USA > Illinois > Stark County > Documents and biography pertaining to the settlement and progress of Stark County, Illinois : containing an authentic summary of records, documents, historical works and newspapers > Part 80
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John Berfield, n. hf., s. w. gr., sec. 17; April 18, 1836. R. Swank and M. Bell in S. W. qr.
John Berfield, s. hf .. s. w., gr., sec. 17: Oct. 8, 1836. Hezekiah Adrock, s. e. qr., see. 17: Dec. 7. 1817. Elisha Swank and Reuben Swank, in s. e. qr.
Robert G. Rankin, n. e. gr., sec. 18; March 23, 1837. John and Thomas Dryden, in n. e. qr.
Andrew Johnson, e. hf., n. w. qr., ser. I8; March 18, 1837. P. Cromier, J. Dry- den and James Coleman, in n. w. qr.
Morris C. Miller, w. bf .. n. w. qr., sec. 18; Nov. 8, 1832.
Morris (. Miller, u. hf., lots 1 and 2. s. w. qr., sec. 18; Dec. 16, 1851. Michael Plankael, James Coleman and Samuel Coleman, in s. w. qr.
J. B. Gilpin and ('. B. Lawrence, s. hf., s. w. qr., ser. 18; Sept. 12, 1853. Robert G. Rankin, s. e. qr., s. w. qr., ser. 18; March 28, 1827. Thomas Dryden, I. B. Newman and M. Bell, s. C. qr.
Michael Jones, e. hf. n. e. gr., sec. 19; June 19, 1837. M. Bell, J. B. Newman, W. Peve and J. J. Shockley, in n. e. qr.
Peter Nicholson, w. hf. n. e. qr., sec. 19; Jan. %, 1854.
David McCoy, lot I. n. w. qr., sec. 19: Nov. 22, 1851. John Caton, n. w. gr.
Samuel McCoy, lot 2, n. w. gr., sec. 19; Nov. 24, 1851.
Almond Soule, Jr., e. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 19; April 26, 1837.
Theo. F. Ilund, n. w. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 19; July 30, 1851. John Lafferty, s. w. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 19; Jan. 3, 1854.
Summer Shaw, n. e. If. se. qr., sec. 19; Aug. 3, 1836. John Caton, all except Wm. Peve's part of w. hf., and S. F. Rice. in s. w. gr. of s. w. qr.
Nathaniel MeClure, w. hf. and s. e. hf. of s. e. qr., soc. 19; April 26, 1837.
Nathaniel MeClure, c. hf. n. e. qr., sec. 20; April 26, 1887. B. N. Fox, J. J. Shock-
ley, W. P. Clifford. G. W. Shockley. J. Bodine, John Wiley and A. Van Sickle, in sec. 20. Allen Grunlee, w. hf. n. c. qr., see. 20; June 7, 1838. Michael Jones, n. w. qr., sec. 20; April 19, 1837.
Loring II. Reynolds, s. w. gr .. sec. 20; April 22, 1836.
Charles Davis, s. e. qr., sec. 20; Jan. 31, 1818.
Elisha Barton, n. e. qr., sec. 21; July 23, 1846. W. H. Little, n. e. cor. : M. R. Hurd, n. end e. hf of n. e. qr .; David Webster, s. end of same, and C. Chamberlin, e.
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WEST JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
If. of w. hf. qr. of n. e. qr. In this section also are Il. R. Swank. W. Johnson, C. W. Young, Brown & Adams and A. Vansickle.
Henry R. Swank, n. e. hf. n. w. gr., sec. 21; April 18, 1850.
Nathaniel McClure, w. hf. n. w. qr., sec. 21; April 26, 1837.
Ezra Witter. s. e. hf. n. w. qr. sec. 21; March 5, 1852.
Benj. Shearman, s. w. qr., sec. 21; Oct. 6. 1817.
William Riggin, e. hf. s. e. qr., sec. 21; March 24, 1837.
John Riggin, w. hf., s. e. qr. ser. 21; May 13, 1837.
