Union County, Ohio
Encyclopedia
Union County is a county located in the US state of Ohio
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 52,300. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/39159.html Increasingly becoming more of a suburban county, the population was estimated at 47,234 in 2007 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Its county seat
is Marysville
and its name is reflective of its origins, it being the union of pieces of Franklin
, Delaware
, Madison
, and Logan
Counties.
Union County is part of the Columbus, Ohio
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
, the Treaty of Paris
of 1763 placed the area under British rule. Following the American Revolution
, in 1783, the area would eventually become known as the Northwest Territory and part of the United States.
After the American Revolution, revolutionary soldiers from New England poured into Ohio after being granted land by the government. They surveyed the land, and sought to develop a state between Lake Erie and the Ohio River. Their proposals for the governance of the territory led to the passage of the Ordinance of 1787, which would guide the Northwest Territory until the establishment of states that it called for. Bitter struggles with American Indians over the next decades would follow, culminating with the battle of Tippecanoe
in 1811, which saw the final defeat of the American Indian tribes in Ohio led by Tecumseh
. A notable victim of the warring between the settlers and Indians was Jonathan Alder
, who resided in and around the Union County area throughout his life.
, the United States granted them claims to land in Ohio which would be known as the Virginia Military District
. Union County would be in this district. In 1803 Ohio would become a state.
After lobbying by Col. James Curry, who represented the area in legislature at the time and a resident of what would become Jerome township, Union County was established by the Ohio legislature, and became official in 1820 with the appointment of the original commissioners: Stephen Bell, Reuben Wallace, and John Huston. The county commissioners eventually established the townships, including Union (1820), Darby (1820), Mill Creek (1820), Jerome (1821), Paris (1821), Liberty (1822), Leesburg (1825), Allen (1827), Jackson (1829), York (1834), Washington (1836), Dover (1839), Claibourne (1834), and Taylor (1849), while they designated Marysville as the county seat.
The town of Milford was established in 1816 by George Reed, Marysville in 1819 by Samuel Culbertson, Richwood in 1832 by Philip Plumber, Kingsville in 1834, Somerville in 1835, Watkins and Arbelia in 1838, Newton in 1838 by David Paul, York Center in 1841, Frankfort in 1846, Unionville in 1847, Pharisburg in 1847, New California in 1853, Dover in 1854, Union Center in 1863, Broadway in 1865, Pottersburg in 1869, Peoria in 1870, Magnetic Springs in 1879, and Claibourne in 1881.
In 1849, a county infirmary was authorized. The first county jail was a log structure that sat on the southside of East Center street, in the rear of the courthouse. Eventually a new jail was authorized by the commissioners and built in the 1870s. In 1878 the county purchased a 10-ton safe for the treasury, that eventually was moved into courthouse.
The first county fair was held in 1847 in Marysville, in the public square. In 1852, the Agriculture Society moved the fair to the current location, on the northside of town. The Bible Society was organized in 1830. On December 4, 1875, a group met at the courthouse in Marysville to organize the Union County Pioneer society. The original members were: Eliphas Burnham, George Snodgrass, John F. Sabine, William Porter, Tobias Beightler, Abraham Amrine, Samuel Reed, Ray G. Morse, Josiah Westlake, Josiah Reed, William. M. Robinson, Hiram Kent, Edward Powers, George Reed, Robert Graham, Samuel Gamble, A. A. Woodworth, George Mitchell, Taber Randall, Joseph Dodds, William Phillips, Thomas Snodgrass, Robert Snodgrass, A. P. Robinson, R. L. Partridge, and Hylas Sabine.
In 1866, the Union County Teachers' Institute was organized in Marysville, with Franklin Wood serving at the first President. In 1882, the Normal School was organized by J.S. Wharton, which specialized in instructing future teachers.
By the late 19th century and into the 20th century, the county began developing its electricity infrastructure. By 1915, electricity lines ran from Magnetic Springs to Richwood.
The county's first railroad was constructed between 1850–1854, a line that ran from Springfield to Delaware and crossed through the county in Milford, Marysville, Irwin, and Dover. A railroad called the New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio line was chartered in 1851 and would eventually run through Union County with station points at Richwood, Woodland, Claibourne, Pottersburg, Broadway, and Peoria. The Columbus and Bellefontaine railroad was incorporated in 1878 and had station points in the county at Marysville. The Toledo and Central railroad ran from Columbus north through the county, with station points at Marysville, Peoria, and Raymond.
The first telegraph line was completed in 1859, which connected Marysville with the world via Springfield.
In 1911, 270000 acres (1,092.7 km²) were owned in Union County, with 85,000 cultivated for farming. The farms had a total of 9,355 horses, 8,110 milk cows with 14,000 total cattle, 43,727 sheep, and 32,000 hogs. 312,000 pounds of wool was produced that year.
Marysville's industrial roots can be traced back to many early companies. Among those were the Marysville Pearlash Factory, an ashery founded in 1848, which by 1874 was the largest in the United States. The first steam-grist mill was erected in 1856 by Saxton and Casil. In 1867, Miller & Snodgrass constructed a flour mill. In 1874, Marysville Butter Tub and Spoke Company was incorporated with $50,000.
A wool company, Woodbury & Welsh, constructed a brick factory on the northeast part of town in 1864, and a brewery was built in 1866 on the eastside. In 1868, O.M. Scotts and Company was organized. In 1871, the Marysville Cheese Manufacturing Company was built on the eastside. Many carriage manufacturing companies were placed in Marysville, including Bauer, Schepper & Devine in 1882, City Carriage Works in 1871, and L. E. Helium in 1874.
In 1875 Rice, Fleck & Co. opened a lumberyard. The Marysville Gas Light Company was incorporated in 1878 following almost a decade of the city using gasoline for lighting.
Richwood was home to hotels such as the Parsons House and Beem House. Large mills in Richwood included Beem and Biddle, Loveless, Howe, and Bishop, and S. M. and A. J. Blake. There were large tile manufactures, and a plethora of commercial and industrial interests including jewelers, furniture retailers, and lumber yards.
Milford Center was home to mills, distilleries, tanneries, and companies such as the Milford Center Lumber and Supply Company, Ohio Elevator and Grain Company, Robinson and Richter Company, and Childs and Cover, a carriage manufacturer.
Magnetic Springs, following the discovery of natural healing waters, became a tourist haven in the late 19th century until the innovation of modern medicine in the early 20th century. Tourists from all over the world visited the springs and stayed at resorts such as "The Park" and "The Columbus". "The Park" was home to the "Sager Sanitarium Bath".
, Dr. T.B. Asbury, educated at Berkshire Medical College in Massachusetts and the nephew of Francis Asbury
, Dr. J.S. Howland, who served with distinction in the civil war under General Burnside, Sherman, Thomas, and Gilmore, Dr. E.Y. King, who graduated from Bellevue Hospital College in New York, Dr. Andrew Sabine, who graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and Dr. P.W. Lee, among many others. Medical societies included the Union County Medical Association.
