HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. 659

CHAPTER LXIX.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP.*

NOTES Of THE SURVEY-ORGANIZATION AND PHYSICAL FEATURES - EARLY SETTLERS - LOUDONVILLE - THE BANK - MILLS- THE BUSINESS OF LOUDONVILLE - SECRET SOCIETIES - THE CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS - THE PRESS - THE MAYORS.

HANOVER TOWNSHIP was surveyed by James Hedges, who commenced March 15, and ended March 25, 1807. In his notes of the survey he says: "The east boundary had much burnt woods. On the fifth mile going south, came to an old Indian boundary line, being, perhaps, the north line of Gelloway Reservation, in Knox County."

The line rare southwest across the township, and passes out nearly in the middle of Section

*Now in Ashland County, formerly in Richland.

31. In subdividing the township, between Sections 1 and 2, he touches Armstrong's Creek, 150 links wide, running southwest. This creek is so named from Capt. Thomas Armstrong, an Indian chief, who resided in the village of Greentown, some eight miles higher up the stream. It is also described by other surveyors as the Muddy or Black Fork of Mohican John's Creek, but more popularly known as the Black Fork, or principal head of the Walhonding or White Woman's River. The junction of

660 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

the Clear Fork and Black Fork is mentioned. the width being 140 links. In running the south boundary going west. he came to an old Indian path or trail leading north and south perhaps to the Gelloway settlement of the Walhonding. The land of Hanover is described as being rugged and poor, with stunted timber. much burnt on the northeast part of the township.

Hanover was organized October 4, 1818, out of the southern half of Greene. The surface is broken and hilly; some of the lofty and precipitous hills reaching an altitude attaining the real grandeur of mountains. A considerable portion of its surface is not, therefore. adapted to cultivation. though there are many farms in the valleys not surpassed in fertility by any in other townships. A great deal of the land is better adapted to grazing. Clear Fork enters the township near the northwest corner, flowing southeasterly about five miles, when it unites with the Black Fork. As this stream is confined among the hills and the fall is rapid it furnishes excellent water-power which is sufficient the year round to run any number of mills. The Black Fork enters the township at Loudonville, and pursues a southwesterly course until it unites with the Clear Fork.

The early settlers of the township were Samuel Garrett, 1825, Section 11 ; Nathaniel Haskell, 1820; John Hildebrand. 1823; Mark Mapes, 1822; James Loudon Priest, 1810 George Snyder, 1818; Stephen Butler and family, Caleb Chappel and family, 1814.

The township being a little out of the line of travel, and not quite as inviting in appearance as some others, was not settled so early nor so rapidly.

Of these settlers, Mr. Garrett served in the Revolutionary war, in the Life Guard of Gen. Washington, and states that upon his discharge he was paid off in Continental money, which was so worthless that it would not purchase him a single meal. Mr. Haskell was one of the first merchants and millers in the township, and was engaged in freighting to New Orleans by flatboats, shipping pork, flour and whisky. Flour then cost $2.50 to S3 per barrel and brought in New Orleans $5 and $6. Mr. Priest immortalized his name by laying out the town of Loudonville. He first settled in Lake Township, building the first cabin in that township, and becoming its first Justice of the Peace. During the Indian troubles, he erected a fort upon his premises, for the safety of his family and those of his neighbors.

Mr. Snyder was a soldier of the Revolution, and lived to the age of ninety-three.

The township sustains a lively and flourishing little city called Loudonville, situated on the line of the Pittsburgh. Fort Wayne & Chicago Railroad. It was laid out August 6, 1814, by Stephen Butler and James Loudon Priest; the latter gentleman purchasing the northwest quarter of Section 1, upon which Loudonville stands. The first sale of lots was made September 14, 1814.

There was one cabin on the site of Loudonville before it was laid out owned by Stephen Butler. It had but one room, but was used as a hotel. and therefore the first hotel in the town which was laid out around it. Mr. Caleb Chappel. who settled near the town site in 1814, was Mr. Butlers nearest neighbor, and it appears that the latter was the only citizen of the place during that year. He was at that time a Justice of the Peace. Priest lived five miles east, and Mr. Oliver five miles west, Loudonville, at one time, like all other towns in the new country, expected to be a place of note. and aspired to become the county seat. The "Walhonding Canal" was the thing that was going to make it a city, and although it excited great expectations. they were of short duration, as the project failed for want of proper financial support. Mr. Butler was the first Justice of the Peace. and the only business man in the township for a number of years. Later, Mr.

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Haskell was, perhaps, the most public-spirited citizen. He early laid out an addition to the place. He erected, at his own expense, a brick building known as "Haskell's Academy," employed teachers, and by his influence and energy, kept it going for several years. He started the first bank here in 1868, which after his death was continued by his nephew. George C. Haskell. When the latter died in 1876, the business was continued by the Loudonville Banking Company, consisting of George Schauweker, William Garrett, J. W. Bull, William Campbell, J. L. Quick. J. H. Sanborn and J. W. Stacher. It is not a national bank.

