HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 649

CHAPTER LXVI.

VERNON TOWNSHIP.*

ORGANIZATION-TOPOGRAPHY- HUNTING GROUND-FIRST SETTLERS AND SETTLEMENTS - WEST LIBERTY-DE KALB -LIBERTY CHURCH.

V E R N O N TOWNSHIP was organized March 9, 1825, out of the north half of Sandusky, and was, at this time, six miles square, including part of what is now Sharon Township. It remained in this shape until February 3, 1845 (the date of the erection of Crawford County), when it was reduced to its present dimensions-six miles long from north to south, and three miles wide; belonging since 1845 to Crawford County.

It is an excellent township of farming land, being generally level or gently rolling. In its

* Now In Crawford County, formerly in Richland.

primitive condition, it was covered with a vigorous growth of hard-wood timber, and the land was generally swampy, but clearing and underdraining have rendered it very productive.

It is well watered by the tributaries of the Sandusky River, one of which-Loss Creek- rises in the southeast part, and, running northwest until near the center of the township, turns southwest. entering Sandusky Township and Sandusky River through Section 19. The general course of its waters indicates a gentle inclination of its surface to the west and north.

650 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

Bear's Marsh Creek waters the northern part, running west into the Sandusky River.

This territory was largely used by the Delawares as a hunting-ground, quite a band of that tribe under the chief Wingenund, having, for many years, a permanent camp on the Sandusky River, near Leesville. The great, dark woods and thick undergrowth formed excellent hiding-places wild animals.

The township was first settled by white men about 1820, the first settlers generally following the Indian trails across Sharon Township, which soon became public highways. The wave of civilization gradually advanced from Mifflin Township, in the eastern part of the county, in 1809, to Sharon and Vernon, in 1818 and 1820.

The settlers generally came from Western Pennsylvania, but a few were from New England, and, in later years, a large number of European Germans settled in this part of the country.

The first settler was George Byers, in 1820, and the next, so far as known, was George Dickson, in 1822. Dickson was a single man, but returned to Pennsylvania, married, returned here with his wife in 1823 and is yet a resident. The next settlers were Eli Arnold, William McClelland, Jonathan Dickson. Dennis Orton and James Dickson.

In 1826, the township polled ten votes.

Andrew Dickson and William McClelland were the first white children born in the township, February, 1826.

The first assessment was made in 1823, by Adam Aumend, there being at that time only three families in the township, and but two of these had any property subject to assessment.

The first orchard was planted in 1825.

There are two small towns within its limits. West Liberty and De Kalb. The former is located on Loss Creek, on the southeast quarter of Section 17 and was laid out May 28, 1835. It contains at present but one store and a few dwelling-houses.

De Kalb was laid out November 21, 1838. on Section 5, by David Anderson. It is about the size of West Liberty. When the Mansfield, Coldwater & Lake Michigan Railroad passed across the northeastern part of the township, in 1871, a station-house was erected a short distance from De Kalb, called "De Kalb Station." The little business of the place is now generally transacted at this station.

A church called the "Liberty Church," or "Church of God," is located in the northern and eastern part of the township, and was organized in 1850, by Eider William Adams. A few of the first members were Christopher Shade, Daniel Baker and wife, and Joseph Tombleson and wife.

The early meetings of the society were held in the schoolhouse. A frame church building was erected in 1860, at a cost of $800. A few of the early ministers were William Adams; William Shaffer and David Shriner.

The present minister is William Burchard, and the membership is about thirty.

A Sunday school was organized about the time the church was erected. Samuel Dean was the first Superintendent. He was succeeded by Solomon Gross, who was Superintendent many years. This school is yet in successful operation, with a membership of about fifty.