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CHAPTER XIV.

CASS TOWNSHIP.

ERECTION, ORGANIZATION, CHANGES IN TERRITORY, AREA, BOUNDARIES AND POPULATION-DERIVATION OF NAME, TOPOGRAPHY, WILDCAT THICKET, SOIL AND WATER PRIVILEGES-FIRST L AND ENTRIES AND PIONEERS-MILLS-SCHOOLS-RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES-JUSTICES-CASS AND WINELAND POSTOFFICES-FRANKFORD.

THIS political subdivision lies in the northern range of townships, and was erected March 4, 1833. It then embraced the whole of Township 2, north, Range 11, the four eastern tiers of sections being taken from Marion, and the two western tiers from Findlay Township, the latter subdivision, previous to the erection of Cass and Portage, embracing all of what is now Allen Township. The first election for township officers was held the first Monday in April; 1833, at which time less than a dozen votes were cast. Upon the erection of Allen Township, in June, 1850, twelve sections were taken off the west side of Cass in the formation of the new township. Since that date Cass has contained an area of twenty-four square miles, or 15,360 acres, and is bounded as follows: On the north by Wood County, on the east by Washington Township, on the south by Marion Township, and on the west by Allen Township. Its population by decades has been as follows: 1840, 588; 1850, 621; 1860, 860; 1870, 759, and 1880, 829.

The township was named in honor of Gen. Lewis Cass, the celebrated Democratic leader of Michigan, and was originally covered with a heavy growth of the several kinds of timber indigenous to northwestern Ohio. The surface is slightly rolling, being sufficiently interspersed with ridges to afford good natural drainage. " Wildcat Thicket" was a windfall about half a mile in width, that during pioneer days ran across the township a little south of the center, the trees all lying with their tops toward the east, indicating that the storm came from the opposite direction. A rank vegetation and a heavy growth of underbrush covered the fallen timber, and afforded a safe lair for the many wild animals then infesting the country. Wild-cats were numerous in this thicket: hence the name. Along the Wood County line the soil is a vegetable loam, except upon the ridges which are composed of a sand and gravel formation. A sand and gravel ridge crosses the north part of the township from east to west. South of this ridge a clay and loam. soil prevails, mined in places with deposits of sand and gravel. The southern and central portions of Cass are drained by the Middle Branch of Portage River, the headwaters of which may be said to have their source in the south part of the township. Two forks meander northward, one from

390 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

the southeast corner and the other from the southwest corner of the township, and, after uniting near the east line of Section 15, the stream flows westward into Allen, thence onward into Wood County. Two small tributaries of the same river flow northward from the ridge, and assist in draining that part of the township. Good water is readily found by sinking wells, and sulphur water exists in considerable quantities.

First Land Entries and Pioneers.-The first settlements in this township were made upon the ridge, the earliest entries being made in the north part of the township. In March, 1832, David P. Day entered the northeast quarter of Section 11, and John Franks, the north half of Section 10 and the southwest quarter of Section 1. The following May Rev. Elam Day entered the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 12, and the same month Eleazer C. Fairchild took up the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 2, and the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 12.

The Days and Fairchilds were the first families to settle in the township. David P. and Elam Day came here respectively from Wayne and Wood Counties, Ohio, in the summer of 1832, the former settling in Section 11 and the latter in Section 12. Elam was a regular minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and David P., a local preacher of the same denomination. Both families went to Iowa many years ago. Daniel and Eleazer C. Fairchild, of Trumbull County, Ohio, settled in Sections 1 and 12 respectively, in the fall of 1832. Daniel was the second justice of Cass Township, served one term as county commissioner, and resided on his farm till death. Eleazer C., better known as Curtis, removed to Iowa. None of their descendants are now living in the county.

