USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 14
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Numerous Sulphur Springs on the farm of Robert Long, near the center of the township , comprise what used to be a famous deer lick, called "Big Lick," from which the town-
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History of Hancock County.
ship derives its name. Large numbers of deer were killed here by the present owner, and by others. Mr. Long, on one occasion, had secured his seat in a tree convenient to the lick, when a colored man, who had been assisting in driving some cattle from some point farther west, was on his return trip from the east, and night overtaking him, he concluded to camp near the springs. Mr. Long not know- ing who he was, and supposing him to be a rival at watch- ing for deer, concluded to frighten him away. Whereupon he made such an unearthly noise, that the poor fellow took to his heels and never stopped until he brought up in the Blanchard River, near Allen Wiseley's. He had so over- heated himself as to cause his death soon afterwards. Mr. Long's efforts to have a little fun, turned out quite se- riously.
These early settlers were greatly annoyed by gangs of Indian hunters and trappers, who made the neighborhood their rendezvous. Especially was this the case with Mr. Shoemaker, who, more progressive than his neighbors. had secured a grind-stone. The Indians charged upon that grind-stone with their dull tomahawks and knives, until it was literally worn out. They also had a way of trading ven- ison for pork and potatoes with Mrs. John Moore, in which she invariable came out second best. Knowing that the wife was afraid of them, they would make their visits in the abssence of the husband, hence she, in order to get rid of them, would send them to the patch to help themselves. It being the first crop, and not a very large one, Mr. Moore soon discovered that the entire crop had disappeared. Ver- min were also destructive upon the corn. The settlers could only protect themselves by the use of the rifle, and if one chanced to be poor shot, he employed some one by the day,
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Fence Viewers.
who was an expert with the gun. At night, too, it demand- ed watching, to save the corn from the raccoons.
The surroundings and discomforts of the early settlers here, and the scarcity of even the commonest necessities of life, may be shown in the pioneer life of Mr. John Moore, now an old and much respected citizen of the township, and by the way, one of its most prosperous farmers. Mr. Moore at that time owned one hundred and sixty acres of land, and was perhaps as well fixed as any of his neighbors. He was however, compelled to manufacture all his own furniture.
His first child (A. J. Moore, a resident of this township), was rocked in a sugar trough, made by " Big River," a Wy- andotte Chief, and which had been used before the arrival of Mr. Moore in the country, as a sap trough by the Indians. Mr. Moore's first bedstead was made by himself, of iron- wood poles. The cords were of bass-wood bark, well inter- laced together. No straw was to be had with which to fill the ticks, Mr. Moore thereupon gathered forest leaves suffi- cient to make a mattress.
Mr. Moore was elected first Supervisor of roads in the township, and had for a district, the north half of the town- ship, eighteen square miles. He superintended the opening of the New Haven road, from the east township line, west- ward to near the center of the township.
In those days, stock of every description was allowed to run at large in the forest, as all the inclosed land had to be cultivated in order to produce food for man and beast. The damage done to crops by stock running at large, made trou- ble amongst the people, and a board of fence viewers be- came necessary. This board were to determine, when called upon, whether or not the enclosure was a sufficient or legal fence.
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History of Hancock County.
Accordingly, William Roller, who was noted for his avor- dupoise, William Moore, who was noted for his diminutive- ness, and Richard Bayless, noted for his activity, were chosen as the Board of Fence Viewers. It was then agreed, that any fence which would bear Mr. Roller, and through which Mr. Moore could not creep, nor Mr. Bayless jump over, should be declared a lawful fence.
The first school house in the township was built in 1836- exclusively by voluntary labor-upon the farm now owned by the heirs of James Graham. It was located in the forest a full half mile from any public highway. There were but two sub-districts in the township, at the time. Sometime subsequent to the above date, there was another school house built, about two miles west of the first-on the lands now owned by the heirs of Moses McAnnelly. A fair in- terest is now taken in the cause of education by the citizens of this township. There are now 413 youth in this town- ship of school age, for the accommodation of whom there are ten school honses.
The first church erected in the township was a hewed log structure, thirty-six feet square, and located on the present site of Enon Valley Church, on the Findley and Tiffin road. It was built in 1844 by the citizens in the neighborhood, mainly, however, by the combined efforts of the Presbyte- riahs, Covenanters and Seceders. The first site selected for the building, was upon Robert Leonard's farm, some two miles south-east from the one subsequently built upon. Rev. R. H. Hollyday, still of Findley, superintended the building of the church.
