TOPE FAMILY PAGE

Chapter 3, page 18

The Family Moves West

    Levi and Sarah Tope were in Richland Township, Alien County, Ohio, by
January 1843,¹ along with their family which included three additional chil-
dren bom there. The family now included Hiram, age 11; Martha, age 9;
George D., age 7; Eli Henry, age 5; Mary Catherine, age 3; and Sarah Eliza-
beth, age 1.² Interestingly, four children were bom on this farm in Richland
Township, but in two different counties. George D. and Eli were born in
Putnam County, but Mary Catherine and Sarah Elizabeth were bom in Allen
County. This situation occurred when the new county, Auglaize, was erected
in 1848.
    To form Auglaize County, a large portion of Allen County was reduced,
and parts of Putnam on the north (including Richland Township), Mercer
and Van Wert on the west were merged to give symmetry to Allen County.³
Thus, Richland Township became part of Allen County, accounting for the
four last children being bom in different counties.

Levi's Temperament
    An interesting anecdote involving Levi appeared in an Allen County,
Ohio, story that indicates some of his temperament. His stubbornness is seen
in these excerpts from the transcript of the docket of John Amstutz, Justice of
the Peace of Richland Township, Allen County in the case of the State of Ohio
against Levi Tope.⁴
            This day appeared before me John Amstutz, a Justice of the Peace
            of said county, Isaac N. Mark, and made oath by an affidavit that
            Levi Tope assaulted and struck him in a menacing manner. There-
            fore the said Isaac N. Mark was the complainant and said Levi Tope
            the defendant. A State warrant was therefore issued forthwith
            against said Levi Tope, defendant, and the same was delivered by
            the said Isaac N. Mark. to William Lewis, Constable of Richland
            Township. . . . There was also a subpoena issued for State witnesses
            against [a list of nine men followed] who were commanded to ap-
            pear forthwith July 1, 1857. . . The said Levi Tope appeared before
            me at half past 9 o'clock . . . and asked for a subpoena for [a list of
            nine men followed] . . . to appear to defend him. . .

Notes:

1. Census, 1850 Richland Township, Allen county, Ohio, Dwelling numbered 1872 Families Numbered 1872, p.366.
2. Ibid.
3. History of Allen County, Ohio (Chicago, Warner, Beers & Co., 1855)
4. Ibid, pp. 226-228.
   

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