|
JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 433 CHAPTER XX. JACKSON TOWNSHIP. JACKSON presents a variety of soil, from light sand and gravel to heavy clay. The township is marked by the number of streams which course through it, all little tributaries of the Upper Ottawa, or Hog Creek. The village of Lafayette, on Section 28, is the principal market town. The location of this village is on the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R.. in the center of a rich agricultural district, with churches and schools within its boundaries, rendering it at once an agreeable place of residence and a prosperous business town. The north part of Maysville village, (referred to in the history of Auglaize), occupies the extreme southeastern corner of Section 36. Beaver Dam, in Richland Township, on the L. E. & W. R. R. offers a convenient market village to the residents of the northern sections of Jackson. The stone quarries, referred to in speaking of the geology of the county, offer a good quality of water- lime rock. The quarries, three miles west of Lafayette, worked by Jacob 434 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. Custer, produce a rock about eight inches thick. The excavation is about twenty feet. The Clothe quarries, near the village of Lafayette, produce a stone of equally good quality, but not so heavy. The population of Jackson is 1,803, including 333 in Lafayette village, showing fifty inhabitants to the square mile. During the four years ending in March. 1885, the population has increased about 200. ORGANIZATION. A petition of the establishment of Jackson was presented to the Commissioners' Board June 6, 1831, which resulted in setting off all, of Township 3 south, Range 8 east, the eastern half of Township 3 south, Range 7 east, and northern tier of sections of Township 4 south, Range 8 east, and continuation of that line in Range 7. In December, 1833, Auglaize and Perry claimed their sections, and in December, 1834, Bath claimed her eastern sections from Jackson, and the township was organized as a congressional township, under its original name. William Watt, William Reese and Thomas Nash were the first trustees. John Jamieson the first Justice of the Peace and Joseph Hall the first Clerk. PIONEERS. The settlement of Jackson may be said to date back to 1827, when Jacob Hawk purchased the first parcel of public lands in Township 3 south, Range 8 east. The actual settlement began a few years later, and six years after 1830, every section of the township claimed an occupying proprietary. A reference to the Assessment Roll of 1834, given in the chapter on Settlement and Occupation, will give a clear idea of the names of those who are entitled to the honor of opening up the wilderness. In the same chapter a brief mention is made of the pioneers, while in the biographical history of the county the true history of its settlement and progress is very fully treated. The value of the subjoined list of original purchasers of United States lands in this township cannot be under-estimated—it forms the basis of the township's history. LIST OF ORIGINAL LAND ENTRIES. Ludwig Smeltz, section 1, 1836. James Stanly, section 1, 1836. John Haines, section 2, 1836. Thos. R. Robinson, section 2, 1836. James Sprague, section 1, 1836. Joseph Rayle, section 1, 1836. George Rayle, section 1, 1836. John Haines, section 1, 1836. JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 435 Michael Yoakum. section 2. 