USA > Ohio > Mercer County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 102
USA > Ohio > Van Wert County > History of Van Wert and Mercer counties, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 102
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Early in 1822 Andrew Coil with his children-Peter. Andrew. Jere- miab, John, Amelia, and Elizabeth and her husband Thomas Parrott- found their way through the almost trackless forest from Favette County, and settled on the bank of Twelve-mile Creek. building their cabin on the south fraction of section 22. Here they cleared some land and raised some corn and vegetables, which constituted the first crop produced within the township. The next year Mr. Coil laid out a town, which he named d'ailtown, and competed with St. Mary's and Shamesville for the seat of justice in 1-21. St. Mary's secured the prize, and Coil- town again berani a cornfield. Its owner remained a periment settler until his death, in 1:35. Isaiah Duncan came to the township the same year, and settled on the est fraction of southeast quarter of section 21, where he lived a year or two, and then moved up the river near St. Marys. He had settled on Shane's Patric, in Dublin Township, in 1 -18, thus being identified with the county at the date of the law ler son by the St. Marys treaty. James Green also came the same year, and lived a year or two on the west half of southwest quarter of section 16, and
then left the township. Early in 1823 Michael Harner came from Dublin Township, where he had settled in Is19, and located on cast half of north- east quarter of section 32, where he resided until his death, in lajn. At about the same time John Van Gundy came from Dublin Township, and settled on the cast half of southeast quarter of section 32, where he re- sided the remainder of his life, As already noted. Thomas Parrott came here in 1822. He made his first improvement on west fraction of southeast part of section 21, where he remained until 1846, when he set- tled on the southwest quarter of northeast quarter of the same section. where he spent the remainder of his life. Mrs. Parrott was a woman of great skill with the sick, and proved of great service among the settlers. Her death occurred in 1865.
Peter Coil married Hester Roebuck in 1824. and located on west half of northwest quarter of section 27, where he resided until his death, i 1841. He served one term as justice of the peace, and was a member of the first board of township trustees.
Andrew Coil, Jr., located on southeast fraction of northeast quarter of section 20 in 1925, where he died in 1851. Jeremiah Coil bought and sold several pieces of land, and finally settled on northeast quarter of section 11, where he died in 1873. John Coil settled on north fraction of section 20, where he resided until his death. Amelia Coil, while yet unmarried, sustained injuries which proved fatal by the falling of a tree.
In 1923 Samuel Harrison built a cabin and cleared a patch of land on northeast quarter of section 20. In 1834 he sold out and moved to see- tion 32, where he died in [>43.
The same year John Heath located on the west half of section 19. and the next year built a horse-mill, which served to crush corn for the whole neighborhood. In 1852 he moved to Van Wert County, where he became a heavy stockdealer, in which business he was engaged up to the time of his death, when about eighty-seven years of age.
Justin Hamilton moved from Ontario County, N. Y .. to Hardin County, Ky., in 1818. In 1>20 he married Eliza Rhodes, and in 1:23 change I his Kentucky farm for land in this township. The same year he moved to southwest quarter of section 25, and commenced improvements. In 1824 he raised his first crop of corn and planted some apple trees. The outlook at this time was not cheering, for the family suffered dreadfully with chills and fevers, while the cattle all died of an epidemic. In 1>25 he was elected justice of the peace for Dublin Township, then comprising the whole north part of the county; and being re-elected in 1>2s. he became the first justice of Union Township, as he was in office at its organization. He also hold the oflives of county assessor and surveyor while Allen and Van Wert counties were included in Mercer. He served several terms in the Ohio Legislature, and afterwards served as associate judge of the Common Pleas Court. He resided upon the same farm originally entered up to the date of his death, which occurred in 1963, be having reached the age of sixty-six years five months and eight days. His children were Isabel. Justus, Eneins. Charlotte (deceased while . young), Justin, Lucinda, Emily, and Ehuira.
Jacob Van Gundy came here in 1824. and, making his home at his brother John's, devoted his time to hunting until his death, which was occasioned by an injury received while beating on the St Mary's in 1.51. The same year Achilles levin leased land in section 82, where be built a cabin and lived a few years, but finally moved to Indiana
In 1827 George Wilson and Peter Coil (24) came from Favette County, Ohio. Coil located on northwest quarter of section 26, at the mouth of Eight-mite Creek, where he lived until Ises. when he moved to Centre Township, from which he afterwards returned, and located on section 24, in 1875. Wilson located on the school land, but finally moved to section 30; and again in 1833 began improvements in section 26, where he lived until 1815, when he moved to section 36, where he remained up to the time of his death, which occurred in Ises.
