Russell Bigelow was one of the earliest settlers in Union Township. In 1813, he purchased a tract of land in the Darby Plains, which was just a barren wasteland at the time, and built a cabin. He had 11 children with wife on the homestead. His third born, Russell, became a prominent and popular reverend in the local church.

Reuban L. Partridge was born on September 10, 1823 in New York. His parents, Cyrus and Lucina Partridge, eventually traveled to Franklin County, Ohio. They were among the early settlers of the county. When Cyrus died in 1836, Lucina moved the family to Marysville, Ohio. Reuban learned the wood working trade from his half-brother, Rowland Lee. Partridge was a wagon maker for roughly eight years. He later chose to follow the carpenter's trade.

In 1855, Partridge got his first bridge building contract, which was the first self supporting bridge in Union County. By 1866, Partridge was building bridges full time. In 1872, he received a patent for his truss design, the Partridge Truss. By 1883, Partridge had built over 125 bridges. Most of them were built in Union County. In his later years, Partridge became the vice president of the Columbus Bridge Company. He often supervised the construction of the bridges. In July, 1900, he was supervising the repair of the Alsaugh Bridge when he fell and broke his leg. Reuban L. Partridge died in July, 1900 from complications due to the broken leg.