USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Mercer County, Ohio, and representative citizens > Part 8
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Prosecuting Attorneys .- W. I. Thomas, 1824; George B. Holt, 1841 ; O. C. Rood, 1842; N. H. Starbrand, 1844; S. R. Mott, 1847; F. C. Le
*The names of common pleas judges will be found in the chapter on the Bench and Bar.
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Blond, 1849; James Watson Riley, 1853; F. C. Le Blond, 1855; N. L. Hib- bard, 1858; F. C. Le Blond, 1859; W. Baker, 1861; Thomas J. Godfrey, 1863; N. L. Hibbard, 1866; Keepers Alberry, 1867; W. F. Miller, 1871; Stephen A. Armstrong, 1875; C. G. O. Miller, 1879; B. M. Clen Dening, 1885; H. A. Miller, 1891; P. E. Kenney, 1897; and Clarence E. Marsh, 1903 --.
Treasurers .- J. P. Hedges, 1824; John Manning, 1825; Robert Bigger, 1826; John Pickerell, 1832; Ed. M. Phelps, 1837; Robert B. Gordon, 1844; Benjamin Linzee, 1848; William Hunter, 1852; Benjamin Linzee, 1855; G. W. Raudabaugh, 1860; Christopher Schunck, 1863; S. M. Loree, 1868; G. W. Raudabaugh, 1870; John W. Crockett, 1872; H. H. Pulskamp, 1876; Six Staeger, 1880 (died in office), Jacob Kreusch, 1881 ; S. A. Nickerson, 1884; H. J. McKirnan, 1888; F. L. Tou Velle, 1892; C. H. Howick, 1896; W. H. Maehlman, 1900; and James M. Howick, 1904 -.
Sheriffs .- H. W. Hinkle, 1825; John Murdock, 1827; Isaac Applegate, 1829; Joshua Warfield, 1833; James Brown, 1835; John Elliott, 1836; Sabirt Scott, 1839; A. T. Stedman, 1841; Joseph Carlin, 1843; G. W. Timmonds, 1846; S. E. Snider, 1851; C. H. Hight, 1856; Robert Wiley, 1860; G. W. Timmonds, 1862; Henry L. Johnson, 1866; Thornton Spriggs, 1870; Henry J. McKirnan, 1874; John G. Blake, 1878; James F. Timmonds, 1884; George H. Houser, 1888; George H. Heffner, 1892; Lorenz Schunk, 1896; Joseph Hinders, 1900; and A. B. Grothjan, 1906 -.
Recorders .- James Watson Riley, 1825; E. A. McMahon, 1841 ; L. D. McMahon, 1843; William Hunter, 1848; Jeremiah Sunday, 1851; B. B. Allen, 1855; J. W. Johnston, 1858; T. G. Tou Velle, 1861; J. B. Perwessel, 1867; Edward Landfair, 1873; S. S. Scranton, 1880; William Snyder, 1886; . John E. Hamburger, 1892; Charles Fox, 1898; and Joseph F. Tebben, 1904 -.
Surveyors .- Justin Hamilton, 1827; Robert Grant, 1833; Justin Hamil- ton, 1835; Robert Young, 1836; Justin Hamilton, 1837; J. S. Huston, 1839; Odell Thomas, 1843; Cyrenus Elliott, 1845; Samuel Thompson, 1849; J. Crow, 1850; Smith H. Clark, 1852; A. J. Linzee, 1854; Marcus Schuyler, 1858; I. F. Raudabaugh, 1873; Marcus Schuyler, 1876; Jesse De Ford, 1881; Clyde Smith, 1887; Anthony Fishbaugh, 1890; Martin Lutz, 1896; and Loree Marsh, 1906 -.
Coroners .- L. D. McMahon, 1837; A. F. Stedman, 1840; George Allen, 1841 ; Thomas Brown, 1848; Jacob Broadwell, 1850; John S. Brown, 1851; Gustavus Darnold, 1852; G. W. Timmonds, 1857; Adam Baker, 1860; John W. Crockett, 1862; Jacob Hight, 1866; A. J. Murphy, 1870; S. R. Wilson, 1874; F. C. Le Blond, Jr., 1878; J. N. Hetzler, 1880; J. A. Denney, 1884 to June 7, 1886; Dr. D. H. Richardson (vice Denney ) by appointment
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
from June 7, 1886 to election 1886; T. G. McDonald, 1886; J. M. Lisle, 1888; Dr. D. H. Richardson (vice Lisle, resigned)-by appointment from December 9, 1891, to election 1892, when he was elected to succeed himself (reelected in 1894) ; Dr. L. P. Lisle, 1896; Dr. Ayers, elected in 1900, who failed to qualify; Dr. G. J. C. Wintermute, the present incumbent, who was appointed in 1900 to fill the vacancy until the next election when he was elected to the unexpired term (reelected in 1902, 1904 and 1906).