Nathaniel Mcclure, n. e. qr., str. 29; April 26, 1837. S. I. Huffman, W. Egbert. John Smith, Jr . n. w. qr., see. 22; July 20, 1887. M. A. Swank, S. J. Fox, Cath- erine Saunders and A. D. Perrine, in n. w. qr.
Win. Kent, e. hf. s. w. qr., see. 92; March 24, 1837. Perrine D. Webster in s. w. quarter
John Smith, w. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 22; May 11, 1837.
Nicholas Walsh, s. c. qr., see. 22: Jan. 7, 1818. Jonathan Pratz, s. C. gr. Nathaniel Mcclure, e. If. n. e. qr., sec. 2; April 26, 1837. Daniel Huffman. Henry Emery, w. hf. n. e. qr., sec. 23; May 16, 1848. Robert Stonier. John Smith, n. w. gr., scc. 23; May 11, 1837. M. A. Swank, E. G. Swank and (. W. Swank, n. w. qr, and in the s. w. and s. e. qrs. are I. C. Egbert, Stephen Mer- riam, D. Huffman and Hattie MeCormick.
Harrison Armstrong, s. W. qr., sec. 23; Dec. 2, 1836.
Stephen Trickle, s. e. qr., ser. 28; May 18, IST.
George Clayburg, n. e. qr., sec. 24; May 13, 1837. Levi Eckley, Catherine Spencer, Sylvester Bamber, Wm. White, D. B. Shutts, Edward Trickle, sec. 2.1.
W'm. Porter, n. w. qr .. sec. 24; May 31, 1837. Edward Porter. s. w. qr., ser. 24; May 31, 1837.
Lewis Finch. s. e. qr., sec. 24: Oct. 17, 1836.
Ezra Witter, n. e. qr., sec. 25: Oct. 17, 1836. Isaac Addis, D. B. Shutts, D. Gingrich, Catherine Trimmer, 11. Proutz, Levi Eckley, John Adams, and A. W. Hotch- kiss, in sec. 25.
John Carter. n. w. qr .. sec. 25; May 13. 1837.
George R. Eckley, e. hf. s. w. gr., sec. 25; June 4, 1836.
Ephraim Barnett, W. hf. s. W. qr., sec. 25; July 20, 1836. George Dearborn, s. c. qr .. sec. 25; Jan. 20, 1818.
James I. C. Carpenter, e. hf. n. e. qr., ser. 26; Der. 3, 1886. A. I. Finley, Hattie McCormick, Jonathan Pratz, Levi Eckley, Wm. Whitten, John Adams, in sec. 26. Ellis Dwire, w. hf. n. c. qr., sec. 26; Ang. 11. 1836.
Harrison Armstrong, e. hf. n. w. qr., sec. 26; Dec. 2, 1886.
Harrison Armstrong, w. hf. n. w. gr., sec. 26; Nov. 1, 1836.
John Smith, n e. hf. s. w. gr., see. 26; May 11, 1837. Philip Keller, w. hf. s. w. ur., sec. 26; Ang. 3. 1836. John Brown, s. e. qr. s. w. gr., sec. 26, June 4, 1836. Ephraim Barnett, e. hf. s. e. qr., sec. 26: July 20, 1836. Stephen Trekell, n. w. If., s. r. qr., sec. 26; April 21, 1881. John Brown, s. w. hf. s. e. qr., ser. 26; June 4, 1836.
Jacob Clayburg, c. hf. n. e. qr., see. 27; Ang. 3, 1836. L. J. Hazen, S. R. Hazen,
W. O. Leigh, Samuel Leigh, A. J. Johnson, J. Pratz, J. E. Pratz, in sec. 27.
William Kent, D. w. hf. n. r. qr., sec. 27; Sept. 8 1836. Jacob Clayburg, s. w. hf. n. e. qr., sec. 27: Ang. 3. 1836. Newton Matthews, n. w. gr., sec. 27: Oct. 10. 1836.
Newton Matthews, c. hf. S. W. gr .. see. 27; Oct. 10, 1836.
