Hancock County OhArchives History - Books .....Chapter XXIII, Part III 1886
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Book Title: The History Of Hancock County
CHAPTER XXIII. 
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP.

TERRITORY FROM WHICH IT WAS FORMED—ERECTION AND SUBSEQUENT CHANGES—AREA,
BOUNDARIES AND POPULATION—GENERAL TOPOGRAPHY, SOIL AND STREAMS—FIRST
SETTLERS—SCHOOLS—CHURCHES—LAFAYETTE AND PORTAGE CENTER POSTOFFICE—JUSTICES.

FOR nearly eight years succeeding the erection of Findlay Township, in May,
1823, the territory now embraced in Portage Township formed a part of Findlay,
but on the 6th of December, 1830, Liberty Township was erected, and then
included all of the lands in this county lying west of the present western
boundary of Findlay Township, or nearly one-half the county. The lands now
composing this township remained a part of Liberty till March 4, 1833, when the
commissioners ordered that Township 2 north, Range 10, be set off into a
separate township, and named Portage. The two eastern tiers of sections in
Township 2 north. Range 10 (now Allen), were a part of Findlay Township until
the erection of Portage and Cass, March 4, 1833, when they were included in the
former subdivision. The name of this township was derived from the river which
flows through it; and the act of erection provided for an election of township
officers on the first Monday in April, 1833, at which time an organization was
effected. Upon the erection of Allen Township, in 1850, the two eastern tiers of
sections of Portage were taken in the formation of the new subdivision, leaving
it with an area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres, and no change has
since occurred in its territory. Portage is bounded on the north by Wood County,
on the east by Allen Township, on the south by Liberty and on the west by
Pleasant. In 1840 its population was 675; 1850, 614; 1860, 835; 1870, 899, and
1880, 914.

   Like the rest of Hancock County, the lands of this township originally bore
up a heavy forest growth. Sand Ridge extends from east to west across the
northern part of the township, composed of a sandy, gravelly soil. North of the
ridge the soil is a sandy loam, while on the south side we find a yellowish clay
with here and there a mixture of gravel and sand deposits well adapted to the
growth of the cereals. Sugar Ridge runs parallel with Sand Ridge across the
center of the township, and was so named because of the large number of sugar
maples that grew upon it. The soil on Sugar Ridge is of a sandy, gravelly nature
and very fertile. The general dip of the township is towards the north, and the
surface is slightly rolling. One of the forks of Ten Mile Creek, a branch of
Portage River, heads in the southwest part of the township, while the other
flows in from Allen. The former takes a northeast, and the latter a northwest
direction, and, after uniting on the southeast quarter of Section 4, passes
northeastward, and leaves the county on Section 3, near the northeast corner of
the township. These branches are fed by numerous springs, which also form the
head-waters of both forks.

   First Settlers. —It is generally admitted that John Thompson and Robert
Walters formed the vanguard of the early settlers who located in what is now
Portage Township. Several families had settled some years previously in the two
tiers of sections taken from Portage in the erection of Allen; but up to the
summer of 1833, the present territory of this township was an unbroken forest.
On the 24th of July, 1832, John Thompson entered the west half of the northwest
quarter of Section 22, and the following summer located on his land, now the
home of James Deter. He came here from Champaign County, Ohio, and was a very
intelligent man and much respected by those who subsequently settled around him.
After clearing up a farm and residing here for many years, he removed with his
family to Kansas. Robert Walters, a Virginian, settled on Ten Mile Creek in
Section 8, in the fall of 1833, where both he and his wife resided till their
death.

   John Cooper was the next settler in this subdivision, coming in March, 1834.
He was born in Fayette County, Penn., April 25, 1811, whither his father had
emigrated from New Jersey. In 1812 the family removed to Perry County, Ohio,
where John grew to manhood and married Jane E. Cusac, daughter of Daniel Cusac.
In the spring of 1834, the young couple took up their residence on the west half
of the southeast quarter of Section 29, entered in April of that year, where
they have ever since resided. Nine children blessed their union, six of whom
survive, Allen being the first male born in the township. Though a man of
limited education, Judge Cooper has filled the office of associate judge and
county commissioner very acceptably. He has been far more successful than the
average pioneer, and is to-day one of the wealthiest farmers in the county.

   Amos Cooper, a cousin of the judge, also came in March, 1834, but was then a
single man. The following November he married Elizabeth Poe and settled
permanently in the southeast quarter of Section 32, entered by him in April,
1834. He was a native of Pennsylvania, whence his parents removed to Perry
County, Ohio, where he lived till his coming to Hancock. His wife died on the
old homestead in 1872, and he in Findlay in 1879, leaving six children, all of
whom are still residents of the county.