During the fall of 1832 Gibson McDaniels, Hiram Hulburt, James Wood, Charles W. Goldsborough and Nicholas Helmick all came into the township. McDaniels soon after arriving here married a daughter of Eleazer C. Fairchild, and settled in Section 15, whence he removed to the West. Hiram Hulburt and family located in Section 11, where he carried on a small ashery. He sold out to James Vickers, and moved away at an early day. James Wood and family came from Wayne County, Ohio, and also settled in Section 11. He afterward removed into Marion Township, and there died. Charles W. Goldsborough and family settled in the southeast quarter of Section 1, and in October, 1832, sold fifty acres off his farm to Francis Redfern. In a few years the Goldsboroughs left the county. They were Methodists, and among the organizers of the first Methodist Episcopal class in the township. Nicholas Helmick was a native of Virginia, who had served in the Revolutionary war. He first settled in Section 14, but soon afterward removed to Section 10. He sold his land in Section 14 to Moses Hudson in 1837, and removed to Portage Township, where he spent the remaining years of his life.

It is not easy to determine the year when Jasper and John Franks, Jr., came into this township, for though the latter claims to have settled here in 1829, there was no land entered by any member of the family till March 12, 1832, when John Franks, of Wayne County, Ohio, took up the north half of Section 10, and the southwest quarter of Section 1, Township 2 north, Range 11. The same spring John Franks, Jr., entered the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 4. Mr. Franks says: "In moving out from Wayne County we came through what is now Fostoria and stopped

CASS TOWNSHIP. - 391

to assist Charles W. Foster to raise a log house-the first one built in that town." Mrs. Foster, yet a resident of Fostoria, says: "Our house was built in October, 1832, and we moved into it on the 15th of November following." The parents, John and Rachel Franks, their son, Michael, and daughters, Mrs. David Hoyle, Mrs. Jonas Brown and Mrs. Samuel F. Harry, came from Wayne County somewhat later. All of the living pioneers of Cass Township agree in saying that the Franks family did not settle in this county before the fall of 1832, and we believe that to be the correct date of their coming. A village named Frankford was laid out by John Franks, Sr., in July, 1833, on the northwest quarter of Section 10. Mrs. John Franks, Sr., died on the old homestead, and Mr. Franks moved into Seneca County and again married. He subsequently settled in Washington Township, whence he removed to Michigan. Jasper and family went to Iowa; Michael married here and died on his farm in Washington Township. John, Jr., married Sarah Musgrove, of Wayne County, who bore him eight children. His second wife was Elizabeth Fast, by whom there are five children. Mr. Franks, who now resides in Wood County, has accumulated a large estate, much of which he still owns. All of the elder Franks were Pennsylvanians.

James and Sarah (Madison) Vickers were natives of England, and immigrated to the United States about 1818, settling near Pittsburg, Penn., whence they removed to Wayne County, Ohio. In the fall of 1832, Mr. Vickers came to this township and erected a cabin on the northwest quarter of Section 11, on a piece of land previously purchased from its owner, who lived in Wayne County. In April, 1833, with his wife and four children, he journeyed from Wayne County and took possession of his cabin on the ridge which stood on the site of his son James' handsome residence. Mr. Vickers was an enterprising man, and as early as 1838 or 1839 built a sawmill on the run near his home, which did considerable sawing for the neighborhood. The first Methodist society organized in the township held services for many years at his home, and he was one of its most earnest supporters. Mr. Vickers died in 1866, aged seventy-two, his widow surviving him till 1881, and dying in her eighty-fifth year. Of their four children who came with them from Wayne County, and the two born after coming, but three are living, James A., a leading farmer of Cass, being the only one residing in Hancock County.

John Hardy was born in Philadelphia, Penn., July 15, 1797, there married Martha Orr, in August, 1822, and removed to Stark County, Ohio, the same month. On the 31st of May, 1833, he arrived with his family in Cass Township, and settled on the southeast quarter of Section 10. After about four years' residence here he removed to a farm near the west line of what is now Allen Township, where he died October 30, 1860, his widow surviving till 1868. Mr. Hardy was a man of fair education, and taught school for many years. He was also one of the pioneer Methodists of the township and altogether a very worthy citizen.

