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 36
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A second hand engine. bearing the name of "Saratoga" was purchased in 1851 and a company organized. Whether this was an entirely new company, or a reorganization of the old, we do not know. In 1855 another engine was purchased.
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Although the fire of 1846 was a dreadful one, that of 1860 was worse, and is always known as "the great fire." Almost the entire business part of the town was destroyed. This seems strange when it started at mid-day, but when we know of the wooden buildings, the shingle roofs, and the dry season, we can see how soon such a conflagration would be beyond control. This fire started in Truesdell & Townsend's furniture factory, located on south side of Fulton street near Main. There was a strong wind and the burning embers were easily carried to the livery stable of Peter Foulk on Franklin street. This time, both sides of Main street burned, and several acres were laid in waste.
The covered bridge was destroyed, and fell into the river. Many houses on Mahoning avenne had the shingle roofs ablaze. the Methodist church was on fire in several places, and Prof. James Marvin, then superintendent of the public schools, got onto the roof and saved it by the help of the bucket brigade, Alon D. Webb, the father of Peter L. Webb, did the same thing for the Presbyterian church. Edward A. Smith is the only man now engaged in business who was in business at that time. There were two fire companies. Mahoning No. 1 and Neptune No. 2. The former was located on South Park av- enue and the second in a brick building located in the small park between city hall and West Market street. Members be- longing to the Mahoning No. 1. now living, are John Buch- steiner, Jas. Finn. John Rebhan and Michael Goeltz, while of Neptune No. 2,-Whittlesey Adams, Judge William T. Spear, Homer (. Reid, and Wm. J. Kerr are still living.
This fire brought financial distress, but in the long run was good for the town, for, although more than $300,000 worth of property was destroyed, buildings were all ro-built. Before this. Main street was below grade, and now this was brought up to the right level and a good foundation made. Before two years had passed, all blocks were rebuilt, all occupied.
The fire of 1867 swept away the buildings from the corner of Park, to the building now occupied by Mrs. Kopp. The store on the corner where the Warren Dry Goods store now stands was used by Charles Bonghton as a crockery store, and over this the Misses Foreman had a millinery establishment. These two women carried on successful business in Warren for a great many years. They escaped from this fire with their lives. They lost their stock of goods, all their clothing and furniture.
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The women of the town gladly and generously gathered to- gether, made garments for them, and they were soon able, either from their own savings or by a loan, to secure a new line of goods and resume business. They were the leading milliners of the town for many years and during the latter part of their lives occupied rooms at the southern end of the present Union National Bank building.
Since that time a number of business places have been de- stroved by fire, and now and then a residence or two, but on the whole, fires have been few and the department very efficient.
In 1868 the first steamer was purchased. Inelnding a good- ly bit of hose, it cost $9,000. It was named for the mayor. I. N. Dawson, and the fire department bore also the same name. People now who were children in that day remember how proudly John L. Smith, as the captain, led the parades on Fourth of July and like occasions, and how he used to thunder his commands through a brass horn. After this department had been called ont for the slightest fire, the children of the town, for weeks after, going back and forth to school, would make a horn of their hands and in as deep tones as possible imitate Capt. Smith in "Play away, No. 1."
In 1881 a new steamer was purchased. costing $4,000. There was no change in the fire company as to name.
In 1874 the city hall was built at the cost of $40,000. The lower part of this building was arranged for the fire depart- ment, and horses were used for the first time to draw the en- gines, when the company was installed in this building. The erection of the city hall caused a good deal of comment on the part of the older citizens. These men realized the value of the land given by Mr. Quinby to the city, and as most of them had traveled, were well edneated, and knew the possibility of this public park, they had guarded the Quinby gift and re- gretted greatly the sale of the land between the river and Quinby Hill, partienlarly the part opposite the city hall, and they also objected to the construction of the city hall, first because it obstructed the view of the river, but principally be- eanse they believed a stable in the lower part of the city build- ing would finally make the building unfit for nse. The town has lived to see the wisdom of the early fathers, and has partially rectified its mistake by taking the fire department ont of the building.
In 1896 the present fire department building was erected
(Loaned by the Tribune.)
OLD ENGINE HOUSE, WHERE CITY PARK NOW IS.
