The position of this township, and the quality of its soil, with its prairies and abundance of pasturage, were conditions which tended to an early settlement. It appears the first actual settler to penetrate the territory of what has since become Range Township was William M. Linton, with his family. He was born in England about 1753, emigrated to Virginia, there married Mary Williams and settled in Hardy County. About 1797, they emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County. In 1800-01, they removed to Madison County, settling just south of where Midway is now located, and there resided till his death, in 1835. He devoted his life to the occupation of a farmer. A few years before his death, he united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was the father of eight children — Maria, George, Sarah, Susan, Hannah, Nancy, Betsey and Peggy, all now deceased. Maria married Cyrus Ward; had three children, one only now living — W. Curtis Ward, now freight agent at London; George never married, and resided in this township till his death, in 1876, aged eighty-seven years; Sarah married Archibald Stewart; had two children, one now surviving — Mrs. Rev. James Dunlap, of Springfield, Ohio; Susan married Joseph Pancake, had two children, who are now living — Isaac and Jesse, residents of Illinois; Hannah maarried Benjamin Walker, by whom she had several children, and all the surviving ones are residents of Iowa; Nancy married William Davis, had six children, and all surviving are residents of Illinois; Betsey married David Dye, had four children, three now survive (David, a resident of Yellow Springs, Ohio; Sarah, now Mrs. Cartmell, residing in Indiana; and George, a resident of Republic, Kan.); Peggy married Lockhart Biggs, had five children, one now survives; William, a resident of Missouri.
David Dye, a native of New Jersey, it is believed, came to Ohio a single man, and settled on land just east of William Linton a few years later, and, about 1810, married Betsey Linton. She died about 1835. He married for his second wife Nancy Wingate, by whom he had two children, both deceased. They remained here till about 1867, when they removed to Yellow Springs, Ohio, where his wife died in 1879, and he in 1880, aged ninety-five years. he was a blacksmith by trade, which, in connection with farming, he followed through life. Peter Moneyhorn settled on land now owned by Mrs. Hicks about 1806. Of him but little is known, except that he was a very eccentric man, and indulged a great deal in writing poetry or making rhymes and funny expressions, to the great amusement of those who heard him. It is believed that, after a few years' residence here, he moved away. Archibald Stewart settled just south of William Linton, probably in 1806-08, and married Sarah Linton. He was a very energetic, good business man, and became an extensvie stock-dealer and large land-owner. He finally moved to Bloomingsburg, Fayette County, where he died.
Joseph Pancake was born in Virginia December 19, 1789; emigrated to Ohio, first to Ross County, thence, in 1806, came to Madison County, Range Township, and was employed by William M. Linton to work on his farm; finally married Susan Linton, and soon after settled on land west of Midway, now owned by Reuben Slaughter. He served in the war of 1812, for which services he subsequently obtained a land warrant. His wife died, and he married Miss Corbitt. She lived only about one year, and he married for his third wife Mrs. Jane Dungan, nèe Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, the widow of Jesse Dungan, one of the early settlers of Range Township. with her he lived till his death, September 15, 1853, living, at the time of his death, in Midway. His wife died July 30, 1863. He was the father of four children by his first wife, two now living — Isaac and Jesse, residents of Illinois. By his last wife he had three children; two now survive — Jane, wife of D. E. Johnson, residing in Hardin County, Ohio; and James S. Mr. Pancake devoted his life to farming and at the time of his death had lived nearly half a century in Range Township, having been one of her earliest settlers, and passed through the varied trials, dangers and hardships of those times. And not only was he a pioneer in the secular affairs of the township, but was a pioneer in the Methodist Church, having been a member of the first class organized in this township, and of which he was one of the class-leaders. He served a long and devoted life in the church, and died esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. James S. Pancake, the youngest hcild, still resides in Range Township, the place that gave him birth; has devoted his life to farming, and is one of the reliable and respected citizens, one who has followed well the footsteps of his father, as pertains to an honorable and useful life, being an active and devoted worker and member of the Methodist Church.
