James Stokes built the first frame house in the area. The next two years brought John Sharp, Moses Evans, James Stokes, and Joseph Stokes. Daniel, his son, was the first child born here. By trade a blacksmith, he was also a Quaker preacher. This cabin was built by Job Sharp about 300 feet to the south of the current home of the Harold Elliott and Robert Templeton families. The story of the first cabin built is not detailed clearly, however, the second stood long enough for the following photo to be taken. She was highly esteemed by all the early settlers, and her dying request was that she should be buried, not in the cemetery, but at the roadside, so that her friends might see her grave when passing, and thus call to mind her beneficence. His wife, Phebe, who survived him a short time, was a remarkable woman, being for many years the only physician in this locality, and well versed, it is said, in those simple but effective remedies that were used in curing diseases which prevailed in pioneer settlements. Thus, in the midst of the mighty forest which stretched for miles in every direction, and in whose shades lurked the Indian and his still more savage companions, the wolf and panther, beleaguered by the terrible privations of pioneer life, then was planted the germ of that civilization which today flourishes throughout the length and breadth of this section. In the spring a small clearing was made, upon which they raise a crop. He remained here but a short time, and then with his family, consisting of Phebe, Achsah and Sarah, together with his son-in-law, Carlisle Haines, a mere lad, he started with a four-horse team for the head waters of the Machachack, and arrived in what is now Zane Township on Christmas Day, 1801. He was a native of New Jersey, but entered the north-western territory from Culpepper Co, Va., locating near Chillicothe in 1800.

Job Sharp, the first white settler in either Logan or Champaign Counties. The first recorded land was by Robert Power - March 17, 1800.

A great number of wild animals provided meat therefore, all the essentials to make this area 'home' for many in the early 1800's could be found here. Drinking water was plentiful in the form of natural springs. The soil was rich and trees in abundance. Big Darby and Mill Creek began here, making for a natural watershed which was very important to the early settler. Not in existence until 1816, Logan was then Champaign County. It is one of the oldest in current Logan County.

Zane Township was organized in 1818, and was named for Isaac Zane, a pioneer settler.

Stokes township logan county ohio