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on Park avenue. It cost about $20,000. In 1899 the Volunteer Fire Company ceased to exist, the present fire company was or- ganized, and the office of chief of fire department created. D. K. Moser was elected chief, and has held that office ever since. He has been a very efficient man.
The firemen, at this writing, on duty in this building are Chief Moser, Grant Drennen. William Griffith, Dennis Gates, and Milton Poulton.
As many manufacturies have sprung up in the northern part of the city, for several years pressure has been brought to bear for the establishment of a fire department in that ser- tion, and in 1908 a building was erected and equipped. The captain in this station is Harry Mills, Jolm Graham and Stan- ley Johnson being the men on duty.
CHAPTER XXVIIL.
GERMAN-AMERICAN FAMILIES OF TRUMBULL COUNTY .- DANIEL BISCHOFF .- CHRISTIANAR, VOIT, DIETZ, SHALER, DERR, GOERING, HUCKE, WALDECK, KOEHLER, ETC.
The Germans were among the very best of Warren's early citizens. In the beginning those who came were men and women of unusual talent. Many of them were well educated, all were frugal. and were willing to take part in anything which was for the welfare of the community. It is a pity that no record has been kept of these staunch citizens, and that even the children and the grandchildren know little about them. Most of them were Lutherans, and came from Germany proper. Among these was George Gairing, who was very well educated and a cabinet maker by trade. Daniel Bischoff (later written Bishop) was one of the leading men of his time. He was educated, had fine business sense, and was a sort of a go-between for the people here and those in Germany. He kept up his home interests and sold steamship tickets to those wishing to go back and forth. Hle had quite a family of children, having had two wives. It is a pity that no picture is preserved of his first store, which was a low affair, with a little door, and stood on the spot where the Bishop block now stands. He sold candy and later beer and wine. Possibly he sold these in the beginning. The family lived in the house and on the door was a bell which rang as customers opened it. It was the cleanest place, and it seems as if candy never tasted so good when bought anywhere else. Mr. Bishop was very pleasant to children, and we all saved our money to spend it there. Mr. MeQuiston, who kept a place across the street, used to buy old bottles, and many a summer day has the writer spent the morning gathering bottles, bar- gaining with Mr. MeQuiston for the sale, and as soon as the pennies were in her hand, dashing across the street to Bishop's. pushed in the door with the ringing bell, and called for three cents' worth of Ingu Paste.
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Another one of the leading Germans was Henry Christianar. Ile was a first-class wagon-maker, and was associated with John Martin in business. Mr. Christianar had a capable wife and family of children. Three of his daughters taught in Warren and in Cleveland. Emma, the oldest, married Azor Hunt and now lives in Homestead. Fred, the youngest of the boys, was especially successful in business and owned, at the time of his death a few months ago, part of the Colonial Hotel.
One of the most industrious and well beloved of the early Germans was Lewis Voit. He was a painter by trade, and a man who adhered strictly but gently to the teachings of his church. He had a goodly family of boys, all of whom reside in this city. Fred, the youngest, follows his father's trade; while Ed has the leading furniture store of the city, his brother Henry being associated with him. Will is one of the leading druggists, a partner of Byard. Ed has been a member of the board of education, and Will of the city council.
Captain Wilhelm Dietz came to this country in 1851. From New York he stopped in the state but later came to Warren. Two of his sons were A. N. and George. Ile was a tanner. George and A. N. were coopers. Both these men were exemplary citizens, George being the father of Louise Brenner, Youngs- town, and Clarence, of this city. A. N. married Kathrine Baehr, who was born in Saxe-Coburg-Gotha. Germany. in the castle of Coburg, in which Martin Luther resided at the time he wrote the famous hymn "Ein Feste Burg ist Unser Gott." Mr. and Mrs. Dietz were both strong characters, lived exemplary lives, Mrs. Dietz dying a few years ago. Four children still live, William, a very successful business man of Cleveland; August, connected with the Erie Railroad in Cleveland, holding an important position; Henry, teller of the Union National Bank: and Minnie, who is stenographer and confidential clerk of T. II. Gillmer.
