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BUCK TOWNSHIP.

This is one of the more recently organized townships of Hardin County, the territory of which it is composed having been previously embraced in Hale, Dudley, Pleasant and Taylor Creek Townships. The lands are embraced in the Virginia Military Grant, and are situated in the extreme northern frontier of said grant, the Scioto River being the northern boundary of said lands and also the northern boundary of this township. The burning of the court house at Kenton, in 1853, destroyed many of the county records, among which were the early official acts of the Commissioners containing the erection of the townships; hence, the exact dates. and official acts constituting the various townships of the county cannot be given; but from the records of Buck Township we find that ;,he first election was held on April 7, 1845, hence it is probable that the organization of the township was effected at a meeting of the Commissioners in January, 1845. We are informed that there have been one or two slight changes male in the boundary lines of the township since its first erection. As it now exists, it is bounded as follows: On the north by Cessna and Pleasant Townships, on the east by Dudley Township, on the south by Hale and Taylor Creek Townships, and on the west by Taylor Creek and Lynn Townships. The township embraces about thirty-one square miles, or 19,800 acres of land. This territory appears to have been somewhat of a thoroughfare during the war of 1812, and when Gov. Meigs, of Ohio, was called upon to furnish his quota of soldiers to defend the frontier, he immediately responded, and in June of 1812. Col. Duncan McArthur, with a regiment of soldiers. was detached from Urbana to open a road in advance of Gen. Hull as far as the Scioto River, and there built Fort McArthur. In September, 1813, it is said that Gov. Shelby, of Kentucky, passed up the said McArthur trail from Urbana, at the head of 4,000 mounted volunteers and continued on the old army route till he arrived in the southern part of Hardin County, when he diverged to the right, passing through the south, east portion of Buck Township, thence on through Dudley.

This township received its name in honor of Harvey Buckmister, one of its most esteemed and respected pioneers, of whom we shall have occasion to speak further in Hale Township. This township, in its primitive condition as the first settlers found it-like the greater portion of Hardin County was covered with a very heavy growth of timber, embracing most of the numerous species of deciduous trees common to this region of the State. among which the principal were maple of its varied species, hickory, cherry, ash, walnut, butternut, beech, oak, of its many varieties, and elm. In the first settling of this country, there were found some of the largest and finest specimens of black walnut that ever graced the forests of any country, and great quantities of the most beautiful logs were piled up at their log-rollings, with other timber, and burned to get the land cleared ready for cultivation. The most. valuable timber at the present time is oak and ash, for lumber for building and manufacturing purposes, hickory and elm for buggy spokes and hubs, and beech for plane-stocks-all of which are shipped in large quantities, and are a great source of profit, in connection with the bringing of the land into condition for agricultural pursuits.

740 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

STREAMS, SURFACE, SOIL, ETC.

The Scioto is the largest stream of this county, and constitutes the north boundary line the entire distance from the western to the eastern boundaries of this township, having a general southeastern course. From Buck Township it receives Lick Run, Silver Creek, Taylor Creek, Manlove Run and Wolf Creek with its branch, Garwood Run. These tributaries of the Scioto ramify all portions of said township, giving it an abundance of water for agricultural purposes, but furnishing no mill privileges or water-power for manufacturing purposes, yet producing excellent outlets for ditching and draining the lands. These tributaries all have a general northeastern course, showing conclusively the surface of the township possesses a general slope toward the northeast to the Scioto.

The surface is generally level or slightly undulating, with some localities along the creeks that may be called hilly.

The soil is rich and productive. the fiat, level portions and the bottom lands along the creeks and springs consisting of a black, deep, rich loam. and the more elevated and undulating portions a strong clay soil. the whole being underlaid with a heavy stratum of blue clay. under which is found quicksand and gravel. Through this and Taylor Creek Townships extends a gravel ridge known as the "Devil's Backbone," which furnishes an abundance of material for building roads and pike.

This is strictly an agricultural township, there being no village anal no mills or manufacturing business within its limits, with the exception of what is embraced in Kenton, on the South side of the Scioto, which will be duly given in the history of that town, and hence need not be mentioned here. The principal productions are wheat, rye, oats, corn and potatoes. Many of the farmers are giving considerable attention to stock-raising and especially to the improved breeds of sheet.; and there is no doubt but what this will, in a few years, become one of the most interesting and profitable branches of industry to the farmers of this section. The progress in improvements and increase of population in this township has been quite marked and rapid.

The Chicago &, Atlantic Railroad runs through the north part of this township. The Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad runs through the township in a northeast and southwest direction.

