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NAPOLEON B. MARTZ, was the son of Michael Martz, and was born in Rockingham County, Va., in November, 1809 and came to Hancock County in 1834, and settled on the farm now owned by his son, Dorillas.  He was married in November, 1830, to Hannah Nicholls, who still accompanies him in the journey of life.  Mr. Martz was a resident of the county forty-one years, when he got the western fever, and went to Douglas County, Ill., where he now resides.      Mr. Martz' grandparents were from Bavaria, hence his German extraction.  He is a man of good morals, although not a church member.  He has a fair English education, and good strong common sense.  His opinions wee the result of careful thought, and his advice was sought by his neighbors.  Honest, intelligent, sociable and accommodating, he easily won, and always held the esteem of his neighbors. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 400

Marion Twp. - WILLIAM MARVIN, SR.   Was the son of Zera Marvin, and was born in Luzerne County, Pa., July, 1798.  Mr. Marvin's father had a variety of occupations; dealing in merchandise, farming a little, and preaching occasionally.  He was a minister of the Baptist Church.  Mr. Marvin was carpenter by trade, and followed that nearly all his life, although he owned quite an extensive lot of land.      In 1818 he married Mabel Roberts, who came to Ohio with him, and to this county, October, 1834, and bought in this township, in June following, on the same lands he occupied up to within a year before his death.  The first winter that the family were in the county, the families of William and Mathias Marvin - seventeen persons in all - lived in one cabin, twenty feet square.      Mr. Marvin was the father of sixteen children, fourteen of whom are living, and all married and heads of families.  At the time of his death his children, grand-children, great grand-children, and great-great grand-children numbered not less than three hundred and fifty persons.  He was a man of extraordinary endurance, good constitution, strong will, firm in his convictions, and determined in his actions.  He was a member of the Baptist Church for more than sixty years.  He came to Findley about a year before he died.  His deceased took place in May, 1880.  Of industrious, frugal habits, he was enabled to assist his children in their start in life, and they are all now in easy circumstances. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 409

Big Lick Twp. - MOSES M'ANNELLY was one of the prominent men of the county, as well as of this township, coming here at an early day, and being a man of more than ordinary intelligence, he took the lead in the new settlements.  He represented this county in both branches of the Ohio Legislature, and was regarded as an honest, upright man.  He too was an agriculturalist, and made for himself and family, a pleasant and valuable home.  Mr. McAnnelly has been dead a number of years. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 224 (Sharon Wick's Note:  Mr. McAnnelly, age 26 yrs., can be found in 1870 Census - Hancock Co., Ohio - Big Lick Twp. in Film Series M593 Roll 1218 Page 40 at Dwelling 117 Family 119 with wife Mary and 5 children.  His surname is hard to read and is hard to find by searching online census records unless you search line for line.  This may Amos' son who is also found in the 1920 census of Hancock Co. in Film Series T625 Roll 1386 Page 155 aged 66 yrs.) (Also... Moses McAnnelly was elected Justice of the Peace in 1838, 1841, 1844 and 1847.  This may be the subject of this sketch)

Orange Twp. - JOHN T. M'CONNELL.   Mr. McConnell was born in Penn. in 1809, and came to this township in 1838, and at once commenced clearing up the farm on which his son, D. J. McConnell now resides.  He resided for some years in Jefferson County, Ohio, where in 1830, he was married to Eliza Dunlevy.  Mrs. McConnell died in February, 1862.  Mr. McConnell was the father of twelve children, seven of whom are now living, only two of whom, however, are living in this county.  Mr. McConnell always followed the occupation of farming.      He had a fair common school education, and was a member of the Presbyterian Church for more than thirty years, and was one of the first members in this township.  He was a man of strong constitution; never sick.  He was a man of strong convictions, slow to yield a point, and tenacious in his belief.  He was a good neighbor, and an honest man.  At his death, he left a beautiful farm of one hundred and sixty acres of land, well improved, all by his own labor and industry.  His first neighbors were John McKinley, E. R. Burns, William Ivers, Benj. Marshall, James McConnell, Willard Boutwell and Thomas Walls, all of whom are dead except McKinley and Burns.      On the farm which he cleared up, are to be found some interesting relics of the past.  About the center of the farm is a mound or ridge, which from its formation, was no doubt built as a defense against enemies of some kind.  The earth is thrown up in the shape of a mound or ridge, about thirty feet wide at the top, and scooped out or excavated, forming a rude fortification, commanding the surrounding country.  In and around this the timber was evidently removed, as the present growth is not more than eighteen or twenty inches in diameter.      About twenty rods east of this was a mound higher than any other portion of the ridge, and from bones and other articles found there, is evidently the burial place of the dead of those who built the mounds.  In the neighborhood are other mounds of similar character, all no doubt built by the same parties. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 418

