Settlers of OIL Township

In the eastern part of the present Oil Township, Range 1 west, and Township 4 south, on Section 18, Robert Walker bought land and located in the year 1813. So far as can be learned this was the first permanent settlement in the present Oil Township. Squatters were there before, as were professional hunters and trappers, who for a time lived almost like the Indians, in rude temporary bark and fur huts on the streams while game was yet plenty. At the time of this settlement the surrounding country was a wilderness largely unexplored, full of wild animals. Mr. Walker was obliged to cut his way through the woods to his land. Stephen Dean, two years later, located on the same section. A short distance west Jonathan D. Esarey settled in 1816 (Section 24), and John Ewing on Section 25, the same year. On Section 7, near Branchville, Ebenezer Richardson and James Reily settled in 1817, and Elijah Walker in 1818. Samuel Jemison located on Section 8, in 1818, and Mrs. Nancy Ballard on Section 13, on the east side of the township.

From the following list can be learned the names of nearly all the settlers of Oil Township prior to August, 1817 : At an election, held at the house of Abraham Murphy, in Oil Township, August 4, 1817, for congressman and representative to the Legislature, the following men polled their votes : Samuel Main, John Dodson, Elias Hedden, Joseph Hanks, Abraham Barger, Elias Sapp, Peter Borer, John Peckinpaugh, Silas Beasley, Valentine Borer, John Morgan, Andrew Carmichel, William Taylor, Sr. and Jr., John Cooper, Thomas Vandevere, John Hensley, Reuben Lovell, Charles Springer, Benjamin Clark, Jonathan D. Esarey, Elijah Walker, Henry Vanmeter, Reily Main, John Frakes, William Dean, Adam Miller, Henry Roades, Benjamin Trenary, Ignatius Campron, Nathan Lindsey, Daniel McLaughlin, John Miller, Abraham Miller, Joseph Springer, William Sherley, John Stevenson, John Ewing, Richard Dean, Stephen Dean, James Borer, Richard Dean, Jr., Jesse Beasley, Moses Barker, Abraham Ramsden, Barton Mattingly, Jacob Davis, John Clark. William Hendricks received 44 votes for Congress, and Thomas Posey, 3 ; Aaron Cunningham received 35 votes for the Legislature, and Samuel Connor, 9.