1835. Daniel Jennings, section 2, 1836. Townsan Reed, section 2, 1836. Absalom Yoakum, section 3, 1936. Isaac Smith, section 3, 1836. Moses Mendenhall, section 3, 1835. John Dickerson, section 3, 1836. John Davis, section 4, 1835. John Shinabury, section 4, 1835. Joseph Seffers, section 4, 1835. Solomon Yoakum, section 4, 1834. Samuel Snyder, section 4, 1837. John Snyder, section, 4, 1834. Thomas Williams, section 4, 1835. Absalom Brown, section 4. 1834. John Dickinson, section 4, 1835. John Shinabury, section 5, 1834. Samuel Snider, section 5, 1837. John Snyder, section 5, 1837. James Jennings, section 5, 1835. Robert Meek, section 5, 1834. Thos. Williams, section 5, 1835. David Braddock, section 6, 1834, Benj. Meek, section 6, 1833. Demas Adams, section 6, 1836. John Robinson, section 6, 1836. Manuel Reed, section 6, 1833. Tobias Woods, section 6, 1833. Wm. Hall, section 6, 1837. Joseph Faurot, section 6, 1836. Samuel Hunter, section 7, 1836. John Hunter, section 7, 1836. John Murray, section 7, 1834. George Hunter, section .7, 1836. Samuel Melliger, section 7, 1833. Henry Russell, section 7,1835. John Livingston, section 7, 1833. Samuel Reid, section 7, 1847. Thos. McCluer, section 7. 1849. Isaac Smith, section 8, 1836. John Ralston, section 8, 1535. Clements Smetz, section 8, 1836. Joseph Fushee, section S. 1836. Joseph Fushee, section 8, 1535. John Dickerson, section 9, 1835. Isaac Smith, section 9, 1836. Isaac Smith. section 10, 1836 John Dickerson, section 10, 1835. John H. Millikn, section 10, 1836. Henry Cook, section 10, 1636. Peter Harsh, section 11. 1836. John Harsh. section 11, 1536. Jas. Dougherty, section 11, 1836. Noble Kelley, section 11. 1836. Daniel Wollett, section 11, 1847. George Rayle. section 12, 1836. Jas. Stanley. Jr., section 12, 1836. Wm. P. Harshee, section 12, 1835. Jas. R. Harshee, section 12, 1836. Ludwick Smeltz, section 12, 1836. Wm. Vincent, section 12, 1836. Jacob Stemple, section 12, 1836. Wm. Candler, section 19, 1835. Christian Evick, section 12, 1834. Wm. P. Harshee, section 13, 1835. Jas. R. Harshee, section 13. 1835. Solomon Marsh. section 13, 1835. Hy. W. Hicks, section 13, 1836. Isaac S. Smith, section 13, 1836. Geo. Holtsbecker, section 13, 1839. Christian Evick, section 13, 1834. Henry V. Hail, section 13, 1834. Jethro Fisher, section 13, 1836. Jacob Stemple, section 13, 1836. John P. Roby, section 13, 1836. Michael Yoakum, section 13, 1835. Christian Evick, section 14, 1834. Joseph W. Hall, section 14, 1833. Andrew Harsee. section 14, 1834. Henry V. Hall, section 14, 1836. Lot Plummer, section 14, 1836. Henry C. Pease, section 14, 1834. David C. Engart, section 14, 1836. John Shade, Jr., section 14, 1634. Henry Shade, section 13, 1835. John Shade, seclion 15, 1834. Jeremiah Ennis, section 15, 1835. Samuel Shuder, section 15, 1834. Peter Shade, section 15. 1834. Henry White, section 17, 1835. Richard hall, section 17, 1833. Anthony Hall, section 17, 1830. John Murray, section 18, 1835. John Copeland, section 18, 1836. Abraham Ward. section 18, 1838. Wm. Watt, section 18, 1834. Eli Cunningham, section 18, 1834. Samuel Patterson, section 18, 1835. Aaron Loomis, section 18, 1832. John Reid. section 15, 1847. Jacob Puterbaugh, section 19, 1832. John Jameson. section 19, 1832. Jacob hawk, section 19. 1:7,27. Samuel L. Watt, section 19, 1832. 436 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. John Robinson, section 19, 1833. Jacob Staley, section 20, 1832. John Swaim, Jr., section 20, 1835. Thos. Nash, section 20, 1833. John Aiken, section 20, 1833. Asa Merrill, section 20, 1833. Joseph Hall, section 21, 1832. Peter Staley, Sr., section 21, 1832. Jesse Plummer, section 21, 1835. Melcher Staley, section 21, 1833. Peter Staley, Jr., section 21, 1832. James Hall, section 21. 