USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock county, from its earliest settlement to the present time > Part 28
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This township, which was named for President Van Buren is situated on the south line of the county, and is bounded on the north by Eagle township, on the east by Madison, on the south by Hardin County; and on the west by Orange township.
The first entry of land was the north-west quarter of sec- tion 27, on the 4th of January, 1831, by Benjamin Sparr.
454
History of Hancock County.
In April of the same year, Samuel Green entered the east half of the south-west quarter of the same section, and in July, James West entered the east half of the north-east quarter of section 23.
May 16th, 1833, John Diller entered the north-east quar- ter of the south-east quarter of section 10, and in Decem- ber of the same year Solomon Bergman, of Licking County, entered the west half of the south-west quarter of section 17. Peter Pifer and C. Price, both of Pennsylvania, on the 20th of May, 1834, made entries of land, the one took up the north-east quarter of section S, and the other the east half of the north-east quarter of section 9.
In October, 1834, Robert Shaw, of Portage County, Peter Foltz, of Fairfield County, Isaac Ashburn, of Knox County, Joseph Smith, of Columbiana County, Henry Freed and Daniel Besserman, both of Stark County, Ohio, made entries of lands here. Other entries speedily followed, many of them by newly arrived emigrants from Germany.
The first settlement was made by Nicholas Essinger, Adam Gassman and Peter Pifer, as early perhaps as 1833. Not far from the same time Adam Reddick, Peter and Henry Heldman came in, and were quickly followed by Philip Heldman, Michael and Peter Wilch, all from Germany. Soon the Stinemans, the Freeds, the Bessermans, the Has- sons, the Barmouths, the Prices and others, nearly all Ger- mans, followed and began to open up farms. These pio- neers were industrious, thrifty, honest and moral, and their robust health, the result of frugal living, their energy and solid strength, backed up by a fixed determination to suc- ceed in the land of their adoption, soon enabled them to open up valuable farms, and to-day we have not a more in-
455
Timber-Soil -- Water.
dustrious, honest, peaceable and contented people than those found in this township.
The timber found here consists principally of walnut, the different varieties of oak, ash, maple and elm, with beech, sycamore and buckeye. It required much time and great labor to remove this great mass of timber in clearing up the land and preparing it for cultivation.
The soil in the low lands is a black loam, on the uplands clay, but all so mingled and enriched by other substances as to be very fertile.
This township is watered by Ottowa and Riley Creeks, both of which have their sources here. Good drainage can be had anywhere in the township by these and their small tributaries.
Log school houses, the first built in the township, were at Fulhert's and John Tilles', and were erected about the same time. The school houses here, as elsewhere in the county,. followed close on the settlements, and these were perhaps built as early as 1834. There are now six school houses in the township with an enumeration of youth amounting to three hundred and twelve ..
The German Reformed Church building at Jacob Traucht's was the first erected in this township. There are now one Methodist Episcopal, one Dunkard, one German Reformed,. and one German Lutheran Church building in the township.
The emigrants to this place were many of them directly from Germany.
456
History of Hancock County.
This table exhibits the number and value of live stock, and the acreage and bushels of cereals, as returned to the County Auditor, by the Assessor of the township in the year 1881.
Horses, 448 number.
$18,004, value.
Cattle, 1,238
11,474,
Sheep, 1,524
2,570,
Hogs, 2,155
66
3,172,
Wheat, 2,502 acres.
42,304 bushels.
Oats, 714
21,539
Corn, 1,653 66
56,252
Flax, 172
1192
66
Hay,
449 66
414 tons.
The following named persons have been elected Justices of the Peace at the dates named :
John Bollenbaugh-1832.
Charles Bradford-1834.
Christian Welty-1836, 1839.
Andrew Rickets-1837.
Thomas Morrison-1840.
Henry Hull-1840, 1843.
Michael Besserman-1843, 1816, 1849.
George Rinehart-1846.
Alex. Hodge-1846, 1849, 1852, 1855, 1858. Benj. Sparr-1852.
John B. Pugh-1858, 1861, 1864.
Eliab Hasson-1861, 1864, 1867, 1870, 1873.
