USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > A twentieth century history of Trumbull County, Ohio; a narrative account of its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests, Volume I > Part 10
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Vol. I-7
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HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY
people at Youngstown that when a new county was erected, the capital could be anywhere else than in their own city. However, after the county was set off, and the question seriously taken up, the center of the county was chosen and the court house was erected at Canfield. At this court house, in the '50s, '60s and early '70s, the bar of Trumbull and Mahoning gathered reg- nlarly to try important cases. At each term of court the old enemies, the lawyers of Trumbull and Mahoning, agreed on the question of county seat. They had to drive ten miles to attend court and they were tired of it. Youngstown was more con- venient for all parties save residents of Canfield. Youngstown became the county capital in 1872 to the satisfaction of Trum- bull. In other words, Youngstown had become an industrial center before it accomplished its purpose. At this writing it is erecting a new $1,500,0000 court house to replace the one built in 1872.
( Loaned by the Tribune. )
OLD JAMES SCOTT HOUSE.
CHAPTER NHL.
JAMES SCOTT HOUSE .- MRS. SCOTT AND INDIANS .-. MRS. ROWE. MRS. JUSTUS SMITH .- MRS. TOD .- GRAETER HOUSE .- PAR- SONS HOME .- MRS. EDWARDS' WEDDING .- RAWDON HOUSE.
CASTLE WILLIAM .- LANE HOUSE .- HOME OF HENRY
AND MARY STILES .- STEVENS-CROWELL PLACE. -WEBB PROPERTY .- DANA'S INSTITUTE .- PEASE HOME .- EDDINGS HOME .- SOUTH STREET SOCIAL CENTER .- IDDINGS MAP.
James Scott married Elizabeth Quigley and together they came to Warren in 1802. He paid one hundred dollars for the land extending from the lot now owned by Miss Olive Harmon on High street to the home of the Misses Stevens on Mahoning avenue. lle erected a log house about where the Packard homestead stands at the head of Main street, which, as we have seen, was used as a court house. Elisha Whittlesey said he was admitted to practice in the upper room of this house. This he sold in 1815 to Mrs. Charlotte Smith for $700. Mr. Scott then erected a residence on lligh street where the home of Eliza and Olive Smith stands. This Scott homestead stood in front of the present dwelling, the well being about where the present steps are.
The original building was of logs, but later a frame part was attached. In those days there was no paint in the home market, and no lime for white-washing. Mr. Scott, however, used the clay found in this soil, and washed the outside of his house, making it a very soft whitish color.
Mrs. Scott was very much interested in, and very kind to, the Indians. She always fed them when they asked for food, and they felt perfectly free to go to her house at all times. People who visited the Scott home were often startled at seeing two or three Indians standing in the room. The only intima-
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tion they had had of their coming was that sometimes their shadows were seen on the windows or in the doorway. Although they were powerful men, they were gentle, and as Mrs. Scott had very dark eyes, fair skin and high color. they admired her . very much. Once she had a severe illness which the doctors pro- nounced fatal. One of these Indians, learning of her condition, told her that if she would send away the white doctors and the white people, he would cure her. Since she had no hope in any other direction, she complied. The Indian went into the woods, got herbs from the roots of which he made a tea. This he gave to her, burning the leaves and the remainder of the root and scattering the ashes in a ceremonial way. She recovered, and afterwards asked him to tell her what the medicine was. He knew no name for it which she would know, but promised when the spring came, he would take her into the woods and point it out to her. He, however, died before the spring came and the information was never obtained.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott built the brick house which stood where the Trumbull Block now stands. In architecture it was much like the Harsh residence. It had two chimneys on either end. When the house was old the swallows, at twilight, used to sail around and around these chimneys and then drop in. Children congregated in the neighborhood "to see the birds go to bed." When the youngest Scott child, Miss Margaret, died. Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Wentz occupied this house for years. It was torn down in 1898. James Scott died in January, 1846, aged 71. Mrs. Whittlesey Adams, Misses Eliza and Olive Smith and Mr. Wirt Abell are the grandehildren of Mr. and Mrs. James Scott, while Norman and Dean Adams Whittlesey are their great- great-grandsons.
Mr. James Scott once killed a bear in one of the trees which stood in front of the First Baptist church.