Mr. Frederick Shaler, a carpenter, who resided most of his married life on Market street near the corner of Vine, was one of the reliable early German citizens. He died in the late '60s. but his wife survived him many years. She spent her time in the home of her daughters, Mrs. Seigfried, of Youngstown, and Mrs. F. J. Mackey, of Warren. A younger daughter, Frankie, died in youth. Mr. Shaler was held in high esteem by his Ger- man acquaintances and English neighbors.
Two Germans long identified with Warren were Myers and
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Herlinger. In the beginning they were laborers in the brick- yard on the flats. Later they owned this plant. David Her- linger had a large family of children: Elizabeth, now Mrs. Wakefield; John, employed at the McMyler Works; Theodore, the baker; David, a barber; Lena, Mrs. Henry Voit; George, a molder. They are all useful citizens. Of Mr. Myers' children four reside in Trumbull County: Jacob follows his father's trade and is at present connected with the brick company on the west side; Christopher is a grocer; William, a farmer at Newton Falls; and Charles is the junior member of Vautrot & Myers.
Samuel Derr was one of the early settlers who devoted his time to the keeping of a hotel and to the running of a mill in the lower part of town. He died very suddenly in the prime of life, and left a widow with a family of children to partially provide for. Mrs. Derr kept a boarding-house for many years where the library now stands, and was very successful in that business. At present she has a grandson, Louis James, and a grand- daughter, Olive Lamb, residing in this city.
John Goering, who came early from Germany to Warren, was a stone mason and contractor. Mr. Goering was a man of unusual integrity and he helped to construct many of the large buildings erected in Warren between 1850 and 1870. For many years he resided opposite the Lutheran church on Vine street, but later bought property on Howland Heights, which has just been sold by his children. Mr. Goering came of an excellent family in Germany. His nephew is now postmaster in Coburg, and another nephew was an architect of no mean reputation. He had two daughters by his first wife, two sons by his second. The oldest daughter, Julia Fisher, lives in Colorado; the younger daughter recently married Mr. Wolcott of Jefferson, and resides there, while the two sons are residents of Warren, Frederick being a carpenter, and Charles the senior member of the firm of Goering & Ohl.
George Bruno Hucke was a German who came to Warren in the early '50s and married a daughter of Dr. Tod of Newton Falls. They resided all their married life in Warren, where Mrs. Hucke still lives. Their daughter is Mrs. Nelson Cottle. of Porter avenue. Mr. Hucke was a fine musician, had a rich baritone voice, and for many years had charge of the music of the Episcopal church. He had a fine education, and in ordi- nary conversation showed little accent of speech, but when he
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poured forth his soul in song the German was very apparent. One can almost hear him now as he sang the Te Deum .We praise te, Oh, Gott, We acknowledge te to be te Lordt."
The Waldeck family was a large one. Ilenry, Joe, and Jolm were successful business men. They were originally Catholics, but Joe and John early became Protestants. Henry adhered to his faith, and was one of the leading spirits of St. Mary's parish. The Waldeck Bakery, which was managed by Henry. and later by his son, was one of the best stores of the kind that Warren ever had. Joe was a barber, and in his shop the girls of the '60's had their hair shingled, he being careful not to "pull." John, the youngest of the family, is in the insur- ance business and has been very successful.
John Koehler, who for many years had the marble estab- lishment in this city, stood at the very head of the German residents. Every motion and action showed his breeding and training. Self-respect was written on his face. He was respected by Americans and loved by his own countrymen here. He lived on Howland Heights, next to his friend and neighbor, Jolm Goering. He had a large family of children. Only one, Mary, who married John Waldeck, now resides in the city. Neither Mr. nor Mrs. Koehler lived beyond middle life.
Angustns Graeter was one of the best educated Germans who came to Warren. He and his family are referred to in the chapter under Hotels.
John Baehr, who now resides on First street, is a brother of the late Mrs. A. N. Dietz. He is a painter by trade, and for many years has been a leader in his occupation. He was long associated with John Rebhan, who now resides on Niles av- enne. Both these men were interested in Warren's welfare in the '50's and '60's, Mr. Rebhan being one of the most efficient members of the fire company.
John Bucksteiner, a shoemaker by trade, now working for J. A. Pew & Son, who has worked longer at his trade and more constantly than any other shoe man in the city, like his other German friends. is one of the most substantial citizens. He was a member of the early fire department, and he and Chris- tine Lemley saved the King Block from destruction in the fire of 1860. His son, John, is one of the leading merchants.
