USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
JUDGE JOHN COOPER
Was a native of Fayette County, Pa., where he was born April 25th, 1811. He is the oldest son of James Cooper, who came to Pennsylvania from New York. Mr. Cooper's ancestors on his father's side were Scotch, and on his mother's side were Low Dutch. His father was a farmer, in which business the Judge has been engaged all his life, and very successful has he been. In 1812 the family came to
436
History of Hancock County.
Perry County, Ohio, and settled near Somerset. That part of the State was but sparsely settled, and the land which the Judge's father had entered had to be reclaimed from the wilderness, and here the Judge labored until 1832, when he came to this township, bringing with him his young wife, Jane Eliza, daughter of Daniel Cusac, whom he married in 1830. There were but seventeen families in the township, which included Portage and the west half of Allen, when he came here. He at once located on the same land on which he now resides. Mr. and Mrs. Cooper celebrated their Golden Wedding, at the fiftieth anniversary of their wed- ded life, and all their children were present.
His first neighbors in the township were John Thompson, Robert Walters and John Howard, and they were about the only residents of what is now Portage township. The Judge has held important offices in the township and county. In 1849 he was appointed one of the Associate Judges of the county, and held that office until the adoption of the pres- ent constitution. In 1862 he was elected County Commis- sioner, and served six years as such. He was also one of the first Directors of the County Infirmary.
Mr. Cooper had no other educational advantages than those furnished by a common country school. He is not a member of any church, but in religious belief has a leaning towards the old school Baptists. He has always been a friend to schools and churches, and has taken an active in- terest in both, He is the father of nine children, six of whom are living.
SAMUEL HOWARD
Is the son of a farmer, and was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., December 7th, 1814. He was brought up on
437
Capt. Sam. Howard.
a farm, and has followed that vocation all his life. When but a few months old his parents came to Richland County, Ohio. Mr. H. is the oldest of eleven children, of whom eight are yet living. He came to this county in 1833, and settled on what is called "Ten Mile Creek," in this town- ship. They were surrounded by the forest; Indians plenty ; game in abundance. Mr. Howard said that when they got up in the morning, and wanted to kill a turkey, they were at a loss to know which direction to go, as they were gob- bling all around. Mr. Howard said that his father had fifty dollars in money when he came here, and that he borrowed of him to enter forty acres of land, on the condition that he should keep the family in provisions for one year, and as there were eleven of them in the family, he said it required a great deal of hard labor on his part to do so, especially as flour was sixteen dollars per barrel, and corn one dollar and a half per bushel. The settlers then had to go to Tiffin to mill, and to the village of Findley to trade.
In December, 1837, he married Elizabeth Carroll. with whom he now lives, and built a cabin in the woods, and com- menced life, full of hope and energy, determined to succeed. In 1850, having been elected Treasurer of the county, he sold his land and moved to Findley. He served two terms as Treasurer. He then purchased the old Trout farm, at Van Buren. After residing here for some years he sold out, and bought the Hollenbeck farm. joining the north corpora- tion line of Findley, where he resided until about one year ago, when he moved into the town.
Mr. Howard was Captain of Co. G, 118 Regiment, O. V. I., in the late war, and was with that Regiment in all its marches and battles until the spring of 1864. In 1863 Capt. Howard was detailed to go to Boston to assist in or-
438
History of Hancock County.
ganizing the drafted men of Massachusetts. He remained there for three months, when he rejoined the Regiment and went to Eastern Tennessee. In the spring of 1864 he had the misfortune to get his leg broken, and was discharged.
He is the father of eleven children, six of whom are liv- ing. Mr. Howard has always been noted for his public spirit and liberality. He has been prominent in many of the enterprises which have so greatly benefited our county.
Such is the confidence in which he is held by the people of the county, that he was again elected Treasurer of the county in 1878, and re-elected in 1881.
SAMUEL MOOREHEAD
Was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1798, and came to Ohio with his father's family in 1814. and settled near Massillon, Stark County. Mr. M. lost his mother before leaving Pennsylvania, and his father married again soon after he came to Ohio. He is a farmer, reared to the pro- fession by his father, who followed the same business. In 1821 he married Mary Edgar, and in 1834 came to this county, and settled in Portage township, on the farm now owned by his son, John E. His parents were of Irish de- scent. The Mooreheads are generally large muscular men, endowed with groat physical endurance, and industrious, frank, open-hearted, liberal and hospitable. Their genial, good nature is notorious.
