MARION TOWNSHIP - 661

MARION TOWNSHIP.

This subdivision is situated on the western boundary of the county, and is bounded on the north by Liberty Township, on the east by Cessna Township, on the south by the Scioto River and Round Head Township, and on the west by Allen County. It contains nearly thirty-two sections, or 20,343 acres. valued at $309,740, or an average value of $15.22 per acre-about 35 per cent of its selling value. The population of the township, according to the census of 1880, is 986 persons, all white, or a little over thirty to the square mile.

The township occupies the extreme summit of the water-shed of the State, the northern tier of sections being drained by Hog Creek, which heads up close to the 'Marsh, and the rest of the township by the Scioto River. The ridge in this township is among the highest lands of the State, being nearly a thousand feet above Lake Erie; although so flat and wet, the great Scioto Marsh covers nearly one-half the township in the southeast and central part thereof; the low lands extend, in some places, to near the Allen County line, near the middle of the western line of the township, although a ridge of about two miles wide runs across the northern part of the township, valuable rolling lands, equal in fertility to any in the county, and if the great marsh can be thoroughly drained, Marion Township will stand at the head of the agricultural list in the county.

662 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

EARLY SETTLERS.

Mathew Dolson, a native of Canada, settled on lands in the forks of the two roads, near Huntersville, in 1833. He married, and had a family of several children. He resided here several years, but subsequently moved away with all his family.

Isaac McElhaney, a native of Ireland, emigrated to America and first settled in Pennsylvania, but soon removed to Licking County, Ohio, where he married Miss Margaret Kirkland, and in the fall of 1834 removed to Hardin County and settled on the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 10, in Marion Township, where he resided till his death. He died April 2, 1871, aged seventy-two years. He was thrice married, and was the father of the following children: Margaret, John. Mary Ellen, James, Martha J., Catharine and Nancy.

John McClure, a native of Ireland, married Mary Kirkland, in Licking County, Ohio, and in the fall of 1834 came to this township and settled on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 10, where he still lives and has resided a period of forty-nine years. His wife died February 4, 1866. Subsequently, he married Mrs. Eliza Ann Cory. Mr. McClure has sustained the reputation of an honest upright man and a worthy citizen.

Sampson Shadley was a native of Virginia. and early removed to Licking County, Ohio; thence, in the fall of 1834, came to this county and settled on the north side of the marsh, south of Huntersville. He was twice married: by his first wife, Catharine Trump, he had the following children: Jacob, Christena, Ann, Hiram, Sampson, Lydia, Polly and Docia. His second wife, Mrs. Lyon, from Columbiana County, bore him five children, viz., Henry. Asa, Maria A., Sarah E. and William W. Mr. Shadley remained a resident of the place where he first settled till his death and was interred upon his own farm. He was an honorable arid a just man, and in his later years a devoted member of the Methodist Church.

John F. Sudor, a native of Harrison County, Va., born in 1812, married Nancy Brown, of Lewis County, of that State, and emigrated to Logan County, Ohio, in the fall of 1834: in 1839, came here with his family and settled on Section 32, where he resided till quite aged, when he removed to Ada, where he died November 11, 1879. His wife still survives, and resides upon the old home place with one, of her daughters. Mr. Sudor purchased eighty acres when he first settled here, for which he paid $2.50 per acre, and commenced right in the woods, poor and penniless, and by industry and economy became. the owner of 400 acres of excellent land. He sustained an untarnished integrity, and was respected by a large circle of friends. Their children were Minerva J., Margaret Ann, Permelia E., Mary D. and Sarah C.- all living.

James McAdams, a native of Tennessee, came to Fayette County, Ohio, in the summer of 1833, -where he married Sarah Haines, and in the month of November, 1834, removed to this county and settled on Section 3, where he entered his land and began right in the woods; and here he resided till his death, November 21, 1856. His father, James McAdams, who also settled with him, died here. Mr. McAdams' children were Mary C., Hannah, Alfred O., Melvina, Samuel H., Charles G., Rachel J.. James E. and five who died in infancy.

James Thompson, a native of Maryland, married Michey Kelly and removed to Harrison County, Ohio; thence, in 1835, settled in Marion Township, on the northwest quarter of Section 8, where he remained a resident till his death. Their children were Henry, Elizabeth, Thomas, Edwin, Charity and James.

