In 1808, an Irishman, Samuel Marshall, came to Shelby County, Ohio, (Washington Township) with his wife, Margaret and four children. He was born in 1775 in the Parish of Mullaghbrack, County Armagh, Ireland. His wife Margaret was from Pennsylvania. Samuel became an important citizen as well.

Samuel was one of the original Associate Judges, the county’s first lawyer and an early Commissioner. He and his sons contracted for the first mail routes from Piqua to Bellefontaine and from Piqua to Defiance. The Marshall’s daughter, Rosanna, is thought to have been one of the first white children born in Shelby County. Marshall was involved in much of the early decision-making for the county’s growth. He passed away in 1838 while his daughter, Rosanna, died in 1854.

A Virginian born of Scottish descendants, Edward Jackson, came to Shelby County (Orange Township) in 1809, leaving his wife, Jane, and two children in Springfield while he selected and prepared some land in the area. Jackson brought them over in 1810-1811 to make a permanent home. During the War of 1812, Indians stole his cattle, so he moved his family back to Springfield for safety. However, his wife returned to the farm within a year to help protect their land.   In 1814, Jackson served a brief stint in the Army before securing a substitute and returning home. Edward and Jane had eleven children. He was the first in the township, and the second man in the county, to build a brick home.

[Back]    [Next]   [Up]   [New Search]  'Pioneer' segment written in October, 1997 by Sherrie Casad-Lodge