Mr. Moorehead has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for more than fifty years, and was one of the pio- neers of that denomination in this part of the county. He is the father of but two children, one son-John E .- who resides on the home farm, and one daughter-Mrs. W. K. Leonard-who resides in Big Lick township. His wife died
439
Lafayette.
about 1854, and he never re-married. He accumulated quite a large property, which he and his children are now enjoy- ing. Mr. Moorehead, though now in his eighty-fourth year, retains his mental faculties almost wholly unimpaired, and is the same jovial, kind-hearted man he was in his younger days.
LAFAYETTE.
Jacob Andre laid out a town on the north part of the east half of the north-west quarter of section 15, on lands now owned by Daniel Warner, and called it Lafayette. It com- prised seventy-two lots, and had great expectations. But here ends its eventful history.
The office of Justice of the Peace for this township has been held by the following named persons, who were elected in the year indicated ;
Peter Heller-1833, 1836.
Mahlen Morris-1836, 1839, 1842, 1845.
John Edgington-1837, 1840, 1862, 1865.
Samuel Howard-1847.
John Kelley-1844, 1847, 1850.
Henry B. Wall-1850, 1851, 1854, 1857, 1860.
Adam Crumrine -- 1850, 1853, 1856, 1859, 1862, 1865, 1868, 1871, 1874.
Charles R. Thomas-1868.
William M. King-1870, 1873, 1876, 1879.
Thomas F. Edgington-1877, 1880.
440
History of Hancock County.
A table showing the number and value of live stock and the number of acres and bushels of grain raised in this township, as returned by Township Assessor in 1881.
Horses, 388 number. $18,490, value.
Cattle, 998
10,610, 66
Sheep, 3,582 66
7,170,
Swine, 1,610
3,680, 66
Wheat, 2,219 acres.
45,570 bushels.
Oats, 338
10,010
Corn, 2,030
79,670
Hay, 679
S79 tons.
441
Land Entries.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
TP. 1 S. R. 9 E.
AREA 32,040 ACRES. POPULATION 1,623.
The record of the County Commissioners of the 4th of June, 1832, says : " There was a petition presented by sun- dry inhabitants residing in the original surveyed township No. one south, in range nine, praying to be set off as a town- ship, under the name of Union, which petition was favorably considered, and they were accordingly set off under the above name.
Union is bounded on the north by Blanchard township, on the east by Eagle, on the south by Orange, and on the west by Putnam county. It is an original township of thir_ tv-six sections.
The first entry of land was made on the 16th of October, 1829, by Philip Powell, being the north-east quarter of sec- tion two.
April 2d, 1830, John Bright entered the north-west quar- ter of section twenty-two, and in October of the same year, Philip Cramer entered the south half of section one. The west half of south-east quarter of section twelve was en- tered by John Baker, January 30, 1832, and the same year Richard M. Carson, of Pickaway county, entered the east half of the north-east quarter of section four, and Rudolph Snyder entered the east half of the south-east quarter of section thirty-six.
29
442
History of Hancock County.
About the same time the south-west quarter, of section four was entered by Daniel Tussing, of Fairfield county, and a little later, Abraham Rose of the same county, entered the north-west quarter of north-east quarter of section thirty- six.
The first white settler in this township was Philip Cra- mer, who settled on Tiderishi Creek, in section one, in No- vember, 1830. His sons Jacob and Daniel now reside on the same premises. When Mr. Cramer came, he had to make his own road through the forest to their lands. No neighbors, no clearing, all strange solitude.
In the spring following, Nicholas Folk settled on what is now known as the Teatsorth farm, on Ottawa Creek, and in the fall of the same year George Burket and Win. Lytle, with their families, settled farther up the creek.
Other families were not long in finding their way into this section of the county, attracted by the location and richness of the lands. Two or three families of the Wades settled near the center of the township. John Flick, Daniel Fox and others along the creek. Levi Showalter, James Burns, Pancoast, Gibson and Taylor in the western part, and Benj. Marshall, James West and others in the south part of the township.
Philip Cramer lived to a very old age, and was the pio- neer minister of the United Brethren Church. He was a man of some ability, zealous in his "Master's work," a good neighbor, honest in all his dealings, and much respected by all his acquaintances.