, who practiced in Union County in 1836 and eventually became a supreme court justice in Iowa and later a congressman from Utah. Edward Stillings
grew up near Milford Center and was a graduate of Harvard, and became one of the top jurists in the country, practicing before the United States Supreme Court and helping to form the legal code of Kansas in the 1870s. James Wallace Robinson
was a native of Union County and went onto become a U.S. congressman in 1872. James E. Robinson
, a native of Union County, would eventually become an Ohio Supreme Court justice.
Otway Curry
was a nationally known poet who also became a jurist in 1840. Hylas Sabine graduated from Harvard in 1863 and practiced law in the county. Ulysses Cole, the son of Judge P.B. Cole, attended Harvard, practiced law with his father in 1867, and after being elected to the legislature in Indiana, became Deputy United States Assessor for Internal Revenue. Joseph Kennedy was admitted to the bar in 1871 and would become mayor of Marysville. Charles W. Fairbanks
was admitted to the bar in 1874 and went onto become a United States Vice President.
Publishing exerted great influence over public opinion in the county in its early days. Monthly and weekly publishings were the earliest known forms of the media in the county originally. The earliest known newspaper in the county was the "Our Freedom and Union County Advertiser," first published in Marysville in 1839 by Stephen McClain, Robert McBrattney, and William Lawrence. The newspaper was then renamed the "Union Star" after a year and continued until May 1841, when it was purchased by John Cassil and renamed the "Union Gazette". In 1842 the paper moved to Bellefontaine and was edited by Thomas Robb, with the paper sent weekly to Marysville. In 1843 the paper moved back to Marysville and was published until 1844. During the period it was owned by Cassil, it politically leaned Democratic.
In 1844 the paper was purchased by P.B. Cole and W.C. Lawrence, who renamed it the "Argus and Union County Advertiser" and moved the politics toward the Whig party. In 1845 the paper was sold to James Alexander, and after only six weeks, sold back to John Cassil, who turned the paper back into a Democrat political newspaper. In 1846, P.B. Cole bought the newspaper back and turned it back into a Whig political newspaper. In 1849, he sold the paper to C.S. Hamilton, who renamed it the "Marysville Tribune". A notable printer of the Marysville Tribune was Preston Plumb, who eventually left Marysville and became a U.S. Senator in Kansas.
The paper would eventually be purchased by the Shearer family, who published daily editions that were Republican-leaning, and weekly editions that were independent.
Other papers in the county were the "Eaglet", formed in 1845, and lasting only a few months. The "Union Journal", formed in 1853, lasted a year. It would be moved to Xenia, where it became the Xenia News, and edited by Whitelaw Reid
. The "Union Press" was formed in 1858 by Hylas Sabine and Republican-leaning. In 1863 it was purchased by the Vallandighamer family and changed to the "Union Democrat", which changed the paper in politics and spent its time attacking the Union government during the American Civil War
. It ceased operations in 1864. In 1883 the "Darby News" was formed in Milford Center and eventually became the "Milford Echo" before folding, the "Milford Ohioan" was formed in 1887, the "Richwood Gazette" in 1872, the "Richwood Reporter" in 1882, which ceased operations two years later when destroyed by fire, and the "Octograph Review".
In 1874, the "Marysville Journal" was formed by C.M. Kenton, later becoming the "Union County Journal" and leaned Democrat. By 1883, the "Marysville Tribune" and the "Union County Journal" were the only newspapers published in the county. Eventually the two papers would merge and become what is known today as the Marysville Journal-Tribune.
After some banking laws were passed and the production of the county grew, currency gained value in trade, including paper, gold, and silver, and banks were permanently established in the county. The first bank in the county was the Bank of Marysville, established by Andrews, Evans, and Woods in 1854, with its first advertisement appearing in the Marysville Tribune. By 1863 they were selling the U.S. government "520 bonds". The Farmers Bank of Union County was established in 1868 on the Robinson block just east of the public square in Marysville, and by 1904 had merged with the Union Banking Company of Marysville. The Citizens Home and Savings Company was incorporated in 1889 with a million dollars in capital, located in the Liggett Building in Marysville. The Peoples Bank was organized in 1874 in Marysville, with its President being A.J. Whitney. In 1890 the Union Banking Company of Marysville was organized in Marysville by Snider, Asman, David, and Sellers. In 1909 the Commercial Savings Bank was established in Marysville by Braun, Blue, Southard, and Thorp.
In 1904 the Deposit Bank was established in Raymond. Banks were formed in Milford Center including the Milford Center Bank in 1878 by Fullington and Phelps, and the Farmers and Merchant Bank of Milford Center in 1907 by Erb, Reynolds, and Burson. The first bank in Richwood was formed in 1866 by Davis and Allen, but quickly failed. In 1867 the Bank of Richwood was organized by C.S. Hamilton, and would eventually become what is known today as the Richwood Banking Company. The Union County Bank was formed in 1874 in Richwood by Cratty and Blake, the Farmers Deposit Bank of Richwood in 1884 by W.H. Conkright, and the First National Bank of Richwood was formed in 1908 by L.J. McCoy.
was expanded from a two lane highway to a four lane highway in the 1980s. In 1860, the county population was around 16,000. By 2000, it had grown to 40,000. For further reference, view cities, villages, and township pages.
Union County has a military heritage dating back to the American Revolution
, and was a frequent location for the organization of military companies. Because the government paid the soldiers with land grants in the west during the revolution, Union County became home to many of these soldiers after the war. A notable soldier was Col. W.L. Curry, who served on the Virginia Line. A recorded 14 soldiers from the revolution eventually made their way to Union County, with many others unrecorded because of poor record keeping.
The War of 1812
broke out with early battles fought in the Northwest Territory, including Lake Erie. A descendant of a hero, Oliver Hazard Perry
, from the War of 1812, named Robert S. Beightler
, was a native of Union County. A company of 13 Union County men was assembled for this war, with many other natives of Union County joining companies from outside the county, including a company formed by Jonathan Alder
. Over 100 natives of the county would serve in the war.
When the Mexican War
broke in 1845 following the annexation of Texas into the United States, Union County enthusiastically provided men, totalling over 30.
The American Civil War
followed, which was not greeted in the same manner the previous war was. However, Union County would provide 3200 men for that war, suffering the casualties of 1,035 wounded, killed, or missing, while producing notable leaders such as Norton P. Chipman
. They fought in 31 principal battles, from Bull Run to Appomattox.
Union County would produce veterans from the Spanish-American War, World War One, Mexican Conflict, World War Two, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, and the War on Terror, as well as other conflicts throughout the United States' history. Marysville native Cornelia Cole Fairbanks, wife of U.S. Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, would serve as President of the Daughters of the American Revolution
in the early 20th century.
In 2007, the Union County Veterans Remembrance Committee dedicated the Union County Veterans Memorial on the northeast lawn of the courthouse. This was sponsored through private, public, and corporate grants and donations, including support from the Union County Foundation. In attendance were hundreds of citizens, U.S. Representative Deborah Pryce
, and many other political and civic leaders. In 2008, the Ohio National Guard
opened a new $8.2 million Marysville facility on the eastside adjacent to the YMCA. The Ohio Army National Guard
headquarters in Columbus is named after Marysville native Gen. Robert S. Beightler
.
