The next destination on my Virtual Hike was Osnaburg, Ohio.

The previous destination on my virtual hike was Cadiz, Ohio.

The virtual hike route from Cadiz went through forested areas before entering areas with more fields.

The roads were mostly narrow and went through the country, but there were a few small towns along the way.

Eventually there were less trees along the way and more fields.

My destination was where the village of Osnaburg had been founded. The area is now know as East Canton, but it is in Osnaburg Township. The structure above is the home of the Osnaburg Historical Society which has helped me find more information about the Leeper family.

At one time Canton and Osnaburg vied for the town seat of Stark County, but Canton won out.

Osnaburg was originally platted in 1806 by my 5th Great Grandfather James Leeper. He was born near Cross Creek and Eldersville, Pennsylvania and moved to Ohio after most of his children were born. His wife Elizabeth Kent’s parents lived in Cadiz, so they were not far away.

There are some interesting stories about James Leeper and his time in Osnaburg which I will share in a future post. However, I will share one of them now as it concerns his death. While suffering from delerium tremens he left his house at night and the next morning was found drowned in a pond. He was a widower when he died in 1823 at the age of 50.

James and Elizabeth’s son Absolom was living in Montgomery County, Ohio and had just married in 1823, but he had grown up in Osnaburg. The current plan for the Virtual Hike will include a stop in Montgomery County.

I am still working on the route of my virtual hike, but I may make a stop in Amish country before heading further west in Ohio. I then plan on heading south into Kentucky. Most of my stops will be related to Family History.

Steven

Images in this post are from Google Maps and Street View

WWRI – Written With Real Intelligence