Jesse Dungan, a native of Pennsylvania, of Scotch descent, married Jane Wilson, a native of Pennsylvania, and, about 1807, emigraged to Ohio and settled in Range Township, on Bradford's Creek, where he resided till his death, in 1824. He was the father of eight children; five now survive — Wilson, Rebecca (now Widow Rayburn), Esther (now Widow Moore, residing in Iowa), John and Martha (who married Joseph Rayburn, and resides in Chicago, Ill.). Mr. Dungan spent his life as a farmer, and knew the full force of pioneer life, its trials and privations, as he was one among the earliest in that neighborhood. He was a devoted member of the Christian Church, and, soon after his settling here, he caused preaching to be held at his house, and a society was organized about 1814, embracing Mr. Dugan, David Kingery, William Hall and others, whose names are not now remembered. Some of the early ministers who preached here were Rev. Forgus Graham, George Alkire and Rev. Barton Stone, of Kentucky, the founder of the Christian Church. Mr. Dungan was the main pillar in this society, and served as exhorter for several years, and the organization was kept up and services held at his house till his death, after which they ceased, his funeral sermon being the last sermon ever preached there. Thus, though Mr. Dungan's life in this township was not a long one, being cut off by death about 1824, yet those eighteen years were filled full of activity and usefulness. Joseph Burris, a native of Maryland, settled in Range Township about 1807. Of his life but little can now be ascertained, except that he was the father of seven children — John, Samuel, Joseph, robert, James, Betsey and Margaret, most of whom moved West, and none have been in this county for many years.
Levin Willoughby, one of the earliest settlers, located here probably as early as 1807. William Vincent was a brother-in-law of Levin Willoughby, and settled in the same neighborhood about the same date. Mr. Willoughby was born on Sharp's Island in Chesapeake Bay. He was a son of Job and Mary (Mills) Willoughby. The grandfather, Job Willoughby, was a native of Wales. Levin's parents soon moved into Maryland and settled near Cambridge, where they died. Their children were Levin, Sally, John, Andrew, Amelia and Job. Levin married Elizabeth Levy, and soon after, with his family and some of his brothers and sisters, emigrated to Ohio and settled near Chillicothe, on the Gov. Worthington farm. After a short residence there, he removed to Madison County and settled in Range Township, in the vicinity of the Shepherds, or where they now reside. This, it is believed, was about 1807, and here he resided till his death. He was a farmer through life, and held many of the offices of his township, an early settler of this county, and a good neighbor and worthy citizen. He was the father of five children, of whom one died in infancy — Martha, married Benjamin Badger; Nancy, married Jacob Hull; David, married Elizabeth Kinney; and Levin married, it is believed, a Miss Gray.
Burton Blizzard, a native of Virginia, became an early settler of Ross County, where he married Millie Willoughby, and, about 1807-08, settled in Madison County, Range Township, on land he purchased of William Dunlap at $1 per acre, and here he spent his entire life. From time to time, he purchased more land, till he was in possession of 900 acres of good land. Mr. Blizzard was somewhat of a carpenter, and was often called upon by the new settlers as they located to come and hew puncheons for their cabins. Mr. Blizzard was one of the active, prominent men of that day. He assisted Patrick McLene in much of his surveying, and it is said helped lay out the lots for the town of London. He filled many of the important offices of his township and county. He served as a Justice of the Peace for thirty years, and as County Commissioner from 1816 to 1839 inclusive. He was largely identified with the establishment, growth and prosperity of Madison County; a man of more than ordinary ability, firm in character and integrity, he was one of the men for pioneer times, and his life was crowned with prosperity and usefulness. His wife survived him several years, and died at the advanced age of nearly ninety-four years. Their living children are Levin W., who married Clarinda Countys; Sallie, married William Crawford; Betsey, married John Corson; William, married and settled in Missouri; and Mary, now Mrs. Workman, also a resident of Missouri. Those deceased were James, married Mary Carr; Hattie, married Thomas Prosser; and Burton, who married Elizabeth Foster.
Daniel Counts, born in Rockingham County, Va., November 30, 1779; emigrated to Ohio, stopping first in Ross County, where he married Elizabeth Walker, and thence, about 1808, removed to Range Township, this county, and settled on the place now owned by Mary A. Thmpson, where he spent a long life devoted to farming and stock-raising. He started in life poor, having no means, and at first lived in a tent till they could do better. He was very industrious and economical, and was successful from the start, accumulating rapidly, and, at the time of his death owned 2,500 acres of land in Range Township, also a large amount of Western lands, besides moneys and personal property of large amounts. He passed over sixty years in this township. He know what it was to commence poor and endure hte full hardships of pioneer life, and as well he experienced what it was to be wealthy, and able to have all that money could buy; had passed through all these stages and conditions in life. He died January 22, 1873, at the advanced age of ninety-four years. He was a very eccentric man, and many stories are told of his peculiarities. He was the father of thirteen children, six now living — Mary A., now Widow Thompson; Joseph; Christena, now Widow Williamson, residing in Illinois; Louisa, wife of W. A. Koontz; Daniel A. and Levi. Peter Counts came here from Ross County and herded cattle in 1812, and purchased land and remained as a settler, and engaged largely as a farmer and stock-raiser and became quite wealthy. His widow still survives, and resides near Danville. Septimus Stuthard, a native of Virginia, settled on the place now owned by David Haskell. Subsequently he moved from there, but remained a resident in this vicinity till his death. He married for his second wife Lovey Salmon. There were three children, whose names we get as Solomon, Mary and Lovey; the two daughters are deceased; the son still survives. Mr. Stuthard was a good neighbor and worthy citizen, and a member of the Methodist Church. His last years were spent in Fayette County, where he died in 1857. Caleb Ramey, a brother-in-law of Mr. Stuthard, probably settled here about same date. Thomas Baldwin, a native of Virginia, settled a little east of Danville about 1811-12. He married Mary Cookus, and were residents here for several years, and during this time his wife died. Subsequently, he moved away. He was a good neighbor and a substantial citizen. He served as a Justice of the Peace for several years. James Whitesides settled where Danville is now located, and was one of the early teachers of this neighborhood. He married for his second wife Widow Ward, raised a large family of chilren, all of whom have moved into other counties in the northern part of the State. He servedas Justice of the Peace in 1814, and several years subsequently.