Orange Twp. - JOHN McKINLEY.  One of the pioneers of Orange township, was born in Westmoreland County, Pa., Sept. 23, 1801,and at the age of two years came with his father, Wm. McKinley, to Trumbull County, Ohio, then on the frontier.      On the 13th of March, 1823, he was married to Mary Marshall, and in August, 1836, he and his family came to Hancock County.  The country was entirely new, or at least destitute of roads, and Mr. McK. had to cut his way through the woods to the place where he now resides, camping at night in the wilderness through which he passed.  Not in the least discouraged, he at once went to work and with the assistance of his boys and encouragement of his good wife,  he soon opened up a good farm.  He is still living on this same farm, one of the best in the township, and endeared to him, not only by the recollection of many weary years of toil, but by many of the very pleasantest days and memories of his life.      Mr. McKinley, although four score years mark his age is a stout, healthy man, and bids fair to live many years yet.  He performs but little hard work, but employs much of his time looking after the affairs of his farm.  He has always borne the reputation of being honest in his dealings, frugal, but not stingy, and hospitable alike to neighbor or stranger.      Mr. McK. was present at the organization of the township, at which time there were but fifteen voters, and each voter was elected to an office.  He held the office of Justice of the Peace twelve years, and the office of County Commissioner six years. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 415

PHILIP McKINNIS  Was the second son of Judge Robert McKinnis, one of the very earliest settlers of the county, and was born in Butler Co., Pa., January 9th, 1801.  He came with his father's family to Ross Co., O., when young.  In 1822 the family came to this township, and settled on the river, near the present site of Cronninger Mills.      In 1827 he married Susan Dukes, and commenced life on the farm now owned by Conrad Renninger.  He was a man of strong constitution, scarcely knowing what it was to be sick.  He had a limited common school education, but was a man of good hard common sense.  He had a family of eleven children, nine of whom are living.  Mr. McK., after a long residence in the county, sold out and removed to Putnam County in 1855, near Gilboa, and finally to near Leipsic, where he died in 1868, his wife surviving him some two years.  Their remains now rest in Maple Grove Cemetery.      Mr. McKinnis was a fair specimen of the frontiersman.  Possessed of great endurance, courage and industry, backed by the strictest honestly, he won and held the respect of all who knew him.  His word was as good as his bond; he punctually fulfilled all his engagements, redeemed all his promises, and faithfully discharged every duty.  He was a member of the old School Baptist Church for over thirty years.  His son William who resides in Findley, is the only one of the family now living in the county. †Source : History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 391

Marion Twp. - WILLIAM B. MILLER.  Mr. Miller was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, Feb. 11, 1825, and is the son of Martin Miller, who was a farmer.   Mr. M. has always followed the business of farming.  He has a good common school education, and taught school a number of terms.  He is perhaps above the average farmer in intelligence, owning to his better educational advantages, and is in every sense of the word a progressive man.  He keeps well up with the times, availing himself of the latest and best improvements and information in his business; keeps himself not only thoroughly posted in all that pertains to agriculture, but is perfectly conversant with the politics of the country, and with what interests the people in State and National affairs, and is possessed of comprehensive and at the same time conservative views on the subjects.  His neighbors have the most implicit confidence in his intelligence and ability, and he has on more than one occasion been put forth as the exponent of the principles of his political party, and on every such occasion he has received a generous support.      Mr. Miller, was married in 1845, to Jane Martin, and in 1847 he came to this county, and settled in this township, on the farm on which he resides.  He is now, and has been for the past seventeen years, a member of the United Brethren Church.  His daily life has been such that his example has gone very far towards shaping the morals, and consequent prosperity of the community.  His honesty is proverbial, and his counsels safe. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 480

THOMAS MOFFITT, who with his brothers, William and John had made their residence here about the time the Dukes' came after making for himself a home and its comforts, was attacked with the "Western Fever," sold his farm and emigrated to Iowa, or the "Black Hawk Country," as it was called, where he still lives.  John and William Moffitt, and McClish, still reside in the township, and are amongst its most substantial men. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 208

Big Lick Twp. - JOHN MOORE was amongst the first settlers of this township, and came here with his young wife, when all was new and when energy, industry and good health were the requisites to success.  These qualities were combined in Mr. Moore and his brave wife.  His strong arm soon opened up a farm, and his house was the stopping place of the stranger emigrant, and at his table was ever found welcome hospitality.      Mr. Moore endured all the hardships of frontier life, and now in his old age, surrounded by his children and grand children, he, in the midst of plenty, the fruits of his own toil, is enjoying life peacefully and quietly.  He is one of the largest land owners, as well as one of the wealthiest men in the township.  He has always followed the independent life of a farmer, and I believe his children are all engaged in the same business.      Mr. Moore has always been a friend of public schools.  His own opportunities for obtaining an education when young has always made him seriously feel his loss, hence he appreciates the blessing of such schools to the rising generations. (Sharon Wick's Note:  John Moore Family can be found in 1860 Census - Hancock Co., Big Lick Twp., Film Series M653 Roll 982 Page 225-226 with his wife, Agness and 9 children. Also in 1870 Census - Same - in Film Series M593 Roll 1218 Page 40 with his wife, Agnes, 5 children and one other person. Also in 1880 Census - Same - in Film Series T9 Roll 1021 Page 437 with wife Agness W. and daughter Susanna. Some of his children are on this page with their families, also. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 223