One of the earliest mills in the township was that of Thomas McMacken on Clear Creek erected in 1834.

A. A. Taylor, of Loudonville, is now the owner of one of the largest mills in that part of the country. It is capable of turning out about two hundred and fifty barrels of flour daily, and is located in one of the best wheat growing regions in the State. In order to erect this mill, Mr. Taylor was compelled to demolish one of the first mills of the county. which had been erected about 1819, by Alexander Skinner.

Thomas H. Stewart yet living in Loudonville, was one of the first Associate Judges of Richland County, and his wife, yet living, is the only one of the first pioneers yet remaining in the township. She was the daughter of Caleb Chappel.

The population of Loudonville, at present, is about two thousand. There are four dry-goods stores kept by William Fisher & Co.. J. W. Stacher, Adam Ullman, and Frederick Arnold; three clothing stores, by Wise & Co., C. Openheimer, and Steitzel & Co.; five grocery stores, by Jacob Buckheisen, Lewis McMahon, Samuel Hess, Joseph Yuncker and John Redd. There are two hotels, two butter and egg packers, a very extensive tannery by Godfrey Schawaker ; two foundries doing a small business; three drug stores, by P. Ullman & Co., Leopold & Co., and M. Clough ; two hardware stores by Hartupee & Reed, and Priest & Frankheiser , three stove and tin stores by Henry Pippet. G. G. Leopold and Daniel Prutzman ; three boot and shoe establishments by C. Petot, John Long and A. Barker; two newspapers, the Democrat and the Loudonville Advocate.

In addition to the above, there are many other small business institutions of different kinds, and the usual number of mechanics and laborers.

The secret and benevolent institutions are the Hanover Lodge, No. 115, A., F. & A. M., organized in 1843; the I. O. O. F., instituted April 20, 1854; the Knights of Pythias and Knights of Honor. The charter members of the first society mentioned were George H. Stewart. Adolph Clem, A. Haskell, John Ewalt, William Cullen, P. B. Griffith, E. B. Fuller and Jacob Boothe ; and of the I. O. O. F., John Taylor, D. E. Stockman, A. P. Mather, C. Hildebrand and A. Yarnell.

There are seven churches in the town.

The Methodist was organized in the spring of 1834 by Rev. Elmore Yocum, in Thomas McMahon's warehouse. The early meetings were held at the houses of Joseph White and James Martin, and in the old Plank Schoolhouse. The first church building was erected in 1836. It was brick and cost about $500. In 1856, a frame was erected at a cost of $1,500.

The Baptist Church was organized in May, 1839. Isaac Wolf and John Neptine were Deacons. Revs. Wilson, Stearns and William Leete were the early Pastors. A frame building was erected in 1843 at a cost of $1,250.

The German Reformed and Lutheran Evangelical denominations erected a church for joint use in Loudonville in 1846. This building was destroyed by fire in 1860. These societies then erected separate frame churches. The Reformed and Lutheran Societies also erected a church in

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the southern part of the township in 1846. The congregations were organized seven years before the church was erected.

A Catholic society was organized in 1868 in Loudonville, and a brick church erected about the same time.

The Presbyterians had for many years a small society here, but were not able to erect a church until 1873, at which time they erected the present brick edifice.

An English Lutheran Church was organized in 1878, and the present brick building erected in,1879.

But little can be said in favor of the Loudonville schools. Mr. Haskell's academy was. unfortunately, allowed to go clown after his death, and there seems to be at present an opening for the Loudonville people to exercise their public spirit in this direction.

The Loudonville Advocate was started March 20, 1873, being the fourth paper established in Loudonville. It was a stock concern and edited by J. H. Ruth, formerly of Ashland ; continued in that position until December, 1877, when the office was disposed of to Messrs. Stauffer & Miller, of Quakerstown. Bucks Co., Penn. In December 1869. Mr. Miller retired and Peter H. Stauffer became sole proprietor. The paper is neutral in politics.

The Loudonville Democrat was established in this place by J. G. Herzog, a native of the State of New York. February 28, 1879, and has just closed the first year of its publication. Its circulation is over eight hundred. It is neatly printed. and in a prosperous and healthy condition.

The town was incorporated in 1850 and the following is a list of the Mayors: William Hook. John McCormick (twice re-elected). A. L. Scott. John Strong. Jesse Hayes. A. L. Scott (four times re-elected). William Larwill (reelected), A. L. Scott D. Rust (re-elected), A. L. Scott, John Strong. John B. Long, Robert Hill (re-elected). John B. Long (twice re-elected), John W. Bull and C. S. Deyarmond, the present incumbent.