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Samuel Kirkland was a native of Virginia, but of Irish descent. He came here and settled near Huntersville in the spring of 1835. He was elected the first Justice of the Peace of this township, and served many years by re-election. He was a man of more than ordinary intellectual ability, and was a highly esteemed citizen. Subsequently, he removed to Iowa, where he died. His first wife was Elizabeth Emmerson, by whom he had three children-Rebecca, James and Mary. His wife died of cancel. His second wife, Nancy McBride, bore him three children-Keziah, Margaret and John. His third wife, Love McBride, moved West with him, where she died-after which he was twice married.

Isaac McCoy was a native of Virginia; settled about two miles west of Huntersville, about 1835. He married Miss Christopher, a daughter Leven Christopher. Subsequently, he sold his farm and removed to the place where he now lives, on the northwest quarter of Section 30.

Thomas Irwin, a native of Ireland, came to America while young, and in the fall of 1835, settled in this township, near Huntersville. He married Esther Kirkland. About 1857-58, they bought property in Ada, to which they moved, and have since remained residents of that town.

David Kirkpatrick came from Guernsey County, Ohio, and settled the northwest quarter of Section 31, about 1835, where he resided about twenty years, and removed to Iowa, where he died. He was a man of considerable wealth, and when he settled here he entered nearly a whole section of land.

Thomas Monitt settled northwest of Huntersville. on Section 1. where he entered over one and a half sections of land, but resided there only a few years and moved away.

Jesse Garwood, a native of Pennsylvania, where he married Cidney Gregg, came to this county and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 3, in the spring of 1835-36. Here his wife died, and about eight years after, he married Mrs. Rachel Swain. He subsequently removed to Allen County; thence went to Iowa; but again returned to Allen County, after which he removed to Fulton County, Ohio, where he died. He served as a soldier in the war of 1812. By his first wife he had the following children; Bani, Isaac, Fenton, Senith, Hannah, Joseph, Lydia, Catharine and Cynthia A.; by his second wife, Jesse, Malissa and one name not obtained.

Patrick Conner settled in the southwest quarter of Section 4, in 1836. He was thrice married. His second wife was Mrs. Margaret Smith. By his first wife his children were Sarah, Charles, Elijah, Abraham, John, Lizzie, Ann, Lydia and William; by his second wife, Jacob, Samuel, Lydia, Daniel and Mary.

Alexander Lantz was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1812, where he married Julia Ann Wolverton. In 1833, removed to Logan County, and, in the spring of 1836, to Hardin County and entered eighty acres of land on Section 31, where he has since resided. The great characteristic of Mr. Lantz's life has been his unflinching devotion to the business of buying and selling stock. For forty years he has made this his leading business. He has traveled almost every road and by-way in Northwest Ohio. He has, probably, bought, shipped and sold more stock than any other man in this part of the State. In an early day, he was a great hunter, and says that from the date of his killing his first deer to the time when he shot his last it was just forty years, and that, the last hunting he did, his last four shots killed five door. He is the father of the following: children: Sarah Ann, George, Elizabeth, Newton, Tamer, William,

664 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

Emily, Lot, Alexander, Julia Ann, James, and one who died in infancy, All are living but two-Julia Ann and William; the latter died in the war of the rebellion.

Samuel Patterson was born in Ireland in 1807, emigrated to America with his parents in 1812, and settled in Harrison County, Ohio, and there married Jane Davis. In the fall of 1836, they removed to Hardin County and settled on Section 19, Marion Township. Here he entered 240 acres and began right in the woods-not a. stick amiss; and here he made a beautiful farm, with fine buildings and improvements. Subsequently, he purchased more land, until he owned 440 acres. He was a man of great industry and financial ability, and won the esteem and respect of his many acquaintances. He was an active Christian worker, first in the Methodist Church and later in the United Brethren Church. He was a local and itinerant preacher for about forty years. He died March 12, 1874. His children were William D.. Catherine, Sarah Jane, Margaret, Samuel, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Mary. Esther, Jernima, Joseph. Nancy, Ella and Susanna; all now living except Joseph, Rebecca and Esther. Henry Stull came here from Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1836, and entered, there. quarter sections of land: resided here a few years, sold out, and moved to Illinois with all his family.

