468 - HISTORY OE HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXII.

PLEASANT TOWNSHIP.

ERECTION, AREA, EARLY ELECTION AND LIST OF VOTERS-BOUNDARIES, AND POPULATION BY DECADES- PRIMITIVE APPEARANCE, TOPOGRAPHY, SOIL AND STREAMS - FIRST LAND ENTRIES A\D EARLY SETTLERS- JUSTICES -RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES-SCHOOLS-:MILLS TOWNS AND VILLAGES- A PAPER TOWN - MCCOMB, ITS FIRST BUSINESS MEN, POSTMASTERS AND MAYORS -RAILROADS MATERIAL PROGRESS AND PRESENT BUSINESS AND EDUCATIONAL INTERESTS OF MCCOMB-ITS SECRET SOCIETIES AND FIRE DEPARTMENT- MCCOMB HERALD - STEADY GROWTH (1F THE TOWN - DEWEYVILLE-SHAWTOWN-NORTH RIDGEVILLE POSTOFFICE.

HE territory now embraced in this township formed a part of Liberty from December 6, 1830, up to March 4, 1834, when it was attached to Blanchard, and so remained until its erection as Pleasant, on the 2d of March, 1835, including the full Congressional Township 2 north, Range 9, or an area of 23,040 acres. The first election for justice of the peace was held May 6, 1835, with Benjamin Cummins, John Kalb and John J. Needles, judges; and Alexander Amspoker and George F. Algire, clerks. The voters at this election were as follows: Charles Blakeman, Thomas J. Butler, Robert Fletcher, Benjamin Cummins, John Kalb, John J. Needles, George F. Algire, Alexander Amspoker, Benjamin Todd and Peter Hockenberry. Benjamin Todd .received every vote, and was declared elected.

Pleasant is the northwest subdivision of Hancock County, cornering on the counties of Wood Henry and Putnam, with Portage Township on the east and Blanchard on the south. In 1840, it contained a population of 252; 1850, 522; 1860, 1,151; 1870, 1,336 and 1880, 1,866; showing that from 1840 to 1850, and from 1850 to 1860, its population more than doubled, while the increase for the past twenty-five years has surpassed any other portion of the county excepting Findlay.

A heavy forest unbroken by a single clearing, originally covered the surface of this township. Here the stately oak, walnut, elm, maple and sycamore reared their tops heavenward, while the many other species of timber found in this portion of the State grew in abundance. The surface of Pleasant, though quite level in many places, is, as a whole, considerably

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rolling, with a general northward dip. Two parallel ridges cross the township in a southwest direction, locally called Sand and Sugar Ridges. The former, the more northerly of the two, is composed of fine yellow sand, while Sugar Ridge is principally a gravel formation. The latter received its name because of the large number of sugar trees found growing upon it by the first settlers. Between these ridges, and on the more level and lower sections of the township, the soil is principally a vegetable loam, with a clay subsoil. Bordering on Blanchard Township, the soil on the higher lands changes to a clay. The eastern and central portions of Pleasant are drained by the upper branches of Portage River, all flowing north. Pickens Run, a tributary of Beaver Creek, rises in Blanchard Township, and meandering northward drains the whole western side of Pleasant Township. The wells of this locality range from twelve to sixty feet in depth, and good water is found in abundance.

First Land Entries and Early Settlers.-The first entries of land in Pleasant Township were made by George F. Algire, Jeremiah Kalb, Elisha B. Kalb and George Kalb, all of whom took up land November 2, 1832. Mr. Algire entered the northwest quarter of Section 26; Jeremiah Kalb the southwest quarter of Section 24; Elisha B. Kalb the southeast quarter of Section 24, and the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 25; and George Kalb the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 26. The Kalbs were residents of Franklin County, Ohio, and Mr. Algire, who yet lives in the township, was then a citizen of Fairfield County. A large number of entries were made in 1833, 1834 and 1835, but as most of this land was taken up for speculation, the names of the owners, who never became settlers, would be of little or no importance in this article.

