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 50
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The first graves in Mesopotamia were marked by stones ent by John Tomlinson. Some of them are still standing, although much defaced.
The first sawmill in the township was built by Jolm Stark Edwards in 1803. Two years later a grist mill was built. Both these mills were run by water from the dam on Mill ereek.
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Mesopotamia had fewer distilleries than other townships. Some of the townships in old Trumbull County had as many as eighteen. Griswold Gillette was the owner of the Mesopotamia distillery, and the work was done in a log building near the center.
The first tavern was built in 1823, by Dr. D. L. Newcomb, of New York. This building was later used in the construction of another hotel, built and owned by Isaac Clark.
It is stated in other histories of townships that the early settlers-that is, the women-made all the garments which the family wore, with the exception of shoes. It seems in Mesopo- tamia that the men among the early settlers made the shoes. This became so onerous that Hezekiah Sperry went to New Haven and spent a year learning to make shoes, and when he returned worked at his trade, traveling from house to house. He carried his own tools, made his own pegs, and somebody spun the shoe thread for him.
Seth Tracy offered his house for the first school, which was held in 1803. It was tanght by Samuel Foward. The next year Samuel Higlee was the teacher, and the third teacher was Jerusha Guild, mentioned before. In 1806 the first schoolhouse was built, and this was on Seth Tracy's farm. Linens Tracy, who had only attended school six months, taught in this building successfully.
The first sermon preached in Mesopotamia was by Rev. Joseph Badger. The church was organized in 1817, with eight members, and was Presbyterian. It has since become Congre- gational. Among the early members we find the names of Tracy, Gillette, Loomis. Guild, Laird, Morrison and Crawford. The first church edifice cost $500, and was erected by the Presby- terians in 1822. The second church of this denomination cost $2,500, and was erected in 1843. The first regular pastor was Rev. Randolph Stone.
The dates of the formation of the early Methodist churches are in most cases unknown, and just when the classes became churches is not certain. The first Methodist preacher in Meso- potamia was named Daniels, and the first meeting-house of this denomination was erected in 1830. It has been twice rebuilt, the last time about ten years ago. Among the early Methodists we find the names of Sanderson, Laird, Easton, Ensign, Parker. and Smith. Mrs. Sanderson was one of the most active of the early members. The first quarterly meeting was held in Elisha
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Sanderson's barn. In 1833 a great revival took place, when abont fifty persons "experienced religion." Among the early elders were Mack, Ira Eddy, and William Brown. Among the circuit riders, Isaac Winans and James McMecham.
There was quite a tendency toward liberal religion in the northern part of Trumbull County in the early days. There was a Universalist church, which has since become the town hall. Why this church disbanded we do not know. It is said that the interest in Spiritualism among its members weakened it. The fact probably is that in those days people who were not orthodox, and were not held in the church for the same reason that orthodox people were held in the church, did not think it necessary to deny themselves in order to keep up their organi- zation.
CHAPTER XLVIII .- NEWTON.
NEWTON FALLS .- " PRICETOWN."-JESSE HALLIDAY .- DR. BRON- SON .- NEWTON FALLS VILLAGE .- SCHOOLS .- CHURCH ORGANIZATIONS.
. In the early history of Trumbull County, Newton township 3, range 5, played an important part. In fact, at one time, the place now known as "Newton Falls" bid fair to rival Warren. Because of the water power, many residents of Trumbull County took their business there, although a goodly number of them later returned to Warren. In 1802 Alexander Sutherland, from Pennsylvania, settled on Duck Creek, at the place later known as "Duck Creek Corners." His wife and infant daughter were with him. He stuck some posts in the ground, covered the sides with bark, and used quilts for doors. Abont that same time came Ezekial Hover. He and Mr. Sutherland made the first path to the mill at Youngstown. Mr. Sutherland was an influ- ential person in the community after the settlement was made. He was county recorder for several years. His son James carried the mail from Warren to Canton when there was no house between his father's and Warren. Many a night has this lad trudged through the woods until almost morning. carrying in a handkerchief the little mail for the settlers of Newton township.