Mesback Rvan came from Fayette County, Ohio, awl settled near Huntersville in 1836, resided here many years, but subsequently removed to Indiana. where he died. He married Elizabeth Garner, by whom he had the following children: Henry, James, Mary, Elizabeth, Matilda, Enoch, Job and Benjamin.

Joshua Ford, a native of Maryland, came to Harrison County. Ohio, in 1827; in 1836, removed to this township and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 5. In 1838-39, he erected a horse mill for grinding-one of the first mills in this section of the county. He remained a resident here till his death. He married Sarah Kelly and had the following children: Ruth, Thomas, John, Joshua, Amos, Henry, James, Michey E. and Lloyd.

Asaph Shadley, a native of Virginia, and a brother of the above Sampson Shadley, settled here, just west of said brother, in the fall of 1837. He married Margaret Wolverton in Virginia. He remained a resident here through life, but died suddenly in Michigan. while there on business; his remains were brought back and interred upon his own farm. His children were John S., Nathan, Ann, Susan Jane, William A., Daniel V., David and Elizabeth.

William Harriott, a nativeof Virginia, became an early settler of Adams County, Ohio; thence, in the spring of 1837, removed to this township and entered 160 acres in Section 31, where he resided till his death. Ha married Julia Ann Hoover, of Allen County, by whom he had the following children: Ephraim and Caroline, deceased--the, former served in the war of the rebellion, was taken prisoner and confined in the Andersonville prison and was finally exchanged, but not until so far exhausted by starvation, that, upon obtaining food, he over ate. and died in a few days.

Hamilton Scott came here from Carroll County, Ohio, in 1837-38, and settled on Section 22, and remained a resident of the township until his death. He had a family of fourteen children, all deceased but two Jane, now the wife of William Scott and resides in Ada. and Martha, who resides in Indiana.

Joseph Ryan came here from Fayette County, Ohio, and settled near the Scioto Marsh in 1838. He married Priscilla Bales and died on the

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place where he first settled. His wife still survives, and resides in Illinois. Their children were us follows: Priscilla, Thomas, William, James, John. Lucinda, Hinkle and one or two that died quite young.

James M. Nelson was born in Washington County, Penn., February 25, 1805; in 1815, came to Ashland County, Ohio, with his parents; in 1833, he married Susanna D. Mathews, of Crawford County, a daughter of Isaac and Nancy Mathews. In February, 1838, they removed to Hardin County, and settled on land now owned by S. W. Phillips, in Section 12, Marion Township, which he had previously entered in 1834. Here he resided through life. He died February 3, 1864. His wife died just thirteen days later, February 16, 1864, aged forty-nine years, both being taken away by that fatal disease, spotted fever. Mr. Nelson was an exceptional man in integrity of character and exemplariness of Christian life; ever ready, with his means and influence, to aid all matters for the general public good of his community, both in its secular and religious interests. He was identified with the Presbyterian Church from its first organization. becoming one of its constituent members at its organization in 1841, and was appointed its first Elder. He was the father of ten children, of whom seven now survive -Rachel J., Nancy M., John W., Emma K., Alvin S., Milton H. and Wilbur M. Those deceased were Willis C., died in 1855; Sarah M., died in 1870, and Mary E., who married William Cooney and died in the fall of 1874.

James Miller was born in Center County, Penn., in 1808, and settled in Marion Township in 1839.

Marshall Carman, a native of Maryland, settled on northwest quarter Section 6 in 1842. John A. Dunlap settled on Section 33 in 1845. Joseph and James Powell, Robert Preston, Asa Cooney, Samuel Hagerman and the Dempsters were also early settlers.

TIMBER.

The principal timber is beech, white and black ash, elm, sugar and soft maple, basswood or lynn, burr oak, with some white oak, hickory, blackwalnut, hackberry, mulberry and hornbeam or ironwood.

The timber trade of this part, of the country is quite considerable; large quantities of ash are sawed into thick stuff and shipped to the different agricultural works of the State, and Hardin County hickory is shipped largely, in the log, to the penitentiary and other buggy wheel factories, and considered the best timber that can be had anywhere for the manufacture of buggies, and the best of ax-handle timber exists in great abundance.