On the 7th of September, 1833, Edward Stevenson, of Franklin County, Ohio, entered the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 27, and at once settled upon his land. He was the first settler of Pleasant Township, but he soon got tired of pioneer life, and in October, 1834, sold out and returned to his early home in Franklin County.

Benjamin Todd and John J. Needles were the next settlers, both of whom came here from Franklin County, Ohio, in November, 1833. Mr. Todd was born in Maryland, in 1792, whence he removed to Franklin County, Ohio, where he married Miss Catherine Kalb, also a native of Maryland. On the 12th of November, 1833, while yet a resident of Franklin County. he purchased of George Kalb the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 26, Township 2 north, Range 9, entered by Kalb the previous year, and the same month located on his purchase, now partly the site of McComb. At an election held in May, 1835, Mr. Todd was chosen justice of the peace, of the new subdivision. He was the first justice of the township, and served five terms in that office, and was also the first township clerk, and one of the first trustees. The first religious society in the township was organized at his cabin. His first wife, Catherine, reared a family of five sons and five daughters, seven of whom are living. Three reside in McComb, and one in Portage Township. Mrs. Todd died in 1854, and Mr. Todd was again married, but no children were born to this union. In 1847 he laid out the town of Pleasantville (now McComb), on the northeast corner of his farm, and resided in that village until his death; he died March 3, 1882, at the ripe old age of ninety years.

John J. Needles and family accompanied the Todds from Franklin

470 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

County, and erected a cabin in the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 2 (, entered by Mr.' Needles September 7, 1833. He cleared up a good farm, enduring all the trials of pioneering, and after the brunt of the struggle was past concluded to go West. In January, 185G, he sold out and removed with his family to Iowa, where he died several years ago. Mr. Needles was one of the first trustees of the township, and is remembered as a very eccentric man, but & kind neighbor and a very good citizen.

In the spring of 1834 Alexander and William Kilpatrick, Charles Blakeman, Robert Fletcher and John Bartholomew settled in the township. The Kilpatrick brothers came from Hardin County, Alexander entering the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter, and the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 31, April 20, 1833. Both settled on this section, and are spoken of as upright men and good neighbors. About 1859 William sold his farm and left the county. Alexander finally removed to McComb, where he lived till the summer of 1885, when he went to Paulding County, and died in September of that year.

Charles Blakeman was born in Massachusetts, whence he removed to Ohio. He entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 35, April 3, 1834, and the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 26, June 7, 1835, but settled in the township early in 1834. His cabin stood on the latter tract, immediately south of Benjamin Todd's. His wife, Polly, bore him ten children, eight of whom grew to manhood and womanhood, and two are residents of McComb. Mr. Blakeman was one of the organizers of Pleasant township, and resided here till 1870, when he moved to Ottawa, Putnam County, where he is at present living.

Robert Fletcher was from Harrison County, Ohio, and March 26, 1834, entered the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 36, upon which he built his cabin the same spring. He resided here till the fall of 1851, then sold out and went to Iowa. John Bartholomew was a single man, and did not stay long in this portion of the State.

George F. Algire, of Fairfield County, Ohio, entered the northwest quarter of Section 26. November 2, 1832, one of the first four entries made in Pleasant Township. In the summer of 1834 he settled permanently on his land, and has ever since lived upon the same farm. He married Susan Stevenson, of Franklin County, who bore him a family of thirteen children, six of whom grew to maturity. She died in 1870. Mr. Algire has been a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church during the greater portion of his life in this county, and though devoting much of his time to that cause, has nevertheless cleared up and improved the farm upon which he resides. He is a small, slightly framed man, possessing a vigorous constitution, and with that characteristic energy and untiring industry for which be has always been noted, succeeded in amassing a handsome competency for old age. Mr. Algire is very well preserved, and is one of the few remaining pioneers whose memory has outlasted the ravages of time.

Michael Price was an Irish Catholic, who first settled in Philadelphia, Penn., thence removed to Crawford County, Ohio. On the 12th of July, 1834, he entered the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 35, Pleasant Township, upon which he located the following autumn. His wife, Catherine, bore him seven children-one son and six daughters-all but one of whom are dead, their only living child (a daughter), being a resident of Putnam County. In 1849 Mr. Price was appointed associate judge of Hancock

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County, but served only two years. He died on his farm in this township. It has been told by several pioneers that Judge Price was a well-informed man, and stood high in the estimation of the best citizens.