Lavinia Deane was born in 1757 in New York. Her father, when he had completed his theological studies was obliged to go to England to be ordained. He was lost at sea. His wife died shortly after, and Lavinia was brought up in the family of her uncle. Silas Deane, who was a member of the first Conti- mental Congress. Miss Deane had the advantage of the best edn- cation of the time and knew the prominent politicians, or rather, statesmen, among whom was George Washington. She mar- ried Peter Delamater who settled in New York. He was a IInguenot, and through persecution fled from France. When
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Mr. and Mrs. Delamater were living in Kingston, 1777. that town was burned and their house was the only one left stand- ing. Mr. Delamater went as a special emissary to France dur- ing the Revolutionary war, and was instrumental in securing certain measures which were favorable to the Americans. Ile died in France. She, later, married Captain Rowe, who lived but a short time. When her only daughter, Charlotte, married Justus Smith, Mrs. Rowe became a member of that family. In the early days of Warren Mahoning avenue ran west of the present street and on that road, back of Dr. Sherwood's home, Mrs. Rowe lived in a log house.
Mr. Smith, having heard the wonderful tales of fertility of the soil of New Connecticut, journeyed westward, went to Cleve- land, expecting to locate. Ile found the mouth of the Cuyahoga river a dreary place even at that date, 1811, and pushed on to Warren. He bought of James L. VanGorder the mill erected by Henry Lane Jr. and Charles Dally, known later as the upper mill. This stood where the present water works station is. Mr. Smith was a large owner of land and mills in Glens Falls, New York, and he paid $4,000 for this property, which was a large sum of money for that time. In 1812 Mrs. Rowe, Mrs. Smith and her children, joined Mr. Smith. He did not live very long. His widow purchased of James Scott the house he built on the Packard lot, and here she made her home. She was a woman of exceptional character, and business sense and integrity. She carried on, as proprietor, the business which her husband had left her, besides raising and caring for her family. She sold the land which still belongs to the First Presbyterian church for $500. Iler sous, Henry W. and Charles, were two of the leading citizens of Warren's early days. Not only did they occupy a respected place in the community, but each had a wife of strong character and were their equal in every way. Mrs. Henry W. Smith, nee Stone, was one of the finest and strongest char- acters of her day. Her physical strength, coupled with her de- termined, consecrated character, made her a power in her home, her church, and society. Although her family were men and women of high standing, none of them surpassed her in char- acter.
Mrs. Charles Smith, nee Scott, was devotedly loved by her children. She was gentle, an exceptional housekeeper. an inter- esting companion, and a true friend to those whom she trusted
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and admired. She lived to great age and was tenderly cared for by her daughters Eliza and Olive.
Jane Smith, the sister of Henry W. and Charles, married Mr. Shaler and moved to New York, while Maria became Mrs. David Tod. These children all lived to old age, Mrs. Tod dying only a few years since. The grandchildren of Justus and Char- lotte Smith. now residing in Warren, are, Henry W., Jane (Smith) Lyttle, Maria T. Smith, Helen R. Smith,-the children of Henry W .: Margaret (Smith) Adams, Eliza and Olive Smith, -the children of Charles. There are also six great-grandehil- dren, and three great-great-grandchildren living here.
The second house above the Presbyterian church was owned by Charles White from 1835 to 1860. It was once occupied by Eliza and Mary Wick, the latter being the mother of Henrietta Crosman. In this house Stephen Foster visited and here he wrote some of his famous songs. Here, too, was Mr. White's cabinet shop where Edward Spear, the father of Judge William T. Spear, did business. The descendants of Edward Spear liv- ing in the city are Misses Abbie and Annie Hoyt.
Immediately north of this building was the printing house of George Hapgood, who edited the Chronicle from 1825 to 1841. when he became postmaster. The descendants of George N. Hapgood and Adaline Adams Hapgood living in Trumbull County. 1909, are Mrs. Sarah VanGorder, Mrs. B. J. Taylor, Mrs. Helen Tayler MeCurdy, George Hapgood Tayler. Addie Tayler Hosklinger, Ley Tayler Page, Mathew B. Tayler, Mrs. Jacob Ewalt. George W. Hapgood, Mrs. F. D. Longmore, Charles O. Hapgood. Mr. and Mrs. George Hapgood have one child, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and three great-great- grandchildren living in Warren.
The next house was once the home of Governor Tod, later occupied by Hon. John Hutchins, and now owned by George and Harriet Jones.
