The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 73

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 73

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Joseph Ryan came here from Fayette County, Ohio, and settled near the Scioto Marsh in 1838. He married Priscilla Bales and died on the

D. G. Rainsburg

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place where he first settled. His wife still survives, and resides in Illinois. Their children were as follows: Priscilla, Thomas, William, James, John, Lucinda, Hinkle and one or two that died quite young.

James M. Nelson was born in Washington County, Penn., February 25, 1805; in 1815, came to Ashland County, Ohio, with his parents; in 1833, he married Susanna D. Mathews, of Crawford County, a daughter of Isaac and Nancy Mathews. In February, 1838, they removed to Hardin County, and settled on land now owned by S. W. Phillips, in Section 12, Marion Township, which he had previously entered in 1834. Here he resided - through life. He died February 3, 1864. His wife died just thirteen days later, February 16, 1864, aged forty-nine years, both being taken away by that fatal disease, spotted fever. Mr. Nelson was an exceptional man in integrity of character and exemplariness of Christian life; ever ready, with his means and influence, to aid all matters for the general public good of his community, both in its secular and religious interests. He was identi- fied with the Presbyterian Church from its first organization, becoming one of its constituent members at its organization in 1841, and was appointed its first Elder. He was the father of ten children, of whom seven now survive -Rachel J., Nancy M., John W., Emma K., Alvin S., Milton H. and Wil- bur M. Those deceased were Willis C., died in 1855; Sarah M., died in 1870, and Mary E., who married William Cooney, and died in the fall of 1874.

James Miller was born in Center County, Penn., in 1808, and settled in Marion Township in 1839.

Marshall Carman, a native of Maryland, settled on northwest quarter Section 6 in 1842. John A. Dunlap settled on Section 33 in 1845. Joseph and James Powell, Robert Preston, Asa Cooney, Samuel Hagerman and the Dempsters were also early settlers.

TIMBER.

The principal timber is beech, white and black ash, elm, sugar and soft maple, basswood or lynn, burr oak, with some white oak, hickory, black- walnut, hackberry, mulberry and hornbeam or ironwood.

The timber trade of this part of the country is quite considerable; large quantities of ash are sawed into thick stuff and shipped to the different agricultural works of the State, and Hardin County hickory is shipped largely, in the log, to the penitentiary and other buggy wheel factories, and considered the best timber that can be had anywhere for the manufact- ure of buggies, and the best of ax-handle timber exists in great abundance.

The despised elm is now being cut into staves and shipped to all parts for salt, lime and flour barrels, and considerable lynn is used for the same purpose, but more of the lynn is used by the shavings mills for mattress, cushions, packing, etc. The sugar maple makes the best of chair tim- ber, but this industry is not followed to any extent as yet in this part. The day has come when timber is not a nuisance as it was a few years back, when the farmer's only question was-How can I get rid of it the soonest, so I can cultivate the soil ?

SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCTS.

The soil of Marion Township is a deep, black alluvium, of very different depths, resting on the drift clay, which is very heavy in this township-in fact, so deep that it has never been pierced to the underlying rocks at any points known of in the township. There have not, as yet, been any stone

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

quarries, gravel or sand pits discovered in the township, but strong indica- tions of gravel deposits are seen in the washes along the road on Section 31, in the elevations seen in the southwest corner of the township, but no in- dication of stone is to be seen anywhere in the township. The stone, where found in the surrounding country, is all water lime, and it is reasonable to suppose that the drift clay of unknown thickness rests on a bed of that stone. Along the ridge north of the marsh, the soil proper is not so deep in many places-less than one foot in depth-while in the low lands sur- rounding the marsh, and in the bottoms of the swales, the alluvium has collected to the depth of several feet, making a soil almost inexhaustible, producing very heavy crops of corn, wheat and the grasses, while the lime in the underlying clay adds much to its productiveness and its lasting qualities.

The only stone found in the township is the drift bowlders, and they are not plenty-such as are suitable for pillars for barns, cribs, etc., having been generally used by the farmers. The largest bowlder met with in the township is seen near the northeast corner of Section 7, near the top of the water-shed. A good stone quarry in this township would be a mine of wealth-almost equal to a gold mine or a coal bank. The water supply is found by digging wells in the drift, and, generally, is not very abundant, but of good quality.

