Washington Township

It would seem that the organizers of the township were very patriotic, giving the township the name of Washington.
From early records Thomas Hinton was the first white man to make permanent settlement in the township. He located in 1838, on what is now the Demuth farm. Hinton was a bold, energetic young man. He soon erected a rude log cabin, in which he lodged, drawing largely upon the wild game with which the forests abounded for his food. Some years later he resigned the life of bachelor and married. In 1839, immigration came to the township, bringing a number of stalwart fearless men. The first church in the township was built on the farm of Mr. Crider, in 1857, by the United Brethren and known as "Crider Chapel". Another was built about the same time by the Presbyterians on the White farm known as "New Hope Church". The first school of the township was taught in the small cabin that had been built for a dwelling on the land of John Allen in the winter of 1842-43. The fall of 1843, a small round log school house was built on the farm of Patrick Colgan. The same year, a small "buckeye"cabin for school purposes was built on the on the farm of Peter Wickler. The township has grown considerably since the early days of the pioneers.