The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 69

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076

USA > Ohio > Hardin County > The history of Hardin county, Ohio > Part 69

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Thomas Hitchcock, a native of Richland County, Ohio, then a resident

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of Crawford County, in February, 1836, came to this township and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 7. He married Naomi Cory, by whom he had the following children, viz., Isaac, Cory, Sarah, Elmer and others whose names are not now remembered. After many years' residence here, they removed to Indiana, and subsequently to California, where his wife died. About 1843-44, Isaac Hitchcock, father of the above Thomas, settled at Hunt- ersville, where he erected a carding machine, and carried on quite an extensive business for several years, and died here. He was twice married. Children- Thomas, James, Nancy, Isabel and Mary, by first wife ; Henry, Moses, Sarah, Bigelow, Samuel and Jane by his second wife.

Peter Foglesong came here from Coshocton County, Ohio, and settled on Section 3, in 1836. He married a Miss Cessna, and resided here till his death.

Chester Hatch, a native of Medina County, settled on Section 1, in Cessna Township, in 1836, where he still resides, and is one among the most reliable and substantial men of the township. In his early life, he taught school many years. He has always been a strong advocate of temperance. In an early day, when he erected his house, some of his neighbors told him he must get a jug of whisky, or they would not help him raise the house. It was against his principles to do such a thing, but finally he went to Kenton and bought a jug filled with whisky, and started for home. On his way, he was reflecting upon what he was doing, and the more he thought upon the subject the more dis satisfied he became over his course of action ; finally, he grasped his jug of whisky and dashed it against a tree, effectually destroying both jug and whisky, declaring that if he could not get his house raised without whisky, it should never be raised. But his neighbors helped him raise his house, although they had some fun and jokes over the broken jug, some of the pieces of which some neighbor had found, and brought to the raising. Mr. Hatch is the father of two sons-David and William.

Mr. Whitesides, also from Medina County, settled on the same quarter-sec- tion at the same time with Mr. Hatch. He taught school many years ; was a man of firm character and principles, and who, with Mr. Hatch, did much toward molding the morals and good character of this community. Mr. Whitesides died on the adjoining section on the north, in Washington Township. He was the father of one child-James.

Loyd Leonard settled on Section 16, in 1836. He was noted as a great hunter, but resided here only a few years, then moved away.

Moses Kibby, with his wife Tamar, settled near the northwest corner of Cessna Township in 1837, where his wife died. He subsequently moved to Lima, Ohio, where he died. Their children were Lucy, Harman, Janette and others.

Samuel Calhoun, about 1838-39, came here and purchased the place of John Houser, but, after a few years' residence, moved away. William Cessna, Thomas Leedom and Joseph Leper also settled here between 1832 and 1835. Some of the McCoud family, who were early settlers at Fort McArthur, became quite early settlers on the Scioto River in Cessna Township; but their history will be found in Buck Township, where the family first located.

POLITICAL HISTORY.

Cessna Township was organized in 1834, and is the Congressional Towil- ship 4 south, Range 10 east, and was named for Charles Cessna, one of the early settlers within her borders. The first election was held at an old school- house on Section 11. The record is so badly mutilated we were only able to ascertain that Charles Cessna was one of the Trustees, and Joseph Lemont, First Clerk. In 1835, we find Thomas McGoldrick, Charles Cessna and Jonathan Mathews were elected Trustees ; Joseph Wilson, Clerk; Daniel

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Trump, Treasurer, and Thomas McGoldrick, Constable. Thomas Leedom seems to have been the first Justice of the Peace, although no account of his election exists. Samuel McCoy served fifteen or twenty years as Justice of the Peace in the early history of the township, but none of either of their descendants are left to tell the tale.

In 1840, the following township officers were elected : John . A. Houser, Levi Mathews and John Leedom, Trustees ; William Mathews, Clerk and Constable ; Smiley Mathews, Treasurer. In 1850, Jonathan Mathews, George Bate- son and Chester Matchwere elected Trustees ; Bernard Mathews, Clerk ; James Leeper, Treasurer, and Elihu Mathews, Assessor. The present officers of the township are J. N. Huey, Josiah Obenour and Valentine Eccarius, Trustees ; S. D. Guider, Clerk ; Jonathan Davis, Treasurer; G. J. Witherall, Assessor ; S. R. Calvin, Constable.