The climate, on account of the elevation and exposure, is as rigorous in winter as at any place in Ohio, and subject to all the changes produced by variable currents of wind. There is no place in the State subject to more sudden and extreme changes of temperature than the water-shed, but in summer, the cool breezes from Lake Erie are delightful, as they fan the brow of the husbandman under the scorching rays of a noonday sun. The prevalence of snow during the winter securely protects the wheat and other summer crops from the action of frost, which makes this one of the best coun- ties for wheat and winter small grain in the State. The amount of rain- fall is above the average for the State, and crops seldom suffer from drought, and the deep underlying drift holds moisture.

The products are wheat, corn, oats, rye, buckwheat, potatoes, clover, timothy, Hungarian, millet and fruits of all kinds. The soil and climate are, perhaps, better suited to wheat than any other crop, and large quantities are annually raised of a superior quality. Indian corn also grows very luxuriant, but the seasons are rather short for the maturing of the large varieties of this valuable cereal. Oats, rye and buckwheat are raised only in small quantities, but seem to do well. The soil appears to be well adapted to barley, but has been but little tried as yet. Potatoes do well, and are raised in considerable quantity and fine quality. Some of the finest specimens of potatoes, both Early Rose and New York Peachblows, that we ever saw were raised by Albert Dempster. Millet makes a heavy crop. The different clovers grow almost spontaneously, and clover seed is quite an article of commerce. Garden vegetables are found in great abundance. Apples grow large, and are of good quality. Peaches have, so far, done tolerably well; but we think when the country grows older that the trees will not last, or the crop be so sure. Small fruits have been but little tried, except on the fruit farm of John S. Shadley, who has made a success with grapes, which are not troubled with mildew or rot, and his berries produce well.

POLITICAL HISTORY.

The first election held in Marion Township was in the spring of 1836, when there were only about a dozen voters. The records of the township

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prior to 1852 were kept on loose sheets of paper, and are lost. In 1852, the Clerk, Henry F. Thompson, procured a little quarto blank book, on which a skeleton of the records was kept. Who the first officers were can- not, with any certainty, be ascertained, but, like other backwoods townships, the officers served for little or no pay, and if the work was rough it was honestly done, and the affairs of the township went harmoniously and cheaply forward to prosperity. Among the early officers, Sampson Shadley, James Thompson, Samuel Patterson, Sr., Jesse Garwood and Marshal Carman were among the first Trustees. The present officers are A. Runser, William Winters, O. M. McAdams, Trustees; J. F. Thompson, Clerk; J. P. Conner, Treasurer; Elihu Garwood, Constable, and Harrison Carman, Assessor. The officers of the township in 1850 -- the oldest record that is preserved-were as follows: J. W. Dempster, G. R. Sutton and Asaph Shad- ley, Trustees; T. K. Ford, Clerk; James Powell, Treasurer, and Isaac Hitchcock, Assessor. The present Justices of the Peace are John W. Demp- ster, C. W. Runser, both of whom have served in that capacity for several years, to the satisfaction of the people of the township.

VILLAGES, ROADS AND RAILROADS.

Marion Township is almost entirely an agricultural township. The only village within her border, up to the fall of 1882, was Huntersville, laid out June 21, 1836, by Thomas Hitchcock, in the northeast corner of Section 12, on the Kenton & Lima road, and adjoining Cessna Township. Some years back it could boast of a post office, two stores, a saw mill and black- smith shop, all of which were closed except Josiah Smith's shop. Dr. Evans located here a couple of years since, and is infusing new life into the old town. He started a small family grocery, and enjoys a fair and in- creasing practice in his profession. If they could succeed in regaining their post office, they might make it a place of some business yet.

Jagger is a new town, laid out in October, 1882, on the southeast corner of Section 8, where the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad crosses the Ada & Round Head Turnpike. Being near the middle of the township and, on a new through line of railroad, it may become a place of considerable trade. Two saw mills are already at work, with acres of logs around them. two or three new houses are in course of construction, and should the en- terprise of draining the marsh prove a success, this new village, situated on its northwest border, will become a place of considerable trade and quite a shipping point.

