USA > Ohio > Ashland County > A History of the Pioneer and Modern Times of Ashland County > Part 31
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HANSON HAMILTON.
Hanson Hamilton entered the southeast quarter of section 32, Jackson Township, in the year 1816, and removed to it with his family in April, 1820. When he removed to the township he had no family other than his wife. The township, although it had been inhabited by a few white families four or five years, and had been organized about a year, was yet sparsely settled. Although his neighbors were few in number, he refers to them as equal, in morality, virtue, and hospitality, to any among whom he ever lived. In this respect the country has not improved in the ratio of increase of population and wealth.
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FREDERICK A. HINE.
Frederick A. Hine emigrated from Butler County, Pennsylvania, and removed to the land in Jackson Township, which he had previously entered, being the southeast quarter of section 11, in the year 1829. His family consisted of himself and nine children. Mr. Hine and his sons Charles and John are the only surviving members of the original family who now reside in Jackson Township-the others being dead or removed.
CHARLES HOY.
Charles Hoy removed with his family to Jackson Township in May, 1817, and, in company with John Meason, entered the southwest quarter of section 2, and the northwest quarter of section 11, in Jackson Township. His family at this time consisted of his wife and one child, (Joseph Hoy, late of New Orleans.) He had previously resided in Stark County.
Salt Works in Jackson Township.
During the years 1817, '18, and '19, evidences of salt water having been discovered on the land above described, Messrs. Hoy and Meason sunk a well about four hundred and sixty feet in depth, and made other preparations for the manufacture of salt. The enterprise, after a large expenditure of money and time, proved unsuccessful, as the quantity of water procured, although of a good quality, was in- sufficient to justify a continuance in the business; and, in 1819, Mr. Hoy disposed of his interest in the land and salt works to Marshall & Morton, and pur- chased of Abram Shock the southeast quarter of sec- tion 27, Jackson Township, being the land now owned
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by Henry Myers. In 1822 he purchased of the heirs of John Smith the northwest quarter of section 34, upon which he has since resided, and to which he has since added seventy-five and a half acres.
Population of Jackson Township in 1817.
At the date of the arrival of Mr. Hoy in the town- ship, the following-named persons were the heads of the families that constituted its population, viz. : Isaac Lyons, John Jackson, Daniel and John Davoult, and Noah Long. The family of either Isaac Lyons or Noah Long were the first inhabitants. Of the heads of families above named, not one is now a resident of the township. All excepting two, namely, John Jackson and John Davoult, are known to be deceased. About one year since, Mr. Jackson was a resident of Knoxville, Illinois, and is probably yet alive.
A Fatiguing Night's March.
In March, 1819, after his purchase of the quarter in section 27, (which was in a wilderness condition,) at the close of the day he had raised his cabin, (hands to obtain which were procured from neighborhoods as far distant as where Rowsburg now stands,) he un- dertook to return to his family, a distance of five miles. He had only blazed trees to guide him. When he had accomplished about half the distance, a violent snow-storm and darkness suddenly arrested his progress. He undertook to find the blazed trees by feeling with his hands; but soon found this im- practicable, and came to the conclusion that he would be either compelled to spend the inclement night in the forest or search out the bed of Wolf Run, and follow its course to the Muddy Fork, and then up the
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latter stream to his home, which stood upon its banks. By the devious course of these streams, the distance was nine or ten miles, over fallen timber and brush, and encountering the whole route a violent storm; and, when he finally reached home, it was between twelve and one o'clock in the morning. He found Mrs. Hoy sitting up, unable to sleep, and terrified with the fear that her husband might fall a victim to the inclement weather or savage beasts. Mr. Hoy had seen service in the war of 1812, and had endured some other hardships; but he says that never, before or since, has he performed a more ex- hausting march.
Character of the Indians.
