "put up."

The first sermon was preached by Harry O. Sheldon in the Jackson neighborhood. Services were occasionally held after this under direction of Methodist circuit riders.

Rachel Mack taught a summer school at Reebe's, which was attended by the children of that neighborhood. She also ! did such needlework as the simple wants of the pioneer mothers required.

An early marriage was solemnized by ; Ebenezer Ransom, the first justice of the ; peace, which, on account of the brevity ! and directness of the ceremony reflects credit upon that honorable magistrate. Mr. Putnam, accompanied by his betrothed entered the homely cabin, and after an- nouncing their errand were joined according to the following formula: "Do you take this here woman for your wife?" "Yes," was the reply. "Do you want this here man for your husband? " The bride, whose costume was beautifully simple, sighed a faltering "Yes." "You're married'" was the squire's blunt conclusion. The parties most interested seemed to doubt the fact, however, and held the floor, when the justice, to end the matter, said: "See here, you may think that business short but it's done just as right as if it took half an hour. "

The pioneers in Townsend or elsewhere had great difficulty to secure the cash necessary to purchase such articles as could not be obtained in exchange for farm products. Furs always commanded ready money, and in consequence the woods and marshes were thoroughly searched during the killing season. The manufacture of black salt or potash was the only profitable use of timber in that early day, and Mr. Richardson, Mr. Holbrook, and others, who had kilns found the industry profitable. Black salt always sold for cash in the market at Milan.

Each settler owning stock had a peculiar "ear mark," which was registered in a book kept for the purpose by the township clerk. It was against the law for any one to kill marked animals of any kind. But hogs frequently strayed away and were lost. Young pigs as they grew became wild and even dangerous; these it was allowable to kill, being classed as "wild hogs." An old settler declared to the writer that he would rather meet a bear in the woods than an enraged wild boar. They fought with that dumb determination which makes even a weak enemy formidable.

in the weeds has been the cause of distressing misery and sickness in Townsend, both on the east and west sides. Milksickness was, during the early settlement, a disease wholly beyond the control of physicians. Even Indian remedies were employed, but to no purpose, for the wisest of the tribes could not cure their own strong and vigorous kin when afflicted with this dread disease. We do not mean to convey the idea that the disease was in all cases fatal. Many recovered, but in almost every case with enfeebled constitutions.

Other diseases greatly afflicted the pioneers and retarded the progress of improvement. Decaying logs were throwing off poisoned vapors, and stagnant pools, formed by fallen timbers damming the natural water channels, became malaria fountains. But in this respect Townsend was no worse than other parts of the county. Since tame grasses have taken the place of wild herbs and plowed fields occupy the soil once covered by damp forest, milk sickness has become a disease known only in tradition, and the general health of the township is good.

A collection of houses on the ridge road became known as "Coopertown," taking its name from the occupation of the Starks family, by whom one of the houses was occupied. They carried on the coopering business on an extensive scale. But coopering was not the only industry carried on at this hamlet. William Willis had a shoe-shop, and William Wales had a wagon-maker's shop. Goods of a general character were sold here by Benjamin Bacon and William Willis.

Townsend post office was established in 1824 with William Tew, sr., in charge as postmaster. In 1853, after the completion of the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati railroad, the office was removed to the neighborhood of York Station and placed in charge of Josiah Munger. Whitmore Station was made a postoffice with Walter Davlin in charge upon the completion of the Sandusky extension of the Lake Erie & Western railroad. York Station is a small hamlet on the Cleveland, Sandusky & Cincinnati railroad near the center of the township. Here, as almost everywhere else, religious worship was instituted by the Methodists. Harry O. Sheldon and other circuit riders preached to the Townsend people as early as 1824. The first church was built by the Methodists, in 1848, with Daniel Wilcox as circuit preacher. The meetinghouse stands on the North ridge road.

There is a society of United Brethren in the north part of the township. Circuit preachers and supplies have held service in the school houses in that community for many years, but no house of worship was built till 1870.

