< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO 1881 BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX >
< CLICK HERE TO RETURN TO LIST OF BIOGRAPHICAL INDEXES >
 

PETER GEORGE, who was known as the "Pioneer land hunter," he having entertained, and guided through the forest of Hancock County, more land hunters and emigrants than any other men in the county perhaps, is still living;  And though bent by age and hard labor, is yet cheerful and happy, and loves to recount the experiences of a backwoodsman.  Mr. George was County Commissioner for six years. †Source 1: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 196

AQUILLA GILBERT, one of the first settlers of Jackson, as well as of this township, and who taught the first school in this township, still lives here.  Mr. Gilbert has been prominently connected with the affairs of the county almost from its first organization, and has held office in both county and township.  He was six years one of the Commissioners of the county, having been elected in 1837.  He served as Justice of the Peace for five consecutive terms in Jackson township, and for three terms in Amanda township. (Sharon Wick's Note:  Aquilla Gilbert can be found in the 1860 Census - Hancock Co., Ohio - Amanda Twp., Film Series M653 Roll 982 Page 206 with wife Julia and 8 Gilbert children and one other person who was a school teacher. Aquilla Gilbert can be found in the 1870 Census - Hancock Co., Ohio - Amanda Twp., Film Series M593 Roll 1218 Page 30 with wife Julia and no children.  †Source 1: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 196

EDSON GOIT, SR., was born in Oswego County, State of New York, in 1808, and whilst yet in his infancy, lost his father, and during his boyhood he had but little time or opportunity to improve his mind, but such as he had he made the best possible use of, and by the time he was twenty years old, he taught a district school, and soon thereafter started for the western country.  Ohio then, without railroads or canals, and but few wagon roads, was a long journey from New York, and the first appearance of young Goit after he left his native state with his bundle of raiment tied up in a handkerchief, was at Tiffin, in Seneca County.      He taught school in Tiffin and Fremont, then unpretentious villages, and in the mean time pursued the study of law with Abel T. Rawson.  In due time, he was admitted to practice, and in looking around for a location, selected Findley, then but a village, but a new county seat, as the scene of his future efforts.  Mr. Goit made the journey from Tiffin to Findley on foot, staying the first night with a farmer near the present town of Fostoria, and on the second night at the present site of Van Buren, and on the third day reached Findley.  He made his home in the family of the late L. Q. Rawson, and waited patiently for six months for a client, but none came.       There was no other Attorney in the place.  Mr. Goit was the pioneer of the profession in Findley.  Being discouraged and disheartened at his lack of business, he announced at the breakfast table, that he would leave the place.  But while yet at the table, a rap was heard at the door, and the inquiry was made: "Does a young lawyer board here?"      The visitor was a man from the east, desiring to collect a claim held against one who was teaching school not far away, and who was the owner of forty acres of land.      Mr. Goit drew up the necessary papers, the man collected his claim by taking the land, the teacher left the place, and Goit was employed to teach the remainder of his term of school.      Business brightened up, clients came, and he abandoned the idea of leaving the place, and went to board with Wm. Taylor, who was keeping tavern.       Mrs. Taylor's sister, Miss Jane Patterson and her brother had come from Pennsylvania, making the trip on horseback, and took up their residence with Mr. Taylor.  Mr. Goit and Miss Patterson were married in 1835.      No man in the county did more to develop its resources, and to assist the struggling community in its efforts towards wealth and prosperity.  He engaged extensively in mercantile business in Findley, Bluffton, Gilboa and Ottowa.  He was engaged in almost every public enterprise in town and country.      He was a man of unbounded generosity, and had great confidence in his fellow men.  He was seldom appealed to in vain.  But like all men of his kind, he became the victim of misplaced confidence.  He indorsed notes, and went bail for almost every one who requested him to do so, and the usual result followed - embarrassment, importunity of creditors - and failure.  But he neither made an assignment or went into bankruptcy, but took off his coat, went to work and assured his creditors that they should not loose a penny by him, but that if life was spared him, he would pay every dollar he owed.  Life was spared, and he nobly redeemed his promise.      And an Attorney, Mr. Goit was a successful practitioner.  He was Treasurer of the County, and also Prosecuting Attorney.  Whatever faults Mr. Goit may have had, and he now doubt had some - for whom has not - dishonesty was not one of them.  His reputation for honestly was never questioned, even in his darkest hour.  One of the great comforts to him in his last sickness, was the fact that he should die square with the world, as he expressed it.      Mr. Goit's social qualities always insured him a ready welcome in society.  He died in Oct. 1880,, at Bowling Green, Ohio, of which place he had been a resident for several years. †Source 1: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 315