Probate Judges .- Under the first State constitution, the associate judges of the Court of Common Pleas in each county had jurisdiction in matters probate. A Probate Court was established in each county by the Constitution of 1851. The following have filled the office of probate judge : W. L. Blocher, 1852; Jacob Broadwell, 1860; R. G. Blake, 1866; William Clay, 1872 ; D. J. Roop, 1876; H. H. Pulskamp, 1881; S. S. Scranton, 1888; F. S. Collins, 1894; John G. Beckman, 1897; Robert L. Mattingly, 1897 (appointed vice Beekman) ; C. G. O. Miller, 1898; P. F. Dugan, 1901 ; and Charles S. Younger, 1905 -.
Board of County Commissioners .- David Hays, Solomon Carr, Thomas Scott, James Vanausdale and Ansel Blossom, 1824; Israel Dungan, Solomon Carr and Thomas McCumsey, 1825; Joel Wood, 1826; Picket Doute, 1828; Christopher Wood, 1830; Isaac Nichols, 1831; Samuel Ruck- man, 1832; William B. Hedges, 1833; Samuel McKee, 1834; Alexander Grant, 1835 ; Samuel Ruckman and Picket Doute, 1836; John Wright. 1838; Picket Doute, 1839; Elisha Noble, 1840; David Anderson, 1841; Charles Boesel, 1842; Elisha Noble, 1843; John Betz, 1844; Charles Boesel, 1845; Elisha Noble, 1846; John S. McDowell, 1847; Samuel Ruckman, G. J. Sheldon and David Hays, 1848; Frederick Elking, 1849; Thomas Roop, 1850; Nathan Vantilburg, 1851; Mathias Gast, 1852; Robert H. Dunathan, 1853; Nathan Vantilburg, 1854; Mathias Gast, 1855; John McDonald, 1856; George Speaker, 1857; Christopher Schunck, 1858; John McDonald, 1859; George Speaker, 1860; Christopher Schunck, 1861; Adam Baker, 1862; Joseph May, 1863; George Meyers, 1864; Adam Baker, 1865; William Clay, 1866; George Meyers, 1867; Jacob Gerlach, 1868; William Clay, 1869; John Betz, 1870; Jacob Gerlach, 1871; Pat Harman, 1872; John Betz, 1873; Thomas Snyder, 1874; Pat Harman, 1875; J. F. Roemer, 1876; John Frahm, 1877; James B. Snyder, 1878; J. F. Roemer, 1879; John Frahm, 1880; James B. Snyder, 1881; William Lacy, 1882; John H. Siebert, 1883; Peter Haubert, 1884; Christian Fanger, 1885; John H. Siebert, 1886; Peter Haubert, 1887; Christian Fanger, 1888; T. B. Behymer, 1889; Abraham Mott, 1890; Harman H. Schwietermann, 1891; T. B. Behymer, 1892; Will- iam H. Lowry, 1893; Harman H. Schwietermann, 1894; Charles Bollen- bacher, 1895; George W. Frysinger, 1896; John W. Karch, 1897; Charles
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TOWN HALL, CELINA
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TOWN HALL, COLDWATER
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MERCER COUNTY COURT HOUSE AND JAIL, CELINA
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Bollenbacher, 1898; George W. Frysinger, 1899; John W. Karch, 1900; Daniel Meyers, 1901; Peter Linn, 1902; Isaac Brandon, 1903; Daniel Meyers, 1904; Peter Linn, 1905; Isaac Brandon, 1906. The last three named constitute the present board, and all will hold office until 1909, on account of a recent change in the law. For little over 10 years, the terms of · new commissioners have commenced on the third Monday in September instead of January Ist. Isaac Brandon, who was elected in the fall of 1906 to succeed himself, will begin his new term in September, 1907, which term, because of the change referred to above, will be one year short.
