USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > Lisbon > An historical sketch of the old village of New Lisbon, Ohio. With biographical notes of its citizens prominent in the affairs of the village, state and nation > Part 1
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Gc 977.102 L68s 1146005
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GENEALOGY COLLECTION
GEN
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 02493 0338
Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016
https://archive.org/details/historicalsketch00spea_0
iii
AN HISTORICAL SKETCH OF
THE OLD VILLAGE OF NEW LISBON, OHIO. WITH Biographical Notes of Its Citizens Prominent in the Affairs of the Village, State and Nation.
BY C. S. SPEAKER, C. C. CONNELL AND GEORGE T. FARRELL, of the Centennial Celebration Committee
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The Committee is indebted to Mr. Charles D. Dickin- son for valuable and material aid furnished in the preparation of this sketch. They desire to express their apprecia- tion thereof and to extend the same to its readers.
iv
J. J. Bennett, Printer, Lisbon, Ohio.
UNION (LABEL
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ELECTRI CITY'ENGRAVING CO NUOVALU, NY
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CENTENNIAL BOARD.
1. S. J. Firestone. 2. Geo. I. Miller.
7. R. W. Tayler.
8. Geo. H. Huston.
4. N. Way.
9. E. M. Crosser.
5. D. S. Gailey.
6. Wm. M. Hostetter. 10. John J. Rogers.
3. W. S. Potts.
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vii
CONTENTS.
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PAGES.
1. History of Lisbon, -
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1 to 147
2. Lisbon's Landmarks, -
- 149 to 165
3. Centennial Ode, - - - 167 to 191
LISBON FROM THE
THE HILL SOUTH.
Residence of I. P. FARMER, East Chestnut Street, LISBON, OHIO.
3
OLD BRICK COURT HOUSE.
tinued in use until 1816, when the brick court-house which was torn down some years ago was built. The present structure was erected in 1871, and was occupied several years before the old brick building was razed.
William Slater first lived east of New Lisbon,
where he operated a small powder mill, but in 1808 he purchased a part of the Kinney tract and proceed- ed to lay ont an addition of out-lots to New Lisbon on the west of the original plat. The village grew steadily, but not with a modern time "boom," and in 1809 it contained more than sixty houses, a num- ber of them being built of stone or brick, and the population consisted almost wholly of people from the States of Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania, an industrious, energetic, thrifty and law-abiding class of citizens.
Among those who came early to locate in New Lisbon were General Rezin Beall, the Harbaughs, Arters, Shawkes, Potters, Blocksoms, Hostetters, Watsons, Smalls, Thompsons, Endleys, Springers, Greens, Crowis, Helmans, Vallandighams, Richard- sons. Briggses and others whose names are very familiar, as many of their descendants are now, or have been within a comparatively recent period, residents of the town.
These pioneers deserve more than a passing notice, but lack of space forbids an extended account of them.
Reasin Beall came to New Lisbon about 1803 and was a prominent citizen of the new village, be- ing appointed by the Common Pleas Court to the offices of Recorder, or Clerk and Treasurer, on July
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The entire lower floor 3000 square feet of this building now occupied by
G. L. Miller's BIG CLOTHING STORE
The most complete lines in Men's and Boys' wear are always found here in Up-to-Date styles.
The people who desire cloths that fit, and per- fectly tailored garments, are delighted with their purchases at the "Round Corner, where the strictly one price is adhered to and all goods warranted as represented.
The "ROUND CORNER,"
E. Walnut St. and Public Square.
CLOTHING
CLOTHING HOUSE
Built by John Briggs, 1818.
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26, 1803, and holding the office of Clerk of Courts in 1810. He was also Brigadier General of the Sec- ond Brigade of Ohio Militia. Afterward, about the year 1815, he removed to Wooster and was elected a Representative to the 13th Congress of the United States.
William and Daniel Harbaugh came in 1804 and soon became prominent in the affairs of the county. Daniel Harbaugh soon after his arrival established a tannery. John Arter came in 1805 and opened a
HON. FISHER A. BLOCKSOM.
tannery. Jacob Shawke, who was the first "village blacksmith." Dr. Horace Potter and Fisher A. Block- som came here the same year. Dr. Potter was the first physician to begin practice in New Lisbon, be- came surgeon in the militia regiment, and afterwards Clerk of Courts. Mr. Blocksom was the first lawyer to make a permanent residence here, having come on horseback through the forest. He served for several years as Prosecuting Attorney of the county, was a Representative to the General Assembly from 1826 to 1828 inclusive and again from 1831 to 1833, and was also a State Senator from 1847 to 1851. He continued in active practice of his profession until about 1852, and remained a resident of the town until his death, December 14, 1876, at the age of a little more than ninety-five years.