Jesse Halliday, the father of Mrs. King and Mrs. D. B. Woods, in 1803, paddled a canoe from Warren np the south line of Newton. He went aground in the rapids near Newton, and decided that if there was that much force in the water, it was a good place to stop and build a mill. He therefore put up a little shanty and the next year his mill was going. A few months later a road was opened to Warren by way of the Ledge. This is the spot which was afterwards known as "Price's Mills," or "Price- town." It was named for the Price family. Mrs. Dr. Tod was a Miss Price, and consequently Mrs. S. L. Freeman, Mrs. J. B. Perkins, Mrs. G. B. Hucke, Mrs. McConnell, and Mrs. Jane T.
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Ratliff were his granddaughters. Charles Tod and Mrs. Ratliff are the two of this family now living in Newton Falls. Later, the name of Pricetown became Calender's Mills. This original mill of Mr. Halliday was a ernde affair, and if the water was low, it would not work, so the people of Newton went to Garrets- ville for their "grist." However, Mr. Halliday's judgment was good, because with new machinery and improvements of all kinds this was a business center for many years afterwards.
Jesse Halliday and wife, Sarah Hover (who was a daughter of Emannel Hover, a captain in the Revolutionary war), came to Warren in 1800. He kept a tavern on Main street and owned a great deal of land in that vicinity. The Indians made his tavern their stopping place when coming to Warren to buy and trade, and he had much influence over them. After a few years he built a new tavern, which had the first brick chimney in Warren. He had a large family, all of whom are dead. Cynthia, the oldest, born in 1803, married Walter King, a jeweler of Warren, and was a lifelong resident of that town, dying at the age of 96. Phebe Halliday married Dr. D. B. Woods, a promi- nent physician and lifelong resident of Warren, and both are dead. Luey Ann married a Mr. Black, Hover Halliday died in Detroit a number of years ago, and Jesse Halliday. Jr., was killed in the War of 1848 with Mexico.
In 1804 Mr. Kale, Nathaniel and William Staley, and Daniel Dull, settled in this vicinity, as did Manuel Hover and Charles Adgate. En 1805 Isaae Hudson settled on what was known as "Kale creek," while in 1811 came John Hudson, and in 1814 Dr. Tracy Bronson. He immediately began practicing. Before this the people of this settlement had depended upon the doctors in Warren. Dr. Bronson was born in Middlebury, Connecticut. He graduated from the medical department of Yale College in 1813. In other parts of this work we have told of the Freeman family, of Braceville and Warren, and it was into this family that Dr. Bronson married, his wife being Mary, the daughter of Robert. She died in 1833, and the next year he married Sarah Stanwood, who lived until 1866. He served three times in the Ohio legislature, and in 1840 was a member of the Whig national convention, which nominated William Henry Harrison for president.
The best known members of the Bronson family was Will- iam, the youngest son of Mary Freeman Bronson. He was brought up on the farm, but spent some time in surveying when
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the Mahoning Railroad was built. Ile had a number of children. One bearing the name of Freeman died at the age of two years. For fifteen years William Bronson was justice of the peace at Newton, and was twice elected commissioner of the county.
In 1806 Ezekial Hover made the first survey of the village of Newton Falls, and in 1829 Joshua Henshaw made a second one. Because of the influential family, the DuBois, it was pro- posed to call it " DuBoisville." In 1807 John Lane built a honse there, and in 1808 Bildad IFine and family came from Connecti- ent. In 1808 Mr. Canfield and Harmon Ruggles built a sawmill where later the woolen factory stood, and in 1811 a grist mill was started there. It was burned down in 1817 by a drunken man, who took lodging in it. It would be well worth some student's time to go to the old papers and books which have been read by the author of this history and note how many lives, how many buildings, how many limbs, were sacrifieed to men made irresponsible by aleohol. Few people thought of it then, but we think of it now. This mill of Mr. Canfield's was not re- built by him, but in 1829 Horace and AAngustus Stevens put mp a mill there and for many years they had a large list of enstom- ers and did most excellent work.
