Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 21

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 21

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).

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their western earnings. In after years Wil- liam moved to Kansas, where he had the honor of representing his county in the State Legis- lature. He was followed to his new home by his father, "old Johnny Downing" as he was familiarly called, and his brother Isaac and family. The old gentleman and Isaac have died long ago. George resided in this township until about 1871, when he went to Iowa, where he lived many years.

David Downing was one of the wealthiest and most respected citizens of the township. He was a model farmer with one of the finest dwelling houses, not only in the township but in the county, commodious and convenient out- buildings. His pecuniary circumstances ena- bled him to devote much of his time to the breeding and introduction of fine cattle in the county. He had some of the best herds in this part of the State. He dealt largely in stock cattle, being quite an extensive feeder. He was a member of the board of managers of the Hancock County Agricultural Society for a number of years and devoted much time in making the Society one of the best in the State. And his efforts and those of his associates were not unsuccessful. He had sons and daughters, all married and some, if not all, I believe, re- side in this or adjoining townships.

This locality on account of the abundance of fish and game, was one of the resorts of the In- dians on their hunting expeditions. And in- deed hunting and fishing were not only among the amusements of the whites, but they were occupations necessary to the support of them- selves and families. The fish-net and the rifle was a part of the furniture of every well regu- lated log cabin, and by their skillful use the tables of the pioneer were bountifully spread.

In 1848 a post office was established in this township called Oak Ridge. It was first lo- cated at the house of William Downing on the Findlay Defiance State road, north side of the river. Mr. Downing was the first postmaster. It was an office of no importance, only as it gave the community in which it was located, mail facilities. It has since been discontinued. Mr. Downing was succeeded by the following persons as postmaster : Robert Marshall, Mr. Morris, Mrs. Wm. Downing, Rezin Cook, David Downing, Eli Dukes and L. C. Groves.

The first school in Blanchard Township was held in a log cabin affair, which stood near what was later the site of the Thomas Groves residence, and was built in 1830. It was taught by John W. Wickham. There are now ten school buildings in the township and the enu- meration of youth is three hundred and eighty- four.

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CHAPTER XV.

BIG LICK, CASS, AND DELAWARE TOWNSHIPS.

BIG LICK TOWNSHIP.

The county commissioners, at their session of March 7, 1831, after defining the bounda- ries and extent of Amanda Township "Or- dered that the original survey of Township I north, in range 12 east, except Sections 34 and 35 shall hereafter be known and organized by the name of Big Lick. On June 3, 1833, Robert L. Strother and John Rose, commis- sioners, being present, the following order was passed: "Ordered that Big Lick Township shall include the whole of the original sur- veyed Township No. I north, in Range 12." Since the passage of that order, the township has been known as an original township of thirty-six sections. It contains 23,040 acres.

This township is on the east line of the coun- ty and is bounded on the north by Washington Township, on the east by Seneca County, on the south by Wyandotte County and Amanda Township and on the west by Marion Town- ship.

largely unreclaimed, except for grazing pur- poses. It will no doubt all be brought under final cultivation by the help of drainage. That so much of it has been reclaimed is largely due to the enterprise and well directed exertions of Judge Corey, of Findlay, who at one time owned most of the entire tract.

The timber, which has long since been cut down, embraced red, white and burr oak, blue, black and white ash, beech, elm, hard and soft maple, sycamore, black and white walnut, hickory, basswood and buckeye. The town- ship was traversed by a ridge of white oak of such excellence, that shipments of logs were extensively made to foreign countries.

No streams of water traverse the township of sufficient size to furnish water-power. The only stream that maintains a current during the entire year is the outlet to the marsh or prairie. This sluggish stream takes its size in Seneca County, runs in a westerly direction and empties into the Blanchard River near Mr. Allen Wiseley's in Marion Township. There are a number of smaller streams, which, how- ever, are only water courses in wet weather.