Carmi G. And Lydia Sanford

Zachariah Sanford, father of the Sanfords of this county, and a Townsend pioneer, was born near Saybrook, Connecticut, in the year 1790. At the age of eighteen he left Connecticut, with his widowed mother, and settled in Madison county, New York. He married Mary P. Mantor, who was born in Massachusetts in 1798. The newly-wedded couple settled on a farm in Ontario county, New

York, which was their home till the fall of 1832, when, with their family, they removed to Ohio, and settled in this township. Mr. Sanford purchased an I eighty acre lot entirely covered with native forest. The father and sons made an opening for a log cabin upon ! their arrival, and during the winter pre- I pared a tract for spring crops. On this i farm Mr. Sanford lived until his death,

Zachariah Sanford was a man of quiet temperament, unobtrusive and hospitable. In his family he was kind and indulgent; in intercourse and dealing with his neighbors he avoided anything like conflict. It has been said of him that he died without an enemy.

Mrs. Mary Sanford was an excellent 1 mother. She was a woman of deep religious convictions, being in this respect like his mother, who made her home for many years in the Sanford residence.

Bible reading was especially encouraged in the family. Carmi G., while a boy, was given a sheep as a prize for having read the entire Bible through.

were limited, and in this county still more meagre. He worked industriously on his father's farm until young manhood. His first purchase of land was a tract of forty acres, which he still owns. He married, March 9, 1844, Lydia Allyn, and settled on a farm, for which he traded three years before. Only a small portion of this farm, located three-fourths of a mile north ol his present residence, was cleared. The cabin was made entirely of logs and puncheons, except one door, which was made of the boards of a store-box. In this cabin they lived for about ten years. Mr. Sanford removed to his present residence in 1863, retaining possession of the old farm. By economy and industry he has accumulated real estate, until at present he owns four hundred acres of well-improved land. Mr. Sanford has always been an advanced farmer, keeping pace, in methods and machinery, with the times. In politics he has been active, apd is looked upon as a leader. A Whig by inheritance, he became a Republican from principle. During the war he spent time and money in the encouragement of enlistments and support of the families of soldiers in the field. When the One Hundred and Sixtyninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was formed, Mr. Sanford was chosen captain of the largest company, C, composed of volunteers from Riley and Townsend townships. At the regimental organization at Fremont, he was chosen to the position of leutenant-colonel, and Nathaniel, a brother of William E. Haynes, was elected colonel. Through the caprice of Colonel Wiley, Mr. Sanford was dismissed before being mustered into the service.

Since the war Mr. Sanford has remained an active Republican, by which party he was elected to the offices of county infirmary director and county commissioner.

He had previously served his township as clerk and justice of the peace. He is a member of Clyde Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and of Erie Commandery No. 23, located at Sandusky.

Mrs. Sanford is the daughter of Isaac and Permelia Allyn, and was born March 20, 1S28. Isaac Allyn was born in Connecticut, September 21, 1786. He left home at the age of eighteen years, and settled, after travelling to various places, in Erie county. About 1820, in company with Jonas Gibbs, he came to this county, and settled on the prairie in the north part of Riley township. He raised horses and cattle for market, frequently making large sales. He also engaged largely in raising hogs, and in pork packing. Mr. Allyn made his home in the Gibbs' family for a few years, and then kept bachelor's hall in a cabin on his own place until he was married, which event took place June 12, 1827.

Permelia Allyn, daughter of Cyrus Downing, was born June 24, 1795, in Windom county, Connecticut. Before she was two years old her parents removed to New York, where they lived till iScc, at which time they came to Ohio and settled near Huron.

On account of Indian hostilities, the family was compelled to leave this new home and take refuge in the fort at Cleveland. Permelia married, in April, 1813, Jeremiah Daniels. About twenty families lived at Huron at this time. They were compelled by hostile Indians to leave their homes nine times during one year. Mr. Daniels having deceased, Permelia married Isaac Allyn, in 1827. The fruit of this union was three children - Lydia (Sanford), born March 20, 1828; Isaac M., born February 8, 1832, living in Riiey township; and Permelia (Sanford), born November 6, 1837, died JunU 25, 1S81.