, the county has a total area of 437 square miles (1,132 km²).437 square miles (1,131 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.08%) is water.
There are numerous local family farms in Union County, including Mitchell's Farm, Littlefoot Family Farms, Detwiler Farm, Phelps Farm, Blue Spruce Farm and Nursery, Greenleaf Farm, Hickory Lane Farms, Thorne Briar Farm, Hoskins-Hamilton Farm, Hoffman Farm, and Wiley Farm, as well as agricultural services corporations like Ohigro. There is a Union County Farmer's Market.
Day Lay Egg Farms is an industrial farm with operations in the western part of the county. Select Sires, a bio-tech firm and a world leader in livestock reproductive services, is located in the southeastern part of the county. The Ohio State University
operates an agricultural extension office in the central portion of the county. Hi-Q Egg Products is investing $80 million in a new industrial farm operation in the western part of the county.
It is the home to major corporations, including Scotts Miracle-Gro and Univenture. Major corporations operating regional facilities in the county include Honda of America, Goodyear/Veyance Technologies, Parker Hanifin, United Rotary Brush, and Invensys Climate Control. The Honda operation includes the Marysville Auto Plant. Other large companies located in the county include Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Ray Lewis and Son, Velocys, MAI Manufacturing, NEX Transport, and Midwest Express, among others.
Between 2000–2007, Union County businesses were awarded $9.3 million in United States Department of Defense
contracts. The companies receiving those contracts were the Electronic Services Agency, Parker Hanifin, United Rotary Brush, and Leo Berbee Bulb Company.
, 2.81% Black
or African American
, 0.18% Native American
, 0.54% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.22% from other races
, and 0.98% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 14,346 households out of which 38.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.40% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.10% were non-families. 19.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 34.00% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,743, and the median income for a family was $58,384. Males had a median income of $40,910 versus $27,405 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,577. About 3.60% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.30% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.
In 2009, the county commissioners were Gary Lee, Tom McCarthy, and Charles Hall, the common pleas court
judge was Don Fraser, and the sheriff was Rocky Nelson. The probate and juvenile judge was Charlotte Eufinger, the engineer Jeff Stauch, the treasurer Tamara Lowe, the auditor Mary Snider, the clerk of courts Teresa Nickle, and the recorder Teresa Markham. The Union County Prosecuting Attorney is Hon. David Phillips. Phillips was elected prosecuting attorney in 2004.
The county is a part of the 15th U.S. congressional district in Ohio, the 83rd Ohio legislative district in Ohio, and the 26th Ohio senate district.
stronghold. Its strong Republican roots go back to the formation of the party in the 1800s following the collapse of the Whig Party
, which had previously been the preferred party.
The county has supported the Republican party in each of the last 13 presidential elections. In the last five presidential elections the Democratic candidate has never received more than 38% of the county's vote.
As part of Ohio's 5th congressional district
and Ohio's 15th congressional district
it had been represented by Republicans for almost seventy years until the 2008 election, when Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy
, won a close, disputed contest against Steve Stivers
.
The county is in the 83rd Ohio House district. In 2008, the Democrats failed to field a candidate and the seat was won by Republican freshman Dave Burke. He was preceded by Tony Core
, who left the legislature because of term limits. Portions of U.S. Route 33
in the county are named for Ed Core
, Tony's father. The county is in the 26th Ohio Senate district, currently represented by Karen Gillmor
, the wife of former U.S. Congressman Paul Gillmor
.
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. As of the 2010 census, the population was 52,300. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/39/39159.html Increasingly becoming more of a suburban county, the population was estimated at 47,234 in 2007 by the U.S. Census Bureau. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Marysville
Marysville, Ohio
Marysville is a city in and the county seat of Union County, Ohio, United States. The population was 15,942 at the 2000 census, and the Census Bureau estimated that it had risen to 17,621 by 2006.Marysville's longtime slogan is "Where the Grass is Greener"...
and its name is reflective of its origins, it being the union of pieces of Franklin
Franklin County, Ohio
Franklin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. In 2010 the population was 1,163,414, making it the second largest county in Ohio and the 34th largest county in population in the United States. Franklin County is also the largest in the eight-county Columbus, Ohio...
, Delaware
Delaware County, Ohio
Delaware County is a fast-growing suburban county in the state of Ohio, United States, within the Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the United States Census Bureau's 2004 population estimates, Delaware County's population of 142,503 made it the fastest growing county in...
, Madison
Madison County, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 40,213 people, 13,672 households, and 10,035 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 14,399 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
, and Logan
Logan County, Ohio
Logan County is a county in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,858. The county seat is Bellefontaine. The county is named for Benjamin Logan, who fought Native Americans in the area....
Counties.
Union County is part of the Columbus, Ohio
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus is the capital of and the largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio. The broader metropolitan area encompasses several counties and is the third largest in Ohio behind those of Cleveland and Cincinnati. Columbus is the third largest city in the American Midwest, and the fifteenth largest city...
Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Early history
Union County has been under the rule of three countries in its history: France, England, and the present-day United States. It was discovered by the French explorer La Salle, along with traders and missionaries who accompanied. After the French and Indian WarFrench and Indian War
The French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
, the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1763)
The Treaty of Paris, often called the Peace of Paris, or the Treaty of 1763, was signed on 10 February 1763, by the kingdoms of Great Britain, France and Spain, with Portugal in agreement. It ended the French and Indian War/Seven Years' War...
of 1763 placed the area under British rule. Following the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, in 1783, the area would eventually become known as the Northwest Territory and part of the United States.
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
in 1811, which saw the final defeat of the American Indian tribes in Ohio led by Tecumseh
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy which opposed the United States during Tecumseh's War and the War of 1812...
. A notable victim of the warring between the settlers and Indians was Jonathan Alder
Jonathan Alder
Jonathan Alder was an American pioneer, and the first white settler in Madison County, Ohio. As a young child living in Virginia, Alder was kidnapped by Shawnee Indians, and later adopted by a Mingo chief in the Ohio Country...
, who resided in and around the Union County area throughout his life.
Original settlements
The first town laid out in the county was North Liberty, established by Lucas Sullivant in 1797, but the first settlement in the county was made in present-day Jerome township by Joshua and James Ewing in 1798. An important settlement made in the county would be by Abraham Amrine, of Swiss descent and a revolutionary soldier, in 1817, two miles (3 km) northwest of Marysville.Formation
As part of negotiations with Virginia, who had claimed land in Ohio, to sign the Articles of ConfederationArticles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation, formally the Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union, was an agreement among the 13 founding states that legally established the United States of America as a confederation of sovereign states and served as its first constitution...
, the United States granted them claims to land in Ohio which would be known as the Virginia Military District
Virginia Military District
The Virginia Military District was an approximately 4.2 million acre area of land in what is now the state of Ohio that was reserved by Virginia to use as payment for veterans of the American Revolutionary War....
. Union County would be in this district. In 1803 Ohio would become a state.
