Hancock County OhArchives History - Books .....Chapter XXVI, Part III 1886
************************************************
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:
Ann Anderson ann.g.anderson@gmail.com July 19, 2005, 6:22 pm
Book Title: The History Of Hancock County
CHAPTER XXVI. 
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

DERIVATION OF NAME, ERECTION, AREA, BOUNDARIES AND POPULATION—DISAPPEARANCE OF
THE FOREST, AND WILDCAT THICKET—SOIL AND TOPOGRAPHY—STREAMS—EARLY SETTLERS—FIRST
BIRTH IN THE TOWNSHIP— CHURCHES—EDUCATION—EARLY ELECTION AND JUSTICES—EISDON AND
ARCADIA—THEIR PAST AND PRESENT.

WASHINGTON received its name in honor of the commander-in-chief of the
Revolutionary armies and first President of the United States. It is the
northeast subdivision of Hancock County, and was erected March 5, 1832,
embracing the full Congressional Township 2 north, Range 12 east, or an area of
23,040 acres. Wood and Seneca Counties bound Washington on the north and east
respectively, while Big Lick Township lies on the south and Cass on the west. In
1840 it contained a population of 830; 1850, 1,222; 1860, 1,662; 1870, 1,579,
and 1880, 1,945.

   Like the greater portion of Hancock County, Washington was covered originally
with a heavy growth of forest, which through the past half century has gradually
disappeared under the magic strokes of the woodsman's ax. Much beautiful timber
was cut down and burned during the earlier years of settlement, as the pioneers
never dreamt the time would come when those giant trees would be more valuable
than the lands which bore them up. When the early settlers came to this part of
the county, a windfall from one-half a mile to a mile in width, overgrown with
underbrush and rank vegetation, stretched about half way across the township
from west to east, a little south of the center, which was named "Wildcat
Thicket," because of the large number of those animals which then found refuge
there.

   The soil and topographical features are very favorable to agricultural
pursuits. Two ridges, composed of sand and gravel, cross the northern tier of
sections from east to west, and unite on Section 5, thence continue westward
into Cass as one ridge. On each side of the north ridge the soil is a rich black
loam. A row of springs, locally called "Spring Row," originally stretched along
the base of the north ridge, rendering the lands wet and marshy, but tile
draining has long since brought them under cultivation. South of the lower ridge
the soil is a heavy clay interspersed with sections of vegetable deposits,
usually called "black muck," the higher lands being composed of a mixture of
clay and sand. The surface is generally level, and inclines gently northward,
the water-shed being wholly in that direction. Along the streams the country is
slightly rolling, and on reaching the summit of the north ridge the fall toward
the Wood County line is more rapid.

   The East and Middle Branches of Portage Biver drain the township from south
to north. The Middle Branch, also called Arcadia Creek, rises south-east of
Arcadia, winds northward through the western portion of the township, passing
through that village in its route, and leaves the county in Section 6. It
receives several small tributaries in its passage through Washington, and drains
about two-thirds of the township. Where it crosses the ridge its bluffs are from
twenty to thirty feet in height. The headwaters of the East Branch, or Fostoria
Creek, are in the east part of Big Lick Township, whence it flows northward into
Washington, and winding up the east side of the township, strikes the Wood
County line at Fostoria. These branches afford good natural drainage, and
therefore add much to the agricultural advantages of the township.

   Early Settlers.—It is an admitted fact that John Gorsuch was the first
settler, and erected the first cabin in this township, in April, 1831, on the
northeast quarter of Section 1, entered by him December 17, 1830. Mr. Gorsuch
had a wife and several grown children on coming to this township. His sons were
Micajah, Nelson, Silas, and Lemuel, all of whom, excepting Micajah, subsequently
removed from the county. The parents went into Wood County, where they spent the
balance of their lives.