Isaac .Allyn died January 30, 1839. | Mrs. Allyn survived him many years, the j date of her death being September 18, ; 1874. She was a hard worker, and a j woman of good business ability. She j carried on her husbands stock business j for several years after his death. One j year she salted with her own hands more than one hundred barrels of pork. Mrs. Allyn, during the last year and a half of her life, made her home with her daughter Lydia.

Mrs. Sanford is naturally a happy and cheerful woman. She takes great interest in the welfare of her family. Her home is one of the most attractive in the county.

Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have had seven children, three of whom are living - Mary j P., born April 24, 1846, died in infancy; j Winfield Scott, born August 16, 1847, ! maried Eliza McCartney, and has three ! children, resides in Sandusky; Flora A., j born February 3, 1850, married James j Gaw, died February 28, 1872; Morgan | C., born July 25, 1S61, resides at home; Kate L., born November 7, 1864, died March 1, 1868; Hattie M., born January 24, 1868, lives at home; Charles G., born January 24, 1871, died October 6, 1872. j

William Fuller

On another page will be found a good likeness of one of the few pioneers now living. One by one he has seen the first settlers carried to their long home, old and young, grave and gay, strong and feeble, from the gray-haired grandsire to the tottering infant. Yet he remains, almost the "last of a noble race," - the heroic race of pioneers.

Jason Fuller was born in Connecticut, May 24, 1767. He moved to Massachusetts when quite a young man, and settled in what is now Franklin county. There he married Philanda Taylor and resided until 1816, when he moved with his family to Ontario county (now Livingston county), New York, where his wife died in 1818, on the 5 th of November, at the age of forty-nine. Jason Fuller and wife were the parents of eight children, all of whom lived to be married, and all had families excepting the oldest daughter. We will briefly mention each in the order of their ages : Cynthia married Silas Pratt, in Massachusetts, moved to Sandusky county in 1824, and died here. R.achel married Amos Hammond in New York State; died in Michigan. Philanda was the first wife of James Morrill, and died in Massachusetts. Electa married James Morrill, and is now living in Kansas; she was eightv-four, May 24, 1881. William was the next child and oldest son. John married, in Green Creek township, Rhoda Powell; moved to Nebraska, and died there. Betsey married Ichabod Munger in New York State; died in Michigan. Thomas married Margaret Ewart in New York; died in Michigan.

Thus it will be seen there are but two members of the family surviving. Jason Fuller followed the occupation of farming through life. Both he and his wife were honest, upright people, and members of the Baptist church. They were kind and loving parents, and tenderly and carefully reared their large family.

William Fuller was born in Hawley, Hampshire county, Massachusetts (now Franklin county), on the 23d of January, 1799. There he lived until the fall of 1816, attending school and assisting his father on the farm. He went with his parents to New York State, and resided there until February, r8i8; then, at the age of nineteen, on foot and alone, he started for Ohio, then the "far West." He carried in a package upon his back a few articles of clothing and some pro- visions to eat upon the way. He traversed the entire distance on foot, except when some traveller gave him a ride for a few miles. On the thirteenth day after he left home he arrived in Milan township, Huron county, and immediately engaged to work for 'Squire Ebenezer Merry. Two weeks after his arrival his father, bis oldest sister and her husband, and his youngest brother came. His father took possession of a tract of land previously negotiated for, upon which William engaged to clear ten acres as a compensation for the use of his time during the remaining period of his minority. William returned to New York State the following July, his plans being to settle up some business for his father, do the harvesting on the old farm, and return to Ohio in the fall with the rest of the family. Duri g this summer he made a business trip to Massachusetts; on his return he found his mother quite ill and unable to think of performing the long journey to Ohio. She died in November. His father, who had been advised of her illness, was unable to accomplish the journey from the West in time to be with her during her last moments, but arrived in New York in December.

