USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 13
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The village has a frame school building of three rooms, and boasts of one of the best schools in the county. The enumeration of youth in the district is one hundred and seventy.
A Post Office was established here in 1849, with Dr. W. P. Wilson as Post Master. The successive Post Masters
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History of Hancock County.
have been as follows; John Wescott, W. P. Wilson, Ira Plotts, W. A. Sponsler and Daniel Gilbert.
The Findley branch of the C. S. & C. Railroad passes through this place, and the town being surrounded as it is by a rich agricultural district, there is quite an amount of freighting business done.
Table exhibiting the number and value of live stock, and the acreage and product of grain, as shown by the return of the Township Assessor in 1881.
Horses, 693 number. $26,400, .value.
Cattle, 1,221
13,110,
Sheep, 2,572 66
4,670,
Swine, 2,507
5,740,
Wheat, 3,703 acres.
71,162 bushels.
Oats, 376
13,422
Corn, 2,926
133,320
Hay,
619
705 tons.
Flax, 78
66
496 bushels.
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Blanchard Township.
BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP.
T. 1, N.
R. 9 E.
AREA 23,040 ACRES. POPULATION 1,286.
The act of the Commissioners organizing this township, was passed in 1833, in these words: "That original surveyed township number one north, range nine east, shall be known and organized by the name of Blanchard."
In March, 1834, the Commissioners " Ordered that town- ship two north, range nine (Pleasant Tp.) be attached to Blanchard township," but a year later this township was detached from Blanchard and organized into a separate township.
Blanchard is on the west border of the county, bounded north by Pleasant township, east by Liberty, south by Union, and west by Putnam county line. It derives its name from the river of the same name, which passes through it from east to west, dividing it into two almost equal parts.
The first entries of land made in the township were the north half of north-west quarter of north-east quarter of section thirteen, by David Stinson, and the north-east quar- ter of north-east quarter of same section, by John Veal, both entries being made on the 12th day of August, 1822. On the 19th day of the same month and year, W. A. John- son entered the south-east quarter of the north-west quarter- of section fifteen. On September, 1825, John Hunter took
206
History of Hancock County.
up the south half of south-west quarter of section fifteen, James McClish entered the east half of north-east quarter of section twenty. In 1827, Orlando Moffitt entered west part of south-east fractional quarter of section seventeen, and John Dukes the east half of the north-west quarter of section fifteen, and Henry Epley the east part of the south-east quarter of section eighteen. These entries were followed by others, and a settlement of the township followed close on the entries.
The first settlers in this township were John Hunter and John Chandler, both of Fairfield County, who came here in 1826, and located on the south side of the river, on the farm now owned by Alfred Davis, and known as the old Geo. Shaw farm. The first settlers of this part of the county were in the main from the interior and eastern coun- ties of the State, with a few families from Pennsylvania and New York. These two first families were not long without neighbors, for in 1828, Richard, John and Lewis Dukes, of Franklin County, and Thomas Grove, of Picka- way County, settled on the opposite side of the river, and opened up extensive farms, and erected comfortable build- ings. Thomas Groves still lives and occupies the old farm, and in his declining years, is surrounded by broad acres of the richest agricultural lands in the whole county.
Richard Dukes, who but recently deceased, occupied the old homestead, to within a few years of his death, when he removed to Findley, and so situated himself as to enjoy the society of his friends, and obtain the rest from toil, which he so much needed. His last years were peaceful and quiet, in the enjoyment of home and its comforts.
Lewis Dukes, sr., came to this township in 1826, when only about nineteen years of age, and hired out as a farm
207
Dukes-Baldwin.
hand. In a few years, by his industry and frugality, he was able, at the low wages even then paid, to accumulate enough money to enter a tract of eighty acres of land. This he improved, and was enabled as the country improved, to add many acres of valuable lands to it, until he has become one of the wealthiest men in the township. Mr. Dukes has been twice married, but was never blessed with children. He united with the Methodist Church in early life, and has ever since been a consistent member, ever living up to his profession.
Mr. Dukes is of an unassuming nature, never seeking motoriety, and never urging his opinions on others. His in- dustry, tact and economy are proverbial, and his opinions on business matters are clear and forcible. His life has been devoted to agricultural pursuits, in which he been unusually successful.
