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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. |
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. |
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. |
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FRANK A. GRIFFIN,
who is engaged in the undertaking business in McComb, was born in Jefferson
county,
Ohio, on the 8th of Sept.,
1860. The Griffin family, a minister of the Disciples
church. He married
Margary Johnston. Spencer A. Griffin’s mother
bore the maiden name of Alden and was a descendant in the seventh generation in direct line from
John Alden, of Mayflower fame.
Because his
father’s pastoral work called him to various places
Frank A. Griffin was reared at
different towns in Ohio
and acquired most of his education in
Fostoria
from the age of sixteen years. In
early manhood he engaged in teaching in the country schools of Hancock county
for about twelve years and in 1880 he came to McComb. In 1884 he established himself in the
undertaking business, succeeding his father to the ownership of their
undertaking parlors upon the latter’s death, in June, 1900. He is prepared to do satisfactory
work in his line and receives in liberal patronage from those in need of his
services. He is also engaged in the
insurance business, is a notary public and gives attention to writing wills and
settling of estates.
In the year 1891,
in Steubenville, Ohio,
Mr. Griffin was united in marriage to
Miss Hettie Holroyd, and unto them
have been born five children, as parents hold membership in the Disciples
church, in which Mr. Griffin is
serving as an elder and in the work of the church he takes an active interest
and contributes liberally to its support.
He is quite prominent in political circles as a supporter of the
Republican party, has served as mayor of McComb, and for three years was justice
of the peace of Pleasant township, his decisions being strictly fair and
impartial. He was also a member of
the McComb board of education, acting in that capacity for three years and
serving as its clerk. Socially he is
connected with the Knights of Pythias and his genial nature makes him popular in
fraternal and other circles, where his worth is also recognized.
Source:
Centennial Biographical History of Hancock County, Publ. 1903 - Page 206
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