SETTLERS.

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     Wm. Allman settled in the township in October, 1834.  He came from Pennsylvania and settled on Southwest quarter and South half of Northwest quarter of Section 29.  He had three sons and two daughters.  He sold out in 1860, and located at Centerville, Fulton County, where his wife died in 1869, and he in 1873.  He was a very quiet man and universally respected. C. C. Allman, the elder son of William, for some years in Fulton County, went to Iowa, and died there some eight years ago.  A. J. Allman, another son, as in mercantile business at Centerville, then in Delta, Fulton County.  Subsequently he removed to Toledo, and died there in 1886, Daniel Allman was married with Elizabeth Broadsword, and still lives in the Township, owning a part of his father's old farm, and some 40 acres in Section 6.  He has one son, Janius; and one daughter, Addie.  Daniel, like his father, enjoys the respect of all.  Agnes the elder daughter, was married with a Mr. Wright, who has been dead some years.  She has one daughter, with whom she now lives in Wauseon.  Sarah was married with John Burts, lived near Whitehouse several years, and then moved to Missouri.

     William Barnes came to the Maumee Valley in 1823, and into Swanton in the Spring of 1834; removed to Illinois in 1838; returned in 1853; removed to Spencer Township a few years later, where he resided until his death, Jan. 8,1879, aged 71.  His wife died Nov. 25, 1881.  They left in living children - 6 sons and 4 daughters.  Harriet (Smith), James and Charles, still live in Spencer; John, Ashbel and one daughter in Michigan; one daughter (Mrs. McNutt) in Minnesota; one daughter was married with a son of Thos. Sabin.  Mr. Barnes was a kind, genial, upright citizen; always ready for a harmless joke.  His children in those respects follow his example.  The wives of Chandler Wing, David Mills, and W. D. Herrick, and Aunt Sarah Marsh of Swanton, Fulton County, were sisters of Mr. Barnes.

     Thomas Doren came into the Township about 1844, and located on Section 33.  He died some years since.  He had a family of seven sons and six daughters.  John and Isaac are still in the Township.

     Jacob Brindley came to Swanton in the Spring of 1811.  He settled on the Northeast quarter of the Northeast quarter of Section 6.  He came from Wurtemburg in 1838.  He was married with Miss Langenderfer in the Fall of

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1840; she coming from Prussia in 1838.  They have seven living children - one son and six daughters, all married; having lost two sons and two daughters.

     Peter Broadsword came in 1839; settled on South half of Southeast quarter of Section 20.  He left he Township in 1854.

     Henry Kizer settled in Swanton in 1853, Southwest quarter of Southwest quarter SEction 21, and West half Northwest quarter Section 28.  He died in April, 1874.  His wife died in August, 1882.  Three daughters now living - Nancy Jane, wife of J. Fraker of Delta; Susanna, wife of Mr. Huffine; and Eliza J., wife of John Shaffer, now on Kizer's old farm.

     Erastus Brown came in the Spring of 1853, and settled on Northeast quarter of Section 7.  He was born near Milan, Ohio.  He purchased of Jesse Tyler and F. E. Kirtland, the East half of the old Huntington Larabee place, on which was the first Tavern in the Township - a rude log structure.  Mr. Brown died in May, 1884, from accidental injuries. Mrs. Brown, with one son (Oscar) and two daughters, are still in the Township; one son (Charles W.) in Swanton Village; the oldest daughter (Mrs. John Cowling) in Monclova; and the youngest daughter (Mrs. Donald J. Beard) in Toledo.

     David S. Harriott came in February, 1835; settled on the Northwest quarter of Northwest quarter of Section 5; had several children, the eldest son dying in the Union Army.  Two sons are living - Edwin in Spencer, a daughter in Metamora, Fulton County.  Mr. Harriott died in July, 1869, aged about 67 years.