Adam Stineman-1867, 1870, 1873, 1876.
Christ Shaller-1876.
William Montgomery-1881.
457
Organization of the Township.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
TP. 2, N.
R. 12, E.
AREA 23,010 ACRES. POPULATION 1,941.
At the meeting of the County Commissioners, on the 5th day of March, 1832, Charles McKinnis and Robert L. Strother, two of the Commissioners being present, the fol- lowing record was made: "It appearing to the Board of Commissioners necessary, they have set off the original township two north, in range twelve east, which shall be a body corporate and politic, and known by the name of Washington Township."
This township was named in honor of the " Father of his country," and is situate in the north-east corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Seneca County, on the south by Big Lick Town- ship, on the west by Cass Township. It contains thirty-six sections of land, of six hundred and forty acres each.
The first entry of land in this township was made Novem- ber 24th, 1830, by Joseph Long, of Fairfield County, Ohio, who made entry of the west half of the north-west quarter of section four, and on the same day, Caleb Roller, of the same county, entered the east half of the south-east quar- ter of section five.
December 1st, 1830, John Gersuch, of Wayne County, Ohio, entered the north-east quarter of section five, and on 30
458
History of Hancock County.
the 17th day of the same month, he made entry of the north-east quarter of section one. On the 17th day of De- cember, 1830, James Connelly, of Richland County, Ohio, entered the west half of the north-west quarter of section three.
On the 17th day of March, 1831, the east half of the north-east quarter of section two, was taken up by John Norris, of Wayne County. Thomas Kelley, also of Wayne County, on the 16th day of April 1831, made entry of the north-west quarter of section one, and on the 7th of May in the same year, Richard Cole, of Columbiana County, en- tered the west half of the south-west quarter of section one.
These entries were followed in the same year by those made by Wm. Norris, of Seneca County, James G. Wise- man, of Perry County, William Wisely, of Fairfield County, Michael and Liverton Thomas, of Wayne County, Alexan- der Work, of Jefferson County, John Mackrill, of Richland County, James Beeson, David Peters and others.
The first settlement was made in the township by John Gorsuch, who commenced on the north-east quarter of sec- tion one, in April, 1831. The next settler was James Sweeney, who located on the south-east quarter of section four, in the same month, and John Norris settled on the north-east quarter of section two about the first of May : and in the same month, James Wiseman located on the north-west quarter of section twelve.
Mr. Sweeney and Mr. Wiseman having come to the town -. ship in the prime of manhood, and endured all the hard- ships of frontier life, both lived to a ripe old age, and died but a few years ago on the farms they first settled on. Mr. Gorsuch is also dead, I believe, but when or where he died
Timber-Soil. 459
I am unable to say. Mr. John Norris, I believe, still lives in Portage township in this county, on section thirty-two, and is the only survivor of the four pioneers of this town- ship.
In 1832 several more families settled in the township, among them those of Jacob Heistand, Elijah McRill, Wm. Eckles, Wm. Ferrel, James Bryan, Liverton Thomas, Joel Hales, Elijah R. Anderson.
This township, like almost all the others in the county, was very heavily timbered, indeed, was a dense forest. The principal kind of timber were white, red, burr and swamp oak; white, red and hickory elm; white, black and blue ash ;. white and black walnut; wild cherry; hard and soft maple ; beech, shellbark and white hickory, basswood, cottonwood, sycamore and buckeye. In the early settlement of the township, nearly all this timber was valueless except for fencing, and was regarded as a serious drawhack in improv- ments, but such is the demand for timber at this day, that such as was then destroyed, utterly wasted, would now bring fortunes to the lucky owners.
The soil of this locality is somewhat varied. The entire part of the township, except the north tier of sections, is a heavy clay soil, with patches of vegetable mold in the de- pressions and along the streams, and occasionally some sand and clay mixed on the higher points. The north tier of sections from one to six inclusive, has a gravel ridge run- ning through them, covering about one half the sections, with a narrow strip between the ridge and the Wood County line, of a deep, rich, black vegetable mold. Near the foot of the slope of the gravel ridge, is a strip of red clay, not more than four or five rods in width, but very productive. The surface of the whole township slopes gently to the north
460
History of Hancock County.
to the summit of the ridge, from thence to the north line of the township the declination is more abrupt.
