History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 106

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Prior to the settlement the southern part of the township was all heavily timbered. Extensive prairies broke the forest in the northern part. These prairies were covered with a heavy marsh grass, interspersed with an occasional branch of a more nutritious variety, which attracted the cows of the early settlers.

The surface slope of the township is uniformly toward the northwest, and a number of small streams flow rapidly in that direction. There is but one mill-site in the township, that being in the eastern part, just below "Rockwell Spring." This spring is the source of the most beautiful stream in the township-a rapid current of clear mineral water.

The most valuable feature of the water supply of Townsend is the under surface currents which are the source of artesian wells. These fountains of cold water, pleasantly tinctured with mineral matter, are found in all parts of the township. The first well was sunk by C. G. Sanford about 1850. Some difficulty was experienced in this operation. After penetrating the surface soil and a stratum of blue clay, quicksand, saturated with water, baffled further progress. Mr. Sanford overcame the difficulty by constructing a casing of stovepipe through the sand to the top of a stratum of hard conglomerate rock. A hole was drilled through this rock, which at that place was about fifteen inches in thickness. The drill being removed the well soon filled with pure water and became the source of a living stream. By means of casing the water

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was raised high enough to fill a trough.

The geological conformation is much the same in all parts of the township, but a number of attempts to obtain wells have failed. The water filling a network of fissures seems to be bound down by the stratum of conglomerate above spoken of. When one of these fissures is struck the experiment of obtaining a well never fails. It is possible, however, that after a time a fissure may become clogged, and a well once strong cease to flow. One of the best wells in the township-one on the Beebe farm- became dry after a number of years. A new shaft in the immediate vicinity brought to the surface a strong current.

It is probable that Rockwell Spring and Cold Spring, in Erie county, draw their water from the same source through natural fissures or breaks in this layer of conglomerate or covering of an under- ground system of currents, whose source is higher than the surface of the soil. The depth of these wells varies from twenty to fifty feet. Some places water can be raised six feet above the surface.

The utility of such a system of water- works is inestimable. With proper drain-age, two or three wells can be made to supply all parts of the farm with fresh, pure water, making stock-raising at once more profitable and easy. It is by no means utopian to say, that as population grows, and, as a consequence, the profits of agriculture increase, such a system of drainage and water supply will be effected as will render the injury of crops by draught an impossibility.

Only a faint idea can be formed by our own generation of the "appearance of things" before the white man's axe changed the condition of nature. Except in the marshy northern sections, heavy trees united their tops and completely excluded the sun. Smaller trees filled the intervening

spaces below, while at many places shrubs and bushes made the forest absolutely im- penetrable. Through the central part of the township walnut was the predominating heavy timber; on the ridge further south oak prevailed. Thick grape-vines, with long tendrils, bound the trees together and made it necessary in some instances to cut half a dozen trees before one could be brought to the ground. They finally came down with a crash, crossing each other in every direction. Complete clearings generally were made only where it was designed to erect. the cabin. Land was first prepared for crops by cutting the smaller trees, grubbing out the underbrush, and girdling the large trees. This method of clearing saved a great deal of labor. The girdled trees soon became dry and were easily burned down during the warm months of the fall. But, although the large trees were not cut down, heavy logs had to be piled together and burned before the plow or cultivator could be used. For ages trees had been growing, dying, then falling and giving place to others. These dead and decaying trunks were lying almost concealed by underbrush.

THE SETTLEMENT.

The first settler in the township was Moses Wilson. He built his cabin on the North ridge in the spring of 1818. When the land came into market, he made a purchase and removed to the west part of the county.

The Townsend family, whose name the township bears, made the second improve- ment on the present Brush farm, in the spring of 1818. Abraham Townsend em- igrated from New York to Canada before the War of 1812. His son, Ephraim K., joined the United States army, which circumstance, together with his known sympathy with his native country, made it not only judicious, but necessary, at the opening

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of that unfortunate struggle, for the family to return to the States. The war over Mr. Townsend was one among the earliest of the pioneers of Northern Ohio, and in 1818 pushed into the thick and heavy forest of this county. The place of settlement had possibly been selected, during the war, by Ephraim K. The family, at the time of coming to this county, numbered two sons and five daughters, viz: Ephraim K. and Gamalial, Margaret (Chit-tendon), Betsey, wife of Addy Van Ness, Mary (Loux), Amy, and Eliza. Mr. Town-send removed to Huron county about 1824, and a few years later to Michigan. Ephraim K. remained in Townsend, where he owned eighty acres of land, until 1826, when he removed to Sandusky City, where he died the following year. Mr. Townsend was the first clerk of the township. He married Rebecca Tew in 1820. The farm was purchased in 1826 by Mr. Tibbals, who died the following year.