Wenman Wade was of that class of robust and pushing frontiersman, who pave the way for a better civilization and prosperous country, by boldly pushing out into the wilder- ness, and enduring the hardships and privations of pioneer
443
Contested Election.
life uncomplainingly. Honest, industrions and contented. Mr. Wade was one who enjoyed the confidence of the com- munity in which he lived. He held the office of Justice of the Peace, and in entitled to the distinction of being the first person in the county whose election was contested. as the following notice will show :
"To the Clerk of Hancock County :- You are requested to withhold the return of the election of Union township, wherein Wenman Wade was elected Justice of the Peace, and the election is contested, and the said contest is to be tried on the 13th of September, 1838.
WILLIAM ROLLER, A Associate Judge."
September the 5th day, 1838.
It does not appear who the contestant was, or the grounds of contest. I infer that Mr. Wade established his claim to the office, for in 1841 he was again elected.
Levi Showalter still resides in the township, a hale, hearty old man, with the same frank, brusque manners, sterling honesty and neighborly spirit of old. Respected and trust- ed by all who know him, his path on the downhill side of life, seems a pleasant one.
James Burns, one of the best of citizens, industrious honest, after years of toil, accumulated a competency for himself and family, died surrounded by kind friends and neighbors, regretted by all.
George Burket was born in Berks County, Pa., and emi- grated to Fairfield County, Ohio, at which place he was married to Mary Fox. In 1831 he came to Hancock County with his wife and two children. He settled on the farm afterwards owned by his son Jacob. Mr. Burket was a tall slender man, and of rather delicate health. With the
444
History of Hancock County.
help of his family, he cleared a very valuable farm, at which plaec he died about eighteen years ago.
Jacob Burket, son of George, was born in Fairfield coun- ty, in December, 1811, and when about five years of age, his parents removed to Perry county, where he remained until 1831, when he came to this township.
When Mr. Burket came, there were but two other families in the township Philip Cramer, who resided where his son Jacob now does, and Nicholas Folk, who then lived on what is now known as the Teatsorth farm.
Mr. Burket was present and voted at the first election in the township. He says that at that election, Philip Cram- er, Nicholas Folk and George Burket were elected Trustees, and Wenman Wade, Clerk.
Mr. Burket was married in 1832 to Sarah Cramer, by Esq. John Cramer. This was the first marriage in the town- ship. Mrs. Burket died in 1850, and he was again married this time to the widow of Philip Cramer, jr.
After a long and active life on his farm, Mr. Burket re- moved to the village of Rawson, where he is quietly enjoying his declining years. He has always enjoyed the esteem of his neighbors, and has a host of friends.
Nicholas Folk came from Fairfield County, and took up his abode on the Tawa Creek, on what is known as the Teat- sorth farm, which he entered. Mr. Folk was a small man, rather feeble in health, but succeeded in clearing up the farm on which he lived and died. He was respected by all who knew him.
REV. RICHARD BIG GS
Was born on the 12th day of November, 1806, in Colum- bia County, Pa., and died at his home in the town of Raw- son, Ohio, on the 18th day of July, 1880.
445
Richard Biggs.
In 1829 he united with the Methodist Church in North- umberland County, Pa. He shortly afterwards removed to Summit County, Ohio, where in July 1836, he was licensed to preach.
In 1838 he removed to Hancock Co., and settled near the present town of Rawson. Two years later he was admitted to the North Ohio Conference at its session in Norwalk, and for more than thirty years was an itinerant minister, and har- ing the following charges: Findley, Kalida, Defiance, Clarksfield, Amherst, Dalton, Congress, Chesterville, Mar- cellus, Millersburg, Shaneville, Pleasantville, Mt. Blanch- ard, Adrian, Arcadia, Bluffton, Bettsville and McComb.
Mr. Biggs was left an orphan when but six years of age. His educational privileges were very limited, yet such was his dilligence in his studies, that he began teaching at the age of sixteen. He was always a close student, and kept up with the times. He was a man of unyielding rectitude, and pure in his life, modest and retiring in his disposition, vet faithful in the discharge of every duty. He commenced the ministry when it meant hard labor, little pay; the country being new, the appointments were long distances apart, and the people scattered and poor, yet he earnestly and uncom- plainingly toiled to lay the foundations of good society, good government and good morals. His wife still survives him, as also four of his children.
The principal timbers found in this township, do not dif- fer from those elsewhere in the county, being walnut, oak, elm, ash, beech, maple, hackberry, hickory, sycamore and buckeye.
The soil along the creek bottoms is of a sandy nature, but the uplands are of loam or clay. The soil in all parts of
446
History of Hancock County.
the township is exceedingly productive, and when once en- tirely cleared of stumps and roots, is easily cultivated. The principal crops are wheat, oats, corn and grass.
