USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 12
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History of Hancock County.
living about one half mile to the west of us. Our nearest neighbor on the east, was a Mr. Wade, who lived about eighteen miles distant. On the south, Mr. Foster lived at a distance of about six miles. On the west the nearest settlement was at Fort Defiance, about forty-eight miles away. Twelve miles to the north lived Mr. Haskins.
" Soon after our arrival, the Mr. Miller of whom I have spoken, died, and Mr. Frakes moved to his new home on the river, now the Infirmary farm, which left but two men in the settlement."
Mr. Trout has resided in the township ever since he came to the county, and has witnessed the vast improvements, made here, and the almost unparalleled increase in wealth and population. The wilderness has disappeared, and been replaced by beautiful farms, pleasant homes, comfortable churches and school houses.
WASHINGTON TAYLOR
Was the son of William Taylor, and was born in Bedford County, Pa., July 4th, 1818. Mr. Taylor came to Ohio with his parents in 1824, and located in Richland county, about four miles from Mansfield. Ten years later, Mr. T.'s father died, and in 1836 the family came to this county, settleing first in Portage township. After living in the town of Van Buren a few years, Mr. Taylor, in 1843, moved to the farm on which he now resides. In 1838 he was mar- ried to Martha Moorehead, who is still living.
The farm which is owned by Mr. T. is a very valuable one, and beautifully located, with a good brick residence, and commodious farm buildings. His five living children are all near him, and are honest, industrious citizens. After a long life of toil and privations as a frontiersman, Mr. T. is now
189
John Hardy.
enjoying the fruits of his labors, in the peaceful companion- ship of his family, and respect of his neighbors.
JOHN HARDY.
John Hardy was the oldest of a family of five children, and was born in the city of Philadelphia, on the 15th day of July, 1797, and came with his parents to Ohio in 1822, and settled in Stark county. He was married in August 1822, to Martha Orr. In 1832 he came to this county, and took up his residence on the farm now owned by Ezra Karn in Cass township. Mr. H. had entered six hundred acres of land in the county, previous to his removal here. In 1835 he removed to his farm in this township, it being then a part of Portage township, where he resided up to the time of his death, in November, J860.
Mr. Hardy was a man of strong common sense, and a fair common school education, He was one of the first school teachers in the county, and taught school in the winter sea- sons, for more than twenty-five years. He was a man of decided opinions, and always had the courage to defend them. With his neighbors, he was. noted for his honesty, intelligence and industry, and his counsel and advice were sought by his acquaintances.
Mr. H. was one of the pioneer Methodists of the county, having been a member of that church before his coming to the county, and remained so until his death. His member- ship in the church covered a period of more than forty years. His house was one of the early preaching places, and the itinerant minister always found a warm welcome at his table and fireside.
He was the father of five children, three boys and two girls, four of whom are living. His eldest daughter, now
190
History of Hancock County.
the widow of John McConnell, resides in Findley. Han- nah, the youngest daughter, married the Rev. B. A. Desney, a minister of the Methodist church, has lately taken up her residence in Findley. Joseph O., the oldest son, is now and has been for the past twenty-six years a resident of Pendle- ton, Ind., at which place he has been engaged in mercantile pursuits. Oliver P. is one of the substantial farmers of Eagle township. Addison, the youngest son, died about five years ago, leaving to his young family, a fine home in Cass township.
JOHN BARND
Came to this county in 1833 from Perry county, his fath- er's family having preceded him the year before. Mr. Barnd had married just previous to his coming here, and being determined to make for his family and wife a home, engaged in the serious business of clearing up the forests with a will, and by his untiring industry, his economy, and intelligent use of the means at hand, he succeeded in surrounding himself with all the comforts of life, and after assisting his children, of which he had a large family, to start in life, has an abundance left for himself and aged wife, who still lives to share the fruits of their united toils, and early deprivations.
No man in the township commands a greater respect from all classes of people, than does Mr. Barnd. Throughout his long life, he has been noted for his honesty and hospital- ity. Coming to this new country, when neighbors were few and far between, when social enjoyments were almost un- known, and when strangers as well as friends were welcome, Mr. B. always, and on all occasions, displayed the natural goodness of his heart, in extending to all that generous hos- pitality, for which the genuine frontiersman was noted. He
191
Barnd and Ensminger.
was present and one of the voters at the organization of Portage township, of which this township was a part.