After lobbying by Col. James Curry, who represented the area in legislature at the time and a resident of what would become Jerome township, Union County was established by the Ohio legislature, and became official in 1820 with the appointment of the original commissioners: Stephen Bell, Reuben Wallace, and John Huston. The county commissioners eventually established the townships, including Union (1820), Darby (1820), Mill Creek (1820), Jerome (1821), Paris (1821), Liberty (1822), Leesburg (1825), Allen (1827), Jackson (1829), York (1834), Washington (1836), Dover (1839), Claibourne (1834), and Taylor (1849), while they designated Marysville as the county seat.
The town of Milford was established in 1816 by George Reed, Marysville in 1819 by Samuel Culbertson, Richwood in 1832 by Philip Plumber, Kingsville in 1834, Somerville in 1835, Watkins and Arbelia in 1838, Newton in 1838 by David Paul, York Center in 1841, Frankfort in 1846, Unionville in 1847, Pharisburg in 1847, New California in 1853, Dover in 1854, Union Center in 1863, Broadway in 1865, Pottersburg in 1869, Peoria in 1870, Magnetic Springs in 1879, and Claibourne in 1881.
County seat
After the organization of the county by the Ohio Legislature, Marysville was designated as the seat of Union County. The first recorded meeting of the commissioners was in 1820. Between 1835 and 1840, a courthouse was constructed. Eventually a new courthouse would be built in Marysville, dedicated on January 27, 1883. This is the present courthouse today.In 1849, a county infirmary was authorized. The first county jail was a log structure that sat on the southside of East Center street, in the rear of the courthouse. Eventually a new jail was authorized by the commissioners and built in the 1870s. In 1878 the county purchased a 10-ton safe for the treasury, that eventually was moved into courthouse.
The first county fair was held in 1847 in Marysville, in the public square. In 1852, the Agriculture Society moved the fair to the current location, on the northside of town. The Bible Society was organized in 1830. On December 4, 1875, a group met at the courthouse in Marysville to organize the Union County Pioneer society. The original members were: Eliphas Burnham, George Snodgrass, John F. Sabine, William Porter, Tobias Beightler, Abraham Amrine, Samuel Reed, Ray G. Morse, Josiah Westlake, Josiah Reed, William. M. Robinson, Hiram Kent, Edward Powers, George Reed, Robert Graham, Samuel Gamble, A. A. Woodworth, George Mitchell, Taber Randall, Joseph Dodds, William Phillips, Thomas Snodgrass, Robert Snodgrass, A. P. Robinson, R. L. Partridge, and Hylas Sabine.
In 1866, the Union County Teachers' Institute was organized in Marysville, with Franklin Wood serving at the first President. In 1882, the Normal School was organized by J.S. Wharton, which specialized in instructing future teachers.
Infrastructure
The county lacked transportation infrastructure until 1812 when the first known highway named Post Road was constructed across the southern portion of the county. In 1844 the legislature by act created a free turnpike that ran from Columbus to Bellefontaine, passing through Marysville, originally costing $230,000. This road eventually became what is known as U.S. Rt. 33 today. In 1853, the Marysville and Essex Plank Road Company was organized and constructed a road from Marysville north, through Pharisburg. The company sold capital stock for $30,000, and this road today is known as State Rt. 4. By 1915 the county had built 705 miles (1,134.6 km) of roadways, the most of any county in the state for its size.By the late 19th century and into the 20th century, the county began developing its electricity infrastructure. By 1915, electricity lines ran from Magnetic Springs to Richwood.
The county's first railroad was constructed between 1850–1854, a line that ran from Springfield to Delaware and crossed through the county in Milford, Marysville, Irwin, and Dover. A railroad called the New York, Pennsylvania, and Ohio line was chartered in 1851 and would eventually run through Union County with station points at Richwood, Woodland, Claibourne, Pottersburg, Broadway, and Peoria. The Columbus and Bellefontaine railroad was incorporated in 1878 and had station points in the county at Marysville. The Toledo and Central railroad ran from Columbus north through the county, with station points at Marysville, Peoria, and Raymond.
The first telegraph line was completed in 1859, which connected Marysville with the world via Springfield.
Agriculture
Because of the fertile soil in Union County, the county's farmers required minimal fertilizer. There were hundreds of farms in the county in its early stages. The crops grown in Union County's early history included wheat, oats, corn, Irish potatoes, clover and alfalfa. The county was a large producer of milk, butter, sugar, syrup, apples, and pears.In 1911, 270000 acres (1,092.7 km²) were owned in Union County, with 85,000 cultivated for farming. The farms had a total of 9,355 horses, 8,110 milk cows with 14,000 total cattle, 43,727 sheep, and 32,000 hogs. 312,000 pounds of wool was produced that year.
Commerce and industry
Union County was home to many industries in its original days from hotels, tanneries, distilleries, breweries, mills, asheries, manufacturers, energy production, banks, grocers, and retailers, among others.Marysville's industrial roots can be traced back to many early companies. Among those were the Marysville Pearlash Factory, an ashery founded in 1848, which by 1874 was the largest in the United States. The first steam-grist mill was erected in 1856 by Saxton and Casil. In 1867, Miller & Snodgrass constructed a flour mill. In 1874, Marysville Butter Tub and Spoke Company was incorporated with $50,000.
A wool company, Woodbury & Welsh, constructed a brick factory on the northeast part of town in 1864, and a brewery was built in 1866 on the eastside. In 1868, O.M. Scotts and Company was organized. In 1871, the Marysville Cheese Manufacturing Company was built on the eastside. Many carriage manufacturing companies were placed in Marysville, including Bauer, Schepper & Devine in 1882, City Carriage Works in 1871, and L. E. Helium in 1874.
In 1875 Rice, Fleck & Co. opened a lumberyard. The Marysville Gas Light Company was incorporated in 1878 following almost a decade of the city using gasoline for lighting.
Richwood was home to hotels such as the Parsons House and Beem House. Large mills in Richwood included Beem and Biddle, Loveless, Howe, and Bishop, and S. M. and A. J. Blake. There were large tile manufactures, and a plethora of commercial and industrial interests including jewelers, furniture retailers, and lumber yards.
Milford Center was home to mills, distilleries, tanneries, and companies such as the Milford Center Lumber and Supply Company, Ohio Elevator and Grain Company, Robinson and Richter Company, and Childs and Cover, a carriage manufacturer.
Medicine
Union County had many medical professionals from its earliest days. They included Dr. David Henderson, a civil war surgeon and descendant of the House of StuartHouse of Stuart
The House of Stuart is a European royal house. Founded by Robert II of Scotland, the Stewarts first became monarchs of the Kingdom of Scotland during the late 14th century, and subsequently held the position of the Kings of Great Britain and Ireland...
, Dr. T.B. Asbury, educated at Berkshire Medical College in Massachusetts and the nephew of Francis Asbury
Francis Asbury
Bishop Francis Asbury was one of the first two bishops of the Methodist Episcopal Church, now The United Methodist Church in the United States...
, Dr. J.S. Howland, who served with distinction in the civil war under General Burnside, Sherman, Thomas, and Gilmore, Dr. E.Y. King, who graduated from Bellevue Hospital College in New York, Dr. Andrew Sabine, who graduated from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, and Dr. P.W. Lee, among many others. Medical societies included the Union County Medical Association.
