ISRAEL NESTELROADE (Nestlerode or Nesselrode) the first actual white settler of Perry Township, was born in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, December 2, 1795. His ancestors were Polish-Russian aristocrats; but in the famous "insurrection" a partof the family joined the insurgents under Kosciusko, only a few of whom afterwards escaped to the wilds of America. Those of the Nesselrode family who remained loyal to the Russian government were rewarded with official positions. Count Nesselrode, a cousin of Israel's father, represented Russia at Washington during Jackson's administration. John Nestlerode and his son Christian-grandfather and father of Israel-fought for American Independence in the Revolutionary War. In 1776, at the age of fourteen, Christian entered the service as a teamster, and many anecdotes of his faithful bravery during the long struggle for freedom are preserved by his descendents. Israel Nestelroade the subject of this sketch, is the tenth of twenty-six children. His youth was passed in the active employments of lumbering, fishing and farming. On the 22nd of May, 1823, he was married in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to Susannah Torrey. He was then 27 years old, and his wife was 22. In October, 1830, they removed to Crawford County, Ohio, transporting all their effects in one wagon. Not entirely satisfied with Crawford County, in September 1831, he started out on foot, with his gun, to look for a permanent home for his family. John Gorsuch, "the old land hunter," piloted him through the wilderness many days, but Mr. Nestelroade saw no land that suited him so well as, "the island,"-about a section of high land surrounded by swales, situated within the present limits of this township. The Wyandotte Indians afterwards named it "Nestelrode's Island," which name it still bears. After securing the title to the land at the Tiffin Land Office, Mr. N. hired a man with a yoke of oxen to help him cut and haul the logs for a cabin, and obtaining assistance from the "Gorsuch Settlement," the cabin was raised and roofed with clap-boards. In February (1832) he removed his family to their new home, where they arrived after a journey of thirteen days through fifty-two miles of primitive forest. The natural difficulties of the way, which can be understood by pioneers only, were increased by a sheet of ice when then covered a large portion of the ground, and by unusually inclement weather. On Sunday, February 27, 1832, the family entered the log cabin and cooked their first meal on the ground between the sleepers. The house was yet destitute of door, window, and fireplace, and only half of the floor was laid, and that was composed of hewed "puncheons." The next morning, with a capital of five dollars in money, and but little else, Israel Nestleroade and his faithful wife, with four little children, began their life-work. All of Southeastern Wood County was a free pasture for their stock, consisting of a mare and colt, a cow and heifer. The first two soon wandered to parts unknown, and were lost; but their place was filled by an Indian pony which strayed to their cabin and stayed with them. During the first Summer they were kept in constant suspense and alarm by numerous bands of armed Indians, who, with painted faces, were hastening westward to join Black Hawk in his war on the frontier. To obtain the friendship of these roving savages, they gave them, or sol to them on credit, their entire store of provisions and all their little crop of vegetables. This left the family in destitute circumstances at the beginning of the Winter of 1832-1833, and but for assistance obtained from friends living near Galion, they must have suffered. This venerable couple still reside on their old homestead. Two years ago their "golden wedding" was celebrated by their children and friends. They have six children, Christopher C., Margaret (deceased), Sarah, Israel, Jeremiah and La Fayette (deceased).

Wood County Ohio Atlas, 1875