The third cabin in the township was built by Mr. Corbit, who never entered land, but left the county when the tract on which he had squatted was sold.

William Tew, sr., built the fourth cabin In November, 1818, and was the only one of these first families who remained to see the country developed and improved. Mr. Tew was born in Massachusetts, but early in life removed to New York, in which State he was married, in 1800, to Susannah Barton. In the spring of 1818 he came west to Erie county; and in the fall of that year erected a cabin, and removed to the woods of Townsend. He had a family of eight children-Rebecca, wife of E. K. Townsend, was the first resident of the township to marry, she died in Indiana in 1876; William settled in Townsend and lived here till 1865, when he removed to Clyde, where he died in 1876; Seth finally settled in Illinois, where he died in

1831; Paul has been a resident of the township since the settlement of the family, except five years, from 1825 till 1830; Robert resides in Sandusky, he lost his eyesight and became lame in boyhood; Hiram died in 1819, and is the first person buried in the Tew cemetery on the North ridge; Permelia married Alonzo Anson, and died in Erie county in 1842; Mary, widow of Samuel Ainsley, lives in Erie county. William Tew, sr., was the first postmaster in the township, and in every way a worthy man; he died in 1842.

Benjamin Barney came to the township about 1822. His brother Wesley had preceded him a short time. Benjamin sold his place to Daniel Rice in 1824.

A. C. Jackson settled in this township on the ridge in 1822. He married Amanda Olds in Huron county in 1818, and at the time of settlement in this township the family consisted of two children. Ten children were born in this county. Eight came to maturity, and seven are still living. Mr. Jackson died October 24, 1865, aged exactly seventy-one. Their cabin was the first house of entertainment in the township. Mrs. Jackson was one of the most useful women in the pioneer settlement. Her kindness and skill in the treatment of disease is gratefully remem- bered by those of the pioneers of that community yet surviving. She lives in Clyde.

The prairie in the north part of the township had squatter settlements at an early day. Charles Baker and Levi Chapman lived at the mouth of Little Pickerel Creek, Fred Chapman and his brother on Rush prairie, and William Poorman a little farther to the south, before 1822.

The Winters family made an early set- tlement in this part of the county. Christian Winters was a native of Maryland, which State he left on account of anti-slavery ideas, and removed to Canada.

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At the opening of the War of 1812 he vol- unteered in the Federal army, and in 1817 the family settled in Erie county (then Huron). A few years later the family, consisting of Daniel, Benjamin, and John, came to this township and engaged in stock raising.

Ann Winters was born in Canada in 1801. She came to Erie county, thence to Townsend with the family, and, in 1829, married Samuel Kidwell, by whom she had two children, both of whom are dead. Mr. Kidwell died in 1832. She afterwards married Lyttle White, by whom she has had one child, Benjamin.

Silas Freese was born in Ogdensburg, Canada, in 1805, and came to Sandusky county with his father, John Freese, in 1821. The family consisted of four children, one of whom is living Hannah (Barney), in Illinois. John Freese was a native of New York, whence he emigrated to Canada. Silas Freese, in 1836, married Eliza Reed, by whom he has eight children living, viz: James L., Townsend; H. J., Downing, Michigan; Ira, Erie county; Isaiah, Ottawa county; Lydia (Rodgers), Ottawa county; William D., Alice (Cowell), and Elrnina, Townsend. Two of the sons were killed in the army-George, wounded at Chickamauga, and died in prison at Atlanta; John, killed in the battle of Altoona. Silas Freese died in the spring of 1881.

Azariah Beebe removed with his family from New York to Huron county in 1816, and about 1824 came to this township. They had eight children, the youngest of whom, Ethan, was born in this county. Those born before coming to this county were: Diadama (Snow), Almira (McCord), William, James, Harriet R., Aaron, and Enoch. Azariah Beebe died December 12, 1834; his wife, Mary (Ryan) Beebe, died December 11, 1864. Aaron died in 1840, Almira in 1841, and William

in 1857. The remaining members of the family all reside in this township. The Beebes were the first settlers in the neighborhood of Rockwell Spring. Harriet R. lives on the old homestead.