There are now eight churches in this township. Two owned by the Evangelical denomination, two by the United Brethren, two Methodist Episcopal, one Presbyterian and
2:23
John Moore.
one Christian Union. Amongst the first church members were Henry Thomas and wife, James Thomas and wife and Andrew Poulson.
The township has been so developed in its resources, as to be one of the richest in the county, In 1880 over 75,000 bushels of wheat was raised; corn, oats and grass are also produced in large quantities.
The Findley and Carey Branch of the Cleveland, Sandus- ky and Cincinnati Rail Road is the only road of that kind which touches the township, and that runs but a short dis- tance in it.
JOHN MOORE.
Mr. Moore was amongst the first settlers in this town- ship, and came here with his young wife, when all was new, and when energy, industry and good health were the requi- sites to success. These qualities were combined in Mr. Moore and his brave wife. His strong arm soon opened up a farm, and his house was the stopping place of the strang- er emigrant, and at his table was ever found welcome hospi- tality.
Mr. Moore endured all the hardships of frontier life, and now in his old age, surrounded by his children and grand children, he, in the midst of plenty, the fruits of his own toil, is enjoying life peacefully and quietly. He is one of the largest land owners, as well as one of the wealthiest men in the township. He has always followed the inde- pendent life of a farmer, and I believe his children are all engaged in the same business.
Mr. Moore has always been a friend of public schools. His own opportunities for obtaining an education when young has always made him seriously feel his loss, hence
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History of Hancock County.
he appreciates the blessings of such schools to the rising- generations.
MOSES M'ANNELLY
Was one of the prominent men of the county, as well as of this township, coming here at an early day, and being a man of more than ordinary intelligence, he took the lead in the new settlements. He represented this county in both branches of the Ohio Legislature, and was re- garded as an honest, upright man. He too was an agricul- turalist, and made for himself and family, a pleasant and valuable home. Mr. McAnnelly has been dead a number of years.
JOHN SHOEMAKER
Came from Fairfield County to this township, in Februa- ry, 1829, having the year previous entered lands in section seventeen. There were but a very few families in the town- ship at that time, among whom were Samuel Sargeant, on the limestone ridge, and John Long in the immediate neigh- borhood of Mr. S.'s settlement. Mr. Shoemaker was pres- ent and assisted at the organization of the township in 1831.
He is still a resident of the township, and is of the very few who came here at that early day. The cultivation of the soil has always been his occupation. Honest, industri- ous and hospitable he has always commanded the respect of the community. His sterling good sense has always made his advice valuable. He is reaping the fruits of his long years of toil and privation, happy in the consciousness of the unvaried rectitude of his life.
225
Wiliam Roller.
WILLIAM ROLLER,
One of the Associate Judges of the Common Pleas Court of the county, was also a resident of this township. As a Judge, his good common sense, and honesty of action, gave him his very flattering reputation. Honest in his convic- tions, sympathetic in his feelings, he could hardly err in his decisions, as he was a man of average intelligence and fair common school education. He never abandoned the occu- pation of a farmer, but succeeded in amassing a competen- cy, and leaving a considerable inheritance to his children. He was respected by his neighbors, and was always a friend to those in need. Unostentatious in his private life, and courteous in public, he could not but have hosts of friends.
FREEDOM.
Uriah E. Drake laid out forty-eight lots on the east half of the south-west quarter of section nineteen, on the 26th day of October, 1836, and called them the town of Free- dom. So far as I can learn, the above is a complete history of the place.
WEST INDEPENDENCE.
George Wyant, Peter Wyant and Henry M. Grose were the proprietors of this town. It is located on the east part of the east half of the north-east quarter of section two, and at present has a population of one hundred and thir- ty-four. The Evangelical Association have a church build- ing, and there is a good, comfortable school house in the village. The business of the place consists of one hotel, one grocery and provision store, one saw mill, two shoe shops, one physician and one blacksmith and wagon shop.
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History of Hancock County.
The United Brethren have a neat house of worship, and a prosperous society,
A post office was established here in 1856, with Frederick Reamer as Post Master. Mr. Reamer was succeeded by J. L. Kenower, Jacob Ruth, John Peters, and Wm. Blinn, the present incumbent.
This village had a population of one hundred and thirty- four, in 1880.