The following is a list of the Justices of the Peace : Thomas McGoldrick, Thomas Leedom, Samuel McCoy, Peter Ash, F. M. Cory, Jonathan Mathews, Simon A. Reid, Robert Whitesides, Ellis Sams, Valentine Eccarius, Charles Jackson, George Mesbaum, T. J. Miller and John C. Smith, Simon A. Reid and T. J. Miller.

The following gentlemen appraised the land of the township: Harrison P. Dart, 1850 ; Simon A. Reid, 1860 ; Michael Shirkey, 1870 ; John U. Strahm, 1880.

The present population of the township by the census of 1880 is 966, all white. There are at present about 200 voters in the township, pretty evenly divided, Democrats and Republicans both claiming a majority on a full vote, but, at this time, a majority of the township officers is Republican, although the election generally turns on the personal popularity of the candi- date, and as a general rule fills the offices with the best men.

CHURCHES.

In this as in most other backwoods districts, the first preaching was held in private houses, schoolhouses, and in the groves, when the weather permitted. Early in 1835, the Rev. Kinnear, a Methodist preacher, organized a small class at the house of Joseph Wilson in Section 1. This class consisted of seven persons, viz. : Joseph Wilson and wife, Samuel Badley, wife and daughter, Ellen, John C. Dill, who was chosen class leader, and Susan Teeters, who sub- sequently married Isaac Draper. About 1840-41, the society, having largely in- creased, then numbering about sixty members, erected a log building on the corner of Mr. Wilson's farm, he donating a lot for that purpose, and the church was dedicated under the name of " Salem." The ministers were the same, who preached to the Kenton class, this whole region being then in one circuit. About twelve years ago, the old structure was torn down, and the present neat frame edifice erected, three-quarters of a mile west of its former site. Salem Church possesses a large membership, embracing many of the leading citizens of Cessna Township, while the large number of young people belonging to the church is a healthy sign of prosperity and stability of character. A good Sunday school is connected with this church, and Methodism may be said to be the prevailing belief in Cessna Township.

At an early day, the Presbyterians organized a small class where David Hizer lives, composed principally of the Mathews family and James Hamilton.

The Disciples Church formed, and still have, a considerable church in the township, but own no house of worship ; they meet at the schoolhouse in Dis- trict No. 2.

The meeting house called "Obenour's" was built by the Protestant Method- ists, on the north line of Section 4, at an early day, and passed into the hands of the Evangelical Church. It is now very little used and is rapidly falling into

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decay. Though these comprise nearly, if not all, the active religious bodies in the township, yet most of the leading churches have adherents living within its boundaries, and the community ranks as highly moral and religious.

SCHOOLS.

The schools of Cessna Township, during her early settlement, were like those in most other new settlements in Ohio, few and far between ; taught in some kitchen or some rudely constructed log cabin, with the larger part of one end appropriated as a fire-place; a log cut from one side and greased paper over the opening, forming the window; a puncheon floor, long slab " benches, and a plank against the wall for a writing desk, completing the furni- ture. The first school of which we can get any account was taught by James Hamilton, about 1835, at his own house. John G. Lee taught a year later, in a house on Section 8. The first schoolhouse was built on Section 11, about the year 1836, and, a year or so later, one was built on Section 8. Among the early teachers, besides the two above named, was Simon A. Reed.

At present, the township is divided into six school districts, all furnished with brick or frame houses, with the latest improved desks and seats, black- boards, etc., and supplied with well qualified teachers, in fact all that is neces- sary to give the rising generation a fair start on the high road to knowledge and a fair education.

CEMETERIES.

The first interment in Cessna Township was on Fractional Section 36, just across the river from Fort McArthur, where three or four soldiers were buried during the occupation of the fort in 1813, but their names are lost to history. Since the settlement of the country, some others have been buried on the same knoll. The Huntersville Graveyard is on Section 6, but the time of its location we have not been able to learn. The Salem Graveyard is located on the south line of Section 1, and has not been in use very long.

The Trustees have bought and fenced four acres on the west line of Section 23, but as yet none of the dead have found a resting place on this beautiful plat The settlers in the northwest part of the township used the Obenour Graveyard. A cemetery on the south line of Section 33, Washington Town- ship, is now used by many of the inhabitants of the northern part of Cessna, and the custom so prevalent in most newly settled communities, of each farmer burying on his own farm, is fast being abandoned, and the dead are being con- gregated in public cemeteries, where their resting places will be taken care of and respected.