During the first three or four years the Indians camped annually in the neighborhood of Mr. Hoy's residence-frequently within sight of his house. It would be during the season of hunting and trapping. To him and his family they were always kind, hos- pitable, and scrupulously honest. Mr. Hoy had once lost in the woods a pocket-handkerchief. It was found by an Indian, who at once sought the owner and restored it to him. This, he thinks, was a char- acteristic instance of Indian integrity. They were of immense service to such of the white settlers as were not practiced in the use of the rifle, in furnishing them with wild game. Their cunning and quickness at repartee were often amusing. An instance is given of an Indian who had been making a purchase of flour at Stibbs's mill. It was in the year 1818, during a time when considerable quantities of fraudu- lent paper money were in circulation. The Indian had placed in the hands of the miller a note on a
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solvent bank in payment of his flour, and received, among other small notes, a dollar issued by the Owl Creek Bank, at Mt. Vernon-an institution which was then exploded. Upon the note was a vignette of an owl. The Indian retained all the notes except the one upon the Owl Creek institution, and this he promptly returned to the miller. The latter affecting surprise, inquired what was the objection to that note? To which the Indian, pointing to the picture of the owl, promptly replied, "Too much t'hoo! t'hoo! t'hoo!"
In the spring of 1819, the family of Mr. Hoy re- moved to their new cabin, on section 27. It was then without a floor, and otherwise unfinished, and a snow, which fell a few days after their arrival, was forced by the wind through the open doorway and large crevices between the logs, freely into the build- ing. Three poles were driven into the ground and a temporary tent constructed inside the building for the shelter of the two children, while Mr. Hoy em- ployed himself in preparing the floor puncheons, the weight of which was such as to require the assistance of Mrs. Hoy to aid in conveying to the house and ad- justing to their places. The woods, during the first years, abounded with savage beasts and the dreaded rattlesnake; but with all these and other drawbacks, there were substantial joys which compensated for all sorrows.
JOHN KEEN, SR.
John Keen, Sr., immigrated to Jackson Township from Centre County, Pennsylvania, in November, 1828, and selected for his future home the north- west quarter of section 16. In 1830 or 1831 he purchased the northeast quarter of the same section,
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upon which he resided until the time of his decease, which occurred on the 8th of March, 1862, in the ยท eighty-sixth year of his age. When he removed to the township, his family consisted of his wife and six children-two sons (John and Daniel) and four daughters. The Ashland Union, of March 19, 1862, contains an obituary, from which the following is extracted :-
"The deceased was born in Berks County, Penn- sylvania, on the 24th of September, 1776, and expe- rienced in his infancy the hardships of the revolution, as in his old age he saw the perils of his country in dissolution. His father, Jacob Keen, had emigrated westward from the older settlements, but was com- pelled to flee with his family from the pursuit of the savages. In February, 1798, the deceased joined in wedlock with his surviving widow, whose maiden name was Catharine Derscham. The two lived and kept house together for a period of sixty-four years, during which time (excepting the last few weeks) they were both able to perform the ordinary duties of their household. In the fall of 1828 the deceased left his residence in Centre County, Pennsylvania, and emigrated with his family to this township, where he has ever since resided. His neighbors several times bestowed upon him the office of justice of the peace, in which capacity he served with honesty of purpose and independence of judgment. He left behind a large family of children, grand- children, and great-grandchildren. In early infancy he was baptized and became, upon arriving at the years of discretion, a member of the German Reformed Church. He was very steadfast in his purpose upon matters appertaining to the church or congregation of
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which he was a member, and although he had to smite his breast and exclaim, 'Have mercy, Lord, upon me, poor sinner,' he yet died in the full enjoy- ment of the hope of everlasting life through Christ his Redeemer."
MICHAEL KIPLINGER.
Michael Kiplinger emigrated from Pennsylvania to Perry Township in the spring of 1823, where he re- mained until the spring of the year following, when he purchased the southeast quarter of section 26, in Jackson Township, which land he entered upon and improved, and has since made his home.
JOSIAH LEE.
Josiah Lee immigrated to Jackson Township, from Ontario County, New York, in July, 1819. He entered, during the same month and year, the south- west quarter of section 3, and the east half of the southeast quarter of section 4. His family at this time consisted of his wife and one child. John Meason, who had removed to the township the year previous, was his nearest neighbor.
Condition of the Country in 1819.