1832. Thomas Nash, section 21, 1838. John Staley, section 21, 1833. Jeremiah Ennis, section 22, 1834. Thomas Hall, section 22, 1834. Wm. A. Kerman, section 22, 1834. Wm. Layering, section 22, 1835. Wm. Sudduth, section 22, 1833. John Clabaugh, section 22, 1835. Lemuel Tucker, section 22, 1833. Peter Hangaman, section 23, 1835. John McCray Wilson, section 23, 1835. Chelsey K. Sims, section 23, 1835. Henry White, section 23, 1832. Jesse Plummer, section 23, 1834. Lot Palmer, section 23, 1833. Christian Fisher, section 24, 1835. Peter Hangaman, section 24, 1835. Thomas Hall, section 24, 1834. Isaac Wilson, section 24, 1841. John King, section 24, 1835. Hiram Statler, section 25, 1835. Adam Snyder, section 25, 1835. Jacob Snyder, section 25, 1835. Alexander Sanderson, section 25, 1832. Henry Baker, section 25, 1835. Jacob Fisher, section 25, 1835. Barnet Weyer, section 25, 1835. Rawley Rison, section 25, 1835: Alexander Sanderson, section 26, 1832. Bennett Meyer, Jr., section 26, 1835. Phillip Roads, section 26, 1833. James Prosser, section 26, 1833. Barnet Weyer, section 26, 1835. Daniel Swaim, section 27, 1835. Wm. Valentine, section 27, 1835. Henry Greenawalt, section 27, 1835. Lemuel Tucker, section 27, 1835. Joshua Swaim, section 27, 1835. John Swaim, Jr., section 27, 1835. Leonard Lones, section 27, 1835. John Nash, section 28, 1833. Daniel Tooke, section 28, 1833. Barnet Weyer, section 28, 1835. Thomas Nash, section 28, 1833. Joseph Marsh, section 29, 1832. John Swaim, Jr., section 29, 1835. John B. Walton, section 29, 1832. Benj. Pearce, section 29, 1833. Wm. French, section 29, 1836. Townsan Reed, section 29, 1836. Griffith Thomas, section 30, 1836. Samuel McKafferty, section 30, 1834. Wesley J. Wells, section 30, 1836. Crayton Saunders, section 30, 1836. Samuel L. Watt, section 30, 1835. John Statler, section 30, 1836. John Strickle, section 30, 1833. John Strickler, Jr., section 30, 1836. Nicholas M. Touts, section 31, 1836. Daniel Heindell, section 31, 1836. Abel Tompkins, section 31, 1836. Samuel Harner, section 31, 1834. Jas. T. Rumbaugh, section 31, 1833. Wm. Dailey, section 31, 1835. David Hossack, section 32, 1836. Abel Tompkins, section 32, 1836. Christian B. Spohn, section 32, 1836. Robert R. Jameson, section 32, 1836. Demas Adams, section 32, 1836. Elijah T. Jones, section 32, 1836. Henry Hiatt, section 33, 1833. Benj. Hiatt, section 33, 1834. Michael Leatherman, section 33, 1835. Jas. W. Jameson, section 33, 1835. Wm. Reese, section 33, 1833. Demas Adams, section 33, 1836. John Lones, section 34, 1835. Michael Fisher, section 34, 1835. Wm. Craig, section 34, 1835. Michael Leatherman, section 34, 1835. Jacob Fisher, section 34, 1835. Jas. Prosser, section 35, 1835. Jeremiah Mercer, section 35, 1835. Jacob Sellars, section 35, 1834. Jacob Crist, section 35, 1836. John Creenault, section 35, 1836. Wm. Crist, section 35, 1836. Rawley Rison, section 36, 1835. Daniel Snider, section 36, 1836. Christian Sellers, section 36, 1834. Joseph Braddock, section 36, 1834 JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 437 SCHOOLS. In 1833, a schoolhouse was erected on Section 24, where Thomas Hall taught school. Opposed to this is the statement of Mrs. Nancy Ann (Vincent) Cunningham, that she presided over the first school, District No. 6, in 1838, and in 1839 taught school in a deserted cabin east of the site of the present village of Lafayette. She further states that her father's (William Vincent) house was generally used for religious meetings, there being neither school nor church buildings in the town in 1837, nor even for some years later. The school statistics give the following facts regarding the township schools : The receipts in 1884 were $7,616.48, against $5,488.54 expended. There are eleven school buildings, two of which were erected in 1884. The enrollment is 444-240 boys and 204 girls. The statistics of the Lafayette Special District are as follows : The receipts for 1884 were $996.42 ; expenditures, $706.33. The number of pupils enrolled is 93-48 boys and 45 girls. Two male teachers presided in 1884. LAFAYETTE VILLAGE. Lafayette, in Section 28, Jackson Township, is a village laid out in regular blocks. It was platted by William B. Weyer. The original town comprises the tract north of Sugar street, extending from a point just west of Church street to the eastern boundary, all north of the P., Ft. W. & C. R. R. Weyer's Western and Southern Additions and Craig's Eastern Additions all bounded south by Jefferson street, together with the First Addition to original town, corner of Sugar and High streets, comprise the village of the present time. The very name is an index to the character of the people. It was selected to perpetuate a great and useful name in the midst of the wilderness, and to be a lesson in itself to the youth who would grow up here. The location of the village, eight miles east of Lima, on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad, is pleasant, healthy and convenient. The altitude above Lake Erie is about 255 feet, the situation is in the midst of a rich agricultural district, dotted with substantial buildings, orchards, and all the pleasing characteristics of a prosperous farming community. 438 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. ORGANIZATION. On September 3, 1867, the Commissioners granted authority to organize the village of Lafayette. M. C. Mumagh was agent for petitioners. The first election was held March 13, 1868. William Smith, William Maginnis and T. W. Corbett were appointed Judges, James Fookes and S. Knoble, Clerks of Election. M. C. Mumagh was elected Mayor, Samuel Knoble, Recorder, Lafayette Rosencrans, J. W. Umbaugh, Sam. Brantner, Sam. Lyebrand and Elijah Ferguson, Councilmen ; Harvey Smith, J. B. Cornell and David Howard, Road Trustees. In 1869 M. C. Mumagh was elected Mayor ; L. D. Argo, Recorder ; William F. Wilcox, Marshal ; S. Brantner, James M. Fisher, Dr. N. Sager, H. D. Hill and S. Lyebrand, Councilmen. Mr. Mumagh served as Mayor until 1876, when John Umbaugh was elected. Robert Fookes served as Mayor from 1876 to 1880, when M. C. Mumagh was elected. P. M. Hall succeeded in 1881 ; F. Urich in 1882 ; T. W. Corbett in 1883, and C. E. Wamsley in 1884. The Recorders of the village were James Fisher; 1870 ; N. Sager, Jr., 1872 ; D. M. Fisher, 1873 ; Robert Fookes, 1874 ; S. Knoble, 1876; T. M. Hawk, 1878; T. W. Corbett, 1880; Freeman Taylor, 1881, and J. W. Gensel, 1884-85. The Postmasters of the village since 1853 were George E. Strayer, 1853; Robert Mehaffey, 1857; Samuel Lyebrand, 1861; D. Kinzie, 1865, and Jeremiah Bechtel, 1878-85. The physicians of the village previous to 1844 were Samuel Jones, Dr. Littlefield and David Watson. In 1844 Dr. Newton Sager (one of the quartet of medical practitioners who remained in the county since pioneer times), arrived; Dr. Howe in 1849; William Kyle, Jones, Broughton and Hollaway, came in between 1854 and 1864; Dr. Hill in 1869; Dr. Remage in 1871, Dr. Sager, Jr., in 1871, and Dr. A. S. Rudy in April, 1884. CHURCHES. Christian Church.