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Stokes Township Pioneers

From History of Madison County, W. H. Beers & Co, Chicago, 1883

Isaac Hudson, who, in 1802, located where John Murray now lives, is believed to have been the first white settler within the precincts of Stokes Township, and it was at his house that the surveyors and Commissioners met preparatory to establishing permanently the boundary line between Greene and Madison Counties. This was in September, 1810. It appears he did not remain a resident here long after this, but removed to near Vincennes, ind., where, during the war, he was killed by the Indians. He was a son of Skinner Hudson, a native of England, but who, while young, left his native land, emigrating to America, and became an early settler in Kentucky, and in 1804 came to Madison County, Ohio, and settled with his son Isaac, who preceded him two years previous, and here he remained till his death, and was buried in the family burying-ground, given and established by himself. This family met with all the trials and dangers of the wilderness. This was a regular camping-ground of the Indians for several years. John K. and Austin, two sons of Skinner Hudson, were reared and grew to manhood in this township. the former was born in Kentucky in 1799, and came with his father to this township. He married Hannah Mahaffery, a native of Adams County, Ohio. They had twelve children, five now living. John K. owned 266 acres of land, a part of which is the site of the village of South Solon, which Mr. Hudson and Mr. Douglass laid out in 1833. Mr. Hudson was a man of undoubted character, and an active, useful and worthy citizen. And of the Hudson family, while we speak of them as the first to penetrate the wilds of Stokes township, we may add that they were ever first and foremost in the improvements and progress of the country, in the promotion of morals, education and Christianity. They were ever hospitable, kind-hearted and good neighbors, just such persons as were needed to open out a new country, and lay the foundation of true principles to make the country prosperous and happy. John K. Hudson died in 1872.

James Curry, a native of Pennsylvania, married Isabel Roland and emigrated to Ohio, and settled in Stokes Township, on land now owned by John S. Moon, in 1805. He remained a citizen here through life, and was the father of eight children, of whom only one survives–William, now a resident of South Solon. Of his children who are deceased, Harrison was born in Stokes Township in 1816, and here grew to manhood under the sturdy influences of pioneer life. He married Sarah Mahaffey and raised one child, who is now the wife of Milton Marsh, Postmaster at South Solon. Mr. Curry was quite prominent in the political affairs of the township, and held several offices; served as a Justice of hte Peace twenty-one years. He died April 21, 1871. John Kelso settled on the tract of land where Jacob Smith now lives in 1808, but we learn no particulars connected with his future life from that date. Noble Ladd settled on Skinner Hudson's land about 1808. Andrew Rea, a native of Virginia, became a settler of Stokes Township about 1808 or 1810, and located on land now owned by the Gordons. He had a large family of children, of whom were William, Robert, Thomas, James and Jessie.

John Moon, a native of North Carolina, emigrated to Ohio, making the entire journey in a wagon, and settled on land in the north part of Fayette County, near the Madison County and Stokes Township line, in 1808, where he remained till his death. He was the father of ten children, of whom three now survive– John L., a resident of Stokes Township; Simon, a resident of Fayette County, Ohio; and Jane, now a resident of the State of Illinois. Of the deceased of this family, Aaron married Rosanna Powell, and settled on the place now owned by Lewis Bozarth about 1830, and here resided till his death, in the summer of 1865. He was a man very highly esteemed and respected, and a leading and reliable man of this community. He served as Township Trustee for twenty-five years, and as Treasurer twenty-six years. Jonathan, the second son, married Cathaarine Davis, and settled on land near his father. In 1837, he sold out and moved to Illinois. In 1841, he returned to Fayette County, and in 1844 purchased the farm adjoining William Thomas, where he resided till 1878, and then removed to South Solon, where he died May 29, 1881, in the eightieth year of his age. He was also a man of more than ordinary merit, very upright in all his dealings, just and charitable to all, and a most worthy and useful citizen of the community where he lived. He held the office of Trustee twenty-three years. He was a worthy member fo the society of Friends, as were the Moon family generally. His widow still survives, and resides in South Solon, aged eighty-one years. James Moon was the third child of John Moon, and settled in this township prior to his brother Aaron, locating on the farm which he subsequently sold to Aaron, and about 1835 removed to the State of Indiana, where he died. Enoch Moon, a fourth son, and brother of the above, settled in this township and resided here several years, thence moved to Indiana and died in that State.

Samuel Herrod was born in 1776, and became an early settler of Greene County, Ohio. He was married in 1810. His wife, Mary, was born in 1790, and they settled in this county and township about 1814 or 1815, sharing the labors and trials of the early settlers. He died in 1857, and his wife in 1866. He became quite a large land-owner, and his sons still larger. Samuel Hornbeck, a native of Bourbon County, Ky., became a settler in this township, on the land now owned by H. Bateman, about 1815 or 1816, and remained a resident of this township till his death, July 26, 1868. He was a soldier in the war of 1812. They had fifteen children. Ten grew to maturity–five sons and five daughters –of whom only two now survive–Nancy, now Mrs. Moon, who resides in Fayette County; and Samuel, a resident of South Solon. Jacob Selsor was born in Virginia, and when but a boy, came to Ohio and settled in Stokes Township about 1815, or 1820, and here married Elizabeth McHenry, who was born in Kentucky. He died in 1842, and his wife in 1864. Of their children, and a much-respected neighbor and citizen, is Christopher Selsor, who was born in this township, and still resides here. Christian Selsor also settled here about the same time, and was well known in early years, and held many of the offices of the township, and sustained well the general reputation of the Selsor family.