   In May, 1834, John and Abigal (Simpson) Howard, with a family of nine
children, located on Section 4, where he had entered eighty acres June 17, 1833.
The parents and eldest son, Samuel, were natives of Pennsylvania, and in 1815
removed to Richland County, Ohio. Here eight children were born, all of whom
came out with the parents in the spring of 1834. Two children were born
afterward. John and his wife resided on Ten Mile Creek until their death; but
three of the sons are yet living in the county. Samuel, who resides in Findlay,
is perhaps the best known of the family. He was born in Westmoreland County,
Penn., December 7, 1814, and was in his twentieth year when the family settled
in Hancock. In June, 1833, he borrowed $50 of his father with which to enter
forty acres of land in Section 4, agreeing to keep the whole family in
provisions for one year, and thus pay back the borrowed capital. He faithfully
fulfilled his agreement, and thus became the owner of his first real estate. In
1837 he married Elizabeth Carroll, and settled permanently on his land. Eleven
children were born to this union, sis of whom are living. Mr. Howard has filled
quite a prominent place in the political affairs of Hancock County, and has
served four terms as county treasurer. He is well and favorably known from one
end of the county to the other.

   Daniel Warner, a native of New York State, born in 1799, came to Hancock
County in 1834, and entered 160 acres of land in this township where he died in
1881.

   The Moorheads—John and Samuel—came in the spring of 1834. Their mother dying
in Pennsylvania, they removed with their father from that State to Stark County,
Ohio, in 1814, where they both grew to maturity, and married. Samuel settled in
the southeast quarter of Section 22, and John in the northeast quarter of
Section 27, both tracts being entered August 19, 1833. The latter died a few
years ago at the home of his son-in-law, Isaac Hart—the same farm he settled on
in 1834. Samuel died in 1885 after a residence in the township of over fifty
years. Both attained ripe old ages, and have left descendants in the township to
perpetuate their memory.

   John Reed and family, of Wayne County, Ohio, settled in the southeast quarter
of Section 27 in the spring of 1834, where he afterward built the first brick
house in the township. He subsequently removed to Findlay, and engaged in the
hotel business in a frame building, which then stood on the site of the
Commercial Hotel. Both he and his wife died in Findlay Township, but their
daughter, Mrs. James Kerr, is a resident of Findlay.

   Other settlers of 1834 were Mahlon Morris, Sanfred F. Dulin, Charles Crist,
John Bushong, John McClay, George Taylor and Ezra Hazen. Mr. Morris settled in
the southwest quarter of Section 22 in the fall of 1834. In 1836 he was elected
justice of the peace, and re-elected three times in succession. In 1846 he was
elected county treasurer, and re-elected in 1848, but died August 5, 1849, while
serving his second term. He left a family of three sons and six daughters. The
surviving son is a member of the Findlay bar, and four of the six daughters are
living, three in this township. His widow, Elizabeth, died in April, 1865.
Sanfred F. Dulin is yet residing on the farm, where he settled in December,
1834. His parents, William and Charlotte Dulin (he a native of England and she
of Germany), were married in Maryland, thence removed to Virginia, where Sanfred
F. was bom in 1810. In 1816 the family settled in Pickaway County, Ohio, and in
January, 1830, came to Findlay, where the father died in 1832. A family of ten
children grew to maturity, Sanfred being now the only survivor. The mother died
at Mr. Dulin's home in 18C6. Mr. Dulin was one of the pioneer school teachers of
the county, and though seventy-five years have come and gone since he first saw
the light of day, he is still one of the active, energetic, progressive men of
his township. Charles Crist, a native of Maryland, settled on Section 29, but
sold out and removed to Darke County, Ohio. John Bushong located in the
northeast quarter of Section 28. Both he and his wife died at the home of their
son, Jacob, in this township. John McClay settled on Section 15, but did not
remain long in this locality. George Taylor and Ezra Hazen built their cabins on
Section 21. After living here two or three years, both sold out and left the
county.

   In 1835 Merryman Price, Richard Wall, James Cooper and Valentine Miller came
into the township. Price was from Richland County, and built his cabin hi
Section 4, on Ten mile Creek. He was the second justice of the township, but
after living here several years he removed to Indiana. Wall also settled on Ten
Mile Creek, thence removed to Pleasant Township, where both he and his wife
died. Their son, William H., is a resident of Portage. James Cooper, familiarly
known as "Big Jim" Cooper, located on Section 34, where he and his wife passed
the balance of their lives. They reared three children, one of whom, Catherine,
lives in Findlay Township. Valentine Miller was a German, and settled in the
southwest quarter of Section 18, and there died.

   Jacob Deter and Benoni Culp took up their residence in Portage in 1836. The
former and his wife, Sarah, were natives of Pennsylvania, whence they removed to
Richland County, Ohio, coming in 1836 to Hancock County, and settling on Section
8, this township. They reared a family of seven children, and died on the old
homestead where Peter now lives. Their sons James, Peter, Philip and Jacob are
residents of Portage Township. Benoni and Magdalene Culp came from Fairfield
County, Ohio, in 1831, and settled in Findlay Township. In 1836 they removed to
Section 20, Portage Township, where both spent the rest of their days. They
reared eight children, four of whom are residents of the county.