Augustus Moore, w. hf. s. w. qr., see. 27; July 20, 1886. Harrison Armstrong, s. c. qr .. See. 27: Nov. 7, 1836. Enos Holmes. n. c. qr., ser. 28: Aug. 12. 1836. N. B. Leigh, F. Dugan.
Sheldon Clark. n. w. gr .. sec. 28; Feb. 9, 1818. S. Il. Saunders.
James Main. s. w. qr., sec. 28; Ort. 28, 1817. A. D. Vansickle. Nehemiah Wycof, s. e. qr., see. 28: July 27, 1836. Joseph Reed and Boyd estate. Charles Higgins, n. c. qr., sec. 20; Nov. 29, 1817. The present owners of ser. 29 are John Wiley and Vincent Dancer, in n. e. gr. ; Julia A. Stration, V. Dancer. Daniel Smith, in n. w. qr. ; V. Dancer, D. Smith, Thomas Riggin, and Darius Sanders, in s. w. qr., and I. P. Bodine, in s. c. qr. Washington Trickle, e. hf. n. w. qr., sec. 29; April 11, 1836 Loring 11. Reynolds, w. hf. n. w. qr., ser. 29; April 27, 1836. Washington Trickle, e. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 29; Jan. 26. 1836. Washington Trickle, w hf. s. w. qr., sec. 29; June 19, 1837.
676
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
Charles Hoover, s. e. gr., sec. 29; Nov. 29, 1817.
Nathaniel Mcclure. n. e. hf. n. e. qr., sec. 30; July 20, 1837. On sec. 30 are the following named landholders: D. P. Smith, John Caton, John Ingle, E. Il. Gale, James A. Stargell, G. W. Elliott, David Stargell, Sylvester Cravens, Samuel W. Smith, A. Vansickle.
Nathaniel Mcclure, n. w. hf. n. e. qr., see. 30 ; Aug. 3, 1836.
Therrygood Smith, s. hf. n. e. gr., sec. 30; Jan. 6, 1836.
James W. Slocum, n. w. qr. n. e. gr., sec. 30; Dec. 25, 1835.
Almond Soule, Jr., n. e. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 30; April 26, 1837.
Lewis D. White. s. e. hf., s. w. gr., sec. 30; May 3, 1855.
Washington Trickle, w. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 30; Nov. 5, 1836. Nathaniel MeClure, s. e. qr., see. 30; July 20, 1837.
John Smith, n. c. gr., sec. 31; May 23, 1836. On sec. 31 are: S. W. Smith, John Wiley, John W. Gross, Sylvester Cravens. 1. HI. Schrider, John Hart, William Gross and Bernard Whitmore.
Lewis D. White, n. e. f., n. w. qr., ser. 31; May 3, 1855.
Robert Armstrong, w. hf .. n. sub., see. 31; Sept. 28, 1844.
Gilbert Arnold. s. hf. n. sub .. soc. 31; Ang. 30, 1837.
Gilbert Arnold, c. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 31; June 14, 1837.
John Smith, n. w. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 31; May 23, 1886.
John Lesley, s. w. hf. s. w. gr., sec. 31; June 14. 183%.
Enos Holmes, s. e. qr., sec. 31: Aug. 12, 1836.
Elijah Smith, n. c. gr., sec. 32; Nov. 24, 1818. The tax payers on lands in sec. 32 are: Aaron Vansickle, Joseph Bodine, Vincent Dancer, John Wiley, S. W. Smith. Watson Egbert, James McGinniss, Thomas Riggin, F. M. Hazen, J. W. Cole, John Hazen, William Whitten, Samuel Leigh, J. D. Webster, Philip Beamer, Henry Webster, J. D. Webster.
John Riggin, e. hf. D. w. qr., see. 32; Jan. 26, 1836.
Washington Trickle, n. w. hf. n. w. gr .. sec. 32; Dec. 25, 1835.
John Riggin, s. w. hf .. n. w. qr., sec. 32: Jan. 26. 1836.
William W. Webster, s. w. gr., sec. 32; Oct. 22, 1835.