Mr. Barnd was the first Justice of the Peace elected in the new township of Allen, and held the office ten consecu- tive terms. His discharge of the duties of the office was satisfactory to his constituents, and his decisions were marked with such candor and fairness, that appeals were very seldom made to the higher courts. Mr. Barnd is still living on his old home place, spending his time peacefully and quietly in the company of his family, who are near him. Mr. Barnd has always followed the occupation of a farmer.
GEORGE ENSMINGER
Entered the land on which a part of the town of Van Buren now stands, in 1832, and in 1833 he, with John Trout, laid out the town of Van Buren. Mr. Ensminger followed farming for a livelihood, and was the owner of much valuable land in this township. His descendants have all left the township.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
We here give the names of those who have been elected to this office in the township : ยท
John Barnd-1850, 1853, 1856, 1859, 1862, 1865, 1868, 1871, 1874, 1877.
W. L. Heller-1852.
J. W. McCaughey-1855.
Philip Burman-1861, 1864.
Robert Thornberg-1867, 1870, 1873, 1876, 1879. G. W. Barnd-1880.
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History of Hancock County.
GRAIN CROP AND VALUE OF DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN 1881.
An exhibit of the acreage and products of the grain crop and the number and value of domestic animals, as reported by the Assessor of the township in 1881 :
Wheat, 2121 acres. 47,519 bushels.
Oats, 656
14,405
Corn, 1693
72,055
Flax, 52 66
511
Hay, 786
946 tons.
Horses, 509 number.
$24,695, value.'
Cattle, 1103
12,630,
Sheep, 2836
5,273,
Swine, 1795
1,012,
VAN BUREN.
This town was laid out by George Ensminger and John Trout, in December, 1833, and is located on parts of sec- tions twelve and thirteen, in range ten, and sections seven and eighteen, in range eleven, and comprised fifty-three lots. The town is laid out in the form of a cross, with a public square in the center. There were quite a number of large and substantial buildings put up, and nearly all the lots facing on the square were built upon. For a time the place assumed considerable importance in trade, but as the coun- try became settled, other towns sprang up, and were fortun- ate enough to secure rail-roads, and this place gradually lost its prestige, until now it may be safely said to be on the down hill side of life. There are here still some pleasant resi- dences, and a very genial, intelligent population, but busi- ness has almost entirely departed. The surrounding coun- try is a rich and well improved agricultural district.
193
Van Buren.
In June, 1866, upon the petition of thirty of its citizens, this town was incorporated. Daniel Frick was first Mayor, and C. S. Wilkinson, J. H. Loehr, Dr. E. C. Wells, Dr. E. George, A. Mumert and L. P. McCune have succeeded him.
A post office was established here as early, perhaps, as 1836, and the following persons have been Post masters : Dr. Geo. Springer, John Zarbaugh, S. M. Heller, C. S. Wil- kinson, L. Michaels, Dr. E. C. Wells, D. Frick, L. J. Hisso- ny, Sol. Zarbaugh, H. C. Hartman, John Lee, Mrs. E. Wells.
The business of the place is transacted by one dry goods store ; one grocery ; one saloon ; one steam saw mill ; three blacksmith shops; one wagon shop. There are also one Baptist, one German Reformed, and one United Brethren Church, and one Physician. There were one hundred and thirty inhabitants here in 1880.
194
History of Hancock County.
-
AMANDA TOWNSHIP.
T. I, S. R. LI E.
AREA 17,380 ACRES.
T. 1, S. R. 12 E. POPULATION 1,476.
Amanda township borders on the east line of the county, and is bounded north by Marion and Big Lick townships, on the east by Wyandotte county, on the south by Wyandotte county and Delaware township, and on the west by Jackson.
This township was organized in 1828, and beside Findley and Delaware was the only one organized in the first year of our county existence. In the year 1830, at the time of the organization of Marion and Liberty townships, we have mention of Amanda township, for the territory included in this and Findley township was so divided up as to form the four townships of Amanda, Marion, Liberty and Findley. In December, 1831, it was ordered by the Commissioners that "the township of Amanda shall hereafter consist of the original township one south, in Range 12, and sections 34 and 35 in the original surveyed township one north, in the twelfth Range.
