SANDUSKY Bay and Erie county on the north, Erie county on the east,
York township on the south, and Riley township on the west, form the
boundaries of Townsend. It was ordered by the county commissioners at
their April session, 1820:
That a township be detached from the town of Croghanville, to be known
by the name of "Townsend," bounded as follows: Beginning on the east
bank of Green Creek, at the division line between Sandusky and Seneca
counties, thence east with said line to the east line of Seneca
reservation, thence north along said line until it shall intersect the
road leading from Croghanville to Strong's settlement, thence along said
road until it shall reach the Huron county line, thence north along said
line to Sandusky Bay, thence along the shore of the bay until it shall
reach Green Creek, thence along the bank of the creek to the place of
beginning.
An old document says there were within this territory at that time more
than twenty voters, but their names are not given, and early election
records are lost. The establishment of Green Creek in 1822, and Riley in
1823, reduced Townsend to its present size. The first election was held
at the house of M. Wilson. The town government of that year was as
simple as possible. It was, indeed, little more than a law and order
society. The land had not yet come into market, and consequently the
principal business of our present official system — the collect ion and
expenditure of taxes — was a thing of the future. Indeed, as we shall
see further along in this sketch, officers for the protection of
personal property were unnecessary, for the citizens took into their own
hands the business of inflicting punishments.
Prior to the settlement the southern part of the township was all
heavily timbered. Extensive prairies broke the forest in the northern
part. These prairies were covered with a heavy marsh grass, interspersed
with an occasional branch of a more nutritious variety, which attracted
the cows of the early settlers.
The surface slope of the township is uniformly toward the northwest, and
a number of small streams flow rapidly in that direction. There is but
one mill-site in the township, that being in the eastern part, just
below "Rockwell Spring." This spring is the source of the most beautiful
stream in the township — a rapid current of clear mineral water.
The most valuable feature of the water supply of Townsend is the under
surface currents which are the source of artesian wells. These fountains
of cold water, pleasantly tinctured with mineral matter, are found in
all parts of the township. The first well was sunk by C. G. Sanford
about 1850. Some difficulty was experienced in this operation. After
penetrat10ing the surface soil and a stratum of blue clay, quicksand,
saturated with water, baffled further progress. Mr. Sanford overcame the
difficulty by constructing a casing of stovepipe through the sand to the
top of a stratum of hard conglomerate rock. A hole was drilled through
this rock, which at that place was about fifteen inches in thickness.
The drill being removed the well soon filled with pure water and became
the source of a living stream. By means of casing the water was raised
high enough to fill a trough. The geological conformation is much the
same in all parts of the township, but a number of attempts to obtain
wells have failed. The water filling a net-work of fissures seems to be
bound down by the stratum of conglomerate above spoken of. When one of
these fissures is struck the experiment of obtaining a well never fails.
It is possible, however, that after a time a fissure may become clogged,
and a well once strong cease to flow. One of the best wells in the
township — one on the Beebe farm — became dry after a number of years. A
new shaft in the immediate vicinity brought to the surface a strong
current.
It is probable that Rockwell Spring and Cold Spring, in Erie county,
draw their water from the same source through natural fissures or breaks
in this layer of conglomerate or covering of an underground system of
currents, whose source is higher than the surface of the soil. The depth
of these wells varies from twenty to fifty feet. Some places water can
be raised six feet above the surface.
The utility of such a system of waterworks is inestimable. With proper
drainage, two or three wells can be made to supply all parts of the farm
with fresh, pure water, making stock-raising at once more profitable and
easy. It is by no means Utopian to say, that as population grows, and,
as a consequence, the profits of agriculture increase, such a system of
drainage and water supply will be effected as will render the injury of
crops by draught an impossibility.
Only a faint idea can be formed by our own generation of the "appearance
of things" before the white man's axe changed the condition of nature.
Except in the marshy northern sections, heavy trees united their tops
and completely excluded the sun. Smaller trees filled the intervening
spaces below, while at many places shrubs and bushes made the forest
absolutely impenetrable. Through the central part of the township walnut
was the predominating heavy timber; on the ridge further south oak
prevailed. Thick grape-vines, with long tendrils, bound the trees
together and made it necessary in some instances to cut half a dozen
trees before one could be brought to the ground. They finally came down
with a crash, crossing each other in every direction. Complete clearings
generally were made only where it was designed to erect the cabin. Land
was first prepared for crops by cutting the smaller trees, grubbing out
the underbrush, and girdling the large trees. This method of clearing
saved a great deal of labor. The ^girdled trees soon became dry and were
easily burned down during the warm months of the fall. But, although the
large trees were not cut down, heavy logs had to be piled together and
burned before the plow or cultivator could be used. For ages trees had
been growing, dying, then falling and giving place to others. These dead
and decaying trunks were lying almost concealed by underbrush.
THE SETTLEMENT.
The first settler in the township was Moses Wilson. He built his cabin
on the North ridge in the spring of 1818. When the land came into
market, he made a purchase and removed to the west part of the county.
The Townsend family, whose name the township bears, made the second
improvement on the present Brush farm, in the spring of 1818. Abraham
Townsend emigrated from New York to Canada before the War of 1812. His
son, Ephraim K., joined the United States army, which circumstance,
together with his known sympathy with his native country, made it not
only judicious, but necessary, at the opening of that unfortunate
struggle, for the family to return to the States. The war over Mr.
Townsend was one among the earliest of the pioneers of Northern Ohio,
and in 1818 pushed into the thick and heavy-forest of this county. The
place of settlement had possibly been selected, during the war, by
Ephraim K. The family, at the time of coming to this county, numbered
two sons and five daughters, viz: Ephraim K. and Gamalial, Margaret
(Chittendon), Betsey, wife of Addy Van Ness, Mary (Loux), Amy, and
Eliza. Mr. Townsend removed to Huron county about 1824, and a few years
later to Michigan. Ephraim K. remained in Townsend, where he owned
eighty acres of land, until 1826, when he removed to Sandusky City,
where he died the following year. Mr. Townsend was the first clerk of
the township. He married Rebecca Tew in 1820. The farm was purchased in
1826 by Mr. Tibbals, who died the following year.
The third cabin in the township was built by Mr. Corbit, who never
entered land, but left the county when the tract on which he had
squatted was sold.
William Tew, sr., built the fourth cabin m November, 1818, and was the
only one of these first families who remained to see the country
developed and improved. Mr. Tew was born in Massachusetts, but early in
life removed to New York, in which State he was married, in 1800, to
Susannah Barton. In the spring of 1818 he came west to Erie county; and
in the fall of that year erected a cabin, and removed to the woods of
Townsend. He had a family of eight children — Rebecca, wife of E. K.
Townsend, was the first resident of the township to marry, she died in
Indiana in 1876; William settled in Townsend and lived here till 1865,
when he removed to Clyde, where he died in 1876; Seth finally settled in
Illinois, where he died in 1831; Paul has been a resident of the
township since the settlement of the family, except five years, from
1825 till 1830; Robert resides in Sandusky, he lost his eyesight and
became lame in boyhood; Hiram died in 1819, and is the first person
buried in the Tew cemetery on the North ridge; Permelia married Alonzo
Anson, and died in Erie county in 1842; Mary, widow of Samuel Ainsley,
lives in Erie county. William Tew, sr., was the first postmaster in the
township, and in every way a worthy man; he died in 1842.
Benjamin Barney came to the township about 1822. His brother Wesley had
preceded him a short time. Benjamin sold his place to Daniel Rice in
1824.
A. C. Jackson settled in this township on the ridge in 1822. He married
Amanda Olds in Huron county in 1818, and at the time of settlement in
this township the family consisted of two children. Ten children were
born in this county. Eight came to maturity, and seven are still living.
Mr. Jackson died October 24, 1865, aged exactly seventy-one. Their cabin
was the first house of entertainment in the township. Mrs. Jackson was
one of the most useful women in the pioneer settlement. Her kindness and
skill in the treatment of disease is gratefully remembered by those of
the pioneers of that community yet surviving. She lives in Clyde.
The prairie in the north part of the township had squatter settlements
at an early day. Charles Baker and Levi Chapman lived at the mouth of
Little Pickerel Creek, Fred Chapman and his brother on Rush prairie, and
William Poorman a little farther to the south, before 1822.
The Winters family made an early settlement in this part of the county.
Christian Winters was a native of Maryland, which State he left on
account of anti-slavery ideas, and removed to Canada.
At the opening of the War of 1812 he volunteered in the Federal army,
and in 1817 the family settled in Erie county (then Huron). A few years
later the family, consisting of Daniel, Benjamin, and John, came to this
township and engaged in stock raising.