Board of Infirmary Directors .- Thomas Upton, G. W. Mosier and B. F. Suwalde, 1863; Thomas Upton, 1864; G. W. Mosier, 1865; B. F. Suwalde, 1866; Bernard Wehrkamp, 1867; Abner Davis, 1868; Bernard Wehrkamp and George Petrie, 1869; Joseph Anderson, 1870; Abner Davis, 1871 (resigned) ; Philo Le Blond, 1871 (appointed vice Davis) ; George Petrie, 1872 (resigned) ; Abner Davis, 1872 (appointed vice Petrie) ; Joseph Anderson, 1873; George Petrie, 1874; Bernard Wehrkamp, 1875; Alexander Partner, 1876; Jacob Dumbauld, 1877; Bernard Wehrkamp, 1878; Alex- ander Partner, 1879; Jacob Dumbauld, 1880; F. B. Trenary, 1881 ; H. B. Ben- nett, 1882; C. F. Lutz, 1883 ; F. B. Trenary, 1884; H. B. Bennett, 1885 ; C. F. Lutz, 1886; F. B. Trenary, 1887; Philip Heiby, 1888; David Overly, 1889; Isaac N. Kiser, 1890; Philip Heiby, 1891; David Overly, 1892; Isaac N. Kiser, 1893; George Green, 1894; James F. Timmonds, 1895; Edward A. Dibble, 1896; George Green, 1897; James F. Timmonds, 1898; Edward A. Dibble, 1899; Frank P. Hinton, 1900; Bernard Borger, 1901; Herman Kohnen, 1902 ; Frank P. Hinton, 1903; Bernard Borger, 1904; John Schind- ler, 1905; and Clement V. May, 1906. The last three named constitute the present board; Clement V. May, elected in the fall of 1906, became a member of the board on the first Monday in January, 1907, F. P. Hinton retiring.
PRESENT COUNTY OFFICIALS.
Auditor-T. A. Weis.
Clerk of Courts-John L. Wyckoff.
Prosecuting Attorney-Clarence E. Marsh.
Treasurer-James M. Howick.
Sheriff-A. B. Grothjan.
Recorder-Joseph F. Tebben.
Surveyor-Loree Marsh.
Coroner-Dr. G. J. C. Wintermute.
Probate Judge-Charles S. Younger.
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners-Isaac Brandon, Peter Linn and Daniel Meyers.
Board of Infirmary Directors-Clement V. May, John Schindler and Bernard Borger.
Board of County Visitors-T. J. Godfrey, president (deceased Novem- ber 30, 1906) ; Mrs. Elizabeth S. McKim, secretary; Mrs. Mary L. Tou Velle, Mrs. Ada Riley, David H. Robinson and Dr. John E. Hattery.
Philip Linn, who has been janitor of the Court House for the past 10 years, is the most faithful guardian of the county's property that the County Commissioners have ever had in their employ. He is ever present on all occasions and zealously guards the county's interests. Mr. Linn is a native of Germany.
MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
Senators .- The 32nd Senatorial District of Ohio, of which Mercer County is a part, has for over 50 years also included the counties of Auglaize, Allen, Van Wert, Paulding, Defiance and Williams. For the first quarter of a century of its life, Mercer County was variously combined with other coun- ties in Northwestern Ohio. Herewith are given the names of the State Senators that have represented the districts that have included Mercer County, from 1821 (20th General Assembly) to the present time: John Alexander, David F. Heaton, John G. Jameson, David F. Heaton, John M. U. McNutt, James Johnson, John E. Hunt, William J. Thomas, Joseph S. Updegraff, John O'Ferral, William M. Wilson, Sabirt Scott ( Mercer County), John Tay- lor, Ed. M. Phelps (Auglaize County), Edward Foster, Charles C. Marshall (Allen County), Meredith R. Willett (Williams County), Thomas J. God- frey (Mercer County) and W. Carter (Defiance County), Charles Hoesel (Auglaize County), Charles Boesel (Auglaize County) and P. W. Hardesty (Williams County), William Sheridan, Jr. (Williams County) and G. W. Andrews (Auglaize County), G. M. Saltzgaber (Van Wert County), Thomas J. Godfrey (Mercer County) and Elmer J. White (Defiance Coun- ty), Robert Mehaffey (Allen County) and J. P. Schmeider (Auglaize County, Robert Mehaffey (Allen County), Melville D. Shaw (Auglaize County), Melville D. Shaw (Auglaize County) and John L. Geyer (Pauld- ing County), Henry J. Lawlor (Allen County) and James D. Johnson (Mercer County), James D. Johnson (Mercer County and William F. Con- ley (Mercer County), William G. Brorein (Auglaize County) and William E. Decker (Paulding County), William G. Brorein (Auglaize County), Stephen D. Crites (Allen County) and Thomas M. Berry (Van Wert Coun-
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MAIN STREET, ROCKFORD
WAYNE STREET, FORT RECOVERY
Photo by Lin
MERCER COUNTY INFIRMARY. JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP
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MAIN STREET, CELINA
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ty), and Thomas M. Berry (Van Wert County) and W. M. Denman (Williams County), the present incumbents.