David M. Baldwin was one of the earliest settlers of the south part of the township, having come from Fairfield County, and settled on lands adjoining the town of Benton. All was a wilderness when he came, and he lived long enough to see one of the finest neighborhoods in the county. Mr. B. was a genial, whole-souled man, ever ready to ac- commodate to the extent of his ability, and ever ready to resent an insult. For years he kept a tavern, where the weary traveller always found a well laden table. His large family are living near their old home, which is occupied by his aged widow.
John Dukes remained in this township until he became quite well advanced in years, and had witnessed the many changes which occurred, when he disposed of his property and removed to Wood County, where after a residence of several years, he too was gathered to his fathers.
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History of Hancock County.
Thomas Moffitt, who with his brothers, William and John, had made their residence here about the time the Dukes' came, after making for himself a home and its comforts, was attacked with the "Western Fever," sold his farm and emigrated to Iowa, or the "Black Hawk Country," as it was called, where he still lives. John and William Moffitt, and McClish, still reside in the township, and are amongst. its most substantial men.
Michael Fishel, one of the early residents, only a few years ago sold his farm on the south side of the river, and now resides in the village of McComb. Alfred Davis, an- other frontiersman, and one of the solid men of the county, owns and occupies a magnificent tract of land on both sides of the river, and takes life calmly. George Shaw, one of the early commissioners of the county, owned a splendid farm here, on which he spent the greater part of his life, and here died and was buried. About the same time came Jeremiah Cocle, David Millham, Sol Foglesong and the Ep- leys.
These early settlers all chose the independent and honor- able occupation of farmers, and well was their choice made, for no richer agricultural lands are to be found in the State, than those which they occupy and cultivate.
These pioneers were hardy, temperate, frugal, energetic and industrious, and deserve their past and present prosper- ity.
The Dukes' brothers were early and consistent members: of the Methodist Church, and friends to, and workers in the Sabbath Schools. The first church building in the county was put up in this immediate neighborhood, and they con- tributed largely, not only to its erection, but also to sustain- ing the ministers sent among them. This old log church
209
Soil and Timber.
Still stands on the farm owned by Eli Dukes. Since its day, however, a frame building was erected a little further west, which was used by the same society for a number of years, when about two years ago, it in its turn, made room for a more comfortable and pretentious brick building-in- deed one of the finest church edifices in the county. There are now two Methodist Episcopal, two United Brethren, and one Evangelical Church in the township, all good sub- stantial buildings.
The first school house was a log cabin affair, and stood near where the present residence of Thomas Groves stands, and was built in 1830. The first school was taught by John C. Wickham. There are now ten school buildings in the township, and the enumeration of youth is three hundred and eighty-four.
The first marriage was that of John Dukes and Hannah Houchings, the Rev. Thomas Thompson officiating. Two little children of George Shaw were the first deaths.
The soil of this township varies with the locality. Along the river it is a rich sandy loam, mixed with vegetable de- posits, made by the overflow of the river. On the south ridge it is a fertile, sandy soil, and between the ridge and the river bottoms, the land is flat and rather wet, but cov- ered by a rich, deep soil of vegetable loam, mixed in places with sand or clay. On the north side of the river, after getting back from the bottoms, the soil is almost invariably clay ; good wheat and grazing lands, whilst for the produc- tion of corn, the bottom lands are not excelled anywhere.
Oak, ash, hickory, sugar, beech, walnut and poplar, are the principal timbers. Of the latter kind, there were im- mense amounts, and of the finest quality, but such has been the demand for it, that it has almost entirely disappeared.
210
History of Hancock County.
This township is well watered by the Blanchard River and Ottowa Creek. The river passes through the township, and furnishes water the whole year around, and also the best of drainage. It is subject to occasional overflows, but does no material damage.
Ottowa Creek rises in section thirty-six, in Union town- ship, runs in a northerly direction, enters Blanchard township in section thirty-six, runs north, thence west, thence in a north-easterly direction, and empties into the Blanchard River in section fourteen. Its distance in the township is about four miles. It is quite a considerable stream, and there have been quite a number of saw-mills along its course, at different times. It furnishes the means of drain- age for almost the entire south part of the township.