Ann Winters was born in Canada in 1801. She came to Erie county, thence
to Townsend with the family, and, in 1829, married Samuel Kidwell, by
whom she had two children, both of whom are dead. Mr. Kidwell died in
1832. She afterwards married Lyttle White, by whom she has had one
child, Benjamin.
Silas Freese was born in Ogdensburg, Canada, in 1805, and came to
Sandusky county with his father, John Freese, in 1821. The family
consisted of four children, one of whom is living — Hannah (Barney), in
Illinois. John Freese was a native of New York, whence he emigrated to
Canada. Silas Freese, in 1836, married Eliza Reed, by whom he has eight
children living, viz: James L., Townsend; H. J., Downing, Michigan; Ira,
Erie county; Isaiah, Ottawa county; Lydia (Rodgers), Ottawa county;
William D., Alice (Cowell), and Elmina, Townsend. Two of the sons were
killed in the army — George, wounded at Chickamauga, and died in prison
at Atlanta; John, killed in the battle of Altoona. Silas Freese died in
the spring of 1881.
Azariah Beebe removed with his family from New York to Huron county in
1816, and about 1824 came to this township. They had eight children, the
youngest of whom, Ethan, was born in this county. Those born before
coming to this county were: Diadama (Snow), Almira (McCord), William,
James, Harriet R., Aaron, and Enoch. Azariah Beebe died December 12,
1834; his wife, Mary (Ryan) Beebe, died December 11, 1864. Aaron died in
1840, Almira in 1841, and William in 1857. The remaining members of the
family all reside in this township. The Beebes were the first settlers
in the neighborhood of Rockwell Spring. Harriet R. lives on the old
homestead.
James Beebe was born near the mouth of Huron River, in 1816. He married
Mary Jane Green in 1839, and by her had one child, George A., now living
in California. In 1841 he married Susannah Crandall. The fruit of this
marriage is seven children living — Mary J., Nathan M., Rebecca (Black),
Ethan A., Frank, Fred, and Harriet A. Mr. Beebe has held various
township offices.
Orlin Selvey, who died February 5, 1881, was born in Tompkins county,
New York, December 24, 1811. He moved with his father's family to Huron
county, and resided there eleven years. There the father died. The
widow, with three sons and one daughter, came to Townsend township about
1824, and here Orlin Selvey lived the remainder of his life. In 1840 he
married Harriet Greenman, of Townsend. They had one child, Sanford, who
now lives in the township, a solace to his widowed mother. Orlin Selvey
was the only survivor of his father's family. He served three terms and
a part of the fourth as justice of the peace. He was a man of excellent
character. Sanford Selvey was born August 5, 1841. He married Anna R.
McNitt, of Townsend. They have four children — Manly Clay, Guy McNitt,
Hattie Deborah, and Edith Alvina.
Robert Wallace and Mary, his wife, came to Ohio in 1826, from
Pennsylvania. Their children were: John Wallace, now residing in Yazoo
City, Mississippi; Sarah (McCord), who died in Townsend; and Mrs. Eliza
Murtz, still living. After the death of Mr. Wallace his widow married
Thomas Fleming, and had four children — Thomas, William, Robert, and
George.
All lived and died in Townsend except William, who died in Mississippi.
Eliza Wallace, the only representative of this family now living in this
county, was married, in 1831, to David White, who was born in
Pennsylvania in 1812, and moved to Townsend township in 1826. Mr. White
died in 1844. His home was the Smith farm, in the southeast corner of
the township. There were seven children — David A., John W., Mary, Sarah
Ann, Esther E., Charles W., and Harriet S. Of these three are living —
Sarah Ann (Ream) and Esther E. (McCarty), Townsend, and Harriet (Close),
Erie county. Mrs. White married again, in 1848, Christopher Murty, a
native of Ireland. He died in 1874, at the age of sixty-seven. Mr. Murty
was an active business man and a most worthy citizen.
Ebenezer Ransom was an early settler in the north part of the township,
and was the first justice of the peace.
Addy Van Nest was a local preacher and evangelist. He did not remain
Long in the township. He settled in the West.
The old Lemmon farm was first improved by the Putnam family. Mrs. Putnam
was a widow. Her son was a young man, and took charge of the clearing
operations.
Josiah Holbrook emigrated from New York to Huron in 1816, and six years
later came to Townsend, where he engaged in the manufacture of potash, a
common employment of the time, and one of the few industries productive
of ready cash.
Samuel Love came to Townsend in 1822. He was a peaceable and industrious
Irishman, who was highly esteemed. He lived on the North ridge.
Benjamin Widener was a Pennsylvanian who came to Huron county, and from
there to Sandusky county in 1822. His brother, Cornelius, came about the
same time. Cornelius adopted the Indian method of grinding corn in a
stump. A stump of hard wood was selected, and by burning and chopping
hollowed out, forming a mortar, in which the corn was placed. A section
of the body of an iron-wood tree was raised by means of a spring-pole,
and allowed to drop with its end on the corn in the stump. In this way a
strong man could crack enough corn in one day to last the family a week.
Owing to the scarcity and incapacity of mills, it was a handy machine to
have, for frequently the good woman of the house had her patience sorely
tried hearing the children cry for bread while the man of the household
was waiting for his turn at seme distant mill.
Joseph McCord and his brother stopped in Huron county, where they had a
cabin, and kept bachelor's hall, until one day the lonely sleeping shed
caught fire and burned. Joseph then came to Townsend, and, like a good
settler, married a wife, improved a farm, and raised a family.
Harry Snow married Diadama Beebe and settled in Townsend. His father was
one of the best fiddlers in Erie county. Speaking of a fiddler calls to
mind the enthusiastic dance of pioneer days, when, in the language of
one of the girls of that period, "our dresses were shorter and our steps
higher than nowadays." A dance was the usual happy conclusion of a
log-rolling, raising, or quilting. Carpet-rag sewings were few, for few
people had carpets or rags enough to make a carpet out of.
If a man had logs to pile up preparatory to burning or a building to
raise, his neighbors were given notice of the fact, and all for miles
around (for the word neighbor in pioneer history has a wide meaning)
came to his assistance, bringing with them their wives, daughters and
sisters to do the cooking and put in the odd hours at sewing, weaving,
or perchance cheering the success of favorite beaux in the many trials
of strength which were constantly going on in the clearing. The day
usually closed with wrestling matches, lifting contests or other trials
of strength and agility. The victories of strong and active men were
rewarded by the loving smiles of honest women who were always ready to
encourage with hand and heart, and were willing not only to lighten but
to take upon themselves a fair share of the burdens of the times. On one
of these gala days, which combined work with fun, as soon as darkness
had driven day away, all the young people repaired to the place of
dancing, to the cabin or a stand erected for the purpose, but in either
case the floor was made of split puncheons. This sort of a floor had one
recommendation, it was firm; but on account of roughness would be badly
calculated for the graceful, gliding waltz of the present generation.
Indeed, when we picture the conditions, we cease to wonder why the
"women stepped higher" than now, when dancing is done on waxed floors.
The round dance was a movement unthought of, but they performed all
sorts of figures in the catalogue of square dancing. Those movements
requiring most exertion were the most popular. The walk around quadrille
of today is looked upon by the women and men of the old school as a
silly performance, and perhaps it is. The "French Four," "Virginia
Reel," and other similar exercises were participated in with an
enthusiasm which would have been destructive to settings, bracelets, or
lace sleeves, had the ladies worn them. But plain homespun, or in
exceptional cases calico dresses, constituted the ladies' costumes.
Wooden stays took the place of corsets, and the feet rested upon broad
soles and heels. When the surrounding forest had echoed and re-echoed
the inspiring notes of the violin and the clatter of joyful feet, till
long after wolves had ceased their midnight howls, the party, tired of
pleasure broke up, and all quietly followed woodland paths to cabin
homes.
Daniel Rice, one of the earliest pioneers along the Sandusky River, and
an early settler of Townsend, was born in Clarendon, Vermont, March 29,
1792. At the age of thirteen he went to New York, and served in the War
of 1812,in Captain John Dix's company, New York militia. At the close of
the war, in company with an older sister, he came to Ohio and located
for a time in Franklin county, near Columbus. In 1819 he came to the
Sandusky Valley, about eight miles below Fort Ball. He was a justice of
the peace in 1820, and solemnized the first marriage recorded in
Sandusky county, October 24, 1820, the parties being West Barney and
Sophronia Wilson. Mr. Rice married, December 14, 1820, at Lower
Sandusky, Anna Barney, a native of Berkshire county, Massachusetts. In
1825 they settled in Townsend, on the farm on which Mrs. Rice now lives,
at the advanced age of eighty-eight years. They had seven children, four
of whom are living. Daniel Rice died May 13, 1872.