Jacob Hostetter came from Switzerland in 1805 and engaged in the business of clock and watch making. David Hostetter settled here in 1806 and opened a tavern. His son and his grandson each held the office of sheriff of the county in after years. John Small came in 1806 and followed the occupa- tion of gunsmith many years. John Watson came in the same year and also conducted a tavern. This house, it is said, had the first brick chimney in New Lisbon. Jacob Watson's son, Jacob Watson, was the first sheriff of the county. Dr. Joseph Springer
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IF YOU HAVE BEAUTY
WE WILL TAKE IT.
IF YOU HAVE NOT
WE WILL MAKE IT.
GORSUCH -ARTISTIC .
GPHOTOGRAPHER
Our long experience ( 14 years ) as photographers has taught us that people want nice photographs. It has also taught us how to make them.
While in the city during the Centeuuial (or any other time) be sure and call at Our Studio and see our fine Portraits, Groups, Baby Pictures, Etc., and let us make you a dozen (at least) of SOUVENIR PHOTOGRAPHS, and remember this celebration with pleasure as long as you live.
We make enlargements from any small photo, or tin type, in crayon, water color or oil. Visitors always welcomed. Satisfaction guaranteed.
GORSUCH'S PHOTO. STUDIO,
'PHONE 231.,
OPPOSITE COURT HOUSE,
LISBON, OHIO.
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became a resident of the town in 1807, and Holland Green, Michael Stock, who was probably the first one to begin the business of wagon making in the village, and George Crowl were among those who located here in the same year. Reverend Clement Vallandingham came to New Lisbon immediately after his marriage in May, 1807, and on June 24th of that year was ordained and installed as pastor of the Presbyterian church in the village and continued in that capacity during the remainder of his life, which ended October 21, 1839. His son, Rev. James L., celebrated the ninety-first anniversary of his birthday at his home in Newark, Del., on March 13 of this year. Another son, Clement L., was widely known as a lawyer, orator and politician, re- moved to Dayton, Ohio, in August, 1847, and died June 17, 1871.
In 1808 Martin Helman located in the village and during the same year William D. Lepper came and established the first newspaper in the county, The Ohio Patriot. Gideon Hughes also settled here in the same year and erected a furnace a short distance northwest of the town. This was the first iron fur- nace in the State of Ohio and was the pioneer of that great industry in which millions of capital is in- vested and thousands of men are employed in this and adjoining counties. The ruins of the old fur-
nace yet remain near the Mckinley mines, and an effort should be made to preserve this relic of early
RUINS OF MCKINLEY IRON FURNACES
enterprise, a monument on the historic spot to be seen by future generations. William Clapsaddle in 1810 was the first tinner in the village, and doubtless never even imagined that a mammoth tin mill would ever be operated here. The early settlers of New Lisbon were as patriotic and ready to respond to the call of their country, as were their grandsons at the call for troops to serve during the Civil War. As early as March 28, 1809, a call was issued by the Governor of Ohio for "Brig. Gen. Beall to arm and
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O. J. DAVIS & CO. PHONE 173
W. PUBLIC SQUARE
LISBON, OHIO
GAS FITTING AND APPLIANCES
GAS LIGHTING A SPECIALTY
FULL LINE OF LIGHTING AND HEATING APPLIANCES
All work given personal attention of an expert and same fully guaranteed, both as regards workmanship and material.
WORK GUARANTEED
PRICES RIGHT
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equip, according to law, one hundred and forty-four of the militia of his brigade, and hold in readiness to march, at a moment's warning, to meet some great national emergency." However, the emergency passed away and an order was issued by Major Gen- eral Wadsworth, dated at Canfield, June 8, 1809, in which the troops were discharged, with the thanks of the President of the United States "to those vol- unteers whose patriotism induced them to volunteer their services in defense of thelibertiesof their coun- try." Again, on the 18th of June, 1812, war was declared with England, and Captain Thomas Row- land (who came to New Lisbon with William Har- baugh from Brownsville, Pa., in 1804) raised a volunteer company soon after the news of the declaration of war was received, and marched to join Gen. Hull at Detroit, encamping the first night at the barn on the old Stock farm, then owned by Gen. Beall, a mile west of Lisbon. "When this com- pany arrived at the river Raisin, thirty miles from Detroit, intelligence reached them of Hull's sur- render, and soon a demand was made by the British for the surrender of Captain Rowland and his com- pany. To this they refused to accede, retreated, and returned home." Captain Rowland had been the first quartermaster of the militia organized in 1806, and served as county treasurer. Some time after the re-
turn of Captain Rowland and his company from this march to join Gen. Hull, he was appointed Captain in the Seventeenth Regiment, United States army, and in 1813, raised a second company in New Lis- bon. The muster roll of both companies raised by Captain Rowland have been lost, and who composed the companies or how long the last one remained in the service, cannot be ascertained.