David Selsor was born in Virginia in 1806, a son of John and Mary Slesor, who were also natives of Virginia, and emigrated to Ohio when David was but a boy, probably about 1815 or 1816, and settled her ein this township, where they remained till their death. David, when but a boy of sixteen, commenced his career as a farmer and stock-dealer, exhibiting in his boyhood days that aptness and shrewdness as a traidng man and financier which, in after years, won for him wealth and laurels, and who was known from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean as one of the largest stock-dealers of Ohio, and perhaps second to none for fine-blooded stock. At the time of his death, January 12, 1882, he owned nearly three thousand acres of land, on whose broad acres roamed a large amount of stock, much of which were of the finest breeds of blooded animals. In the summer of 1882, after his death, this stock was sold at public sale and prominent fine stock dealers from various States of the Union and from Canada came to make purchases. Mr. Selsor's career as a business man was a remarkable one. While politicans have sought for honors in the great battles of the political field and only a few have been able to reach the pinnacle of fame; and while professional men have delved deep into the labyrinths of science endeavoring to bring forth some new fact or principle which shall bless mankind and thus establish for them an undying reputation– here we see an example in the common occupation of a farmer and stock-dealer, one who has gained an exalted position, and inscribed his name upon the highest battlement of success, and, like the names of al who have arisen to distinction, whether politically, professionally or otherwise, will be indelibly written upon the pages of history, and be read and known by generations yet unborn. Stokes Township can thus claim a prestige for being the home of this noted and remarkable man.

George Linson was born in Virginia January 7, 1790; married Elizabeth Hutsinpillar, who was born December 24, 1792. They emigrated to Ohio and settled in Stokes Township about 1815, where they resided till their death. Mrs. Linson died in June, 1845. Mr. Linson died in April, 1855. Mr. Linson came to this county when it was new and almost a wilderness, and bore a good share of privations, but becmae possessed of a fine farm and large competency; was a man of undoubted character, and a highly respected neighbor and citizen. They raised a family of children, who grew up and became prosperous and honored citizens. Two of their sons reside in Paint Township, where they own large and valuable farms. Isaac McHenry, a native of Kentucky, born June 4, 1801; he married Christina Selsor, who was born in Virginia. Mr. McHenry came to Stokes Township when a boy, probably 1816 or 1818, and was marrie dhere. His wife died in 1832. He married for his second wife Miss Nancy Flood, who survived him. He died in 1874. William, his son, who was born in this township in 1825, still resides here, an honored and respected citizen, who has here spent his entire life. Mr. Burley was an early settler in this township, on land now owned by S. H. Smith, in the south part of South Solon. The exact date of his locating here cannot now be ascertained, but he kept a hotel at quite an early day. He came here from North Carolina.

Joseph Thomas, a native of North Carolina, settled in Paint Township, on land now owned by Mrs. Huffman, probably in 1815 to 1818. He was generally better known as the "White Pilgrim." He made the journey from North Carolina on foot, and soon after returned to his native State and married a Miss Ridenhour, and brought her to his new home in the east part of Stokes Township. He was a preacher in the Christian Church, and, shortly after locating here, had preaching at his house, and soon organized a church, of which he was pastor for several years. He also traveled and preached at many other places over the surrounding country, and was one of the ablest defenders of the faith and doctrines of that church ever in this section of the county. He was also an active worker and a prominent man in the Masonic order, and was finally sent into the Eastern States to travel in the interests of that order, and while there took the small-pox, with which he died. Subsequently, some minister of that denomination visited his grave, and wrote and published a very expressive and beautiful hymn on his life and character. Two of his children now reside in Yellow Springs, Greene Co., Ohio–Caleb and Mrs. Carr, whose son is the proprietor of the large nursery at that place.

Lot Bozarth, a native of Virginia, was born in 1792, and emigrated to Ohio and became quite an early settler of Stokes Township, on the land where his son Lewis still resides. Here he married Nancy Rea, who was born in Maryland in 1802. Subsequently, they moved to White County, ind., and resided a few years, then returned to Stokes Township, and here remained till their death. He died April 7, 1872, and his wife March 12, 1878. Mr. Bozarth was a kind neighbor, and a good citizen, and held several of the offices of his township. The above may truly be called the pioneers of Stokes Township, all being settlers here prior to 1820. Many others who settled here later perhaps did as much pioneer work and endured as many trials as some who came earlier, and deserve a record of their lives in the history of the county equally as much as they, and we will now record some of them, with their families.