In spring of 125 Joseph Rider and Asabel Forbes, with their fami- lies, came from Hardin County, Ky. Forbes located on seetion 2%, where he remained until his death. Rider settled on section 21, warte he remained until his death in 1-50, having attained the age of fifty-two years ten months and four days.
William Hamilton left Ontario County. N. Y., in 1825, and walked to Buffalo. Here he took a schooner for Sandusky Bay teity ), and then walked by way of Lower Sandusky (Fremont), Perrysburg. Deliance, Fort Wayne, and Shane's Crossing to this township, where he joined his brother Justin, and assisted him in moulding and burning the first brick made in the township. The next fall be returned to New York on foot by way of Amanda, Wapakoneta, Bellefontaine, Fort Ball. and Fort Seneca to the lake at Sandusky. Here he took passage by stemet for Buffalo, from where he walked to Richmond, Ontario County, N. Y. In lagt he married Ahaira C. Abbey, and in Ists, with wife and child and Aaron Abbey. returned to Ohio by his former route by Police and up the Auglaize River, reaching this township Nov. 5. 125. He then located on east half of southwest quarter of section 20. After paying $100 for his land, he but slo hft, with which to supply the family and purchase stock and farming implements. The remainder of his life was spent on this farm, averpt the period from Preember, 1:1, to March, Ist, when he acted as salesman for Joseph Skommer at Show's Pour. and the period between 1:58 and March, 1-12, when he kept a gometal
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
supply store at Mondon. He was the second clerk of the township, the first postmaster at Menton, and served fourteen consecutive terms as justice of the peace. His children were Poly Aun Shepherd, Lou Hus- sey, Hugh, Sally Barber, Isabel Murhn, William, Maria ( dec'd), Almira (dee'd), W. Harrison (dee'd), and Susan (dec'd ).
Aaron Abbey came in 182%, but never settled permanently in this township. He finally returned to New York, where he died some years since.
Samuel C. Barber, with his wife and two children ( Relief and Lutere- tia), and his wife's brother. Alnaham D. Muslin, came from Hardin County, Ky., in November, 1-25, and located on section 27, where Barber resided outil his death, in 1861, at the age of forty-seven years. His wife died in 1-44, and he was married twice afterwards. Marlin made his home at Barber's sutil 18:3, when he entered land on section 35. The next year he returned to Kentucky and married Elizabeth Leazer, and in the fall rettanet, accompanied by his wife, mother (a widow ), and his sisters Elizabeth and Caroline. He remained bere until his death, in 1852, aged forty-three years one month and fourteen days. Ilis widow died on the obl firm in 1975, aged sixty-three years. His mother and sisters also died here.
Michael Miller and his sister Elizabeth, two orphans, were brought to the township in 1529 by their brother-in-law, George Wilson, and became a part of his family until able to provide for themselves. Elizabeth afterwards returned to Fayette County, but Michael remained a perma- hent resident.
Abel Wright, with his wife and youngest son John M., came from Clinton County. Ohio, and located on northwest quarter of section 35, where Mr. W. died in Is4s at the advanced age of eighty years. Mrs. W. died in 1840, aged sixty-four years. Their son John married Caro- oline Marlin in 1834, and located on southwest quarter of section 36. His wife died in Ir45, and he afterwards married Sarah Gordon.
During the year 1830 quite a number of settlers arrived, among whom were Isaac Coil, James Coil, Jacob Foltze, and George Parrott. Isaac Coil located on southwest quarter of section 30, where he spent the re- mainder of his life. James Coil moved to the Duncan cabin, and after- wards to the James Green lease, in section 16, where he lived several years, and then returned to Fayette County. George Parrott lived with his brother Thomas until he moved to the Fultz cabin, where he remained until 1841. when he sold to Edward Merrick and went to Jowa. Merrick sold to Thomas Upton about five years later and went to Illinois.
