Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 20

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189

USA > Ohio > Hancock County > Findlay > Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens > Part 20

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

The following extract is from a paper read by Mr. George W. Trout, at a meeting of the Pioneer Association of Hancock County, held thirty years ago: "On November 12, 1828, my father, John Trout, with his family, left

Somerset, Perry County, Ohio, for the regions of Hancock. He passed through Thornville, Newark, Johnstown, Sunberry, Delaware and Marion, thence into the Wyandotte Reserve, where we remained one night, at the house of a widow Walker, a half-breed Indian, formerly the wife of an Indian. Here we had sight of the first Indians we ever beheld. We took din- ner and fed our teams the next day, at a tavern in Upper Sandusky, kept by one Armstrong. Mrs. Armstrong was an Indian. We crossed the Tymochtee Creek near the dwelling of John James. From this place we sent back our four-horse team, and father and my brother Ephraim proceeded to Van Buren, or rather to the settlement near there, as at that time and for many years thereafter, there was no town, to procure teams to take us the balance of the journey. After procuring the necessary teams, on their return, taking the Indian trail, they cut their way back, by way of the Big Springs. We were eleven days, anxiously awaiting their return. We again took up our line of march, and on the following night, stopped with Peter George, in what was then known as the "Swamp Settlement." On leav- ing Mr. George's, we were told to strike the river as far up as possible on account of high water. This we did, and came to the river at a point called Ashery Ford, but even here the water was so high, that in crossing it, it ran into the wagon box. That night we camped in the woods, having failed to reach any settle- ment.

"The next day, by dint of hard traveling, by a road we had to make as we went, we, at sunset, arrived at the house of a Mr. Powell, about three miles above Findlay. On the next day, about noon, we reached the old 'Fort,' passing on the way, a schoolhouse, which was

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a very insignificant log cabin. There were the first night in our cabin, our first inquiry then but sixteen buildings in Findlay, and these seemed to be built in mud and water.

"Though the town was then in its infancy, its people showed, by the generous assistance afforded us in crossing the river, they at least possessed noble hearts. We crossed the river in a 'Pirogue,' and passed the night in a shanty near where Carlin's mill now stands-now the location of the Toledo Bowling Green and Southern Electric Railroad office. We still had seven miles to go. Mother, brother John and I started on foot, and so continued our journey as long as the logs in the way furnished a passage over the water. But presently we reached the end of this natural bridge. Here, luckily for us, a Mr. Foster came to our relief. He took mother on the horse he had brought with him. All that was left for John and I was to wade, and we did wade until we reached Mr. Foster's house. We had by this time become quite cold, for it had snowed the night before.

Having been refreshed by the kindness of Mr. Foster and his family, we continued our journey, urging our cattle through the mud and over the logs, and at last, about the middle of the afternoon, tired out, we arrived at the house of Mr. Miller, on the farm on which Samuel Spitler now resides (now owned by Stephen D. Spitler). In the evening the bal- ance of our party arrived with the horses, but no wagons. The wagons had got stuck in the mud about three miles back, and the horses were unable to extricate them. It required all the next day to secure the wagons and bring them in, for it was sunset on December 15th, when they arrived at the cabin on the hill. These cabins were of the rudest build, and plainest surroundings. On the morning after

was, who are our neighbors, and how far are we from any place? We were on the eastern frontier of our immediate neighborhood, Mil- ler, Bryan and Frakes living about one mile to the west of us. Our nearest neighbor on the east was a Mr. Wade, who lived about eigh- teen miles distant. On the south, Mr. Foster lived at a distance of about six miles. On the west the nearest settlement was at Fort Defi- ance, about forty-eight miles away. Twelve miles to the north lived Mr. Haskins.

"Soon after our arrival, the Mr. Miller of whom I have spoken, died, and Mr. Frakes moved to his new home on the river, now the Infirmary farm, which left but two men in the settlement."

AMANDA TOWNSHIP.

Amanda Township borders on the east line of the county, south of the center line, and contains 17,380 acres. It is bounded on the north by Marion and Big Lick Townships, on the east by Wyandotte County, on the south by Wyandotte County and Delaware Town- ship, and on the west by Jackson Township. This township was organized in 1828, the first year of our county's existence.