     James Egnew came about 1840, and settled on the East half of Southeast quarter of Section 6, where he remained until his death, Oct. 19, 1882, aged 84.  He lost his wife soon after settling here, and was left with a large family.  He remarried and had 10 children by a second wife - four sons and six daughters.  One son was killed in the assault on Fort Wagner, S. C., in July, 1863.  One son in Toledo, and seven daughters are still living.  Physically, he was a strong man, and was an obliging neighbor.

     Benoni T. Geer came to Swanton, in the Spring of 1853, and commenced the practice of the law.  HE has six sons and three daughters.  The oldest son (Frank B.) taught School some years, is now (1888) Deputy Sheriff.  Another son (W. W.) and daughter (Laura) have been School Teachers for some years.  Mr. Geer is a sound lawyer, a public spirited citizen, and has been a prominent Republican since 1854.  His sister, Betsey Ann Geer, came to Swanton about the same time, and made her home with him.  She followed teaching for some years, and was married with W. H. Lacy, who died February, 1869.  Another sister, Eliza, came soon after and made her home with him until married with Herman Thompson, in 1873.  She died in January, 1875.  A brother, Wakeley Geer was with him for some years, and died in the Fall of 1860.

     Wm. D. Herrick came to Swanton in 1834; first settled on the West half of Southeast quarter of Section 6; and afterwards on the North half of Southwest quarter of Section 7, where he erected and kept a public house the most of his time until 1869.  His first wife died before 1840, and he was remarried within a short time.  For a few years he worked at the trade of a Blacksmith, a part of the time.  Later he manufactured barrels. About 1860 he purchased a stock of goods and kept a country store.  In many respects he was a genial and accommodating neighbor.  By his first wife he had two daughters.  The elder (Amanda) was married with Frederick S. Allen, who died in 1863, from the effects of a fall, caused by the giving way of a scaffolding used in erecting an Elevator building in Toledo.  The younger daughter (Armarilla) was married with A. B. Wales.  Both now reside in Toledo, W. D. Herrick died in February, 1869.  His wife (Laura) died in March, 1888.

     Wm. Houser was the keeper of the second public house, from the spring of 1836, and lived in Spencer a number of years before his death, which occurred in 1854.  His wife (Caroline Carlin), was born in Monroe, Michigan; came with her father (James Carlin) to Maumee in 1810; and died in August, 1887, age 80.  She was universally respected.

     Frederick E. Kirtland came to Swanton in 1846 and kept the house built by Maning.  He was an energetic business man, and respected citizen, dying in 1853.  His wife visited friends in New England, and died there a few months later.  r. Kirtland was supposed to have promise from the Railroad officials to locate the Station of the Air Line Road one mile Eat of the West line of the Township; and it is thought had he lived it would have been so located.  In such case, Swanton Village would have been in Swanton Township.

     David Mills was one of the settlers of 1834, on East half of Southwest quarter of Section 7.  He was on the River at Waterville and Maumee several years previous.  He was married with Asena Barnes; had 12 children, eight boys and four girls; four boys and two girls now living.  Four of his sons - Robert, Willard D., Wm. S., and Jefferson C. - were in the union Army.  Robert in 100th Ohio Infantry) died from hardships endured while a prisoner at Belle Isle, Virginia.  Jefferson (38th Ohio), and Wm. S. (130ht Ohio) have since died from disease contracted in the service.  Willard D. in now in Fremont, Ohio.  The older son (Arthur) died some 2 or 3 years since in Fulton County.  Oscar F. and B. Franklin live in Swanton.  James is in Wood County.  The youngest daughter (Mrs. Reed) resides in Delta.  David Mills kept a public house, built by

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Huntington Larabee, for some years in early times.  He acceptably filled various office of the Township, and was widely known when the country was new.  Mrs. Mills was an energetic, useful woman always ready to help those in need.  She died in March, 1882, the husband following her in April, 1883.

     Andrew Regenold settled in the Township in 1844, on South half of Northeast quarter Section 6, bought of Thos. S. Sabin.  He was German born; has seven living children - three sons and four daughters.