The families of Mr. Lee and John Lafler were conveyed from the State of New York to Jackson Township by two ox teams. From Cleveland, south- west, the road was not cut out-the travelers being guided most of their way by the "blazed" trees. The journey from Cleveland to Jackson Township was made in five and a half days-three of which were occupied between Medina and the place of their des- tination. Much of their delays were caused by tim-
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ber fallen across their track, which they were com- pelled to cut and roll away. One night overtook the party at a point within what they supposed to be about a mile of Medina. Not being able to proceed with their wagon, they removed the yokes from their cattle and turned them loose, and then undertook to make their way on foot to "the town." The night was so black-the heavens being covered with masses of heavy clouds-that it soon became impossible to find the trail, and there was every probability that the families would be compelled to remain in the woods. The women divested their feet of their shoes and stockings, and traced the path by the sense of feeling in their bare feet. After two hours of patient and anxious toil, they found brush and other obstacles which indicated that they were in the vicinity of & "clearing." The men raised repeated shouts, hoping that the inmates of some cabin might be within the sound of their voices and come to their relief. At length one of the women raised her voice, and it was answered. They were soon within the only house (made of hewn logs) of the town of Medina, and within five minutes a rain commenced falling, which continued throughout the night. About midway be- tween Medina and Harrisville, a bolt of their wagon broke, and they were compelled to come to a halt. They turned their cattle loose, giving them some salt near their wagon, and the two men, each with a child in his arms, pushed forward, on foot, to Harrisville, where they had hoped to find a blacksmith shop- but none being there, they were compelled to seek one in Congress Township, a distance of about four miles farther. The two families finally reached Mr. Meason's place, where they obtained leave to occupy
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a shanty of about ten feet square, until they could erect cabins of their own. When they had their timber on the ground, ready to raise, such was the scarcity of hands by reason of the sparseness of the settlement, that between three and four days were occupied in raising the walls.
Mode of Travel.
There were very few horses in the country, and comparatively little use for them, as there was no surplus produce for market, and no attainable markets, even had there been horses, wagons, and roads, suit- able for transportation. Religious meetings (which, there being no church buildings, were always held at private houses) and social visits were made on foot- men and women often traveling a distance of five or six miles (carrying children in their arms) for these purposes. The family of Mr. Lee frequently ex- changed visits with friends at Harrisville, a distance of ten miles. Mr. Lee has often traveled from his home to Wooster and back, a distance of forty miles, within a single day. In two instances, himself, Mr. Lafler, and Mr. Meason, were required to attend "militia musters" on the Big (Blachleyville) Prairie, a distance of twenty miles. They were ordered to be at the place of rendezvous at ten o'clock A.M., and would be dismissed at four o'clock P.M. This travel of forty miles, and at least five hours' drill, were ac- complished on foot within the same day and night. The men of the present generation who occupy this country often complain of hardship and privation. Are their complaints well founded ?
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Loss of the Son of James Durfee.
The body of this child, an account of whose loss is mentioned by Mr. Slocum and Captain Parmely, in another part of this work, was found upon the premises of Mr. Lee, about a quarter of a mile north of the present town of Perrysburg, and near the farm now owned by Job King. The farm upon which Mr. Durfee resided is in Jackson Township, and is now owned by John Buchanan, and occupied by John Vanosdell, Jr. Stephen Souls, the uncle of the child, was at that time an unmarried man, and made his home with Mr. Durfee. The latter became a Mormon, and died among that people while they occupied Nauvoo, Illinois.
On the evening of the day the boy was lost, two girls, daughters of a neighbor in Sullivan Township, on their return home from Thomas Greer's, heard, on their way, what appeared to be the hoarse moans of a child; but fearing that it might proceed from a wild animal, they continued on their way. Mr. Durfee's house lay in their path, and calling there, they were for the first time informed of the loss of the child. Their conclusion at once was that the voice they had heard proceeded from the lost boy; and the father immediately started for the spot indi- cated-heard distinctly the sound, but his agitation and bewilderment finally traced it to the tree tops, and the voice becoming undistinguishable from the noise of the rain falling upon the dry leaves, he abandoned his search in despair, and returned home.
JESSE MATTHEWS.
Jesse Matthews immigrated to Jackson Township, from Trumbull County, in March, 1818. His wife
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and six children then constituted his family. He purchased of Joseph Alexander the west part of the southwest quarter of section 21, upon which he has continued to reside.
Mr. Matthews was chosen captain of the first mili- tary company that was organized in the township.
MICHAEL RICKEL.