The muster roll of Capt. Daniel Harbaugh's com- pany of light dragoons, dated September, 1812, how- ever, has been preserved, and while probably some of the members of that company were not residents of New Lisbon, yet the names of many known citi- zens of the place appear upon the roll, which is here given in full, as follows :
Captain, Daniel Harbaugh: First Lieutenant, David Scott; Second Lieutenant, George Clarke ; Cornet, Michael Wirtz: First Sergeant, James Wat- son ; Second Sergeant, Jonathan Whitacre: Third Sergeant, Mordecai Moore ; Fourth Sergeant, Hen- rv Hephner; Farrier, John Kuntz; Trumpeter, Daniel Lindesmith; Privates, Abner Allison, Sam- uel Blackburn, Andrew Forbes, Henry Aten, John Fife, David Fife, John Goble, Morris E. Morris, Philip Meis, William Moore, Thomas Moore, John McKinsey, Elemuel Swearingen, Benoni Swearin- gen, George Wilson, Andrew Willibury, Matthew
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AGE.
EXPERIENCE.
THE Ohio Farmers' Insurance Co., LE ROY, OHIO.
Chartered, February 8th, 1848.
Losses Paid, Over $10,000,000.
Fire, Lightning and Windstorm Insurance.
More than One Million Six Hundred Thousand persons have purchased indem- nity of this Company.
More than Seventy Thousand persons have been paid for losses sustained under our policy.
JAMES C. JOHNSON, Pres.
M. L. BENHAM, Sec'y.
H. B. DORWART, Agent, Lisbon, Ohio.
3 1833 02493 0338
REPUTATION.
STABILITY.
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Adams, Fisher A. Blocksom, Holland Green, John McMillen, Edmond Keys, Nicholas Sampsell, Thomas C. King. James Brady, Michael Croper, Martin Breidenstein, William Davis, John Hollinger, John Mckaig, Joseph Woods, Samuel Swearingen, John Rogers, Alexander Rogers, Samuel Hunt, John Fulks, John Marchant, Martin Armstrong, John Poe (captain's boy), Benjamin Paul, Frederick Zepernick (com.), Philip Houtz, Andrew Cruthers.
Lieut. Scott was probably the David Scott who came to New Lisbon about the year 1809, and built a house in the corner of the public square on the lot now occupied by the building recently erected and known as the Park Block. The first dry goods merchants in the village were Joseph Stibbs, David Graham and Thomas Cox, who carried on business at or near the corner of Washington and Jefferson streets. That locality seems to have been the busi- ness center of the town for a number of years, but in the course of events the business moved to Wal- nut and Market streets. The exact date when Stibbs, and Graham and Cox began the dry goods business in New Lisbon cannot be ascertained, but it must have been at a very early period in the history of the town, for it is said that the Indians traded there, and that they came in such numbers that the streets in that portion of the village were often almost
blockaded. Others among the very early merchants were Martin and William Helman, and a little later George Endley, Holland Green, Benjamin Hanna, John Briggs and Joseph Richardson were all en- gaged in mercantile pursuits here.
That New Lisbon was a very busy place at an early date is shown by the number engaged in manu- facturing in a small way and as merchants, and being on the State road running west, and on the Salem and Steubenville, and the East Liverpool and Can- field roads running to the north and south, it became an important center in the old wagoning days.
While traffic and the mechanical arts were pro- gressing quite rapidly in the new town, the educa- tion of the youth was not being neglected, and in this connection a few excerpts from an article pre- pared by Hon. H. H. Gregg for the State School Commissioner in 1876, will not be amiss. Mr. Gregg says : "According to the testimony of the venerable Fisher A. Blocksom, who came to New Lisbon in 1805, the lot or square of ground on North Market Street, on the hill, occupied from the com- mencement of the town for school purposes, was originally a beautiful grove of white-oak saplings or bushes, in the midst of which was constructed a rude log cabin school-house, of round logs and clap- board roof, and, according to the testimony of one
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D. S. Gailey's Residence.
Gailey-Firestone Block.
T
.....
D. S. GAILEY & SON
BOOKS, STATIONERY. WALL PAPER, SHADES, QUEENSWARE, NOTIONS, ETC., LISBON, OHIO.
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MILL
's.
CLOT?
EAST WALNUT STREET.
WEST WALNUT STREET.