John Kalb came here from Franklin County, Ohio, in the fall of 1834, and settled on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 22, which he entered June 4 of that year. Mr. Kalb contributed his full share toward the development of his adopted county, and has left a record bright with good deeds. His wife, Anna, died in 1852. Two of his sons, Isaac N. and John S., were ministers of the Methodist Church, to which faith he also adhered for many years prior to his death, which occurred February 28, 1872. Three of his daughters are residents of the township.

Alexander Amspoker entered the east half of the northwest quarter and the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 36, April 18, 1834, settling upon it soon afterward. He was one of the first three trustees of the town ship, elected in 1835. In September, 1845, he sold his farm and left the county.

Benjamin and Mary Cummins were natives of Kentucky, who, abort 1831, settled on Section 9, Liberty Township. He was the first justice of that township, elected in 1834 and re-elected in 1834. On the 18th of September, 1834, he entered the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 32, Pleasant Township, to which subdivision he removed late in 1834, or early the following year. In 1835 he took part in the organization of Pleasant Township. In January, 1836, he entered the north half of the northwest quar ter of Section 31, whereon his son, E. T. Cummins, now lives. Mr. Cummins served four consecutive terms as justice of this township. He reared a family of ten children, only one of whom, Rev. E. T. Cummins, survives, and died upon the old homestead in 1875, having been a leading citizen of Liberty and Pleasant Townships for nearly half a century.

David and Diana Wright were native Ohioans, and came here from Franklin County early in 1835. The tract on which he built his cabin was entered by Elisha B. Kalb, November 2, 1832, and purchased by Mr. Wright, November 3, 1834. He paid $600 for the southeast quarter of Section 24, and the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 25, and early in 1835 entered 160 acres more in the latter section. He was the father of five children, three of whom grew to maturity, and two are now residing in the township. This old pioneer was compelled to cut a road through the forest for about seven miles ere reaching the spot where he built his cabin. Here he reared his family, and spent a period of almost fifty years, dying in 1884, full of years, and honored by the whole community.

David Wilfong, of Franklin County, Ohio, entered the northwest quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 35, April 4, 1834, and settled on his entry in the spring of 1835. He died on this farm many years ago.

Robert Morrison, a native of Ireland, born in 1792, removed from Pennsylvania to Liberty Township in May, 1835, and the following November took up his abode on Section 3G, Pleasant Township. His family consisted of his wife, Elizabeth, and four sons and two daughters, all of whom grew to maturity. The mother died July 21, 1864, in her seventieth year, and her husband February 7, 1873, in the eighty-first year of his age. All of their children are living, five being residents of Hancock County.

Thomas Butler was also a pioneer of 1835. His cabin stood on Section 23, but in November, 1841, he disposed of his property and removed to the West.

472 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

Caleb Kelley and George Hemry are two of the few living pioneers of Pleasant Township. The former settled about two miles west of Findlay in February, 1835, and the following summer removed to Section 23, Pleas ant Township. Here he lived about nine years, then settled on Section 20, where he has ever since resided. Mr. Hemry settled with his parents in Jackson Township in 1834, where he was elected justice of the peace in 1835. In 1834 his father, Henry, entered the northeast quarter of Section 14, Pleasant Township, upon which George afterward settled and yet lives. He was elected justice of Pleasant Township in 1838, and both he and Mr. Kelley are among the substantial pioneer farmers of the county.

Jacob Thomas was born in Tyler County, Va., in 1810, and settled in Marion Township in 1831. According to the records he entered 120 acres of land in the southeast quarter of Section 12, in March, 1836, and that year is believed to be the correct date of his settlement in this township, though he may have been living here prior to that time. He died on the old homestead April 2, 1878, and some of his children are yet residing on the farm.