M. B. Rice, son of Daniel Rice, was born in Townsend township in 1831.
Before he married he spent fourteen years of his life in California,
where he was engaged in mining. In 1868 he married Mrs. Anna (Hathaway)
Rice, widow of Daniel Rice, jr. She was born in Scott township in 1838.
They have two children — Thaddeus Waldo and DeWitt Clinton. Mr. Rice has
a good farm and is a successful farmer. He dwells upon the old Rice
farm.
Purdy and Warner Smith were early settlers of the township. Warner was a
single man and lived with his brother Purdy until after the death of
Tibbols, when he married the widow. He had been a magistrate in Huron
county (now Erie), and was a practical joker.
James Lemmon, sr., was born in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, July
17, 1779. In 1800 he removed to New York, and in 1805 married Rebecca
Blake, a native of Connecticut. In 1827 he came to Ohio and settled on
the North ridge in Townsend, where he died May 7, 1854. His wife died
March 29, 1855. The family consisted of five sons and two daughters.
Mathew M. was born in Livingston county, New York, in 1812. He came to
Sandusky county with the family in 1827, and still resides on the farm
on which his father settled. He married Sarah McIntyre in 1848 and has a
family of four children — Frank married Hannah Kellor, and lives on the
homestead; Harvey married Bessie Nearkoop, and lives in Townsend; Etta,
wife of Luther Wilt, resides in Townsend; George is unmarried.
Albert Guinall, a son of James Guinall, settled in Townsend, where his
son still lives.
John Bush came from New York with his family in 1827 and settled in
Townsend township. The family consisted of five sons, viz: Fenner,
Medina, Michigan; J. B., Clyde; Edwin, deceased; N. W. Clyde and A. L.,
Ottawa county.
After 1830 the township filled up so rapidly that it is impossible to
give the names of more than a few of the more prominent and influential
settlers.
Alpheus McIntyre, a native of New York, settled in Townsend in 1830. The
maiden name of his wife was Lois Sanford. He had been deputy sheriff of
Hamilton county, and in this county served as associate judge of the
court of common pleas. He was one of the early school-teachers and
magistrates of Townsend. He married, for his second wife, Mrs. Sally
Curtis, nee Cleveland, who was the first school-teacher in the township.
Nathan and Sidney Crandall came to the township about 1830. Nathan was a
sailor and spent only his winters here with his brother, Sidney, who
owned a farm and had a family.
A man named Lyon lived on Pickle street soon after the road bearing that
name was laid out. A little ill-feeling between him and Mr. Smith about
a piece of meat gave the road its name.
Zelotes Parkhurst was a native of Vermont. He spent his early life in
some of the Southern States, and subsequently in New York. In 1828 he
married Lois Stevens, of Livingston county. New York, and in 1830 came
to Ohio, settling on a farm in Townsend township, where he died, January
2, 1844. The three sons, W. T., J. S., and Phineas W., all served in the
army. Phineas W. married, in 1869, Miss S. Z. Richards, of Townsend, and
is now cashier of the Clyde bank. Zelotes Parkhurst laid out and donated
to the public the Parkhurst cemetery, in which his remains repose.
Phineas Stevens was born in Massachusetts, in 1754. He served in the war
of the Revolution, and afterwards settled in New York. In 1830 he came
to Ohio and settled in this township, where he died in 1840. His wife
survived him two years.
The Whitmore family settled in this township on the Wadsworth farm in
1830. George and Margaret were the names of the parents. The children
who came with them were Rachel, born in 1804; Janet, born in 1814; and
John. Rachel married Holcomb Allen, and died at Port Huron, Michigan.
Janet married Benjamin Winters, and died in this township. John Whitmore
was born in Leicester, Livingston county, New York, May 29, 1816, and
came to Ohio with his parents in 1837. He married Marcia (Swift)
Chapman. They had only one child, now living, Ann J., the wife of Walter
Davlin. Mr. Whitmore became a most successful business man and a very
prominent citizen. He died January 1, 1881.
The Beaghler family settled in this county in 1831. E. Beaghler, still a
resident of Townsend, was born in Perry county, Ohio, in 1826. In 1845
he married Lavina Morse, by whom he had five children, three of whom are
living — Nancy (Batsole), Michigan; Mary (Young), Ballville; and Amelia
(Thompson), Townsend. He married for his second wife, in 1858, Caroline
Jackson. One child is the fruit of this union, Anson J., living in
Townsend. Mrs. Beaghler was a daughter of A. C. Jackson, one of the
early settlers in Townsend.
Hezekiah Higley, who is still living in Townsend township, was born in
Massachusetts in 1790, April 6. When eleven years old, he went to New
York State, whence he emigrated to Portage county, Ohio, from there to
Erie county, and in 1832, to his present abode. In 1815 he married
Jerusha Clark, who was born in Berkshire county in 1794, and died in
Townsend township in 1876. She was the mother of ten children, four of
whom are living: Laura, wife of Cyrus Daniels, Riley; Anson, Hudson,
Michigan; William, Hessville; and Orson, Townsend.
Simeon Haff was born in the State of New York in 1769. At the age of
thirty he married Betsey Lyon, of the same State. In the spring of 1830
he came West, settled in Townsend, and passed the remainder of his days
here. He died October 10, 1841. Mrs. Haff died March 18, 1852, aged
sixty-six. The family comprised five sons and six daughters. Four sons
and two daughters are living — Hiram, Clyde; Israel, Indian Territory;
Francis, Michigan, and Cyrus in Riley township. William, the third son,
lived and died in this township, and brought up a family.
Two of his sons are living. The surviving daughters of Simeon Haff are
Mrs. Sarah Bennett, Clyde, and Mrs. Elizabeth Tyler, Michigan.
Hiram Haff, oldest son of Simeon Haff, was born in Livingston county.
New York, December 16, 1812, at which time his father was serving in the
war. He came with his parents to this county, and resided upon the old
place until 1854, when he moved to York township. About two years ago he
moved to Clyde, his present residence. July 4, 1836, he married Cynthia
Avery, of this county. She died in December, 1876. They reared six sons
and three daughters, who are now located as follows: Sanford, Wyandotte,
Kansas; Edwin, Lenawee county, Michigan; Elisha, Reuben and Fred,
Townsend; and Hiram B., York. The daughters: Mrs. Melinda Lewis,
Townsend; Mrs. Betsey Whitaker, Henry county; and Mrs. Belle Heffner,
Clyde.
Elisha Haff was born in 1844. In 1871 he married Eliza Fuller, and has
four children: Myrtie, Elver, Zedie, and Mabel.
Reuben Haff was born in Townsend township in 1846. In 1867 he married
Laura Crippen, and has two children living — Ortiff and Elisha.
Fred Haff was born in Townsend in 1852. He married Eva Plumb, of this
township, in 1875, and has two children — Edith and Claude.
H. A. Sanford was born in Ontario county, New York, March 4, 1822. He
came to Ohio with his parents in 1832, and settled in Townsend township,
his present residence. In 1853 he married Mary Rice, daughter of Daniel
and Ann Rice, of this township. To them have been born three children —
Merritt, who married Mary Beebe, daughter of Enoch and Jane Beebe, and
resides in Townsend; Alma L., the wife of Eugene Winters, Eaton Rapids,
Michigan; and Jennie, Townsend. Mr. Sanford has held several offices,
such as treasurer, trustee, etc.
G. W. Sanford, son of Zachariah and Mary Sanford, was born in Townsend
township, February 2, 1840. He lived at home until he began work for
himself In 1863 he married Miss Adaline Hawkins, daughter of Hiram
Hawkins, of Townsend. He has been residing on his present farm since
1868. Politically Mr. Sanford is a Republican.
James Lewis removed from Ontario county. New York, in 1833, and settled
in the northeast corner of Townsend. He retired from the farm some time
since and is now living at Clyde.
Benjamin Hooper, another of the settlers of 1833, was born in
Devonshire, England, in 1787. He emigrated to America in 1833 and
settled in Townsend the same year. His family consisted of four
daughters and one son.