NORTH MARKET STREET.
SOUTH MARKET STREET.
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Established 1892.
ROSENTHAL BROS. THE LEADING AND CHEAPEST STORE IN LISBON OHIO
Full line of Clothing, Hats, Caps, Ladies' and Gent's. Furnishing Goods, Ladies' Skirts, Silk Waists and Tailor Made Suits; Comforts and Blankets, Wrappers, Cloaks and Capes, also a full line of Solid Gold and Gold Filled Watches and Solid Gold Rings to suit every- body. We call your attention to our annual season sales. The greatest low price sales in the city. We have saved a good many dollars to on enstomers on their purchases for the last 10 years. If you are not a customer, we want you to call at our place and you will con- vince yourself that we are straight and you can trust in our honesty of dealing. Our straight and honest dealing brought us success.
For the last 10 years we have given away 8,756 premiums, consisting of Silverware, Pictures and Rugs. A little fortune. Can any store beat us? Whenever you are in Lisbon stop at the leading store.
Keep our name in memory. Make your headquarters during the Lisbon Centennial at our place.
ROSENTHAL BROS.
LOOK FOR THE HORSE SHOE SIGN THE ONLY GOOD LUCK SIGN IN THE CITY S. MARKET ST.
LISBON, OHIO
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who attended school in the rude building, light was admitted through oiled or greased paper used in place of window glass. The school furniture of that day * was generally constructed of slabs, flat side up, adjusted by fixing pins in the wall, and desks to suit, and the teacher sat on a stool of primi- tive style, with rod near at hand to in- sure peace and obedience to his mandates."
"Mr. Blocksom says that when he first came to New Lisbon this school-house was presided over by a teacher named Wilson, and he thinks David Wilson was his full name, and that he continued to teach until the year 1808, when he died of a fever which prevailed and proved fatal in many cases at the time. He was succeeded by Reuben P. McNamee, who was afterwards county commissioner, and also by the Rev. Thomas Rigdon, a Baptist preacher, who was elected a Representative in the State Legislature from 1813 to 1816. This primitive log cabin school- house was succeeded by a hewed log house, which was at the time considered a great improvement in architectural style, and the school board about this time was composed of Gen. Reasin Beall, Maj. Thomas Rowland, Daniel Harbaugh and Fisher A. Blocksom. In the last named house John Whitacre taught school; also De Lorma Brooks, who was a representative in the State Legislature in 1826-27.
And of the early teachers I will name Thomas Mor- rel, long a citizen of New Lisbon, and also David Mckinley, grandfather of the President. In later years Robert Whitacre and Jacob G. Williard taught school in this house, the former for six years auditor of this county, and the last named treasurer and county surveyor." "The last teacher, however, who
DAVID ANDERSON
occupied the old building was the late David Ander- son, who, for about thirty-seven years, well and faithfully served the people of New Lisbon as a
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J. L. FILSON,
DEALER IN CHOICE MEATS OF ALL KINDS. CASH PRICES. 27 1-2 NORTH MARKET STREET, LISBON, OHIO.
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teacher of youth. In fact, it was not until Septem- ber, 1849, that the board of school directors declared the old hewed log house 'no longer tenantable,' and Mr. Anderson and his school were compelled to abandon the premises and occupy a building on West Walnut Street which had been rented for them."
The length of time occupied and the valuable ser- vices rendered by Mr. Anderson as the head of the New Lisbon schools are remarkable. The name of David Anderson recalls to the hundreds of his pupils scattered in all parts of the country an erect, sinewy figure, strong and clear cut features, surmounted by wavy white hair, the gray eyes keen and fearless, flashing defiance when aroused and meeting the gaze of those he confronted frankly and searchingly. In character and daring, as well as in erectness of car- riage, alertness of movement and facial expression he resembled Wendell Phillips; and he would con- front opposition and attack as unquailingly as did that great Champion of Liberty. He was of the sinew and mold of Andrew Jackson and of Henry Clay and his essential manliness and boldness of front made a deep and lasting impression upon the lives and character of his students. They recognized the ring of true metal in the quick, alert man, who had their interests at heart and impressed upon them frankness and openness.