Shortly after the settlement made on the north side of the river, by the Dukes and others, the Powells, Foglesong, John L. and Richard Carson, Engle, Baldwin, Fishel, Hughes, the Downings, Knepper, and some other families settled in and near the present town of Benton. Solomon Foglesong, and his brother-in-law, Knepper, came there perhaps as early as 1830, and settled on the banks of the "Tawa," as it is generally called. Foglesong, almost the only survivor of the first residents, still lives on the old homestead, but the weight of years is heavy on him, and he may soon be called to follow his early companions. Daniel, William and John Powell still reside in the neighborhood of their first settlement. All have good farms, comfortable homes, and a competency of this world's goods. Jacob, another of the Powell brothers, died a few years ago, from the effects of a cancer, and after years of great suffering.
The Rev. John Powell, who has devoted his life to the ministry of the United Brethren Church, and who not only
211
Engle-Hughes-Carson.
acquired a good farm by his industry and economy, but within a few years has found a wide reputation as the founder of the Powell Association, and the successful mana- ger of two re-unions of the family, as well as the author of a memorial history of the Powell family, still lives in the quiet enjoyment of his farm, in the south part of the town- ship.
Jacob Engle, the kind, generous, large-hearted Dutch- man, as he was called, cleared up and occupied a splendid farm adjoining the present site of Benton, where he lived for years amongst his many friends, until about 1860, when he was called away to meet his reward. Honest, generous to a fault, he was a good neighbor, and a social, genial com- panion. He left a wife and large family of children, who have since all emigrated to the West, the widow and most of the children being residents of Iowa.
Owen Hughes was one of those honest, up right, cheerful men, that one would expect to find in a new settlement. He lived to a good old age, and died as he had long lived, a consistent member of the church, and a christian man. Most of his children are residents of the county. Mr. Hughes was twice married, but both wives died before he did.
All of my older readers, perhaps, will call to mind Dick Carson, at the bare mention of his name. He was one of the champion fighters of the county. Not that he was quarrelsome, or sought to provoke a fight, but he was one of these powerfully built, muscular men, courageous, sensi- tive to an insult, and whilst not ill-tempered, especially when sober, he was quick to resent an indignity, or an im- putation of his courage or veracity. He was just such a man as every township or county wanted to defend its hon-
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History of Hancock County.
or, as it was then the fashion, at a general training, or a country horse race. Dick was just the man for that, as many an unlucky braggart found to his utter discomfiture. But the reader must not suppose from this that Mr. Carson was a rough, a bruiser, or bully. On the contrary he was a good neighbor, a firm friend, and a peaceable citizen. His brother, John L., was at one time Surveyor of the county. The two Carsons and their families emigrated to the west many years ago.
The Downings were of the first settlers, and were a hardy, industrious family, and all became quite well off in course of time. George, David and William were carried off in 1849 by the California Gold Fever, but after a few years toil in that El Dorado, they all returned to Blanchard township, applied themselves to agricultural pursuits, and by industry and economy made great additions to their western earnings.
In after years William moved to Kansas, where he still resides, and has had the honor of representing his county in the State Legislature. He was followed to his new home by his father, old Johnny Downing, as he was familiarly, but respectfully called, and his brother Isaac and family. The old gentleman and Isaac have both died since. George re- sided in this township until about ten years ago, when he went to Iowa, where he now resides. David still lives in the township, and is not only one of its wealthiest, but one of its most respected citizens. He has a model farm, with one of the finest dwelling houses, not only in the township, but in the county, and commodious and convenient out- buildings. His pecuniary circumstances enable him to de- vote much time to the breeding and introduction of fine cattle in the county. He has some of the best herds in
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Downing-Post Office.
this part of the State. He deals largely in stock cattle, being quite an extensive feeder. He has been a member of the Board of Managers of the Hancock County Agricultural Society for a number of years, and has devoted much time in making the Society one of the best in the State, and his efforts, and those of his associates, have not been unsuccess- ful. Mr. Downing has, as he deserves, the confidence of the entire commnuity.
His sons and daughters, of which there are several, are all married, and I believe without an exception, all reside in this and adjoining townships.