   James Swaney also settled in the township in April, 1831, a short time after
Mr. Gorsuch. He located on the southeast quarter of Section 4, where he resided
until his death, prior to the Eebellion. At the time of his settlement here, Mr.
Swaney was in the prime of manhood, a fitting representative of those hardy
pioneers who dared the privations of frontier life. He was a local Methodist
Episcopal preacher, and a very worthy man. His widow survived him a few years,
but none of his children reside in this county.

   James G. Wiseman was the next settler to locate in this part of Hancock. He
entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 12, May 12, 1831, and
in the following month brought out his wife and eight children— seven boys and
one girl. He entered the east half of the same quarter, August 15, 1831. Mr.
Wiseman was a native of Greenbrier County, W. Va., born August 4, 1793, there
grew to manhood, learned the blacksmith trade, and for a time served in the war
of 1812, in the Fourth Virginia Cavalry, commanded by Col. Lewis, of that State.
In 1814 he married Miss Elizabeth Summers, and in September, 1817, moved to
Madison County, Ohio. After a two years' residence in Madison the family removed
to Perry County, and in May, 1831, to this township, where six children were
afterward born. He possessed a rugged frame, well fitted for frontier life, and
like most of the pioneers he was genial and honest, and always ready to lend a
helping hand. Though an expert hunter he never wasted time in those attractive
sports, but attended strictly to clearing up and improving his farm. His
daughter. Eliza, born in March, 1832, was the first white child born in the
township. In 1842 he built a saw-mill on his farm, which he ran several years.
Of his thirteen children, twelve grew to maturity, and he lived to see eleven of
them comfortably settled in life. He died on the old homestead April 3, 1872.
his widow surviving him several years. Only six of their children are now
living, Andrew and Joseph being two of the leading farmers of the township. The
former is the oldest continuous settler of Washington, having lived in the
township for more than fifty-five years.

   John Norris came from Wayne County, Ohio, entered the east half of the
northeast quarter of Section 2, March 19, 1831, and the following May located
upon his land. In 1832 he was elected clerk of the township. After a residence
here of a few years he sold his land and removed to Section 32, Portage
Township; but in 1877 he again sold out and went to Texas.

   In the fall of 1831, Thomas Kelley, of Wayne County, Ohio, built his cabin on
the northwest quarter of Section 1, entered by him the previous April. The
following year (1832), his brothers, Ezekiel and Moses, settled in the township,
the former on Section 4, and the latter on Section 2. Thomas served two terms as
county commissioner, and now resides in Fostoria, but Ezekiel and Moses both
died in the township.

   Quite a large number of families came into the township in 1832, among whom
were Elijah and John McRill, Francis Redfern, Jacob Heistand, Michael and
Liverton Thomas, Oliver Day, David Heaston, Obediah Hunt, James Conley, William
Norris, James Bryan and Isaac Wiseman. The McRills came here from Richland
County, Ohio, in the spring of 1832, and located in the northwest corner of the
township. Elijah subsequently went West, and John removed into Wood County;
Benjamin J., a son of Elijah, lives in the southeast corner of Marion Township.
Francis Redfern and family emigrated from England to Wayne County, Ohio, in
1830, and in May, 1832, came to this township, and settled on the southwest
quarter of Section 6. Besides the parents there were three sons and three
daughters in the family, the sons being Peter, Francis and Joseph, all full
grown. After a residence here of about fourteen years the family sold out and
removed to Illinois, Joseph having previously married, and settled just across
the line in Wood County, where he is yet living. Jacob Heistand, a native of
Pennsylvania, first settled in Wayne County, Ohio, whence in the spring of 1832
he came to Hancock. He located on Section 17 northeast of Arcadia. His wife,
Sarah, bore him a large family, all of whom, together with the parents, are
dead. The children of Henry (the second son), who died in 1881, reside on the
old homestead.