The general surface of the land is level, al- though some parts are undulating. The pre- vailing soil is clay loam. In the southwestern part of the township is a sand ridge which is In September, 1821, Henry McWhorter made entry of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section thirty-four. This was the underlaid with limestone. In that locality is also a marsh or prairie, some 1,500 acres in extent, which is entirely a vegetable soil, and first entry of land in the township. In May,

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1825, the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 27 was entered by John G. Alspach, and September 5th of the same year Eliza Huff entered the east half of the northwest quarter of Section thirty-four. In December, 1828, John Shoemaker made entry of the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 17. These entries were followed in 1829 by those of John Huff, of the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 17 and of the west half of the north- east quarter of Section 21, by John Long. In 1830 Henry Hinebaugh, of Fairfield County, entered the northeast quarter of Section I, and in the same year Uriah Egbert took up the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 19, and about the same time an entry of the west half of the northwest quarter was made by Philip Essex. William Hackett, of Stark County, William Roller, of Richland, Elijah Brayton, of Crawford, Mary Graham, of Mad- ison, John Graham, William Wisely and others made entries of land, and became residents of the township.

The first actual settler in Big Lick Township was Samuel Sargent, from Ross County, who made an improvement on the limestone ridge, in the southeastern part of the township some time in 1826. In the following year John Long located near the center. In February, 1829, John Shoemaker settled about three-fourths of a mile west from Mr. Long's. Mr. Shoemaker could recount the many hardships and incidents of frontier life. Long and Shoemaker came from Fairfield County, this state.

In 1831 was held the first township election, the electors present being John Shoemaker, Robert Long, Levi Poulson and Cornelius Poulson. Whilst these men were holding an election and organizing the township the good Mrs. Long, at whose house they met, prepared

them a dinner of the best in her larder. Amongst the early settlers here were the Thomases, the Moores, the Rollers, the Gra- hams and the Poulsons.

Numerous sulphur springs on the farm of Robert Long, near the center of the township, comprise what used to be a famous deer lick called "Big Lick," from which the township de- rives its name. Large numbers of deer were killed here by the owner of this land and others.

Mr. Long, on one occasion, had secured his seat in a tree convenient to the lick, when a colored man, who had been assisting in driving some cattle from some point farther west, and was on his return home, being overtaken by night, concluded to camp near the springs. Mr. Long supposing him to be a rival hunter watch- ing for deer concluded to frighten him away, whereupon he made such an unearthly noise that the poor fellow took to his heels and never stopped until he brought up in the Blanchard River, near Allen Wiseley's. He had so over- heated himself as to cause his death soon after- wards-a tragic ending of the joke that Mr. Long had not anticipated.

Gangs of Indian hunters and trappers made the neighborhood their rendezvous and greatly annoyed the early settlers. Mr. Shoemaker, who was more progressive than his neighbors, had secured a grindstone, of which the Indians made such extensive use to sharpen their dull tomahawks and knives, that it was soon en- tirely worn out. They also had a way of trad- ing venison for pork and potatoes with Mrs. John Moore, in which she invariably came out second best. Knowing that she was afraid of them, they would make their visits in the ab- sence of her husband, when she, in order to get rid of them, would send them to the patch to help themselves, which they did so liberally

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that the whole crop had soon disappeared. Board of Fence Viewers. It was then agreed Vermin were also destructive to the corn. The that any fence which would bear Mr. Roller and through which Mr. Moore could not creep nor Mr. Bayless jump over should be declared a lawful fence. settlers could only protect themselves by the use of the rifle, and if one chanced to be a poor shot he employed some one by the day who was an expert with the gun. At night too, the corn needed watching to save it from the rac- coons. Mr. Moore at that time owned 160 acres of land and was perhaps as well off as any of his neighbors. He was, however, com- pelled to manufacture his own furniture. His first child was rocked in a sugar trough, made by "Big River," a Wyandot chief, and which had been used before the arrival of Mr. Moore in the country as a sap trough by the Indians.

Mr. Moore's first bedstead was made by himself of iron-wood poles. The cords were of bass-wood bark, well interlaced together. No straw was to be had with which to fill the ticks and Mr. Moore thereupon gathered forest leaves sufficient to make a mattress. Mr. Moore was elected first supervisor of roads in the township and had for a district the north half of the township some eighteen square miles. He superintended the opening of the New Haven Road from the east township line westward to near the center of the township.