The roads of the township are the Ada & Round Head Turnpike, which enters the township on the north, on the line of Sections 3 and 4; thence south to the quarter line of Section 9; thence west, on said line, to east line of Section 8; thence south, bending somewhat to the west, around the marsh, leaving in Section 32 about one and three-quarter miles from the county line, and the Kenton & Ada pike which runs from the above on the north line of the township one and a quarter miles, turning southward across Sections 2 and 1 to Huntersville. There are also mud roads on most of the section lines out of the marsh.

The only railroad in the township is the Chicago & Atlantic, which crosses the township nearly east and west a little north of the middle of the township. It was finished in the spring of 1883.

CHURCHES.

Previous to about 1850, preaching was held at the cabins of the pioneers As early as 1840, a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed at

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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the house of James Thompson. After some years, it was moved to Mays- ville, Allen County. They now have a good frame house half a mile south of ·Maysville, also a building on Section 9.

The United Brethren formed a class, about 1870, and, in 1872, erected a nice building on the southwest corner of Section 19, on Samuel Patterson's land, called Pleasant Valley Church. The United Brethren had a house on the north line of Section 10, but it is not now used.

SCHOOLS.

The first schools of the township were, like the most of backwoods set- tlements, kept in any old building that could be procured at long intervals and short terms. The first school of which we could get any account was taught some time about 1836, by Samuel Kirtland, in a house on Section 11, and a house was built on Section 5 soon after. A schoolhouse was built on Section 32 toward the close of the fourth decade.

There are at present six good brick and frame schoolhouses in the town- ship, and they expended in the payment of teachers, in 1882, $1,370.92, and in building a new brick house in District No. 5, $1,940, and seating the same, $200. The people of the township are making very liberal appropriations for the education of the rising generation.

CEMETERIES.

There is but one cemetery in the township, on the northeast corner of southeast quarter of Section 9, and northwest corner of southwest quarter Section 10, each a quarter acre, making half an acre. There are a few scattered graves. Some of the Shadleys are buried on Section 11, but most of the dead are interred outside the township.

In closing this sketch, we would say that this township has within her borders elements of wealth second to no township in the county, and only needs the thorough draining of the great marsh to develop them.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

This township, it is believed, was named after Gen. Jackson, whose last term as President of the United States expired about the time of its organ- ization or soon after. It was constituted a township in the spring of 1836. As originally organized, it embraced the two eastern tiers of sections of its present limits and four tiers of sections now embraced in Wyandot County. Each tier of sections was six sections long from north to south; thus the township embraced thirty six sections. But upon the organization of Wyandot County, in 1845, the above-mentioned four tiers of sections were cut off and embraced in said county, when, to preserve the required territory and population for Jackson Township, two tiers of sections from the east side of Blanchard Township were struck off and embraced in said Jackson Township, which constituted its present limits, and is four sections wide from east to west, and six sections long from north to south, containing twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres. It is bounded on the north by Hancock and Wyandot Counties, on the east by Wyandot County, on the south by Goshen and Pleasant Townships and on the west by Jackson Town-

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ship; hence its geographical position is the northeast corner of Hardin County.

The surface is generally very level, with some portions slightly undulat- ing, except in the western and northwestern portions, or along the Blanch- ard River, where it is quite undulating and in some places hilly. In a few places the limestone crops out to the surface along this stream, and one or two good quarries are worked, from which some lime has been made of good quality, and large quantities of the stone have been broken up and used in the construction of roads and pikes.

The soil is exceedingly rich and fertile, and although, from the flatness of its surface and the saturable nature of the soil, it was originally very wet, yet, by a system of drainage, by ditching and tiling, it is now becom- ing very productive, and yields an abundant crop of wheat, corn, oats and hay; and as the system of drainage becomes more extended and perfected. so its productiveness and ease of cultivation are increasing.