This township is watered by the east and middle branches of the Portage River. These branches are now known by the names of Arcadia and Fostoria Creeks, one passing through the town of Arcadia, and the other one through Fostoria. The east branch has its source in section twelve, in Big Lick Township, running in a north-easterly direction, entering this township in section thirty-five, running across the township in a north-easterly course, leaving it near the north-east corner of the county. The middle branch rises at the south line of the township, about four miles south- .east of the village of Arcadia, crossing the township, leav- ing it near the north-west corner.
These streams are of little consequence, except that they afford an outlet for the surface water of almost the entire township. The middle branch drains about three-fourths of the township. It has more and larger tributaries than the other branch, and runs through a deep valley. The bluffs where this stream crosses the ridge, are probably forty feet in heighth.
The first school house was built in this township in 1833 or 1834, and was located on the north-west quarter of sec- tion twelve, on the farm of James Wiseman, and now owned by Gov. Foster. The first school in that house was taught by Isaac Wiseman, and was the first school in the township. There are now nine school houses, with eleven school rooms. The enumeration of youth of school age is three hundred and twenty-seven males, and three hundred and seven females, total, six hundred and thirty-four.
The United Brethren have an Academy in that part of Fostoria which is situated in this township. The schools of
461
First Church-First Election.
the township are at present in a healthy and flourishing con- dition, and much interest is felt in their success by the pat- rons. The school buildings are as a whole, comfortable- houses.
The first church in this township was built in I>32. at the center of section five, by the Methodists. Although the building was erected at this time, yet for some reason it was not occupied for church purposes until some years later. The first church in which worship was conducted, was on section one, near the north-east corner of the county. now West Fostoria, and was built by the Methodists. It was a hewed log building, about twenty-six by thirty-two feet, and probably seven feet between the floor and ceiling, and was ' covered with lap shingles.
There are now seven churches in the township. Two Methodist Episcopal, one Evangelical Lutheran, one Presby- terian, one German Reformed, one German Baptist and one United Brethren.
The first election was held in the fall of 1832, when Gen. Jackson and Henry Clay were candidates for the Presiden- cy. There were twelve votes cast. The names of the elec- tors were John Norris, John Gorsuch, Silas Gorsuch, Nelson Gorsuch, James Sweeney, James Wiseman, Liverton Thom- as, Jacob Heistand, Elijah McRill, William Ferrall, James Bryan, William Eckles. The vote stood, as now remem- bered, Clay eight, Jackson four. Liverton Thomas was elected Justice of the Peace, and was the first elected in the township.
The Lake Erie & Western Railroad runs across the town- ship in a diagonal direction from north-east to south-west. It enters the county near the south-east corner of section one. and leaves it in the north-east part of section thirty. What
462
History of Hancock County.
was called the old Continental Road, graded some fifteen years ago, but recently changed hands, and is now called the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Rail Way, and being rapidly completed, runs in a strait east and west line across the township, a little south of the center. Both these roads run through the village of Arcadia.
Hon. Henry Sheets, of whom I obtained the greater por- tion of the foregoing relating to the township, relates the following incident of pioneer life.
When Jacob Heistand came to this township from Wayne County, he brought with him several head of cows and young cattle, and not having any inclosure in which to keep them, allowed them to roam at large in the woods. He took the precaution, however, to put a bell on one, that he might be able to find them when wanted. But one evening when he went for them, he found they had strayed farther away than usual, he did not find them until dark, and on his re- turn, in passing around one of the large swails in the neigh- borhood, he lost his way, and the cattle not being very par- ticular as to the course they took, went in an opposite direc- tion from home. Mr. Heistand followed until late in the evening without coming to his or any other clearing. The woods were infested by wolves, which now began to howl close by him; the cattle gathered close about him, through fear of the wolves. Mr. Heistand concluded that he would stay with the cattle, and procured a cudgel with which to keep the wolves at bay. But they becoming more bold, and howling fiercer, he concluded to start on again, hoping to strike some clearing, which he happily did in a few minutes but about four miles from home. The clearing was that of James Wiseman, with whom he remained during the night.