   Michael Thomas and wife, and sons, Liverton, Michael, Hugh and Jonathan, came
here from Wayne County, Ohio, in the spring of 1832. The parents settled on the
northwest quarter of Section 3, and Liverton, who was then married, on the
southwest quarter of Section 2. The latter was elected justice of the peace at
an election held in Washington July 21,1832. Michael, Sr., and wife died on
their farm, Liverton and wife in Fostoria, and Michael. Jr., Hugh and Jonathan
removed to Indiana. Oliver Day, a local Methodist Episcopal preacher, first
settled in Wood County, whence in the spring of 1832 he removed into this
township, settling in the northwest corner. In 1838 he was elected justice of
the peace, and finally removed to Iowa. David Heaston and family, of Fairfield
County, Ohio, located on Section 3 in the spring of 1832, where both he and his
wife died. One of the daughters lives upon the old place. Obediah Hunt was a
native of Vermont, and, previous to the fall of 1832, lived in Seneca County,
whence he removed to the northeast quarter of Section 12, where he entered 120
acres. July 17, 1832. He subsequently sold out and went to Michigan. James
Conley, of Richland County, Ohio, entered the west half of the northwest quarter
of Section 3, December 17, 1830. but did not settle on his land till 1832, and
after a brief residence moved into Wood County. William Norris, of Perry County,
Ohio, whence he had removed to Seneca County, settled on the southwest quarter
of Section 1 in 1832, and died in the township. James Bryan located about the
same time on Section 5, and there died. Isaac Wiseman, a brother of James G.,
came in from Seneca County in the fall of 1832, and built his cabin on the
southwest quarter of Section 12. He possessed a fair English education and
taught the first school in the township. In 1835 he was elected justice of the
peace, and re-elected three times in succession. Both he and his wife, .Susan,
died in the township. They reared quite a large family, five of whom are living
in the county, two being residents of the township.

   The year 1833 brought into the township William Eckels, Caleb Roller, Elijah
R. Anderson, William Day, William Fox and Robert Hales. Mr. Eckels and his wife,
Elizabeth, and eight unmarried children came from Holmes County, Ohio, in the
spring of 1833, and took up their residence on the southwest quarter of Section
7, near the west line of the township, which he had entered June 14, 1832. In
1835 he was elected justice of the peace, and served one term. Many years ago
the parents and most of the children removed to Wisconsin. Caleb Roller was a
native of Pennsylvania, but came here from Fairfield County, Ohio. He entered
land in November, 1830, but did not locate till 1833. His house stood on the
southeast quarter of Section 5, and shortly before the war he removed to
Michigan. Elijah B. Anderson came here from Richland County in the spring of
1833, and settled on the southeast quarter of Section 18, entered in August,
1832, where he resided till death. Several of his children yet live in the
township. William Day joined the settlement in 1833, locating on Section 4, east
of his brother Oliver, with whom he subsequently removed to Iowa. William and
Elizabeth Fox moved from Fairfield County to Seneca County, Ohio, at an early
day, and in 1827 came into Washington Township, where both spent the rest of
their days. They had a large family, only one of whom, Elias, survives. He was
born here in 1834, and is a leading farmer of his native township. Robert Hales
settled on the northeast quarter of Section 21 in the fall of 1833. He and his
wife died in Findlay, whither they removed from the farm.

  Charles E. Jordan was born in what is now Belmont County, Ohio, May 28, 1800,
whither his father had emigrated from Pennsylvania three years before. On the
21st of February. 1826, Mr. Jordan was married to Miss Margaret Moore, and in
1828 removed to what is now Harrison County, but then in Tuscarawas. He was a
shoe-maker by trade, and followed that business a few years. Early in the fall
of 1833 he visited Hancock County, and on the 26th of October entered the north
half of the southeast quarter of Section 19. and the east half of the northeast
quarter of Section 20, Washington Township. He returned for his wife and three
children, whom he brought out in a .wagon, arriving at the site of his future
home early in November, 1833. Here he reared a family of nine children, five of
whom are now living. He sent five sons into the army, one of whom (James) was
killed at Dallas. Ga. His wife died May 21. 1873, and on the 10th of September,
1874, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Winders, and removed to Findlay, whence he has
recently returned to this township. His second wife died October 7, 1881,
leaving no issue by this marriage. Mr. Jordan was elected justice of the peace
in 1859, and re-elected to the same office. He was one of the organizers and
principal supporters of the Lutheran Church of Arcadia. Mr. Jordan is one of the
few living pioneers who have witnessed the transformation of Hancock County from
a wilderness into its present prosperous condition.