In the spring of 1931 Eli Forbes left South Bristol, N. Y., with his family, consisting of his wife and two small children, and came down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, thence up the canal to Troy, where he left his family and household goods until he could come here to his brother for teams to carry them to the township. While he and his brother were returning to Troy, they were met by a messenger who informed them of the tragic death of Mrs. Forbes. She was really a victim of the absurd stories told of the dangers of frontier life. as she had been made to be- lieve that herself and Children would almost surely be murdered by the Indians. While she was thus in dread of the future an incident occurred which completely enervated her. A young man of the family with whom she was staying returned home late at night. and, finding the doors lockiel, went to the window of Mrs. Forbes's room, which he raised, and entering. passed through to his own room. The shock was so severe that she was wild with alarm during the whole of the next day. Being of a nervous temperament, she could not overcome her fears and excitement, and some young ladies, hearing of her alarm, had her accompany them to their home in the evening to spend the night. While walking along the street, the young man who had caused her fright and whose image was fresh upon her mind, overtook them as he walked rapidly along. Mrs. Forbes, turning about, saw him, and exclaiming, " There be comes to kill me!" rushed frantically down a street leading towards the river bank, off which she threw herself, striking her head upon a rock in her fall, and suffering instant death. After such a tragic bereavement, Mr. Forbes brought his children and goods to his brother, where he lived a few years, and then married and settled on seetion 28, where he lived several years, and then sold out and moved to litinois, where he and his wife both died the same year.
Joseph Sidenbender and John Van Gundy came from Ross County, Ohio, in 1831, and built cabins, and did some clearing on section 21, where Sidenbender remained until the spring of 1532, when he sold to A. M. Barber and moved near Shane-ville. Van Gundy remained several years, spending most of his time hunting, and finally went to Indiana. In 1836 his little son, about four years of age, wandered off and became lost, although the fact was not known until night. Several men spent the night searching the woods by the aid of torches, but all without success. In the morning a company of men and boys formed to justi- tute a thorough search. At about three o'clock in the afternoon the child was found stroping upon a bed of leaves, where he had evidently spent the previous might.
In the sauimer of 1 22 George M. Shepherd came from Miami County, Ohio, and settled on northwest quarter of section 25, where he resided until 1543, when he moved to Indiana, and later to Hilinois, where be and
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his wife died several years since. Mary Ann Miller, wife of Mich . 1 Miller, and James Shepherd, are the only surviving children in this county. The same reason Amos M. Buber came from Hardest County, Kentucky, and bought the Sidenbender tract and entered other land in section 21, where he spent the remainder of his life. During the year Eli Cook became a resident, and built a house on the east bank of Twelve-mile Creek. He also built a store and kept supplies about two years. In 1539 he sold to Philip Mecker, and moved to Knox County. His wife died while living in Michigan, and he returned here and made his home with his son William until his death in 18G".
In 1332 Richard Palmer bought the John Heath land and moved from Miami County. Ohio. Here he entered and purchased other tracts, and continued a resident until his death which occurred in 1852. His wife had previously die. His daughter Hulda and two sons Thomas and Joseph now occupy the old homestead.
William Cook came to the county with his father and first settled on northwest quarter of section 2 Centre Township, but sold out about two years later and came to southwest quarter of section 26 and southeast quarter of section 27. where his death occurred in 1 74.
James Wright enne from Kentucky in 1532. He was a native of New York. He first located on northwest quarter of section 35, where he re- mained till after the death of his wife, which occurred in 1-45, when he sold to William Hamilton and returned to Kentucky. The same winter James Smith, a Virginian, but latterly from Montgomery County, Ohio, located on northwest quarter of section 25. where he died in 1852. He served as justice of the peace some three teuns atter 1:35.
Early in 1833 John D. Hundley came from Fayette County, Ohio, and settled on the north fraction of section 20, where he remained a perma- nent resident. He was greatly devoted to hunting and trapping. The same season Henry and Samuel Parrott, also from Fayette County, set- tled in this township. Henry located on northeast quarter of section 25, where he lived until about 1839, when he moved to Iowa, where he died some years since. Samuel settled on southeast quarter of section 23, where he remained until 1846, when he traded farm, with his brother Thomas, but finally sold out entirely to Dr. Miller and went to lowa, where he has since died. Leonard Miller came the same sexsoti from the same county, and remained here as a hunter until the death of his wife, when he went to Indiana, where he has since died.
About the same time and from the same place came George Rupert and settled on southwest quarter of section 24, where he remained some time and then sold to William Hussey and moved to Anglaize County, where he died in 1$77. aged about eighty six years.