Edward Chambers, a native of Ireland, removed from Boston,
Massachusetts, and settled in Townsend township on the farm now occupied
by Andrew Smith, in 1845. He married Mary Hooper, who is still living at
Clyde. Three of their children are living — F. R. Chambers in Townsend,
A. B. Chambers, Hannibal, Missouri, and Mary A. Chambers, Clyde. Edward
Chambers died in March, 1879. F. R. Chambers was born in Townsend
township in 1847. He married, November 1, 1880, Annie Mahr, daughter of
G. P. and Anna M. Mahr, of this township.
Isaiah Golden was born in Pike county, Pennsylvania, in 1819. In 1823
his father removed to Wayne county, Ohio, and thence to Huron county.
Mr. Golden, in 1840, came to this county and settled in Townsend
township. He married for his first wife, Lucy H. Gifford. For his second
wife he married Sarah Ann Short. The fruit of this marriage is four
children living — Seth, Townsend township; Polly Ann (Burr), Putnam
county; Ora and Eva, Townsend. Names of children deceased — Franklin,
Delilah, Jeremiah and Edward.
Z. P. Brush was born at Danbury, Connecticut, in 1816. His father's
family soon after removed to New York, whence Z. P. emigrated to Erie
county, Ohio, in 1836, and in 1841 married Almira Tibbals. He removed to
Townsend the next spring, and settled on the farm on which Abraham
Townsend had made the first improvement in the township. After Townsend
removed, this farm was owned by Zeno Tibbals, the father-in-law of Mr.
Brush. The Brush family consists of five children living — Z. T.,
commercial traveller; Joseph B., Townsend; Mildred (Nichols), Kansas;
James Z. and Allie, Townsend.
The White family settled in Townsend township about 1843. Lytle White
was a native of the State of New York. He married, in Townsend, Mrs. Ann
Kittle, nee Winters, who still survives him. To them was born Benjamin
L., who now resides in this township. By her former marriage Mrs. White
had one child, Mary, deceased. Mrs. White was born in Canada in 1799.
Charles W. White was born in Prussia, in 1840. In 1848 he came to
Sandusky county with his father, and in 1865 married Catharine Wahl.
Three children are living — Charles F., William R., and Ella. Mr. White
was elected to the office of infirmary director in 1878, and has also
served his township as trustee.
Joseph Miller, a native of Pennsylvania, came to Ohio in 1830, and
settled in Townsend township. In 1864 he married Caroline Wadsworth.
Four children of this union are living — J. Henry, Anna, Addie, and
Bertie. Joseph Miller died in March, 1881, aged sixty-eight years.
W. W. Fuller, son of David Fuller, and grandson of the venerable William
Fuller, was born in this township in 1847. In 1873 he married Clara
Stone, and has a family of two children, Raymond and Zella. Mr. Fuller
has filled the offices of township assessor, trustee, and treasurer.
Walter Davlin was born in Erie county in 1833, his father having been
one of the pioneers in that part of the State. In 1862 he married Ann
J., daughter of John Whitmore, and four years later settled permanently
in this township. His children are: William, Marcia, Sadie, Margaret,
and Ann J. Mrs. Davlin had two children by a former marriage, Carrie and
John. Mr. Davlin is postmaster at Whitmore Station.
Giles Ray removed from Erie to Sandusky county in 1866, a few months
before he had married Sophia Brown, the fruit of which union is four
children — Scott, Jesse, Sophia, and Eva. Mr. Ray served three years in
the army, being mustered out as a corporal. Giles Ray is son of
Alexander Ray, now living in Clyde. Giles was born in Erie county in
1841. Mrs. Ray is a native of the same county, and was born in 1844. Her
father, Orlando Brown, still resides in that county.
James Black was born in Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, in 1835. In
1861 he enlisted in the Seventeenth Ohio, and served three and one-half
months. He settled in this county in 1865.
Manasseh Prentice was born in Erie county, Ohio, in 1827. He is a son of
Levi and Mary Prentice. Levi Prentice was born in Madison county. New
York, in 1801; died in Erie county, Ohio, in 1834. His wife, Mary
Hartwell, was born in Canada in 1808; died in 1872. Manasseh was the
oldest of their five children. He married Elizabeth W. Barnes in 1846,
and resided in Erie county until 1867, when he became a resident of
Townsend. There are seven children living — Maria A. (Hamilton), Mary E.
(Hersey), Alice W. (Norman), Henry N., D. B., Olive J. B., and Nellie G.
A TORNADO.
The 11th of April, 1834, is memorable in the annals of Green Creek and
Townsend townships. Warm thunder-showers interspersed by intervals of
hot sunshine had prevailed during the day, until about the middle of the
afternoon, when a cloud of midnight blackness overhung the thick forest
in the neighborhood of Green Creek. As this huge mass of blackness
approached the earth, trees surged, then reeling fell, some twisted to
pieces, others torn from the ground. Like a great ball, it rolled in a
northeasterly direction. The rugged trees of the forest for a moment
seemed to offer resistance to its progress, then snapped and were broken
like bone between the lion's teeth. Smaller trees and shrubs bowed
obeisance to the passing giant, but were crushed beneath the ruins of
their stronger neighbors. The earth trembled and trees bowed down for
half a mile on either side of its path.
The course was on across the pike and down through Townsend crossing the
North ridge road near the county line. Its path proper was less than a
quarter of a mile wide, although the effect of the storm was traceable
for half a mile on either side. Not a tree was left standing in the
path, but shattered timber lying in every direction covered the ground.
One cabin was scattered and its pieces carried on the bosom of the
winds. The roof of one house on the ridge, although not in direct line
of the storm, was blown off, and the good house-wife's feathers filled
the air like snow in a winter storm.
The tornado fortunately did not pass over a thickly settled portion of
country. So far as is known but one life was lost — that of Mr. Keiser,
of Townsend. Stephen Gillett had his arm broken by a falling tree. He
was holding to a stump to keep from blowing away, when a limb struck his
extended arm. The movement of the black cloud was very rapid, and its
demonstrations caused great excitement. The date we have given is from
the diary of a trustworthy lady who still lives in Townsend.
A CRIMINAL EPISODE.
A curious episode of early times in Townsend was the treatment of a
thief who entered the cabin of Mr. A. C. Jackson, carried out some
clothing and the gun, and left the house in danger of being burned. Mr.
Jackson was away from the house and Mrs. Jackson was out on the farm,
when a stranger, who had the night before been the recipient of the
household's hospitality, entered and committed the crime spoken of On
Mrs. Jackson's return she aroused the neighborhood. The woods were
carefully searched and the man found, but the gun and bundle of clothes,
which included all the spare wearing apparel of both members of the
family, were not so easily found. The culprit was asked to tell where
the missing articles could be found, with the understanding that
restoration should requite the crime. The place of the gun's concealment
was truthfully described, but not so with the clothing. The neighbors,
exasperated with this deception, again seized the robber, and with
cudgels and switches began to inflict punishment. To free himself from
torture, the thief again, although not yet willing to tell the truth,
deceived his executioners, who retaliated by plying their cudgels with
heavier strokes to his body, already bruised to blackness.
The whipping in this wise continued for more than an hour, the poor man
suffering excruciating torture all the time. At last he was released on
the promise of working for Mr. Jackson in the clearing to the value of
the stolen property. This arrangement was effected largely through the
intervention of William Tew, who adjudged the man crazy, and insisted on
his release. The thief worked for a few days according to contract, but
soon became tired of the clearing and was never seen afterwards. The
goods were sometime after found in Huron county.
EARLY EVENTS.
The first road laid out "through the township followed the ridge from
the Cold Creek mill, and intersected the pike at Hamer's tavern. Stages
followed this road to Sandusky, and made the cabin of A. C. Jackson an
intermediate stopping place. Addy Van Nest also kept public house at
which the stage occasionally "put up."
There was another road through the township further north cut out just
so wagons could be drawn through during the War of 1812.
The first sermon was preached by Harry O. Sheldon in the Jackson
neighborhood. Services were occasionally held after this under direction
of Methodist circuit riders.
The first cemetery was laid out by William Tew, sr., on his farm.
The first school was taught in an unfinished log house in the south part
of the township by Miss Sally Cleveland.
The first permanent school-house was built on the Lemmon farm about
1826.
Rachel Mack taught a summer school at Beebe's, which was attended by the
children of that neighborhood. She also did such needlework as the
simple wants of the pioneer mothers required.
An early marriage was solemnized by Ebenezer Ransom, the first justice
of the peace, which, on account of the brevity and directness of the
ceremony reflects credit upon that honorable magistrate. Mr. Putnam,
accompanied by his betrothed entered the homely cabin, and after
announcing their errand were joined according to the following formula:
"Do you take this here woman for your wife?" "Yes," was the reply. "Do
you want this here man for your husband?" The bride, whose costume was
beautifully simple, sighed a faltering "Yes." "You're married," was the
squire's blunt conclusion. The parties most interested seemed to doubt
the fact, however, and held the floor, when the justice, to end the
matter, said: "See here, you may think that business short but it's done
just as right as if it took half an hour."