Other Settlers of 1833 were John Payne, Charles Eckels, John Welch, Frederick Wagner and George and Thomas Elliott. Payne, with his wife and three daughters, located in the southeast quarter of Section 4, and was the first justice elected in the township. After a few years trial the family went back to Medina County. Charles and Magdalene (Karns) Eckels, natives of eastern Ohio, settled in the southeast corner of Section 12, where he

392 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

resided till his death, which occurred many years ago. Mr. Eckels was a son of William Eckels, of Washington Township, and left a family of four sons and two daughters. His widow survived him till 1884, and his son Joel now occupies the old homestead. John Welch, a brother-in-law of William Eckels, settled on the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, entered by him June 5, 1833. He died on this farm, leaving several children, residents of the county, one of whom, John, lives on the home place. Frederick Wagner located on the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 14, where both he and his wife died. Thomas Elliott also built his cabin on the northeast quarter of Section 14. George Elliott, a brother of Thomas, was a single man, but subsequently married a daughter of William Eckels, and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 12. The Elliotts were from Coshocton County, Ohio, and entered these tracts April 2, 1833. Both sold out at an early day and went to Iowa.

In 1834 George Albertson, John Chaffin and George Rhamy joined the settlement. Mr. Albertson, wife, and several children came from New Jersey and settled on Section 22. His wife died on the farm, and he removed to Arcadia and there died. None of the children are living in this county. John and Margaret Chaffin, natives of Virginia, located in Section 24. In 1838 Mr. Chaffin was elected justice of the peace, and served one term. He died on the home farm, and the family afterward went to Iowa. George Rhamy was from Carroll County, Ohio, and after coming here married Barbara, daughter of Frederick Wagner. He settled in Section 14, where his son, G. W., now lives, and died upon that farm. His widow is still a resident of the township.

The Brandeberrys located in Section 9, in 1835. The father, Rudolph, sons Andrew, Jacob, Isaac and John, and six daughters, came from Ash land County, Ohio. Each son had a farm of eighty acres given to him by the father, who took up a large tract of land. The latter died here, and none of the children are living in this part of the State.

Jacob Shaffer, of Trumbull County, Ohio, entered the southwest quarter and the south half of the northwest quarter of Section 27, October 29, 1833, and in 1835 settled on his land. His wife, Elizabeth, reared a family of one son and three daughters, all of whom are yet living. Andrew resides upon the old homestead, where the parents passed the remaining years of their lives.

John Eckels was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., April 25, 1795, and in 1819 married Esther Booth. In 1836 the parents and four sons, Charles J., James M., Cyrus L. and William H., emigrated from Pennsylvania and settled in Section 10, on land principally purchased of John Franks. Three children were born after coming, and of the seven, four survive. His wife died in 1862, and the following year he married Mrs. Mary McClintock. In 1865 he removed to Findlay, where he died in the fall of 1883. His widow resides with her step-son, Charles J., in North Findlay. Mr. Eckels was of Irish descent, and a man of strong will and decided opinions. He was one of the principal organizers of the Ebenezer Presbyterian Society, of Cass Township, which afterward united with the Portage Society. This organization took place in a log cabin on his farm, in 183 7, and he remained a Presbyterian until his removal to Findlay, when he united with the Congregationalists, and died in that faith.

Valentine and Elizabeth Barns emigrated from Maryland to Holmes

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County, Ohio, in 1817, and in the fall of 1836 came to Cass Township and settled on Section 10. Four sons and three daughters came with them, some of whom were full grown. The parents died on the old homestead. Ezra is perhaps the best remembered of the family. He was born in Maryland in 1815. In 1839 he married Elizabeth Albertson, of Cass Township, who bore him eight children, and died in 1880. Mr. Karns survived his wife about two years. He was a very enterprising citizen, and assisted in organizing the Hancock County Agricultural Society, in the success of which he always took the deepest interest. Mr. Karns was long recognized as one of the solid, substantial farmers of the county.

L. D. Shippy and family, of Seneca County, located in Section 13, about 1836, and the parents died here. Mrs. David Fowler, one of his daughters, resides in Findlay.