Michael Rickel emigrated from Somerset County, Pennsylvania, in October, 1817, and, purchased of his brother Matthias, the sixty acres in the northwest quarter of section 26, which he improved, and upon which he has since resided. His family consisted of his wife and three children, viz., Jacob, Sophia, and Michael. His eldest son, Jacob, was killed by the fall of a tree, during a storm, in the year 1832.
There were few of the early settlers who encoun- tered more adverse fortune than Mr. Rickel during the first years of his residence in Jackson Township. His health had been much impaired by protracted illness, and he had but a small portion of this world's goods. His health, however, became renewed by the coarse diet which necessity compelled him to use, (composed principally of corn bread and sassafras tea,) and by his hard labor. To his regular and temperate habits, he attributes his prolonged life and present vigor of body and mind. He is now (March, 1862) in his seventy-sixth year.
MATTHIAS RICKEL.
Matthias Rickel emigrated from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, to Jackson Township, in March, 1818, having entered the northwest quarter of section 26. His family at this time consisted of his wife and three
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children, namely, Samuel, George, and Michael. The land above described he improved, and has continued to make it his home.
Mr. Rickle purchased corn for his first year's sup- ply five miles east of Wooster, and paid one dollar and twenty-five cents per bushel, although the corn was soft and mouldy. It was, however, the best the country afforded at that time. After the first year he raised his own supplies. He cut the road from Cor- nelius Dorland's to his place, when he removed his family.
ROBERT SMILIE.
Robert Smilie emigrated from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Jackson Township, and purchased of Mr. Moury the quarter section now owned by the heirs of John Baker. His family at this time con- sisted of his wife and the following-named children: John A., Nancy, Jane, William, George V., and Robert. On the 29th of March, 1829, Mr. Smilie died at the age of sixty-five years. The only sur- viving member of the family now residing in Ashland County is John A. Smilie, of Perry Township.
WILLIAM SMITH.
William Smith emigrated from Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, to Jackson Township, in May, 1824. His business is that of a boot and shoemaker, which he has prosecuted since his residence in the town- ship. He now resides on the Perrysburg and Polk Road, about midway between those places.
HENRY SHISSLER.
Henry Shissler emigrated, with his father's family, from Washington County, Pennsylvania, to Perry,
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and from thence removed with his wife to Jackson Township, in November, 1829. He settled upon the east part of the southwest quarter of section 21- land which he had previously purchased of Joseph Alexander. Upon this land he continues to reside with his family.
The first Pioneer of Jackson Township.
Mrs. Shissler, who is the daughter of the late Noah Long, is of the opinion that John Chilcote was the first white inhabitant of Jackson Township. He resided upon the place recently owned by the late Jacob Oxenrider. Her father's, she believes, was the second family in the township. Mr. Long entered and resided upon the quarter section now owned by Frederick Ritter.
MICHAEL SPRINKLE.
Michael Sprinkle emigrated from Maryland to Jackson Township, in April, 1828, and purchased of Michael Sugars one hundred and ten acres in section 18-being the same land which he improved and made his home until the day of his death, the 6th of March, 1849, at the age of seventy-four years and ten months. When Mr. Sprinkle removed to the township his family consisted of his wife and eight children, the only one of whom now surviving in Ashland County is William H. Sprinkle, who owns and occupies the old homestead.
Markets in the year 1830.
Prior to 1830 there were no markets at the lake for grain or other farm produce. During this year, however, a demand was created, by a large immigra- tion to Michigan, for produce, and wheat at the lake
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ports this year sold at 56 cents per bushel; oats 22 cents. Charleston, at the mouth of Black River, was regarded as the most favorable point for reaching the lake, for the reason that the streams were less diffi- cult to cross than those which intervened between here and Cleveland. The farmers were greatly elated in consequence of the prices of this year, and as the demand was expected to continue another season, an unusually large breadth of ground was sown in wheat during the fall of 1830; but the expectations of farm- ers were not realized, as in 1831 wheat fell to 40 cents per bushel, and for oats there was no demand.
The first Fruit.
Mr. Sprinkle had been six or seven years in Jack- son before he had seen an apple the product of the township. Johnny Appleseed's nurseries were the main reliance of the country, but he was capable of supplying but a small portion of the demands made upon him.
CHAPTER XVII.
Orange Township.
THIS township was surveyed in 1807, by Maxfield Ludlow. Settled in 1814.