This locality, on account of the abundance of fish and game, was one of the resorts of the Indians on their hunt- ing expeditions. And indeed hunting and fishing were not only among the amusements of the whites, but they were works of necessity with them, in order to support them- selves. The fish-net and the rifle was a part of the furni- ture of every well regulated log cabin, and by the skillful use of these, the tables of the pioneer were spread with fish, johnny cake and venison, to which the neighbor and stranger alike were always welcome.
In 1848 a Post Office was established in this township called Oak Ridge. It was first located at the house of William Downing, on the Findley and Defiance State road, north side of the river, and Mr. Downing was the first Post. Master. It was an office of no importance, only as it gave to the community in which it was located, mail facilities, and this accommodation has been such as to warrant the continuance of the office to the present time. Mr. Downing has been succeeded by the following persons as Post Mast- ers, viz .: Robert Marshall, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Wm. Downing,
ยท
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History of Hancock County.
Rezin Cook, David Downing, Eli Dukes and L. C. Groves, present incumbent.
BENTON.
This town situated on the ridge running east and west through the county, and nine miles west of Findley, was laid out in November, 1835, by William Mires, on the east half of the north-west quarter of section thirty-five, and originally composed but thirty-six lots. In 1855, William Powell made an addition of five lots, and in 1867 he made a further addition of eleven lots, and in 1868 he made a. third addition of ten lots.
The town was named in honor of the sturdy old Missouri Senator, Thomas H. Benton. The location is a beautiful and healthy one, and is surrounded by a rich and productive agricultural country. The immediate vicinity of the town was settled at a very early day by the Powells-William, Jacob, John and Daniel,-David M. Baldwin, Jacob Engle, Solomon Foglesong, Knepper, Michael Fishel, Owen Hughes and other like enterprising frontiersmen.
The business of the town has never been large, and con- fined principally to supplying the surrounding country with some of the most necessary articles of trade. Not having as yet any railroad facilities, the town has made but little real advancement.
A Post Office was established here in about 1840, called Benton Ridge, and D. M. Baldwin, William Miller, Philip Ballard, Isaac Sperow, M. Merchant, T. J. Saunders, J. G. Saunders, J. H. Saunders, and H. W. Hughes have held the office of Post Master.
In March, 1875, the town was incorporated for special purposes.
215
Benton.
There is now a special school district, owning a comfort- able brick school house, and with an enumeration of seventy children.
The Methodist denomination have a fine brick church building, a good congregation, and a flourishing Sabbath School. The Evangelical Association have a frame church building, and an interesting Sabbath School in connection with their congregation.
The business of the town is conducted by two dry goods stores, two groceries, one drug store, one saloon, one wagon shop, one blacksmith shop, one plow factory, one cabinet shop, one hotel. There are two physicians located here. A flouring mill and a saw mill are also in operation. The population of the village in 1880 was one hundred and eighty-nine.
LOUISVILLE.
This town was laid out in 1851, by William H. Powell, Daniel Millham and Michael Shearer. The two last named have been dead for many years. The town plat was in the north-west corner of the east half of the north-west quar- ter of section fourteen, and the north-east corner of the west half of the north-east quarter of section fourteen in township one north, range nine east, and covered forty lots, but I think they were not all sold. The principal streets were Defiance (Main), running east and west, and East, Lima and West streets, running north and south.
The town, however, after a sickly existence of a few years, was finally vacated, and remanded to the several original owners. In its palmiest days, it could boast of a country dry goods store, a school house, and three dwellings. For a year or more John Boylan, an old resident of the
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History of Hancock County.
township, kept a country store, where the staple articles of the market were on sale in small quantities, but the trade not being profitable, he abandoned the business. Such is the history of the birth, life, and decay of this town of great expectations, and it does not now exist even in name, and scarcely in the memory of the neighborhood. How many hopes were blasted, and how many expectations came to naught in the early decay of this prospective city ?
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
Thomas Moffitt-1831, 1841, 1844.
John C. Wickham-1835.
John L. Carson-1836.
John M. Radabaugh-1837.
Charles Frost-1838.
Henry Cook-1840, 1843.
Eli Dunning-1846, 1849.
John Boylan-1847, 1856.
Mathew E. Hopkins-1851.
Philip Ballard-1854, 1857.
W. H. Kilpatrick-1857.
George Downing-1857, 1860, 1863, 1866.
Robert Marshall-1860.
Jonn Wortman-1862, 1870, 1878.
Ephriam Mathius-1866, 1869.