While at home this winter William took unto himself a wife. He was married on the 7th day of November, 1819, to Mehctable Botsford. She was a native of Connecticut, but her parents were then living in New York. On the last day of February, 1819, arrangements having finally been completed for a return to the new western home, William Fuller, accompanied by his wife and father, started again for Ohio, with a yoke of oxen and a sled upon which were carried the few household goods they were then possessed of. They were twenty-two days upon the road.

father, never a very healthy man, was taken ill in the month of September, and after lingering a few weeks, died at William's home on the 25th of October, 1819, at the age of fifty-two. Mr. Fuller lived in Milan township until 1824. While there he had cleared about twenty acres, erected a log house and barn, and subdued the land until he had a very fair field of some thirty acres, including ten acres which his father had cleared. For this work he received no pay, except the crops he secured; but as neither he nor his father had made any payment for the land, the only loss was the value of his labor for six years.

In 1823 Mr. Fuller bought forty acres in Green Creek township, southeast of Clyde, moved upon it in the spring of 1824, and began clearing and improving. He had erected a cabin before bringing his family here. In June he was taken ill, and was unable to work until the latter part of August. Then he suffered through the fall with ague. Altogether, the first year was one which might well be deemed discouraging, but the next brought even greater trials and misfortunes. During the following year he was able to do but little work. In August, 1826, his wife was taken ill with a fever, and on the 15th day of the same month his oldest child was killed by the oxen running away with the cart, throwing him out and killing him. The 19th day of August his fourth child was born, and on the following day Mrs. Fuller died, and was buried, together with her dead infant. Mr. Fuller was then obliged to break up housekeeping, leaving his two remaining children in the care of his sis.er, Mrs. Hammond, until the spring of 1827, when he went back to New York State, and worked at various employments for four years, paying his children's board.

May 15, 1831, and returned to his farm, where he continued to reside until March, 1834, when he came to his present place of residence in Townsend township. This, too, was wild, and Mr. Fuller once more had the work of a pioneer to perform. January 23, 1835, death again entered the household, and deprived Mr. ; Fuller of his wife. Being thus left with a ; farm to manage and four children to pro- j vide for, he could not well abandon house- j keeping, and on the 6th of July, 1835, he married his third wife, Marcia M. George, ; a native of his New York home. She lived just one year from the day of her marriage, and died July 6, 1836.

October 19, 1837, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to the lady, who presides over his home, Emma M. Levisee, born in Lima, Livingston county, New York.

By his first wife he was the father of four children, one of whom is living. They were Jason H., David, John, and an infant. Jason H. was born March 1, 1820; died August 15, 1826, as before mentioned, j David, born July 8, 1821; married Mary ' Z. Higley for his first wife, who bore him six children, four of whom survive. His | second wife, Eliza J. Plumb, bore two ! children, who are still living. He died in Townsend, May 18, 1879. John, born April 7, 1823; married Eliza Mallory ; now resides in Branch county, Michigan; has one child living and one deceased. A son, born August 19, 1826, died in infancy.

Mr. Fuller's second wife bore two children, one of whom is living: William T., born April 10, 1832; married .Mary J. Van Buskirk; resides in Townsend; is the father of six children, three of whom are now living. Cynthia M., born November 2, 1833, died December 22, 1853.

His present wife has borne three children, two of whom are living. Taylor, born March 29, 1S40, married Angelinc Stone, resides in York, has one child. James, born October 13, 1844, married Betsey Richards, resides near his parents, has one child. Albert, born June 22, 1846, died September 26, 1849.