463
Wiseman-Church
JAMES G. WISEMAN
Was born in Greenbrier County, Va., in August, 1790. He served in the war of 1812 as a cavalryman, under Capt. Lewis. Mr. Wiseman was married to Elizabeth Summers, in 1814, and in September, 1817, removed to Ohio, settling in Madison County. He and his wife made the trip from Virginia to Ohio, a distance of more than four hundred miles on horseback. After two years residence he removed to Perry County, which place was his residence until the spring of 1831, when he came to Washington Township.
Mr. Wiseman was a medium sized man, rugged and hardy, just the kind of a man to endure the hardships and privations of a frontier life. He was passionately fond of hunting, and was expert in the use of the rifle, but he never allowed this fondness for sport to interfere with the real business of life, that of making a comfortable home for him- self and family. He cleared up a large and rich farm. He was an honest, genial whole souled man, ever ready to as- sist the needy, and no man more fully enjoyed the confi- dence of his neighbors.
Mr. Wiseman died in 1873, and his wife survived him about seven years. They were the parents of thirteen children, and lived to see all of them become married men and women except two, one of which died quite young, and the other was killed in the late war.
WILLIAM CHURCH
Is the oldest of the eight children of Collis and Elizabeth Church, and was born in Potsdam, St. Lawrence County, New York, February 4th, 1818. His father was a farmer, and William followed until he was twenty-one years of age,
464
History of Hancock County.
at which time he commenced learning the trade of black- smith, and although he is now and has been for a number of years a farmer, he has not forgotten how to swing the sledge and weld the iron, and does all his own smithing, besides occasionally a job of repairing for his neighbors.
Mr. Church came to Ohio almost fifty years ago, the fam- ily and household goods making the trip in a wagon. On their arrival in the state, they located in the northern part of Wayne County, near the village of Jackson. Here Mr. C's mother died.
In 1834 the family came to the county and located on the land on which the town of Rawson now stands. Mr. Church came to the village of Findley and learned his trade with David Webster.
In 1840 he married Martha J. Teatsorth, and followed his trade for thirteen years. He then purchased the farm in Liberty Township, known as the Burkhead farm. After a residence here of a few years, he sold out and removed to the farm on which he now resides in the township. Mrs. Church died in 1873.
Mr. Church is the father of four children, three of whom are living. He has always been a man of strict morals, but, never united with any church organization. He owns one of the finest farms in the county, on which are very tasteful and substantial buildings. He has always been noted for his honesty and industry. He practices economy without penuriousness, and hospitality without extravagance.
CHARLES E. JORDAN
Is the third child of Charles Jordan, and is a native of Richland Township, Belmont County, Ohio, where he was born May 23. 1800. His father was a farmer, and emigra-
465
C. E. Jordan.
ted from Penn. to Ohio, in 1797. The family left Belmont County in 1828, going to Tuscarawas County.
Mr. Jordan was married in Belmont County February 11, 1826, to Margaret Moore, who lived until May, 1873, dying at Arcadia, Ohio.
Mr. Jordan by trade is a boot and shoe maker, but never followed the business but a very few years, since which time he has been a farmer. He came to this township October 2d, 1833, and settled on the lands immediately adjoining the town of Arcadia, on which his son John lately died. He found this land all in the woods, built his cabin, and went to work in earnest to make him a home, and his suc- cess is attested by the beautiful farm now occupying the place of the forest.
Mr. Jordan was the father of nine children, five of whom are yet living. He had five sons in the Union army in the rebellion, three of whom are now dead. James was killed in the engagement at Dallas, Ga. John and Charles both died since their return home. Robert lives in Iowa, and William near Arcadia, Ohio.
Mr. Jordan was amongst the first settlers in this town- ship, and at once took a prominent place in the affairs of the township. At the first election he attended in the township, there were but fourteen votes cast. He has held several township offices, amongst them that of Justice of the Peace. He has been a member of the Lutheran Church for about fifty years, and assisted in the organization of the first Lutheran Society in the township.