Ebenezer Nichols, s. e. qr., sec. 32; Nov. 23, 1818.
William W. Webster, n. c. qr., sec. 33; Ort. 22, 1835. On ser. 33 are: Henry Webster. J. D. Webster. A. B. Jones, James Webster, Henry Sweet, Carl Rich and Bernard Winter.
Peleg Tupper, n. w. qr., sec. 33; July 30, 1818.
John Scott, s. w. gr., sec. 33; July 30, 1818.
Oliver Whittaker, e. hf. s. e. qr., sec. 33; May 12, 1855.
Patrick Butler, w. hf. s. e. gr .. sec. 33; Dec. 20, 1851.
Edward Stewart, n. e, gr .. sec. 34; April 11. 1818. On sec. 34 are: Mary .I. Young, Sarah E. Coleman, Daniel Leigh's heirs, J. H. McIntosh, D. R. Gilvin, Solomon Johnson, John Sargent, A. J. Johnson.
Joseph Wright, c. hf. n. w. gr., sec. 34; February 11, 1836.
Augustus Moore, w. hf. n. w. qr., sec 34; May 7, 1836.
Augustus Moore, s. w. qr., sec. 34; May 7, 1836.
Robert C. Jackson, s. e. qr., sec. 34; April 17, 1818.
Cromwell Bullock. n. e. qr .. see 35: April 14, 1818. On sec. 35 are: A. ). Finley, Eliza A. Lorance, John E. Pratz, Jackson Lorance, Sarah HI. Stimmell, Vir- gennie Brady, F. L. Stimnell, Missouri Griffin, Sarah HI. Stimmell, Isaar L. Stimmell, and Jonathan Pratz.
Cato Bunnell, n. w. qr., sec. 35; April 9, 1818.
Henry S. Hunt, s. w. qr., ser. 35; Jan. 3. 1818.
Jacob Smith, s. e. qr., sec. 35; February 11, 1836.
John Phillips. n. e. gr., sec. 36; Dec. 4, 1817. The owners of sec. 36 are: Isaac Addis, M. P. Gingrich, Levi Eckley, John Adams, Edward Trickle, Dan Gingrich, and C. L. Gingrich.
David Bowen, n. w. gr., sec. 36: March 18, 1818.
George R. Eckley, e. hf. s. w. qr., sec. 36: April 20. 1836.
Ephraim Barnett, w. hf. s. w. qr., scc. 36; June 4, 1836.
Edward Trickle, e. hf. s. e. qr., sec. 36; (c1. 14, 1836.
George Weaver, w. hf. s. e. qr., ser. 36; May 23, 1886.
Schools,-West Jersey was organized for school purposes April 5. 1842, when twenty-two voters assembled at Phil. Arnold's house and voted for incorporation. The township was divided into two districts
677
WEST JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
in April, 1842, by the trustees. In 1845 there were 106 pupils in the township. In 1846, Wash. Trickle, C. M. S. Lyon.and A. G. Dunn were trustees, with the latter treasurer. D. V. Frazer taught in district No. . A. C. Colwell was also a teacher. John Berfield was appointed treasurer in 1847, and Philander Arnohl and John Berfiekl, trustees. Miss S. E. Rhodes taught in district 4. In 1848. John Emery. C. M. S. Lyon and W. W. Webster trustees. In '49, C. M. S. Lyon appointed treasurer. In '50, Carson Borfield, Isaac Heiner and Sylvester H. San- ders, were trustees. In 52 W. W. Webster was trustee. In '54. John Wolf, William M. Pratt and Aaron Aten. were elected trustees. The teachers were E. C. Dver, M. Dwire. J. C. Buchanan, J. E. Hitchcock. and Eliza Yocum. In '54, James C. Egbert was appointed treasurer. In '56, Jacob Young was elected trustee. M. Dwire, Sarah J. Lamper, S. M. Winchester. E. M. Cooper. R. H. Bower. Lucy W. Norton, Justin Denis were teachers. In '62, Eph. Markley, S. A. Munson and Lewis Olmstead, were trustees, with James C. Egbert, treasurer, succeeded in '63 by C. W. Young. In '64. Jeff. Raymond. I. L. Newman and S. A. Munson, were trustees, who served until October, '68. when Norman E. Pomroy, I. L. Newman and Jefferson Raymond, were elected, (there was no election held in '67), who served until "73, when James McGin- nis took Mr. Newman's place. C. W. Young still acting as treasurer. In '74, Robert Stonier was elected trustee, and Jesse Mckinstry, treas- urer. In '75. 