The township is well watered by Ottawa and Tiderashy Creeks. And these creeks also furnish good drainage for the lands adjacent, and by the numerous small tributaries that empty into them, assist in the drainage of the whole town- ship.
In 1845 Edson Goit, Esq., erected a flouring mill on Ot- tawa Creek, Thomas Pickens doing the millwright work. This was perhaps better known as the Teatsorth Mill It was a water mill, but after its sale by Goit to James Teat- sorth, steam power was attached. The mill was a great convenience to the surrounding country, and its loss-for it was torn down and removed some years ago-was seriously felt by the community.
The first church in the township was built by the United Brethren, and is known as the Clymer Church. There are now eleven church buildings in the township, which certain- ly speaks well for the morals of the inhabitants. They are owned as follows: United Brethren two, Evangelical two, United Presbyterian one, Methodist Episcopal one, Metho- dist Protestant two, Christian Union two, Church of God one. These buildings are all substantial, and many of them really tasteful in their construction and finish.
The first school house was built at the center of the town- ship, and a school has been kept there ever since. There are now ten school buildings in the township, all of them, I be- lieve, of brick, and finished and furnished in modern style The schools in this township have the reputation of being amongst the very best in the county.
The enumeration of youth of school age is three hundred
447
Justices of the Peace.
and thirty-six males, and two hundred and ninety females, total six hundred and twenty-six.
The first settlers of this township were from the eastern and interior counties of the State, very largely from Fairfield county.
The following persons have held the office of Justice of the Peace :
John Kramer, 1833.
Wenman Wade, 1835, 1838.
Ephraim Moody, 1839.
"Thomas Dewese, 1841.
Henry Stover, 1842.
Thomas Stratton, 1842, 1845, 1851, 1854, 1862.
Samuel Dewese, 1845.
C. F. Malahan, 1847, 1850, 1853.
John West, 1848.
John McConnell, 1856.
Wm. Stratton, 1857.
Rial Beach, 1859.
James Burns, 1861.
Charles George, 1862.
D. W. Cass, 1864. John Stratton, 1865.
Peter Reckert, 1866, 1869, 1872, 1875, 1878, 1881.
George W. Mull, 1867.
S. J. Nowlan, 1872, 1875, 1878.
A. J. L. Hartman, 1872.
G. W. Burket, 1881:
448
History of Hancock County.
RAWSON.
The town of Rawson, on the Lake Erie & Western Rail- way, was laid out in 1855 by Frederick Keller and G. J. Kelley, on the north-west corner of the south-west quarter of section thirteen, and the north-east corner of the east half of the south-east quarter of section fourteen, and origi- nally comprised but fifty-four lots. The town was named in honor of L. Q. Rawson, of Fremont, Ohio, who was then President of the railroad.
The principal streets running east and west are named Vance, Kelley, Henderson and Boalt, and those running north and south are Main and Gale.
The town started out fairly, and soon quite a number of buildings were erected, but as the railroad, the locating of which had called the town into existence, was not built, and for years there seemed to be but little hope that it would be, the town came to a halt, and was of but little significance in the history of the township. A few mechanics had in- vested all their means in property in the prospective town, and could not sell it again. The town perhaps could always boast of a small country store and grocery combined, but for years it was a desperate struggle to keep life in the place.
Finally the long looked for time arrived. The railroad was finished, the whistle of the locomotive was heard, and business revived. Real estate changed hands, buildings were put up, stores were opened, the buzz of machinery was heard, and all was bustle, business .and speculation, and streets were opened up to accommodate prospective trade.
Of course the keen edge of excitement wore off and the inhabitants gradually settled down to every day life, and al- though to the stranger there appears but little life in th
449
Rawson.
place, yet quite an amount of business is carried on, and the business of the town is gradually increasing.
Additional lots have been laid out by Fred. Keller in 1859, by Jacob Burket in 1873, by C. J. Kelly in 1874, and by Benj. Stringfellow.
The Methodist Epicopal and Methodist Protestant have each a comfortable church building here, and the United Brethren have a society but no building; they worship in the Methodist Protestant Church.
A post office was established here in 1863 and named Rawson, with James C. Benham as postmaster. Since that tiure the office has been held by Jackson Miller, James Woods, T. E. Woods and Nicholas Watson, the present in- cumbent.
An Odd Fellows Lodge was organized here in January. 1875. and is in a flourishing condition, having a good work- ing membership.