Table showing the number and value of live stock. and the number of bushels and acreage of grain in this town- ship, as returned by the Township Assessor, in 1881 :
Horses, 573 number. $30,070, value.
Cattle, 1417 66
17,090,
Sheep, 4975 66
9,050,
Swine, 3107
5,600,
Wheat, 3665 acres.
81,261 bushels.
Oats, 531
16,656 יו
Corn, 2878
87,730 66
Flax,
39 66
680
Hay,
971 66
994 tons.
The following is a list of persons who have held the office of Justice of the Peace in Big Lick Township, with the dates of election :
Amos Dunken, 1831.
Levi Poulson-1831.
James Bright-1835.
William Roller-1835.
Robert L. Martin-1836.
William Williamson-1836.
Leonard Baumgartner-1838, 1855.
Moses McAnnelly-1838, 1841, 1844, 1847.
227
Justices of the Peace.
John Graham-1845, 1848, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1860, 1863, 1866.
Charles Henderson-1842.
Jerry Rickets-1850.
James Ruckman-1856.
Fred. Ramer-1859, 1862.
J. P. Edwards-1863, 1866, 1869.
Abraham Mumma-1864, 1867. Wm. K. Leonard-1867.
Geo. W. Graham-1869, 1872, 1875, 1878, 1881.
J. W. Gibson -- 1870.
John Newhouse-1873. Geo. W. Brown, 1877.
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History of Hancock County.
CASS TOWNSHIP.
TP. 2, N. R. 11, E.
AREA 15,360 ACRES, POPULATION, 823.
On the 1st day of March, 1833, the Commissioners " Or- dered that the original surveyed township number two, in range eleven, be set off into a separate township, politic and corporate, and to be called Cass." Ordered that an order be issued to the voters of Cass, to meet on the first Monday of April, and elect Township Officers.
At the formation of Allen Township in 1850, Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 of this township were taken to assist in the forming of that township. Hence there are but twenty-four sections in this township at pres -. ent.
This township was named in honor of Gen. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, and is located on the north border of the county. Bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Washington township, on the south by Marion, and on the west by Allen Township.
David P. Day, of Wayne County, O., made the first entry of land in this township, on the 10th day of March 1832, at which time he took up the north-east quarter of section eleven. Two days afterwards, John Franks entered the south-west quarter of section one, and the north half of section ten. Mr. Franks was also from Wayne County.
229
Timber-Soil-Water.
May 3, 1832, Elam Day entered the east half of the north-west quarter of section twelve, and on the 31st day of the same month, Eleazer C. Fairchild, of Trumbull County, entered the south-west quarter of the south-east quarter of section two, and the west half of the north-west quarter of section twelve. In the same year, entries were made by Andrew W. Page, of Green County, D. Shippy, of Seneca, C. W. Colebaugh, Alpheus Eldridge, James Wood, Samuel Mcclellan, of Wayne, William Eckles, of Holmes, James Beeson, of Fayette.
The timber of this township is of the varieties known in other parts of the county, such as oak, ash, hickory, sugar, beech, elm, walnut, and poplar. And these several kinds of timber were very plenty.
The soil is of several kinds. On the ridge in the north part of the township, it is a sandy and gravelly soil. Be- tween the ridge and the Wood County line, it is a loam of vegetable formation. whilst south of the ridge there is a mixture of clay with other soils.
The Portage river has its source in this part of Hancock County, and is the only stream of water in this township. Good drinking water, however, is obtained by sinking wells to a no very great depth.
The first school house was built in 1835, and there are now six school houses in the township, and the enumeration of youth of school age in 1880, was 278.
The first church was built in 1843, by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and was known as the Vickers Church on the ridge. There are now but two church build- ings in the township, and they both belong to the Methodist Episcopal.
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History of Hancock County.
The first settlements were made in 1833, on sections one, two and three, by E. C. Fairchild, Daniel Fairchild, David P. and Elam Day, James Vickers, John Franks, James Brown, Samuel Harry, and on section twelve, by Charles Eckles, John Welch, George Elliot. On section eleven by John Hardy, Hiram Hulbert, James Woods.
The early settlers here were mostly from the eastern part of this state.
There was a post office established is this township in 1837, and discontinued in 1867. Daniel Fairchild and Jas. Vickers were the only post masters.
The people of this township have always been noted for their steady habits and peaceable disposition. There is much very valuable land in this part of the county, and the farms and farm buildings, for style and comfort, will com- pare favorably with that of any other township in the county.