   Randle and Ann Hales were natives of Maryland, whence they removed to
Jefferson County, Ohio, and in the spring of 1834 came to this township and
settled on the northwest quarter of Section 9, where he had entered 120 acres
October 17, 1833. They had a family of ten children, Charles, Joel and Joseph
being well remembered in the township, and Isaac T. is still a resident thereof.
Joel was elected justice of the peace in 1841. Randle was a hotel-keeper in
Fostoria for some years, but afterward returned to this township and here died.

   Baker Hales came from Brooke County. Va., in the spring of 1834, and located
on the southwest quarter of Section 15, which he entered October 17, 1833. His
father, William, came with him, and died at his son's home. Baker reared a
family of six children, two of whom reside in the township, and died upon the
home farm. His widow lives in Fostoria.

   Grafton Baker and William Ferrall also came in 1834. The former was a native
of Maryland, and his wife, Mary, of Pennsylvania, but came here from Carroll
County, Ohio. Mr. Baker learned the carpenter's trade, and subsequently served
in the war of 1812. He and his wife were earnest Methodists, and both died in
this county. Of their seven children, Garrett, now one of the aged pioneers of
the township, is the only survivor, and lives upon the old homestead on Section
22. William and Jane Ferrall were natives of Pennsylvania, and the parents of
twelve children. They settled on Section 6, and died many years ago. Some of
their descendants yet reside in Hancock County.

   Other settlers of 1834 were John Wickard, Peter Fulk and Martin, Henry, John
and David Brown. Mr. Wickard and wife, Elizabeth, settled on Section 7, and
reared a large family, none of whom now live in this township. The parents died
on the old place. Peter Fulk located on Section 25, and the Browns on Section
36. All sold out and left the county, except Martin Brown, who resided in the
township till his death.

   In March, 1835, Peter and Elizabeth Wyant came from Carroll County, Ohio, and
settled on the northeast quarter of Section 34. Here Mr. Wyant died many years
past, but his aged widow is still living upon the farm where she began the life
of a pioneer more than fifty years ago.

   In 1834 or 1835 three brothers, Ephraim, Ambrose and David Peters, natives of
Virginia, settled on the site of Arcadia, and in 1854 the two last mentioned
laid out that village. Ephraim was elected justice of the peace in 1844, and
both he and David died in the township. Ambrose removed to Indiana and there
died. Some of their children are residents of the county. Bartley Wyant and his
wife, Mary Ann, and several children also came in the spring of 1836, and
located where John Wyant now resides. George, an older son, was married when
they came, and Peter had preceded them one year. The parents soon moved into Big
Lick Township, where they died. Michael Roller came in 1837, served five terms
as justice of the peace, and now lives in Arcadia. John P. Ebersole, a leading
preacher of the German Baptist Church, settled in Big Lick in 1835, but in a few
years removed to the southeast quarter of Section 25, Washington Township, where
he is yet living. The father of Henry and George Slosser. built a saw-mill about
1833, on Portage Creek in Section 5, which the Slossers operated at intervals,
though the brothers did not locate permanently for several years after that
date. Henry sold his land to William Church and left the county. George is still
a resident of the township.