Mr. J. has a fair common English education, although he never attended school more than two months in his life Mr. Jordan moved to Findley in 1874, and still resides there. By his economy and industry in his younger days,
466
History of Hancock County.
he is. now enabled to enjoy his old age without being a bur- den to any one.
RISDON.
This town was laid out September 6th, 1832, by John Gorsuch, who certified "That the east half of the above town, comprising all the lots from number one to number thirty inclusive, in the west half of the north-west quarter of section six, township two north, range thirteen east, in the county of Seneca, and includes the east half of Main street, being the county line between Seneca and Hancock Counties. All the rest of the said lots, on the west half of said town, from thirty-one to sixty inclusive, are laid out on the east part of the north-east quarter of section one, town- ship two north, range twelve east, in the county of Han- cock."
This town, and the town of Rome, in Seneca County, were years ago united, and form the town of Fostoria. There is located here the College of the United Brethren, and some very handsome private residences. Quite a num- ber of manufacturing establishments are also located here, and altogether it is a prosperous portion of the growing town of Fostoria.
A comfortable brick building for the public schools has been erected, and the enumeration of youth of school age amounts to one hundred and four.
ARCADIA.
In July 1855, David Peters and Ambrose Peters laid out this town, comprising one hundred and thirty-five lots, on the south part of the north half, and the north part of the south half of the south-west quarter of section twenty-two.
467
Arcadia.
Other additions were made by William Wheelan and Charles E. Jordan.
The town is located about eight miles north-east of Find- ley, at the crossing of the Lake Erie & Western and the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroads, and has a popu- lation of about six hundred. The country surrounding it is rich and well improved, and there seems to be no good rea- son why Arcadia should not become quite a good point. Its inhabitants are intelligent and enterprising, and already quite a large trade is done here.
The business of the town is represented by two quite re- spectable dry goods stores, two drug stores, three grocerys, two hotels, three blacksmith shops, two wagon shops, two shoe shops, two cabinet shops, one cooper shop, one bakery, one restaurant, one tin shop, one flouring mill, one handle factory, one saw mill. There are here one Methodist, one Presbyterian and one Lutheran church, and a good brlck school house. There are four physicians and one lawyer located here.
The Odd Fellows instituted a Lodge here in July, 1874. and now have a membership of forty-four.
The Lake & Western Railroad was finished through this place in the spring of 1859, and the N. Y., C. & St. L. Railway commenced laying iron here on the 28th of May, ISS1, and on the 2d day of June the cars ran across Main street.
This town was incorporated in 1859, at which time Geo. W. Kimmell was elected Mayor, and Dr. D. B. Spahr, Re- corder. The office of Mayor has since been filled by the the following persons : Jacob Peters, Joseph Dillery, E. B. Warner, C. E. Jordan, J. E. Beeson, A. D. Harbaugh, George Stahl and J. W. Fisher. Joseph Dillery has been five times
468
History of Hancock County.
elected Mayor, and J. E. Bowman was six times elected Recorder.
A post office was established here In 1859, with A. W. Frederick Postmaster, who has been succeeded by David Peters, Jacob Peters, William Karn, Joseph Smart, William Moffat and J. H. Beeson, the present incumbent.
The following named persons were elected Justices of the Peace in this township, at the dates named:
Liverton Thomas-1832.
James Wiseman-1835, 1838, 1841, 1844.
William Eckles-1835.
Oliver Day-1838.
Joel Hales-1841.
Michael Roller-1841, 1843, 1847, 1850, 1853.
Ephraim Peters-1844.
William Baker-1846, 1849, 1852.
Thomas Buckley-1847.
Charles S. Kelley-1854, 1857, 1860, 1863, 1866.
Wesley Bradford-1855.
Anthony Fox-1856, 1859, 1863, 1866. 1869. 1872, 1875, 1878.
Charles E. Jordan-1860, 1863.
Jacob Peters-1866, 1869.
James McCauley-1869, 1873. ,
Ezra B. Warner-1872.
Geo. W. Grubb-1874.
