Jesse Fast ^{1 2 3 4 5 6 7}

  General Notes:

Source: Unknown

"Jesse Fast, residing on Section 1, Eaton Township, Eaton, is one of its representative men, and is a pioneer resident of this State. He was born 21 Sep 1831 (sic), in Ashland County, Ohio, and is the son of William and Anne Fast. He parents were natives of Pennsylvania and came to Ashland County, Ohio, in the early days of its settlement. They continued to reside in that State during the remainder of their lives. Mr. Fast is one of a family of nine children. His brothers and sisters are: Sarah, residing in Ashland County, Ohio; Levi, in this county; Jesse; Jones, a resident of Ashland County, Ohio; and Joshua, residing in Brookfield Township.

The father (sic - probably meant to say "Grandfather") of our subject was a Revolutionary soldier and had a remarkable military career. Our subject was reared to manhood in his native State, and was brought up amid the wild scenes of those pioneer times. He received but a limited common-school education in the old time log schoolhouse that has been so often described. While still in his teens Mr. Fast assumed the control of his father's farm, which he conducted for some time. During these pioneer years he added to his elementary education by reading upon all sorts of topics.

Our subject was united in marriage 18 Jun 1853, with Mary A. Krebs, a native of the same county as himself. Mrs. Fast was born 29 Feb 1832, and is the daughter of Mathias and Elizabeth (Fast) Krebs. Her parents were both natives of Pennsylvania, but removed to Ohio and were among the early settlers of that State. Mrs. Fast was one of a large family of children. The following named are some of the surviving members: Amanda, wife of Elijah Brown, residing in Ashland County, Ohio; Barbara A., widow of Nelson Ball, is a resident of Brookfield Township; Christian, living in the same township; Eli, also a resident of Brookfield Township; and Mrs. Joel Shultz, a resident of the State of Indiana.

Our subject and his wife are the parents of two children--Archie L., deceased, and Melissa, wife of Milton Hunt, residing in Detroit, Mich. One of their grandsons, Jesse Wright, the son of their daughter, makes his home with them. In 1854 they removed to Eaton County and settled on their present farm. This farm containing eighty acres was at that time all wild land. Mr. Fast cut the first stick of timber on the land and also in the neighborhood. He first put up a log cabin 18x24 feet in dimensions and lived in it for several years. He and his wife had to undergo all the hardships connected with those early days. By a subsequent purchase he has added eighty acres more to the home farm, which now contains one hundred and sixty acres of well-improved and fertile land. In all these years of work he has been ably assisted by his wife. By their united industry they are now able, while still in the prime of life, to rest from active work and enjoy their comfortable home. His farm is one of the finest in the town ship and is a standing monument to his industry and perseverance. Socially he is a member of the Patrons of Industry. In politics he is a Democrat. He and his good wife are well-known and highly respected members of the society of the community and are among the pioneers of their neighborhood."

NOTE - Researcher Larry Overmire correctly points out that while the second paragraph above states that the father of Jesse was a Revolutionary soldier, it would be an impossibility because his father, William, was not born until 1794. Obviously the above article meant the grandfather, Christian Fast.
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  Noted events in his life were:

• He appeared on the 1850 US Census in Orange Township, Ashland, OH on 19 October 1850. ⁴

1850 US Census
Page 490B, Roll 658, Dwelling 224, Family 227
Orange Township, Ashland County, Ohio
Jesse Fast..20..OH..Farmer
(Living with parents.)

NOTE - If his birth date was 21 Sep 1830, then his age should have been 19 instead of 20.
.

• He appeared on the 1860 US Census in Eaton Township, Eaton, MI on 2 June 1860. ⁵

1860 US Census
Page 4, Roll 542, Dwelling 31, Family 31
Eaton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
Jesse Fast..29..OH..Farmer
(Living with wife and daughter.)
.

• He appeared on the 1870 US Census in Eaton Township, Eaton, MI on 17 August 1870. ⁶

1870 US Census
Page 11, Dwelling 87, Household 88
Eaton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
James Fort..39..OH..Farmer
(Living with wife and daughter.)
.

• He appeared on the 1880 US Census in Eaton Township, Eaton, MI on 4 June 1880. ²

1880 US Census
Page 190C, Roll 0578, District 70, Dwelling 69, Family 69
Eaton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
Jesse Fast..Self..50..OH..Farmer
(Living with wife, married daughter, and 2 grandchildren.)
.

• He was buried in 1900 in the Maple Hill Cemetery in Charlotte, MI.

Plot: Sec C, Lot 18
Find A Grave Memorial #55533870
. ⁷

Jesse married Mary Ann Krebs, daughter of Mathias Krebs and Elizabeth Fast, on 18 June 1853 in Ashland County, OH.^{1 2} (Mary Ann Krebs was born on 29 February 1832 in Ashland County, OH,^{1 2 3 6 8} died on 15 January 1891 in Eaton Township, Eaton, MI and was buried after 15 January 1891 in Charlotte, MI.)

  Noted events in their marriage were:

• They appeared on the 1860 US Census in Eaton Township, Eaton, MI on 2 June 1860. ⁵

1860 US Census
Page 4, Roll 542, Dwelling 31, Family 31
Eaton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
Jesse Fast..29..OH..Farmer
Mary A. Fast..27..OH
Messissa Ann Fast..5..MI
.

• They appeared on the 1870 US Census in Eaton Township, Eaton, MI on 17 August 1870. ⁶

1870 US Census
Page 11, Dwelling 87, Household 88
Eaton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
James Fort..39..OH..Farmer
Mary Fort..38..OH..Keeping House
Melissa Fort..15..MI..Attending School

NOTE - This must be the worst case I've seen of an enumerator writing the names down incorrectly. Jesse Fast somehow was written down as James Fort.
.

• They appeared on the 1880 US Census in Eaton Township, Eaton, MI on 4 June 1880. ²

1880 US Census
Page 190C, Roll 0578, District 70, Dwelling 69, Family 69
Eaton Township, Eaton County, Michigan
Jesse Fast..Self..50..OH..Farmer
Mary A. Fast..Wife..48..OH..Keeping House
Melissa Wright..Boarder..26..MI
Mella L. Wright..Her Daughter..6..MI
Jesse H. Wright..And her son..4..MI
Lilla D. Krebs..Daughter..6..MI

NOTE - Althought listed as "Boarder", Melissa Wright was the married daughter of Jesse Fast. She had briefly been married to Joseph Henry Wright and apparently was back living with her parents along with her 2 children, Mella and Jesse. The relationship should have been shown as "Daughter" and "Grandchildren" instead of as Boarder and her children. However, I can not figure out who "Lilla D. Krebs" was. She was listed as a "Daughter" of Jesse Fast but at the age of 6 why would she have her mother's maiden name? Her parents birth locations actually do match those of Jesse and Mary Ann but I suspect she was probably a niece to Mary Ann.
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  Marriage Notes:

Jesse Fast and Mary Krebs were 1st cousins.
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