     Philo B. Scott came to the Township in April, 1835, and settled on the Southeast quarter of Section 5.  He was born in the State of New York; and came to Painesville, Lake County, in 1807, with his father.  He was married with Emelia Brown, step-daughter of Gen. Edward Paine, for whom that place was named.  With a brother-in-law, Henry H. Brown, he removed to Fairfield, Huron County, 1819 or '20; from there to Township Township, Seneca County, in 1826; and thence to Swanton.  He had 10 children, of whom there are now living - Wm. A., Charles J. and Rufus C.  A man of pronounced opinions, and expressed them fearlessly.  He was a Whig up to 1854, and then a Republican.  He was Superintendent of the Lucas County Infirmary from March, 1845, to March, 1848.  With Jeremiah Stutts, he built ten miles of the Toledo and Angola Plank Road, from Swanton to near  Holland, in 1850-53.  His father ( Joel Scott) and an older brother (Rufus), came to Swanton with him in 1835.  Both died the following Fall, and were the first interred in Swanton Cemetery, on Section 8.  Soon after coming to this State, Joel Scott put up, at Painesville, the first Flouring and Saw Mills in Northern Ohio.  He made the gearing of wood; took the stone from the quarry and dressed them for the Gristmill.  P. B. Scott's brother Chester, and sister Persis, came to Swanton in 1838 or '39, and lived with him until their death.  The latter died in January, 1861, aged 62; and the former in August, 1868, aged 78.  His wife (Emelia) died in April, 1865, aged 58, and he in April, 1874, aged 73 - all dying on the old homestead.

     W. A. Scott was born Aug. 21, 1823.  Came to Swanton with his father in April, 1835; commenced the study of medicine in 1844, the most of the time with Dr. Calvin Smith, of Toledo; attended medical lectures at the Medical Department of the Western Reserve University, Cleveland; taught several terms of School - two of which were in Toledo, while studying; was Physician for the Lucas County, while studying; was a Physician for the Lucas County Infirmary 15 months; and served as clerk in Thomas Daniels's Drug Store, Toledo, one year; and practiced medicine for a few months at Vienna, Michigan.  In April, 1850, he was married with Eleanor Johnson, and started with his brother Charles J. and others for California, by the overland route; returned via Panama and New York, in December, 1852.  He had some rough experiences, quite different from crossing the continent by rail.  With his brother (Charles J.) he purchased the greater part of the Northwest quarter of Section 8, in Swanton; made over the building put up by Luther Dodge for a store and residence, and got into it in the Spring of 1853, where he has resided and practiced his profession until the present time save an absence of about five years.  He has had five children - three daughters and two sons.  The daughters are deceased.  The elder son, Wm. A., Jr., is in Swanton, Fulton County, and the younger one at home.

     Charles J. Scott was born October, 1827, in Seneca County, Ohio.  Came with his father (P. B. Scott) to Swanton in 1835; went to California in 1850, and returned in December, 1852; in 1855 went to Minnesota and remained three or four years, and then returned.  He was in the Union Army about one year; was married with Eliza Ann Cowling, daughter of James Egnew, in 1867, and has three sons.  In November, 1886, he removed to Kansas.

     Rufus C. Scott was born in March, 1845, in Lucas County.  In August, 1862, he enlisted in the Ohio Infantry, and served to the close of the War.  In March, 1867, he was married with Harriet Rogers.  He has three children - two sons and a daughter.  He now is on P. B. Scott's old farm.

     Ira Wilcox came to Swanton about 1840; peddled clocks for some years; located on the West half of the Southwest quarter of Section 7; was married with David Mills' oldest daughter; had three children.  One son, George, was killed while serving in the 100th Ohio Infantry, during the Rebellion.  William D. lives on a part of his father's old place, and is an energetic and prominent citizen of the Township.  A daughter (Cornelia), with her husband (Wm. Maby), lives on a part of her father's farm.  Ira Wilcox died about 1858.