In the year 1830, at the time of the organi- zation of Marion and Liberty Townships, the territory included in Amanda and Findlay Townships was so divided as to form the four townships Amanda, Marion, Findlay and Liberty. In December, 1831, it was ordered by the Commissioners that "The township of Amanda shall hereafter consist of the original Township I south, in Range 12, and Sections 34 and 35, in the original surveyed Township I north, in the 12th Range. This township at the present time, and ever since the formation

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of Wyandot County (Sections 34 and 35 hav- ing been restored to Township I north (Big Lick) by act of the County Commissioners), comprises Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36 in Township I south, Range II east, and Sections 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32 and 33 in Township I south, Range 12 east.

The timber was principally walnut, ash, oak, elm, hickory, beech, sugar. There were a few places in the township that were but sparsely wooded; notably so a tract in the northeast part known as the fallen timber re- gion, and a portion of the southeast known as the swamp.

In the eastern part of the township the soil is clay, mixed with sand and gravel and when once properly cultivated is very productive. In the south part is what the people here call the "swamp," a strip of land not many rods wide, but extending almost across the township, from east to west, the soil of which is a deep rich vegetable loam, mixed with sand. This tract at the early settlement of this section, was thought to be almost, if not wholly worthless. But as agricultural science developed the means by which it might be brought into use, it was found not only possible to reclaim it, but that when so reclaimed it was unusually productive. The river bottoms of a sandy, gravelly nature, plentifully mixed with the rich deposits of vege- table matter, made by the overflows of the water, of course are easily tilled, and yield al- most abundantly. In the northern part, as we have elsewhere observed, is a tract of about 800 acres known as the "Fallen Timber," the soil of which is a muck, mixed with portions of clay and sand. This tract was originally very wet, and it is owing to this fact, perhaps,

that so much of the timber especially the larger, has fallen.

The Blanchard River enters this town- ship near the southwest corner of Section twenty-five, runs east to about the center of the section, and then almost directly north through Sections 24, 13, 12, and into Section I, when it takes a north-westerly direction, leaving the township near the northwest corner. This river furnishes an abundance of water, as well as drainage for the most part of the township and is of im- mense value.

Buck Run, a small and unimportant stream, is the only tributary of the Blanchard, and is important only as a source of drainage. The Big Spring on the land of David Smith in the northeast of the township is most valuable on account of the great volume of water discharged as well as the excellent quality of the same. This is undoubtedly the largest spring in the county. Such is the amount of water discharged that an abundance is furnished for the watering of stock in all this part of the township.

Thomas Thompson made the first entry of land in this township, on the 25th day of February, 1822, being the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 3, and on the 27th day of the same month, the west half of the northeast quarter of the same section was entered by Henry McWhorter.

In October, 1823, John Brundidge entered the northwest quarter of Section 36 and John Smith entered the west half of the southwest quarter of the same section in December of the same year. In the month of March, 1825, Isaac Giffort, of the State of New York, made entry of the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 12. In

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STEAMER PASTIME AT PARK LANDING, FINDLAY

BLANCHARD STREET BRIDGE, FINDLAY

RIVERSIDE PARK, FINDLAY

PAVILION, RIVERSIDE PARK, FINDLAY

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1826, Ira Baker and John Shoemaker made entries. These were followed in 1827 by John Beard, Peter George, Abraham Cole and others, and in 1828 by Jesse Gilbert, John J. Hendricks, Andrew Beck and others.

In 1824 Thomas Thompson made the first settlement made in this township, near the Big Springs, about one mile from the site of the present town of VanLue,-the water of this spring is now used to supply the city of Findlay with water-and in 1825, John Huff and William Hackney came. Soon after came James Beard, John Shoe- maker, Henry George and Thomas Cole, followed by Peter George, James Gibson, John Hewitt and Aquilla Gilbert. Judge Abraham Huff was also a pioneer of this township. The first election held in the township was in 1828. Thomas Thompson was a resident of this township for more than fifty years, and was highly esteemed by his neighbors. He was engaged in farm- ing, an occupation which he followed to within a few years of his death. On his re- tirement he moved to the village of Van- Lue, where he spent his last years in quiet, and died, regretted by his many friends.