The Lake Erie and Western Railroad runs across the south-east corner of the township, and the New York, Chicago and St. Louis road, now in course of construction, passes through the township from east to west.
FRANKFORD.
John Franks laid out the town of Frankford, on the north- west quarter of section ten. The town of seventy-two lots were regularly laid out, with a public square or plaza, in the center. The prospective city, however, only existed in name, and no doubt would long since have been forgotten, had it not been a matter of record. There were, perhaps no lots sold, and the town returned to its original state, that is, cornfield.
1
231
Justices of the Peace.
The following named persons were elected Justices of the Peace in this township : John Payne-1834. Daniel Fairchild-1835.
David Dorsey-1835, 1838.
John Chaffin-1838.
Andrew R. Brandeberry-1841, 1844.
Alonzo H. Cobb-1841, 1844, 1847.
Joseph Wineland-1847.
Joseph Lash-1850. Abner Crawford -- 1853, 1856.
Gideon Smith-1856.
Addison Hardy -- 1859, 1862, 1865, 1868, 1871, 1874.
Enoch Ross-1862, 1865.
Jacob Steeker-1868, 1871, 1874, 1877.
John L. McKee -- 1876, 1879.
Samuel Creighton-1847, 1850, 1853, 1859.
Henry Stough -- 1880.
JOHN BURMAN.
John Burman was born in Luzerne County, Pa., in Feb- ruary, 1783, and came to Fairfield County, Ohio, where he was married to Catharine Fisher. Mr. B. was of Dutch de- scent. He was a gun-smith by trade, and worked at that business until he came to this county, in 1828, after which time he was a farmer. Mr. B., his father and two brothers were in the service of the United States in the war of 1812, and had head-quartees at Franklinton, opposite Columbus, Ohio. When Mr. B. came to this county with his family he took up his residence in a log cabin on the land on which he occupied up to the time of his death.
Mr. B. was of medium height, and weighed about one
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History of Hancock County.
hundred and seventy-five pounds, of strong constitution and robust health, he was well calculated to do battle with . the hardships of pioneer life.
In religious belief; Mr. B. was a Lutheran, and was a member of that church many years. He built the first mill in the township. During the first year of his residence here, his was the only family residing in the township. He has four sons and two daughters living. Two of his sons were in the army during the rebellion. Mr. B. died in 1863, and his aged wife survived him about five years.
EZRA KARN
Was one of a family of eight boys and four girls, all of whom attained full age except one, and was born in Wash- ington County, Md., September 16th, 1815. The family re- moved to Ohio in 1817, and settled in Holmes County, then on the frontier, with only a few log cabins, and plenty of wild beasts. In 1836 Mr. Karn came to Hancock County with his family, and settled in this township, on the farm now owned by P. C. Redfern.
Again the family became frontiersmen, the country being new, and but sparsely settled, and without roads or mark- ets. Here the Karn's had as neighbors, John Hardy, Hiram Hulbert, Daniel Fairchild, John Franks, John Eckles and James Vickers.
In 1839 Mr. Karn married Miss Elizabeth Albertson, and commenced at once to make for himself a home. He cleared up tavo farms, and by his industry and perseverance, succeeded in surrounding himself and family with the com- forts of a beautiful home. Mr. K. had a family of eight children, all now living but one. Mrs. Karn died in May, 1880, after a long and useful life. Mr. Karn has the confi-
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James Vickers.
dence of his neighbors and acquaintances, for his sterling honesty and good common sense. He has been a member of the Lutheran Church for about forty years, and his life has been consistent with his profession.
Mr. Karn has always been a farmer, a progessive farmer, one whose experience and advice have been of advantage to his neighbors. For many years he has been an officer of the Hancock County Agricultural Society. He was one of the very first members of this society at its organization in 1852, and has ever since lent his influence and aid to its building up, and its present success is largely due to his continual labors in its behalf. He is now and has been for four years Vice President of the Society.
JAMES VICKERS
Was born in England, and came to this country in abont 1825, and settled in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1833, he made his way to this county, and commenced his labors on the farm now owned by his son James A. No man in the township was more generally respected, than was Mr. Vick- ers. Conscientious, honest, temperate and hospitable, kind to all, a friend to the poor, and always ready to ren- der assistance to the weary emigant. His house was the home of the Methodist itinerant, and here were held the services of the church, until a suitable building for the pur- pose was erected on his land. To the building of this house and the sustaining of the minister of the church, he was a liberal contributor. Mr. Vickers was a farmer, and by the aid of his good wife and his family, which was a large one, he always had an abundance. He died in 1867, lamented by the entire community. His wife survived him until 1881.