Hiram W. Hughes-1869, 1872.
Joseph Thompson-1873.
A. Wittemyer-1875. W. P. Dukes-1876.
John Bergman-1877. J. C. Wickham-1880.
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217
Big Lick Township.
BIG LICK TOWNSHIP.
TP. 1, N. R. 12, E.
AREA 23,040 ACRES. POPULATION 1,261.
The Commissioners of the county, at their session of March 7, 1831, after defining the boundaries and extent of Amanda Township. "Ordered that the original survey of township one north, in range twelve east, except sections thirty-four and thirty-five, shall hereafter be known and organized by the name of Big Lick."
At the session of the Commissioners held June 3, 1833, Robert L. Strother and John Rose, Commissioners, being present, the following order was passed: "Ordered that Big Lick Township shall include the whole of the original sur- veyed township No. one north, in range twelve." Since the passage of that order, the township been has known as an original township of thirty-six sections.
In September, 1821, Henry McWhorter made entry of the west half of the south-east quarter of section thirty- four. This was the first entry of land in the township. In May, 1825, the east half of the south-east quarter of sec- tion twenty-seven was entered by John G. Alspach, and September 5, of the same year, Eliza Huff entered the east half of the north-west quarter of section thirty-four. In December, 1828, John Shoemaker made entry of the east half of the south-east quarter of section seventeen. These entries were followed in 1829 by those of John Huff, of the 15
218
History of Hancock County.
west half of the south-east quarter of section seventeen, of the west half of the north-east quarter of section twenty- . o ne by John Long. In 1830, Henry Hinebaugh, of Fair- field County, entered the north-east quarter of section one, and in the same year, Uriah Egbert took up the west half of the north-west quarter of section nineteen, and about the same time an entry of the west half of the north-west quarter was made by Philip Essex.
William Hackett, of Stark County, William Roller, of Richland, Elijah Brayton, of Crawford, Mary Graham, of Madison, John Graham, William Wiseley and others made entries of land, and became residents of the township.
This township is on the east line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Washington township, on the east by Seneca County, on the south by Wyandotte County and Amanda township, and on the west by Marion township.
The first settler in the township was Samuel Sargent, who made an improvement on the limestone ridge, in the south- eastern part of the township, sometime in 1826. The second person who made a permanent settlement was John Long, who located near the centre of the township the fol- lowing year. In February, 1829, John Shoemaker settled about three-fourths of a mile west from Mr. Long's. Mr. Shoemaker still lives to recount the hardships and incidents of frontier life. Sargent came from Ross county, and Long and Shoemaker from Fairfield County, this State.
The first township election was held in 1831. at the resi- dence of John Long. The electors present were John Shoe- maker, Robert Long, Levi Poulson and Cornelius Poulson. Whilst these men were holding an election and organizing the township, the good Mrs. Long prepared them a dinner of the best in her larder.
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Soil and Timber.
Amongst the early settlers here, were the Thomas's the Moore's, the Rollers. the Graham's, the Poulson's, Wiseley and others, some of whom are still living in the township.
The general surface of the land is level, although some parts are undulating. The prevailing soil is clay loam. In the south-eastern part of the township is a sand ridge, and is underlaid with limestone. In that portion of the town- ship is also a marsh or prairie, some fifteen hundred acres in extent, which is entirely a vegetable soil, and largely un- reclaimed, except for grazing purposes. It will no doubt all be brought under cultivation in the near future, by the help of drainage. That so much of it has been reclaimed, is largely due to the enterprise and well directed exertious of Judge Cory, of Findley, who owns most of the entire tract.
The timber embraces numerous varieties, among which are white, red and burr oak, blue, black and white ash, beech, elm, hard and soft maple, sycamore, black and white walnut, hickory, basswood and buckeye. A ridge of white oak traverses the township, of such excellence, that ship- ment of logs have been extensively made to foreign coun- tries.
No streams of water traverse the township of sufficient size to furnishs water power. The only stream that main- tains a current during the entire year, is the outlet to the marsh or prairie. This sluggish stream takes its size in Seneca County, runs in a westerly direction, and empties into the Blanchard River near Mr. Allen Wiseley's, in Ma- rion Township. There a number of smaller streams, which however, are only water courses in wet weather.
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