This township at the present time, and ever since the formation of Wyandotte county, sections 34 and 35 having been restored to township one north (Big Lick) by act of the County Commissioners, comprises Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36 in township one south, Range eleven east, and
195
First Entries of Land.
Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17. 18, 19. 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 in township one south, Range twelve east.
Thomas Thompson made the first entry of land in this township, on the 25th day of February, 1822, being the east half of the north-west quarter of Section three, and on the 27th day of the same month, the west half of the north east quarter of the same section was entered by Henry Mc- Whorter. In October, 1823, John Brundige entered the north-west quarter of Section thirty-six. and John Smith entered the west half of the south-east quarter of the same section in December of the same year. In the month of March, 1825, Isaac Gifford, of the State of New York, made entry of the east half of the north-west quarter of Section twelve. In 1826, Ira Baker and John Shoemaker made en- tries. These were followed in 1827 by John Beard, Peter George, Henry George, Abraham Cole and others, and in 1828 by Jesse Gilbert, John J. Hendricks, Andrew Beck and others.
The first settlement in this township was made by Thomas Thompson, in 1824, near the Big Springs, about one mile from the present town of Vanlue, and in 1825 John Huff and William Hackney came. They were followed soon after by James Beard, John Shoemaker, Henry George and Thomas Cole. Very soon after these Peter George, James Gibson, John Hewitt and Aquilla Gilbert settled here. Judge Abraham Huff was also one of the pioneers of this township.
Thomas Thompson was a resident of this township for more than a half century, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. He was a farmer, an occupation which he fol- lowed to within a few years of his death, when old age and
196
History of Hancock County.
infirmities compelled him to desist. He then moved to the village of Vanlue, where he spent his last days in quiet and died regretted.
Peter George, who was known as the "Pioneer land hunter," he having entertained, and guided through the for- est of Hancock County, more land hunters and emigrants than any other men in the county perhaps, is still living ; And though bent by age and hard labor, is yet cheerful and happy, and loves to recount the experiences of a backwoods- man. Mr. George was County Commissioner for six years.
William Hackney was one of the first officers of the county, and is spoken of elsewhere.
Aquilla Gilbert, one of the first settlers of Jackson, as well as of this township, and who taught the first school in this township, still lives here. Mr. Gilbert has been promi- nently connected with the affairs of the county almost from its first organization, and has held office in both county and township. He was six years one of the Commissioners of the county, having been elected in 1837. He served as Justice of the Peace for five consecutive terms in Jackson township, and for three terms in Amanda township.
Abraham Huff, as one of the Associate Judges of the county, has been mentioned heretofore.
The first election was held in the township in 1828. The first school house, as stated by Aquilla Gilbert, was built in the Messmore neighborhood, and the first school was taught by Mr. Gilbert. Another opinion, that of J. M. Von Horn, is that the first school house was built near the center of the township, and that the first school in the township was kept in a house on the farm of Uriah Egbert, in about the year 1831, and that one George Smith was teacher. It is not very material which of these gentlemen is correct, for
197
Timber and Soil.
all agree that these two schools were almost, if not quite, cotemperaneous.
There are now eight sub-districts in the township, each one of which has a comfortable school-room. The enumer- ation of youth is 180 males, and 176 females; total 356 in township, and in the village of Vanlue, special school dis- trict, the enumeration is 170.
The first church was built in 1831, in the south part of township, and known as the "Swamp Church," The Luth- eran denomination owned it, and amongst the first member- ship we find the names of Fred. Brenner and wife, Adam Alspoch and wife, John Fenstenmaker and wife, and several members of the Beck family. The first sermon preached in the township was by a Rev. Thompson, an Indian Mission- ary. There are now in this township eight church buildings, owned as follows: One Methodist Episcopal, one Methodist Protestant, two United Brethren, one Baptist, one German Reformed, one Lutheran and one Disciples.
The timber is principally walnut, ash, oak, elm, hickory, beech, sugar. There were a few places in the township that were but sparsely wooded; notably so a tract in the north-east part known as the fallen timber region, and a portion of the south part known as the swamp.