The only stream of the township of any importance is the Blanchard River, the main stream entering this township in the southwest quarter of Section 23, and takes a zigzag course through the township a little east of north, and passes into Hancock County. In its course through Section 12, it receives its only tributary, in this township, which flows from the east border of the township in a northwest course, and emptying into the main stream as above-mentioned. The surface of this country was originally very heavily timbered, and requires a wonderful amount of toil and patient waiting of the pioneer to obtain a farm clear of stumps and roots, so as to be easy of cultivation.

This section was also, in an early day, quite affected with milk sickness, and being very flat and wet, with a luxurious growth of vegetation, fol- lowed by a rapid decay of the same, was very subject to malarial diseases, such as chills and fever. The sufferings and hardships of the first settlers here were probably equal to, and perhaps exceeded, those of most other countries; but as the forests were cleared away, and the son's rays, with their evaporating and purifying powers, were permitted to exert their in- fluence upon the soil and atmosphere, together with the effects of proper drainage, disease and sickness rapidly disappeared, until it is now con- sidered as healthy and subject to as few diseases as the average of coun- tries. The progress in this particular, as well as the improvements of every kind, have been remarkable and rapid.

A little more than twenty years ago, the locality that now embraces the enterprising town of Forest was little more than a " frog pond," with just a few old frame houses set up on high blocks to keep them above the water. And not only has there been this wonderful improvement at and around Forest, but the township is now dotted all over with fine, cultivated farms and beautiful residences, showing a wonderful contrast to its former con- dition, and exhibiting a marked result from the indefatigable labors and enterprise of its citizens. In 1836, when this township was organized, there were less than a dozen voters in the entire township, as shown by the small number of votes cast at its first election. But after 1840, its settlement and progress was more rapid, as shown by the population at the various decen- nial periods since, as follows: In 1850, the township had a population of 530; in 1860, it had incressed to 913; in 1870, to 1,412; in 1880, to 2,200.

PIONEERS.

In this township we find no exception to the general rule in the locating of the first settlers; but observe that along the course of Blanchard River

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were found its first pioneers. There is no question but that James E. Hues- ton was the tirst settler in what is now Jackson Township. In May, 1824, Mr. Hueston, with his family, came to Hardin County; but as a full sketch of this worthy pioneer will be found in Chapter IV of the general history, we refer the reader to that chapter for a further mention of his life.

Robert S. Wilson was born in Medina County, Ohio, and in 1833 came to Marion Township, Hardin County, a poor boy. He succeeded in obtain- ing employment in clearing land and assisting the inexperienced early set- tlers in erecting their log cabins. Game of all kinds was very plentiful, and one fall he sold coon skins enough, at 122 cents each, to purchase a barrel of flour at $6.50, which was quite a treat in those days. In this manner he worked, and by strict economy until be had reached manhood, he had saved money enough to purchase forty acres of land in the dense forests of

Jackson Township. He then married, and commenced to clear a spot for his cabin, while his young wife sat close by on a log with her knitting. He says that, while a hired young man, he cleared more than one hundred acres of land. After settling upon his own land and getting a good start in life, he commenced adding to his first piece more land, from time to time, till his farm contains 160 acres with good improvements. He is now living in Forest, where he has retired to spend the balance of his life in the en- joyment of the comforts of a competence which his own industry and energy has accumulated, an honored and respected citizen.

John Huffine came here from Pickaway County, Ohio, about 1829-30, and settled on land now owned by Samuel Briggs, where he resided several years, but subsequently removed to near Chillicothe. Peter Johnson, about 1833-35, came to this county, and settled on the northwest quarter of Sec- tion 26, which was then embraced in Blanchard Township. He resided here till his death. He served as a Justice of the Peace several years, a worthy and honored citizen.

John Howey came here from Richland County, but was a native of Penn- sylvania. He settled on land where Patterson now is in 1834, remaining there through life an honored and upright citizen.

John Packer came from Richland County and settled in the northwest. ern part of this township in 1834, where he resided many years, but subse- quently removed to the West; finally returning to Ohio, he died in the southern part of the State.

Thomas Ketch, from Columbiana County, settled on land two miles west of Forest in 1834. After several years' residence here he removed to Han- cock County, and thence to Nebraska. He married Miss Sarah Yerian, who died, and he subsequently married Rachel Mansfield. All his children moved to the West but one-Mary Ann, who married John Nous and re- sides in this township.

