James Seeds

Another early pioneer in Jackson Township was James Seeds. He owned 1,000 acres in the area we now identify as Seeds Road south of Grove City. He was an important man in the community because he provided the early residents with a critical mineral. For years, he brought salt to the area using pack horses along a primitive, blazed trail from Zanesville, now known at U.S. Rt. 40, the National Road. Salt was a vital commodity in the early settlements because it impacted daily life; salt was essential for food preservation and was used to cure meats and preserve vegetables. In the early 1800s, the salt trade flourished, particularly in the Ohio Valley region where it could command high prices, ranging from $4 to $6 per bushel.