USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history of Ohio, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc > Part 53
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PORTAGE TOWNSHIP.
and on the west by Pleasant. In 1840 its population was 675; 1850, 614; 1860, 835; 1870, 899, and 1880, 914.
Like the rest of Hancock County, the lands of this township originally bore up a heavy forest growth. Sand Ridge extends from east to west across the northern part of the township, composed of a sandy, gravelly soil. North of the ridge the soil is a sandy loam, while on the south side we find a yellowish clay with here and there a mixture of gravel and sand deposits well adapted to the growth of the cereals. Sugar Ridge runs parallel with Sand Ridge across the center of the township, and was so named because of the large number of sugar maples that grew upon it. The soil on Sugar Ridge is of a sandy, gravelly nature and very fertile. The general dip of the township is towards the north, and the surface is slightly rolling. One of the forks of Ten Mile Creek, a branch of Portage River, heads in the southwest part of the township, while the other flows in from Allen. The former takes a northeast, and the latter a northwest direction, and, after uniting on the southeast quarter of Section 4, passes northeast- ward, and leaves the county on Section 3, near the northeast corner of the township. These branches are fed by numerous springs, which also form the head-waters of both forks.
First Settlers. - It is generally admitted that John Thompson and Robert Walters formed the vanguard of the early settlers who located in what is now Portage Township. Several families had settled some years previously in the two tiers of sections taken from Portage in the erection of Allen; but up to the summer of 1833, the present territory of this township was an unbroken forest. On the 24th of July, 1832, John Thompson entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 22, and the following summer located on his land, now the home of James Deter. He came here frem Champaign County, Ohio, and was a very intelligent man and much respected by those who subsequently settled around him. After clearing up a farm and resid- ing here for many years, he removed with his family to Kansas. Robert Walters, a Virginian, settled on Ten Mile Creek in Section 8, in the fall of 1833, where both he and his wife resided till their death.
John Cooper was the next settler in this subdivision, coming in March, 1834. He was born in Fayette County, Penn., April 25, 1811, whither his father had emigrated from New Jersey. In 1812 the family removed to Perry County, Ohio, where John grew to manhood and married Jane E. Cusac, daughter of Daniel Cusac. In the spring of 1834, the young couple took up their residence on the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 29, entered in April of that year, where they have ever since resided. Nine children blessed their union, six of whom survive, Allen being the first male born in the township. Though a man of limited education, Judge Cooper has filled the office of associate judge and county commissioner very acceptably. He has been far more successful than the average pioneer, and is to-day one of the wealthiest farmers in the county.
Amos Cooper, a cousin of the judge, also came in March, 1834, but was then a single man. The following November he married Elizabeth Poe and settled permanently in the southeast quarter of Section 32, entered by him in April, 1834. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence his parents removed to Perry County, Ohio, where he lived till his coming to Hancock. His wife died on the old homestead in 1872, and he in Findlay in 1879, leaving six children, all of whom are still residents of the county.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
In May, 1834, John and Abigal (Simpson) Howard, with a family of nine children, located on Section 4, where he had entered eighty acres June 17, 1833. The parents and eldest son, Samuel, were natives of Pennsylvania, and in 1815 removed to Richland County, Ohio. Here eight children were born, all of whom came out with the parents in the spring of 1834. Two children were born afterward. John and his wife re- sided on Ten Mile Creek until their death; but three of the sons are yet living in the county. Samuel, who resides in Findlay, is perhaps the best known of the family. He was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., December 7, 1814, and was in his twentieth year when the family settled in Hancock. In June, 1833, he borrowed $50 of his father with which to enter forty acres of land in Section 4, agreeing to keep the whole family in provisions for one year, and thus pay back the borrowed capital. He faithfully fulfilled his agreement, and thus became the owner of his first real estate. In 1837 he married Elizabeth Carroll, and settled permanently on his land. Eleven children were born to this union, six of whom are living. Mr. Howard has filled quite a prominent place in the political affairs of Hancock County, and has served four terms as county treasurer. He is well and favorably known from one end of the county to the other.
Daniel Warner, a native of New York State, born in 1799, came to Han- cock County in 1834, and entered 160 acres of land in this township where he died in 1881.