In the eastern part of the township the soil is clay, mixed with sand and gravel, and when once properly cultivated is very productive. As before remarked, in the south part is what the people here call the " swamp," a strip of land not many rods wide, but extending almost across the township, from east to west, the soil of which is a deep rich vegetable loam, mixed with sand. This tract at the early settlement of this section, was thought to be almost, if not quite wholly worthless. But as agricultural science developed
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History of Hancock County.
the means by which it might be brought into use, it was found not only possible to reclaim it, but that when so re- claimed, it was unusually productive. The river bottoms of a sandy, gravelly nature, plentifully mixed with the rich de- posits of vegetable matter, made by the overflows of the water, of course are easily tilled, and yield most abund- antly. In the northern part, as we have before observed, is a tract of about eight hundred acres, known as the " fallen timber," the soil of which is a muck, mixed with portions of clay and sand. This tract was originally very wet, and it is owing to this fact, perhaps, that so much of the timber, especially the larger, had fallen.
The Blanchard River enters this township near the south west corner of Section twenty-five, runs east to about the center of the section, and then almost directly north through sections twenty-four, thirteen, twelve, and into section one, when it takes a north-westerly direction, leaving the town- ship near the north-west corner. This river furnishes an abundance of water, as well as drainage, for the most part of the township, and is of immense value.
Buck Run, a small and unimportant stream, is the only tributary of the Blanchard, and is important only as a source of drainage. The Big Spring on the land of David Smith, in the north-east part of the township, is most valu- able on account of the great volume of water discharged, as well as the excellent quality of the same. This is un- doubtedly the largest spring in the county. Such is the amount of water discharged that an abundance is furnished for the watering of stock in all this part of the township.
This is one of the most populous townships in the county, and it is fast becoming one of the wealthiest. Each year sees the better improvement of the older farms, and the re-
199
Post Offices and Justices of the Peace.
claiming of new lands; the erection of a better class of farm buildings, and the introduction of the latest improved farming implements. The early settlers came principally from the eastern counties in the State, and their descend- ants are an active, energetic, and progressive people. ;
There are two flouring mills, and very good ones too, in this township; one a steam, and the other a water mill ..
There have been three Post Offices in this township, but two of them were long since discontinued. The first estab- lished was the " Blanchard Bridge," at the house of Aquilla Gilbert, on the Blanchard River. Mr. Gilbert was the first and only Post Master. The office was in existence for many years, and was a great accommodation to the citizens. But villages sprung up in the vicinity, and travel took an- other route, and the office was discontinued. Shortly after the establishment of "Blanchard Bridge," another office was established near the Richard Hall farm and called " Ashery." Joseph Twining was the first and only Post Master here. This office was long since discontinued for the reason that the necessity for its existence had passed away. The third office was established at Vanlue, of which we will speak in the proper place. .
The following named persons have held the office of Jus- tice of the Peace. The date of their election is given.
Thomas Thompson-1829.
John J. Hendricks-1829.
Samuel Gorden-1831, 1834, 1837, 1840, 1843, 1846. Abraham Karn-1836.
John Thompson-1840, 1843.
William Vanlue-1845, 1848, 1851, 1854.
Aquilla Gilbert-1849, 1852, 1855.
B. A. Etherton-1857, 1860, 1863, 1866.
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History of Hancock County.
John Crawford-1857, 1860, 1863, 1865, 1868, 1871, 1874, 1877, 1880.
T. B. Gilbert-1866.
Ira Plotts-1869, 1872, 1875.
B. F. Burnap-1878, 1881.
CAPERNAUM.
The town of Capernaum, which was in this township, was laid out by Abraham Huff in March, 1831, on the west half of the north-east quarter of section three, and com- prised in all sixteen lots. The land on which the town was located, now belongs to John L. Sheridan, and aside from the fact that it was platted and recorded, the town has no record. The site was probably abandoned before any lots were sold. At least its history is less brief than is that of the city of the plain, for which it was named. It is exceed- ingly doubtful if any one in the vicinity is able to even point out the site.
VANLUE.
This town was laid out by William Vanlue, Esq., in whose honor it was named, and is on the north-west part of the north-east quarter, and the north-east part of the north- west quarter of section nine. It is located on the line of the Findley branch of the Cleveland, Sandusky and Cincin- nati Railroad, ten miles a little south of east of Findley. The town was laid out in May, 1847, and at that time consist- ed of forty-four lots. In November of the same year the pro- prietor laid out an addition of fifty lots more.