Legal
Union County was home to many notable jurists in its early history, including John F. KinneyJohn F. Kinney
John Fitch Kinney was a prominent American attorney, judge, and Democratic politician. He served as Justice of the Supreme Court of Iowa, twice as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah and one term as the Territory of Utah's Delegate in the House of Representatives of the...
, who practiced in Union County in 1836 and eventually became a supreme court justice in Iowa and later a congressman from Utah. Edward Stillings
Edward Stillings
Edward Stillings was an American lawyer, politician, judge, and businessman.-Early life:Edward Stillings was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland in the early 19th century. He was the son of James Stillings and Mary Barnes, a descendant of Sir George Barne III...
grew up near Milford Center and was a graduate of Harvard, and became one of the top jurists in the country, practicing before the United States Supreme Court and helping to form the legal code of Kansas in the 1870s. James Wallace Robinson
James Wallace Robinson
James Wallace Robinson was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.Born in the township of Carby, near Unionville Center, Ohio, Robinson attended the common schools and Marysville Academy....
was a native of Union County and went onto become a U.S. congressman in 1872. James E. Robinson
James E. Robinson
James Edgar Robinson was educated at the local high school and latter attended Wesleyan and Ohio State universities. At the latter he was a member of the first law class. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1893, and began the practice of law in Richwood, Ohio...
, a native of Union County, would eventually become an Ohio Supreme Court justice.
Otway Curry
Otway Curry was a journalist, poet and legislator in the U.S. State of Ohio.-Biography:Otway Curry was born in Greenfield, Highland County, Ohio. At age 7, in 1811, his family moved to Pleasant Valley, Union County, Ohio...
was a nationally known poet who also became a jurist in 1840. Hylas Sabine graduated from Harvard in 1863 and practiced law in the county. Ulysses Cole, the son of Judge P.B. Cole, attended Harvard, practiced law with his father in 1867, and after being elected to the legislature in Indiana, became Deputy United States Assessor for Internal Revenue. Joseph Kennedy was admitted to the bar in 1871 and would become mayor of Marysville. Charles W. Fairbanks
Charles W. Fairbanks
Charles Warren Fairbanks was a Senator from Indiana and the 26th Vice President of the United States ....
was admitted to the bar in 1874 and went onto become a United States Vice President.
Media
In 1844 the paper was purchased by P.B. Cole and W.C. Lawrence, who renamed it the "Argus and Union County Advertiser" and moved the politics toward the Whig party. In 1845 the paper was sold to James Alexander, and after only six weeks, sold back to John Cassil, who turned the paper back into a Democrat political newspaper. In 1846, P.B. Cole bought the newspaper back and turned it back into a Whig political newspaper. In 1849, he sold the paper to C.S. Hamilton, who renamed it the "Marysville Tribune". A notable printer of the Marysville Tribune was Preston Plumb, who eventually left Marysville and became a U.S. Senator in Kansas.
The paper would eventually be purchased by the Shearer family, who published daily editions that were Republican-leaning, and weekly editions that were independent.
Other papers in the county were the "Eaglet", formed in 1845, and lasting only a few months. The "Union Journal", formed in 1853, lasted a year. It would be moved to Xenia, where it became the Xenia News, and edited by Whitelaw Reid
Whitelaw Reid
Whitelaw Reid was a U.S. politician and newspaper editor, as well as the author of a popular history of Ohio in the Civil War.-Early life:...
. The "Union Press" was formed in 1858 by Hylas Sabine and Republican-leaning. In 1863 it was purchased by the Vallandighamer family and changed to the "Union Democrat", which changed the paper in politics and spent its time attacking the Union government during the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It ceased operations in 1864. In 1883 the "Darby News" was formed in Milford Center and eventually became the "Milford Echo" before folding, the "Milford Ohioan" was formed in 1887, the "Richwood Gazette" in 1872, the "Richwood Reporter" in 1882, which ceased operations two years later when destroyed by fire, and the "Octograph Review".
In 1874, the "Marysville Journal" was formed by C.M. Kenton, later becoming the "Union County Journal" and leaned Democrat. By 1883, the "Marysville Tribune" and the "Union County Journal" were the only newspapers published in the county. Eventually the two papers would merge and become what is known today as the Marysville Journal-Tribune.
Banking
The pioneers who composed the large majority of county residents in the early 19th century were generally very poor, meaning that there was no need for a bank in the county's early years. Trade was done by barter, including the exchange of coon and deer skins, whiskey, honey, and other durable goods. The state bank issued currency in the early periods known as "red dogs," "wildcats," and other currencies which passed through the county, with the book the "Bank Detector" published weekly to inform consumers of exchange rates of these currencies. Gold and silver was of little value in the early days, and what banks were formed usually failed.After some banking laws were passed and the production of the county grew, currency gained value in trade, including paper, gold, and silver, and banks were permanently established in the county. The first bank in the county was the Bank of Marysville, established by Andrews, Evans, and Woods in 1854, with its first advertisement appearing in the Marysville Tribune. By 1863 they were selling the U.S. government "520 bonds". The Farmers Bank of Union County was established in 1868 on the Robinson block just east of the public square in Marysville, and by 1904 had merged with the Union Banking Company of Marysville. The Citizens Home and Savings Company was incorporated in 1889 with a million dollars in capital, located in the Liggett Building in Marysville. The Peoples Bank was organized in 1874 in Marysville, with its President being A.J. Whitney. In 1890 the Union Banking Company of Marysville was organized in Marysville by Snider, Asman, David, and Sellers. In 1909 the Commercial Savings Bank was established in Marysville by Braun, Blue, Southard, and Thorp.
In 1904 the Deposit Bank was established in Raymond. Banks were formed in Milford Center including the Milford Center Bank in 1878 by Fullington and Phelps, and the Farmers and Merchant Bank of Milford Center in 1907 by Erb, Reynolds, and Burson. The first bank in Richwood was formed in 1866 by Davis and Allen, but quickly failed. In 1867 the Bank of Richwood was organized by C.S. Hamilton, and would eventually become what is known today as the Richwood Banking Company. The Union County Bank was formed in 1874 in Richwood by Cratty and Blake, the Farmers Deposit Bank of Richwood in 1884 by W.H. Conkright, and the First National Bank of Richwood was formed in 1908 by L.J. McCoy.
Modern development
Memorial Hospital of Union County was constructed in Marysville in 1952. Many other developments would take place during this time, including the construction of the Union County Airport in Marysville, as well as numerous manufacturing companies and small housing developments throughout the county. U.S. Route 33U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33 is a United States federal highway that runs northwest-southeast for 709 miles from northern Indiana to Richmond, Virginia, passing through Ohio and West Virginia en route. Although most odd-numbered U.S...
was expanded from a two lane highway to a four lane highway in the 1980s. In 1860, the county population was around 16,000. By 2000, it had grown to 40,000. For further reference, view cities, villages, and township pages.
Military heritage
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
, and was a frequent location for the organization of military companies. Because the government paid the soldiers with land grants in the west during the revolution, Union County became home to many of these soldiers after the war. A notable soldier was Col. W.L. Curry, who served on the Virginia Line. A recorded 14 soldiers from the revolution eventually made their way to Union County, with many others unrecorded because of poor record keeping.