Benjamin B. Yale was one of the best millwrights of the county. He worked in Braceville, at these Newton Falls mills. first for Canfield & Ruggles, second for Canfield and Gillson; and later for John Lane.
The first male child born in the township was Noah Dull; the first female, Elsie Sutherland.
Thomas MeCay and Polly Moore were the first couple married.
The first death was a child of Peter Decoursey.
The first sermon was preached in 1808 by Rev. James Boyd.
The first justice of the peace in Newton Falls was Ben- jamin Davison; the first in the township, Stephen Oviatt.
The first chnreh erected was at Newton Falls in 1837.
. First mill, built by Jesse Halliday, 1807.
The first bridge was built in 1813 over the west branch of the river.
The first burying ground was donated by Bildad Iline and Jonathan Jacobs, and the first interment there was Captain Reuben Bostick, brother-in-law of Mr. Hine.
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The Indians were not only early around Newton township but they stayed there longer than in many of the other town- ships. This was undoubtedly because of the condition of the river, and the hunting in that vicinity, and because it was on the road to Salt Springs. They were sometimes troublesome, but usually could be managed, unless they had too much "firewater." It is supposed that this locality for many years had been their camping ground, because near where the Porter Flour Mill stood for many years, and where picnics and other outings were held, was a large body of stone, overgrown with grass and small trees, which at the time of the excavation for the canal proved to be an Indian burying place.
Newton Falls was incorporated as a village in 1872 by T. I. Gilliner, J. N. Ensign, W. L. Hosier and C. G. Graham. The first election was held in 1872, the trustees being Lyman T. Soule, Henry Tayler, James F. Porter. H. S. Robbins was mar- shal; C. G. Graham, clerk and treasurer.
Newton Falls, as we have seen, in the early days, was a business center. It then declined, but just now is attracting a good deal of attention because the Hydro-Electric & Gas Com- pany has bought the mill sites and erected thereon plants from which power will be used to generate electricity which will be sold to cities, villages, and individuals down the valley. Then, too, of late, the B. & O. Railroad has shortened its route between Youngstown and Akron, not running its main line into Warren, so that passengers from Warren and vicinity must come to Newton on the branch, if they are to use this line.
Among the best known of the residents of Newton Falls was John Beaver, whose biography is given in the chapter on the Bench and Bar. Judge T. I. Gillmer and T. H. Gilliner were born and spent their early lives in Newton. They are also re- ferred to in the same chapter.
James F. Porter, with his sons, were among the business men of Newton. They were all greatly respected by Trumbull County residents.
The first school at Dnek Creek was held in a log house which stood near the sawmill. Its chimney was of stone and an im- provement over the first chimneys of sticks and mud. There were no windows except holes in the logs, and the seats were, as usual, of logs. The first teacher was a young man named Brooks.
The first school of which there is any record, in the village
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of Newton Falls, was in 1812. Miss Draper was the teacher. "Hon. Eben Newton, then a beardless boy. gave young America a winter's training in this school." The schoolhouse in which he taught stood on the spot where the south warehouse was for so long. Schoolhouses began about this time to appear in differ- ent parts of the township, but there is little or no record kept of them or their teachers.
The high school and then the union school were established at Newton, and this institution has always had a good standing in Trumbull County and vicinity. Among the later teachers were the late Judge E. E. Roberts and T. H. Gillmer. The latter has always been interested in schools, being the present president of the Warren city board of education. When the hardships of the scholars in the Warren schools are brought to his attention, he either smiles or narrates some of his experiences. In his day lessons were learned by heart, and he can now recite pages which he admits he hated to learn, but which he declares he has been able to use in many ways. When pupils are given a slight shake, now-a-days, or a gentle reprimand he calls attention to the fact that his punishment was being made to squat under the table with his head against the under side, where he was not allowed either to kneel down or straighten up. Ile says he can feel his back ache now when he thinks of it. No wonder that a frown or the shake of a head seems slight discipline to him.
