662 - HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY.

CHAPTER LXX.

MILTON TOWNSHIP.*

ORGANIZATION, BOUNDARIES, ETC.-SPRINGS-SURVEYED-SOIL AND TIMBER-HUNTING- GROUNDS-AN OFFICIAL DOCUMENT-EARLY SETTLERS, ETC.

MILTON TOWNSHIP was organized June 4, 1816, out of Mifflin, being at that date twelve miles long from north to south. and six miles wide. It remained in this shape until October 15, 1818, when Clear Creek was formed out of the north half, leaving Milton six miles square in Richland County. When Ashland County was formed, in 1846 its four tiers of sections on the east were transferred to that county. The two tiers of sections remaining in Richland were enlarged and called Weller the four in Ashland being called Milton. Its

*Now In Ashland County, formerly in Richland.

dimensions are therefore, four by six miles, with Montgomery on the east and Mifflin on the south. No streams of consequence are found in this township. but there are many beautiful springs, one of the strongest in the county being found near the "Short farm."

It was surveyed in November 1806 by. Gen. James Hedges. Like other townships in the county it was densely timbered with oak, beech. hickory and other hardwood. The southern part is described as hilly and the soil of inferior quality. The eastern part is generally level and the soil good; over the remainder of

HISTORY OF RICHLAND COUNTY. - 663

the township, the ascents and descents are regular, in places level, the soil generally fair for farming purposes, but clayey. It must have been a good hunting-ground for the Indians, as large quantities of their hunting implements and war weapons are found-stone axes, stone wedges, arrow-points, etc. Some of these evince great skill in workmanship.

The Atlantic & Great Western Railroad passes diagonally through the township, the direction being northeast and southwest.

The following extract from the official record ofthe organization on of Milton is given as somewhat of a curiosity, being a little out of the usual way of performing that operation

"Now, it came to pass when men began to multiply on this side of the river westward toward the lake, even the great Lake Erie, and the inhabitants of Milton Township became numerous and strong, that they said one to another, Go to, let us separate ourselves from Mifflin Township, to which we afore time had been attached ; for why should we be oppressed by our brethren, and costs multiplied on us in carrying us before strangers ?

"Let us select a goodly number from among our brethren that shall bear rule over us. And they prayed the court at Mansfield,. and their request was granted. Milton was formed, and became a free and independent township. This happened in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen."

This curious document was signed by Robert Nelson, one of the township pioneers.

The earliest settlers came in 1814, mostly from Pennsylvania. In that year, Mr. Alexander Reed settled on land adjoining the old Hopewell Church, Section 13. His farm contained 80 acres, which he sold, in 1821, to Joseph Marklay for 550 gallons of whisky.

James Andrews came in 1816. He was a man of superior ability and influence, having served in the war of 1812 as Captain in the Ohio militia, and was afterward Justice of the Peace in Milton for twenty-seven years. Abraham Doty also came in 1816; William Lockhart, in 1818; John Woodburn, in 1825. Other early settlers were Peter Brubaker, Joseph Bechtel, Joseph Charles, John Clay, John Hazlett, Henry Keever, John Neal and Michael Smettzer.

This is essentially a farming community, no town existing within its limits. Before it became a part of Ashland County, Olivesburg belonged to it. Its early reminiscences are similar to those of other townships whose history has already been written, and need not be repeated. The same maybe said of the' struggles and triumph of its early settlers, who came to it a wilderness, and have, after years of toil, hardship and danger, dressed it in the garb of civilization. Its earliest settlers worshiped at the old Hopewell Church, erected in 1819, but organized several years be fore. This church stood very near the line between Milton and Montgomery. Its history is noticed in the history of the latter township.