Thomas, James and John Pickens settled in the west part of the township on Pickens Run, in 1837. Early in that year Thomas entered land in Sections 7, 8 and 18, and located on the last mentioned section. James took up forty acres in Section 18, and forty acres in Section 19 in 1838; but the whole family came from Belmont County, Ohio, in 1837. Thomas was a millwright and carpenter, and in 1845 erected a grist-mill on Pickens Run, which was in operation for many years. He died upon his farm in this township, and Mrs. T. B. Kelley is the only one of his children in the county, the sons having removed to Michigan. The names of a few others who came in between 1835 and 1840 could be given, but those given will illustrate the class of settlers who first built their cabins in the forest of Pleasant Township, and to extend the list into the period when the county was no longer a wilderness is not the intention in this chapter.

Justices.-The justices of this township since its organization have been as follows: Benjamin Todd, George Hemry, Benjamin Cummins, Thomas B. Kelley, Charles Pursey, Samuel McBride, Isaac H. Myers, Daniel High, J. E. Creighton, Jackson Crites, S. H. Fairchild, A. R. Bachtel, Elisha Todd, Joseph C. Brown, William H. Todd, Jacob Priest, Isaac Cusac, W. S. Kelley, F. F. Parker, Elisha Todd and E. T. Cummins.

Religious Societies.-Late in December, 1835, an itinerant preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church organized a class at the cabin of Benjamin Todd, of which Mr. Todd and wife, and John Kalb and wife were the only members then living in Pleasant Township. George F. Algire and wife, and a few other pioneers, though not present at the organization, soon afterward joined the class, and these families were the nucleus of the present flourishing congregation of McComb. For about three years irregular services were held at the cabins of the settlers, but on the erection of the pioneer log schoolhouse, in 1838, that building was utilized for church purposes. It was not till 1850 that a church edifice was built by the Methodists at Pleasantville (now McComb), but it was the first erected in the township. This old structure is now used as a business house, having been superseded in 1870 by the present brick church. The Methodists have another society, in the west part of the township, and own a building on Section 18.

The Presbyterians built the second church in Pleasant Township in 1858,

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under the ministry of Rev. T. P. Emmerson. It is yet standing in McComb, and with some repairing in 18 70 and 1881, has ever since served the congregation. This church was organized in 1849-50 by Rev. George Van Eman; and Aaron Allen and Dr. Samuel M. Turner were the first ruling elders of the society. The Disciples society erected a church in the village soon afterward, and it, too, is still in use as their house of worship. The German Baptists have a church near the southwest corner of Section 32; the United Brethren Church stands on Section 20, and the " Church of God " on Section 15; all having good sized congregations and regular services.

Schools.-There was no schoolhouse in this part of the county until 1838, when a small log building was erected on the site of McComb, and a school taught by Samuel Bowman, who now lives in Portage Township. The Todds, Needleses, Kalbs, Blakemans and Prices were the first scholars. John Bowman and George Hemry also taught Here at quite an early day. Another schoolhouse was put up soon afterward, in the northwest corner of Section 36, and opened by Cooper Van Eman. The Morrisons, Prices, Blakemans, Amspokers and Fletchers attended this school. In a few years other schools made their appearance, and with the increasing population educational facilities became better until every neighborhood had a good schoolhouse within easy access. The township now contains nine schoolbuildings outside of McComb, that in Deweyville being a two teacher house; while five teachers are employed in the McComb schools, which rank second to none in the county.

Mills.-Manufacturing attracted attention here at quite an early date, -and in 1841 a saw-mill was built on his farm by George F. Algire. It stood on the creek west of McComb, and was run by water-power. Though a small affair it nevertheless furnished most of the lumber used in this vicinity, and ran until the erection of a steam saw-mill in the village. Along about this time William Todd built a horse-mill, then the only contrivance in the township for grinding corn or wheat, and it, too, served a good purpose. In 1845 Thomas Pickens erected a grist-mill on Pickens Run, which was in operation, and did good service for many years. In 1850 a steam saw-mill was put up in Pleasantville by Tipton & Porter, and in same year a small grist-mill by S. H. Fairchild, which ran about eight years. In 1857 or 1858 Isaac Cusac erected and put in operation a steam flouring-mill in the same village. In 1884 this mill was remodeled, and the roller process put in, which renders it one of the finest mills in Hancock County. A saw-mill has been in operation on Pickens Run in Section 30 for a long period. It has been worked by T. W. Kelley since 1873, and is now within the limits of Shawtown. Three saw-mills and several other manufacturing establishments, besides those mentioned, are now carried on in McComb, while a large stave factory is located at Deweyville.