Mr. Fuller had his full share of the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Commencing in a new country, while net of age, he fought his way onward against many difficulties and severe trials. In the days when wheat was only twenty-five cents per bushel, and groceries were held at enormous prices, salt being nine and eleven dollars per barrel, it was hard for a man to make and pay for a home. But all this is past and gone. His industry, activity and patience were rewarded in time. Mr. Fuller has been a successful business man. Though physically somewhat enfeebled by age and the results of years of toil, his mind is clear and cheerful, and he is passing the evening of his days among the scenes of his former struggles and triumphs, happy and contented. Each of his five sons who grew to manhood and married, were helped to a farm by their father.

Mr. Fuller was a Democrat until 1856, but since that time has voted with the Republicans. In religion he is a believer in the doctrine of universal salvation.

The Levisee Family

which State his father, James Levisee, had previously moved from Connecticut. Soon after Aaron's birth his parents returned to Connecticut, and there his father died.

Aaron Levisee was the oldest of a family of six sons and three daughters. He passed his boyhood in Connecticut and Massachusetts principally. Before he was twenty-one he engaged as a clerk on a sailing vessel, and followed the sea about three years, visiting many foreign coun tries. He acquired a very lair education, and, after quitting the sea, followed the profession of teaching, in Connecticut and Massachusetts, until he was married. While teaching at Lanesborough, in the latter State, he had for a pupil the lady who afterwards became his wife. One day he punished this scholar for some trivial fault, and a month later they were married. In his twenty-fourth year he was united in marriage to Anna Lyon, daughter of Thomas and Thankful Lyon, both natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Levisee was born at Lanesborough, May 13, 1778. After their marriage they lived a short time in Massachusetts, then went to Greenfield, Saratoga county, New York, where they remained a few years, thence moved to Charleston, Ontario county, -New York, now Lima, Livingston county, where Mrs. Levisee's parents had moved before them. In this last-nat^ed place John L. Levisee was born. In 1822 the family moved from Ontario county to Allen, Allegany county, in the same State, where Mr. Levisee died on the 1 8th of June, 1828. The widow moved, with her family, to Sandusky county, Ohio, arriving in Townsend township the 10th day of October, 1832. Here Mrs. Levisee resided until 1844, and then removed to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thankful Botsford, north of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she died July 3, 1845. There were seven daugh- ters- and two sons in the family. Six daughters arrived at maturity, and two are yet living. Both of the sons are living at this date (September, 1881).

Levisee, in the order of their ages, were : Almedia, Eveline, Thankful, Eliza Ann, John L. and Sarah L. (twins), Sarah Sophia, Emma Maria, and Aaron Burton.

Thankful and Emma M. are the surviving daughters. The former is the wife of David Botsford, and resides in Washtenaw county, Michigan. Emma Maria is the wife of William Fuller, Townsend township. Mrs. Botsford was seventy-seven years old July 15, 1881, and Mrs. Fuller sixty-three March 24, 1881. The youngest son, A. B. Levisee, whose name was rendered familiar in the Louisiana election controversy of 1876-77, is now a lawyer at Fargo, Dakota Territory. He was born March 18, 1821.

The records of the deceased members of this family are as follows: Almedia, born August 1, 1799, married Ezra Lyons in 1819, resided in Livonia, Livingston county, New York, until 1831, then moved to Townsend township, where she died June 28, 1853; Eveline, born June 21, 1801, married Hubbard Jones in Livingston county, New York, moved to Townsend in 1842, died June 13, 1873; Eliza Ann, born May 6, 1806, married for her first husband Jonathan Wisner, resided in Allegany county, New York, until 1834, when she removed to Townsend, having previously married her second husband, Joseph Cummings, and died November 6, 1838; Sarah L., born July 4, 1809, lived to be a little over four years old; Sarah Sophia, born February 14, 1815, came to Ohio some time after her mother, married Charles Gillett in Townsend, moved to Steuben county, Indiana, died March 16, 1847.

