Cindy, theres STILL "something special about this area of Indiana," not just in 1850. (I miss it!) I think the clue is that someone led the way, sent word back about the great soil, etc., so others followed. My g-grandfather, Jacob Long, was born in Holmes Co., OH. He married in Coshocton Co., OH, then moved to Franklin Twp., Kos. Co., IN. He later moved to Newcastle Twp. in Fulton Co. When his first wife died, he went back to Holmes Co. to get his second wife. I've done lots of research on Coshocton Co., OH, and find that MANY families who were early settlers in Newcastle Twp, Fulton Co., came from there. They must have liked northern Indiana; they stayed! Justin Long Monroe, GA