The Moorheads-John and Samuel-came in the spring of 1834. Their mother dying in Pennsylvania, they removed with their father from that State to Stark County, Ohio, in 1814, where they both grew to maturity, and married. Samuel settled in the southeast quarter of Section 22, and John in the northeast quarter of Section 27, both tracts being entered August 19, 1833. The latter died a few years ago at the home of his son-in-law, Isaac Hart-the same farm he settled on in 1834. Samuel died in 1885 after a residence in the township of over fifty years. Both attained ripe old ages, and have left descendants in the township to perpetuate their memory.
John Reed and family, of Wayne County, Ohio, settled in the southeast quarter of Section 27 in the spring of 1834, where he afterward built the first brick house in the township. He subsequently removed to Findlay, and engaged in the hotel business in a frame building, which then stood on the site of the Commercial Hotel. Both he and his wife died in Findlay Township, but their daughter, Mrs. James Kerr, is a resident of Findlay.
Other settlers of 1834 were Mahlon Morris, Sanfred F. Dulin, Charles Crist, John Bushong, John McClay, George Taylor and Ezra Hazen. Mr. Morris settled in the southwest quarter of Section 22 in the fall of 1834. In 1836 he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected three times in succession. In 1846 he was elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1848, but died August 5, 1849, while serving his second term. He left a family of three sons and six daughters. The surviving son is a member of the Findlay bar, and four of the six daughters are living, three in this township. His widow, Elizabeth, died in April, 1865. Sanfred F. Dulin is yet resid- ing on the farm, where he settled in December, 1834. His parents, William and Charlotte Dulin (he a native of England and she of Germany), were married in Maryland, thence removed to Virginia, where Sanfred F. was born in 1810. In 1816 the family settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, and in January, 1830, came to Findlay, where the father died in 1832. A family
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of ten children grew to maturity, Sanfred being now the only survivor. The mother died at Mr. Dulin's home in 1866. Mr. Dulin was one of the pio- neer school teachers of the county, and though seventy-five years have come and gone since he first saw the light of day, he is still one of the active, energetic, progressive men of his township. Charles Crist, a native of Maryland, settled on Section 29, but sold out and removed to Darke County, Ohio. John Bushong located in the northeast quarter of Section 28. Both he and his wife died at the home of their son, Jacob, in this township. John McClay settled on Section 15, but did not remain long in this locality. George Taylor and Ezra Hazen built their cabins on Section 21. After liv- ing here two or three years, both sold out and left the county.
In 1835 Merryman Price, Richard Wall, James Cooper and Valentine Miller came into the township. Price was from Richland County, and built his cabin in Section 4, on Ten mile Creek. He was the second justice of the township, but after living here several years he removed to Indiana. Wall also settled on Ten Mile Creek, thence removed to Pleasant Township, where both he and his wife died. Their son, William H., is a resident of Portage. James Cooper, familiarly known as "Big Jim" Cooper, located on Section 34, where he and his wife passed the balance of their lives. They reared three children, one of whom, Catherine, lives in Findlay Township. Valen- tine Miller was a German, and settled in the southwest quarter of Section 18, and there died.
Jacob Deter and Benoni Culp took up their residence in Portage in 1836. The former and his wife, Sarah, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Richland County, Ohio, coming in 1836 to Hancock County, and settling on Section 8, this township. They reared a family of seven children, and died on the old homestead where Peter now lives. Their sons James, Peter, Philip and Jacob are residents of Portage Township. Benoni and Magdalene Culp came from Fairfield County, Ohio, in 1831, and settled in Findlay Township. In 1836 they removed to Section 20, Portage Town- ship, where both spent the rest of their days. They reared eight children, four of whom are residents of the county.
Andrew Moorhead, Miles Wilson, David Culp, John Edgington, John S. Miller, and Washington Taylor all came in 1836. Mr. Moorhead was a brother of John and Samuel Moorhead, previous settlers of the town- ship. He located in the northeast quarter of Section 31, where his son, Samuel E., now resides. He was twice married and left a family of five sons and five daughters. Mr. Moorhead died in 1884. Miles and Elizabeth Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania, came from Champaign County, Ohio, and settled on Section 4, where both died. Their son, David, lives upon the old farm. David Culp, a brother of Benoni, settled on Section 20, and there died. His widow died in Pleasant Township, and none of their children live in this county. John and Catherine Edgington, of Richland County, Ohio, built their cabin near where their son, Thomas F., now resides. He died here in 1848, and his widow in Iowa, in 1856. John S. Miller located on Sand Ridge, whence he removed to Pleasant Township and there died. Washington Taylor, a native of Pennsylvania, with his widowed mother and three brothers and two sisters, came here from Richland County, Ohio, and settled on Section 17. The family subsequently removed to what is now Allen Township, where Washington and Charles yet reside. William lives in Findlay.