SOCIETIES.

The only society that exists in Cessna Township is the First Mutual Pro- tection Association of Hardin County. The object of the society is to protect the property of its meinbers from theft or malicious destruction, and to arrest and convict criminals.

The officers are : President, J. D. Cessna; Secretary, W. M. Reed ; Treas- urer, George Cessna ; Captain, W. A. Martin ; First Lieutenant, W. A. Guider; Second Lieutenant, Charles Craft; Third Lieutenant, William Detwiler ; Fourth Lieutenant, Josiah Obenour ; Fifth Lieutenant, Benjamin Ault ; place of meeting, Schoolhouse, District No. 1.

PIONEER REMINISCENCE.

When Levi Mathews first settled on the farm where he now resides, he lived in an old Indian bark house until he cut logs and put up a cabin, and got it ready to move into. He says that game was so plentiful that he scarcely ever needed to go off his own land for a supply of meat. Deer, turkey, rabbit or squir-

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

rel, and occasional bears and wolves, were plenty about the marsh. Allen Leper, one of the first settlers of Cessna Township, a regular backwoodsman and hunter, who settled in the township in 1833, came from the backwoods of Pennsylvania, and was perhaps the best trained hunter and Indian scout that settled in Hardin County. John Perry Euline, who was born in Columbus, Ohio, July 19, 1817, and came to Hardin County in 1835, is about the last representative of the old-time hunter left in the township. He still can be seen with his trusty rifle on bis shoulder, with nothing larger to shoot at than a rab- bit or squirrel, and he sighs for the game of " Auld Lang Syne."

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

BOUNDARIES, SURFACE, RIVERS, SOIL, TIMBER, ETC.

This political subdivision occupies a central position in the county, and was organized as a township, with its present metes and bounds, by the Commissioners in 1834, and held its first general election for county officers October 14, 1834. It has the honor of containing Kenton, the county seat, and is one of the largest townships of the county, in the extent of its terri- tory, being six miles in width from east to west, and an average of six and one-third miles from north to south, and contains thirty-eight square miles, or about 24,320 acres. It is bounded on the north by Blanchard and Jackson Townships, on the east by Goshen and Dudley Townships, on the south by Buck Township, and on the west by Cessna Township. Thus it can be seen that the general contour is that of a square. Its southern boundary follows the course of the Scioto River from the western to the eastern extremities of the township, which is its principal stream as well as the largest stream of Hardin County, its course being from northwest to southeast, and the north boundary line of the township passing directly east and west on the sec - tion line, this diagonal course of said stream-the southern boundary-con- stitutes the entire length of the east boundary line about seven and one- third miles, and the western line about five and one-third miles. The next most important stream is Blanchard Creek; this stream is composed of two forks or branches, both taking their rise in the southern central part of the township. The eastern fork takes its rise in the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 34; the western fork takes its rise in the northern part of the corpo- rate limits of Kenton, both of which flow in a general north ward direction, gradually converging until they unite in the extreme north part of the township, in the northwest quarter of Section 3, and thence enters Blanch- ard Township. In the eastern or southeastern part of the township, is the Tymochtee Creek, which rises on the northeast corner of Fractional Section 2, about one-half or three-fourths of a mile north of the Scioto River, and flows northeast about four miles, where it leaves this township in the south- east quarter of Section 13, and passes into Goshen Township. In the northwest part of the township is Cessna Creek, which enters this township in the northwest quarter of Section 18, flows northeast to the northern part of Section 8, thence directly north into Blanchard Township. The above are all the important streams and creeks within Pleasant Township.