A well known character in the early days was Peter George, who was known as the "Pioneer Land Hunter," he having enter- tained, and guided through the forests of Hancock County, more land hunters and im- migrants than any other man in the county. He served as county commissioner for six years, with integrity and honesty of pur- pose. William Hackney was one of the first officers of the county, and is mentioned elsewhere.

Aquilla Gilbert, one of the first settlers of Jackson, as well as of this township, taught

the first school in this township. Mr. Gil- bert was prominently connected with the affairs of the county almost from its first organization, and held office in both town- ship and county. He was one of the com- missioners for six years, having been elected in 1837. He served as justice of the peace for five consecutive terms in Jackson Town- ship, and three terms in Amanda Town- ship.

The first schoolhouse, as stated by Aquilla Gilbert, was built in the Messemore neigh- borhood, and the first school was taught by Mr. Gilbert. Another opinion, that of J. M. VanHorn, is that the first schoolhouse was built near the center of the township, and that the first school kept in the town- ship was in a house on the farm of Uriah Egbert, in about the year 1831, and that one George Smith was teacher. It is not very material which of these gentlemen is cor- rect, for all agree that these two schools were almost, of not quite contemporaneous. There are now eight sub-districts in the township, each of hich has a comfortable schoolhouse, and nearly all are of brick construction.

The first church was built in 1831, in the south part of the township. It was known as the "Swamp Church" and was owned by the Lutheran denomination. Among the first membership, we find the names of Fred Brenner and ife, Adam Alspach and wife, and several members of the Beck family. The first sermon preached in the township was a Rev. Thompson, an Indian Mission- ary. There are now in this township eight church buildings as follows: one Metho- dist Episcopal, one Methodist Protestant, two United Brethren (one in Vanlue and

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one at "the swamp" properly known as the Union Church), one Baptist, one German Reformed, one Lutheran and one Disciples.

There have been three Post Offices in this township, but two of them were long since discontinued. The first established was the Blanchard Bridge at the house of Aquilla Gilbert, on the Blanchard River. Mr. Gil- bert was the first and only postmaster.

The office was in existence for many years and was a great accommodation to the citizens. But villages sprung up in the vicinty and travel took another route and the office was discontinued. Shortly after the establishment of "Blanchard Bridge" another office was established near the Richard Hall farm and called "Ashery." Joseph Twining was the first and only Post- master here. This office was long since dis- continued for the reason that the necessity for its existence has passed away. The third office was established at Vanlue of which we will speak in the proper place.

Amanda is one of the most populous townships in the county, and it is fast be- coming one of the wealthiest. Each year sees the better improvements of the older farms, and the reclaiming of new lands ; the erection of a better class of farm build- ings and the introduction of the latest im- proved farming implements. The early set- tlers came principally from the eastern counties in the State, and their descendants are an active, energetic and progressive people.

BLANCHARD TOWNSHIP.

Blanchard Township is on the west border of the county, bounded north by Pleasant Township, east by Liberty, south by Union,

and west by the Hardin County line. It derives its name from the river, which passes through it from east to west, divid- ing it into almost equal parts. The town- ship contains 23,040 acres.

The soil in this township varies with the locality. Along the river it is a rich sandy loam, mixed with vegetable deposits, made by the overflow of the river. On the south ridge it is a fertile, sandy soil and between the ridge and the river bottoms the land is flat and rather wet, but covered by a rich deep soil of vegetable loam, mixed in places with sand or clay. On the north side of the river, after getting back from the bottom lands the soil is almost invariably clay, good wheat and grazing lands, whilst for the production of corn the bottom lands are not excelled anywhere.

Oak, ash, hickory, sugar, beech, walnut, and poplar, are the principal timbers. Of the latter kind, there were immense amounts, and of the finest quality, but such has been the demand for it, that it has al- most entirely disappeared.

This township is well watered by the Blanchard River and Ottowa Creek. The river passes through the township and fur- nishes water the whole year around and also the best of drainage. It is subject to oc- casional overflows, but does no material damage.