The pioneers in Townsend or elsewhere had great difficulty to secure the
cash necessary to purchase such articles as could not be obtained in
exchange for farm products. Furs always commanded ready money, and in
consequence the woods and marshes were thoroughly searched during the
killing season. The manufacture of black salt or potash was the only
profitable use of timber in that early day, and Mr. Richardson, Mr.
Holbrook, and others, who had kilns found the industry profitable. Black
salt always sold for cash in the market at Milan.
Hogs were generally fattened in the woods on acorns and nuts.
Each settler owning stock had a peculiar "ear mark," which was
registered in a book kept for the purpose by the township clerk. It was
against the law for any one to kill marked animals of any kind. But hogs
frequently strayed away and were lost. Young pigs as they grew became
wild and even dangerous; these it was allowable to kill, being classed
as "wild hogs." An old settler declared to the writer that he would
rather meet a bear in the woods than an enraged wild boar. They fought
with that dumb determination which makes even a weak enemy formidable.
The practice of allowing cows to pasture in the weeds has been the cause
of distressing misery and sickness in Townsend, both on the east and
west sides. Milk-sickness was, during the early settlement, a disease
wholly beyond the control of physicians. Even Indian remedies were
employed, but to no purpose, for the wisest of the tribes could not cure
their own strong and vigorous kin when afflicted with this dread
disease. We do not mean to convey the idea that the disease was in all
cases fatal. Many recovered, but in almost every case with enfeebled
constitutions.
Other diseases greatly afflicted the pioneers and retarded the progress
of improvement. Decaying logs were throwing off poisoned vapors, and
stagnant pools, formed by fallen timbers damming the natural water
channels, became malaria fountains. But in this respect Townsend was no
worse than other parts of the county. Since tame grasses have taken the
place of wild herbs and plowed fields occupy the soil once covered by
damp forest, milk sickness has become a disease known only in tradition,
and the general health of the township is good.
The first marriage in the township was that of Rebecca Tew and Ephraim
K. Townsend.
The first barn in the township was built by Zeno Tibbals on the farm now
owned by Z. P. Brush.
A collection of houses on the ridge road became known as "Coopertown,"
taking its name from the occupation of the Starks family, by whom one of
the houses was occupied. They carried on the coopering business on an
extensive scale. But coopering was not the only industry carried on at
this hamlet. William Willis had a shoe-shop, and William Wales had a
wagon-maker's shop. Goods of a general character were sold here by
Benjamin Bacon and William Willis.
This village ceased to thrive after the completion of the railroads in
1852.
Townsend post office was established in 1824 with William Tew, sr., in
charge as postmaster. In 1853, after the completion of the Cleveland,
Sandusky & Cincinnati railroad, the office was removed to the
neighborhood of York Station and placed in charge of Josiah Munger.
Whitmore Station was made a post-office with Walter Davlin in charge
upon the completion of the Sandusky extension of the Lake Erie & Western
railroad. York Station is a small hamlet on the Cleveland, Sandusky &
Cincinnati railroad near the center of the township. Here, as almost
everywhere else, religious worship was instituted by the Methodists.
Harry O. Sheldon and other circuit riders preached to the Townsend
people as early as 1824. The first church was built by the Methodists,
in 1848, with Daniel Wilcox as circuit preacher. The meeting-house
stands on the North ridge road.
There is a society of United Brethren in the north part of the township.
Circuit preachers and supplies have held service in the school houses in
that community for many years, but no house of worship was built till
1870.
Biographical Sketches.
CARMI G. AND LYDIA SANFORD
Zachariah Sanford, father of the Sanfords of this county, and a Townsend
pioneer, was born near Saybrook, Connecticut, in the year 1790. At the
age of eighteen he left Connecticut, with his widowed mother, and
settled in Madison county, New York. He married Mary P. Mantor, who was
born in Massachusetts in 1798. The newly-wedded couple settled on a farm
in Ontario county, New York, which was their home till the fall of 1832,
when, with their family, they removed to Ohio, and settled in this
township. Mr. Sanford purchased an eighty acre lot entirely covered with
native forest. The father and sons made an opening for a log cabin upon
their arrival, and during the winter prepared a tract for spring crops.
On this farm Mr. Sanford lived until his death, which occurred May 6,
1862. His wife, Mary Sanford, died March 17, 1868. They reared a family
of seven children — five sons and two daughters.
Elias M. was born July 17, 1817. He died in Townsend township May 31,
1843, leaving a wife and one child.
Carmi G. was born December 28, 1818.
Henry A. was born March 4, 1820. He married Mary Rice, daughter of
Daniel Rice, and lives on the homestead farm.
Sally M. was born December 27, 1826.
William B. was born April 7, 1828. He resides in Riley township.
Almira was born July 10, 1832. She was married to Samuel H. Tibbals, and
died without issue.
George W. was born February 2, 1839. He resides in Townsend township.
Zachariah Sanford was a man of quiet temperament, unobtrusive and
hospitable. In his family he was kind and indulgent; in intercourse and
dealing with his neighbors he avoided anything like conflict. It has
been said of him that he died without an enemy.
Mrs. Mary Sanford was an excellent mother. She was a woman of deep
religious convictions, being in this respect like his mother, who made
her home for many years in the Sanford residence.
Bible reading was especially encouraged in the family. Carmi G., while a
boy, was given a sheep as a prize for having read the entire Bible
through.
Carmi G. Sanford was in his fourteenth year when the family removed to
Ohio. His educational advantages in New York were limited, and in this
county still more meagre. He worked industriously on his father's farm
until young manhood. His first purchase of land was a tract of forty
acres, which he still owns. He married, March 9, 1844, Lydia Allyn, and
settled on a farm, for which he traded three years before. Only a small
portion of this farm, located three-fourths of a mile north of his
present residence, was cleared. The cabin was made entirely of logs and
puncheons, except one door, which was made of the boards of a store-box.
In this cabin they lived, for about ten years. Mr. Sanford removed to
his present residence in 1863, retaining possession of the old farm. By
economy and industry he has accumulated real estate, until at present he
owns four hundred acres of well-improved land. Mr. Sanford has always
been an advanced farmer, keeping pace, in methods and machinery, with
the times. In politics he has been active, and is looked upon as a
leader. A Whig by inheritance, he became a Republican from principle.
During the war he spent time and money in the encouragement of
enlistments and support of the families of soldiers in the field. When
the One Hundred and Sixty-ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry was formed, Mr.
Sanford was chosen captain of the largest company, C, composed of
volunteers from Riley and Townsend townships. At the regimental
organization at Fremont, he was chosen to the position of
lieutenant-colonel, and Nathaniel, a brother of William E. Haynes, was
elected colonel. Through the caprice of Colonel Wiley, Mr. Sanford was
dismissed before being mustered into the service.
Since the war Mr. Sanford has remained an active Republican, by which
party he was elected to the offices of county infirmary director and
county commissioner.
He had previously served his township as clerk and justice of the peace.
He is a member of Clyde Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, and of Erie
Commandery No. 23, located at Sandusky.
Mrs. Sanford is the daughter of Isaac and Permelia Allyn, and was born
March 20, 1828. Isaac Allyn was born in Connecticut, September 21, 1786.
He left home at the age of eighteen years, and settled, after travelling
to various places, in Erie county. About 1820, in company with Jonas
Gibbs, he came to this county, and settled on the prairie in the north
part of Riley township. He raised horses and cattle for market,
frequently making large sales. He also engaged largely in raising hogs,
and in pork packing. Mr. Allyn made his home in the Gibbs' family for a
few years, and then kept bachelor's hall in a cabin on his own place
until he was married, which event took place June 12, 1827.
Permelia Allyn, daughter of Cyrus Downing, was born June 24, 1795, in
Windom county, Connecticut. Before she was two years old her parents
removed to New York, where they lived till 1800, at which time they came
to Ohio and settled near Huron.
On account of Indian hostilities, the family was compelled to leave this
new home and take refuge in the fort at Cleveland. Permelia married, in
April, 1813, Jeremiah Daniels. About twenty families lived at Huron at
this lime. They were compelled by hostile Indians to leave their homes
nine times during one year. Mr. Daniels having deceased, Permelia
married Isaac Allyn, in 1827. The fruit of this union was three children
— Lydia (Sanford), born March 20, 1828; Isaac M., born February 8, 1832,
living in Riley township; and Permelia (Sanford), born November 6, 1837,
died June 25, 1881.