As all the inclosed land had to be cultivated in order to produce food for man and beast, stock of every description was allowed to run at large in the forest. The damage done to crops by stock running at large made trouble amongst the people, and a board of fence view- ers became necessary. This board were to de- termine, when called upon, whether or not the enclosure was a sufficient or legal fence. Ac- cordingly William Roller, who was noted for his avoirdupoise, William Moore, who was noted for his diminutiveness, and Richard Bay- less, noted for his activity, were chosen as the

The first schoolhouse in the township was built in 1836, exclusively by voluntary labor. It was located in the forest a full half mile from any public highway, upon the farm now or late- ly owned by the heirs of James Graham. There were but two sub-districts in the township at the time. Sometime subsequent to the above date there was another schoolhouse built, about two miles west of the first on the lands owned by the heirs of Moses McAnnelly. A fair in- terest was taken in the cause of education by the citizens of this township; the schools have been kept up to an efficient standard and are well attended by the youth of the township.

The first church erected in the township was a hewed log structure thirty-six feet square and located on the present site of Enon Valley Church on the Findlay and Tiffin road. It was built in 1844 by the citizens in the neighbor- hood, mainly however of the combined efforts of the Presbyterian, Covenanters and Seceders. The first site selected for the building was upon Robert Leonard's farm, some two miles south- east from the one subsequently built upon. Rev. R. H. Hooyday, of Findlay, Superintended the building of the church. There are now eight churches in this township. Two owned by the Evangelical denomination, two by the United Brethren, two Methodist Episcopal, one Pres- byterian and one Christian Union. Amongst the first church members were Henry Thomas and wife, James Thomas and wife and An- drew Poulson.

Big Lick Township has been so developed in its resources, as to be one of the richest in

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the county. Wheat, corn, oats and grass are the principal crops and also produced in large quantities. The Findlay and Carey Branch of the Cleveland, Sandusky and Cincinnati Rail- road runs through the township for a short distance.

John Moore, commonly known among his near friends as "Farmer John" (P. O. Findlay), was born near Lancaster, Pa., October 16, 1808, son of Hugh and Susan (Buckwalter) Moore, the former a native of Tyrone County, Ireland, and the latter of Pennsylvania. Hugh Moore came to America about the year 1800 and settled in Pennsylvania. He had these children, John, William, Nancy, Amanda, George, Joseph, Samuel, Elizabeth, and Sarah.

John Moore came to Ohio with his par- ents in 1828 and settled in Richland, now Ashland County. He was married in 1833 to Agness W. Roller, daughter of Judge William Roller, a descendant of Captain Weston, an old English navigator and ex- plorer. To Mr. and Mrs. Moore were born eleven children, of whom four are now liv- ing, Nancy, Bruce, Lucinda, and Amanda. The deceased are Susannah, Mary, Ross W., William, Dorr, Duff, and Emma.

Mr. Moore came to this county in 1833 with his wife's father, who entered eight quarter-sections of land in Big Lick Town- ship, Mr. Moore getting the northwest quarter of Section 15 as his part, and build- ing his log cabin near its center. This farm is now owned by his eldest daughter, Mrs. A. J. Moore.

requisites to success, these qualities were all combined in Mr. Moore and his brave wife. They soon opened up a farm, and his house was the stopping place for the stranger emigrant, and at his table was ever found a generous hospitality. Mr. Moore endured all the hardships of frontier life and in his old age was surrounded by his children and grandchildren, in the midst of plenty, the fruits of his toil. He enjoyed life peacefully and quietly, tenderly caring for his good wife, who was an invalid dur- ing the latter part of her life. He was one of the largest land owners, as well as one of the wealthiest men in the township. He al- ways followed the independent life of a farmer and was a staunch friend of our public schools and was a public spirited cit- izen during his whole life. In politics he was a Democrat and voted for Andrew Jackson. Mr. Moore died at his home December 4, 1890, . his wife having pre- ceded him to the grave August 9, 1888. Their remains rest side by side in the Bright Cemetery near Mt. Zion Church in Marion Township, this county.

Moses M'Annelly was one of the promi- nent men of the county, as well as of this township, coming here at an early day and being a man of more than ordinary intelli- gence, he took the lead in the new settle- ments. He represented this county in both branches of the Ohio Legislature, and was regarded as an honest, upright man. He, too, was an agriculturist, and made for him- self and family a pleasant and valuable home. He has been dead a number of years.