John W. Brown and his son John N., formerly of Ontario County, New York, moved here from Miami County, Iowa, in 1933, and settled on northwest quarter of section 22. Here they put up a wayon repair shop and a blacksmith shop, and engaged Aaron La. Johns as workman. They also erected a log horse-tread-till, which they operated about tia years. In December, 1897, he moved to Mention, where he died in 18Ha. John N. then moved to Mercer, and Onally to Missouri in 1842, where his wife and mother both died, and he went to California.
Edward Upton came from Hardin County, Kentucky, in 1833, and io- cated on northeast quarter of section 35 and northwest quarter of 36, where he lived until 1851, when he sold to Henry Patterson and moved to Illinois, where his wife died some years ago. His oldest son, John, still lives in this township.
About the same time James T. Heath, oldest son of John Heath, set- tled on northeast quarter of section 19, where he died in 1849. Alfred Bigelow, of Hardin County, Kentucky, also settled on northwest quartet of section 34 the same year, but in 1539 sold out and went to Illinois, where he has since died.
In 1831 Samuel Davis and Benjamin Nolan came from Miami County. Davis settled on northwest quarter of section 35, where he lived mitil 1863, when he sold to Samuel Hankins, and lived with his son up to the date of his death, occurring in 1868. His wife had died two years earlier. Nolan located on northwest quarter of section 31, and remained there until 1-12 or 1:43, when he sold out and went to Indiana. Late the same season Abraham Abbey came from Outario, New York, with his wife and child, and lived on several tracts of land until 185. when he sold to Thomas Upton and returned to New York, where he has since died. Thomas Upton had just came from Hardin County, Kentucky, and was vet unmarried. He taught school during the winter, and worked at clearing land in summer. He returned at once to Kentucky, where he was married, and brought his wife to this township, and permanently located on cast half of southeast quarter of section 35 in 1ST.
In 1431 Jantes Watts moved to east ledt of section 25, where an im- provement was already made. He was a cooper by occupation, and come from Montgomery County. Ohio. Remained here working at his trade in bad weather, but giving his chief attention to the improvement of his land up to his death in January, 1&13.
William Mc Michael came at same time from same place, and settled on northeast quarter of section 20, where he lived a few years and sold out, when he moved to sectionll, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Daniel Marlin moved here from Hardin County, Ky., the same year,
389
C. B. COLLINS.
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MRS. H. L. COLLINS.
FRONT VIEW OF RESIDENCE .
"OAK HILL FARM" RESIDENCE AND FARM OF C. B. COLLINS. UNION TNP. MERCER C). OHIO.
393
HISTORY OF VAN WERT AND MERCER COUNTIES, OHIO.
And settled on northwest quarter of section 33, where he remained up to his death, which occurred in 1x75.
In spring of 1535, John Tomlinson moved here from Madison County, Ohio, and occupied the northeast quarter of section 5, where he thed in 1846. His son-in-law, John Ross, located at the same time on northwest quarter of sertion 5. The same year Wesley A. Parrott came here from Fayette, and was followed the same season by his father, John Parrott, who settled on northeast quarter of section 25, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Jonathan E. Dutton, from Montgomery County, came here in the fall of 1835, and settled on northwest quarter of section 34, but sold out the next year and built a tannery at Mendon, where the remainder of his life was spent. About the same time Resin P. Webb married Lucinda Hays, and settled on southeast quarter of seetion 31, where he died in Is74.
In the autumn of 1836 John Edge moved from Fayette County to this township, and located on southeast quarter of section 15, where he resided several years, but at length sold out and moved to southwest quarter of section 23, where he still lives.
Early the same year Jacob Panabaker came here from Miami County, and located at Mendon ( then Guilford), and built a saw- and grist mill on the St. Marys River. Although small, it was of great service to the settlers. In 1941 be traded the mill to Benjamin Griffin, Jr., for land in section 12.
Elhanan Porter, a carpenter and millwright, came about the same time, and helped Panabaker in building the mill. He then entered land in section 21, but soon left the township.
Adam Panabaker came also in 1836, and located on southwest quarter of section 29, where he died in 1861.
The same spring Asa Presho, formerly of New York, came here, and the following year located on southwest quarter of section 33, where he died in 1857.