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
These settlers were soon followed by Andrew Nigh, yet a leading farmer of the township, James Mays, John Kempher, Jeremiah Pressor (colored), Jacob Switzer, George Mitchell, Samuel Oram, George Archer, Jacob Andre and William Edgar. John Norris, who first settled in Washington Town- ship, in 1831, was also a pioneer of Portage, locating on Section 32, quite early. He was twice married, and in 1877, sold his farm to Judge Cooper and went to Texas. Though others may have come into Portage during the years mentioned the foregoing list embraces the majority of those who can be properly termed pioneers.
Schools .- The first school in Portage Township was taught by Frederick S. Ankeny, in the winter of 1836-37. It was held in the wagon shop of Benoni Culp, on Section 20, and was attended by the Culps, Coopers, Edgingtons and others. Mr. Ankeny died during the term and the school was closed. The first schoolhouse was built near Pleasant Hill, about 1837. The next year (1838) a building was put up in Section 31, on the Moorhead farm and a school opened by Miss Rebecca Hedges. She re- ceived $1.25 per week and "boarded around." The Coopers, Moorheads, Norrises, Culps and Orams went to this school. Soon afterward another schoolhouse was erected on Section 27, where No. 1 school now stands. Sanfred F. Dulin was the first teacher in this building, which was attended by the Mitchells, Harts, Reeds, Bushongs, Shoops and others. It was not long until every part of the township had its schoolhouse. Portage now contains six school buildings wherein school is held seven months in the year. The young men or women who now grow up in this State without the advantages of an education are rarely found, for if they do so the fault lies with themselves or their parents. Good schools are now the rule, and all may freely enjoy the advantages they offer.
Churches .- The Regular Baptists organized the first society in the town- ship at Merryman Price's cabin, about 1836. Merryman Price, Richard Wall, Price Blackford, Henry Rader, Henry M. Rose and their wives, and Isaac Comer, A. B. Kagy and Rebecca Beals were the first members. The society held alternate meetings at the Court House in Findlay; Isaac Comer's, in Liberty Township; Henry Rader's, in Allen Township; and Merryman Price's cabin, on Ten Mile Creek. This society subsequently built a church in Van Buren. The Presbyterians, under Rev. George Van Eman, organ- ized the Pleasant Hill Society in 1837. Miles Wilson, Sr., and family, the Moorheads, John Thompson, Samuel Huntington, John Norris and wife, Hugh Hudson and Paul Adams being among the first members. In Sep- tember, 1837, John Thompson and John Bushong gave a piece of ground for a church and cemetery, and here a hewed-log building was soon afterward erected, which was used for several years. The society subsequently put up a frame building near the home of Miles Wilson, Sr. In September, 1843, this society and Ebenezer Society, of Portage Township, were united under the name of West Union Church of Van Buren, where worship has ever since been held. The United Brethren denomination organized a so- ciety quite early, on Ten Mile Creek, and built a church on Section 4. This society is still in existence, and has a good church and a respectable mem- bership. Central Methodist Episcopal Chapel was organized about 1850. In 1858 the present building, in the southeast corner of Section 28, was erected, and has ever since been used. The trustees at that time were Abraham Hart, Sanfred F. Dulin, Jacob Bowlby, Charles Deatsman,
N.B. M&Blish
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Thomas Fountain, Abraham Beals, John Hardy, William H. Fountain and David Culp. This denomination has now two churches in the township, both possessing good congregations.
Lafayette .- On the 18th of March, 1837, Jacob Andre laid out a village of 72 lots on the north part of the east half of the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 15, which he named Lafayette. But that is as far as the town ever got, and Portage has never possessed a village or hamlet.
Portage Centre Postoffice. - In April, 1857, Portage Centre postoffice was established, with Jarvis Humphrey as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1863 by Joseph Johnson, who served sixteen years. Mrs. George W. Mont- gomery, the present incumbent, is Mr. Johnson's successor.
Justices. - The following list embraces all who have held the office of justice of the peace in Portage Township since its organization: Peter Heller, Merryman Price, Mahlon Morris, John Edgington, Samuel Howard, John Kelley, Henry B. Wall, Adam Crumrine, Charles B. Thomas, Will- iam M. King and Thomas F. Edgington.