—Among the original members of this society were Daniel Cloore and wife, William Akerman and wife, Nathan Hawk and wife, S. G. Heath and wife, John Akerman and wife, J. L. B. Leatherman and wife, Solomon Binkley and wife, John Staley and wife, Joseph Hall and wife, William Sudduth, James Erick and wife. The pastors JACKSON TOWNSHIP - 431 of this church were Michael Martz, the first preacher and organizer Samuel Hardesty followed him, then William Gander, G. B. Garner, M. W. C. Rimer, H. H. Holverstott, 1880-83, and the present pastor Mt Rimer. In 1860 the society erected their house of worship. This building and lot are valued now at $2,000. The membership is seventy-five. Methodist Episcopal Church.—This society existed hero without organization for many years prior to 1840. The Presiding Elders and Pastors since 1840 are named in the following list: W. S. Morrin, P. E. 1840; Samuel Wilson, P. C., 1840; Edward Williams, P. E., 1841; W. H. Nickerson, 1842; Thomas H. Willson, 1842; W. W. Winters, 1843 S. L. Yourtree, P. C., 1844; S. P. Shaw, P. E.; M. L. Starr, P. C 1846; D. H. May, 1846; Stephen Fant, 1847; Wesley Brock, P. E. 1848; Joseph Wykes, P. C., 1849; Ralph Wilcox, 1850; Alex. Harmouni 1851; H. Maltbie, 1852; H. M. Shaffer, P. E., 1852; James Killam, E., 1853; H. Maltbie, 1853; J. S. Deleel, 1854; W. J. Wells, P. E. 1855; Joseph Wykes, 1856; Rev. George 0. McPherson, 1858; W. A Baker, 1860; Hiram M. Shaffer, P. E., 1861; John C. Haven, P. C. 1861; John Farley, 1861; Francis Plumb, 1862; Franklin Marriott, P. E., 1864; B. B. Powell, P. C., 1864; Caleb Hill, 1865; B. L. Rowan 1867; S. H. Alderman, P. E., 1868; C. Ashton, 1868; C. Weaner, 187( John C. Miller, 1872; J. W. Keely, 1874; L. 0. Cook, 1875; A. Harmount, P. E., 1875; A. Berry, P. E., 1876; John C. Miller, 1876; — Shultz, 1877; L. 0. Cook, 1878; Joseph Wykes, 1879; Lemuel Herber 1882; Arkinson Berry, 1883; C. B. Hickernell, 1884-85. In 1851 the first quarterly meeting was held. Lafayette Circuit was established in 1858. W. A. Baker, Chaplain Forty-sixth Ohio Infant] appointed in 1861, died August 25, 1862. During this year also the war and anti-war parties created much trouble within the church. In 18( Liberty Chapel was made a regular appointment. The brick house worship was erected during Mr. Miller's first term. In 1876 the brit house of worship at Salem was erected and dedicated June 4, that yes The Lafayette Circuit comprises Liberty Chapel, Zion, Perry Chap( Salem and Lafayette. The membership of the church at Lafayette 42; of that at Liberty, 40; at Zion, 16; at Perry, 87, and at Salem, 60, or total membership of 245. 26 440 - HISTORY OF ALLEN COUNTY. SOCIETIES. Sugar Lodge 513, A. F. & A. M., Lafayette, was chartered October 18, 1876, with the following charter members: Samuel Knoble, M. C. Mumaugh, J. L. Maus, P. M. Hall, Newton Sager, J. W. Umbaugh, James Fookes, N. Sager, Jr., R. Mehaffey, W. H. McGinness, C. F. Neff, William Akerman. The masters are named as follows: C. F. Neff (under dispensation), R. Mehaffey and Newton Sager, who is still W. M. The Secretary is Newton Sager, Jr. Dexter Gilbert Post, No. 417, Lafayette, was chartered March 10, 1884, with W. E. Grubb, Commander; Harvey D. Parmenter, Adjutant; E. Bechtel, P. V. ; William Hall, Senior Vice; F. Bechtel, D. Howeville, Asa Ransbottom, S. Flemming, W. B. Weyer, B. F. Aunspaugh, W. Sudith, C. Fisher, J. Tullis, E. Bowers, John Hall, W. A. Flemming, Thomas Shrider, and Thomas Tullis. The Post now numbers about forty members. The Post room is located in Mr. Mumaugh's house. The Post was named after Dexter Gilbert, one of the first soldiers of Allen County who fell in the War of 1861-65. MISCELLANEOUS. Many references are made to this territory and its people in the general history and in the pages devoted to biography. The Pittsburgh, Ft. Wayne & Chicago Railroad runs through Jackson Township and Lafayette Village from east to west, and the postoffices are Herring and Maysville. |