In 1830, it is believed, there were but two or three families in the territory now embraced in Buck Township. In 1850, there were 456 souls; in 1860, 794 in 1870, the population had increased to 1,259, and in 1880, we find it at 1,610.

PIONEERS.

The following are the names of some of the first settlers who located in this township, and of whom we make brief mention. Here, as elsewhere, we find many who first planted their cabins in the forests of Buck Township were mere "squatters." who soon moved away and gave place to the permanent settlers. If report be true, the first white family to settle in the precincts of this township was Alfred Hale and wife Mary, who settled at Fort McArthur in 1817. He had three sons and one daughter. One son - Jonas-was born in the block-house, in 1819, and was, doubtless, the first white child born in the county. The mother soon after died, and the family moved away. It is probable that the mission of Mr. Hale, in his early settlement here, was that of a hunter, and that he anticipated but a temporary residence when settling here. It is said that the location of this fort was a desolate and dreary place, and, it is believed, was very sickly, from

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the miasmas of the locality and close proximity to the Scioto Marsh on the west, as during the war of 1812 many soldiers died there. It is said that the graves of sixteen soldiers are still plainly visible on land now owned by Mr. Shingle on the opposite side of the river from where the old fort was located. Here rest, the remains of these gallant soldiers whose lives were sacrificed to defend the homes of Ohio pioneers. Their graves are unmarked and their names, probably, forever lost to posterity. From this period of the settlement of the Hale family in the old fort as an interim several years, during which we have no knowledge of any white settler within the township, and the red man had full sway.

About 1828, William McCloud, a native of Ireland. who had emigrated to the United States prior to the war of 1812, and finally settled at Bellefontaine, Ohio, came to Hardin County and located with his family at Fort McArthur, in the northwest corner of what is now Buck Township. His family consisted of his wife and six children, viz., Robert, William, Lettie who married Dr. A. H. Lord, of Bellefontaine,. Sallie (who became the wife of Jacob Powell, a gunsmith of the same town), Maria and one girl whose name is not remembered. Upon the organization of Hardin County in 1833, William McCloud, Sr., was elected by the Legislature as one of the Associate Judges of said county, and served in that capacity seven years. Though a conservator of the peace. it is said that he would look on at a well-contested fight, admiring the science displayed by a plucky combatant, and subsequently punish him for a violation of the law. Judge McCloud was a noted hunter, and David Goodin tells a story of a circumstance the Judge was fond of relating in which, after killing a deer, he was forced to fight with an Indian claimant ere obtaining possession of the animal's carcass. The Indian claimed that his shot had slain the deer, which the Judge would not admit; so the Indian bantered him to settle the dispute by "fighting it out." This Judge McCloud agreed to, and he was compelled to thoroughly whip the savage three times before the latter would admit that he was worsted and surrender his claims to the deer. Soon after his term as Associate Judge expired, he and his wife returned to reside with their daughters at Bellefontaine, where they died. He was a man of fair education, wonderful determination of character, and was generally respected and admired by the pioneers. He was instrumental in the selection of the site for the county seat, while Mrs. McCloud named the future town in honor of her husband's friend-the redoubtable scout, Simon Kenton. His son Robert, who was the first Postmaster in the county, also served as County Treasurer from March. 1834, to March, 1836, and, in October, 1843, was elected as a member of the Board of County Commissioners, but resigned the office in 1845. We understand that he lived north of the Scioto River, in Cessna Township, and that soon after his resignation as Commissioner he and his brother Williain left for the West.

In 1828, Joel Thomas located on land now owned by Mr. Stevenson. erecting a cabin and remaining here eight or ten years; then moved away. having never owned any land in this county.

William Paxton, believed to be a native of Virginia, emigrated with his parents to Logan County, Ohio, where they settled; thence, about 1829-30. William came to this county and settled on land now owned by Mrs. Zimmerman, but never purchased any land here, and after a few years moved into Hale Township, where he purchased land and resided many years; thence removed to Michigan, where he died.

Isaac Draper, believed to be a native of Pennsylvania, emigrated to

742 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Ohio with his family, and settled on land now owned by Capt. Gibson, about 1832-33, but subsequently removed into Pleasant Township and died near Kenton. Robert, his eldest son, is still a resident of this county, and is the only surviving son. The youngest daughter married Mr. Richards and resides on the old home place. Mr. Draper was a citizen of great moral worth and undoubted integrity, and filled many offices of his township with fidelity.

Conrad Collins settled here about 1830, upon the land which he purchased, and upon which he resided about nine years. and, in 1840, sold out to Harvey Buckmister and moved to Northern Indiana, where he died.

William H. Cole, a native of the State of New York, settled on land now owned by Samuel Mentzer about 1833. Here he erected an ashery, and carried on that business several years, giving but little attention to farming, and finally sold out and moved away.