Isaac Allyn died January 30, 1839. Mrs. Allyn survived him many years,
the date of her death being September 18, 1874. She was a hard worker,
and a woman of good business ability. She carried on her husband's stock
business for several years after his death. One year she salted with her
own hands more than one hundred barrels of pork. Mrs. Allyn, during the
last year and a half of her life, made her home with her daughter Lydia.
Mrs. Sanford is naturally a happy and cheerful woman. She takes great
interest in the welfare of her family. Her home is one of the most
attractive in the county.
Mr. and Mrs. Sanford have had seven children, three of whom are living —
Mary P., born April 24, 1846, died in infancy; Winfield Scott, born
August 16, 1847, married Eliza McCartney, and has three children,
resides in Sandusky; Flora A., born February 3, 1850, married James Gaw,
died February 28, 1872; Morgan C., born July 25, 1861, resides at home;
Kate L., born November 7, 1864, died March 1, 1868; Haltie M., born
January 24, 1868, lives at home; Charles G., born January 24, 1871, died
October 6, 1872.
WILLIAM FULLER.
On another page will be found a good likeness of one of the few pioneers
now living. One by one he has seen the first settlers carried to their
long home, old and young, grave and gay, strong and feeble, from the
gray-haired grandsire to the tottering infant. Yet he remains, almost
the "last of a noble race," — the heroic race of pioneers.
Jason Fuller was born in Connecticut, May 24, 1767. He moved to
Massachusetts when quite a young man, and settled in what is now
Franklin county. There he married Philanda Taylor and resided until
1816, when he moved with his family to Ontario county (now Livingston
county), New York, where his wife died in 1818, on the 5th of November,
at the age of forty-nine. Jason Fuller and wife were the parents of
eight children, all of whom lived to be married, and all had families
excepting the oldest daughter. We will briefly mention each in the order
of their ages: Cynthia married Silas Pratt, in Massachusetts, moved to
Sandusky county in 1824, and died here. Rachel married Amos Hammond in
New York State; died in Michigan. Philanda was the first wife of James
Morrill, and died in Massachusetts. Electa married James Morrill, and is
now living in Kansas; she was eighty-four, May 24, 1881. William was the
next child and oldest son. John married, in Green Creek township, Rhoda
Powell; moved to Nebraska, and died there. Betsey married Ichabod Munger
in New York State; died in Michigan. Thomas married Margaret Ewart in
New York; died in Michigan.
Thus it will be seen there are but two members of the family surviving.
Jason Fuller followed the occupation of farming through life. Both he
and his wife were honest, upright people, and members of the Baptist
church. They were kind and loving parents, and tenderly and carefully
reared their large family.
William Fuller was born in Hawley, Hampshire county, Massachusetts (now
Franklin county), on the 23d of January, 1799. There he lived until the
fall of 1816, attending school and assisting his father on the farm. He
went with his parents to New York State, and resided there until
February, 1818; then, at the age of nineteen, on foot and alone, he
started for Ohio, then the "far West." He carried in a package upon his
back a few articles of clothing and some provisions to eat upon the way.
He traversed the entire distance on foot, except when some traveller
gave him a ride for a few miles. On the thirteenth day after he left
home he arrived in Milan township, Huron county, and immediately engaged
to work for Squire Ebenezer Merry. Two weeks after his arrival his
father, his oldest sister and her husband, and his youngest brother
came. His father took possession of a tract of land previously
negotiated for, upon which William engaged to clear ten acres as a
compensation for the use of his time during the remaining period of his
minority. William returned to New York State the following July, his
plans being to settle up some business for his father, do the harvesting
on the old farm, and return to Ohio in the fall with the rest of the
family. During this summer he made a business trip to Massachusetts; on
his return he found his mother quite ill and unable to think of
performing the long journey to Ohio. She died in November. His father,
who had been advised of her illness, was unable to accomplish the
journey from the West in time to be with her during her last moments,
but arrived in New York in December.
While at home this winter William took unto himself a wife. He was
married on the 7th day of November, 1819, to Mehetable Botsford. She was
a native of Connecticut, but her parents were then living in New York.
On the last day of February, 1819, arrangements having finally been
completed for a return to the new western home, William Fuller,
accompanied by his wife and father, started again for Ohio, with a yoke
of oxen and a sled upon which were carried the few household goods they
were then possessed of They were twenty-two days upon the road.
William then rented a small log cabin, where he lived the first summer,
and began the task of making a home. His father, never a very healthy
man, was taken ill in the month of September, and after lingering a few
weeks, died at William's home on the 25th of October, 1819, at the age
of fifty-two. Mr. Fuller lived in Milan township until 1824. While there
he had cleared about twenty acres, erected a log house and barn, and
subdued the land until he had a very fair field of some thirty acres,
including ten acres which his father had cleared. For this work he
received no pay, except the crops he secured; but as neither he nor his
father had made any payment for the land, the only loss was the value of
his labor for six years.
In 1823 Mr. Fuller bought forty acres in Green Creek township, southeast
of Clyde, moved upon it in the spring of 1824, and began clearing and
improving. He had erected a cabin before bringing his family here. In
June he was taken ill, and was unable to work until the latter part of
August. Then he suffered through the fall with ague. Altogether, the
first year was one which might well be deemed discouraging, but the next
brought even greater trials and misfortunes. During the following year
he was able to do but little work. In August, 1826, his wife was taken
ill with a fever, and on the 15th day of the same month his oldest child
was killed by the oxen running away with the cart, throwing him out and
killing him. The 19th day of August his fourth child was born, and on
the following day Mrs. Fuller died, and was buried, together with her
dead infant. Mr. Fuller was then obliged to break up housekeeping,
leaving his two remaining children in the care of his sister, Mrs.
Hammond, until the spring of 1 82 7, when he went back to New York
State, and worked at various employments for four years, paying his
children's board.
Mr. Fuller married Cynthia Havens, a native of Livingston county. New
York, May 15, 1831, and returned to his farm, where he continued to
reside until March, 1834, when he came to his present place of residence
in Townsend township. This, too, was wild, and Mr. Fuller once more had
the work of a pioneer to perform. January 23, 1835, death again entered
the household, and deprived Mr. Fuller of his wife. Being thus left with
a farm to manage and four children to provide for, he could not well
abandon house-keeping, and on the 6th of July, 1835, he married his
third wife, Marcia M. George, a native of his New York home. She lived
just one year from the day of her marriage, and died July 6, 1836.
October 19, 1837, Mr. Fuller was united in marriage to the lady, who
presides over his home, Emma M. Levisee, born in Lima, Livingston
county, New York.
By his first wife he was the father of four children, one of whom is
living. They were Jason H., David, John, and an infant. Jason H. was
born March 1, 1820; died August 15, 1826, as before mentioned. David,
born July 8, 1821; married Mary Z. Higley for his first wife, who bore
him six children, four of whom survive. His second wife, Eliza J. Plumb,
bore two children, who are still living. He died in Townsend, May 18,
1879. John, born April 7, 1823; married Eliza Mallory; now resides in
Branch county, Michigan; has one child living and one deceased. A son,
born August 19, 1826, died in infancy.
Mr. Fuller's second wife bore two children, one of whom is living:
William T., born April 10, 1832; married Mary J. Van Buskirk; resides in
Townsend; is the father of six children, three of whom are now living.
Cynthia M., born November 2, 1833, died December 22, 1853.
One child was the fruit of the third marriage, Jason E., born July 1,
1836, died September, 1836.
His present wife has borne three children, two of whom are living.
Taylor, born March 29, 1840, married Angeline Stone, resides in York,
has one child. James, born October 13, 1844, married Betsey Richards,
resides near his parents, has one child. Albert, born June 22, 1846,
died September 26, 1849.
Mr. Fuller had his full share of the hardships and privations of pioneer
life. Commencing in a new country, while not of age, he fought his way
onward against many difficulties and severe trials. In the days when
wheat was only twenty-five cents per bushel, and groceries were held at
enormous prices, salt being nine and eleven dollars per barrel, it was
hard for a man to make and pay for a home. But all this is past and
gone. His industry, activity and patience were rewarded in time. Mr.
Fuller has been a successful business man. Though physically somewhat
enfeebled by age and the results of years of toil, his mind is clear and
cheerful, and he is passing the evening of his days among the scenes of
his former struggles and triumphs, happy and contented. Each of his five
sons who grew to manhood and married, were helped to a farm by their
father.
