502 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

CHAPTER XXVI.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

DERIVATION OF NAME, ERECTION, AREA, BOUNDARIES AND POPULATION-DIS-APPEARANCE OF THE FOREST, AND WILDCAT THICKET - SOIL AND TOPOGRAPHY-STREAMS-EARLY SETTLERS-FIRST BIRTH IN THE TOWNSHIP CHURCHES-EDUCATION-EARLY ELECTION AND JUSTICES-RISDON 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 W 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, W 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 west ward 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 file 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 River drain the township from south to north. The Middle Branch, also called Arcadia Creek, rises south-

PAGE 503 - PICTURE OF ROBERT BARNHILL

PAGE 504 - BLANK

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. - 505

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. Ha located on the southeast quarter of Section 4, where he resided until his death, prior to the Rebellion. 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.

506 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

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 W ayne 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

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. - 507

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 reelected 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 Fog 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 R. 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 Fog 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 guarter 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 bus iness 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, 187, he married Mrs. Elizabeth Winders, and removed to Find lay, 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.

508 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

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 Suction 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. W 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.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. - 509

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 1802. 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

510 - HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.

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, 183`?, 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, Liver ton 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 0, Township L north, Range 13, in the county of Senecas 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 Will iam 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,

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. - 511

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 flooring-mill and elevator, a steam saw and planing-mil', three handle factories and two hotels. Four physicians are located in the village: Drs. John Fisher, W. G. Brayton, M. S. Wiliiamson 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 schoolhouse 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.