   Churches. —This township contains six churches, viz.: two Methodist
Episcopal, and one each of the Lutheran, Presbyterian, German Baptist and the
United Brethren denominations. The first religious society in this part of the
county was organized by members of the Methodist Episcopal faith in 1832, at the
house of John Gorsuch. Services were afterward held alternately at the cabins of
John Gorsuch. James G. Wiseman, James Swaney, Elijah McRill and Oliver Day, all
of whom were ardent Methodists. About 1833 the society undertook the erection of
a hewed-log church near the center of Section 5, but during the raising William
Eckels got one of his legs broken, and work on the building ceased. It was not
for several years afterward that the structure was completed. A frame church
owned by the Methodists now occupies the old site. In the meantime, another
hewed-log building 26x36 feet in size was put up on Section 1, in the northeast
corner of the township, and now included in West Fostoria. The Methodists also
erected the first church in Arcadia, in 1858, where regular services are still
held.

   The Lutheran Church was organized by Rev. George Hammer, in the barn of Jacob
Heistand, whose wife was the first Lutheran in the township. Among the
organizers were Jacob Heistand and wife, Henry Heistand and wife, Charles E.
Jordan and wife, John and Andrew Zimmerman and wives, Abel Smart and wife, and a
Mr. Bultz and wife. The society first met at the houses of members and afterward
in the hewed-log schoolhouse erected about one-half mile north of Arcadia. A log
church was finally built close to this schoolhouse, and used until unroofed by a
storm. In September, 1872, the present brick structure in Arcadia was dedicated.

   The German Baptists held meetings at an early day in this township, some of
the pioneers adhering to that faith. Their church stands on the northeast corner
of Section 35.

   The Presbyterians built their present frame church in Arcadia, in 1862. Its
first members came principally from Enon Valley Church, in Big Lick Township.
The society was organized January 28, 1860, the original members being as
follows: Samuel Creighton. Samuel McConnell, Rachel McConnell, Rebecca T.
McConnell, Edward Wagoner, Eliza Wagoner, Margaret Achan, Margaret Thomas,
William Warren, Rachel Warren, Jane Moore, Jemima A. Harbaugh, Peter Millburn.
Mary Millburn, and Margaret Frederick. Samuel McConnell and Peter Millburn were
the first elders of this society.

   The United Brethren Church stands on Section 4, and is one of the later
additions to the religious history of the township. The German Reformed
denomination used to have a church in the southeast corner of Section 11, but
the society built a new one in Fostoria, and the old structure was torn down and
removed.

   Education.—In 1833 or 1834 a small round-log schoolhouse was built on the
farm of James G. Wiseman, in Section 12. It was of the early regulation pattern,
containing slab desks, benches and floor, and greased paper windows. Isaac
Wiseman was the first teacher, and the Gorsuches, Wisemans, Swaneys, Thomases,
McRills, Kelleys, Norrises, and Hunts were the pupils in attendance. Some two or
three years after the erection of this little building, another similar in
construction was built on Section 5, in which the Days, Ferralls, Bryans.
Rollers, and others received their instruction. Isaac Wiseman, David Headley,
Anthony Strother and Clarissa Whitmore were the earliest school teachers in this
locality. It was not long until other schools were opened, and the interest in
education kept pace with the growth in population. The township now boasts of
nine schoolhouses. the one in Arcadia being a graded school with three teachers.
The United Brethren Academy, in Fostoria. is also within the bounds of
Washington Township, so that this portion of the county is well supplied with
educational facilities.

   Early Election and Justices.—On the 21st of July, 1832, an election was held
in this township for justice of the peace. James G. Wiseman, David Heaston and
James Swaney were the judges; and John Swaney and John Norris clerks. Thirteen
votes were cast as follows: Joseph Berdine, Michael Thomas, David Heaston, John
Norris. James Swaney, Thomas Kelley, Oliver Day, James G. Wiseman, John McRill,
John Swaney, Liverton Thomas, Micajah Gorsuch and Elijah McRill. Liverton Thomas
was elected justice of the peace. His successors have been Isaac Wiseman,
William Eckels, Oliver Day, Joel Hales, Michael Roller, Ephraim Peters, William
Baker, Thomas Buckley, Charles S. Kelley, Wesley Bradford, Anthony Fox, Charles
E. Jordan, Jacob Peters, James McCauley, Ezra B. Warner, George W. Grubb, D. P.
Loyd, J. W. Fisher, Christian German and Joseph Dillery.