George M. Bales, a native of Virginia. removed to Ohio and settled in Logan County; about 1836-37 removed to this county and settled on laud which he leased of Mr. Harvey Buckmister, where he resided till leis death. Several of his children are still residents of the county.

James Beaver, believed to be a native of Virginia, settled in Hale Township about 1830, and, about 1845, became a resident of Buck Township, where he died in the summer of 1881. Mr. Beaver was a man of remarkable industry and withal quite a trader. possessing a shrewdness and business tact by which he accumulated a good competency, and when he died was the owner of 200 acres of well-improved Land.

James Scott settled here about 1845 and remained a resident of the township till his death. He was a carpenter by trade, and a man highly esteemed and respected by all who knew him. Some of his children now reside in Kenton and some have settled in the West, all of whom are prosperous and esteemed citizens.

Leonard Richards was born in Pike County, Ohio, and principally raised in Ross County, where he married Mary Miller, and, about 1845, removed to this county and settled in this township, residing hereseveral years; thence moved into Taylor Creek Township, and about eight or ten years ago removed to Kenton, where he now resides. He is an active worker, and a local preacher in the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had four brothers and five sisters. Two brothers are residents of this county, one died while young and one Jeptha-enlisted in the army in the war of the rebellion, and was wounded in the battle of Resaca, from the effects of which he died in two or three days.

Thomas Dodds settled on land now owned by David Stanford, about 1845-46, and opened out right in the woods. and resided here till his death. Some of his children now reside in McDonald Township. He was a kind neighbor and a good citizen, and served his township in many of its most important offices.

John Dodds, a brother of the above, settled here at about the same date, remaining a resident here till his death. Several of his children are settled in the county and one son is a resident of this township.

Henry G. Johnson, a native of Ohio, settled here about 1849, and his brother Hosea one or two years later. They have ever since remained residents here, and both have raised large and interesting families and are esteemed and respected citizens.

Samuel Mentzer was one of the earlier merchants of Kenton; was also in the hotel business for some time, but subsequently exchanged his prop-

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erty in Kenton for the farm on Wolf Creek upon which William H. Cole settled in 1833. Mr. Mentzer was closely identified with the business interests of Kenton and its vicinity for many years.

The above embraces, we think, most of the earliest settlers of Buck Township, but the business interests of the township, its growth and prosperity for many years past would be butt partially represented here without the mention of John Espy, who departed this life at his palatial residence in this township November 28, 1878, aged sixty-eight years. He was an early settler in Taylor Creek Township, and subsequently one of the leading active business then of Kenton, where he was engaged for many years inn the milling business, and received the title of the "pioneer miller of Hardin County." But we here only propose to allude to the history of this active business man's life, who accumulated so large an estate and owned the largest farm and residence of this township, where he spent the last years of his useful and successful life, as his career and character are fully brought out in the history of Kenton and in the biographical sketch of the Espy family in another part of this work. His son, Thornas Espy, who removed from the old home place to Kenton in the spring of 1883, and upon whom the mantle of his honored father appears to have fallen, is one of the active spirits of the business circles of Kenton, and does honor to the noble sire who has departed.

CHURCHES.

Wilson Chapel. Methodist Episcopal Church. was organized, it is believed, by Elder Roberts in the schoolhouse in 1852. The first class conlisted of James Richards and wife Matilda, Leonard Richards and wife Mary, and Henry G. Johnson and wife Martha-six persons-with Leonard Richards as Class Leader. Their meetings and services were held in the schoolhouse till 1873, when the present frame church edifice was erected at a cost of about $1,300. The house was dedicated in the fall of the same year, the dedicatory sermon being preached by Elder Thomas Harvey Wilson. The following ministers have served the people since the dedication of the church, viz., Revs. D. B. Rinehart, Leonard Cook, Philip Lemasters. William Dunlap, Mr. Clemens and D. W. Day. The following have been Class Leaders: Leonard Richards, J. P. Richards, B. F. Richards, John Allen, J. B. Bales, and Lewis Dunson. who is the present leader. The church at one time reached a membership of fifty, but at present is reduced to twenty-four. The Trustees are H. G. Johnson, Lewis Dunson, John Allen, John C. Johnson and John P. Richards.

SCHOOLS.

The first schoolhouse ever erected in this township was one of those old, primitive log houses, with slab seats and greased paper windows, situated on the old Sandusky road; and from time to time, as the different portions of the township became settled, more schools were established, until, in 1882, the report of the Board of Education gives the following statistics:

Balance on hand September 1, 1881, $1,108.18; State tax, $508.50; irreducible school funds. $33.40; township tax for schools and schoolhouse purposes, $3,352.63; fines, licenses, tuition of non-resident pupils, $115; total. $5,117.71.