1. 1. Newman was chosen trustee; A. J. Johnson, in '76. John W. Cole in '77: in '78. G. M. Hazen; in '79; D. B. Shultz ; in '80, G. M. Hazen and Frank Berfieldl; in '81. R. R. Worley and Thomas Dryden, and Joseph Swank, appointed deputy treasurer. In 'S2, Thomas Dryden, James McGinnis and John Hazen, were elected trustees, and Joseph Swank was chosen treasurer and clerk : James R. Henry, trustee in '85, and Henry Sweet in 'S6. In December, '55. Henry Seymore taught a school of eighteen pupils near Jacob Smith's, West Jersey, for $20 per month and board. Like other schools of the county at that time, there were no regular books in use. In June, '56, Miss S. J. Lamper was teacher, at $4 per week and board ; thirteen pupils attended. A school near W. Trickle's house, West Jersey, was opened November 1. 55, by S. Law, teacher, with fifteen or twenty pupils. On June 4. '56, Miss M. E. Cooper pre- sided over thirty-five pupils, although there were fifty enrolled. She received 84 per week and board. In '57, C. M. S. Lyon, Jacob Young and S. II. Sanders, were elected trustees. Among the teachers were : S. Law. D. R. Gelvin, George B. Cumming. C. F. Conklin. E. J. Creigh- ton. M. E. M. Cooper, and J. J. Clark. In '58, John II. Anthony. Jackson Lorance and W. M. Pratt, were trustees. The names of Sarah Baldwin, Wilson Spencer. R. B. Robinson. Julia R. Pratt and James E. Squiers, appear among the teachers. In '60. Daniel Ohinstead, E. Mar- key and W. W. Riggen. were trustees. J. C. Egbert still holding the treasurer's office. The total number of children in the twelve districts in '62, was 638. In '86, there were 283 males and 238 females under twenty-one years, nine ungraded schools attended by 219 males and 182 females, presided over by eight male and sixteen female teachers, the former receiving $1,393.67, and the latter 8981.50. The tax levy
40
678
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
was $2.820. value of property, $6,050; total receipts, $4,214.64; ex- pended, $3,101.15. Joseph Swank served as treasurer and clerk.
Officials .- The supervisors, other than the one referred to m organic chapter, are named as follows: '53-6. W. W. Webster: 56-8, C. M. S. Lyon : '58, S. HI. Sanders ; '59. Ephraim Markley : '60. C. M. S. Lyon ; '61, Aaron Schmuck ; 62, C. M. S. Lyon ; `63, Milton Atherton ; '64, Isaac L. Newman ; '65 8. Nelson Jones ; '68. Levi Eckley : '69-71: Isaac L. Newman ; '71-3. Andrew J. Johnson ; '73 6, Daniel R. Gel- vin : '76. James McGinnis ; '77. A. J. Johnson : '78, 1. L. Newman ; '79, I. L. Newman; 'S0, H. C. Hyde; '81, George M. Hazen; '82. Lewis Eg- bert ; '83, Lewis C. Egbert ; '84, Philip Beanier; 'S5, Lewis C. Eg- bert ; '86, John Hazen.
The justices were: '53, Washington Trickle and Jacob Young ; '56, John II. Anthony, Jacob Young: '61. S. F. Farrar and Jeff. Ray- mond ; '65, C. W. Young and D. R. Gelvin : '69, Charles W. Young and A. J. Finley ; '73, A. J. Johnson and C. W. Young ; '77. J. H. An- thony and R. C. Laing; 78, Joseph Swank; 'S1, Joseph Swank and J. II. Anthony : '82. John W. Cole ; '85. Joseph Swank and J. II. An- thony : '86. J. W. Cole.