The railroad was completed and the first train ran through in December, 1873. There is now a large grain warehouse located convenient to the track, and from whence great quantities of grain are shipped.
There is one dry goods and grocery store, T. B. Gilbert ; one drug, grocery and queensware store, Woods & Co .; one drug, grocery and provision store, G. W. Burket ; one groce- ry and notions, J. B. Sorbie.
A first class flouring mill has just been completed and put in operation. Radabaugh & Crossley are manufacturers of hard wood lumber, and planing mill attached. H. J. Bly- mire operates a saw and shingle mill and handle factory. Nowlan and Miller have blacksmith shops. G. F. Folk car- ries on the furniture business, and Eli Brallyer is engaged in shoe making. Population in 1880, 227.
450
History of Hancock County.
CANNONSBURG.
Benjamin Marshall, Franklin Ballard, Win. McConnell and James C. Marshall were the proprietors of this town. It was laid out on the east part of section thirty-five, and the west part of section thirty-six, and consisted of 36 lots, with the principal steets crossing each other at right angles. Cannonsburg was at one time a place of some neighborhood importance, but never rose to the dignity of other than a small country village. Railroads came just near enough to it to ruin what little trade it had. There is now one gener- alstore, one saw mill, one wagon shop, one blacksmith shop, and one undertaker's establishment, and these include all the business places.
A post office was established here in 1841, with Thomp- son Bartel as postmaster, since which time E. P. Leslie, H. P. Eaton, D. W. Cass, Fuller Ballard, Henry Lue, J. D. Buss, J. A. Combs, sr., J. F. Stienman, Lydia A. Rossman, and J. A. Combs, jr., have held the office. Population in 1880, ninety.
CORY.
This town is also situated on the Lake Erie & Western Railway, and was laid out in November, 1872, by Mathias Markley and Samnel Kemerer, and is located on a part of the west half of the south-west quarter of section twenty- two, and when laid out consisted of thirty-two lots. To these additions have since been made by Kemerer, Markley and John C. Smith.
The lots were readily sold, and quite a number of build- ings erected, and as the town is located in the midst of a rich agricultural district, the place has become one of some
151
Cory.
importance, and quite an extensive business is carried on. There are a number of neat and comfortable dwelling houses, mostly of wood, and several large and well arranged business houses.
There is a large and convenient school building, for the accommodation of the children of the district. The Evan- gelical Association own a church building, and the Metho- dist Protestant Church also have a fine frame building. A flourishing Sunday School is attached to each.
The business places are two dry goods stores, in which are kept an assortment of standard goods; one drug store, one grocery and provision store, and a meat market.
The manufacturing interests are a pump manufactory, and one wagon and carriage shop, one blacksmith shop, one flouring mill, one saw mill, one handle factory, one under- taking and furniture establishment. There is one physician, and David Comer has an office in which he attends to the business of Notary Public and conveyancer.
A post office was established here in 1873, called Mt. Cory, with Benjamin Wildemuth as postmaster. The office has been filled by Alfred Longbrake and the present incum- bent, W. J. Stauler. The population of the town is two hundred and sixty.
452
History of Hancock County.
Table showing the acreage and bushels of grain produced in 1880, and the number and value of animals as returned by the Township Assessor in IS81.
Wheat, 4,050 Acres.
68,641 Bushels.
Oats, 410 66
13,261
Corn, 3,342 66
133,420
Flax, 146 66
1,289
Hay, 998
1,164 Tons.
Horses, 804 number.
$27,730, Value.
Cattle, 1,653
15,000,
Sheep, 2,546.2
3,670,
Swine, 3,011
5,560, 6
153
Location of Township.
VAN BUREN TOWNSHIP.
TP. 2, S. AREA 15,360 ACRES, POPULATION, 1,011.
R. 10, E.
At a session of the County Commissioners held March 7, 1831, this entry was made on the records :
"A petition of sundry inhabitants of Hancock County was presented for setting off the original surveyed town- ships, numbered one and two, in range 10 south of the base line, into a township, which was accordingly set off, to be known and designated by the name of Van Buren."
At the March session of 1834, the Commissioners ordered that township 2 south, in range 9, be attached to Van Buren township for corporate purposes.
In June, 1840, at the formation of Madison township, sections 1, 2, 11, 12, 13, 14, 23, 24, 25, 26, 35 and 36 of Van Buren were made a part of the new township, so that this township is now composed of sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 in township 2 south.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.