CHAPTER XXIV.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
ERECTION. FIRST ELECTION OF TOWNSHIP OFFICERS, AREA, BOUNDARIES, AND POPULATION BY DECADES-PHYSICAL FEATURES-STREAMS AND SOIL-PIO- NEERS-FIRST MARRIAGE IN THE TOWNSHIP-JUSTICES-GRIST-MILLS-RE- LIGIOUS SOCIETIES-SCHOOLS-VILLAGES-CANNONSBURG, RAWSON AND CORY.
UNE 4, 1832, the board of commissioners, in compliance with a petition
J presented by citizens of Township 1 south, Range 9, erected Union Township from territory previously embraced in Liberty. At the first elec- tion held soon afterward for the purpose of organizing the new subdivision, Philip Cramer, Nicholas Folk and George Burket were chosen trustees, and Wenman Wade, clerk. Union has always been a full congressional town- ship, with an area of 23,040 acres. It lies in the western tier of subdivis- ions, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Blanchard Township, on the east by Eagle, on the south by Orange, and on the west by Putnam and Allen Counties. In 1840 Union had 637 inhabitants; in 1850, 1,150; 1860, 1,604; 1870, 1,546; and 1880, 1,876.
The topography of Union Township differs very little from the surround- ing country. A sand ridge crosses its northwest corner, and exhibits the same characteristics of soil and physical features as are found all along this nar- row belt in Liberty and Blanchard Townships. The general topography may be termed slightly rolling, though some of the lands along Ottawa Creek are hilly, while around Rawson and west of that village the country is quite level. A low, wet prairie, covering an area of about 400 acres, lying on Sections 23 and 24, existed during the early days of settle- ment, but this tract has been brought under cultivation, and where once the
26
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
tall, rank grass gave shelter to deer and other game, large fields of golden wheat and tasseled corn greet the eye. The greater portion of Cranberry Marsh lies in the southwest part of this township, but it, too, has been all re- claimed, and these lands are now among the most valuable in the county. Excepting a small strip of prairie, Cranberry Marsh was originally covered with a dense growth of willows, and was a favorite resort of wild game. This marsh, with the small prairie south of the site of Rawson, were the only portions of Union Township uncovered by that once mighty forest, little of which now remains to attest the grandeur of its pristine glory.
Two branches of the Ottawa Creek rise in the central part of Van Buren Township, and after uniting in the southeast corner of Union, the main stream flows northwestward till it reaches the northwest quarter of Section 22, near the center of the township, where it makes an abrupt turn, thence passes in a northeast direction to the southwest corner of Section 1, and thence northward into Blanchard Township, where it empties into the Blanch- ard River. The Ottawa receives a couple of small runs in this township -one from the southwest on Section 22, and one from the southeast on Sec- tion 11. Tiderishi Creek flows in from Eagle Township across Section 1, emptying into the Ottawa near the southwest corner of that section. An- other small tributary of the Blanchard waters the western part of the town- ship, flowing northwest into Putnam County. The outlet of Cranberry Marsh runs along the south line of Union for about three miles, thence crosses the northwest corner of Orange Township into Allen County, where it empties into Riley Creek. The bottom lands are a formation of alluvial deposit and decayed vegetation, while the level lands away from the streams are generally a black loam. Along the sand ridge the soil is a composition of sand and gravel, principally the former, while the uplands in the balance of the township are a mixture of clay and loam.
Pioneers .- Philip Cramer and family were the first settlers of Union Township. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and settled at an early day in Fairfield County, Ohio. Here his first wife died, and he married Katharine Harmon, also a native of the Keystone State. In October, 1830, Mr. Cramer visited Hancock County, and entered the east half of Section 1, Township 1 south, Range 9, also the east half of the northwest quarter of the same section, and the following month the family came from Fairfield County and located permanently on the Tiderishi Creek. His sons, John, Philip and Simon, and daughter, Christina, wife of Henry Smaltz, were the children of his first marriage. All were full grown, and some of them married before coming to Hancock. Mr. Smaltz built his cabin in the southeast quarter of Section 1, where he died in 1836. John Cramer was the first justice of Union Township, and died in 1843; Philip, Jr., died in 1850, and Simon was killed by lightning in 1851; while Christina also passed away many years ago. His second wife, Catharine, bore him seven children, viz. : Adam, Daniel, Jacob, Sarah, Rachel, Margaret and Phœbe. She died January 10, 1853, Mr. Cramer surviving her till April 13. 1867, and dying at the ripe old age of nearly eighty-five years. In 1832 Mr. Cramer built a horse-mill on his farm, and though a primitive affair, it was nevertheless in use for several years, and did considerable grinding for the neighborhood. Mr. Cramer was the pioneer minister of the United Breth- ren Church in Hancock County, and the first society of that denomination was organized at his cabin. He was always earnest and zealous in the
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UNION TOWNSHIP.
cause, and left the impress of his calling and character upon the community in which he lived. His sons, Daniel and Jacob, now own the land whereon his life in this county was so profitably spent.