The first church organization in Newton Falls was the Asso- ciate Reformed. This society long since ceased to exist. The Baptists also occupied the house formerly used by this church, but they have disappeared. The Episcopalians held services here, and Mr. DuBois, whose work is described in the chapter on the Episcopal church of Warren, at one time lived here, and was pastor of this church. Many of the members of this Epis- copal church moved back to Warren, or elsewhere, and the or- ganization finally ceased to exist.
Mr. A. S. Tayler, clerk of the Christian church, is anthority for the following: "The Christian church at Newton Falls ( then called Disciple) was first organized as a Baptist church in 1820. It was reorganized as a Christian church. March 12, 1828, at Braceville. It had twenty-seven members, and is said to have been the first church on the Western Reserve to adopt the Holy Scripture as the only rule of faith and practice. Wor- ship was had in the schoolhouses until 1839, when a new house was erected in Newton Falls, near the graveyard, where services
Vol. I-36
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were held until June 21, 1908. Among the preachers were Marens Bosworth, John T. Smith, Harvey Broekett, John Parker, Charles MeDongle, Moses Warren, E. H. Hawley, Leon- ard Southmade, A. S. Hayden, H. W. Everest, J. H. Roads. Methias Christy, J. N. Smith, A. W. Ohls, O. C. Atwater, H. D. Carlton, W. O. More, D. P. Thayer, D. J. White, O. A. Richards, MI. J. Gradle, C. M. Keene, George Musson, D. R. Moss, F. A. Nichols, E. B. Wakefield, G. P. Simons, Judson H. Ladd, J. C. Archer, and C. B. Stevens, the present pastor. The present officers of the church are: Elders, A. S. Tayler, D. J. White, C. E. Fenton, C. W. Smith ; deaeons, L. L. Robbins, T. J. Morris, Henry Harnar, W. A. Davis, James Hoffman, C. H. Hernar, E. W. MeClure, John Hook; financial secretary, M. F. Hudson; treasurer, C. W. Smith; clerk, A. S. Tayler. The number of members, 325."
The Baptists had an organization as early as 1820. Thomas Miller was the preacher, and most of the meetings were held at the house of Benoni Johnson, in Braceville. Here Marcus Bos- worth and his wife were baptized. Mareus Bosworth was the early deaeon; he was also the recognized leader of the church, and, as we have noted, became one of the most efficient members. When the other Baptist churches of the county became interested in the teachings of Campbell, Rev. Jacob Osborne reorganized the church, as stated by Mr. Tayler.
In 1836 Rev. John Treat preached to a number of people gathered in the house of Horace Stevens. It was decided then to organize a Presbyterian church of the congregational form. This was done December 4th of the same year, and the "Church of Jesus Christ" was the name given it. Joseph Treat and Chapin Clark were the first ministers. Among the early mem- bers were Hiram and Martha Hfinman, Luther Lyman, John Payne, Amelia and Martha Beebe, Lucy Babbitt, Amelia Stevens, also Horace Stevens, Reuben Babbitt, Henry IIndson, Emily Lyman, Susan and Margaret Patterson. After this organization the first publie worship was had December 15th and the Rev. Mr. Clark preached the sermon. In 1840 preparations were made for building a house of worship. It was ereeted on the lot then owned by Isaac Stanley and is still standing. Professor Day. of the Western Reserve College, preached the dedicatory sermon in 1842. Robert C. Leonard and Daniel Emmerson were among the early ministers. At that time, the church officials decided not to allow any shows, "models of new inventions, ex-
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hibition for the purpose of speaking dialogues, comedies or orations" or to allow any kind of decorations which would take the minds of the people from the service. It was also required that three-fourths of the denomination must vote in favor before a political meeting could be held there. In 1868 the form of church organization was changed to Presbyterian. In 1879 the rules governing the. Congregational church were adopted, and were holding good when the last information was received in regard to it.