Representatives .- The following is a list of the members of the House of Representatives from Mercer County and the districts to which it has belonged from its organization to date: Justin Hamilton, Patrick G. Goode, Stacy Taylor, Hiram Bell, Justin Hamilton, Thomas Shideler, Justin Hamil- ton, Jacob Counts and John McClure, James Watson Riley and Daniel Alex- ander and James Bryson, Isaac Spear and Isaac Hostetter, Michael Leather- man and Ezekiel Thomas, John S. Purviance and Dr. Philip J. Hines, ' Cyrenus Elliott, Samuel R. Mott, Henry Lipps, William Blackburn, F. C. Le Blond, John Shaw, Charles F. Edson, A. P. J. Snyder, John A. Estell, Daniel J. Callen (the first Representatives from Mercer County alone), Hiram Murlin, George W. Raudabaugh, Archelaus D. Marsh, William F. Miller, Archelaus D. Marsh (elected Speaker of the House), C. M. Le Blond, L. N. Wagner, B. M. Clen Dening, J. T. Kenney, Samuel V. Brown and J. J. Mclaughlin, the present incumbent.
OTHER OFFICIALS FROM MERCER COUNTY.
Mercer County at the present time is in the Fifth Congressional District, which is represented by one of the county's citizens, W. E. Tou Velle, elected in the fall of 1906. Only one other Mercer County man has served in Congress-Francis C. Le Blond-his term covering four years, 1863-67.
Mercer County was represented in the Constitutional Convention of 1871 by Thomas J. Godfrey.
The following have served as members of the State Board of Equaliza- tion from the 32nd Senatorial District : Miller Arrowsmith, 1846; John W. Waters, 1853; Hugh T. Rinehart, 1860-61 ; Francis J. Lye ( Allen County), 1870-71; V. V. Pursell (Paulding County), 1880-81 ; Frank Westgerdes (Mercer County), 1900-01. A new board is formed every 10 years.
POPULATION STATISTICS.
The first census of the county was taken in 1830 and showed a total population of 1,116. This was increased to 8,277 in 1840, but the census of 1850 showed a decrease, there being but 7,712 residents of the county in that year. This decrease arose from the fact that a portion of the territory of the county was set off to Auglaize County by the Legislature of 1849. Since · 1850 each census has shown an increased population, that of 1860 being 14,104; 1870, 17,254; 1880, 21,808; 1890, 27,220; and 1900, 28,021.
The growth and relative size of the townships are shown by the figures
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
given below, representing the population for each decennial period since the county attained its present area :
Townships
1850
1860
1870
1880
1890
1900
Black Creek
490
913
1,087
1,441
1,557
1,438
Butler
220
1,042
1,301
1,595
1,930
1,995
Center
491
1,153
1,255
1,456
1,539
1,493
Dublin
914
1,352
1,599
2,027
2,625
2,751
Franklin
357
654
831
1,015
1,240
1,320
Gibson
485
956
1,100
1,462
1,658
1,568
Granville
564
1,035
1,234
1,616
2,013
2,329
Hopewell
290
638
894
1,185
1,414
1,313
Jefferson
493
1,003
1,557
2,406
3,962
4,282
Liberty.
182
508
779
1,196
1,652
1,733
Marion
1,428
1,848
1,876
1,933
2,525
2,678
Recovery
596
826
1,118
1,272
1,487
1,396
Union
746
1,228
1,475
1,820
2,001
2,238
Washington
456
958
1,148
1,384
1,617
1,487
The population of the county's villages is shown by the following table :
1880
1890
1900
Celina
1,346
2,702
2,815
Rockford
404
993
1,207
Fort Recovery
802
1,186
1,097
St. Henry*
200
682
650
Coldwater
237
490
627
Mendon
242
400
599
Montezuma
...