In October, 1853, S. N. Beach made an addition of fifty- seven lots, and in 1858, he, with others, laid out Beach's second addition of forty-nine lots. Charles Cross laid out an addition of ten lots in 1870.
201
V'anlue.
From the sale of the first lots the town steadily improved, and was a very considerable grain market for a number of years after the completion of the railroad, but of no great importance otherwise.
There are many tasteful and comfortable dwellings, neat fences, shady streets, all giving the place a home-like appear- ance. The streets have never received that attention from the town authorities which they deserve, and consequently they are frequently in a bad condition. After a few years of great prosperity, the town, as new towns do, slacked up, and stopped progress, came to a stand still, went through a sweat as it were. Business seemed for a time to have for- saken the place. Enterprise too, seemed to have taken its leave. Progress had got stuck somewhere, and everything seemed going to the dogs. But this state of affairs could not last long. The town could not stand still. It must go forward, or must retreat.
In 1866, upon the petition of fifty of the inhabitants, the village was incorporated under the laws of the State. Pur- suant to the Act of Incorporation, the first election for vil- lage officers was held on the 13th day of April, 1867; Peter Shuck, C. H. Hatch and Jason Lee as Judges, and Ira Plotts and John Dresbach, Clerks. There were thirty votes cast. The following officers were elected: Mayor, Elisha Brown; Recorder, A. Brown; Councilmen, H. Pratt, Ira Plotts, B. A. Etherton, Charles Hatch and A. S. Roberts ; Marshal, W. L. Plotts. The following persons have held the offices of Mayor: Elisha Brown, Aquilla Gilbert, Fred Shuler, J. H. Brown, B. F. Burnap, T. B. Gilbert, H. L. Lee.
The population of the village is three hundred and sixty- four, and at present is in a flourishing condition, and prom- ises much improvement.
14
202
History of Hancock County.
There is quite a considerable business done in the village, as a list of its business houses will show.
There is one dry goods store, of considerable capital, and in which is kept a supply of the staple articles of merchan- dise, which are sold at very fair prices. This branch of trade has always been reasonably well represented, some- times by three or four rival establishments, at the same time.
A grocery and provision store has been lately opened,. and is meeting with fair encouragement, and promises not only to be one of the fixtures of the town, but to fill a want long felt in its line.
Daniel Gilbert has for a number of years been engaged in the drug business here, and has an establishment, which for completeness, in everything except extent of stock, is not surpassed by any similar establishment in the county. Here you may find anything necessary to be kept in a coun- try drug store. The building is of frame, and was built ex- pressly for this business.
There are also three saloons, one hotel, one harness shop, one hardware store, with a general stock of goods in that line. This establishment was owned and managed by the- late Hon. John Wescott & Son, and had by a course of fair dealing, reasonable prices, and by keeping an assortment of goods, built up a flourishing trade. There is one furniture store, one tin shop, three boot and shoe shops, two barber shops, three dress makers and milliner shops, two black- smith shops.
The steam grist and merchant mill of Fred Shuler, has no superior in the county as a good flour-maker. This mill was first built about fifteen years ago, and was from the first noted for the fine brand of flour it turned out. Mr. Shuler
203
Vanlue.
conducted the business for a number of years, when he sold to a Mr. Vansant, who alter running the mill for a short time, had the misfortune to have it burned down, destroying everything of building and machinery. Not being able to rebuild, Mr. Vansant left the place, when Mr. Shuler again came to the front, and built the present building, completing it with the latest, best and most improved machinery, and now can boast of as good a flouring mill as there is in the county, at least.
There are two steam saw mills, two handle factories, and two planing mills, none of them very large, but all doing a good business.
The English Lutherans have quite a comfortable frame church building, and a good congregation. Some three years ago the United Brethren, who had long had a society here, and a church building, erected a neat frame church, well furnished and comfortable, and have quite a large con- gregation.
The Methodist Episcopal, the oldest church organization in the town, not to be outdone by her sister churches, re- cently completed one of the handsomest frame church build- ings in the county, furnished with bell, organ, beautiful pul- pit, and comfortable seats. They, too, have a large and interested congregation. All of these societies have flour- ishing Sabbath Schools attached.
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