James Beebe was born near the mouth of Huron River, in 1816. He married Mary Jane Green in 1839, and by her had one child, George A., now living in California. In 1841 he married Susannah Crandall. The fruit of this marriage is seven children living-Mary J., Nathan M., Rebecca (Black), Ethan A., Frank, Fred, and Harriet A. Mr. Beebe has held various township offices.

Orlin Selvey, who died February 5, 1881, was born in Tompkins county, New York, December 24, 1811. He moved with his father's family to Huron county, and resided there eleven years. There the father died. The widow, with three sons and one daughter, came to Townsend township about 1824, and here Orlin Selvey lived the remainder of his life. In 1840 he married Harriet Greenman, of Townsend. They had one child, Sanford, who now lives in the township, a solace to his widowed mother. Oflin Selvey was the only survivor of his father's family. He served three terms and a part of the fourth as justice of the peace. He was a man of excellent character. Sanford Selvey was born August 5, 1841. He married Anna R. McNitt, of Townsend. They have four children-Manly Clay, Guy McNitt, Hattie Deborah, and Edith Alvina.

Robert Wallace and Mary, his wife, came to Ohio in 1826, from Pennsylvania. Their children were: John Wallace, now residing in Yazoo City, Mississippi; Sarah (McCord), who died in Townsend; and Mrs. Eliza Murtz, still living. After the death of Mr. Wallace his widow married Thomas Fleming, and had four children-Thomas, William, Robert, and George,

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All lived and died in Townsend except William, who died in Mississippi. Eliza Wallace, the only representative of this family now living in this county, was married, in 1831, to David White, who was born in Pennsylvania in 1812, and moved to Townsend township in 1826. Mr. White died in 1844. His home was the Smith farm, in the southeast corner of the township. There were seven children-David A., John W., Mary, Sarah Ann, Esther E., Charles W., and Harriet S. Of these three are living-Sarah Ann (Ream) and Esther E. (McCarty), Townsend, and Harriet (Close), Erie county. Mrs. White married again, in 1848, Christopher Murty, a native of Ireland. He died in 1874, at the age of sixty-seven. Mr. Murty was an active business man and a most worthy citizen:

Ebenezer Ransom was an early settler in the north part of the township, and was the first justice of the peace.

Addy Van Nest was a local preacher and evangelist. He did not remain long in the township. He settled in the West.

The old Lemmon farm was first improved by the Putnam family. Mrs. Putnam was a widow. Her son was a young man, and took charge of the clearing operations.

Josiah Holbrook emigrated from New York to Huron in 1816, and six years later came to Townsend, where he engaged in the manufacture of potash, a common employment of the time, and one of the few industries productive of ready cash.

Samuel Love came to Townsend in 1822. He was a peaceable and industrious Irishman, who was highly esteemed. He lived on the North ridge.

Benjamin Widener was a Pennsylvanian who came to Huron county, and from there to Sandusky county in 1822. His brother, Cornelius, came about the same time. Cornelius adopted the Indian

method of grinding corn in a stump. A stump of hard wood was selected, and by burning and chopping hollowed out, forming a mortar, in which the corn was placed. A section of the body of an ironwood tree was raised by means of a spring-pole, and allowed to drop with its end on the corn in the stump. In this way a strong man could crack enough corn in one day to last the family a week. Owing to the scarcity and incapacity of mills, it was a handy machine to have, for frequently the good woman of the house had her patience sorely tried hearing the children cry for bread while the man of the household was waiting for his turn at some distant mill.

Joseph McCord and his brother stopped in Huron county, where they had a cabin, and kept bachelor's hall, until one day the lonely sleeping shed caught fire and burned. Joseph then came to Townsend, and, like a good settler, married a wife, improved a farm, and raised a family.

Harry Snow married Diadama Beebe and settled in Townsend. His father was one of the best fiddlers in Erie county. Speaking of a fiddler calls to mind the enthusiastic dance of pioneer days, when, in the language of one of the girls of that period, "our dresses were shorter and our steps higher than nowadays." A dance was the usual happy conclusion of a log-rolling, raising, or quilting. Carpet-rag sewings were few, for few people had carpets or rags enough to make a carpet out of.