The despised elm is now being cut into staves and shipped to all parts for salt, lime and flour barrels, and considerable lynn is used for the Same purpose, but more of the lynn is used by the shavings mills for mattress, cushions, packing, etc. The sugar maple makes the best of chair timber, but this industry is not followed to any extent as yet in this part. The day has come when timber is not a nuisance as it was a few years back, when the farmer's only question was--How can I get rid of it the soonest, so I can cultivate the soil

SOIL, CLIMATE, PRODUCTS.

The soil of Marion Township is a deep, black alluvium,of very different depths, resting on the drift clay, which is very heavy in this township-in fact, so deep that it has never been pierced to the underlying rocks at any points known of in the township. There have not, as yet, been any stone

668 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

quarries, gravel or sand pits discovered in the township, but strong indications of gravel deposits are seen in the washes along the road on Section 31, in the elevations seen in the southwest corner of the township, but no indication of stone is to be seen anywhere in the township. The stone, where found in the surrounding country, is all water lime, and it is reasonable to suppose that the drift clay of unknown thickness rests on a bed of that stone. Along the ridge north of the marsh, the soil proper is not so deep in many places - less than one foot in depth-while in the low lands surrounding the marsh, and in the bottoms of the swales, the alluvium has collected to the depth of several feet, making a soil almost inexhaustible, producing very heavy crops of corn, wheat and the grasses, while the lime in the underlying clay adds much to its productiveness and its lasting qualities.

The only stone found in the township is the drift bowlders, and they are not plenty-such as are suitable for pillars for barns, cribs, etc., having been generally used by the farmers. The largest bowlder met with in the township is seen near the northeast corner of Section 7, near the top of the wafer-shed. A good stone quarry in this township would be a mine of wealth-almost equal to a gold mine or a coal bank. The water supply is found by digging wells in the drift, and, generally, is not very abundant, but of good quality.

The climate, on account of the elevation and exposure, is as rigorous in winter as at any place in Ohio, and subject to all the changes produced by variable currents of wind. There is no place in the State subject to more sudden and-extreme changes of temperature than the water-shed, but in summer, the cool breezes from Lake Erie are delightful, as they fan the brow of the husbandman under the scorching rays of a noonday sun. The prevalence of snow during the winter securely protects the wheat and other summer crops from the action of frost, which makes this one of the best counties for wheat and winter small grain in the State. The amount of rainfall is above the average for the State, and crops seldom suffer from drought, and the deep underlying drift holds moisture.

The products are wheat, corn, oats, rye, buckwheat, potatoes, clover, timothy, Hungarian, millet and fruits of all kinds. The soil and climate are, perhaps, better suited to wheat than any other crop, and large quantities are annually raised of a superior quality. Indian corn also grows very luxuriant, but the seasons are rather short for the maturing of the large varieties of this valuable cereal. Oats, rye and buckwheat are raised only in small quantities, but seem to do well. The soil appears to be well adapted to barley, but has been but little tried as yet. Potatoes do well, and are raised in considerable quantity and fine quality. Some of the finest specimens of potatoes, both Early Rose and New York Peachblows, that we ever saw were raised by Albert Dempster. Millet makes a heavy crop. The different clovers grow almost spontaneously, and clover seed is quite an article of commerce. Garden vegetables are found in great abundance. Apples grow large, and are of good quality. Peaches have, so far, done tolerably well; but we think when the country grows older that the trees will not last, or the crop be so sure. Small fruits have been but little tried, except on the fruit farm of John S. Shadley, who has made a success with grapes, which are not troubled with mildew or rot, and his berries produce well.

POLITICAL HISTORY.