The surface of this township is uniformly level, as much so, perhaps, as any of the fifteen subdivisions of the county. In the southern border of

Gro W. Williams

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the township, along the Scioto River, the surface gradually rises toward the north for one-fourth to one-half mile, where it becomes level, apparently. and continues thus to the southern borders of Blanchard and Jackson Town- ships, although really it has a gentle slope to the north, as is indicated by the course of the streams. And here will be a marked peculiarity. Not- withstanding the Scioto River flows along the entire southern boundary, and receives an abundance of tributaries from the south, yet it does not have one single stream from the north from Pleasant Township to swell its vol- ume of waters as it rolls on its onward course; but not a mile north from its banks, as described above, the Blanchard and Tymochtee take their rise and flow from it northward toward the lakes. This peculiarity also exists in Dudley Township, and is mentioned in the history of that township. This is, we believe, strictly a singularity of the Scioto. From the Scioto marsh through its entire course in Hardin County, and also in Marion County, to the point where it is deflected to a southward course, it does not receive a single tributary from the north of sufficient magnitude to be called a stream. It appears to have its channel so close to the summit of the great " dividing ridge " of Hardin County -- and of Ohio-that there is no opportunity for streams to form or flow into its northern banks.

This township is composed of a clay and loam soil, and is almost uni- versally rich and productive, yielding abundant crops of wheat, corn, oats, potatoes and hay; for the latter product, it is especially suited, and equals, if not, excels, any other township of the county. Its peculiar composition of clay, loam and sand, and underlaid, as the greater portion of it is, with a stratum of limestone, gives it the power of holding moisture combined with strength and warmth, so conducive to the rapid, abundant and luxuriant growth of grasses. Although in many portions the farms are comparatively new, many of which, only a few years ago, were entirely covered with the mighty forests, yet we find a large number of beautiful farms, with fine buildings and improvements, showing plainly the force of labor and enter- prise of their occupants; that they are not merely content with the produc- tiveness of the soil, but are vying with many farmers in older settled countries in the excellence and convenience of their buildings and the at- tractiveness and beauty of their homes.

Pleasant Township, like most of the territory of this county, was origin- ally very heavily timbered, and the yeomanry of the early settlers had no easy work to open out their farms and rid them of the "mighty giants of the forests." The varieties of the " woody incumbrances" were much the same as in other townships; white, black and red oak, beech, elm, maple, ash, hickory, walnut, sycamore and buckeye were-the principal species.

PIONEERS.

Some of the early settlers of this township made their first location at Kenton, and were identified with its beginning, growth and progress during their entire lives, and of such the reader is referred to the history of that town.

From the best information now obtainable, it appears that John John- son was the first person to become a permanent settler in what is now known as Pleasant Township. He came here from Marion County, Ohio, and entered eighty acres of land upon which he settled in 1828. He drove through the forests from Marion County, Ohio, with an ox team, and had to cut out his road the entire distance from the old Sandusky road to Fort McArthur. He is still living; is now eighty-nine years of age; has made

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

a continued residence here of about fifty-five years, and has seen the growth and progress of the township from its most primitive condition to its pres- ent beautiful farms and fine improvements. The wild beasts and forests have disappeared; the pioneer cabins and log schoolhouses have been re- placed with fine, comfortable frame and brick houses, and, instead of the occasional sermons from the itinerant preachers at their private log dwell- ings, there are now dotted over the country beautiful church edifices, with their tall spires pointing proudly to the skies, within whose walls are weekły heard the glad tidings of salvation. This venerable pioneer has been a liv- ing witness of all these great changes, and still he lingers upon the shores of mortality, and doubtless cherishes many fond recollections of the "by gone days " of the honest and unpretentious, yet happy pioneers. Mr. Johnson is the father of the following children: David, Polly, Olive, Mariah, Elizabeth. Ann, James and William.

Three brothers-John H., Jacob H. and George H. Houser-natives of Virginia, emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio; thence, in 1830-31, came to Hardin County. John entered land on the north bank of the Scioto River, in Fractional Section 2, where he soon after erected a saw and grist mill-one of the first ever erected in this county. These mills he ran a few years, and sold out and removed to Washington Township, where he remained a resident several years, but finally removed to Indiana. He was four times married, and was the father of two sons and three daughters, of whom one daughter-now Mrs. Robert Smith-is still a resident of this township. The others are located in the West. Jacob H. Houser settled about one mile east of Kenton; was twice married and was the father of four sons and three daughters: but subsequently he removed to Iowa with all his family, except two daughters-Ellen, now widow of Dr. U. P. Leighton, who resides in Kenton, and Mrs. Decatur, a resident of this township. George H. Houser and family located on the site of Kenton.

John Ryan came here from Fayette County, Ohio, and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 28, about 1832, where he resided a few years and removed to Illinois. He served as Sheriff of the county from 1835 to 1839.