As stated in the general history, this township and Goshen opposed affiliation with Coffee county in 1837, but supported connection with Stark in 1838 9. It was organized in 1853, and the name conferred in honor of the number of New Jersey people, who had then made set- tlements here.
Pioneer Neighbors .- Before proceeding to notice the pioneers of the township, let us examine who were their neighbors on the sonth and west. Millbrook Township adjoining, was first settled in '33 by William Metcalf and his family. In '36, John Smith, jr., platted the village of Rochester. Clark Stanton being the only other settler there then. About this time one Hurd opened a store there. but was soon succeeded by Stacy & Hohnes. In '37, a mill was erected here ; in '46. Therrygood Smith was chosen first postmaster. Dr. John Fifield prac- ticed there from '38 to '45. In '44 the Christian church was organized there by Milton King : the Congregational in '41, by S. G. Wright, at the house of Elias Wycoff, which was known as Spoon River Congre- gational church until 66. In '36. Rev. William Cummings organized the Methodist church, and George G. Sill. the Old School Presbyterian church. In '36-7. Caleb North taught the first school for $10 per month.
Victoria Township, of Knox county, adjoins West Jersey on the west. In '35 the Fraziers, John Essex and Edward Brown made the first settlement. and following them came Moses Moody and Archibald Robinson ; William Overlander, John and Conrad Smith. Charles Bos- tic, John Arnold, P. Aldridge and H. Shurtliff. Sarah Robinson was the first white child born there (November 16, '36). and Mrs. Frazier, who died in '37. the first death. In '36 Peter Sornberger and Phoebe Wilbur, were the parties to the first marriage ; G. F. Reynolds built the first house near the village in '37; P. Aldridge was the first justice in '37, and Charles Bostic, a local Methodist preacher, held the first relig- ious services in '36. Salem schoolhouse, built in '37. was the first
679
WEST JERSEY TOWNSHIP.
school; J. L. Jarnaghan was the first supervisor in '53; Rev. S. G. Wright organized the first church in '51: the Swede Methodist church was built in '54; the Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist church, Mor- mon church. and Second Adventists all followed.
Pioneer Memories. - West Jersey township, or Prairie de Fun, owes its name to the fancy of New Jersey settlers, who came after the organ- ization of the county and settled around the village of that name. So late as 1>50 it was almost an unbroken prairie from Edward Trickle's, on the east, to Washington Triekle's, on the west. In 1835 Jacob B. Smith, the first actual settler, came to Fulton county from Ashland county. O., and in the spring of 1836 settled on the southeast quarter of section thirty-five, where he put up a log cabin. George Eekley came from Seneca county. O., the same year to Fulton, and with his family -- Mrs. Eekley, Lovi, George, Daniel, John and Margery-moved into West Jersey in 1836, and settled on section thirty-six. Though Smith was the first settler. the Eckleys were the first improvers. Later, in 1836. Philip Keller, JJacob Clayburg. Michael Jones, John Brown, Washington and Stephen Trickle. Ephraim Barnett and the Widow Dunn came in. Early in 1837 came John Pratz, Newton Matthews, Nehemiah Wykoff and Win. Webster, while just near the line the Riggen family made their home.