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
broke out with early battles fought in the Northwest Territory, including Lake Erie. A descendant of a hero, Oliver Hazard Perry
Oliver Hazard Perry
United States Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island , the son of USN Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander, a direct descendant of William Wallace...
, from the War of 1812, named Robert S. Beightler
Robert S. Beightler
Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler was an American military officer and Ohio political insider, engineer, and business owner...
, was a native of Union County. A company of 13 Union County men was assembled for this war, with many other natives of Union County joining companies from outside the county, including a company formed by Jonathan Alder
Jonathan Alder
Jonathan Alder was an American pioneer, and the first white settler in Madison County, Ohio. As a young child living in Virginia, Alder was kidnapped by Shawnee Indians, and later adopted by a Mingo chief in the Ohio Country...
. Over 100 natives of the county would serve in the war.
When the Mexican War
Mexican–American War
The Mexican–American War, also known as the First American Intervention, the Mexican War, or the U.S.–Mexican War, was an armed conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S...
broke in 1845 following the annexation of Texas into the United States, Union County enthusiastically provided men, totalling over 30.
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
followed, which was not greeted in the same manner the previous war was. However, Union County would provide 3200 men for that war, suffering the casualties of 1,035 wounded, killed, or missing, while producing notable leaders such as Norton P. Chipman
Norton P. Chipman
Norton Parker Chipman was an American Civil War army officer, military prosecutor, politician, author, and judge.-Biography:...
. They fought in 31 principal battles, from Bull Run to Appomattox.
Union County would produce veterans from the Spanish-American War, World War One, Mexican Conflict, World War Two, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War, the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars, and the War on Terror, as well as other conflicts throughout the United States' history. Marysville native Cornelia Cole Fairbanks, wife of U.S. Vice President Charles W. Fairbanks, would serve as President of the Daughters of the American Revolution
Daughters of the American Revolution
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a lineage-based membership organization for women who are descended from a person involved in United States' independence....
in the early 20th century.
In 2007, the Union County Veterans Remembrance Committee dedicated the Union County Veterans Memorial on the northeast lawn of the courthouse. This was sponsored through private, public, and corporate grants and donations, including support from the Union County Foundation. In attendance were hundreds of citizens, U.S. Representative Deborah Pryce
Deborah Pryce
Deborah D. Pryce is an American politician from Ohio and former Republican member of the United States House of Representatives for Ohio's 15th congressional district, which includes the western half of Columbus and the surrounding suburbs.She is divorced from Randy Walker and now lives in Upper...
, and many other political and civic leaders. In 2008, the Ohio National Guard
Ohio National Guard
The Ohio National Guard comprises:* Ohio Army National Guard* Ohio Air National Guard-External links:* compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History...
opened a new $8.2 million Marysville facility on the eastside adjacent to the YMCA. The Ohio Army National Guard
Ohio Army National Guard
The Ohio Army National Guard is a part of the United States National Guard and a reserve component of the United States Army. It is also a component of the organized militia of the state of Ohio, which also includes the Ohio Naval Militia, the Ohio Military Reserve and the Ohio Air National Guard...
headquarters in Columbus is named after Marysville native Gen. Robert S. Beightler
Robert S. Beightler
Maj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler was an American military officer and Ohio political insider, engineer, and business owner...
.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 437 square miles (1,132 km²).437 square miles (1,131 km²) of it is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) of it (0.08%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Marion CountyMarion County, OhioMarion County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 66,501. Its county seat is the city of Marion and is named for General Francis "The Swamp Fox" Marion, an officer in the Revolutionary War....
(northeast) - Delaware CountyDelaware County, OhioDelaware County is a fast-growing suburban county in the state of Ohio, United States, within the Columbus, Ohio Metropolitan Statistical Area. According to the United States Census Bureau's 2004 population estimates, Delaware County's population of 142,503 made it the fastest growing county in...
(east) - Franklin CountyFranklin County, OhioFranklin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. In 2010 the population was 1,163,414, making it the second largest county in Ohio and the 34th largest county in population in the United States. Franklin County is also the largest in the eight-county Columbus, Ohio...
(southeast) - Madison CountyMadison County, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 40,213 people, 13,672 households, and 10,035 families residing in the county. The population density was 86 people per square mile . There were 14,399 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile...
(south) - Champaign CountyChampaign County, OhioAs of the census of 2000, there were 38,890 people, 14,952 households, and 10,870 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile . There were 15,890 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
(southwest) - Logan CountyLogan County, OhioLogan County is a county in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 45,858. The county seat is Bellefontaine. The county is named for Benjamin Logan, who fought Native Americans in the area....
(west) - Hardin CountyHardin County, OhioHardin County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 32,058. Its county seat is Kenton and is named for John Hardin, an officer in the American Revolution.-Geography:According to the U.S...
(northwest)
Economy
The largest industry sectors in Union County are agriculture, industrial and manufacturing, and research and development. The county sales tax is 6.75%, and the county typically has unemployment rates below the state and national averages.Agriculture
Agriculture makes up a large portion of the county's economy. Of the county's total acreage of 277760 acres (1,124.1 km²), 230,720 are dedicated to agriculture. In total, there were 1000 farms with annual revenue totaling $85 million in 2006. Federal farm subsidies to Union County totaled $88 million between 1995–2006. Western Union County sits on the edge of the northwest Ohio "wind belt," and has attracted interest from energy companies specializing in wind farms. Ohio produces in excess of five million bushels (130,000 t) of corn per year, and contributes tremendously to regional ethanol production.There are numerous local family farms in Union County, including Mitchell's Farm, Littlefoot Family Farms, Detwiler Farm, Phelps Farm, Blue Spruce Farm and Nursery, Greenleaf Farm, Hickory Lane Farms, Thorne Briar Farm, Hoskins-Hamilton Farm, Hoffman Farm, and Wiley Farm, as well as agricultural services corporations like Ohigro. There is a Union County Farmer's Market.
Day Lay Egg Farms is an industrial farm with operations in the western part of the county. Select Sires, a bio-tech firm and a world leader in livestock reproductive services, is located in the southeastern part of the county. The Ohio State University
Ohio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
operates an agricultural extension office in the central portion of the county. Hi-Q Egg Products is investing $80 million in a new industrial farm operation in the western part of the county.
Jack Foust
A notable local area farmer is Jack Foust, who has spent more than half of a century in the agriculture industry. His cattle at the Mayflower Farm have produced world records, while he himself has publicly served in positions appointed by the United States Secretary of Agriculture Bob Bergland and Ohio Governor Richard Celeste. He has been chairman of the Union County Board of Elections, and is an inductee into the Ohio Agricultural Hall of Fame.Industrial
In 2007, the estimated value of manufacturing operations in the county was well over $3.5 billion.It is the home to major corporations, including Scotts Miracle-Gro and Univenture. Major corporations operating regional facilities in the county include Honda of America, Goodyear/Veyance Technologies, Parker Hanifin, United Rotary Brush, and Invensys Climate Control. The Honda operation includes the Marysville Auto Plant. Other large companies located in the county include Sumitomo Electric Wiring Systems, Ray Lewis and Son, Velocys, MAI Manufacturing, NEX Transport, and Midwest Express, among others.