Population in 1820
440
=
1830.
1024
" 1840 1840
1850
2088
"
1860 1739
Orange is among the best agricultural townships in the county, and abundantly supplied with good water.
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The Jerome Fork and several tributaries, while they afford very little water power, are living streams, and flow through a majority of the farms in the town- ship, rendering the land particularly valuable for stock growing.
In addition to remains of ancient works found near the town, and which is noticed in the succeeding pages, a discovery was made, about forty years since, by some men engaged in working upon the Wooster and Norwalk Road, which, added to other similar relics found in Mohican and Hanover Townships, would lead to the conclusion that among the aborigi- nal race there were giants. The workmen, in exca- vating a hill upon the farm of the late Patrick Mur- ray, and on the road above mentioned, disinterred two skeletons, one of which measured nearly seven feet in length. The lower point of the femur, or thigh-bone, being placed at the knee-joint of Colonel Oldshoe, (the largest man then living in the neigh- borhood,) its upper part reached four or five inches above his hip-joint. The lower jaw-bone would readily pass over the largest face upon which it was tried.
ORANGE TOWNSHIP CHURCHES.
German Reformed and Evangelical Lutheran .- The house where these congregations worship is situated on section 16, about a mile and a half west of north of Orange. The building is 38 by 50, and was erected in June, 1859.
The German Reformed Church was organized about 1832. The present pastor is Rev. D. R. Moore. Deacons: David Fluke and Solomon Markle-Elder: Philip Fluke.
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The Evangelical Lutheran' Church was organized in 1861-Rev. Mr. Gilbraith, pastor. Elders: John Finger and John Sharick-Deacons: Martin Mason and Mr. Shopbell.
North Orange Methodist Episcopal Church .- The building was erected and the church organized about the year 1848, with about eleven members. The present class-leaders are, J. B. Smith, Alex. M. Phil- lips, and Daniel Mclaughlin. Total number in the three classes, 69. The building is 25 by 30, and will accommodate a congregation of 200 persons.
Canaan Church .- This church building, upon the farm of Mr. Maxheimer, was erected in the summer of 1850. It is the joint property of the Evangelical Lutherans and the German Reformers. The original trustees were Jacob Ambrose and William Boots, of the Lutheran, and John Jacoby and John Heifner, of the German Reformed; Jacob Ambrose, elder, and Samuel Maxheimer and William Boots, deacons of the Lutheran, and John Heifner and John Jacoby formed the Church Council of the German Reformers. There is at present no church organization-clergymen of various denominations occasionally occupying the pulpit. The building is 30 by 45 feet.
German Reformed and Methodist Episcopal Church .- A small church building, on the north line of Orange Township, was erected about twenty-three years ago, and a congregation organized under the auspices of Rev. John Siebert, and continued until within a few years, when the organization ceased. Clergymen of different denominations occasionally conducted services in the
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building, but the Methodist Episcopal are the only denomination who hold stated meetings. They have a class organized under the leadership of David Spencer. The church belongs to the Sullivan Circuit, and Rev. Mr. Jones preaches every four weeks.
A
THE VILLAGE OF ORANGE.
This town was laid out on the 22d of April, 1828, by Amos Norris and J. Chilcoat. It is located in the midst of a fine farming region, and, for health and pleasantness of situation, is not surpassed by any town in the county. The census of previous years has not been taken separate from the township, and hence there are no official means of ascertaining the advance or decline of the town. Its population, bow- ever, is supposed to be about two hundred. There are 4 churches in the town, 2 physicians, 1 hotel, 1 dry . goods and 1 hardware and grocery store, 1 cabinet shop, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 wagon maker shop, 1 harness shop, 4 boot and shoe shops, 2 cooper shops, 1 brewery, 2 tanneries, 1 tailor shop, 1 weaver shop, and 1 grocery. The name of the post-office is Nankin. Remains of one of the most interesting mounds of an ancient race adjoins the town, and is situated upon the land owned by William Norris. The track of the old State road leading from Orange to Ashland cut through a margin of the work. The size at the top was about thirty feet in diameter; at the base fifty or sixty feet, and its height from five to six feet above the natural surface. The mound was built upon a natural elevation. In cutting down its side for the purpose of affording a proper roadway, relics of human skeletons, earthen vessels, and supposed
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