In 1835 Angustns Graeter purchased from Mrs. Charles Smith for $2,000 (note the advance in value in property). the land lying between Dr. Harmon's property and the Presby- terian church. Using the old log house, erected by Mr. Scott, he constructed a tavern of goodly proportions. The old part of the honse which was used as a court house became the dining room. This hostehy was known as the "Graeter House" and stood until 1870, when it was purchased by Warren Packard. who erected his fine three-story home. Augustus Graeter was
( Loaned by the Tribune. )
OLD GRAETER HOUSE.
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HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY
a highly educated man who brought with him from his home in Germany some money. His wife, Sarah, lived at Allentown, Pennsylvania. She was a successful milliner and dressmaker and her business ability afterwards served her a good purpose. Mr. Graeter used most beautiful German, but Mrs. Graeter was Pennsylvania Dutch. The piano which she brought with her was the first one brought over the mountains to Warren. Mr. and Mrs. Graeter had a large family of children. Louise, Augustus and Adolphus were all musicians. Louise had special talent and Adolphus for many years kept a music store in Warren. The two youngest children still reside in this city, Fredericka, who married the youngest son of Rev. N. P. Bailey, and Isabella, the wife of Frank M. Ritezel, editor of the Chronicle. Mrs. Bailey is the money order eleik in the postoffice. Some pictures have been drawn and painted of the old Graeter House which are incorrect. In them a wing at the east of the house is repre- sented as having two stories, whereas this building had no win- dows in the second story in front. This part of the house was not in the original building and one of the daughters of Mr. Graeter thinks it was one of the buildings erected at Meeca at the time of the oil eraze, and was bought by her father at the time the buildings were moved here.
The old Parsons house, which was long a land-mark, was built in 1816, and stood where the opera house now stands. It was considered a very beautiful residence, and cost $2,500, a goodly amount for those times. Mr. George Parsons lived in it mitil 1860, when he died. It had an attractive stone wall, with a little iron railing, and stone steps. There was an aristocratic air about this building. Additions were made to the original house in 1830 and again in 1835. Mr. Heman Harmon married a daughter of Mr. Parsons, and lived here until 1859. They had a large family of attractive children, all of whom married. The widow of one, Heman, Cornelia Fuller Harmon, with her dangh- ter, Ella, are the only representatives of the family living now in Trumbull County. Mrs. Foster, Mrs. Bradshaw, and Mrs. Hawkins, all live in Indianapolis, while the widow of Calvin still lives in Youngstown. Under the date of October 3, 1860, the Western Reserve Chronicle says: "Mrs. Van R. Humphrey of Hudson, daughter of Judge Calvin Pease, attended the wedding of Miss Maggie Harmon and John Edwards. She was present at the wedding of Mr. and Mrs. Heman Harmon, father and mother of the bride, and also of George Parsons and his wife
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(when it gets back to the grandfather they do not even mention the wife's name). She, Laura Pease, was only ten months old at the time and mud was so deep that women could not walk. Therefore, Mr. Parsons drove the horse, carried the baby, while Mrs. Pease sat behind him on the horse. Most of the women were thus conveyed to the wedding."
Almost every settler was a hotel-keeper in that he lodged and fed all the needy, and most of the strangers who came his way. The law required that if pay was received for such guests, the host must have a license for a public house. For this reason the early court records show that Ephraim Quinby was recom- mended to Governor St. Clair by John S. Edwards "as a snit- able person to keep a house of public entertainment." Mr. Quinby paid four dollars to the county treasurer for this license. About the same time James Scott also received a license. Neither of these men really kept public house.
The corner where the Second National Bank now stands was for many years the site of a hotel. In 1801 John Leavitt, who lived here, took boarders, and opened a regular hotel in 1803. This was the first hotel in town. Others who have kept hotel on this spot were Jesse Holliday, John Reeves, Andrew MeKinney, and Horace Rawdon. Horace Rawdon was the father of Calvin. Horace and Richard. The three sons lived all their lives in Warren, Two of them were much interested in military organ- izations and played the snare drum. They are all dead and lie buried in Oakwood. Horace, the father, kept one of the most popular hotels in the early days. He was the last landlord to ocenpy the site of the present Second National Bank. In 1836 this property was purchased by Henry W. and Charles Smith, who erected a two-story building thereon. This store was de- stroved by fire and when rebuilt a third story was added. It was long occupied by Smith & McCombs. When Horace Rawdon kept the hotel, which was made of logs and weather-boarded, it was painted red and had the first brick chimney in the village. It also had a very creaky sign which could be heard at a great distance as it swung on a windy night. In this building dancing school was had, usually in the afternoon, attended by both men and women. Evelyn Rawdon, who married Mr. Hammond and lived in Bristol until a few years since, said that there was a dancing school in this hotel in 1824-25. Her sisters, Louisa Raw- don Dunlap and Lney Rawdon Crane, with herself, attended. The girls went in the afternoon; the boys in the evening. Some-
J'ACEIC
Buitt 1867
JW. Betr
85
(This is taken from a painting of J. W. Bell, now in the possession of his wife, Ella M. Ball. )
JOHN LOWREY'S SALOON, LONG A LANDMARK ON PARK AVENUE, BUILT IN 1807.