Between 2000–2007, Union County businesses were awarded $9.3 million in United States Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
contracts. The companies receiving those contracts were the Electronic Services Agency, Parker Hanifin, United Rotary Brush, and Leo Berbee Bulb Company.
Research and development
Union County is home to major research and development operations. Nestlé is located in Marysville, and in recent years improved their facilities with a modern, multi-million dollar makeover. Scotts Miracle-Gro also has their R&D operations located on their corporate campus. The Transportation Research Center, a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to transportation research, is located on the western county line. A unit of Univenture, Algae Venture Systems, recently made a breakthrough by developing a process to produce algae as a cost-effective biofuel.Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 40,909 people, 14,346 households, and 10,888 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile (36/km²). There were 15,217 housing units at an average density of 35 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.25% WhiteRace (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.81% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.18% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.54% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.22% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.98% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 14,346 households out of which 38.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.40% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.10% were non-families. 19.90% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.70 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the population was spread out with 27.60% under the age of 18, 7.50% from 18 to 24, 34.00% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 9.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $51,743, and the median income for a family was $58,384. Males had a median income of $40,910 versus $27,405 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,577. About 3.60% of families and 4.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.30% of those under age 18 and 7.80% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The county receives its power through Ohio statute. It has three elected commissioners that serve four years, as well as an elected treasurer, auditor, recorder, coroner, clerk of courts, engineer, prosecuting attorney, sheriff, and judges. In 2007, the county had $112 million in assets, and revenues of $50 million.In 2009, the county commissioners were Gary Lee, Tom McCarthy, and Charles Hall, the common pleas court
Ohio Courts of Common Pleas
The Ohio Courts of Common Pleas are the trial courts of the state court system of Ohio.The courts of common pleas are the trial courts of general jurisdiction in the state. They are the only trial courts created by the Ohio Constitution . The duties of the courts are outlined in Article IV, Section...
judge was Don Fraser, and the sheriff was Rocky Nelson. The probate and juvenile judge was Charlotte Eufinger, the engineer Jeff Stauch, the treasurer Tamara Lowe, the auditor Mary Snider, the clerk of courts Teresa Nickle, and the recorder Teresa Markham. The Union County Prosecuting Attorney is Hon. David Phillips. Phillips was elected prosecuting attorney in 2004.
The county is a part of the 15th U.S. congressional district in Ohio, the 83rd Ohio legislative district in Ohio, and the 26th Ohio senate district.
Politics
Union County is a Republican PartyRepublican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
stronghold. Its strong Republican roots go back to the formation of the party in the 1800s following the collapse of the Whig Party
Whig Party (United States)
The Whig Party was a political party of the United States during the era of Jacksonian democracy. Considered integral to the Second Party System and operating from the early 1830s to the mid-1850s, the party was formed in opposition to the policies of President Andrew Jackson and his Democratic...
, which had previously been the preferred party.
The county has supported the Republican party in each of the last 13 presidential elections. In the last five presidential elections the Democratic candidate has never received more than 38% of the county's vote.
As part of Ohio's 5th congressional district
Ohio's 5th congressional district
Ohio's 5th congressional district is in northwestern and north central Ohio and borders Michigan and Indiana. The district is currently represented by Republican Bob Latta. Currently, all of Crawford, Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Huron, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams, and Wood...
and Ohio's 15th congressional district
Ohio's 15th congressional district
The 15th congressional district of Ohio is currently represented by Republican Steve Stivers.Union County and Madison County are entirely within the district's boundaries as is approximately half of Franklin County...
it had been represented by Republicans for almost seventy years until the 2008 election, when Democrat Mary Jo Kilroy
Mary Jo Kilroy
Mary Jo Kilroy is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 2009 until 2011. She is a member of the Democratic Party from Ohio. In her first term she introduced a bill to lend $20 million per year to small businesses and an amendment to assign liability to credit reporting agencies. She...
, won a close, disputed contest against Steve Stivers
Steve Stivers
Steve Stivers is the U.S. Representative for He is a member of the Republican Party. Stivers previously served in the Ohio Senate, representing the 16th district...
.
The county is in the 83rd Ohio House district. In 2008, the Democrats failed to field a candidate and the seat was won by Republican freshman Dave Burke. He was preceded by Tony Core
Tony Core
Anthony Core, commonly called Tony Core, is an American politician from Ohio and a former Republican member of the Ohio General Assembly. A graduate of The Ohio State University, he is a lawyer from rural Rushsylvania in Logan County....
, who left the legislature because of term limits. Portions of U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33 is a United States federal highway that runs northwest-southeast for 709 miles from northern Indiana to Richmond, Virginia, passing through Ohio and West Virginia en route. Although most odd-numbered U.S...
in the county are named for Ed Core
Ed Core
Edward Core, commonly called Ed Core, was an American politician from Ohio and a Republican member of the Ohio General Assembly representing district 87. Core died of a heart attack on August 9, 1999 and his son Tony was appointed to his seat....
, Tony's father. The county is in the 26th Ohio Senate district, currently represented by Karen Gillmor
Karen Gillmor
Karen Gillmor is a Republican politician who served in the Ohio Senate, and who now serves on the Ohio Industrial Commission. She is the widow of former U.S. Congressman Paul Gillmor.-Life and career:...
, the wife of former U.S. Congressman Paul Gillmor
Paul Gillmor
Paul Eugene Gillmor was an American politician of the Republican Party who served as the U.S. Representative from the 5th congressional district of Ohio from 1989 until his death....
.