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History of Hancock County.
JOHN ECKLES.
The subject of this sketch was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., on the 25th day of April, 1795, and resided in that State until 1836. In 1819 Mr. Eckles married Esther Booth, with whom he lived up to the time of her decease in 1862. His ancestors were from Ireland. He, during his whole active life, followed the occupation of a. farmer. He is a man of strong will and of very decided opinions, and is not easily swerved from his purposes.
In 1836, with his wife and four sons, he emigrated to this township. He purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land on the ridge, between Fostoria and Van Buren, princi- pally of John Franks. sr., and went boldly to work clearing up a farm, and he succeeded in making one of the very best on the ridge. The country was new, no markets, no roads, no neighbors scarcely, and the family endured all the hard- ships incident to new settlements. Mr. E. united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and was one of the first members of that church at Van Buren. He is quite active for a man of his age, yet the weight of years is sensibly felt by him, but his former habits, and his early industry, ena- able him to now live a quiet, peaceful life, free from toil or privations.
Statistics of Grain and Stock. 235.
Statistical table showing the acreage and bushels of grain and the number and value of live stock, as returned by tbe Township Assessor, to the County Auditor in 1861.
Wheat, 2,502 Acres.
52,668 Bushels.
Oats, 489
15,416 ¥
Corn, 1,674 66
57,675
Flax, 16
137
Hay, 628
740 Tons.
Horses, 439 number.
$18,565, Value.
Cattle, 1,019
66
10,735,
Sheep, 2,295
4,343,
Swine, 1,551
3,764,
....
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History of Hancock County.
DELAWARE TOWNSHIP.
Tr. 2, S., R. 11, E. AREA 19,200 ACRES.
TP. 2, S., R. 12, E. POPULATION 1,456.
In the year 1828, the territory now included in this town- ship was organized and named Welfare. We find this rec- ord of the proceedings of the County Commissioners, under date of June 1st, 1829; "Agreeable to the petition of sun- dry citizens of Welfare township, in Hancock County, the name of Welfare is changed to that of Delaware, and to be known as such."
I have not been able to ascertain why the township was originally called Welfare, nor do the records disclose the reason for changing to Delaware. The township no doubt owes its present name to the fact that the Delaware tribe of Indians made this part of the county a favorite resort.
This township now includes sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 33, 34, 35, 36, in township 2 south, range 11 east, and sections, 6, 7, 18, 19, 30 and 31 in township 2 south, range 12 east. It is located in the south-east corner of the county, and bounded on the north by Amanda and Jackson townships, on the east by Wyandotte County, on the south by Hardin County, on the west by Madison township. It contains thirty sections of land.
Asa M. Lake made the first entry of lands in this town-
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First Settlement.
ship on the 12th day of December, 1822. The tract entered was the west half of the north-west quarter of section 1.
In 1823 entries were made in the following order as to dates; Michael Buck, west half of the north-east quarter of section 2, Curtis Berry, east half of north-east quarter of section 2, John Brundige, the south-west quarter of section 1, W. J. Greer, east half of north-west quarter of section 1, John Rose, east half of south-west quarter of section 14, William Davis, east half of north-west quarter of section 14. Then followed entries by David Augustus, Marquis Lafayette Plumb, Levi Edgington and others in 1826, and by Josiah Elder, Godfrey Wolford and others in 1827.
The first settlement made in this township was by Asa M. Lake in the year 1822. Mr. Lake built a log cabin on a parcel of ground now owned by Michael Treece, and in the limits of the village of Mt. Blanchard. The parcel of land had been used by the Indians as a burying ground. Many skeletons and relics have been dug up, and even to the present day they are to be found. Mr. Lake was one of the very earliest settlers of the county. He entered and set- tled on the west half of the north-west quarter of section 1. This tract was on the east side of the Blanchard River, and is now occupied in part by the village of Mt. Blanch- ard.
Amongst the first settlers of this township were Asa M. Lake, Josiah Elder, the Hamlins, one of whom-Don Alonzo-was one of the first county officers, the Wolfords, of whom Godfrey was one of the first Commissioners of the county, and the Greers.
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