If a man had logs to pile up preparatory to burning or a building to raise, his neighbors were given notice of the fact, and all for miles around (for the word neighbor in pioneer history has a wide meaning) came to his assistance, bringing with them their wives, daughters and sisters to do the cooking and put in the odd hours at sewing, weaving, or perchance cheering the success of favorite beaux in

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the many trials of strength which were constantly going on in the clearing. The day usually closed with wrestling matches, lifting contests or other trials of strength and agility. The victories of strong and active men were rewarded by the loving smiles of honest women who were always ready to encourage with hand and heart, and were willing not only to lighten but to take upon themselves a fair share of the burdens of the times. On one of these gala days, which combined work with fun, as soon as darkness had driven day away, all the young people repaired to the place of dancing, to the cabin or a stand erected for the purpose, but in either case the floor was made of split puncheons. This sort of a floor had one recommendation, it was firm; but on account of roughness would be badly calculated for the graceful, gliding waltz of the present generation. Indeed, when we picture the conditions, we cease to wonder why the "women stepped higher" than now, when dancing is done on waxed floors. The round dance was a movement unthought of, but they performed all sorts of figures in the catalogue of square dancing. Those movements requiring most exertion were the most popular. The walk around quadrille of today is looked upon by the women and men of the old school as a silly performance, and perhaps it is. The "French Four," "Virginia Reel," and other similar exercises were participated in with an enthusiasm which would have been destructive to set-rings, bracelets, or lace sleeves, had the ladies worn them. But plain homespun, or in exceptional cases calico dresses, constituted the ladies' costumes. Wooden stays took the place of corsets, and the feet rested upon broad soles and heels. When the surrounding forest had echoed and re-echoed the in- spiring notes of the violin and the clatter

of joyful feet, till long after wolves had ceased their midnight howls, the party, tired of pleasure broke up, and all quietly followed woodland paths to cabin homes.

Daniel Rice, one of the earliest pioneers along the Sandusky River, and an early settler of Townsend, was born in Clarendon, Vermont, March 29, 1792. At the age of thirteen he went to New York, and served in the War of 1812, in Captain John Dix's company, New York militia. At the close of the war, in company with an older sister, he came to Ohio and located for a time in Franklin county, near Columbus. In 1819 he came to the Sandusky Valley, about eight miles below Fort Ball. He was a justice of the peace in 1820, and solemnized the first marriage recorded in Sandusky county, October 24, 1820, the parties being West Barney and Sophronia Wilson. Mr. Rice married, December 14, 1820, at Lower Sandusky, Anna Barney, a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In 1825 they settled in Townsend, on the farm on which Mrs. Rice now lives, at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They had seven children, four of whom are living. Daniel Rice died May 13, 1872.

M. B. Rice, son of Daniel Rice, was born in Townsend township in 1831. Before he married he spent fourteen years of his life in California, where he was engaged in mining. In 1868 he married Mrs. Anna (Hathaway) Rice, widow of Daniel Rice, jr. She was born in Scott township in 1838. They have two children-Thaddeus Waldo and De Witt Clinton. Mr. Rice has a good farm and is a successful farmer. He dwells upon the old Rice farm.

Purdy and Warner Smith were early set- tlers of the township. Warner was a single man and lived with his brother Purdy until after the death of Tibbols, when he married the widow. He had been a magistrate

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in Huron county (now Erie), and was a practical joker.

James Lemmon, sr., was born in Nor- thumberland county, Pennsylvania, July 17, 1779. In 180o he removed to New York, and in 1805 married Rebecca Blake, a native of Connecticut. In 1827 he came to Ohio and settled on the North ridge in Townsend, where he died May 7, 1854. His wife died March 29, 1855. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters. Mathew M. was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1812. He came to Sandusky county with the family in 1827, and still resides on the farm on which his father settled. He married Sarah McIntyre in 1848 and has a family of four children-Frank married Hannah Keilor, and lives on the homestead; Harvey married Bessie Nearkoop, and lives in Townsend; Etta, wife of Luther Wilt, resides in Townsend; George is unmarried.

Albert Guinall, a son of James Guinall, settled in Townsend, where his son still lives.

John Bush came from New York with his family in 1827 and settled in Townsend township. The family consisted of five sons, viz: Fenner, Medina, Michigan; J. B., Clyde; Edwin, deceased; N. W. Clyde; and A. L., Ottawa county.

After 1830 the township filled up so rapidly that it is impossible to give the names of more than a few of the more prominent and influential settlers.