John L. Levisee was born on the 4th of July, 1809. He passed his early life upon the farm. He being the oldest son, and until 1821 the only son, a large share of the work and care of the farm devolved upon him when quite young. He attend- cd the common schools when he could spare time from manual labor. His father was taken ill when John was about ten years of age, and from that time forward the young man's cares and duties were numerous. After his father's death he worked by the month farming, during two seasons, in Lima, his former home. Then, in the fall of 1831, he started for Ohio, and arrived in Townsend township on the 29th of October. Here he purchased, with some of the proceeds of his father's estate and his own earnings, eighty acres of land, the farm which is still in his possession. He erected a log cabin, then returned to New York. The next year his mother, with her two sons and Emma Maria, came and settled upon the purchase. Of course the country was wild. But one road in the township had been cut out, and the general aspect of the whole region might well be described by the inelegant but expressive words, "a howling wilderness." John began chopping, and continued through the winter and many succeeding seasons clearing away the forest and making field land. Hard work and a simple diet was the rule in those days. Meat was scarce except when, occasionally, a deer or wild turkey was shot. Wheat was little raised, and flour was an article not much in use. Corn-bread was the staple food. He secured a good crop of corn the first season after he began his farming operations, and from that time onward the family managed to live very comfortably.

May 10, 1836. Mr. Levisee married Diana Stanley, daughter of Asa and Anna Stanley, of York township. She was born in Rutland, Jefferson county, New York, October 25, 1810. To them were born nine children, viz: Sarah, born May 5, 1838; married for her first husband James Olds; for her second, Joseph Carter; is now living with her third husband, Eman-

| uel Roush, near Hastings, Michigan. Anna, born July 28, 1S40, married Hiram Blood in 1862; resided in Sparta, Kent county, Michigan: died November 30, 1874.

| Elizabeth, born October 27, 1842, married j James A. Downing in 1865; resides at I Whitmore Station. Eliza, born August iS, 1844, married Wallace Downing in 1866; lives in Clay township, Ottawa county. Mary Jane, born October, 23, 1846, married Winfield Thomas in 1872; died August 28, 1873, m Townsend township. Civilia, born January 30, 1849, died September 22, 1853. David, born November 21, 1850, married Austany M.

Mrs. Levisee died July 4, 1855. She was a good wife and a kind mother, nobly assisting in supporting the family and put- | ting by something for future use. She united with the Protestant MethodLt church when young and lived a faithful Christian. After her death Mr. Levisee remained single eleven years, his daughter taking charge of household affairs.

November 15, 1866, he was married to I the lady who now shares his home - Mrs. j Statira E. Cable, nee Reynolds, who was i born in Sheffield, Lorain county, June 7,

I 1830. Her parents were Shubal and j Elizabeth Reynolds. Her father is de- ! ceased; her mother now resides in Fulton | county, this State. This union has been | blessed with two children, one of whom is i living - Francis A., born July 12, 1868;

Mr. Levisee has followed agricultural ! pursuits principally. For a few years he j worked at carpentry, but managed his j farm at the same lime. He has now re- I tired from active business. His son,

In politics Mr. Levisee is a consistent adherent to the principles of the Republican part)'. He has voted at every Presidential election since 1832. In religion he is a Universalist, firm in the faith and pronounced in his views. He is an enemy to cant and hypocrisy, but respects true Christians of whatever name or order.

Mr. Levisee has a valuable and wellselected library, and is a diligent reader of newspapers. A good memory and a habit of careful, constant observation of men and things have given him a discriminating, sound judgment and a reliable stock of useful information.

Franklin Richards

Silas Richards, the father of Franklin, was a native of Connecticut and passed his days in that State. April 28, 1805, he married Mary Rogers, daughter of John Rogers, a Connecticut soldier in the Revolutionary war. He was a farmer by occupation, and an honest, honorable man. Both Mr. and Mrs. Richards attained a ripe old age, the widow surviving the husband a few years. They reared a large family of twelve children, whose names were as follows: Harriet B., Frances A., Franklin, Ira J., Cynthia H., Archibald, Mary, Calista E., Silas, Esther R., Patience, and Frances M. Of these there are four survives, viz: Franklin, Townsend township; Archibald, Clyde; Esther, the wife of Abraham Darrow, New London county, Connecticut; and Frances M., the widow of Samuel Darrow, in the same county and State.

