Allen County OhArchives History .....Jackson Township History February 1917
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/oh/ohfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Judy Woerner judyw0113@yahoo.com April 27, 2006, 12:26 am

Book Title: 

JACKSON TOWNSHIP HISTORY	

Excerpted From The Lima Daily News: 

February 4, 1917

Jackson township is not as old as some of the other townships in Allen county, 
but like the remainder, dates back to “wilderness” days when the first settler 
arrived.  That was JACOB HAWK, who bought the first parcel of land in 1827.  
From that time until 1834, history tells very little, but it is reasonable to 
suppose in those seven years other pioneers bought land and erected their 
homes for the township was organized June 6, 1831.  Some three years later, 
the assessed valuation of the township was $472, with personal property of 
$3,800 and a steam mill worth $160.

In this township, it has always been an undecided question who was the first 
teacher.  For years, there have been two claimants.  Some of those conversant 
with the early days say the first one was THOMAS HULL.  They contend he taught 
school in a cabin built on Section No. 24, during the year 1833.  Others claim 
the first educator was Mrs. NANCY ANN CUNNINGHAM, who in the years 1838-39 
taught school in a deserted cabin east of where Lafayette now is.  Mrs. 
CUNNINGHAM was the daughter of WILLIAM VINCENT.  Her adherents say no school 
was established before the one by Miss VINCENT.  In her father’s home, the 
first religious services were held.

TAXPAYERS NAMED HALL
Among the taxpayers in the early forties are to be found the names of:  JOHN, 
ANTHONY, RICHARD, JOSEPH, JAMES and JAMES W. HALL.  That being so, it is not 
surprising to find on the school roll of 1851, half of the pupils were named 
HALL.  Forty-two pupils were enrolled and 21 answered to the one name.

One of the early settlers, tho not the first by many, was JETHRO FISHER, 
father of JOSEPH FISHER.  Many in Lima and Allen county remember or have heard 
of a SIMEON D. FESS who worked for his board and clothing for the FISHERS.  As 
a young man he worked his way thru Ohio Normal University at Ada and for many 
years was professor at that institution.  Later, he was called to the 
editorship of the World’s Events magazine.  Many times has Professor FESS 
lectured in Allen county and always paid a tribute to the early teaching in 
the FISHER household.

The Lima News would be glad to receive any letters of the Jackson township 
residents who could throw some light on the controversy of who was the first 
school instructor.  Was there a school on Section No, 24 in the year 1833, or 
was the first one in a deserted cabin east of Lafayette in the year 1838.

February 6, 1917

In response to the invitation of The Lima Daily News that those familiar with 
the history of Jackson township and its first teacher, the following letter 
has been received.  It tells unhesitatingly that NANCY ANN CUNNINGHAM, widow 
of JACOB CUNNINGHAM, was born in Herkimer county, New York, October 25, 1816.  
Her father, M. VINCENT with his family, moved to Trumball county, this state 
and in 1837 located in Jackson township.  She was married March 5, 1840, to 
JACOB CUNNINGHAM and the next day moved to her husband’s farm where she still 
resides.

Mr. Cunningham died November 4, 1859.  Nine children were born to them, of 
whom but four survive.  Mrs. CUNNINGHAM is an exemplary member of the 
Methodist Episcopal church, and was converted when 14 years old, in Ashtabula 
county.  For seven years, her father’s house was the only place of worship, 
there being no school houses or churches at that time.  Mrs. CUNNINGHAM taught 
school in the district in 1838 and two terms in 1839, in a deserted cabin east 
of where Lafayette now stands.  She is still young looking and enjoys good 
health.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/allen/history/other/jacksont17nms.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ohfiles/

File size: 4.2 Kb