The early Germans in Warren were most of them Luther- ans and had social affairs of their own. They were very hospit- able and each felt responsible for the other. They had good
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discipline in their families and almost all of the second and third generation are reputable citizens. If any of their coun- trymen misbehaved, they helped him as long as it seemed best, and then dropped him with utter disgust forever. In the beginning most of them lived in the southeastern part of the town, east of Main street, below the canal. Here they had their own gardens, and their yards were full of flowers. Some of those who came later were not as well educated nor as prosper- ons as the first residents, but they were just as hospitable, and just as home-loving. As other nationalities came here and were employed in the rolling mill, and like places, the Germans moved to the west side and the east end, but their flowers and their prosperity went with them. When the hard times came and these other foreigners who had received large wages had to be assisted by the town, the Germans cared for themselves and when other houses filled with idle workmen sitting on the porches with the appearance of despair, the flowers bloomed in the German gardens and the German and his family felt little or nothing of the strain.
The early Germans used their own language in the homes. it was preached to them in the church, and in the early days a German school was held in summer in the Fulton Street schoolhouse, and later such a school was had in the Lutheran church. These German Germans disliked very much to be con- fused with the Pennsylvania Dutch, and although they re- spected the Germans who came from Pennsylvania with their distorted language, they always distinctly made it known that they were the real Germans.
CHAPTER XXIX .- BRACEVILLE.
JONATHAN BRACE .- OVIATT FAMILY .- OTHER SETTLERS .-- SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES .- PHALANX .- " BATTLE OF THE SNAKES. "-TORNADO.
This township was named in honor of Jonathan Brace, who was one of the three men purchasing land from the Connecti- ent Land Company in 1799. The other two were Enoch Per- kins and Roger Newberry. The following year Justin Ely, who owned land in Newton as did Jonathan Brace, became asso- ciated with them. The land was conveyed to Pardon Brown, and these five men became joint owners. The township was surveyed in 1802, and the first deed made was to Francis Free- man in 1803, and for many years some of his descendants lived on this property. He himself lived at Warren and became iden- tified with the building up of that place. Ilis old homestead, on the corner of Sonth and Main streets, still stands, while a house which he built before that, and which stood at the east of the Austin House, adjoining it, was torn down only a few years ago. He built for his son, Samuel Leavitt Freeman, the brick house standing on the north side of South street between Park and Main streets. This son, Samnel, married Charlotte Tod. the daughter of Dr. Tod, of Newton, and his daughter, Olive, married for a second husband, General Robert W. Ratliff. In 1803 Mr. Millan built a log cabin between Braceville and War- ren and went home to bring back his family. The Indians, as they often did, burned this empty cabin and the owner never returned, although the place was called Millantown until 1811, when it became Braceville. Some historians say that Ralph Freeman was the first settler of Braceville, while others give this credit to Sanmel Oviatt. This difference of opinion comes from the fact that Freeman was a bachelor and did not main- tain a real home, while Oviatt was married. Ralph married Betsey Stowe, daughter of Comfort Stowe, and their daughter. Frances, undoubtedly named for Francis Freeman, married Julius Austin. Julius was a cousin of Harmon Austin Sr. The
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Freeman and the Anstin families were connected in several dif- ferent ways, widow Austin, a greatgrandmother of Mrs. Pen- delton, married Samuel Leavitt for a second husband. Their daughter was the mother of Samuel L. Freeman. Freeman and William Mossman erected a log cabin on the river in 1803. Freeman got his land from his brother Francis, Mossman pur- chased a hundred acres. They kept house by themselves, had a cow, and many stories are told of the food they served them- selves, and the management they employed, while many a tidy housekeeper repeats the story of the unclean condition of their utensils, etc. Mr. Mossman did not seem to relish this life, moved to Warren, where he kept a tavern. and afterwards to Buffalo.
Samuel Oviatt, with his wife, Lonise Beckwith, two chil- dren, his brother Stephen and his bride, Sally Stone, came into the township in 1804. They came by the way of Pittsburg from Goshen, Connecticut. From Warren there was no road, and they had to cut one through the forest. They were six weeks on their way. Their father had purchased a thousand acres of land. They built their cabin south of the center and here. for many years Henry, a grandson of Samuel, lived.