Franklin Richards was born in Waterford, New London county, Connecticut, February 24, 1809. There he lived until 1834, working at farming the greater part of the time. He received a limited common school education. His father was a poor man, and Franklin was accustomed to hard and faithful labor from boyhood, j In the month of September, 1834, Mr.

| Richards and his brother Archibald came I to Sandusky county and commenced imi proving land in Townsend township which ! they had bought previously. They were j both young men and unmarried. During I the winter they hired their board at the ; house of their cousin, Lester Richards.

* In the spring of 1S35 they erected a log- ! cabin in which it was their intention to j live and keep bachelor's hall. One day j on returning from a visit to their cousin's j they found that their house with all its j contents had been destroyed by fire. Mr.

Richards lost a considerable sum of | money in the flames. This was not a pleasing prospect to a young man, to be j placed in the midst of a large forest wilh- | out a dwelling-place, until one could be made by his own labor or earnings. However they built a small shanty and lived in it, doing their own housework, until a ncw house could be erected. In this way ! passed the first years.

In 1837 Archibald married and established a home of his own. Franklin lived alone until July 1, 1838, when he was united in wedlock to Diantha May, who continued his faithful helpmeet and de- ; voted wife until May 8, 1879, when she passed from earth and its sorrows in the sixtieth year of her age.

Of the hardships and perplexities of the first years which Mr. Richards spent in Ohio, it need only be said that by unceasing persistency and courage he was enabled j at length to accomplish the purpose which brought him to the new country - to cs- ' tablish a home. Rugged toil and exposure gave him a constitution capable of enduring much physical strain. He never yielded to discouragement or despondency, and in due time had the satisfaction of seeing his efforts to gain prosperity re- j warded. He planned judiciously, saved carefully, and worked diligently. Now, the possessor of a fine home and a comfortable property, with a mind of quiet contentment, he lives at peace with all men in the same place where his early trials were experienced and his later successes achieved.

Mr. Richards has never been much of a politician. Formerly a Democrat, he now votes with the Republicans, but believes in electing the best men to office, regardless of party. In his religious views he is a Baptist, though he has never united with the church.

Mrs. Richards was a member of the Free-will Baptist church in her youth, but afterwards joined the regular Baptists. She was a sincere and devoted Christian, a noble mother, a good neighbor, and one whose acquaintance and friendship was valued by all. We close this sketch with something of her family history.

Dianlha May was born in Livingston county, New York, October io, 1819. She was the third child of Isaac and Rachel (McMillan) May, and at the time her parents came to Ohio, in 1822, she was the oldest of the two surviving children. Her father was born in Vermont, | October 5, 1796, and died in Townsend township, November 5, 1874. Rachel McMillan was born in New Hampshire, January 5, 1797, and died in York township, November 13, 1829. They were married in New York State, where the parents of each had moved when they were but children. Mr. and Mrs. May resided in Livingston county until 1822, and in that year moved to Thompson township, Seneca county, Ohio, and the following year settled on the North ridge, near the northern line of York township, I being among the very first settlers. In l

1831 the family moved to the eastern part i of Townsend township, and in 1833 to the southwestern part, where they continued to reside until the death of Mr. May. By his first marriage Isaac May was the father of seven children - a son who died in infancy, Emily, Diantha, Emily Louisa, Mary Ann, James H., and William. Three survive, viz.: Mrs. Emily Louisa Tew, Townsend township; Mrs. Mary Ann Mason; and James H. May, Lenawee county, Michigan.

Mr. May married his second wife, Mary McMillan, a sister of his first, in 1830. This union resulted in ten children - Sophronia, Cynthia, Laura Ann, Rosetta, and Hiram, all deceased; and Mrs. Laura Maria Vine, Townsend; Marilla May, Lenawee county, Michigan; Mrs. Emeline Elliot, Jackson county, Kansas; Theron R. May, Lenawee county, Michigan ; and Mrs. Ida Kidman, Townsend, still surviving.