James Hayes settled on the southwest quarter of Section 18, it is be- lieved, about 1832-33, and was the purchaser of the Houser Mill, but, after a few years' residence here, moved away.

John C. Dille, from Richland County, Ohio, settled un Section 29 in the fall of 1833, but remained only a few years when he sold out and re- turned to Richland County.

Samuel Wagner was born in Berks County, Penn., November 8, 1800; removed to Hazardstown, Md., in 1824, and in engaged in the milling busi- ness. In the spring of 1833, he removed to this county and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 35, where he still resides, having made a con- tinued residence here of fifty years. December 25, 1834, he was united in marriage with Mary Hosman, by whom he had three sons and four daugh- ters. In 1834, he was elected a Justice of the Peace. He is now one of the oldest resident pioneers of the township and has accumulated quite a property, being one of the largest land-owners of Pleasant Township.

Abel H. Allen was born in Hardy County, Va., in 1803, and, when seven years of age, removed with his widowed mother to Ohio. In 1831, he was married to Miss Rebecca Mackey, and, in 1833, settled on the banks of the Scioto, two miles east of Kenton. In 1852, he removed to an adjoining farm, where he died December 24, 1873. His widow still survives, aged seventy-three years.

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PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

Levi Hosman, from Richland County, Ohio, settled on the southwest quarter of Section 23 in 1832-33. He married Mary Wilson, by whom he had the following children: Mary Ann, Rachel, Elizabeth, Margaret, Thomas and Isaac. Subsequently, he removed to Iowa, where he died. He was a good neighbor and an excellent citizen.

Benjamin Faught, a native of Virginia, became an early resident of Greene County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1833 removed to this county, and settled on land where the infirmary is now located. He remained a resi- dent of this township till his death. He had two sons-Preston and James -and five daughters, all of whom settled in the West.

Reading Hineline, from Muskingum County, Ohio, settled on leased land east of Kenton, in 1833-34, where he raised a large family, but sub- sequently all moved away but two daughters, who reside here-the one is now Mrs. Gary and the other Mrs. Castor.

John Gardner, a native of Maryland, became an early settler of Rich- land County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1833 came to this county and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 22, where he resided till his death. He was twice married; first to a Miss Williamson; she died, and he married a Miss Peaver, who now survives him, and with some of the children are still residents of this county. The balance of them have removed West.

William Williamson, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio in an early day and married Catharine Bright, and resided in Richland and Ash- land Counties until March 13, 1834, when, after an eight days' journey through the wilderness, a distance of seventy-five miles, they arrived in this township and settled on the northwest quarter of Section 26, where he en- tered 160 acres of land, erected his cabin right in the woods, and com- menced to make a farm and a home. But in less than two years' time death released him from further pioneer work. He died in February, 1836, leav- . ing a wife and four small children.

John Castor, a native of Virginia, became an early settler of Richland County, Ohio; thence, in the spring of 1834, came to this county, and set- tled on the northeast quarter of Section 23, where he lived until his death.

Joseph Peaver, a native of Virginia, first emigrated to Fairfield County, Ohio, thence, about 1834, settled on the northwest quarter of Section 24, in this township, where he and his wife died. Their children were John, Uriah, Susan, Elizabeth, Benjamin and Margaret.

Bernard Mathews was born in Dublin, Ireland, April 15, 1801; emi- grated to America in 1834, with his wife and two children. They arrived in Kenton August 1, 1834, and soon after settled on land northwest of Kenton, where he resided two years; thence removed across the line into Cessna Township, where he resided until his removal to Kenton in the fall of 1892, where he now resides. He raised a family of seven sons and three daughters.

David Kellogg, a native of Massachusetts, settled on the south west quarter of Section 22 on May 22, 1835, and remained a resident and died near Kenton. Of his children, Daniel helped his father open out the road through the forests from their farm to Kenton, where the pike is now located. Daniel says he often got lost in going to Kenton-a distance of only one mile. On one occasion he came very near being out all night. On Sabbath evening he went to town, to get some medicine for his father, who was ill, and on his way returning lost his course and wandered about until 10 o'clock at night, when he chanced to hear the cow-bell, which guided him home. Daniel finally entered 160 acres of land in Jackson Township, upon which he settled and where he has since resided.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 69

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1076

Author: Warner Beers & co., Chicago, pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago : Warner Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1076