These first settlers of Braceville suffered the same priva- tions that the settlers of other townships did. They had few vegetables, and in the midst of the first winter they were de- spairing when a turkey appeared near their cabin and was shot by one of the men, while Mrs. Stephen Oviatt, seeing a deer near the house, although unused to fire-arms, killed it.
Sally Stone Oviatt was the mother of the first child born in Braceville. His name was William J.
Early in 1805 Joshua Bradford and his wife, Anne Dunn, with three sons settled on Braceville Ridge, the highest land in Trumbull County.
A little later the father of the two Oviatts, Samnel Sr., with his wife, Sarah, his son Edmund and wife, Ruth. Seth and Mark, and their daughters Maria and Lucretia, took up their home near their sons Samuel and Steven. It will be seen, therefore, that among the early settlers the Oviatts were strong in number. They still are among the most important residents of that town. At the time that Samuel Oviatt Sr. came. the tribe of Indians who had treated with Moses Cleaveland at Conneaut had a little village on the Mahoning. Their chief, Paqua, was with them. They were friendly, but annoyed the
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settlers by constantly begging for whiskey and powder. When the trouble with the Indians at Deerfield occurred, at which time a man by the name of Devine was made blind by the shot from an Indian, this village was abandoned and here was fonnd one of the kettles which had been used at Salt Springs for the making of salt. The Braceville Indians had used it for making maple sugar.
In 1811 Comfort Stowe and his wife. Rachel Woodwin, ar- rived in Braeeville with nine children. This family was long identified with the township through the children and grand- children. Their great-grandson, Hobart L. Taft, now resides on this homestead land.
In 1812 Fowler Merwin, who with his wife, Mercy John- son, had gone to Braceville in 1807. ran for justice of the peace against Solomon Oviatt. This election was set aside after Mer- win had been declared elected, on the ground that he was the clerk of the election. The following month, May, another elec- tion was had, when Oviatt was declared elected. This election was likewise set aside. Of course, such a contest as this made bitter feeling between the families who had resided in Goshen, Connecticut. On the Fourth of July, the third election was held and the people took hold of the matter fairly and elected Robert Freeman. He was the father of the first settler, Ralph. and a brother of Francis. He was not only the first justice of the peace of the township, but he was the first person to die. He was buried on the Freeman farm and later interred in the township cemetery. This cemetery was laid out in 1812, and Saber Lane, wife of Isaac Lane, who died in January, 1813, was the first person buried therein.
Harriet Cleaveland Taft, a niece of Moses Cleaveland, whose father. Camden, settled in Liberty, married Auren P. Taft and settled in Braceville. She and her daughter, Olive. are now living on the old Taft homestead.
Among the residents of Braceville who are well known citizens of Cleveland now is Frederick L. Taft, who was born there in 1870. His father, Newton A. Taft, was of the same family as President Taft, and his mother was Laura A. Hum- phrey. Jndge Birchard, of Warren, was his great-unele. He graduated from the Newton Falls Union schools, attended Cin- cinnati Law School and was admitted when he was 21. He he- gan practice in Cleveland, was appointed city solicitor in 1898; in 1906 he was appointed judge of the court of common pleas
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to fill a vacancy. He was a delegate to the Republican con- vention of 1908 which nominated William H. Taft.
Dr. and Mrs. N. D. Chipman, educated people, moved to Braceville in 1835. They had no children of their own, but they took eight young girls at different times into their family. Some of these were given exceptional education. They also assisted three young men to prepare for college.
Martha Hedges, who was born in Canaan, Connecticut, came with her parents to Braceville in 1836. She was a successful school teacher and married Mr. Alfred Elwell of Warren. Their wedding trip was taken to a National Suffrage Conven- tion in Akron. They resided in Warren for many years. Mrs. Elwell was a great helpmeet to Mr. Elwell and she laughingly tells how she made his clothes, coats and all. when they lived in Warren. Mrs. Elwell, in later life, when she and her husband were very prosperous financially, and lived in Willoughby, was the president of the Ohio Woman Suffrage Association. Even at this date she retains a little of her New England accent and speaks of woman's suffrage as if it were spelled w-o-r-m-a-n suffrage. Her husband, Alfred, died a few years ago, after a long and tedions illness from paralysis.
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