The figure is that of Jefferson Palm. The small building on the left, part of which only is shown, is the blacksmith shop of Hardy & Strong.
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HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY
times both classes went together, on special occasions, carriages being sent for the girls, the boys walking. They were sent home the same way. The boys escorted the girls to supper; the dane- ing master assigning the girl to the boy. Invitation to these dances were sometimes written in verse.
The Pavilion was built about 1807. William W. Cotgreave was its proprietor and it was commonly known as "Castle Will- iam." The first story was built of logs and was designed and used for a jail until the county provided one. It was a queer- looking house, the east end being three stories high, built of brick, the west end, two stories, was frame. Pictures sometimes now reproduced in papers are taken from an old eut and are not correct. People who were children in the early days of the Pavilion say these pictures give no idea at all of the ancient building. Court was held here and the upper story was used for church, meetings, schools, shows, concerts, political meetings, literary entertainments, etc. It was bought in 1828 by James L. VanGorder, and from that time was called the Pavilion. Mr. VanGorder was one of the early business men in Warren, having owned and built several mills, and much other property. When the canal was being built, he secured the contract for making the five loeks in this vicinity and this paid him so much better than the hotel did, that he gave little personal attention to the tavern. It therefore was not as prosperous in its latter days and was destroyed in the fire of 1846. It stood upon the ground now occupied by the stores of D .. W. Hull, Hart, Kin- naman & Wolf, Fuller, Gunlefinger, and Greenwalt & Peck. Just previous to the burning of the building Cyrus VanGorder, a son of James L., while in New York purchased some paper for the decorating of one room of this hotel. He paid one hundred and twenty-five dollars for it. It was hand made, and done in water colors. Before it was put on the wall the hotel burned, and it has been in the possession of the family ever since. A few years ago Mrs. John Kinsman, a granddaughter of James L. Van- Gorder, used it to paper her parlor. Apparently it is in as good condition as when it was new.
For about a century a hotel has stood on or near the ground occupied by the Park Hotel. Here, very early, Cyrus Bosworth built a tavern which was kept by Benjamin Towne, commonly called " Uncle Ben." This was one of the very best taverns of the county. Mrs. Towne was a woman of great executive ability and business judgment and of much assistance to her husband.
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Her daughters who helped in this hotel home added to the pop- niarity of the place. Provision was bountifully served, horses well cared for, and even when trade was slack with other land- lords, this tavern was full. One of the early newspapers says, "Towne's Hotel had a ball room, and whenever there was a ball it never broke up until morning. Liquor was free those days everywhere and often the sons of wealthier people were too drunk to dance." Mrs. Towne died in 1849 and Mr. Towne gave up the business a little later. Mr. Towne kept pigs, cows, and geese. These animals (as did the animals of other people) lived largely in the ".Court House Yard." His geese were his special pets. They paddled all over the park and scrambled into the river when they wished to swim. They had a troublesome way of laying their eggs so far under the barn as to be out of reach of men. Mr. Irwin Ladd, who, as a boy, must have been a "Jolinie on the spot," says Mr. Towne used to ask him to crawl under the barn after these eggs and now and then gave him an egg as a reward. Mr. William Williams, commonly called " Billy." had a cabinet shop north of the Towne Hotel. Billy would put a grain of corn on a pin-hook, swing the string out of his window, and capture one of the Towne geese. "Now and Then" in the Chronicle says, "It would rile the old gentleman a good deal but whether Billy owned up or not I never knew, but I expect he was led into the mischief by Ben Kiefer and David B. Gibnore, who were his apprentices at this time." Those of us who remember genial " Billy Williams" walking dignifiedly to church on Sunday with his wife, or, strictly speaking, a little ahead of her, or who knew by sight quiet, gentle Mr. Gilmore, never would accuse them of fishing for geese with a pin-hook. Certainly young blood runs riot.