Portage Twp. - JOHN MOOREHEAD, who attained a ripe old age, and by industry and honesty accumulated quite a property, passed peacefully away only a few years ago, surrounded by a number of his children, and in the midst of many friends. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 431

Portage Twp. - SAMUEL MOOREHEAD was born in Westmoreland County, Penn., in 1798, and came to Ohio with his father's family in 1814 and settled near Massillon, Stark County.  Mr. M. lost his mother before leaving Pennsylvania, and his father married again soon after he came to Ohio.  He is a farmer, reared to the profession by his father, who followed the same business.  In 1821 he married Mary Edgar, and in 1834 came to this county, and settled in Portage township, on the farm now owned by his son, John E.  His parents were of Irish descent.  The Mooreheads are generally large muscular men, endowed with groat physical endurance, and industrious, frank, open-hearted, liberal and hospitable.  Their genial, good nature is notorious.      Mr. Moorehead has been a member of the Presbyterian Church for more than fifty years, and was one of the pioneers of that denomination in this part of the county. He is the father of but two children, one son - John E. - who resides on the home farm, and one daughter - Mrs. W. K. Leonard - who resides in Big Lick township.  His wife died about 1854, and he never re-married.   He accumulated quite a large property, which he and his children are now enjoying.  Mr. Moorehead, though now in his eighty-fourth year, retains his mental faculties almost wholly unimpaired, and is the same jovial, kind-hearted man he was in his younger days. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 438

Findley Twp. - WILLIAM MORELAND came to the county in 1822, and settled on the north side of the river, on what was afterwards  known as the Taylor farm, and now a part of North Findley.  Mr. Moreland entered eighty acres of this land, which he afterwards sold to William Taylor for $375, and removed to Van Buren township, and served as a Justice of the Peace for several years, when he sold out, and came back to Findley. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 260

Portage Twp. - MAHLEN MORRIS was one of the nature's noblemen.  Honest, industrious, intelligent, he was called upon by his neighbors to look after the affairs of the township, in more than one responsible station.  He was four times in succession, elected a Justice of the Peace, and filled the office faithfully.      In 1846 he was elected to the office of County Treasurer, and with his family removed to Findlay.  In 1848 he was re-elected and in 1849 he died of an attack of typhoid fever.  His loss was universally lamented.  Such had been his conduct of the affairs of the office that he had won the confidence of all the people of the county. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 432

JOHN H. MORRISON was born in Uniontown, Pa., and came to Perry Co., O., with his parents whilst quite young.  At the age of fifteen years he lost his right arm by an accident.  Mr. M. had a good common school education.  He was a lawyer by profession, having studied with Philemon Beecher, at Lancaster, Ohio.  He first commenced the practice in Bucyrus, Ohio.      In 1836 he moved to Findlay, and at once offered his professional services to those4 of the new settlements who were so unfortunate as to have serious disagreements with their neighbors.  Mr. Morrison soon gained a wide reputation as an active and fearless practitioner, and had his full share of clients.  He was indefatigable in the interests of his clients and left nothing undone to gain success.  He was aggressive in his conduct of a case, and showed no mercy to opposing counsel.  Fluent of speech, often eloquent, always sarcastic in his criticisms of counsel and witnesses, he had a powerful influence with juries.      Many of his professional acts were marked with an eccentricity that would scarcely be tolerated by courts of this day.  His presentations of a case to a jury, and his comments on the evidence of witnesses was presented with a bluntness which often bordered on rudeness, and his treatment of courts was sometimes of an impetuous kind.      Yet Mr. Morrison was a kind-hearted man, social in his feelings, warm in his friendships, and honest in all his dealings.  He was a man of more than ordinary ability, and in his day stood high as a lawyer, ever deserting a client, ever refusing to aid any one who appealed to him for counsel or advice.  He had as compeers in his profession at the bar here, such men as J. H. Godman, C. W. O'Neal, Edson Goit, A. F. Parker, Jude Hall, W. M. Patterson, A. H. Bigelow, M. C. Whitely, E. Brown, J. E. Rosette, County Coffinberry, Wm. Gribben and some others.      Mr. Morrison died in April, 1854, leaving a wife and five children, who still survive him. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 303