Mr. Moore was among the first settlers in this township and came here with his young wife, when all was new, and when John Shoemaker came to this township energy, industry and good health were the from Fairfield County in February, 1829,

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having the year previous entered lands in Section 17. There were but a very few families in the township at that time, among whom were Samuel Sargeant; on the lime- stone ridge, and John Long, in the immedi- ate neighborhood of Mr. Sargeant's settle- ment. Mr. Shoemaker was present and as- sisted at the organization of the township in 1831. The cultivation of the soil was al- ways his occupation. Honest, industrious and hospitable, he always commanded the respect of the community. His sterling good sense always made his advice valu- able. He reaped the fruits of his long years of toil and privation, happy in the con- sciousness of the unvaried rectitude of his life. He has been dead several years.

William Roller, one of the associate judges of the Common Pleas Court of the county, was also a resident of this town- ship. As a judge, his good common sense and honesty of action gave him his very flattering reputation. Honest in his convic- tions, sympathetic in his feelings, he could hardly err in his decisions, as he was a man of average intelligence and fair common school education. He never abandoned the occupation of a farmer, but succeeded in amassing a competency and leaving a con- siderable inheritance to his children. He was respected by his neighbors and was al- ways a friend of those in need. Unostenta- tious in his private life, and courteous in public, he could not but have hosts of friends.

CASS TOWNSHIP.

On the Ist day of March, 1833, the com- missioners "Ordered that the original sur- veyed Township Number 2, in Range II

east, be set off into a separate township, politic and corporate, and to be called Cass." Ordered that an order be issued to the vot- ers of Cass, to meet on the first Monday of April and elect township officers.

At the formation of Allen Township in 1850, Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 20, 29, 30, 31, and 32 of this township were taken to assist in the forming of that township. Hence there are but twenty-four sections in this township at present.

Cass Township was named in honor of Gen. Lewis Cass, of Michigan, and is lo- cated on the north border of the county. Bounded on the north by Wood County, on the east by Washington Township, on the south by Marion and on the west by Allen Township. The township contains 15,360 acres.

The timber of Cass Township was abun- dant and comprised oak, ash, hickory, sugar, beech, elm, walnut and poplar, with perhaps a few other varieties. The soil on the ridge in the northern part of the town- ship is sandy and gravelly. Between the ridge and the Wood County line, it is a loam of vegetable formation, whilst south of the ridge there is a mixture of clay with other soil.

The Portage River has its source in this part of Hancock County and is the only stream of water in this township. Good drinking water, however, is obtained by sinking wells to a no very great depth.

David P. Day, of Wayne County, O., made the first entry of land in this township on March 10, 1832, at which time he took up the northeast quarter of Section II. Two days afterwards John Franks entered the southwest quarter of Section I, and the

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north half of Section 10. Mr. Franks was also from Wayne County. May 3, 1832, Elam Day entered the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 12 and on the 3Ist day of the same month, Eleazer C. Fairchild, of Trunbull County, entered the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 2, and the west half of the north- west quarter of Section 12. In the same year, entries were made by Andrew W. Page, of Green County, D. Shippy, of Sen- eca, C. W. Colebaugh, Alphens Eldridge, James Wood, Samuel McClellan, of Wayne, William Eckles, of Holmes, James Beeson, of Fayette.

The first schoolhouse was built in 1835 and there are now six schoolhouses in the township and the enumeration of youth of school age in 1880 was 278.

The first church was built in 1843 by the Methodist Episcopal denomination, and was known as the Vickers Church on the ridge. There are now but two church buildings in the township and they both belong to the Metho- dist Episcopal denomination.

The first settlements were made in 1833 on Sections 1, 2 and 3 by E. C. Fairchild, Daniel Fairchild, David P. and Elam Day, James Vickers, John Franks, Hames Brown, Samuel Harry, and on Section 12 by Charles Eckles, John Welch and George Elliot. On Section II by John Hardy, Hiram Hulbert and James Woods. The early settlers here were mostly from the eastern part of this state.