Nicholas Folk and family, of Fairfield County, Ohio, located in the northeast quarter of Section 11 in the spring of 1831. Mr. Folk entered this tract April 2, 1831, and soon afterward brought out his family. Ottawa Creek ran through the farm, and his rude log-cabin stood on the northwest bank of that stream. The parents resided here till death, leaving a well improved homestead to their children, who afterward sold it to Edson Goit. The latter erected a grist and saw-mill on Ottawa Creek, where the bridge now spans that stream, which became familiarly known as the Teatsorth Mill. One of Mr. Folk's sons, George, is a resident of Findlay.
On the 17th of September, 1831, George Burket entered the southwest quarter of Section 11, and the same autumn, with his wife and son, Jacob, and son-in-law, William Lytle, and wife, removed from Perry County, Ohio, to Union Township. Both he and Lytle erected their cabins on the land entered by Mr. Burket, the latter afterward deeding to Lytle eighty acres of his entry. Mr. Burket was born in Berks County, Penn., in July, 1781, thence removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was married to Miss Mary Ann Fox, a daughter of Jacob and Eva Fox, subsequent pioneers of this township. In 1816-17 the Burkets removed to Perry County, and thence to Hancock in the fall of 1831. They reared two children, viz. : Jacob, now a resident of Rawson, and Mrs. Catherine Lytle, of Cannons- burg. Mr. Burket spent the declining years of his life with his son, Jacob, dying in September, 1865, at the ripe old age of more than eighty-four years. Jacob was in his twentieth year when his parents came to this township, having been born in Fairfield County in 1811. In 1832 he was married by John Cramer, justice of the peace, to Miss Sarah Cramer, daughter of Philip Cramer, Sr., which was the first marriage in the township. His wife died in 1850, leaving five sons and four daughters, and he married Mrs. Philip Cramer, Jr. They are now residing in Rawson, and Mr. Burket is the oldest living pioneer of Union Township. Mr. Lytle married Catherine Burket in Perry County, and resided on the farm given him by his father-in-law till his death November 3, 1872. His widow is now living in Cannonsburg.
The next settlers of Union were Jacob Fox, Sr., and sons Jacob and William. On the 13th of September, 1831, Jacob, Jr., entered the east balf of the southwest quarter of Section 2, and four days afterward his father en- tered the southeast quarter of Section 2, and the northeast quarter of Section 15. In the spring of 1832, the parents, Jacob and Eva Fox, also the sons, Jacob and William, with their families, came from Fairfield County, and took up their residence on the land previously entered along Ottawa Creek. The Foxes were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to Fairfield County, Ohio, and thence to Hancock. Jacob, Sr., built his cabin on Section 2, and Jacob, Jr., also settled on the same section, while William located on Section 15. The father was a veteran of the Revolution, and died August 16, 1849, in his eighty-sixth year. Jacob, Jr., was the father of six children; four, John C., Lydia, Sarah and Nancy were born in Fairfield, and Jacob and Solomon in this township. He died upon his farm in Section 2. July 25, 1863, his widow, Polly, surviving him till February 10, 1885. She was a native of Virginia, and died in her eighty-fourth year. Four of their children are yet living-three sons and one daughter-and all are residents
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HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
of Hancock County. William Fox died October 30, 1863, and his widow, Sarah, in 1868. Two of their children are living in the township.
Wenman Wade entered the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 15 April 20, 1832, and soon afterward located upon it. He was a native of Virginia, but came here from Wayne County, Ohio, and upon the organi- zation of Union Township, in 1832, he was elected clerk. In 1835 he was elected justice of the peace, and re-elected to the same office. Mr. Wade was a noted hunter, and during the earlier years of settlement supplied his neighbors with plenty of venison and bear meat. He was an energetic, go- ahead man, of untiring industry and perseverance, and stood high in the esteem of the pioneers. After a residence here of many years he sold out and moved to Wood County.
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