     Ezra Wilcox came about 1838 or '39, and followed peddling clocks for some years.  He purchased and built on the East half of Southwest quarter of Section 8.  After the death of his brother Ira, he was married with the widow, and had one son (Ed.) who, with his mother are in Swanton, Fulton County.  The father died about 1865.

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     Following is a list of other early settlers of Swanton, with the date and location of settlement:

BEGINNINGS.

     The first house built in Swanton Township was of logs and as a residence for Chandler L. Wing.  It was constructed in the Spring of 1834, and was located on the West bank of Swan Creek, and on the East half of the Southeast quarter of Section 8.
     The first frame house in the Township consisted of the dwelling and store of Luther Dodge, on the East bank of Swan Creek, and on the Northeast quarter of Section 5, near the junction of the Northeast and Northwest branches of that stream.  This was in 1837.
     The first frame barn was put up by Lewis Gale, for ___ Pray, of Waterville, in 1840.  It was on the Southeast corner of the Northwest quarter of Southeast quarter of Section 29.
     The first frame building for a dwelling, exclusively, was that of William Allman, built in 1840, near the Northeast corner of the Northwest quarter of Section 29.
     The first Road opened in Swanton Township was what is now known as the State Road, running from Maumee to the Town of Swanton, and on to the State line.  It was located in December, 1835, P. B. Scott being one of the Viewers appointed for that purpose.
     The first bridge was across Swan Creek and on the State Road, and was built during the Winter of 1836-37.  It was located 25 rods East of West line of Section 8.  It was built by Samuel Barrett.
     The first attempt at fruit growing consisted of the small orchard of P. B. Scott, set out in the Spring of 1835.
     The first Blacksmith Shop in Swanton, was that of James Williams; the next by ___ Bass; and the third by W. D. Herrick.  The first and third were on the lot now (1888) owned by B. T. Geer, and the third on the Herrick place, near Scott's Corners (South end of East half of Northeast quarter of Section 7.)
     The first Wagon Shop was that of Chester Scott; the second that of A. B. Wales; and the third of James C. Wales.  The first and second being located on P. B. Scott's farm (Scott's Corners), and the third on the Herrick place.
     The first Saw-Mill in the Township, was that of William Taylor, built about 1858, on the Northeast corner of the Southeast quarter of the Southeast quarter of Section 6.  Thomas Howlett and Robert Taylor were afterwards connected with it.
     The first and only Town plat within the limits of Swanton, was laid out in 1836, by James Jackson and James H. Forsyth, of Maumee.  The plat was located at the Southwest corner of the Northwest quarter of Section 8, and embraced what is now known as Scott's Corners.  Nothing beyond the platting ever became of the enterprise. 
     The first public house or tavern within what now is Swanton Township, was kept by Huntington Larabee, as early as 1834.  He left in the Spring of 1836.  The second house was that of William Houser, in 1836.  The third, that of David Mills, in 1836-37.  Following these were A. A. Shester, 1845; Jesse Tyler, 1846-53; Wm. D. Herrick, 1840-69.  In 1842 James Manning built the house in which B. T. Geer now lives  (Scott's Corners).  Reuben Hastings kept both store and tavern in 1844-46.  F. E. Kirtland, Wm. Fullerton and others followed.  At the time of the first settlement of Swanton Township, the travel through it was comparatively heavy - consisting mainly of "movers," as the emigrants from the East to the West were called.  The housing of these and the care of their teams constituted the chief business of the large number of small taverns found along the line of such travel.  The cloth-covered wagons of the emigrants often indicated destination.  Thus, families going to Southwestern Michigan and Northern Indiana, carried the long familiar sign, "Bound for St. Jo."

MISCELLANEOUS.