Mrs. May is still living with Theron and Marilla, in Michigan; Isaac May was a minister of the Free-will Baptist denomination, and preached in this vicinity until within a few years preceding his death. He is well remembered by many who have listened to his sermons. The family had their full share of hardships. They 1 came here when it required the utmost effort to feed and clothe a family. The daughters used to work in the field doing manual labor, and often worked out for the neighbors.

Charles M., born February 28,. 1844; married Phebe E. Rhodes, June 1, 1865, who died December 25, 1873; married Florence Kellogg, October 20, 1874; resides in Townsend, near his father.

James P., born February 20, 1846; j married Rachel E. Harvey, June 24, 1868, | who died April 5, 2873; married Alice j Straight, September 12, 1874; resides in j Jackson county, Kansas.

Alonzo Thorp

Among the leading, public-spirited men | who have lived in this county, but are | now gone from us to return no more, there i are few more deserving of notice in this j wrork than he whose name heads this 1 article.

Alonzo Thorp was born in Ontario ; county, New York, on the 9th day of ! September, 1817. He was the son of John and Jane (Wager) Thorp, and was the second of a family of nine children. His early life was spent in New' York, working and attending school. When about eighteen years of age he came to

Ohio, and engaged in teaching school in different j)arts of this county in winter, and working in summer. He taught several terms of school and writing school, and is remembered gratefully by many of his old pupils. He came here poor, but with a determination to get a start in the world, and he believed an education to be essential for becoming a useful citizen. Therefore he used his first earnings to pay his expenses at Milan high school, where he attended .several terms.

In 1837 Mr. Thorp's parents followed him to this county, and settled in Townsend township. He then made his home with them until 1842, when he married, and commenced farming for himself. His first wife was Miss Eliza Cole, daughter of Hon. Matthew Cole, a man well knowm to old residents. He served as a member of the legislature, and in other public offices. By this marriage Mr. Thorp became the father of one son and two daughters. John C. Thorp was born April 12, 1843, died of consumption at the home of his father, November 6, 1869. Alma E. Thorp, born December n, 1844, wTas married in March, 1865, to Dr. George Salzman, and now resides in Kenton, Ohio. Gertrude H. Thorp, born December 25, 1847, died at home January 20, 1873, of consumption. Mrs. Thorp died in April, 1850.

In 1857 Mr. Thorp married Mrs. Mary E. Ames, widow of Elon G. Ames, of York township, and daughter of Medad and Armida (Waller) Brush, who were among the early settlers in Green Creek township. Her parents were both natives of Connecticut, but lived in Pennsylvania until they came to this State. Mr. Thorp had no children by this marriage.

In 1S52 Mr. Thorp moved from Townsend towmship to the village of Clyde, where he engaged quite extensively in the lumber business. He owned and operated a saw-mill, and wras also considerably in- terested in farming and stock-raising. In 1863 he was elected a member of the Legislature from this county, and served a term of two years in a manner highly creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He also held various township offices at different periods. While residing in Townsend, in 1856, he was elected justice of the peace and served one term.

In May, 1873, Mr. Thorp moved upon the farm where his widow still resides, in Green Creek township, and lived there until his decease. He died January 28, 1879, in his sixty-second year. He was an energetic, active man, of unblemished character and reputation. Having fought his own way from poverty to the position he attained, he knew how to sympathize i with the struggling and ambitious. He i was universally respected as a business ! man, and stood high in social circles. A | prominent politician of the Democratic part)7, he numbered some of its distinguished leaders among his intimate friends. In religion he adhered to the principles of the Episcopal church, with which he became connected soon after his first mari riage.

Mr. Thorp was a good father, a good neighbor, and a kind and loving husband. His circle of friends was large, and all will bear cheerful testimony to his worth and usefulness.