Ohio is composed of 88 counties, one of which is Shelby, named for General Shelby of Kentucky, who was involved in Indian Affairs in this locality. 1819 is the recorded date for the start of Shelby County. The county was subdivided into townships, one of which is Jackson which lays in the north eastern corner of the county.

Jackson Center started May 4, 1835 with 24 lots. Businesses in the area included dry goods stores, a shoe shop, a blacksmith shop, an undertaking and wagon shop, a cabinet maker, a hotel known as the Carter House, Heinler Hardware, a drug store, a bicycle and musical instrument shop, a restaurant, a bakery and ice cream parlor, a seamstress, a hat shop and a well equipped dental office. There was a newspaper published by J.G. Sailor. Two early physicians were Dr. Holsten and M.M. Carter. At one time as many as five physicians served Jackson Center and the community. They were Doctors Carter, McBurney, Ailes, McCormick and Mollie Hawver.