Ottowa Creek rises in Section thirty-six, in Union Township, runs in a northerly direction, enters Blanchard Township in Section thirty-six, runs north, thence west, thence in a north-easterly direction, and empties into the Blanchard River in Sec- tion fourteen. Its distance in the township is about four miles. It is quite a consider-

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able stream, and there have been quite a this township, when John Hunter and John number of saw-mills along its course, at different times. It furnished the means of drainage for almost the entire south part of the township.

The act of the commissioners in organiz- ing this township, was passed in 1833, in the following words: "That original sur- veyed Township No. I north, Range 9 east, shall be known and organized by the name of Blanchard." In March, 1834, the com- missioners "Ordered that Township 2 north, Range 9 (Pleasant Township), be at- tached to Blanchard Township," but a year later this township was detached from Blanchard and organized into a separate township.

The first entries of land made in this township were the north half of the north- west quarter of Section 13, by David Stin- son, and the northeast quarter of the north- east quarter of Section 13, by John Veal, both entries being made on the twelfth day of August, 1822. On the 19th day of the same month and year, W. A. Johnson en- tered the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 15. In September, 1825, John Hunter took up the south half of southwest quarter of Section 15, and James McClish entered the east half of northeast quarter of Section 20. In 1827, Orlando Moffit entered the west part of southeast fractional quarter of Section 27, and John Dukes the east half of the northwest quar- ter of Section 15, and Henry Epley the east part of the southeast quarter of Section 18. These entries were followed by others, and a settlement of the township followed close on the entries.

The year 1826 saw the first settlement in

Chandler, both of Fairfield County, located on the south side of the river, on the George Shaw, and afterward the Alfred Davis farm. The majority of the settlers in this part of the county were from the interior of the state, with now and then a family from Pennsylvania and New York.

These first two families were not long without neighbors, for in 1828, Richard, John and Lewis Dukes, of Franklin County, and Thomas Groves, of Pickaway County, settled on the opposite side of the river, and opened up extensive farms, and erected comfortable buildings. Of these four pio- neers all lived to the end of their lives on their farms excepting Richard Dukes, who in his latter years moved to Findlay and spent the balance of his life enjoying the fruits of his early labor. His last years were peaceful and quiet, spent in the enjoyment of the company of his friends, his home and its comforts, and he left a goodly inherit- ance to his children. Three of his sons- Lewis, Eli and W. P .- are now residing in Findlay as retired farmers.

Lewis Dukes, Sr., came to this township in 1826, and when only about nineteen years of age, and hired out as a farm hand. In a few years, by his industry and frugality, he was able, at the low wages then paid, to accumulate enough money to enter a tract of eighty acres of land. This he improved, and was enabled as the country improved, to add many acres of valuable land to it, until he became one of the wealthiest men in the township. Mr. Dukes was twice mar- ried, but was never blessed with children. He united with the Methodist Church in early life, and remained a consistent mem-

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ber until his death, ever living up to his weight of years was heavy upon him and profession. he passed away not long after.

John Dukes remained in this township until he became well advanced in years, and had witnessed the many changes which had occurred, when he disposed of his property and removed to Wood County, where after a residence of several years, he too was gathered to his fathers.

The Dukes brothers were early and con- sistent members of the Methodist Church and friends to and workers in the Sabbath Schools. The first church building in the county was put up in this immediate neigh- borhood and they contributed largely not only to its erection, but also to sustaining the ministers sent among them. This old log church was superseded by a frame building erected a little further west, which was used by the same society until about 1879, when it in its turn made room for a more comfortable and pretentious brick building. There are now two Methodist Episcopal, two United Brethren, and one Evangelical Church in the township, all good substantial buildings.