John McClimans, a native of Pennsylvania, married Mary Creverston. They emigrated to Ross County, Ohio; thence, about 1812, removed to Madison County and settled in Range Township, on the place now owned by Mrs. Isaac McClimans, and there resided through the remainder of their lives. He was a devoted Christian man, and a life long member of the Presbyterian Church. They had ten children, nine of whom grew to maturity — Margaret, married William Johnson; William, married Nancy Pearson, and settled in this county, where he spent his life as a farmer; George and John never married, but remained residents here through life, engaged as farmers and stock-dealers; Sarah married Isaac Housman; Samuel married Rachel Pearson, and subsequently removed to Illinois, where he died; Isaac married Mary Parker and settled on the old home place, where he remained through life; he was twice married; his second wife was Elizabeth Clearage; David married Eliza Parker and settled near the home place, where he resided till his death. John Housman, a native of Virginia, married Martha Frost; emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Ross County; thence, about 1813, removed to Madison County and settled in Range Township, on land now owned by Mrs. Hicks. They had nine children, of whom but one now survives — Mrs. Margaret McClimans. Those deceased were William, Isaac, Jacob, Abraham, Samuel, Francis, Mary, Hannah and Martha. Of these, William married Abigail Britton, and spent his life in this county as a farmer till quite advanced in years, when he removed to London and engaged in the business of keeping hotel till his death. He was twice married. By his first wife he had ten children; two now survive — Joseph and Francis. His second wife was Frances Roberts, by whom he had one child, now deceased. Isaac married Sarah McClimans and spent his life as a farmer near the old home place ofhis father. He also engaged largely as a stock-dealer, adn accumulated a large property prior to his death; was a leading, prominent man, and represented this county in the Legislature, adn was Associate Judge of the Court of Common Pleas for some years. He was the father of eight children; three now survive — Mary, wife of William Baldwin, and resides in Fayette County, Ohio; Martha, wife of Granville Rogers, and resides near Knoxville, Tenn.; and Margaret, wife of John W. Steel. Jacob never married, but spent his life on the home farm with his sister Frances, who also remained single, and both died at the old homestead. Mary married Thomas Reeves; Hannah never married; Martha married William Rayburn; he died, and she married for her second husband Philip McDonald, and remained a resident of this county till her death.
William Johnston, a native of Pennsylvania, married Margaret McClimans, a native of the same State; emigrated to Ohio and located in Ross County, near Chillicothe, about 1804-05, where they resided till the fall of 1813; they removed to Madison County and located in Range Township, on Mud Run, on land now owned by John Johnston's heirs, and here, and on land adjoining, which he subsequently purchased, he resided till his death, in the fall of 1861. They had eight children who grew to maturity — John; Nancy, who died unmarried; William, married philista Hall, and on Wednesday, September 27, 1882, was celebrated their golden wedding, onwhich occasion were assembled a large number of hte family, children and grandchildren, who had a very sociable and enjoyable time; George married Barbara Beam and settled in this township, where he still resides; Margaret married William Nelson, and, soon after, settled in De Witt County, Ill., where they still reside; Henry married and settled in the same county in Illinois; Hannah married Dr. Joseph Bryant, and resides in the same county; and Joseph, the youngest child, married and settled in the same county. Mr. Johnson, who was one of the pioneers of Range Township, at the time of his locating there had but few neighbors, as the county was only sparsely settled, and he had to endure his full share of pioneer work and hardships. He was a man of firm character and principles, and of undoubted integrity, possessing the entire confidence of his community. He filled theoffice of Justice of the Peace for several years, and died esteemed and respected by a large circle of friends and acquaintances. John, the eldest son of the above William Johnston, was born in Ross County March 13, 1806, and was in his seventh year when, with his father, they located in Range Township, and here he grew to manhood, married and settled, and raised a large family of children, and here resided, till his death, July 29, 1882, in his seventy-deventh year, having been a resdient of the township almost sixty-nine years. He was a man of high moral character, a kind neighbor and most worthy citizen, and was held in high esteem in the community where he had lived so long.
