article

More on Early History of County: Mrs. Pursel's Narrative

Era: 20th Century (1920–2000)
Date: March 27, 1924
Source: Paulding Democrat, March 27, 1924. Reprinted in Paulding Pathways, Paulding County Chapter OGS, Vol. 6 No. 2, May 1992, p. 15.
Rights & source note: Newspaper reprint via a local genealogical society newsletter; rights status not otherwise confirmed.
Tags: paulding democratpaulding pathwayspioneer reminiscence1850county seat

Mrs. A.M. Pursel came to Paulding as a five- or six-year-old girl in 1850 — “when the county seat was moved from Charloe to this place” — traveling by the old Anthony Wayne and Fort Defiance road, the only wagon road between those points. She recalled only five families living there at the time (Campbells, Torrys, Hickersons, Kohns, and Shafers from Indiana, plus Judge Latty from Charloe), abundant wild game (deer, squirrel, coon, and occasional bear, with wolves howling at night), and the first term of court held in her family’s own home — the first house built in Paulding — with Judge Latty presiding. She also recalled the first courthouse, a two-story frame building that later burned.

Her 1850 date for the move from Charloe is one of several this archive has on record — see the note on conflicting dates in The Many Names Given to Paulding County.

See the full PDF for the complete narrative.