Communities
Villages
|
Plain City, Ohio Plain City is a village on the west banks of Big Darby Creek, in the northern part of Darby Township, Madison County and the southern part of Jerome Township, Union County in the U.S. state of Ohio... (part) Richwood, Ohio Richwood is a village in Claibourne Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. The population was 2,156 at the 2000 census.-History:The town of Richwood was laid out in 1832, by Philip Plummer. In 1834, road work was completed, and all the roads going into the town were gravelled... |
Unionville Center, Ohio Unionville Center is a village in Union County, Ohio, in the United States. The population was 299 at the 2000 census.The village is home to the Charles W. Fairbanks Festival that is held each May... |
Unincorporated communities
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Essex, Ohio Essex is an unincorporated community located on the east side of Rush Creek in the central part of Jackson Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of State Routes 37 and 739.... Irwin, Ohio Irwin is an unincorporated community in southwestern Union Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of Ohio State Route 4 and 161.... Jerome, Ohio Jerome is an unincorporated community in Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of Jerome Road and Scioto Road , about 2 miles east of New California.... Lunda, Ohio Lunda is an unincorporated community in Libery Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of Lunda Road and Perkins Road , about 3 miles southeast of West Mansfield.... New California, Ohio New California is a census-designated place in central Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of U.S. Route 42 and Industrial Parkway, just south of 42's intersection with U.S. Route 33.-Local geography:... New Dover, Ohio New Dover is an unincorporated community in Dover Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , along U.S. Route 36, about 3 miles east of Marysville.... Peoria, Ohio Peoria is an unincorporated community in Liberty Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , along Raymond Road, about 1 mile south of Raymond.... |
Pharisburg, Ohio Pharisburg is an unincorporated community in Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of Ohio State Routes 4 and 347, about 2 miles west of Magnetic Springs.... Pottersburg, Ohio Pottersburg is an unincorporated community in Allen Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , along U.S. Route 33 between Marysville and Bellefountaine, about 4 miles west of Marysville.... Raymond, Ohio Raymond is an unincorporated community in eastern Liberty Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. Although it is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 43067. It is located at the intersection of State Routes 347 and 739.... Somersville, Ohio Somersville is an unincorporated community in York Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of Ohio State Routes 31 and 47.-History:... Watkins, Ohio Watkins is an unincorporated community in Mill Creek Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , along Watkins Road, between U.S. Route 33 and U.S. Route 42, about 5 miles east of Marysville.... Woodland, Ohio Woodland is an unincorporated community in Jackson Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of Woodland Road and Fox Road , about 5 miles northeast of Richwood.... York Center, Ohio York Center is an unincorporated community in York Township, Union County, Ohio, United States. It is located at , at the intersection of State Routes 47 and 739.As of 1877, the community contained one store, one blacksmith shop, and one church.... |
Townships
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Jerome Township, Union County, Ohio Jerome Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 3,950 people in the township, 3,033 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Leesburg Township, Union County, Ohio Leesburg Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,438 people in the township, 1,115 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Liberty Township, Union County, Ohio Liberty Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,705 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the western part of the county, it borders the following townships:*York Township - north... Millcreek Township, Union County, Ohio Millcreek Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,261 people in the township, 1,252 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Paris Township, Union County, Ohio Paris Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 17,549 people in the township, 1,617 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... |
Taylor Township, Union County, Ohio Taylor Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,444 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the center of the county, it borders the following townships:*Claibourne Township - northeast... Union Township, Union County, Ohio Union Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,565 people in the township, 939 of whom lived in the unincorporated portions of the township.-Geography:... Washington Township, Union County, Ohio Washington Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 705 people in the township. In that year, the township included 413 registered voters.-Geography:... York Township, Union County, Ohio York Township is one of the fourteen townships of Union County, Ohio, United States. The 2000 census found 1,174 people in the township.-Geography:Located in the northwestern part of the county, it borders the following townships:... |
Notable residents
- Charles W. FairbanksCharles W. FairbanksCharles Warren Fairbanks was a Senator from Indiana and the 26th Vice President of the United States ....
- 26th Vice-President of the United States - Preston B. Plumb- United States Senator
- Martha RootMartha RootMartha Louise Root was a prominent traveling teacher of the Bahá'í Faith in the late 19th and early 20th century. Shoghi Effendi, the Guardian of the Bahá'í Faith called her "the foremost travel teacher in the first Bahá'í Century", and named her a Hand of the Cause posthumously...
– teacher of the Bahá'í FaithBahá'í FaithThe Bahá'í Faith is a monotheistic religion founded by Bahá'u'lláh in 19th-century Persia, emphasizing the spiritual unity of all humankind. There are an estimated five to six million Bahá'ís around the world in more than 200 countries and territories....
in the late 19th and early 20th century - Robert S. BeightlerRobert S. BeightlerMaj. Gen. Robert S. Beightler was an American military officer and Ohio political insider, engineer, and business owner...
- military general and contributor to the modern Interstate Highway SystemInterstate Highway SystemThe Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways, , is a network of limited-access roads including freeways, highways, and expressways forming part of the National Highway System of the United States of America...
and Ohio TurnpikeOhio TurnpikeThe Ohio Turnpike, officially the James W. Shocknessy Ohio Turnpike, is a -long, limited-access toll highway in the U.S. state of Ohio, serving as a primary corridor to Chicago and Pittsburgh... - James Wallace RobinsonJames Wallace RobinsonJames Wallace Robinson was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.Born in the township of Carby, near Unionville Center, Ohio, Robinson attended the common schools and Marysville Academy....
- United States Congressman - Arthur E. DrummArthur E. DrummArthur E. Drumm is an American inventor and industrialist of the modern street sweeping and industrial broom industry.-Early life:...
- industrialist, inventor, and industrial broom pioneer - Norton P. ChipmanNorton P. ChipmanNorton Parker Chipman was an American Civil War army officer, military prosecutor, politician, author, and judge.-Biography:...
– American Civil WarAmerican Civil WarThe American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
army officer, co-founder of the Grand Army of the RepublicGrand Army of the RepublicThe Grand Army of the Republic was a fraternal organization composed of veterans of the Union Army, US Navy, US Marines and US Revenue Cutter Service who served in the American Civil War. Founded in 1866 in Decatur, Illinois, it was dissolved in 1956 when its last member died...
, author of the order creating Memorial DayMemorial DayMemorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War... - Chase BlackburnChase BlackburnChase Blackburn is an American football linebacker for the New York Giants of the National Football League. He was signed by the Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2005. He played college football for Akron....
- world champion professional American football athlete - Edward StillingsEdward StillingsEdward Stillings was an American lawyer, politician, judge, and businessman.-Early life:Edward Stillings was born in Havre de Grace, Maryland in the early 19th century. He was the son of James Stillings and Mary Barnes, a descendant of Sir George Barne III...
- American jurist, politician, businessman - Beriah WilkinsBeriah WilkinsBeriah Wilkins was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.-Biography:Born near Richwood, Ohio, Wilkins attended the common schools of Marysville, Ohio. During the American Civil War, he enlisted as a private in Company H, One Hundred and Thirty-sixth Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, May 2, 1864, and...
- United States Congressman - Orlando ScottOrlando ScottOrlando Scott was an American Civil War veteran and the founder of the O.M. Scott and Sons company in 1868 in Marysville, Ohio, which would eventually become Scotts Miracle-Gro company.-References:...
- founder of the O.M. Scott and Sons Company, later becoming the Scotts Miracle-Gro CompanyScotts Miracle-Gro CompanyThe Scotts Miracle-Gro Company is an American multinational corporation headquartered in Marysville, Ohio.-Overview:Scotts Miracle-Gro Company manufactures branded consumer products for lawn and garden care, and also provides products for professional horticulture... - James E. RobinsonJames E. RobinsonJames Edgar Robinson was educated at the local high school and latter attended Wesleyan and Ohio State universities. At the latter he was a member of the first law class. He graduated from Ohio State University in 1893, and began the practice of law in Richwood, Ohio...
- Ohio Supreme Court Justice - Cornelius S. HamiltonCornelius S. HamiltonCornelius Springer Hamilton was a U.S. Representative from Ohio.Born in Gratiot, Ohio, Hamilton attended the common schools and Denison University.He moved with his parents to Union County in 1839....
- United States Congressman - John F. KinneyJohn F. KinneyJohn Fitch Kinney was a prominent American attorney, judge, and Democratic politician. He served as Justice of the Supreme Court of Iowa, twice as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the Territory of Utah and one term as the Territory of Utah's Delegate in the House of Representatives of the...
- American jurist and politician - Thomas B. WardThomas B. WardThomas Bayless Ward was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.Born in Marysville, Ohio, Ward moved with his parents to La Fayette, Indiana, in May 1836....
- United States Congressman - Darren Hall- professional American baseball athlete