Richard Goslee was born in Sussex County, Del., May 19, 1781. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Brown February 11, 1803, and in 1804 emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County. In 1816, he settled on his well-known farm, about eight miles south fo London, in Range Township, where he remained until 1856, when he removed to London, where he died on the 20th of November, 1872, at the advanced age of ninety-one years and six months. His wife, the companion of his youth, was taken from him by death many years since. Subsequently he was married to Mrs. Martin, of Circleville, Ohio. This lady lived but a few years, and they wer eyears of affliction. In 1847, he was united in marriage with Mrs. McFeely, of Circleville, Ohio. By his first wife he had eight sons and four daughters, of whom five now survive — Ketturah, now Widow Warner, residing in London; Sarah A., now Widow Sloan, residing in Denver, Colo.; Elizabeth W., now Widow King, residing at Marion, Ohio; Richard A., a resident of Otisville, Mich.; and John Wesley, a resident of Loda, Ill. Mr. Gosslee was one of the pillars of the Methodist Church, and the founder of the Concord Church of Range Township. He united with the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1801. Immediately after his marriage, he commenced to hold family worship, morning and evening, which custom he constantly kept up till within a few days of his death. Over seventy years of his life were devoted to the service of God, in communion with the church of his choice. Very soon after he sttled on his farm in this township, he was the active man in organizing a class at his house, and there preaching was had for many years, till the erection of a church building in 1836-37. He appeared to have but one work and but one subject of thought, and that was the service of God. He was exemplary in life and tranquil in death.
Cornelius Johnson, a native of Maryland, married Sarah Andrews, and, in 1803, with his family, emigrated to Ohio and settled in Ross County. About 1817-18, he removed to Madison County and settled on the place now owned by Harvey Suver, in Range Township, but, prior to his death, he returned to Ross County, where he died. He was twice married, and by the two wives was the father of twenty children, all now deceased but three — Andrew, Noah and Strader; the last two reside in Missouri; Andrew married Mary Dye, a daughter of David Dye, by whom he had eight children; six now survive — Margaret, married Dr. M. F. Garrard, and now resides in London; David; Sarah, married John Fallestine and resides on the place; Eliza, married M. H. Hamilton, resides at Bloomington, Ill.; Myra, resides in Toledo, unmarried; Mary, married L. C. Black, and also resides in Toledo. Mr. Andrew Johnson has spent his life in Range Township, devoting his entire attention to farming. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for more than half a century; and an exhorter in the same for more than twenty years, and was one of the organizing members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of Midway. Thomas Athey, a native of Loudon County, Va., emigrated to Bourbon County, Ky., where he resided several years, and was a minister in the Methodist Church; thence he removed to Chillicothe, Ohio, and married Diana Abrams, a daughter of Judge Henry Abrams, and, about 1801-02, removed to Fairfield County; then, in the fall of 1818, settled in Range Township, Madison County, on the James Foster farm. Finally he became a resident of Union Township, one and a half miles south of London. He was born November 18, 1780, and died October 26, 1861. His wife was born June 8, 1777, and died October 8, 1863. They had eleven children; two now survive — George W. and Wiliam A. Athey, Esq. William King was among the early settlers, and was one of the first Justices of the Peace of Range Township, serving with Burton Blizzard in 1813. Others who were considered early settlers, and who have been prominetly identified and associated with the growth and progress of Range Township, are James Foster, Joseph Gillespie, Benjamin Harrison and Richard Ayers. John Fisher was born near Harper's Ferry, Va., in November, 1776. He married Elizabeth Byers in April, 1797, and removed to Ross county, Ohio, in 1809, and, about 1918, settled in Range Township, Madison County, where he resided till his death, aged about ninety-three years. He was in the war of 1812; was the founder of the Bethel Society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he was the first class-leader, the class being organized at his house, which served as the first preaching-place of this society. Mr. Fisher was Leader, Trustee and STeward of the society till near the time of his death. He was an honored citizen, a devoted Christian, and a firm friend of Old Bethel Church to the latest hour of his life.