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Jackson Twp. - ALPHEUS RALSTON Was the son of William Ralston, and was born in Rockingham County, Va., in June, 1801.  Whilst quite young, his parents removed to Wood County, in the same State, but now West Virginia, where he remained until his twenty-fourth year.      In 1826 he came to Ohio, settling in Picakway County, and in the same year was married.  After a resident here of about four years, he sold out his possessions and came to Hancock County in 1830, and took up his residence in this township, on the same tract of land on which he now resides.      At that time his nearest neighbor on the north, was Mr. Chamberlain, three miles distant, and Mr. Woodruff, on the south, about the same distance.  No neighbors on the east nearer than the river, six miles away, and Philip Cramer on Tawa Creek, seven miles distant, was the nearest family west.      The Perrysburg and Bellefontaine road was not yet located or opened up, only a wagon track led to Findley.  Mr. R. was at the first election in the township, and with Aquilla Gilbert, Mordica Hammond, the Beards, and others effected the organization of Jackson Township.  His first neighbors were the Williamsons.      Mr. R. is the father of eight children, four of whom are living.  The farm upon which he resides is one of the most valuable in the township, and he is enjoying his declining years, surrounded by kind neighbors and friends, and with a sufficiency of this worlds goods.  He has always retained the good will of his acquaintances, and has been noted for his industry, honesty and fair dealing.  He speaks with pleasure of his early associates in the settlement of the township. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - Page

Findley Twp. - DR. BASS RAWSON, was born April 17, 1799, in the town of Orange, Franklin County, Massachusetts, and was one of the five sons of Lemuel Rawson, a tanner of Warwick, Massachusetts.  In 1836, he removed to Bath, in summit County, O., but died at the residence of his son, Dr. L. q. Rawson, at Fremont, Ohio.  Dr. Rawson - the subject of this sketch - and his four brothers left Massachusetts at an early day, and settled in Ohio.  Four of the five brothers were physicians.  The Doctor is of the sixth generation of the Rawson family in direct descent from Edward Rawson, who was Secretary of the Massachusetts colony from 1630 to 1636.  His mother's maiden name was Sarah Barrows.  In his boyhood, Dr. Rawson worked on a farm, and attended a country school.  He afterwards learned the trade of a hatter, at which he worked until he was about twenty years old.  His health then failing, he quit farming to engage in the study of medicine.  He attended the Academy at New Salem for several terms, teaching school to defray the expenses of his education.      At the age of twenty-five, he married Amanda Blackmer, and removed to Ravenna, O., but after a few months he went to Otsego, N. Y., and located at Richfield.  Here he taught school and pursued the study of medicine with Dr. Thomas.  In the winter of 1826-27 he attended medical lectures at Dartmouth College, N. H., and at the close of the term went to New Salem, and pursued his studies under Dr. Brook, of Oswego.  In June, 1828, he emigrated to Ohio again, and practiced his profession with his brother in Medina County for about a year.      In September, 1829, he came to Findley, where he settled permanently in the practice of his profession.  He was the first practicing physician in the town.  When he came here there were but twelve white families in the place, the Indians were more numerous than were the whites.  Here he has practiced for fifty years, and has always been able to command a large practice, and his successful treatment of cases has given him a wide reputation.  The Doctor is a large land owner, and one of the wealthiest men of the county.  He has always been economical in his style of living, having always all the comforts, and many of the luxuries, without the extravagancies.  He is now, and has been a member and supporter of the Presbyterian Church for more than forty years.      The Doctor and Mrs. Rawson had but one child, Harriet E. A., who married Dr. W. D. Carlin.   As Surgeon of the 57th O. V. I., Dr. Carlin died at Vicksburg, Miss. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 Page 296

Portage Twp. - JOHN REED, sr. is dead.  After improving one of the tracts of land in the township, and rearing quite a large family, he died almost in the prime of manhood, lamented by all who knew him. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 - Page 432

Findley Twp. - MATHEW REIGHLY (RILEY) - was long a resident of the county, and held several important offices in both township and county.  He eventually removed to the west.      Of the earliest settlers in this township, we may be permitted to speak of Joshua Hedges, who was the first Treasurer of the county, and who lived on the north-east quarter of section 11, about two miles west of the town of Findley, and on the north side of the river.  Mr. Hedges was a tall, muscular man, a little stopped, of good constitution, energetic and of strict integrity.  He was a native of Virginia; hospitable in his feelings, he never allowed either white man or Indian to leave his house in want.  Politically, he was a Democrat of the strictest sort.  He was for many years a member of the Methodist Church, and was in his acts consistent with his profession.  He died in 1845.  He had a large family, only two of whom are now living - Mrs. Rachael Dulin, of Portage township, and Mrs. Elizabeth Huntwork, of Kansas. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 - Page 260

ANDREW RICKETS, after a long and useful life, died but a few years since, leaving his family a goodly heritage, accumulated by industry and frugality.  His widow, a very estimable lady, and a fair specimen of the goodly dames of the early years of the township, now resides in Findley, respected by all who know her.      Mr. Rickets, besides holding several township offices, was for two terms, a Commisioner of the county, and filled the office with both ability and fidelity. †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 - Page 399

Big Lick Twp. - WILLIAM ROLLER.  One of the Associate Judges of the Common Pleas Court of the county, was also a resident of this township.  As a Judge, his good common sense and honesty of action, gave him his very flattering reputation.  Honest in his convictions, sympathetic in his feelings, he could hardly err in his decisions, as he was a man of average intelligence and fair common school education.  He never abandoned the occupation of a farmer, but succeeded in amassing a competency, and leaving a considerable inheritance to his children.  He was respected by his neighbors, and was always a friend to those in need.  Unostentatious in his private life, and courteous in public, he could not but have hosts of friends. (Sharon Wick's Note:  I found a William Roller in 1880 Census Hancock Co., Ohio - Film Series T9 Roll 1021 Page 432 aged 25 with wife and 1 son.  This William Roller may be son of subject of this sketch.) †Source: History of Hancock County, Ohio By D. B. Beardsley, Findley, O. - Publ. Springfield, O. Republic Printing Company - 1881 - Page 225 (Also note:  William Roller was a elected Justice of the Peace in 1835)