Brief History of Union Twp.

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Union Twp. is located in the northeastern portion of Auglaize Co. and borders Allen County. The land has a more undulating surface than any other township in the county. Springs abound and the whole section is well watered by living streams. The Auglaize River flows across the northwest corner, while Blackhoof, Wrestle, Huffman, Virginia and Wolf creeks traverse throughout. The township was organized in 1836. Elections were held at the home of Joseph Lusk for a number of years. During the first 15 years the township officers received no compensation for their duties. The first school was taught by R. C. Layton about 1836. In 1840 the township was organized into four school districts, a log schoolhouse built in each one. Wesley Chapel was the first log church built in the township, which was later replaced with a modern frame structure.

It was settled principally by settlers from Virginia and southern Ohio. The first piece of land entered in the township was in Section 3 by Jacobs. In 1880 the township had two gravel pikes, and two villages, Uniopolis and part of St. Johns. Uniopolis was the only village wholly within the township, situated in Section 17, on the Wapakoneta and Waynesfield gravel road. It was a pleasant little village of about 200 inhabitants in 1880 and contained two stores of general merchandise, one school-house, one grocery store, one steam saw mill, one hotel and two churches.


Early Settlers of Union Twp.

The following list is of the first settlers in Union Township. Other lists will soon be online listing first settlers for each township. For the time being, we will limit the inclusion of settlers up until about the year 1850. Once we have finished this task, we may extend the time-span. If your ancestor doesn't appear here, check the county and other township lists. If you have information about the settlement of your ancestor, please submit it for inclusion on these lists. Your submission must include reference to a source document (i.e. deed, Bible record, legal document).

Key to Source Abbreviations:

Settler

Origin

Settled

Year
Settled

Source /
Researcher

Notes

Bacome, Lemuel Champaign Co., OH Union 1832/33 ATL80, p. 36 b. 1809, md. Margaret Watt in 1833 and settled on his land
Balzell, John
Union by 1836 ATL80, p. 36 1st township clerk
Carter, John
Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
Copeland, Abner Virginia Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36 Son, Joseph md. in 1849 Mary Ann English, had 5 ch.
Corder, John
Union 1832 ATL80, p. 36 1st trustee
Faler, Benjamin PA, Clay Twp. in 1837 Union 1871 ATL80, p. 36 b. 1812, md. Margaret Hall in 1835
Focht, Adam, Sr. or Jr. Schuylkill Co., PA Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36 Adam Sr. had sons: Daniel, John, Samuel & Adam Jr.
Focht, Daniel Schuylkill Co., PA Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36
AUH; C
9 ch: Samuel, Daniel md. Maria Justice in 1855, Lewis, Adam, John, William, Jacob, Susan, Mary; d. 1853
Focht, John Schuylkill Co., PA Union
ATL80, p. 36 b. 1824, md. Mary Mertz in 1847, 3 sons & 7 daus.
Focht, Samuel Schuylkill Co., PA Union 1838 ATL80, p. 36 b. 1812, 2nd J.P., Infirmary Dir. 12 yrs., md. Mary Beathers, md. 2nd Louisa Justice, 8 ch.
Graham, Wm.
Union 1833 ATL80, p. 36
Golden, Jesse
Union 1833 Land Records; Aug. Co. Hist.; D. Parlette Wf. Susanna BURKE; Land located at S.R. 67 & Townline Road; Farm listed as Century Ancestral Farm in 1933; Dau. Margaret Melissa md. Reuben Parlett.
Harden, John Somerset Co., PA Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36 md. twice, 1st wife d. 1833, 2nd in 1845, 8 ch. living, Joseph, Mark, Jesse
Harrod, Alex Knox Co., OH Union 1845 ATL80, p. 36 b. 1824, md. Elizabeth Nauss in 1858, 4 ch.
Harrod, Levi
Union 1835 ATL80, p. 36
Hodges, M.
Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
Hoffman, John
Union 1833 ATL80, p. 36
Howell, Aaron
Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
Jacobs, John
Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
Justice, Allen Tazewell Co., VA Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
P&B ALS; C
Born near the head of the Blue Stone, Tazewell Co., VA; md. Eleanor FLUMMER
Layton R. C.
Union by 1836 ATL80, p. 36 Taught the 1st school
Lusk, Benj.
Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
Lusk, Charles
Union 1832 ATL80, p. 36
Lusk, James C.
Union 1832 ATL80, p. 36
Lusk, John
Union 1832 ATL80, p. 36
Lusk, Joseph
Union by 1836 ATL80, p. 36 1st elections held at his home
McCormic, John
Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36 wife died Feb 1879, dau. Mrs. Richard Sproul
Mix, Levi Knox Co., OH Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36 d. 1875, age 84, son Uri Mix md. Margaret Bayliff.
Morris, John Virginia Union 1833 ATL80, p. 36 b. 1798, md. Mary A. Clarkson in 1832, 1st white child born in the township was his son, John; 1st J.P.
Patterson, Wm.
Union 1833 ATL80, p. 36
Perkins, Lewis Y. Richland Co., OH Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36 Son, Elias Perkins
Porter, Moses Virginia Union 1835 ATL80, p. 36 b. 1799, md. Alice Watt in 1825, 5 ch.
Richardson, Byrd
Union 1832 ATL80, p. 36
Richardson, Wm.
Union 1832 ATL80, p. 36
Rinehart, H. F.
Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36
Rinehart, Hugh T. Virginia Union
ATL80, p. 36 b. 1813, md. Julia Godfrey in 1833, 10 ch; Co. Comm., J.P. for 12 years.
Schooler, John
Union
ATL80, p. 36 1st trustee
Schooler, John
Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
Speece, John A.
Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36
Spees, Andrew Ross Co. Union 1834 ATL80, p. 36 Came with his father, Matthias Spees
Stiles, Jonathan Vermont, NY, OH Union 1835 ATL80, p. 36 d. 1857, sons George & Elias
Walton, John B.
Union 1836 ATL80, p. 36
Watt, James
Union 1832 ATL80, p. 36 d. 1840
Wolery, Casper
Union by 1850 Dan Woolary 1850 Census; Farmer
Wolery, John
Union by 1850 Dan Woolary 1850 Census; Farmer
Wolery, Elizabeth
Union by 1850 Dan Woolary 1850 Census; Head of Household; Mother of John & Casper; Wife of Henry


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