Expenditures-- Amount paid teachers in common schools, $1.881.03; amount paid for fuel and contingent expenses, $2,620.66; total, $4.501.69. Balance on hand September 1, 1882, $616.02. Number of schoolhouses

744 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

in the township, 9; number of schoolrooms in township. 9; total value of school property, $7,000; number of teachers to supply schools, 9; average wages per month, males, $35; females, $20; number of weeks the schools were in session, 30.

Present Board of Education-Subdistrict No. 1. E. Bloom; No. 2, M. D. L. Mentzer; No. 3. J. L. Clark; No. 4. D. W. Benton; No. 5, J. O. Dodds; No. 6, T. P. Evans; No. 7, E. H. Allen; No. 8, Joseph Ichler, President; No. 9, D. O. Hatcher.

CEMETERIES.

Prior to the spring of 1879, this township had no cemetery or regularly established burialplace, and the dead were principally interred at Kenton and in Taylor Creek Township. But, in March, 1879. there was formed an association of ten persons, as follows: P. F. Latimer, J. .P. Richard, John Bales, Lewis Dunson, Z. O. Hatcher, E. S. Battler. M. D. L. Mentzer. John C. Johnson, Jacob Everhart and William Alentzcr, who were organized under the laws regulating such associations. and purchased of Samuel Mentzer one acre and a half of ground, which was properly fenced and laid out into lots, walks and driveways. and the whole well ditched. tiled and drained. The lots were rapidly sold, and in the spring of 1882 it was found necessary to enlarge the grounds, and the association purchased of the said Samuel Mentzer three and one-half acres more. adjoining the first purchase; so that the cemetery now contains five acres. and is now one of the prettiest of rural cemeteries. The officers of the association consist of a President, Secretary, Treasurer, and five persons who constitute a Board of Trustees. The first officers of the association were: John P. Richards, President; Lewis Dunson, Secretary; John C. Johnson. Treasurer, and P. F. Latimer, M. D. L. Mentzer, E. L. Buttler. Z. O. Hatcher and Jacob Everhart, Trustees-all of whom have served ever since by re-election each year, with one exception, viz., Jacob Everhart, who refused to serve any longer, and the vacancy was filled by electing Joseph Ichler.

ELECTIONS AND OFFICIALS.

The first election in this township was held in the old log schoolhouse on the old Sandusky road April 7, 1845, and continued to be held here till the spring of 1850, when the place of holding the elections was changed to the Dodds Schoolhouse, where they were held for several years, but finally alternated between the Dodds Schoolhouse and South Kenton; subsequently, however, the place was permanently established at the latter place, where the elections have since been held. The officials of the township since its organization have been as follows:

Trustees-1845, Harvey Buckmister, Josiah Trump and Sterling Scott; 1846, wanting; 1847, Harvey Buckmister, Sterling Scott and George Roby; 1848, Sterling Scott, Harvey Buckwister and Solomon Lake; 1849. Harvey Buckmister, James Scott and Thomas Mahon; 1850, H. Buckmister, Thomas Mahon and John Peas; 1851, H. Buckinister, Lewis Scott and Thomas Dodds; 1852, Lewis Scott, Thomas Dodds and I. D. Hatcher; 1853, H. Buckmister, Robert Stevenson and Isaac Draper; 1854, Isaac Draper, H. G. Johnson and Morgan Shark: 1855, Morgan Shark. Peter P. Sutton and Nicholas Barney; 1856-57, John Espy, Henry G. Johnson and Linus Cutting; 1858-59, James L. Stevenson, H. G. Johnson and John Evans; 1860, John Evans. Thomas Dodds and John Wilmuth; 1861, George Atkinson,

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PAGE 746 - PICTURE OF PETER BORDERS