In 1837 a post office was established in this township, which was discontinued in 1867. Daniel Fairchild and James Vickers were the only postmasters.

There is much very valuable land in this

part of the county, and the farms and farm buildings, for style and comfort, will com- pare favorably with that of any other town- ship in the county, as will also the type of citizenship. The Lake Erie and Western Railroad runs across the southeast corner of the township and the New York, Chi- cago and St. Louis road passes through the township from east to west.

John Burman was born in Luzerne County, Pa., February 18, 1783, and re- moved to Fairchild County, Ohio, where he was married to Catherine Fisher. He was a gunsmith and worked at that trade until he came to this county in 1828, after which time he was a farmer. He, his father, and two brothers were in the service of the United States in the War of 1812. On com- ing to this county with his family, he took up his residence in a log cabin on the land which he subsequently occupied up to the time of his death.

Mr. Burman was of medium height, and weighed about 175; of strong constitution and robust health he was well calculated to do battle with the hardships of pioneer life. In religious belief, he was a Lutheran, and was a member of that church many years. He built the first mill in the township. Dur- ing the first year of his residence here, his was the only family residing in the town- ship. Two of his sons were in the army during the rebellion. Mr. Burman died in 1863 and his aged wife survived him about five years.

Ezra Karn was one of a family of eight boys and four girls, all of whom attained full age except one, and was born in Wash- ington County, Md., September 16, 1815. The family removed to Ohio in 1817, set-

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tling in Holmes County. In 1836 Mr. Karn came to Hancock County with his family and settled in this township on the farm later owned by P. C. Redfern. Again the family became frontiersmen, the country being new, and but sparsely settled, and without roads or markets. Here the Karns had as neighbors, John Hardy, Hiram Hul- bert, Daniel Fairchild, John Franks, John Eckles, and James Vickers.

In 1839 Mr. Karn married Miss Elizabeth Albertson, and commenced at once to make for himself a home. He cleared up two farms and by his industry and perseverance succeeded in surrounding himself and fam- ily with the comforts of civilization. Mr. Karn had a family of eight children. His wife died in May, 1880, after a long and use- ful life. Mr. Karn had the confidence of his neighbors and acquaintances for his ster- ling honesty and good common sense. He was a member of the Lutheran Church and his life was one consistent with his profes- sion. He was one of the very first mem- bers and for many years an officer of the Hancock County Agricultural society, organized in 1852, and always lent his in- fluence and aid to its building up and its success is largely due to his continual la- bors in its behalf. He was vice president of the society for several years.

James Vickers was born in England and came to this country in about 1825 and set- tled in Wayne County, Ohio. In 1833 he made his way to this county and com- menced his labors on the farm later owned by his son, James A. No man in the town- ship was more generally respected than DELAWARE TOWNSHIP. was Mr. Vickers. Conscientious, honest, The territory now included in the township temperate, and hospitable, kind to all. a of Delaware was organized in the year 1828,

friend to the poor and always ready to ren- der assistance to the weary emigrant. His house was the home of the Methodist itin- erant and here services were held until a suitable building could be erected upon his land. To the building of this house and the sustaining of the minister of the church he was a liberal contributor. Mr. Vickers was a farmer and by the aid of his good wife and his family, which was a large one, he al- ways had an abundance. He died in 1867, lamented by the entire community. His wife survived him until 1881.

John Eckles was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., on the 25th day of April, 1795, and resided in that state until 1836. In 1819 Mr. Eckles married Esther Booth, with whom he lived up to the time of her decease in 1862. His ancestors were from Ireland. During his whole active life he followed the occupation of a farmer. He is a man of strong will and of very decided opinions, and was not easily swerved from his purposes. In 1836 with his wife and four sons he emigrated to this township. He purchased 220 acres of land on the ridge, between Fostoria and Van Buren, principally of John Franks, Sr., which he developed into one of the very best farms on the ridge. The country was new, no markets, no roads, no neighbors scarcely, and the family endured all the hardships incident to new settlements. Mr. Eckles united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and was one of the first members of that church at Van Buren.

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Twentieth Century History of Findlay and Hancock County, Ohio, and Representative Citizens, Part 21

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

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