The privations and struggles of his early life de- veloped his strength of character, as of body, and made him emblematic of the hickory. Born in Maryland in 1802 of sturdy, God fearing stock, the hardness of his early surroundings and difficulties grappled with, developed his strength. He left York, Pennsylvania, at the age of nineteen and trav- eled on foot over the Allegheny Mountains to Ohio, making, in inclement weather and over trying roads, an average distance of thirty-five miles per day. His youthful mind was greatly impressed with the grandeur of the scene while crossing the mountains : giant oaks which seemed to have sentineled the for- est for ages interspersed with pines towering hun- dreds of feet communed with him amid the silence and solemnity of nature. He writes in his journal descriptive of the trip, "my mind has been exer- cised with many solemn reflections on the greatness of that Almighty Being who created all things and by a word spoke all things into being. How great must be His power 'who weigheth the mountains in scales and the hills in balances.'" The way worn traveler found it disheartening while wearily climb- ing immense heights expecting to discern levels be- yond "but beheld the road winding its way from mountain to mountain." The deep moral and re- ligious bent of his nature is indicated by the fact
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AN OLD TIMER And His Relations with the People of Columbiana County. [From the Buckeye State. September 7, 1899.]
This cut presents features that are as those of any other business man in business in the county, and fewer I. Brown. He is well and favorably throughout the county where the sical instruments are heard, or where housewives bless the genius which twenty-eight years Mr. Brown has public as a dealer in musical instru- sewing machines, and in this time he struments and sewing machines, and remembered have the sales he has a consequence he has built up a rep- prices and for reliability in the rep- the goods he has handled that is ex- tradesmen in the county. He places article he sells, and has always ful- not guarantee a piano or sewing ma · promptly and frankly says so, but if machine he is prepared to make such not handle goods that he cannot war- ing that he is prepared to warrant public.
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familiar to perhaps as many people in Columbiana County. Butfew men still in the county seat, anti-date W. known in hundreds of households notes of pianos, organs or other mu- the over- worked and over-worried first devised the sewing machine. For been before the Columbiana county ments of all kinds, sheet music and has placed hundreds of musical in- only in instances so rare as not to be miade failed to give satisfaction. As utation for fair dealing, reasonable resentations he has made concerning ceeded by none and equaled by few his personal guaranty upon every filled his representations. If he can chine which he offers for sale, he he does guarantee an instrument or a guaranty good. As a rule he does rant, and consequently is safe in say- every article he places before the
Brown's stock of musical instruments provides an infinate variety for the purchaser to select from. Nearly every musician has his or her favorite inake of instrument, and in dealing with Brown they can feel the assurance that they will get either the particular instrument they want, or something equally good or better. The same is true of sewing machines. He handles the best machines on the market, sells thein either for cash or easy monthly payinents, at prices no other dealer can or will attempt to approach, and agrees to keep them in prime working order for the period of five years.
Prospective purchasers of anything in his line, including needles and all sorts of repairs for machines, should first see what he has to offer.
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FF FT
NORTH MARKET STREET SCHOOL.
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الساك
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The Thomas China Company, Lisbon, Ohio.
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that on this journey he sometimes traveled as far as seven miles to attend church. His students will note a familiar trait in accuracy and care of detail in the fact that the name of every important stream traversed is given, with the number of paces of the bridges spanning them, as well as a description of the country, each county seat and the chief points of the towns through which the traveler journeyed being noted. He apologizes for not ascertaining the name of a hamlet traversed "as it was of no special importance." He was surprised on leaving Pitts- burg and turning for a farewell view the distance of about a mile to find the city entirely obscured from view "on account of the character of stone coal used." The beauty of the Ohio river and valley impressed him greatly as it had General Washing- ton before him, and, upon turning to the westward, he bids a poetic and touching farewell to the great . river which has cheered and elevated his thoughts during his journey. Another notable trait is indi- cated in the nonforgetable impression made upon him by kindness rendered during the journey. He refers over and over again to the kindness and hos- pitality shown him, the lengthened faces and moist- ened eyes at parting, to the considerateness of some of his new found friends who accompanied him many miles upon his journey, and he interweaves in his
journal assurances that their kindness will never be forgotten by -the way worn traveler; as assuredly they never were.
At the age of nineteen he began teaching school in Ohio and continued in that profession in New Lisbon until the year 1872, when failing health com- pelled him to retire. The rugged strength, open- ness and manliness of his character could but have made impressions upon his pupils and molded their lives and characters. With all of them there is a strong and living tie binding them to this remarkable gentleman and a place in their affections kept warm and green in memory of David Anderson.
Among other eminent teachers and superintend- ents of the schools of the place were Wililam Travis. Reuben McMillan, Henry C. McCook, T. M. T. McCoy, I. P. Hole and R. W. Tayler. Of the pupils who obtained their education in the common schools of the town, many have risen to distinction in the various walks of life and their names are known, and well known, not only in our own but also in foreign lands.
Returning again from the educational lines to those of trade, we find that the first drug store es- tablished in New Lisbon was about 1814, and the proprietor was a German named John Weistling. It is said that the contents of his store might have
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