Mr. Fuller was a Democrat until 1856, but since that time has voted with
the Republicans. In religion he is a believer in the doctrine of
universal salvation.
Mr. Fuller, wherever he is known, is recognized as a just and honorable
man, and is respected by old and young.
THE LEVISEE FAMILY.
Aaron Levisee was born in the State of New Jersey, June 19, 1774, to
which State his father, James Levisee, had previously moved from
Connecticut. Soon after Aaron's birth his parents returned to
Connecticut, and there his father died.
Aaron Levisee was the oldest of a family of six sons and three
daughters. He passed his boyhood in Connecticut and Massachusetts
principally. Before he was twenty-one he engaged as a clerk on a sailing
vessel, and followed the sea about three years, visiting many foreign
countries. He acquired a very fair education, and, after quitting the
sea, followed the profession of teaching, in Connecticut and
Massachusetts, until he was married. While teaching at Lanesborough, in
the latter State, he had for a pupil the lady who afterwards became his
wife. One day he punished this scholar for some trivial fault, and a
month later they were married. In his twenty-fourth year he was united
in marriage to Anna Lyon, daughter of Thomas and Thankful Lyon, both
natives of Massachusetts. Mrs. Levisee was born at Lanesborough, May 13,
1778. After their marriage they lived a short time in Massachusetts,
then went to Greenfield, Saratoga county, New York, where they remained
a few years, thence moved to Charleston, Ontario county. New York, now
Lima, Livingston county, where Mrs. Levisee's parents had moved before
them. In this last-named place John L. Levisee was born. In 1822 the
family moved from Ontario county to Allen, Allegany county, in the same
State, where Mr. Levisee died on the 18th of June, 1828. The widow
moved, with her family, to Sandusky county, Ohio, arriving in Townsend
township the l0th day of October, 1832. Here Mrs. Levisee resided until
1844, and then removed to the home of her daughter, Mrs. Thankful
Botsford, north of Ann Arbor, Michigan, where she died July 3, 1845.
There were seven daughters and two sons in the family. Six daughters
arrived at maturity, and two are yet living. Both of the sons are living
at this date (September, 1881).
The names of the children of Aaron Levisee, in the order of their ages,
were: Almedia, Eveline, Thankful, Eliza Ann, John L. and Sarah L.
(twins), Sarah Sophia, Emma Maria, and Aaron Burton.
Thankful and Emma M. are the surviving daughters. The former is the wife
of David Botsford, and resides in Washtenaw county, Michigan. Emma Maria
is the wife of William Fuller, Townsend township. Mrs. Botsford was
seventy-seven years old July 15, 1881, and Mrs. Fuller sixty-three March
24, 1881. The youngest son, A. B. Levisee, whose name was rendered
familiar in the Louisiana election controversy of 1876-77, is now a
lawyer at Fargo, Dakota Territory. He was born March 18, 1821.
The records of the deceased members of this family are as follows:
Almedia, born August 1, 1799, married Ezra Lyons in 1819, resided in
Livonia, Livingston county, New York, until 1831, then moved to Townsend
township, where she died June 28, 1853; Eveline, born June 21, 1801,
married Hubbard Jones in Livingston county, New York, moved to Townsend
in 1842, died June 13, 1873; Eliza Ann, born May 6, 1806, married for
her first husband Jonathan Wisner, resided in Allegany county, New York,
until 1834, when she removed to Townsend, having previously married her
second husband, Joseph Cummings, and died November 6, 1838; Sarah L.,
born July 4, 1809, lived to be a little over four years old; Sarah
Sophia, born February 14, 1815, came to Ohio some time after her mother,
married Charles Gillett in Townsend, moved to Steuben county, Indiana,
died March 16, 1847.
John L. Levisee was born on the 4th of July, 1809. He passed his early
life upon the farm. He being the oldest son, and until 1821 the only
son, a large share of the work and care of the farm devolved upon him
when quite young. He attended the common schools when he could spare
tune from manual labor. His father was taken ill when John was about ten
years of age, and from that time forward the young man's cares and
duties were numerous. After his father's death he worked by the month
farming, during two seasons, in Lima, his former home. Then, in the fall
of 1831, he started for Ohio, and arrived in Townsend township on the
29th of October. Here he purchased, with some of the proceeds of his
father's estate and his own earnings, eighty acres of land, the farm
which is still in his possession. He erected a log cabin, then returned
to New York. The next year his mother, with her two sons and Emma Maria,
came and settled upon the purchase. Of course the country was wild. But
one road in the township had been cut out, and the general aspect of the
whole region might well be described by the inelegant but expressive
words, "a howling wilderness." John began chopping, and continued
through the winter and many succeeding seasons clearing away the forest
and making field land. Hard work and a simple diet was the rule in those
days. Meat was scarce except when, occasionally, a deer or wild turkey
was shot. Wheat was little raised, and flour was an article not much in
use. Corn-bread was the staple food. He secured a good crop of corn the
first season after he began his farming operations, and from that time
onward the family managed to live very comfortably.
May 10, 1836. Mr. Levisee married Diana Stanley, daughter of Asa and
Anna Stanley, of York township. She was born in Rutland, Jefferson
county. New York, October 25, 1810. To them were born nine children,
viz: Sarah, born May 5, 1838; married for her first husband James Olds;
for her second, Joseph Carter; is now living with her third husband,
Emanuel Roush, near Hastings, Michigan. Anna, born July 28, 1840,
married Hiram Blood in 1862; resided in Sparta, Kent county, Michigan;
died November 30, 1874. Elizabeth, born October 27, 1842, married James
A. Downing in 1865; resides at Whitmore Station. Eliza, born August 18,
1844, married Wallace Downing in 1866; lives in Clay township, Ottawa
county. Mary Jane, born October 23, 1846, married Winfield Thomas in
1872; died August 28, 1873, in Townsend township. Civilia, born January
30, 1849, died September 22, 1853. David, born November 21, 1850,
married Austany M. Cable in 1873; resides in Fremont. Chauncy, born May
23, 1855, married Mrs. Angeline McCreery in 1879; lives at home with his
father.
Mrs. Levisee died July 4, 1855. She was a good wife and a kind mother,
nobly assisting in supporting the family and putting by something for
future use. She united with the Protestant Methodist church when young
and lived a faithful Christian. After her death Mr. Levisee remained
single eleven years, his daughter taking charge of household affairs.
November 15, 1866, he was married to the lady who now shares his home —
Mrs. Statira E. Cable, nee Reynolds, who was born in Sheffield, Lorain
county, June 7, 1830. Her parents were Shubal and Elizabeth Reynolds.
Her father is deceased; her mother now resides in Fulton county, this
State. This union has been blessed with two children, one of whom is
living — Francis A., born July 12, 1868; and Willie, born July 12, 1870.
Willie died December 14, 1870.
Mr. Levisee has followed agricultural pursuits principally. For a few
years he worked at carpentry, but managed his farm at the same time. He
has now retired from active business. His son, Chauncy, has charge of
the farm, and Mr. Levisee is enjoying a season of rest after years of
almost constant labor.
In politics Mr. Levisee is a consistent adherent to the principles of
the Republican party. He has voted at every Presidential election since
1832. In religion he is a Universalist, firm in the faith and pronounced
in his views. He is an enemy to cant and hypocrisy, but respects true
Christians of whatever name or order.
Mr. Levisee has a valuable and well-selected library, and is a diligent
reader of newspapers. A good memory and a habit of careful, constant
observation of men and things have given him a discriminating, sound
judgment and a reliable stock of useful information.
FRANKLIN RICHARDS.
Silas Richards, the father of Franklin, was a native of Connecticut and
passed his days in that State. April 28, 1805, he married Mary Rogers,
daughter of John Rogers, a Connecticut soldier in the Revolutionary war.
He was a farmer by occupation, and an honest, honorable man. Both Mr.
and Mrs. Richards attained a ripe old age, the widow surviving the
husband a few years. They reared a large family of twelve children,
whose names were as follows: Harriet B., Frances A., Franklin, Ira J.,
Cynthia H., Archibald, Mary, Calista E., Silas, Esther R., Patience, and
Frances M. Of these there are four survivers, viz: Franklin, Townsend
township; Archibald, Clyde; Esther, the wife of Abraham Darrow, New
London county, Connecticut; and Frances M., the widow of Samuel Darrow,
in the same county and State.
Franklin Richards was born in Waterford, New London county, Connecticut,
February 24, 1809. There he lived until 1834, working at farming the
greater part of the time. He received a limited common school education.
His father was a poor man, and Franklin was accustomed to hard and
faithful labor from boyhood. In the month of September, 1834, Mr.