Alpheus McIntyre, a native of New York, settled in Townsend in 1830. The maiden name of his wife was Lois Sanford. He had been deputy sheriff of Hamilton county, and in this county served as associate judge of the court of common pleas. He was one of the early school-teachers and magistrates of Townsend. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Sally Curtis, nee Cleveland, who was the first school-teacher in the township.

Nathan and Sidney Crandall came to the township about 1830. Nathan was a sailor and spent only his winters here with his brother, Sidney, who owned a farm and had a family.

A man named Lyon lived on Pickle street soon after the road bearing that name was laid out. A little ill-feeling between him and Mr. Smith about a piece of meat gave the road its name.

Zelotes Parkhurst was a native of Vermont. He spent his early life in some of the Southern States, and subsequently in New York. In 1828 he married Lois Stevens, of Livingston county, New York, and in 1830 came to Ohio, settling on a farm in Townsend township, where he died, January 2, 1844. The three sons, W. T., J. S., and Phineas W., all served in the army. Phineas W. married, in 1869, Miss S. Z. Richards, of Townsend, and is now cashier of the Clyde bank. Zelotes Parkhurst laid out and donated to the public the Parkhurst cemetery, in which his remains repose.

Phineas Stevens was born in Massa- chusetts, in 1754. He served in the war of the Revolution, and afterwards settled in New York. In 1830 he came to Ohio and settled in this township, where he died in 1840. His wife survived him two years.

The Whitmore family settled in this township on the Wadsworth farm in 1830. George and Margaret were the names of the parents. The children who came with them were Rachel, born in 1804; Janet, born in 1814; and John. Rachel married Holcomb Allen, and died at Port Huron, Michigan. Janet married Benjamin Winters, and died in this township. John Whitmore was born in Leicester, Livingston county, New York, May 29, 1816, and came to Ohio with his parents in 1837. He married Marcia (Swift) Chapman. They had only one child, now

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living, Ann J., the wife of Walter Davlin. Mr. Whitmore became a most successful businessman and a very prominent citizen. He died January 1, 1881.

The Beaghler family settled in this county in 1831. E. Beaghler, still a resident of Townsend, was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1826. In 1845 he married Lavina Morse, by whom he had five children, three of whom are living-Nancy (Batsole), Michigan; Mary (Young), Ballville; and Amelia (Thompson), Townsend. He married for his second wife, in 1858, Caroline Jackson. One child is the fruit of this union, Anson J., living in Townsend. Mrs. Beaghler was a daughter of A. C. Jackson, one of the early settlers in Townsend.

Hezekiah Higley, who is still living in Townsend township, was born in Massa- chusetts in 1790, April 6. When eleven years old, he went to New York State, whence he emigrated to Portage county, Ohio, from there to Erie county, and in 1832, to his present abode. In 1815 he married Jerusha Clark, who was born in Berkshire county in 1794, and died in Townsend township in 1876. She was the mother of ten children, four of whom are living: Laura, wife of Cyrus Daniels, Riley; Anson, Hudson, Michigan; William, Hessville; and Orson, Townsend.

Simeon Haff was born in the State of New York in 1769. At the age of thirty he married Betsey Lyon, of the same State. In the spring of 1830 he came West, settled in Townsend, and passed the remainder of his days here. He died October 10, 1841. Mrs. Haff died March 18, 1852, aged sixty-six. The family comprised five sons and six daughters. Four sons and two daughters are living-Hiram, Clyde; Israel, Indian Territory; Francis, Michigan, and Cyrus in Riley township. William, the third son, lived and died in this township, and brought up a family.

Two of his sons are living. The surviving daughters of Simeon Haff are Mrs. Sarah Bennett, Clyde, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler, Michigan.

Hiram Haff, oldest son of Simeon Haff, was born in Livingston county, New York, December 16, 1812, at which time his father was serving in the war. He came with his parents to this county, and resided upon the old place until 18J4, when he moved to York township. About two years ago he moved to Clyde, his present residence. July 4, 1836, he married Cynthia Avery, of this county. She died in December, 1876. They reared six sons and three daughters, who are now located as follows: Sanford, Wyandotte, Kansas; Edwin, Lenawee county, Michigan; Elisha, Reuben and Fred, Townsend; and Hiram B., York. The daughters: Mrs. Melinda Lewis, Townsend; Mrs. Betsey Whitaker, Henry county; and Mrs. Belle Heffner, Clyde.

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History of Sandusky County Ohio with Illustrations 1882, Part 106

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