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Cass Twp. - JOHN ECKLES, the subject of this sketch was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., on the 25th day of April, 1795, and resided in that State until 1836.  in 1819 Mr. Eckles married Esther Booth, with whom he lived up to the time of her decease in 1862.  His ancestors were from Ireland.  He, during his whole active life, followed the occupation of a farmer.  He is a man of strong will and of very decided opinions, and is not easily swerved from his purposes.      In 1836, with his wife and four sons, he emigrated to this township.  He purchased two hundred and twenty acres of land on the ridge, between Fostoria and Van Buren, principally of John Franks, sr. and went boldly to work clearing up a farm, and he succeeded in making one of the very best on the ridge.  The country was new, no markets, no roads, no neighbors scarcely, and the family endured all the hardships incident to new settlements.  Mr. E. united with the Presbyterian Church in early life, and was one of the first members of that church at Van Buren.  He is quite active for a man of his age, yet the weight of years is sensibly felt by him, but his former habits, and his early industry, enable him to now live a quiet, peaceful life, free from toil or privations. †Source 1: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 234

Delaware Twp. - JOSIAH ELDER, whose parents came to this part of the county almost simultaneously with the Lakes, after spending an honest, active lifetime, almost, in the township, died a few yeas ago, on the old homestead.  Mr. Henry Helms, a sister of Mr. Elder, related to me, a few yeas ago, the incidents connected with her wedding day, in that long ago.  She was first married to William J. Greer, of this township.  She relates that her intended husband, and herself, travelled from Delaware township to Findley on horseback - both on one horse - through the almost trackless wilderness, where they obtained a license, and then in the same manner went to the residence of Joshua Hedges, a Justice of the Peace, three miles west of Findley, where they were married, and returned to their homes.  The trip occupied three days.  What do my fair readers think of that style of wedding tour? †Source 1: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 238 (SHARON'S NOTE:  This article is within a chapter about Delaware Township and goes on about another subject about the town.)

GEORGE ENSMINGER entered the land on which a part of the town of Van Buren now stands, in 1832, and in 1833 he, with John Trout, laid out the town of Van Buren.  Mr. Ensminger followed farming for a livelihood, and was the owner of much valuable land in this township.  His descendants have all left the township. †Source 1: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 191