Richards and his brother Archibald came to Sandusky county and commenced
improving land in Townsend township which they had bought previously.
They were both young men and unmarried. During the winter they hired
their board at the house of their cousin, Lester Richards. In the spring
of 1835 they erected a log-cabin in which it was their intention to live
and keep bachelor's hall. One day on returning from a visit to their
cousin's they found that their house with all its contents had been
destroyed by fire. Mr. Richards lost a considerable sum of money in the
flames. This was not a pleasing prospect to a young man, to be placed in
the midst of a large forest without a dwelling-place, until one could be
made by his own labor or earnings. However they built a small shanty and
lived in it, doing their own housework, until a new house could be
erected. In this way passed the first years.
In 1837 Archibald married and established a home of his own. Franklin
lived alone until July 1, 1838, when he was united in wedlock to Diantha
May, who continued his faithful helpmate and devoted wife until May 8,
1879, when she passed from earth and its sorrows in the sixtieth year of
her age.
Of the hardships and perplexities of the first years which Mr. Richards
spent in Ohio, it need only be said that by unceasing persistency and
courage he was enabled at length to accomplish the purpose which brought
him to the new country — to establish a home. Rugged toil and exposure
gave him a constitution capable of enduring much physical strain. He
never yielded to discouragement or despondency, and in due time had the
satisfaction of seeing his efforts to gain prosperity rewarded. He
planned judiciously, saved carefully, and worked diligently. Now, the
possessor of a fine home and a comfortable property, with a mind of
quiet contentment, he lives at peace with all men in the same place
where his early trials were experienced and his later successes
achieved.
Mr. Richards has never been much of a politician. Formerly a Democrat,
he now votes with the Republicans, but believes in electing the best men
to office, regardless of party. In his religious views he is a Baptist,
though he has never united with the church.
Mrs. Richards was a member of the Free-will Baptist church in her youth,
but afterwards joined the regular Baptists. She was a sincere and
devoted Christian, a noble mother, a good neighbor, and one whose
acquaintance and friendship was valued by all. We close this sketch with
something of her family history.
Diantha May was born in Livingston county, New York, October 10, 1819.
She was the third child of Isaac and Rachel (McMillan) May, and at the
time her parents came to Ohio, in 1822, she was the oldest of the two
surviving children. Her father was born in Vermont, October 5, 1796, and
died in Townsend township, November 5, 1874. Rachel McMillan was born in
New Hampshire, January 5, 1797, and died in York township, November 13,
1829. They were married in New York State, where the parents of each had
moved when they were but children. Mr. and Mrs. May resided in
Livingston county until 1822, and in that year moved to Thompson
township, Seneca county, Ohio, and the following year settled on the
North ridge, near the northern line of York township, being among the
very first settlers. In 1831 the family moved to the eastern part of
Townsend township, and in 1833 to the southwestern part, where they
continued to reside until the death of Mr. May. By his first marriage
Isaac May was the father of seven children — a son who died in infancy,
Emily, Diantha, Emily Louisa, Mary Ann, James H., and William. Three
survive, viz.: Mrs. Emily Louisa Tew, Townsend township; Mrs. Mary Ann
Mason; and James H. May, Lenawee county, Michigan.
Mr. May married his second wife, Mary McMillan, a sister of his first,
in 1830. This union resulted in ten children — Sophronia, Cynthia, Laura
Ann, Rosetta, and Hiram, all deceased; and Mrs. Laura Maria Vine,
Townsend; Marilla May, Lenawee county, Michigan; Mrs. Emeline Elliot,
Jackson county, Kansas; Theron R. May, Lenawee county, Michigan; and
Mrs. Ida Kidman, Townsend, still surviving.
Mrs. May is still living with Theron and Marilla, in Michigan; Isaac May
was a minister of the Free-will Baptist denomination, and preached in
this vicinity until within a few years preceding his death. He is well
remembered by many who have listened to his sermons. The family had
their full share of hardships. They came here when it required the
utmost effort to feed and clothe a family. The daughters used to work in
the field doing manual labor, and often worked out for the neighbors.
Mrs. Franklin Richards bore twelve children, five of whom are living. We
subjoin a copy of the family record:
Simon G., born July 12, 1839; died in Libby prison December 2, 1863, a
member of the One Hundreth Ohio Volunteer Infantry.
Silas L., born December 10, 1840; married Josie Kennedy, March 4, 1869;
resides in York township.
Theron R., born November 8, 1842; died November 30, 1842.
Charles M., born. February 28, 1844; married Phebe E. Rhodes, June 1,
1865, who died December 25, 1873; married Florence Kellogg, October 20,
1874; resides in Townsend, near his father.
James P., born February 20, 1846; married Rachel E. Harvey, June 24,
1868, who died April 5, 2873; married Alice Straight, September 12,
1874; resides in Jackson county, Kansas.
Joseph D., born February 16, 1848; died March 26, 1848.
Frances S., born June 1, 1849; married Charles E. May, March 1, 1870;
lives in Townsend near her old home.
Milo S., born August 1, 1852; died August 24, 1852.
William A., born September 4, 1853; died June 4, 1870.
Benjamin F., born June 26, 1855; died April 18, 1866.
Mary C., born September 30, 1857; died December 20, 1866.
Imogene D., born August 8, 1861; married Ekin Ridman, September 4, 1878,
lives with his father.
ALONZO THORP.
Among the leading, public-spirited men who have lived in this county,
but are now gone from us to return no more, there ar3 few more deserving
of notice in this work than he whose name heads this article.
Alonzo Thorp was born in Ontario county. New York, on the 9th day of
September, 1817. He was the son of John and Jane (Wager) Thorp, and was
the second of a family of nine children. His early life was spent in New
York, working and attending school. When about eighteen years of age he
came to Ohio, and engaged in teaching school in different parts of this
county in winter, and working in summer. He taught several terms of
school and writing school, and is remembered gratefully by many of his
old pupils. He came here poor, but with a determination to get a start
in the world, and he believed an education to be essential for becoming
a useful citizen. Therefore he used his first earnings to pay his
expenses at Milan high school, where he attended several terms.
In 1837 Mr. Thorp's parents followed him to this county, and settled in
Townsend township. He then made his home with them until 1842, when he
married, and commenced farming for himself. His first wife was Miss
Eliza Cole, daughter of Hon. Matthew Cole, a man well known to old
residents. He served as a member of the legislature, and in other public
offices. By this marriage Mr. Thorp became the father of one son and two
daughters. John C. Thorp was born April 12, 1843, died of consumption at
the home of his father, November 6, 1869. Alma E. Thorp, born December
11, 1844, was married in March, 1865, to Dr. George Salzman, and now
resides in Kenton, Ohio. Gertrude H. Thorp, born December 25, 1847, died
at home January 20, 1873, of consumption. Mrs. Thorp died in April,
1850.
In 1857 Mr. Thorp married Mrs. Mary E. Ames, widow of Elon G. Ames, of
York township, and daughter of Medad and Armida (Waller) Brush, who were
among the early settlers in Green Creek township. Her parents were both
natives of Connecticut, but lived in Pennsylvania until they came to
this State. Mr. Thorp had no children by this marriage.
In 1852 Mr. Thorp moved from Townsend township to the village of Clyde,
where he engaged quite extensively in the lumber business. He owned and
operated a saw-mill, and was also considerably interested in farming and
stock-raising. In 1863 he was elected a member of the Legislature from
this county, and served a term of two years in a manner highly
creditable to himself and satisfactory to his constituents. He also held
various township offices at different periods. While residing in
Townsend, in 1856, he was elected justice of the peace and served one
term.
In May, 1873, Mr. Thorp moved upon the farm where his widow still
resides, in Green Creek township, and lived there until his decease. He
died January 28, 1879, in his sixty-second year. He was an energetic,
active man, of unblemished character and reputation. Having fought his
own way from poverty to the position he attained, he knew how to
sympathize with the struggling and ambitious. He was universally
respected as a business man, and stood high in social circles. A
prominent politician of the Democratic party, he numbered some of its
distinguished leaders among his intimate friends. In religion he adhered
to the principles of the Episcopal church, with which he became
connected soon after his first marriage.
Mr. Thorp was a good father, a good neighbor, and a kind and loving
husband. His circle of friends was large, and all will bear cheerful
testimony to his worth and usefulness.
Source: History of Sandusky County, Ohio with Portraits and
Biographies of Prominent Citizens and Pioneers, by H. Z. Williams &
Bro., Homer Everett, (c) 1882, pp. 703-725
|