The Methodist church was organized in 1837 with the follow- ing members: "William Earle and wife, Widow Harris, Mrs. John Iludson, and three others." The Rey Arthur M. Brown and E. J. L. Baker were the ministers who assisted. The next winter, a protracted meeting was held in the Disciple church, a number of converts being made. Eighty persons were added to the church in 1840 through the efforts of Lorenzo Rodgers and John Roberts. The church building was erected in 1843. Usu- ally the minister who served Braceville served Newton Falls as well, until 1875. In that year the Newton church was separated from Braceville and it had a membership of forty-six. The present building was erected in 1904-05 and cost about $12,000. It was dedicated on February 12, 1905. In 1887 a fine parsonage was built, costing about $1,800.
List of pastors who served Newton Falls church: E. J. L. Baker, 1836; A. M. Brown, 1836-37 ; John Crum, 1837 ; Ira Eddy, 1838; R. J. Sibley, 1838; B. O. Plimpton, 1838; J. W. Davis. 1839; Aurora Callender, 1840: P. D. Horton, 1840; James Gill- more, 1841; R. M. Bear, 1841; T. B. Tate, 1842; Lorenzo Rodg- ers, 1842-43; W. W. Maltby, 1843; Stephen Heard, 1844; J. J. Steadman, 1844; Lewis Clark, 1845; J. W. Lowe, 1846; E. B. Lane, 1847-48; Milo Butler, 1849-50; J. M. Plant, 1851; 1I. M. Loud, 1852: A. M. Brown, 1853-54; R. W. Crane, 1855; J. H. Tagg, 1856-57; G. W. Chesbro, 1858; J. H. Hallock, 1859-60; H. P. Henderson, 1861-62; J. B. Grover, 1863-64; Jolm Graham, 1865; H. M. Chamberlain, 1866; Hiram Kellogg, 1867; E. D. MeCreary, 1868; C. C. Hunt, 1869; J. R. Shaffer, 1870; N. C. Brown, 1871-72; C. V. Wilson, 1873-75; J. II. Starret, 1876; W. A. Clark, 1877; E. P. Edmonds, 1878; W. L. Davidson, 1879; John Tribby, 1880; J. J. Wallace, 1881-82; Samuel Crouse, 1883: E. B. Lewis, 1884: J. R. Jacobs, 1885-86; 1. J. Harris. 1887-89; I. C. Paugh, 1890; E. E. Whittaker, 1891-92; W. N. Webster,
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1893-96; J. A. Wright, 1897: R. W. Gardner. 1898-1901; R. W. Wyrick, 1902-05; W. C. C'ain, 1906-08.
Henry Willderson, who united with the church in 1840, and J. N. Ensign, in 1842, both now deceased, were prominent and active workers in the church for many years. The old church and property was sold to the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in April. 1903, for $7,000. after which the new church was built. The present officers are as follows: Rev. W. C. Cain, pastor; (. F. Gardner, treasurer; T. A. Beard, secretary; trustees are L. A. Robbins, David Beard, O. R. Jones, H. P. Hoover, W. A. Hindman, J. B. Beard. P. B. Ogan, Lafayette Lowry; stewards are W. W. Klingerman, Madison Flohr. C. F. Gardner, Wade K. Gardner, T. A. Beard. G. A. MeMillen, O. O. Wolcott. Fred Cory.
Rev. F. C. Becker, Rev. Huet, and Rev. Mahnenschmidt, in the early thirties, preached for the German people in Newton. These services were held in the schoolhouse, located about a quarter of a mile below the center. The first trustees were Leonard Miller, from the Lutheran church: Jacob Feister, from the German Reformed. The original members were Jacob Feis- ter, John Loab, from the German Reformed church; George, Jacob, and David Longenberger, Leonard, Jacob, and John Miller, from the Lutherans. We presume these men's wives were members of the church, and probably did more praying and adhered more closely to the moral tenets taught than did their lords and masters. But German men of those days loved their frans in their way, but not as equals. This church organi- zation built a meetinghouse in 1837, and constructed a new one in 1850. Father Becker was an efficient pastor of this church for more than fifty years. Among the ministers who preached for the German Reformed on alternate Sundays were the Revs. Malmenschmidt, Rahhauser, Ruhl, Renter, Grether, Fair, Per- kins, and Otting.