Towns and Villages.-On the 21st of April, 1837, a town named Olney was laid out by Isaac Fairchild in the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 15, on Sand Ridge, near the center of the township. It consisted of forty lots, none of which, however, were sold, or ever built upon.

McComb, the largest town in the county, excepting Findlay, was laid out as Pleasantville, in August. 1847, by Benjamin Todd, on the northeast part of the west half of the northeast quarter of Section 26. The original plat contains only eighteen lots, but additions were made to the village by Ben-

476 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

jamin Todd in 1852, and in 1855, by James Ewing and Abel Rawson. Several others have been made since the town was incorporated. Benjamin Todd kept the first tavern at this point; and in the fall of 187 John and Reed Porter opened a general store, the former soon afterward starting a hotel, and Samuel Heller buying out the store. William Mitchell was the first shoemaker, and Hugh Boyles the pioneer blacksmith of the village, who yet carries on a shop in McComb. John W. and Elisha Todd had the first cabinet shop, and Barney & Snyder the second general store. Joseph Ewing opened a hardware store, and a Mr. Hammond a cooper shop. In 1850 S. H. Fairchild erected a grist-mill, which continued to do business until after the completion of Isaac Cusac's mill in 1858. A steam saw-mill was also put up in the village in 1850, by Tipton & Porter. Dr. Samuel Turner was the first resident physician, Dr. George A. Dean the second, and Dr. George L. Turner the third, the two last mentioned dying in the village. The foregoing comprise about all the earliest business men of McComb.

A postoffice was established here in 1848, and William Mitchell appointed postmaster. Since his incumbency the office has been filled by Zelotus Barney, James Porter, Eliza Fisher, Mrs. Margaret Barnet' and Andrew J. Ewing.

On the 19th of May,. 1858, the village was incorporated under the name of McComb, and at the first election held that year William Chapman was chosen mayor. His successors have been Benjamin Cummins, S. H. Fairchild, W. J. Sholty, Charles Blakeman, J. R. Turnpaugh, A. R. Bachtel, Elisha Todd, Isaac H. Myers, Alonzo Bennett, J. T. Smith, Isaac Cusac, W. H. Confine, S. A. Cooper, H. W. Hughes and C. F. Speice.

Though the bed of the old Continental Railroad was graded through this township in 1872-73, that is as far as the enterprise advanced; and the people of McComb waited in vain for years to obtain an outlet by this route. At last the more enterprising citizens of the town felt that something must be done if McComb was ever to be anything more than a cross-roads village, and in 1879, the project was conceived of building a railroad from McComb to Deshler, at the crossing of the Baltimore & Ohio, and the Dayton & Michigan Railroads. Satisfactory arrangements having been made with the latter corporation, a company was organized under the title of the McComb, Deshler & Toledo Railroad Company, who at once began the preliminary work. The line was surveyed and the work pushed vigorously, and by the close of November, 1880, the road was completed and in full operation. It is eight miles and three-quarters in length, and passes northwest ward from McComb to Deshler. Soon after its completion the Continental line passed into the possession of the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railway Company, and in the summer of 1881, it too was completed through this county, thus furnishing McComb with first-class railroad communications, and giving it a fine business boom. From that time forward the town grew rapidly. Better buildings were erected, and prosperity is now seen on every hand.