   Risdon and Arcadia.—On the 6th of September, 1832, the village of Risdon,
named in honor of Daniel Risdon, the surveyor, was laid out by John Gorsuch,
thirty lots being on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 6,
Township 2 north, Range 13, in the county of Seneca; and thirty lots on the east
half of the northeast quarter of Section 1, Township 2 north. Range 12, in
Hancock County, the center of Main Street being the county line. Risdon
postoffice was established January 28, 1837, with Alvin Coles as postmaster; and
his successors were William N. Morgan, Robert C. Caples, Alonzo Lockwood, Robert
Russell, William Braden, William Thomas, Enos W. Thomas and William Weaver. The
office was discontinued January 17, 1855, and Risdon and Rome were amalgamated
the same year under the name of Fostoria, in honor of Charles W. Foster, one of
the founders of Rome. That portion of Fostoria lying in Hancock had a population
in 1880 of 371. Several manufacturing establishments are located here, also the
United Brethren College, and it thus forms a very important addition to Fostoria.

   Arcadia was laid out on the southwest quarter of Section 20, by David and
Ambrose Peters, in September, 1854, and the plat recorded July 17, 1855.
Additions to the original plat have been made by William Wheland, William
Jordan, D. Y. Searles and Dillery & Miniger. David Peters opened the first store
in the village. Other early business men were A. W. Frederick, William Marvin,
O. I. Garrl, Samuel Myers, Samuel B. Moore and Alfred Miller. In 1858-59, a
steam grist-mill was erected in Arcadia by Samuel Blackford. After passing
through several ownerships the mill was burned down in 1873 and never rebuilt.
The town was incorporated May 19, 1859, and at the first election George W.
Kimmell was chosen mayor, and Dr. D. B. Spahr, recorder. The mayoralty has since
been filled by the following citizens in the order named: Jacob Peters. Joseph
Dillery, Ezra B. Warner, Charles E. Jordan, Jacob E. Beeson, A. D. Harbaugh,
George Stahl, J. W. Fisher, Joseph Dillery, Michael Roller and William Karn. In
1859 a postoffice was established here, with A. W. Frederick as postmaster. His
successors have been David Peters, Jacob Peters, William Karn, Joseph Smart,
William Moffett, J. H, Beeson and Samuel B. Moore.

   Arcadia lies nine miles northeast of Findlay, at the crossing of the Lake
Erie & Western, and the New York. Chicago & St. Louis Railroads. The former was
completed through the village in the fall of 1859. and the latter in the summer
of 1881. Its business interests consist of one dry goods store, three grocery
stores, one druggist, one hardware store, a harness and saddlery shop, two shoe
shops, a cabinet and undertaker's shop, a tin shop, a bakery, a barber shop, one
wagon shop, two blacksmith shops, a saloon, one saloon and restaurant, a pump
factory, a broom factory, a good steam flouring-mill and elevator, a steam saw
and planing-mill, three handle factories and two hotels. Four physicians are
located in the village: Drs. John Fisher, W. G. Brayton, M. S. Williamson and
Abraham Bricker. The Methodist Episcopal, Lutheran and Presbyterian
denominations have each a church in Arcadia, and there is also a fine two-story
brick school-house of four rooms, where three teachers are employed in
instructing the youth of Arcadia and surrounding country. Arcadia Lodge, No.
595, I. O. O. F., was instituted in July, 1874, with fifteen charter members,
and now has a membership of forty-two. In 1870 the census gave Arcadia a
population of 288, and in 1880, 396; while the town now claims about 500. It is
a very thriving village, and affords first-class traveling and shipping
facilities for the people of this portion of Hancock County. In the southeast
suburb of the town is located a handsome little cemetery, beautified by shade
trees and containing many costly monuments.


File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/oh/hancock/history/1886brown/chapter026.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ohfiles/

File size: 26.2 Kb