     Among the practices of former times now seldom found found, was that of "binding out" children.  A case of this kind is recorded in Swanton Township.  In 1844, Henry Knavel, guardian of William Notage, entered into contract with George Curtis, whereby young Notage, then 14 years of age, was bound to Curtis until his majority, "to learn the trade and occupation of a Farmer." Notage was "to faithfully serve and Curtis and correctly demean himself during the term of his apprenticeship;" while Curtis covenanted to "teach the said Notage the said trade and occupation, and provide him with meant, lodging, medicine, washing, clothing, and all other necessaries suitable for an apprentice; and send him three months in a year to School for the first six years; and at the expiration of said term of service, will furnish him with a new Bible, at least two suits of good new home made wearing apparel, and one young horse to be worth fifty dollars."
     Another of early-time usages now rarely met, was that of "warning out of Town" incomers "without visible means of support," the object being thereby to protect the tax-payers from the charges of such indigent visitors.  Thus, in Wing Township, as early as March, 1842, we have record that the "Poor Masters." as Overseers of Poor were usually called, issued their warrant, directing the Constable "to warn the Niger Gurl Merfey (meaning possibly Negro Girl Murphy) to depart the Township forthwith," which order was served "by reading service," with charge of 25 cents therefor, and 10 cents for traveling fees.
     Previous to the formation of Fulton County, Swanton was the most central point in Lucas County, and as such was the usual place for holding political conventions and other County assemblages.
     For several years after the settlement of Swanton, game was quite abundant.  Deer were numerous, with some Wolves and Wild Cats, and an occasional Bear.  Elk horns were found in large number, showing the former presence of that animal.  Also, a few Moose horns.
     In the Summer of 1837, and for years thereafter, Ottokee, Chief of the Ottawa Indians, with a part of his tribe lived on the North half of the Southeast quarter of Section 5.  He owned the place, and occupied a house thereon.  It was built by one Halford in 1834 or '35.  The Indians hunted, and sometimes sold a ham of venison for 25 cents, and often traded for vegetables; but the most of the trading in this direction was done by the squaws.  Whartleberries were plenty, and the squaws and children picked them.  The Indians kept many ponies and dogs.  There were some patches of ground in different localities, which formerly had been cultivated, the crop raised probably was corn.  The Indians protected the graves of their dead by means of a pen of logs similar in shape to a house.  The Ottawas were generally honest.  Ottokee was a fine looking Indian, and when the balance of his tribe were removed West, he refused to go.  He loved whiskey, as did  most of the Indians, and died from freezing while drunk.
     On the Northwest quarter of Section 8 (near the original Swanton), was found a mound some three or four rods across, and about two feet high, which was filled with human bones, some of which were found but a few years since - probably the remains of Indians slain in a fierce Indian battle.
     Near the line between Sections 5 and 8, on the West bank of the Northeast branch of Swan Creek, were found in 1835 remains of a stockade some six or eight rods across.  It was round, built by digging a trench and settling in upright timbers, some of which were halves of logs 15 to 18 inches in diameter.  As to the builders, no record is found.  Possibly, it was built by a detachment of "Mad Anthony's" men, in 1794, or by Americans or British, during the War of 1812-15.
     The soil of the Township is sandy; that of the Northwestern portion being mixed with clay, the latter being soil than the most of the balance.  The timber of the Northwestern portion was White and Burr Oak, Elm, with some Sycamore, Hickory, Black Walnut, Whitewood, Sassafrass and Soft Maple.  The timber of the balance of the Township is mostly White, Yellow and Pine Oak.  The Township is drained by Swan Creek and its branches.  The Creek bottoms and much of the prairies were formerly covered with water in the Spring and early Summer; while the Creeks, having mud bottoms, with serious obstructions from logs, etc., were the source of great extent of malarial diseases, which seriously affected the early development of the Township.  But since the Northeast branch, heading in a prairie in Spencer, was improved in 1881, malarial sickness has nearly disappeared, and the Township comparatively free from malignant diseases.

SCHOOLS.

TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.

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