210
317
Chickasaw
59
476
310
Burkettsville
...
...
300
*Taken from other sources than U. S. Census. Census figures not obtainable.
Of the unincorporated towns, Maria Stein is the largest, having a popu- lation of about 250. Cassella and Neptune come next, with 177 and 160, respectively, according to 1900 figures.
MERCER COUNTY-A RETROSPECT.
The history of Mercer County is nearly as old as that of the State of Ohio. Only about 18 years after Ohio was admitted into the Union as a State, Mercer County was erected by an act of the Legislature, dated Feb- ruary 12, 1820. While this section of Ohio was as yet an unbroken wilder- ness-where only a few years before the Indian had held full sway-there were a few hardy pioneers who had come from the older parts of the coun-
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try, and settled in the boundaries of what is now Mercer County. Long be- fore the county was established, the white man and his family lived at Fort Recovery on the extreme southern boundary, on the Wabash River; while in the northern part of the county, on the St. Mary's River at Shane's Crossing (Rockford), there was quite a trading post, which would seem quite natural, as the St. Mary's River afforded the means for the transporta- tion of goods and merchandise from the settlements in the older sections of the country.
Thus the county began to grow, slow at first, but after years of hard and laborious toil the old log cabins with their stick chimneys have given way to good, modern frame and brick buildings, with all the modern im- provements of machinery for tilling the soil. The wilderness of long ago has become the paradise of modern civilization, and to-day we can boast of the finest farms, the most modern schoolhouses and the best edifices for the worship of the Creator in all the State of Ohio. There is no neighbor- hood within the borders of Mercer County that is without a good school and church or not in easy access to good markets for all that can be produced. Time, patience and perseverance, joined with indomitable pluck and industry, have wrought wonders.
In the history of Mercer County, even in the last 25 years, three steam railroads have been built through the county-the Lake Erie & Western, passing through the county in a direction from northeast to southwest: the Cincinnati Northern and a branch of the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton passing through north and south, connecting the county seat with all the im- portant towns in the county, as well as giving direct communication with the outside world.
The securing of good drainage for their farms has been one matter that the citizens of Mercer County have wisely looked after. By reason of the surface of the county being nearly level, only slightly undulating, many sections did not have the proper drainage and the swamps and marshes which existed on account of these conditions decreased the amount of land that could be profitably cultivated. The necessity of providing good drainage for their fields was seen by the intelligent and enterprising agriculturists of the county, who set about the accomplishment of the task. First the County Commissioners made the main ditches in nearly every township; then the farmers began systems of drainage for their cultivated fields and even for their wood lots and pastures, and were well repaid for all money thus ex- pended by the increase in the productiveness of their farms. Not only did the crops prove more abundant, but there was also a decided improvement in the health of the people.
Not until about 1880 were there any improved public roads in Mercer
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
County. About this time a petition for a gravel road was presented to the County Commissioners, which met with strong opposition; but the petition prevailed and the pike was built. Since that time, from year to year, there have been a number of pikes built, so that to-day there is not a road leading out of the county seat to any part of the county but is graveled and other- wise improved.
Two years ago the Western Ohio Traction Company built the first electric railroad in the county, which gives the people another means of transportation to all parts of the country and adds greatly to their comfort and convenience, as well as helping to pay the county taxes.
The county is not traversed by any great streams of water except the Wabash River which flows through five townships in the southwestern part, and in an early day furnished the power for sawmills and grist-mills. Steam and electricity have now supplanted the water power.
In this connection it may well be said that many of the towns are now lighted by electricity and that telephone systems bring all sections of the county, rural districts as well as urban communities, into close relations. All the telephones in use are those of independent companies, which are owned and controlled by home people.
The growth and wealth of the people of Mercer County in the past 20 years is in many respects remarkable. There was a time when foreign capital found a home in Mercer County, because the farmers needed the money to pay for their farms and to improve them, but that time has gone; the bor- rower has now become the leader. The farmers of to-day are adding more acres to their farms, building more brick buildings and buying more im- proved machinery.
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CHAPTER III
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP AND CELINA -
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP,
In which the county seat of Mercer County, Celina, is located, is 12 miles long from east to west; the east half of the township has an average width from north to south of one and a half miles, while the west half of the town- ship has an average width from north to south of three miles. It is bounded on the south by the Grand Reservoir and Butler township, on the east by Auglaize County, on the north by Hopewell and Center townships and on the west by Washington and Liberty townships.
The proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners of Mercer County, of March 5, 1839, would indicate that Jefferson township was or- ganized at this time. The first election was held in the spring of 1840.
The first settlement of the township was on farms both east and west of the county seat. Of the early settlers of the county and of Jefferson town- ship, we find that Robert Linzee moved from Athens County, Ohio, in the fall of 1832 and located on a farm east of Celina on the north bank of the Grand Reservoir, although at that time the reservoir was not built and noth- ing in the shape of a road existed save the trails made by the Indians. Mr. Linzee located his son Franklin on a farm now known as the Huston farm, and on what is now known as the Stearns farm he located his nephew, Robert Linzee, Jr. In 1834 Mr. Linzee moved on to the farm, where he spent the remainder of his life. In his lifetime he gave the school district land, the deed for which is in his own handwriting, specifying the fact that it was to be used for that purpose "as long as water runs and wood grows." Among the many early pioneers of Jefferson township was the Riley family, whose members came in at an early day and took a prominent part in the develop- ment of the county. We must not forget to mention one member of the Linzee family, who grew to manhood in this county and who is yet living at
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY
Wapakoneta, Ohio-Benjamin Linzee, who was treasurer of Mercer County and held other offices of trust; upon moving to Auglaize County, he was elected and served six years as probate judge of that county. At the time Robert Linzee settled on his farm, the nearest person to it on the east lived at St. Marys, and on the west at Bluffton, Indiana, 40 miles distant. Soon after, half a dozen of his friends settled near, and within four years a school- house was erected, at which the attendance was from 18 to 24 scholars. A young man by the name of Wesley Herbert was the first teacher employed in the first log schoolhouse built in Jefferson township, and Andrew Jack- son Linzee recited the first lesson in the said schoolhouse, in the afternoon of the day when it was finished.
Jefferson township contains 16,526 acres of land. The present selling value of the lands and buildings of the township, outside Celina corporation, is $1,239,450. Twenty-five years ago this same land with buildings was valued at $309,540. The farm buildings of to-day are of substantial make, brick and frame, constructed on modern and up-to-date plans. The farm land is well tilled and well fenced with good wire fencing. The schoolhouses of the township are modern brick buildings, with all the necessary equip- ments as to health, comfort and efficiency. The soil is well adapted to the raising of cereals, Of late years the farmers have had their attention directed to the raising of peas and tomatoes, the latter of which has proved a valuable crop, on which the farmers can realize from $80 to $100 per acre. Corn is the staple agricultural product of this locality ; with improved machinery to plant and harvest a corn crop, the claim is made that 100 bushels can be raised on an acre of land. In fact, all crops can be raised-corn, wheat, oats, rye, barley, hay and all vegetables in abundance.
It is but proper to mention the names of citizens who have contributed to the wealth and growth of the township in the past 30 or more years. While they are not pioneers, in the usually accepted meaning of the term, they are the men who have built up the community with their indomitable energy and pluck ; some of them are still here to witness the results of their labors. We refer to such men as the Trenarys, Fangers, Timmondses, Blakes, Tou Velles, DeFords, Craigs, Howicks, Raudabaughs, Crocketts, Feld- heisers, Hights, A. P. J. and S. S. Snyder, Christopher and Adam Schunck and their brothers, William Dickman, Six Staeger, Abraham Miller, Adam Baker and John Hole, who were here at an early day. Some of these men lived in Celina and others in the country on their farms. Among the early doctors of the town of Celina was Dr. Milton M. Miller, who came here in 1843, and was one of the first school teachers in the town. At a later date came Dr. Joseph N. Hetzler, who practiced medicine in Celina and the vicinity for a long term of years. The places of these enterprising citizens are now
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filled by a younger generation of farmers, merchants and professional men, but the foundation for this great work was laid by the pioneers, who in many instances built for the future greatness and prosperity of this community. If they could but see the town of Celina and Jefferson township of to-day and then compare it with what it was when they first came here, their hearts would be filled with astonishment and admiration. The history of this town- ship is but the history of the entire county-the forests in other parts of the county were being cleared, houses were being built, farms were being drained, and better schools and larger and better schoolhouses and churches were being erected, for wherever good schools and churches are found, there we find a happy and prosperous people.
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