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Addison Heath and H. G. Johnson; 1862, Addison Heath, Silas Stevenson and Samuel Mentzer; 1863. John Evans, Joseph Hoover and Garrett Hyland; 1864-65, John Kissling, William Zimmerman and William Hinton; 1866, John Evans, Garrett Hyland and Robert Mallow; 1867, Henry G. Johnson, John P. Richards and D. Calhoun; 1868, William M. Shepherd, David Evans and Garrett Hyland; 1869, George P. Frame, Morgan Shark and John Moriety; 1870, James Winters, Wilson Robinson and William J. Scott; 1871, William J. Scott, Lewis Duncan and James Winters; 1872, Lewis Dunson, J. B. Bales and Philip Schindewolf; 1873, Hiram Kettle, J. B. Bales and P. F. Latimer; 1874, P. F. Latimer, John C. Johnson and Silas Stevenson; 1875. James Winters. Thomas Garwood and Joseph Hoover: 1876, Thomas Clemens. Jacob Everhart and S. Johnson; 1877, Silas Stevenson, E. H. Allen and Hiram Kettle; 18 78, S. Stevenson, Hiram Kettle and Charles Canaan; 1879, Frank Swartz, Thomas Dwyer and Nathaniel Cook; 1880, Derr White, R. B. Hyde and J. L. Clark: 1881, Nathaniel Cook. E. H. Allen and F. Machetanz: 1882, R. H. Keller, J. E. Evans and Philip Schindewolf.

Clerks-1845, Daniel Cable: 1846, C. W. Stevenson: 1847-48, Thomas Dodds; 1849, William Carter: 1850. Thomas Dodds; 1851-52. James Y. Ross; 1853-54, Samuel Carson; 1855, James Y. Ross; 1856, Silas Stevenson; 1857, James Y. Ross: 1858-59, Samuel Carson: 1860, ,John Mentzer; 1861, A. P. Cutting 1862, D. W. Benton, 1863, L. C. Rodgers; 1864, Thomas W. Bridge; 1865. E. L. McCartney; 1866, John L. Mentzer; 1867, James Y. Ross; 1868, John L. Mentzer; 1869, M. D. L. Mentzer; 1870; Jacob Everhart-, 1871-73, J. W. Baldwin; 1874. J. C. Geiger; 1875, Joseph Ichler; 1876, J. B. Jackson: 1877-78, J: C. Geiger; 1879, B. F. McClaid; 1880-82. H. E. Converse.

Treasurers-1845-48, Abel H. Allen; 1849-50, John Dodds; 1851-54, Leonard Richards; 1855, Isaac G. Williams; 1856-59, Leonard Richards; 1860, Joseph Swartz; 1861, Thomas Espy; 1862, John Richards; 1863, Joseph Swartz; 1864-72, Thomas Espy; 1873-74, William E. Dean; 1875-81, Thomas Espy; 1882, Joseph Deaver.

Assessors-1845, Daniel Trump; 1846, wanting: 1847, John G. Davis; 1848, Solomon Luke; 1849-52, John G. Davis. 1853, Samuel Mentzer; 1854, Samuel Carson; 1855. John Espy; 1856-57, Morgan Shark; 1858, Samuel Carson; 1859, Linus Cutting; 1860, Levi Baker; 1861, Leonard Richards; 1862, Linus Cutting; 1863, T. W. Bridge; 1864, William Shepherd; 1865, Joseph Swartz. 1866. Mathias Tarlton; 1867, J. B. Stevenson; 1868, George P. Frame: 1869, J. L. Mentzer 1870-72, E. S. Buttler; 1873, D. W. Benton; 1874, Lewis Dunson; 1875, T. P. Evans; 1876, A. Baker; 1877-78, J. P. Durbin; 1879-80, J. B. Bailey; 1881. H. J. Myers; 1882, B. H. Baker.

Constables-1845, Daniel Trump; 1846, wanting; 1847, John G. Davis; 1848. Jesharon Barney; 1849-52, John G. Davis; 1853, Oliver P. Draper; 1854, Nelson Roby; 1855, David A. Robb; 1856, Nelson P. Hyland and D. A. Robb; 1857, H. G. Hyland and Nelson P. Hyland; 1858, Erastus Patch and Thomas Dodds. 1859, Erastus Hatch; 1860, Mathias Tarlton; 1861, N. P. Hyland and B. F. Hursey; 1862, N. P. Hyland and Robert Stevenson; 1863, Jeremiah Chamberlin and D. W. Cunningham; 1864-65, Morgan Sharp and James Gunn; 1866, James Gunn and Jeremiah Chamberlin; 1867, Cyrus Thrailkill and J. Cunningham; 1868, Morgan Sharp and Abraham Baker ; 1869, Cyrus Thrailkill and Abraham Baker; 1870, John F. Dodds and Thomas McConnell 1871-72, Harvey Peaver and Abra-

748 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

ham Baker: 1873, Robert Phillips and Abraham Baker; 1874, Robert Phillips and William Mentzer; 1875, Daniel Hoover and William Shark; 1876, L. Converse and S. P'. Kennedy, 1877, L. E. Kettle and Harvey Peaver; 1878, Alexander Wiley and Joseph McGann; 1879, C. N. Kidney and Charles Little; 1880, David Detrich and Harvey Peaver; 1881-82, Davia Detrich and F. Hencel.