Shortly after the settlement made on the north side of the river by the Dukes and others, the Powells, Foglesong, John L. and Richard Carson, Engle, Baldwin, Fishel, Hughes, the Downings, Knepper, and some other families settled in and near the present town of Benton. Solomon Foglesong, and his brother-in-law Knep- per, came there perhaps as early as 1830 and settled on the banks of the "Tawa," as it is generally called. Foglesong, almost the last survivor of the first residents, was living on the old homestead in 1881, but the

Rev. John Powell devoted his life to the ministry of the United Brethren Church and who not only acquired a good farm by his industry and economy, but within a few years found a reputation as the founder of the Powell Association, and the successful manager of two re-unions of the family, as well as the author of a memorial history of the Powell Family. He lived to enjoy the quiet of his farm in the southern part of the township.

Jacob Engle, the kind, generous, large- hearted "Dutchman," as he was called, cleared up and occupied a splendid farm ad- joining the present site of Benton, where he lived for years amongst his many friends until about 1860, when he was called away to meet his reward. Honest, generous to a fault, he was a good neighbor, and a so- cial, genial companion. He left a wife and a large family of children, who have since all emigrated to the West, the widow and most of the children going to Iowa.

David M. Baldwin was one of the earliest settlers of the southern part of the town- ship, having come from Fairfield County, and settled on lands adjoining the town of Benton Ridge. All was a wilderness when he came, and he lived long enough to see one of the finest neighborhoods in the county. Mr. Baldwin was a genial, whole- souled man, ever ready to accommodate to the extent of his ability, and equally ready to resent an insult. For years he kept a tavern, where the weary traveler always found a comfortable bed and a well laden table. His descendants are still living in the vicinity of his old home.

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The brothers, Thomas, William and John Moffitt, commenced their residence here about the time the Dukes came. Thomas, after making for himself a home and its comforts, was attacked with the "Western Fever," sold his farm and emigrated to Iowa, or the "Black Hawk Country," as it was then called, where he passed the re- mainder of his life. John and William Mof- fitt and McClish remained to spend their lives in Blanchard Township. They were among its most substantial citizens.

Michael Fishell, one of the early resi- dents, sold his farm west of Benton about 1887 and moved to McComb where he spent the balance of his days.

Alfred Davis, another frontiersman, and at one time one of the solid men of the county, owned and occupied a magnificent tract of land on both sides of the river, but unfortunately met with reverses in the lat- ter part of his life; but even in his misfor- tunes he retained the high regard of his neighbors. He was a man of undoubted in- tegrity of character.

George Shaw, one of the early commis- sioners of the county, owned a splendid farm here, on which he spent the greater part of his life, and here he died and was buried.

At an early day came also Jeremiah Cocle, David Millham, Solomon Foglesong (or, as in the original, Voglegesong), and the Epleys. These early settlers were all farmers, and no richer agricultural lands could be found in the State than those which they took up and their descendants occupy. These pioneers were hardy, tem- perate, frugal, energetic and industrious,

and well deserve to be placed on the roll of honor as such.

The first marriage was that of John Dukes and Hannah Houchings, the Rev. Thomas Thompson officiating. Two little children of George Shaw were the first in the township to die.

Owen Hughes was one of those honest, up- right, cheerful men that are the strength and life of a new settlement. He lived to a good old age and died as he had long lived, a con- sistent member of the church and a Christian man. He was twice married, but both his wives died before he did.

Dick Carson was one of the champion fight- ers of the county. Not that he was quarrel- some or chronically pugnacious, but he was a powerful courageous man, of a somewhat sen- sitive nature, and while not ill-tempered, es- pecially when sober, he was quick to resent an indignity, or an imputation of his courage or veracity. He was just such a man as every township or county wanted to defend its honor, as it was then the fashion, at a general train- ing, or a county horse race. Dick was just the man for that, as many an unlucky braggart found to his utter discomfiture. He was a good neighbor, a firm friend, and, under ordi- nary circumstances, a peaceable citizen. His brother John L. Carson was at one time sur- veyor of the county. The two Carsons and their families finally emigrated farther west.

The Downings were of the first settlers, and were a hardy, industrious family, and all be- came quite well off in course of time. George, David, and William went to California in 1849, but after a few years' experience there they returned to Blanchard Township and applied themselves to agricultural pursuits, and by in- dustry and economy made great additions to

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 20

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Number of Pages: 1189

Author: Jacob Anthony Kimmell
Publication date: 1910
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 1189