The first election held in Marion Township was in the spring of 1836, when there were only about a dozen voters. The records of the township

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prior to 1852 were kept on loose sheets of paper, and are lost. In 1852, the Clerk, Henry F. Thompson, procured a little quarto blank book, on which a skeleton of the records was kept. `oho the first officers were cannot, with any certainty, be ascertained, but, like other backwoods townships, the officers served for little or no pay, and if the work was' rough it was honestly done, and the affairs of the township went harmoniously and cheaply forward to prosperity. Among the early officers, Sampson Shadley, James Thompson, Samuel Patterson, Sr., Jesse Garwood and Marshal Carman were among the first Trustees. The present officers are A. Runner, William Winters, O. M. McAdams, Trustees; J. F. Thompson, Clerk; J. P. Conner, Treasurer; Elihu Garwood, Constable. and Harrison Carman, Assessor. The officers of the township in 1850--the oldest record that is preserved were as follows: J. W. Dempster, G. R. Sutton and Asaph Shadley, Trustees; T. K. Ford, Clerk; James Powell, Treasurer, and Isaac Hitchcock, Assessor. The present Justices of the Peace are John W. Dempster, C. W. Runser, both of whom have served in that capacity for several years. to the satisfaction of the people of the township.

VILLAGES, ROADS AND RAILROADS.

Marion Township is almost entirely an agricultural township. The only village within her border, up to the fall of 1882, was Huntersville, laid out June 21, 1836, by Thomas Hitchcock, in the northeast corner of Section 12. on the Kenton & Lima road, and adjoining Cessna Township. Some year; back it could boast of a post office, two stores, a saw mill and blacksmith shop, all of which were closed except Josiah Smith's shop. Dr. Evans located here a couple of years since, and is infusing new life into the old town. He started a small family grocery, and enjoys a fair and increasing practice in his profession. If they could succeed in regaining their post office, they might make it a place of some business yet.

Jagger is a new town, laid out in October, 1882, on the southeast corner of Section 8, where the Chicago & Atlantic Railroad crosses the Ada & Round Head Turnpike. Being near the middle of the township and, on a new through line of railroad, it may become a place of considerable trade. Two saw mills are already at work, with acres of logs around them, two or three new houses are in course of construction, and should the enterprise of draining the marsh prove a success, this new village, situated on its northwest border, will become a place of considerable trade and quite a shipping point.

The roads of the township are the Ada & Round Head Turnpike, which enters the township on the north, on the line of Sections 3 and 4; thence south to the quarter line of Section 9; thence west, on said line, to east line of Section 8; thence south, bending somewhat to the west. around the marsh, leaving in Section 32 about one and three-quarter miles from the county line, and the Kenton & Ada pike which runs from the above on the north line of the township one and a quarter miles, turning southward across Sections 2 and 1 to Huntersville. There are also mud roads on most of the section lines out of the marsh.

The only railroad in the township is the Chicago & Atlantic, which crosses the township nearly east and west a little north of the middle of the township. It was finished in the spring of 1883.

CHURCHES.

Previous to about 1850, preaching was held at the cabins of the pioneers. As early as 1840, a class of the Methodist Episcopal Church was formed at

670 - HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.

the house of James Thompson. After some years, it was moved to Maysville, Allen County. They now have a good frame house half a mile south of Maysville, also a building on Section 9.

The United Brethren formed a class, about 1870, and, in 1872, erected a nice building on the southwest corner of Section 19, on Samuel Patterson's land, called Pleasant Valley Church. The United Brethren had a house on the north line of Section 10, but it is not now used.

SCHOOLS.

The first schools of the township were, like the most of backwoods settlements, kept in any old building that could be procured at long intervals and short terms. The first school of which we could get any account was taught some time about 1836, by Samuel Kirtland, in a house on Section 11, and a house was built on Section 5 soon after. A schoolhouse was built on Section 32 toward the close of the fourth decade.

There are at present six good brick and frame schoolhouses in the township, and they expended in the payment of teachers. in 1882, $1,370.92, and in building a new brick house in District No. 5, $1,940, and seating the same, $200. The people of the township are making very liberal appropriations for the education of the rising generation.

CEMETERIES.

There is but one cemetery in the township, on the northeast corner of southeast quarter of Section 9, and northwest corner of southwest quarter Section 10, each a quarter acre, making half an acre. There are a few scattered graves. Some of the Shadleys arc buried on Section 11, but. most of the dead are interred outside the township.

In closing this sketch, we would say that this township has within her borders elements of wealth second to no township in the county, and only needs the thorongh draining of the great marsh to develop them.