This
township, but especially the neighborhood of St. Johns, was
settled immediately after the cession of the Indian lands in
1832. Among the first settlers may be mentioned John
Rogers, John Corder, Wm. Richardson, Chas. Lusk, Peter
Princehouse, Richard Henry, Benj. Runyun, James H. Coleman, Ed.
Williams, Andrew Perkins, and John Morris, who came
in 1832 and 1833, and Daniel and William Bitler,
Samuel and Peter Bechdolt, were among the arrivals
in the spring of 1834. John Corder occupied the old
lodge of Blackhoof, but soon moved to the Spy Buck tract, now
known as the Tam farm, in Duchouquet township. The
Blackhoof lodge stood on the present site of Dan Miller's
dwelling in St. Johns, and was a log structure about 18 x 20
feet, one and a half stories high, covered with clapboards, the
chimney being of sticks, and the floor of puncheons.
John Carey was one of the original land purchasers having
secured of the government part of the land since owned by
John Rogers. Daniel Bitler secured land, previously
occupied by Wayweleapy, a chief who figures in our Indian
history. Part of this farm had been cultivated, and the
lodge of the chief still stood, to be occupied by the whites.
The settlement of 1834 had so increased, that the township was
organized, and the first lection held at the house of Samuel
Bechdolt, Dec. 27, 1834, when eleven votes were cast.
Jas. H. Coleman, Thos. Beer, and John Rogers
served as judges, and Richard Henry and Joel Bayliff
as clerks.
The following persons were elected to the respective
offices: Trustees, John Rogers, David Vonblaricom,
Thomas Beer. Trustees, Richard Henry.
Treasurer, Joel Bayliff. Constable, Thomas Beer.
Fence Viewers, Jas. H. Coleman, Thomas Reed, Thomas Beer.
Overseers of the Poor, William Copeland and Samuel
Bechdolt.
Richard Henry was sworn into office by John
Morris, justice of the peace of Union township.
The voters of this election were: Richard Henry,
Joel Bayliff, David Vonblaricom, John Rogers, Wm. Hinton, Thomas
Beer, Thomas Reed, Byrd Richardson, James H. Coleman, Wm.
Copeland, and Samuel Bechdolt.
John Corder and James H. Coleman were the
pioneer teachers of the township. Still, among the early
settlers, we may mention Peter Bennett, John Hodges, Chas.
Martin, Amos Copeland, Henry and Samuel Bitler, Jacob
Snyder, Geo. Emerick, and Wm. Bush. The first
settlement was thus made at and about St. Johns, the old Indian
Blackhoof Village.ST. JOHNS.
This village was
founded by Daniel Bitler and John Rogers, in
April, 1835, and named St. Johns, as a compromise between the
founders, who both had decided preferences to the name.
Daniel Bitler opened a store and blacksmith shop in 1834,
while the site was still known as the Indian Village, "Blackhoof,"
bearing its name in honor of a noted chief of the Shawnee
nation. His name was perpetuated by the small stream -
Blackhoof Creek - which flows through and about the village,
although the village name itself was changed. The first
dwelling was erected by Ed. Williams although at some
time many Indian huts remained, some of which were occupied by
the early whites. About the year 1835, Daniel Bitler
opened the first hotel. Following these initial steps,
came growths and decays of enterprises and men, until distant,
but approaching railroads, gave impetus to competing towns,
which, in turn, have retarded the growth of the village more
than they robbed it of its strength. At this time, the
business interests are represented by Wm. Bitler,
proprietor Bitler House and store; Wm. Giberson,
proprietor Giberson House and store; Gnagi Bro's,
general merchandise and cooperage; Wm. Perkins, dealer in
hats and caps, and boots and shoes; Thomas Emerson,
druggist; Wm. Bush, wagon manufactory; and Wm. Herring
proprietor steam saw and grist mill. There are two
resident physicians, Drs. Van Trump and J. M. Shaw.
From its foundation its religious history traces with its
growth. The Methodists were the pioneers, and organized a
class at the outset, holding services in Dwellings at first,
then in the log school-house - significant of the period - until
strength and ability enabled them to erect an early house, which
was in turn superseded by the comfortable building they now
occupy.
The Christians, too, have a society which grew from
weakness to the maturer strength of today, and now they enjoy a
substantial and comfortable building. Neither has
education been neglected, for the facilities have been planted
and fostered with a protecting care, until a substantial brick
building, which had its era, as is general in new communities.
The school records show an enrolment of 105 for the school year
1879-80.
The town is pleasantly located on a broken, sandy
elevation, thus being almost removed from miasma, and well
supplied with excellent water. Its position is on the line
of Union and Clay townships, being chiefly in the latter, at a
distance of six miles from the county seat, on the Wapakoneta
and Belle Centre pike.
Radiating from St. Johns, settlements were formed along
the line of the Bellefontaine road, and eastward, in line of
Belle Center pike. The territory comprised within the
township was of a low, swampy character, except along the line
of the deposit ridge, which crosses the northwest corner,
reaching its highest and most broken point at St. Johns.
Judging by the topography, there was little to encourage
settlement, save the fertility of the soil, which is unsurpassed
in the county. Still a rich soil under water, and heavy
timber, presented obstacles which necessity alone was courageous
enough to meet and overcome; for the writer has been told by an
honored pioneer that, on his arrival here, the lack of ten
dollars was all that caused him to remain. The composition
of the soil reveals a heavy loam, with clay and gravel sections.
The surface being generally flat, has required
extensive artificial drainage, which is yet only begun in some
sections, while other portions have been well drained. The
timber was of a heavy character, embracing about all the
indigenous varieties of the county. There are no important
streams, but branches take their sources here, which assume size
and names in other territory.
The inhabitants are English and German or their
descendants. The north and east parts were settled chiefly
by immigrants from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and other eastern
States, while the southwestern part was settled by Germans, and
is still occupied by their descendants. The inhabitants
are as yet chiefly engaged in the clearing and draining of the
land. There are nine schools within the township, which in
harmony promise of greater efficiency and usefulness. The
interest a citizenship takes in education is largely an index to
the condition of the schools. The people can afford to
foster educational facilities with tender care, while teachers,
laboring under a grave responsibility, may well afford to
realize those responsibilities, harmonize their efforts with
that realization, and lift the school system to a level of
living thought.
The M. E. Church of St. Johns was organized at the
house of Charles Lusk, with twelve members, in 1833.
Charles Lusk was appointed leader of this class, and
its meetings were conducted at his house for an indefinite
period. During this time the class was of several
organized along a line extending into Allen County.
Revs. J. B. Finley and John Alexander were the
pioneers in the work of organization. In 1835 Revs.
David Burns and Wesley J. Wells succeeded to this
field. At this writing the organization has a good house
in the village of St. Johns with a very creditable membership.
A rather strong society of Protestant Methodists have a very
substantial brick building in the eastern part of the township.
The German Methodists in the southwest have a strong society and
a good frame building.
The Christians have an old organization in St. Johns,
which is among the very first in the territory. They have
a very comfortable frame house of worship.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
ROBERT MOORE
WILLIAM BITLER
JAMES H. COLEMAN
ASA MARTIN
HUGH ELLIOTT
S. S. COLEMAN
WM. LUSK
JOHN ROGERS
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