Job Harmon moved from Miami County the same season, and settled on southwest quarter of section 7, where he lived one year, when, sell- ing out, he went to Missouri.
Nathan Perry also came from Miami County this year, and settid on southeast quarter of section 26, where he lived until 1844, when he went to Indiana.
Eleazur S. Wright, from same place at same time, settled on north- west quarter of section 22, where he remained during his life.
Robert Martimore came at same time from Madison County, Ohio, and located on northwest quarter of section 5. He was a wheelwright, and devoted considerable time to making chairs, spinning-wheels, and reels for the settlers here.
In February, 1837. Christian and John Gist came to the township. John located on east half and Christian on west half of northwest quarter of section 15, but both sold out and took leases on the school section. They both died some years since.
The same spring Jacob Peterman moved here from Coshocton County, and settled on northwest quarter of section 17. The next year, while assisting at the raising of the first bridge across the St. Marys, at Men- don, he fell dead by a stroke of apoplexy.
Samuel Ross came from Miami County, and made improvements on southeast quarter of section 22, where he spent the remainder of his life. Christian Wertz came from Preble County, and settled on northwest quarter of section 36. He was a potter, and worked part of the time at this trade; still resides on same farm.
The same year William Murlin and Samuel Shepherd came from Har- din County, Ky. Martin located on southeast quarter of section 34, and Shepherd on southwest quarter of section 35.
This year David P. Protsman came here from. Montgomery County, and settled on northeast quarter of section 13, which he subsequently sold, but still remained in this township. He now resides on section IN. Daniel Arnold and John Hines, formerly of Pennsylvania, came from Wayne County, Ohio, at this time. Arnold settled on southeast quarter of section 13, and Hines on northeast quarter of same section.
Late the same year Michael Deniston came in, and lived a short time with his son-in-law.
Isaac Lamunion came from Hardin County, Ky., late in 1837. and, after changing about some time, finally became a permanent resident on southwest quarter of section 25, where he still resides.
In 1838 John B. Hickernell came from Wayne County, Ohio, and set- theit on southeast quarter of section 10. He was a tador, and worked chiefly at his trade.
Jacob Sheaver, of Pennsylvania, located on southwest quarter of see- tion 15 in 1534, but at length sold out and moved to section 22, where he died some years since.
James Anderson, also of Pennsylvania, came at same time and settled on southeast quarter of section Ii, but finally moved to Van Wert.
John Price of Licking County, enme in this year, and located on northwest quarter of section 1, where he died a few years ago. He was a weaver, and worked largely at his trade.
Robert Platt came here and located on southeast quarter of section IG, but finally went to Ilinois.
John Protoman came here from Montgomery County in 143%, and set- 40
Uled on southeast quarter of section 18, where he spent the remainder of his life.
In 1839 William Hussey came from Highland Co., Ohio, and settled on southeast quarter of section 24, where he died in 1865.
Everett Sinclair came here with Hussey, and bought land of B. Griffin, but after a few years went to Indiana.
John M. Toland, of Miami County, came here the same season, and set- tled on northeast quarter of section 36, where he remained until about 1344, when he sold out, and soon after moved to Indiana. His brother Alfred came here in winter, but died soon after, and his family returned to Miann County, Ohio.
In 1840 Jacob Krugh came from Wayne County, Ohio, and settled on section 17, but a few years later moved to southwest quarter of same section, where he lived until 1875, when he moved to Celina.
George Fireovid moved here about the same time, and bought the west half of south quarter of the section.
In 1840 Robert II. Dunathan, & son-in-law of John Protsman, com- meneed an improvement on cast half of northeast quarter of section Is, and continued a permanent resident until his death. He served as jus- tive of the peace, and one terin as commissioner of the county. He was a native of Franklin County, Pa., from where he moved to Dayton, and afterwards to Sidney, Ohio. From Sidney he came to this county, where he spent the remainder of his life.
Joseph Severus came here from Miami County, Ohio, and located on northwest quarter of section 12, where He became a permanent resident.
But we must pause : we have reached 1840, and find settlers scattered throughout the township. We have recalled those pioneers, noted their arrival, and stated their nativity. They came from New York, from Pennsylvania, from Virginia, but especially from Kentucky and the older counties of Ohio. They followed closely in the wake of the red man, whose tracks were yet fresh, and whose shadow was yet visible as he pur- sued his way towards the west after his cession of lands by the treaty of St. Marys. -
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