   Andrew Moorhead, Miles Wilson, David Culp, John Edgington, John S. Miller,
and Washington Taylor all came in 1836. Mr. Moorhead was a brother of John and
Samuel Moorhead, previous settlers of the township. He located in the northeast
quarter of Section 31, where his son, Samuel E., now resides. He was twice
married and left a family of five sons and five daughters. Mr. Moorhead died in
1884. Miles and Elizabeth Wilson, natives of Pennsylvania, came from Champaign
County, Ohio, and settled on Section 4, where both died. Their son, David, lives
upon the old farm. David Culp, a brother of Benoni, settled on Section 20, and
there died. His widow died in Pleasant Township, and none of their children live
in this county. John and Catherine Edgington, of Richland County, Ohio, built
their cabin near where their son, Thomas F., now resides. He died here in 1848,
and his widow in Iowa, in 1856. John S. Miller located on Sand Ridge, whence he
removed to Pleasant Township and there died. Washington Taylor, a native of
Pennsylvania, with his widowed mother and three brothers and two sisters, came
here from Richland County, Ohio, and settled on Section 17. The family
subsequently removed to what is now Allen Township, where Washington and Charles
yet reside. William lives in Findlay.

   These settlers were soon followed by Andrew Nigh, yet a leading farmer of the
township, James Mays, John Kempher, Jeremiah Pressor (colored), Jacob Switzer,
George Mitchell, Samuel Oram, George Archer, Jacob Andre and William Edgar. John
Norris, who first settled in Washington Township, in 1831, was also a pioneer of
Portage, locating on Section 32, quite early. He was twice married, and in 1877,
sold his farm to Judge Cooper and went to Texas. Though others may have come
into Portage during the years mentioned the foregoing list embraces the majority
of those who can be properly termed pioneers.

   Schools.—The first school in Portage Township was taught by Frederick S.
Ankeny, in the winter of 1836-37. It was held in the wagon shop of Benoni Culp,
on Section 20, and was attended by the Culps, Coopers, Edgingtons and others.
Mr. Ankeny died during the term and the school was closed. The first schoolhouse
was built near Pleasant Hill, about 1837. The next year (1838) a building was
put up in Section 31, on the Moorhead farm and a school opened by Miss Rebecca
Hedges. She received $1.25 per week and "boarded around." The Coopers,
Moorheads, Norrises, Culps and Orams went to this school. Soon afterward another
schoolhouse was erected on Section 27, where No. 1 school now stands. Sanfred F.
Dulin was the first teacher in this building, which was attended by the
Mitchells, Harts, Reeds, Bushongs, Shoops and others. It was not long until
every part of the township had its schoolhouse. Portage now contains six school
buildings wherein school is held seven months in the year. The young men or
women who now grow up in this State without the advantages of an education are
rarely found, for if they do so the fault lies with themselves or their parents.
Good schools are now the rule, and all may freely enjoy the advantages they offer.

   Churches. —The Regular Baptists organized the first society in the township
at Merryman Price's cabin, about 1836. Merryman Price, Richard Wall, Price
Blackford, Henry Rader, Henry M. Rose and their wives, and Isaac Comer, A. B.
Kagy and Rebecca Beals were the first members. The society held alternate
meetings at the Court House in Findlay; Isaac Comer's, in Liberty Township;
Henry Rader's, in Allen Township; and Merryman Price's cabin, on Ten Mile Creek.
This society subsequently built a church in Van Buren. The Presbyterians, under
Rev. George Van Eman, organized the Pleasant Hill Society in 1837. Miles Wilson,
Sr., and family, the Moorheads, John Thompson, Samuel Huntington, John Norris
and wife, Hugh Hudson and Paul Adams being among the first members. In
September, 1837, John Thompson and John Bushong gave a piece of ground for a
church and cemetery, and here a hewed-log building was soon afterward erected,
which was used for several years. The society subsequently put up a frame
building near the home of Miles Wilson, Sr. In September, 1843, this society and
Ebenezer Society, of Portage Township, were united under the name of West Union
Church of Van Buren, where worship has ever since been held. The United Brethren
denomination organized a society quite early, on Ten Mile Creek, and built a
church on Section 4. This society is still in existence, and has a good church
and a respectable membership. Central Methodist Episcopal Chapel was organized
about 1850. In 1858 the present building, in the southeast corner of Section 28,
was erected, and has ever since been used. The trustees at that time were
Abraham Hart, Sanfred F. Dulin, Jacob Bowlby, Charles Deatsman, Thomas Fountain,
Abraham Beals, John Hardy, William H. Fountain and David Culp. This denomination
has now two churches in the township, both possessing good congregations.

   Lafayette.—On the 18th of March, 1837, Jacob Andre laid out a village of 72
lots on the north part of the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 15,
which he named Lafayette. But that is as far as the town ever got, and Portage
has never possessed a village or hamlet.

   Portage Centre Postoffice. —In April, 1857, Portage Centre postoffice was
established, with Jarvis Humphrey as postmaster. He was succeeded in 1863 by
Joseph Johnson, who served sixteen years. Mrs. George W. Montgomery, the present
incumbent, is Mr. Johnson's successor.

   Justices.—The following list embraces all who have held the office of justice
of the peace in Portage Township since its organization: Peter Heller, Merryman
Price, Mahlon Morris, John Edgington, Samuel Howard, John Kelley, Henry B. Wall,
Adam Crumrine, Charles B. Thomas, William M. King and Thomas F. Edgington.


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