D. P. Lloyd-1876.
J. W. Fisher-1877. C. German-1879.
Joseph Dillery-1880.
469
Crop Report.
Table of crop and stock statistics for the year 1880 as returned to the County Auditor by the Township Assessor in 1881 :
.
Wheat, 3,894 acres.
86,932 bushels.
Oats,
950
31,230
Corn, 2,531
104,028
Hay,
572
496 tons.
Horses,
722 number.
$35,360 value.
Cattle, 1330
66
14,293
Sheep, 4856
66
8,995
Hogs,
2537
66
5,932
1
470
History of Hancock County.
SOCIAL STATISTICS.
Table showing number of marriages, births and deaths each month in the year ending March 31 st, 1880 :
Births.
Deaths.
1879.
Marriages
Male.
Female.
Total.
Male.
Female.
Total.
April,
23
15
25
40
6
12
18
May,
17
29
28
57
5
13
18
June,
14
29
29
58
S
9
17
July,
12
27
16
43
9
13
22
August,
17
37
35
72
IS
16
34
September,
23
41
39
80
15
13
28
October,
32
37
27
64
14
12
26
November,
26
24
34
58
10
S
18
December,
42
35
29
64
11
9
20
January,
15
39
43
82
12
11
23
February,
15
34
29
61
18
18
36
March,
19
37
52
89
18
18
36
Totals.
255
384
384
768
144
152
296
Of the number of deaths, 14 were above the age of 80 years, and 89 were under one year of age. Twenty-three were of foreign birth. The greatest mortality was of house- keepers 58, and farmers 44. Of those who died 180 were single, 91 were married, and 24 were widowed. Twenty- four died of diphtheria, eighteen of lung diseases, fourteen of brain disease, eleven of heart disease, and six by accident or violence.
471
Statistical Tables.
Table showing amount of taxes levied in 1880, Table of Miscellaneous Statistics. on Grand Duplicate.
State,
$12,338.83
Acres land sold, 20,464. Av.pr.$53 50 Town Lots, 25. “ 720.00
County,
19,172.23
Poor, 12,781.44 No. of Deeds Recorded, 535
Bridge,
23,066.71
No. of Mortgages Recorded, 109
Building,
11,503.33 Amount Secured,
$467.028 No. of Mortgages Cancelled, 139
Road,
12,365.21
Indebtedness,
3,834,40
Amount Released,
$236,978
Township,
7,264,26
Domestic Animals died of Disease.
School,
42,214.31
Special,
13.48S.82 Cattle,
280
١٩
6,239
Sheep, 622
1,741
Total,
$181,146.89 Hogs,
1,922
6,486
Value of Manufactured Articles.
Wooden Ware, $ 4,200|Carriages, Buggies, $28,700
Wagons, Drays, &c., 3,900 Other Artic's of W'd, 35,000
Saddles, Harness, &c., 12,000 Tin, Copper, &c.,. 6,000
Oils, 39,955 Cigars & Tobacco, 800
All other Manufact's, 44,800 Drain Tile,
3,560
23,117.35 Horses, 192
Value, $12,045
Village,
:
Total, $178,915.
472
Historyof Hancock County.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1880.
A table showing number of votes cast for each candidate for President, and total vote in each election precinct:
Townships and Wards.
Garfield.
Hancock. |
Weaver.
Dow.
Total.
Allen,
96
139
235
Amanda,
156
203
2
361
Big Lick,
146
145
I
292
Blanchard,
201
121
1
323
Cass,
97
92
5
1
195
Delaware,
202
151
353
Eagle,
118
102
2
222
Findley,
17|
115
10
296
2nd 66
112
156
1
269
3d
193
104
297
4th
66
171
130
2
306
Jackson,
106
198
304
Liberty,
134
117
251
Madison,
100
153
2
255
Marion,
131
112
243
Orange,
119
184
303
Portage,
105
114
219
Pleasant,
227
218
5
450
Union,
162
249
311
Van Buren,
57
127
184
Wash'ton, Fostoria Prec't
115
47
1
213
Arcadia
98
123
9
230
3,124
3,350|
. 33
9 6,516
104
200
30
Findley, Ist Ward,
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