William Pisel came from Richland County about 1834, and settled where his widow still resides, and here he died October 13, 1859, aged forty- eight years. Their children were Sarah Jane, Jeremiah, Reuben, John, Thomas, Elizabeth, Washington and Mary Ann.

John Ropp, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Logan County; thence, about 1833-34, removed to this county and settled on land on the Blanchard, now owned by his son, where he died September 3, 1838.

William Pimperton was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1791, where he married Susannah Bassett. In March, 1827, they emigrated to America, landing at Port Hope, Canada, the following May. In June, 1835, he came

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to Hardin County, and entered 525 acres of land in Section 6, Jackson Township; returned to Canada, and, in 1838, brought his family to his new home. His wife died in 1846 and he in 1861.

Edward Warner was born in New Haven County, Conn., May 14, 1799, and when a lad, his parents, Richard and Polly Warner, removed to Cort- land County, N. Y., but he remained with his grandfather in Connecticut for some time, after which he went to his parents in New York. In the fall of 1828, he removed to Seneca County, Ohio. Before leaving New York, he married Sophronia Sales. In the fall of 1835, he removed to this coun- ty and settled on land now owned by Samuel Waltermire, in Section 5, Jackson Township. Here he opened out right in the woods, and com- menced to erect a cabin. From the few settlers then in the vicinity, he could get but seven to help him raise his cabin, and as a substitute for men he used oxen to roll up the logs to their proper places. He has now been a resident in the county nearly half a century; has witnessed the wonderful transformation of these mighty forests to fine, cultivated farms and beauti- ful homes. He was present at the organization of the township, and cast his vote at the first election, and was elected one of the first Trustees. He is now eighty-four years of age, and almost totally blind, having lost his sight about thirteen years ago. He is the father of nine children-Mary Othelia, Edward C., Bellva, Maria, Adeline, Lemira, Artemissa, Calvin E., Joseph V. and Sophronia C., all of whom, who now survive, have moved away.

Joseph Barnes, believed to have been a native of Pennsylvania, settled on the northwest quarter of Section 17 in 1835, where he resided several years; thence removed to Iowa. He was twice married, and raised a large family of children, who all moved away.

William Higgins was a native of Pennsylvania, where he married Mary A. Trissler. In 1835, with his wife and four children, he came to Ohio and settled on Section 2, this township; where he entered forty acres, and also forty acres in Section 11. He came through from his native State in a wagon, which he sold to raise money to enter his land. He died in 1859, in his eighty-fourth year. His wife still survives.

Stephen Purdy was a native of New York, where, in Dutchess County, he was married, February 1, 1817. In 1829, they removed to Ohio, and settled in Richland County. In 1836, they removed to this county and bought eighty acres in Section 12, where he followed his trade, that of a blacksmith. It is believed he was the first of that trade in Jackson Township. He died September 5, 1865, aged seventy-three years. His wife was Ann Tibbs, a native of New York, and still survives at the advanced age of eighty-three years.

Robert Briggs was born in Lincolnshire, England, where he married Mary Pickett, with whom he lived but a short time when, about 1834-or about one year after their arrival in this country and locating in Richland County, Ohio-she died, she, however, having borne him five children. In 1836, he removed to this county and purchased eighty acres of land in Section 2, in Jackson Township. He married, for his second wife, Mary Aldrich. She died, having borne him four children. Mr. Briggs died February 17, 1879, aged eighty years. He was a man of great moral worth, giving of his means freely for all educational and religious purposes and the general public good. Henry Zimmerman was a native of Mahoning County, Ohio, and married Elizabeth Bilger, of Columbiana County, and in the fall of 1836 removed to this county and settled south of Forest, on land

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now owned by Aaron Chance, in Section 18, where he remained till his death. He died November 22, 1870, aged sixty-five years. His children were John, George W., Rebecca A., Mary, Elizabeth, Franklin, Isabell, Samuel and Sarah (twins), Stanley and Jennie.

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The history of Hardin county, Ohio, Part 73

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