At this time the women would become entangled in the weed known as the devil's darning-needle, whenever they ventured out, or if escap- ing this, had to fly from the snakes, which were found everywhere. The men had their milling done at Ellisville. Bernadotte or Peoria for some time, and there, also, was their marketing done. Twenty-five cents a bushel was the price of the best wheat, while calico sold for thirty-eight cents per vard. To escape the trials of going to mill, the old corn-mortar was brought into use. In 1836 Daniel Prince erected a log mill. 14x16 feet. at Slackwater, with a capacity of five bushels cracked corn per diem. Later, a distillery was connected with this concern. Some Spoon river men, enraged at the poor quality of the whisky produced, attacked the distillery part of the building one night, and put an end to the enterprise of Prince in this direction. The Bar- nett. Jones and Trickle mill, on Walnut creek, begun in 1838, was completed in 1839. Harvey Barnett hewed the timbers: his brother Ephraim. Michael Jones and Stephen Trickle helped to erect it. Stephen Trickle became owner of this concern, which in later years was known as " Round's Mill." In 1-35-9 Stanton's mill. at Rochester, was erected and entered into fair competition with " Trickle's mill." doing away forever with the prospect of long journeys, delays, etc., attending the old-time " going to mill." The first regular ball in West Jersey was at Joseph Palmer's. on Walnut creek, July 4, 1538. Palmer contracted to give dinner to twenty-one couples for forty-two dollars, provided that number presented themselves. Forty-six per- sons were present. Caleb North delivered the oration. Win. Mason. then residing near Toulon, was the orchestra. for which he was paid nine dollars, " the first money," says G. A. Clifford, "he ever took in l'or music."
The first school in the township was tanght by Miss Columbia Ann
680
HISTORY OF STARK COUNTY.
Dunn, a sister of Rev. R. C. Dunn. The schoolhouse was erected in 1837 or 1838.
Regarding the first white child born in the county: Wilson Smith was born two miles south of West Jersey in 1829, and is now a resi- dent of Eola, Pottawattamie county, la. Washington Smith was born two miles south of West Jersey in 1832, now residing at Lewis. Cass county, la. They are the sons of Jacob Smith, who died in 1885 at Galva. Bert Smith, now with (. W. Brown, of Penn, states positively that his grandfather settled in West Jersey in 1827.
The first postoffice was kept by Silas Richards where Win. Pratt resided in 1862. In the summer of 1838 Washington Trickle erected the first frame house, which in later years stood south of his modern buildings. W. Trickle and Charles Yocum erected a carding mill on Walnut creek in 1842. This was in the extreme southwest corner of the township. The underground railroad passed by Nigger Point, near where Nehemiah Wykoff settled in 1837, and thence via the Webster settlement toward the northeast, as related in the general history.
Pioneer Census .- The census of pioneers or persons here when the county was organized and residing here in the spring of 1866, was taken by W. Trickle-the committee appointed by the old Old Settlers' Society. The names are as follows: Sumner Shaw and wife, Eunice Nelson, Andrew McClure, Francis Webster, Whitfield Matthews and wife, Oliver Smith and wife, George Albright, Hiram Albright and wife, David Gelvin and wife. Jonathan Pratz and wife. A. J. Findley and wife. Levi Eckley and wife. Daniel Eekley and wife, JJohn Eckley and wife, James B. Witter and wife. Win. White and wife, Andrew Full and wife, Washington Smith and wife, Berry Smith and wife, Joseph Smith and wife, George Sheets and wife, John Rounds, James Rounds and wife, John Shockley and wife, George Simmerman and wife, David Simmerman, David Simmerman and wife, George Simmer- man, Jacob Simmerman, John Simmerman, Remsley Richard and wife. Williard Pahner and wife, Joseph De Wolf and wife, Hannah Emery, Jacob Wiley and wife, W. Trickle and wife.
West Jersey Cemetery .- Interred in the cemetery near the village are the remains of the following-named old residents, the name and year of death being given: John Riggen, 1854: Eliza Riggen, '54; David Cumming, '76; Jesse Cooper, '70; Mitchell Tull. '70; Jane Tull, '53; Mary Stotzler, '77; Thomas Price, '74; Phoebe Price, 45; Amanda Albertson, '53; Lucinda Daneer. '82: Jennie D. Swank, 'S1; Susan Smith, 'S5: W. B. Masters, '71; Lucius Hotchkiss, '49; W. S. Hotch- kiss. '56; Stephen A. Munson, '76; James G. Egbert. 63: William W. Shannon, '59; Jacob Hazen, '47: Jane Hazen, '69; Henry Swank, ' : Eliza Sanders, '69: William Barr, '51; Archibald Avers, '80: Barbara Kane, '81; Charlotte Coleman, '79; Mary L. Horseley, "71; John Mc- Intosh, '82: Alex MeIntosh. '58; Peter Huber, '81; John Peve, '62; Charlotte Laing, '67; Samuel W. Laing. '67; Nathan II. Daniel, '68; Sarah Dugan, '82; Grace W. Bentley, '68; JJohn McDaniel, '56; Ama Young, '65; Ann Melntosh, '62: Maria Riggen, '54: John Wetzell. '54; Elizabeth Wetzell, '57; John Mckinstry, 72; Daniel Leigh, 's5; Elizabeth Forge, '62; Edward Forge. '62; Henry Swank, '61; Rebecca
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WEST JERSEY TOWNSIUP.