CHAPTER XLIX .-- SOUTHINGTON.
YANKEE SETTLERS .-- THE NORTON FAMILY .- AN UNPROFESSIONAL PHYSICIAN .-- WHITE .- THE SCHOOLS .- RELIGION AND ITS ADHERENTS.
The owners of township 5. range 5, were Messrs. Bolles. Cowles and Ely. Bolles owned the greatest portion and it was known as " Bollestown." When the name became Southington, or why, we are unable to state. Physically, it is not an attractive town. Lying at the foot of the hills of Nelson and Hiram, with the more picturesque townships of Farmington, Champion and Braceville near it, it suffers by comparison. Its soil is heavy with elay, and towards the western edge the pudding stone rock of Nelson ledge comes near the surface. It is so near the connty seat, has no water to speak of, and only one railroad. so that it has not grown as have most townships. However, its people are prosperous, and in reading the history of the early times and in interviewing old inhabitants we find that the descendants of those who first came are the leading citizens.
The first settlement was made in 1805, and the township was organized into election districts in 1817. The first families were pure Yankees, most of them coming from Litchfield county, Connecticut.
In 1805 Luke Viets and his wife: James Chalker, wife and two children ; Benjamin and David Viets ; Roderick and Horace Norton, came in ox wagons and had the usual experience of the pioneer.
James Nutt, a young man who followed soon the party of 1805, married Polly Viets. He was the first justice of the town- ship, and their wedding was the first one celebrated.
Edmund, the son of James Chalker, was the first child born in Southington, and as he lived but a year and a half. his death was the first.
In 1810 Roderick Norton went to Connecticut, and returned
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in the fall with his bride, Olive Miller. Whether it took him all summer to persuade her to take up the hardships of pioneer life we do not know, but that he and she spent six weeks on their wedding journey, and that she was quite contented in their new home is certain. Their oldest son, Homer, lived until 1896. His house stood upon the identical spot where his father, Rode- rick, burned his first brush heap in 1805.
During the war of 1812, when Homer was a little fellow, and there was a younger baby, Mrs. Norton spent the winter in a log cabin in this Sonthington wilderness, a half a mile away from the nearest cabin. At that time her only comfort was a faithful dog. She feared both wild animals and Indians, and she often burned powder, letting the fumes go through the chineks in her cabin, to scare away the wolves. She had nothing with which to scare the Indians, who, fortunately. did not molest her.
Each township in the beginning had some women who acted as doctor or nurse, and Mrs. Norton was that woman for South- ington. She would go at all times of day or night to any point where she was needed or sent for, and she alleviated a great deal of pain and shared in many sorrows. She reared three sons, two of whom are ministers, one a lawyer, and six dangh- ters. Possibly she did not realize how little there was in old Trumbull County before she came here, for she brought her church letter with her, and there was no church to join. Her two youngest children were twins, Mary and Martha. The latter married Charles Wannamaker, and had the original deed of the land for the cemetery at the center. This land was bought of Joseph and Catherine Rice for the sum of $13.75. It was thought instead of taxing the residents that a subscription list better be cireulated. The persons signing this paper are as fol- lows: Roderick Norton, 50 cents; Leonard Osborn, 25 cents ; Joshua Osborn, 50 cents; Horace Norton, 25 cents; Milton Osborn, 25 cents; Eberander Crofford, 50 cents; Isaac Hurd, 25 cents; Ira Rose, 25 cents; Seth Hurd, 50 cents; Gilbert Oshorn, 25 cents; Stephen Osborn, 25 cents; Stephen Crofford, 50 cents: Chauncey Taft, 30 cents; Comfort Hurd, 50 cents; James Chalker, 50 cents; Chauncey Curtis, 50 cents: Daniel Maltbie, 30 cents; Luke Viets, 50 cents. The trustees were Roderick Norton, James Hateh and Comfort Hurd.
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