The present business interests of McComb are in a flourishing condition, and consist of three general dry goods stores, four general grocery stores, two druggists, two hardware stores, one clothing store, two jewelers, two meat shops, one harness shop, one furniture store, two shoe shops, one gunsmith, one photographer, two bakeries, three millinery stores, two wagon and carriage

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factories, five blacksmith shops, a first-class steam flouring-mill, a grain elevator, a sash, door and blind factory and planing-mill, two saw-mills, ono saw and planing mill, a pump factory, a handle factory, an undertaker's establishment, a the factory, two livery stables, a good hotel and six saloons. There is also an attorney, Ira B. Corvine, and five physicians, viz., Drs. J. H. Watson, Charles Switzer, J. M. Abbott, John Thompson and C. S. St. John. The Methodist Episcopal, Presbyterian and Disciples congregations have each a church in the village; while an elegant brick schoolhouse, erected in 1883, at a cost of about $20, 000, is one of the public institutions of which McComb feels justly proud. In beauty of architecture and general finish this building will compare favorably with the best modern schoolhouses of Ohio, and five teachers are annually employed in imparting instruction to the school youth of McComb and immediate vicinity. The curriculum is similar to graded public schools all over the State.

McComb Lodge, No. 354, I. O. O. F., was instituted July 29, 1859, with the following charter members: S. B. Webber, S. H. Fairchild, J. T. Smith, James Fisher, Abraham Miller and Joseph Updyke. The ledge now contains about sixty members.

McComb Lodge, No. 179, K. of P., was instituted January 22, 1884, with twenty-seven charter members, and has now a membership of fifty.

John Howard Post, No. 154, G. A. R., was organized November 7, 1881, with fifteen charter members, and has now about fifty; and the John Howard Relief Corps, No. 53, of the same organization, was chartered July 9, 1884, with twenty-three members. The latter is a society composed of ladies, working in harmony with the Post, or as an auxiliary thereof, and has accomplished much good for the families of ex-soldiers during its brief existence.

The McComb Fire Department, organized in the fall of 1884, is furnished with a Remington Hand Fire-engine, and embraces a volunteer company of forty members. In January, 1885, the town authorities erected a two-storied frame engine house, the second story being the council room.

The McComb Herald is one of the prominent institutions of the town, and has done its full share toward building up the interests thereof. It was established by G. A. Darke, and first issued February 10, 1881, as a six-column folio. but in August was enlarged to a seven-column folio. Late in December, 1881, or early in January, 1882, Mr. Darke sold out to Hickerson & Ayers, but the latter soon disposed of his interest to Hickerson. On the 10th of February, 1883, Samuel B. Davis, an old, experienced newspaper man, bought the office, and has ever since published the Herald. It is issued every Thursday, and has a circulation of between 800 and 900 copies. The Herald is a live, newsy paper, politically independent, and is one of the leading factors in furthering the best interests of McComb.

The population of the village in 1870 was 319, and in 1880 it contained 417. It is safe to say that the population has more than doubled since the last official census, while its best informed citizens claim from 1,000 to 1, 200 inhabitants. McComb is one of the go-ahead, bustling little towns of Ohio, and bids fair to hold its own. Immediately west of the town is a handsome cemetery, decorated with evergreens, and possessing many nice monuments. Hers many of the pioneers of this portion of the county are buried.

Deweyville was laid out by John B. Williams, on the McComb, Deshler

478 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

& Toledo Railroad, in June, 1880. It lies in the west part of Section 15, where the railroad crosses the Sand Ridge road, and originally embraced forty lots. A large stave factory, two general stores, one hotel, one file and brick yard, and one blacksmith shop constitute the business interests of the village. A postoffice was established here in December, 1880, with Albert Lymangrover as postmaster, and he has ever since held the position.

Shawtown was laid out by E. T. Cummins in June, 1882, in the north part of Section 30, on the New York, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad. A postoffice had been established at that point in October, 1881, and Isaac C. galley appointed postmaster. He was succeeded in October, 1885, by Thomas H. Bushong, the present incumbent. A saw-mill and hoop factory, two general stores, and one blacksmith and wagon shop comprise the business interests of Shawtown.

Early in 1861 North Ridgeville postoffice was established at Pickens Corners, on Section 18. Benjamin Pickens was the first postmaster, and was succeeded by Lemuel Mow. In 1869 or 1870 North Ridgeville was abolished, and no office has since existed at that point, though Deweyville and Shawtown are both easy of access to the farmers living in the western part of the township.