Jessie Pancake was born in Virginia in 1801. He emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County in 1812; thence, about 1820 or soon after, located in this county, in Stokes Township, where he married Martha Cooper, who was born in this county in 1814, of a true pioneer family. Mr. Pancake spent his life here, and became one of the honored and well-known citizens of this township, and held many of its offices, and was a most worthy citizen. His wife died in 1839, just in the bloom of womanhood. He died in 1877. He made farming his business through life, and became owner of 1,200 acres of good land. His son John resides in Stokes Township, and is a large and respected farmer, owning 700 acre of land. Thomas Cooper, a native of North Carolina, whom we have here placed among the list of early settlers, we believe to have been a pioneer, and perhaps settled here as early as 1810 or 1812, and should have been classed with the pioneers, but, from lack of certainty about the date of his locating, we have placed his record here. We find he located on land now owned by John Pancake and Mr. Slaughter. He was a man possessed of a very limited education, but of a sprightly, active mind and good business tact, but died early in life, yet owned about one thousand acres of land, and doubtless, had he lived, would have become wealthy. He died about 1840.
Peter Slaughter, a native of Virginia, emigrated to Highland County, Ohio, in an early day; about 1820-25, removed to this county and settled in Stokes Township, on Paint Creek, where he resided till his death, in the fall of 1864. He married Elizabeht Cooper, by whom he had eleven children. Ten grew to maturity, and four now survive -- Mary, Abigail, Matilda and Nancy. The last three reside on the old homestead place. Mary resides in Illinois. Mr. Slaughter married for his second wife Anna E. Lynch, by whom he had three children, one now living -- Henrietta. Mr. Slaughter commenced life in very limited circumstances, but was possessed of a business tact of mind, full of energy and activity; entered largely the stock business, and became one of the largest stock-dealers of the county, and was well known in others as well as in Madison County. He probably bought and sold one thousand head of cattle yearly. In an early day, he took may large droves of cattle over the mountains to Lancaster, Penn. He was a man who loved hunting, and enjoyed life well. He was soon posssessed of an extensive acquaintance and an unlimited credit, which he maintained through life, and died wealthy, owning 3,000 acres of land.
Moses Thomas was a native of North Carolina, and married Catharine Williams, a native of Virginia; were married in the latter State, and emigrated to Fayette County, Ohio, in 1825, and soon after to Madison County and settled in Stokes Township, where they remained till death. Two of their sons, Benjamin and William, have remained residents of this township, and are among its most prominent and reliable farmers; have held many of the offices of the township, and are highly respected citizens. William Cooper, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Fayette county, Ohio, when a young single man, and in 1828 married Elizabeth Merriman and settled in Stokes Township, where he has spent his life, and is an upright and honored citizen of the community. His wife died in 1865. Jacob Smith was the eldest of six children of Mathias and Margaret Smith, who emigrated to Cincinnati in 1806, and in 1807 removed to Greene County and settled on Beaver Creek, where they died. Jacob was born in Maryland in 1803, and was reared in Greene County, Ohio, and married Amanda Herrond; settled in Stokes Township, this county, in 1836, on the place now owned by Mr. Clemons. Here he opened out in the woods, and has performed his full share in the improvement of the country. The west and north part of the village of South Solon is built on his land. He is now quite aged, having resided in this township fifty-six years, and is an honored and respected citizen. Joel Ervin, born in Ohio in 1811, settled in this township in 1830-35.
The above mentioned may be truly called the pioneers of Stokes township, but there remain a few sturdy sons and daughters who deserved an honorable mention, as they, too, bore a part of the brunt of developing the township. Jessie Pancake was born in Virginia in 1801. He emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross county in 1812; thence, about 1820, or soon after, he located in this township, where he married Martha Cooper, who was born in this county in 1814, of a true pioneer family. Mr. Pancake spent his life in this community and became one of the honored and well-known citizens of this township, held many of its offices and was in every respect as most worthy citizen. His wife died in 1839, just in the bloom of womanhood. He died in 1877. He made farming his business, throughout life and became the owner of a beautiful farm of twelve hundred good acres, in the township. He was the father of John Pancake, who also became an honored and respected citizen of the township. Thomas Cooper, a native of North Carolina, came to this township, perhaps as early as 1810 or 1812, and died about 1840. He possessed a very limited education, but had a sprightly, active mind and good business faculties. He died early in life, yet owned about a thousand acres of land, and doubtless, had he lived, would have become wealthy.
Peter Slaughter, who was born in Virginia, moved to Highland county, Ohio, in an early day and, in about 1820-25, removed to Madison county, settling in Stokes township, on Paint creek, where he resided until his death, in the fall of 1864. He married Elizabeth Cooper, by whom he was the father of eleven children, of whom ten grew to maturity. Mr. Slaughter married, for his second wife, Anna E. Lynch, who was the mother of three children. He commenced life in very limited circumstances, but was possessed of great business tact, energy and resourcefulness. He entered largely into the stock business and became one of the biggest stock dealers of the county, being well known all over the state. He was possessed of an extensive acquaintance and an unlimited credit, which he maintained throughout life, and died wealthy, owning three thousand acres of land.
Moses. Thomas, a native of North Carolina, married Catharine Williams, a native of Virginia, where they were married; they emigrated, to Fayette county, Ohio, in 1825, and soon afterward came to Madison county, settling in Stokes township, where they renained until their death. Two of their sons, Benjamin and William, remained residents of the township and became among its most trusted and respected citizens. William Cooper, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Fayette county, Ohio, when a young man; in 1828 he married Elizabeth Merriman and settled in Stokes township, Madison county, where he spent his life. His wife died in 1865. Jacob Smith was the eldest of six children of Mathias and Margaret Smith, who emigrated to Cincinnati in 1806, and in 1807 removed to Greene county, settling on Beaver creek, where they died. Jacob was born in Maryland in 1863; was reared in Greene county, Ohio; married Amanda Herrod; settled in Stokes township, this county, in 1836. Here he opened out in the woods and made considerable material progress. The west and north parts of the village of South Solon are built on his land. Joel Ervin, born in Ohio in 1811, settled in Stokes township in 1830-35.