Swank, '73; Aaron Vansickle, '74; Mary Vansiekle, '75; Ennice Wiley. 65: Euphemia Denis, '60; Martha Denis, '57; Gertrude Groff, '57: Mary Trickle, '56; Oliver B. Webster, '70; Anna Kirkhuff, 68; Mat- thias Kirkhuff. '68; Anna Wiley, '54; Rev. Samuel Coleman, '75; Will- iam Bord, '75: Mary Calhoon. 63; Caroline Shannon, '52; Rev. James Cowden, 71; Marens Garner, '65; Lney M. Dougherty, '86: Wilson Garner. '61: Sarah Heath, '70; George W. Leigh, '76; John Pilgrim, '83: Lneinda Packer, '56; Jane Pilgrim, '56; Amanda Aly- ward, '54; Benj. Alyward, '54; John Koff, '71; Philip Knoff. 76; Mary IFeaton, '64; Caleb Heaton, '63; John Smith, '66; Eliza Henry, '83: A. D. B. Chamberlain. '78; Roderick Triplett, '71; Mary Triplett. '61: Reason Williams, '60; John S. Trinner, '72: Belle Shafer. 'S5; Francis Anthony, '70; Renben Swank, '72; Elmira An- thony, '53.
The soldiers buried in the West Jersey cemetery are named as follows: George T. Cumming, Company HI. One-hundred-and-second Illinois Volunteers: William Boyd, One-hundred-and-twelfth Volun- teers: Morris T. Avers, and William W. Ilughes.
West Jersey village .- The original town of West Jersey was sur- veved by Carson Berfield for Jacob Young early in 1856, and the plat was acknowledged February 19th that year. Two streets, Jersey and Seminary, with Plum alley, are shown, and lots 1 to 20. The pur- chasers of lots at West Jersey, prior to the beginning of the War of the Rebellion, are named as follows: W. H. Pierson. 1858; Perry II. Smith and Henry Swank, Jr .. '59; JJames Ferguson, '56; Jesse Cooper. '61. During the war the buyers were John Smith. E. B. Pomeroy. G. L. Smith, T. J. R'ygens, Jacob Young, Amy Clonse, Newton Mat- thews, S. M. Farrar, Robert R. Worley, S. J. Fox. Robert W. King, and Emanuel Kissell. To the close of 1866, there were twenty-four purchasers of lots, and to the close of 1884, thirty-eight additional pur- chasers. In Ine, 1869, the Methodist society secured lots 4, 5, and part of 8 from Reuben Swank, who bought the property from C. M. Johnson that year. The business and professional circle of the village is made up as follows: J. II. Anthony. lawyer and justice; S. J. Fox, W. H. Johnson, merchants: John Cotton, coal mines: Fox & Swank, meat market ; Girvits & Son, planing mill; Miss I. Bell, millinery; William Atkinson and W. H. Girvits, blacksmiths; A. Snedicor, miller; W. HI. Little, harness; W. C. Henry, carpenter; C. E. Girvits, painter: R. W. King, druggist and physician; W. S. MeClenahan, M. D .: E. Swank. barber; Dr. R. W. King, postmaster. successor of S. J. Fox, who hekl the office from November, 1870, to Angust 31. 1885, and was the suceessor of C. W. Young.
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