When Mr. Towne retired from the hotel Mr. and Mrs. Almon Chapman took charge and continued in the business many years. They were excellent hotel people, both of them, and when they retired they had a competency. They bought the house just west of the Episcopal church, and this property was left by will to Mrs. Chapman's niece, Mrs. Fred Adams.
Phineas Chase and his son-in-law, George Parks, were the next landlords and they too made a business success of it. After many years Mr. Chase retired and Mr. Parks went into the grocery business. The latter resides on High street.
The National Honse, having become dilapidated, a company was formed to construct a new one and upon its completion Clark
(Loaned by the Chronicle.)
OLD AUSTIN HOUSE, Showing small portion of the old part in use during stage-coach days.
HISTORY OF TRUMBULL COUNTY 10%
and Garrett became proprietors. After a time Mr. Clark re- tired and Mr. Garrett managed it alone. Mr. C. C. Chryst was the next landlord and he was followed by Mr. Jolm A. Fuller, the present manager. The building is now owned by Mr. Orris R. Grimmesey.
One of the most popular of the stage houses in Warren was that which stood on the corner of Main and South streets, where the Austin House now stands. It was built of wood and had an upper and lower porch. In the early days Mr. Paltzgroff kept this and later Mr. Shoenberger. In the height of the coaching history as many as eight coaches a day stopped there. At this time business looked well for Warren. Morgan Gaskill, a successful business man of Bellevernon, Pennsylvania, came here. He was The father of Mrs. Albert Wheeler and the grand- father of Mrs. Late Abell and Mrs. Howard Ingersoll. He had a boat yard near the canal where he repaired boats and did other business. He finally bought a farm in Champion, intending to settle down quietly for the rest of his life. Some Warren cit- izens, thinking that a new hotel was needed urged him to put his money into such a building and to encourage him they of- fered to furnish it if he should not have money enough to do so. The old hotel was therefore divided in two parts, one-half moved to the east on Sonth street and the other sonth on Main street and a brick building known as the Gaskill House erected. The old building on Sonth was removed a few years ago, but the part on Main street still stands and is occupied by a second- hand store. It is in a very dilapidated condition. The house was opened by a grand ball on December 23, 1853, which the papers of that time describe as being "a splendid affair." For a time a number of families of importance either lived or took their meals at this hotel and it was a gay place. It happened that Mr. Gaskill had made his investment at the wrong time. His friends who were so free to advise him to put his money into it did no more than they agreed and creditors crowded him and he lost the savings of years. The building of the Mahoning Railroad detracted from the value of the property instead of adding to it as was expected. In the early sixties Mr. Shoen- berger was the proprietor and during his time, as well as be- fore and after the third story was used for balls and dances. Some of the other proprietors were Stephen Hoffman, J. Knons. Peter Folk and Sammel Derr. Mr. Harmon Anstin and Mr. Warren Packard bought the building in the seventies and Enos
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Austin was the landlord. Mr. Anstin was an exemplary man and a good landlord but he is remembered as the most forgetful man of the town. The stories told of him would fill this volume. He has brought his wife to church when he lived on the farm and on leaving forgotten her. He has taken her to Harmon Austin's in Leavittsburg, gone home to Newton Falls without her, and had to return. Once when sent for nutinegs he took a wheelbarrow to one of the stores. One day as he was preparing the meats for dinner and had blood on his white apron, he happened to think of something he wanted up town. Without taking off his apron nor laying down his knife he ran through the street, as he was in a hurry to obtain the article. A stranger going to the train met him and seeing his bloody knife and apron ran hard to get out of his way, thinking him to be a crazy man. The Anstin House was last used as a hotel by the Park Hotel people when their building was being erected. The old hostelry still bears the name of the Austin House. It is owned by W. W. Dunnavant and is a tenement house. It is supposed to be a better paying investment now than in the days of its glory.
Few people living in Warren remember the Hope House. It stood where the garage on East Market now is. It was the headquarters for teamsters during the building of the canal, as well as during war times. Liquor was sold here as at all other hotels, and people who loved quarrels and fights had plenty of amusement. The teamsters who often had to sleep in their wagons or in their blankets on the floor quarrelled among them- selves too often to please the peace-loving citizens.
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