Harpersfield Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harpersfield Township, Ashtabula County, Ohio
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Harpersfield Township's former government building
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Location of Harpersfield Township in Ashtabula County
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Ohio | ||
| County | Ashtabula | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 25.9 sq mi (67.2 km2) | ||
| • Land | 25.8 sq mi (67.0 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 886 ft (270 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,591 | ||
| • Density | 104.5/sq mi (40.2/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| FIPS code | 39-33642 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1085727 | ||
Harpersfield Township is a small community located in Ashtabula County, Ohio, in the United States. It is one of 27 townships in this county. According to the 2020 United States Census, about 2,591 people live here.
Contents
Where is Harpersfield Township?
Harpersfield Township is found on the northwestern side of Ashtabula County. It shares its borders with several other townships:
- Geneva Township is to the north.
- The northeast corner touches Saybrook Township.
- To the east, you'll find Austinburg Township.
- The southeast corner borders Morgan Township.
- Trumbull Township is located to the south.
- The southwest corner meets Thompson Township in Geauga County.
- To the west, it borders Madison Township in Lake County.
A part of the city of Geneva is in the northern area of Harpersfield Township. Also, the community of Unionville is in the township's northwest part.
History of Harpersfield Township
Harpersfield Township is special because it's the only township with this name in the entire state of Ohio.
How Harpersfield Got Its Name
The township was first settled by a man named Colonel Alexander Harper. He was a soldier from the Revolutionary War. Colonel Harper and his family moved here from Harpersfield, New York, on June 28, 1798. Sadly, Colonel Harper passed away in September of that same year.
The First Burial Site
It is believed that soon after arriving, Colonel Harper set aside a piece of land to be used as a cemetery. He was the very first person to be buried there. His grave is thought to be the first identified burial site of a white person in the area known as the Western Reserve. A special monument marks his grave, telling about his life as a pioneer and patriot. This historic cemetery is located near the county line, in the village of Unionville.
Early Life in the Township
In 1833, Harpersfield Township was described as a busy place. It had one store where people could buy goods. There were also two flouring mills, which ground grain into flour. Two sawmills helped cut timber, and a fulling mill processed cloth. The township also had two forges, where metal was shaped and worked.