Moses and Lydia Hudson came from Wayne County, Ohio, in 1837, and bought a farm in Section 14, of Nicholas Helmick. Four children came with them, and four were afterward born in this township. Six of these are living, and four are residents of the county, Mrs. James Vickers and James E., living in Cass Township. Mrs.. Hudson died upon the home place, and Mr. Hudson is now living with his son, John W., in Allen Township. Several others came into the township in 1837 and 1838. Mr. Canfield settled in Section 16, where his son now lives, and Solomon Bollman, of Wayne County, Ohio, on the farm yet owned by his widow. Both of these pioneers died in the township, but are still pretty well remembered.

Mills.-The pioneer mill of this township was put up by James Vickers, Sr., on Section 11, about 1838. It did a good deal of sawing for the early settlers, and therefore proved a great benefit. Saw-mills have existed in other parts of the township at different periods. The only grist-mill that has ever been in Cass was built by James Anderson, about 1840, on the southeast quarter of Section 2. It was a frame building, and was operated by steam, but after running several years was burned down. He rebuilt the mills, and they were afterward operated by John Halsey and Alva French, though very little grinding was done, the mills being principally devoted to sawing lumber.

Schools.-The pioneer school of Cass Township was opened about 1835, by Richard Wade, in a vacated cabin on the farm of John Hardy. It was attended by the Vickers, Hardys, Wagners, Hulburts, Woods, Elliotts, Albertsons, Wards and George W. Montgomery, grandson of Nicholas Helmick: About 1836 a small log schoolhouse was built in the northeast corner of Section 11, south of the road, immediately southwest of the present schoolhouse on Section 2. The Fairchilds, Days, Vickers, Hulburts, Woods, Welches and Eckels went to school here; and Daniel Fairchild, Richard Wade and William Thomas were the pioneer teachers of this part of the county. Cass now boasts of six good schoolhouses, and all the youth of the township are freely admitted to the advantages which the common schools possess.

Religious Societies.-In 1834 a class of the Methodist Episcopal denomination was organized at the house of Rev. Elam Day, the Days, Hardys, Redferns, Goldsboroughs and James Vickers and wife being the principal organizers. The Hudsons, Albertsons and Brandeberrys were also among its earliest members, The society first met at the house of Rev. Elam Day, and afterward at his brother' s, David P. Day. Subsequently a room in the house of James Vickers was used for several years

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before a church was built. In 1844 a frame building was erected on the farm of James Vickers, which was replaced in 1871 by the present brick structure. This is familiarly known as the "Vickers Church." Another Methodist Church stands on the southwest quarter of Section 27, which was organized, and a building erected at a much later day.

Ebenezer Society of the Presbyterian Church was organized by Rev. George Van Eman, at a log house on the farm of John Eckels in 1837. John Eckels and wife, James McMurry and wife, William Campbell and wife (of Wood County), and other pioneer families, were among the organizers. John Eckels and William Campbell were elected elders. This society, in September, 1843, united with Pleasant Hill Society, of Portage Township, and as West Union Church they afterward erected a building in Van Buren, where the society has worshiped from the date of its amalgamation. The United Presbyterians built a church quite early near the south line of Section 12, but it has not been used for many years.

Justices.-John Payne, Daniel Fairchild, David Dorset', John Chaffin, Andrew R. Brandeberry, Alonzo H. Cobb, Joseph Wineland, Samuel Creighton, Joseph Lash, Abner Crawford, Gideon Smith, Addison Hardy, Enoch Ross, Jacob Stecker, John L. McKee, Henry Stough, J. S. Overholt and John Baker.

Cass and Wineland Postoffices.-Cass was the first postoffice the township possessed. It was established in 1837, at the house of Daniel Fairchild, who was succeeded as postmaster by James Vickers, Sr., upon whose death, in 1866, the office was discontinued, having existed for nearly thirty years.

Wineland, the only postoffice in the township, was established January 2, 1883, at the house of Cyrus Stacy, in the northeast corner of Section 28. Mr. Stacy was appointed postmaster, and still holds that position.

The township has never contained a village or hamlet, but July 10, 1833, John Franks, Sr., laid out a town of seventy-two lots, on the northwest quarter of Section 10, which he named Frankford. No lots were sold or buildings erected in the proposed village, and nothing but the recorded plat remains to show that such a place was ever contemplated.