Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 22

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > Youngstown > Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th > Part 22

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Christopher Mentzer settled on section 13 in 1803, and soon after Christopher Clinker settled in the neighborhood of North Lima, with his sons, Abner, Josiah, Samuel and Isaac.

In the same neighborhood, as early as 1804, were Michael and Frederick Dutterer. Among

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the pioneers of the southern part of the town- ship were John Harman, Henry Neidigh, and Frederick Sponseller. In the same year ( 1804) John Coblentz, from Frederick, Maryland, settled on the south side of section 25. He had a family of four sons and one daughter, the last-named of whom became the wife of John Elsler.

ORGANIZATION.

The township was organized for civil pur- poses in 1811, and the first election held April Ist of that year. The judges were Peter Eib, Frederick Sponseller, and Christian Clinker. The following were the officers elected: Trus- tees-John Crumbacher, Christian Clinker, Frederick Sponseller; clerk-George Hoke; treasurer-John Harmon;

lister-Adam Little; house appraiser, John Coblentz; con- stable, Jacob Gilbert; overseers of the poor, Balzar Mower, David Gerringer; fence-view- ers, John Neidigh, Sr., Christopher Mentzer ; road supervisors-Christian Crebs and Jacob Crouse; justices of the peace, Peter Eib and Adam Little.

MINING AND MANUFACTURING.

Coal was formerly mined in the county in considerable quantities. One of the largest mines was that of Azariah Paulin which yielded 1500 to 2000 tons yearly. There were also coal banks on the farms of Daniel Crouse and Abraham Yoder, and a number of other mines south of East Lewistown which yielded good coal. The good mines are now all ex- hausted and coal mining is practically a thing of the past.

The first mill put in operation in the town- ship was built on Mill Creek, in section fifteen, in 1805, by Matthias Glass. It was subse- quently replaced by one of greater capacity built by Jacob Crouse. In 1849 a steam mill was erected by Anthony Smith, which was a three-story frame structure and had three run of stones.

Peter Glass also put up a sawmill, north of

the old Glass mill, which was operated many years by Solomon Crouse.

Abraham Stauffer had grist and saw mills on Mill creek which were operated up to 1840. A water-power saw mill was put up on Tur- key Broth creek, in section nine, by Jacob Detwiler. It was subsequently operated by John Fellnagel, who changed it to a steam mill.

Jacob Esterly built one of the earliest tan- neries, near the village of North Lima.

NORTH LIMA.

This is a pleasantly situated village, and was founded about 1826 by James Simpson. One of the earliest merchants was a man named Hartzell; others were John Glass and John Northrup. The first regular store was opened by the Neill Brothers, whose clerk, John Leslie, subsequently became a partner in the business. Other early merchants were Crouse & Northrup, Buzard & Co., J. H. Donald and Mentz, Hahn, Fell & Co. The first public house was opened by John Glass in 1830.

About 1828 the first postoffice was estab- lished, with Jacob Gilbert as postmaster. Ow- ing to the difficulty in getting the mail, the office was discontinued in 1831, but in 1834 it was re-established. Nathan Hahn was the first permanent physician in North Lima, com- ing her in 1846 and remaining until his death in 1874. Other doctors had previously prac- ticed here for short periods of time, the first being Drs. Manning and Willet in 1831.

EAST LEWISTOWN.

This well laid-out village, which is about two miles west of North Lima, was founded about 1830 by John Nold, Henry Thoman, Sr., Peter Goder, Sr., and George Houck. In 1839 a store was opened here by Jesse Mot- ter in the house occupied by H. Thoman as a residence. Mr. Motter continued in trade until 1845. Other early merchants were Ja- cob S. Thoman, T. G. Northrup, Franklin

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Dunn, Smith & Buzard, George Buzard and Frederick Fellnagle. The first public house was kept by a man named Morrow, about 1843, in a building opposite the Thoman resi- dence. Ten years later Conrad Stigletz opened an inn on the square, which he con- ducted till 1863.

The first postoffice was established about 1841 with Philip Fetzer as the first postmas- ter. For some time it had but a semi-weekly mail, but afterwards a daily delivery was in- troduced. Dr. Ethan A. Hoke was the first regular physician.

SCHOOLS.

The schools of Beaver township are di- vided as follows:

Ist .- The North Lima special district, which comprises the North Lima High School .of three rooms and three teachers ( Superin- tendent H. W. Phillips); intermediate, Bes- .sie B. Rice, teacher ; primary, Maude Glenn, : teacher.

Fractional district-Floyd Felger, teacher. Morgantown district-Myrtle Kelley, teacher.

Erb district-J. R. Duncan, teacher.

All the above are in the East precinct, which enrolls in all 190 scholars.

The West district (or Special District No. I) contains three schools, namely : East Lewis- town district, Curtis Ziegler, teacher; Beard district, Henry Crumbacher, teacher; Boyer · district.

Special No. 2. Pine Hill district, Ota Orr, teacher; Harter district, Adelia Basinger, teacher; Germantown district. The first-men- tioned schools in the above are in the East precinct, the last one in the West precinct. The special district contains 176 scholars.

The Fractional district, with the school at Woodworth, comprises a small part of Beaver township, and a part of Boardman. Alice Renkenberger is the teacher.

The school buildings of Beaver township ·are all substantial brick buildings, and a few years since were pronounced by the state "school commissioner as being the best and most

substantial of any township in the state. In the special school districts the branches taught are, orthography, reading, writing, arithme- tic, geography, grammar, language lessons, United States history, physiology, physical geography, and algebra.

MORGANTOWN GANG.

While no township in Mahoning County possesses more law-abiding citizens in propor- tion to its size than that of Beayer, there was at one time a small but well organized lawless element that succeeded for twenty years in ter- rorizing a large part of the community by crimes of arson, theft, and perjury, until the reign of terror was brought to an end by the arrest and conviction of some of the ring leaders.

These troubles arose about the close of the Civil War, and it is said that political differ- ences had no small part in originating them. The disturbers of the peace were in general of that class known as southern sympathizers, or "Copperheads," and their differences with their loyal neighbors brought on acts of ag- gression and retaliation that finally degener- ated into the midnight crimes that for a time gave the township of Beaver an unsavory rep- utation.

The leader of this lawless element was Azariah Paulin, a man of such natural cunning and astuteness, though united to a vindictive and criminal disposition, as to earn for him the title of ""The Old Fox." By many, owing to his leading connection with the troubles re- ferred to, and his ability in warding off from his subordinates for so long the legal conse- quences of their acts, he was termed the "Old Chief." The disposition of this man is well illustra'ed by his conduct in connection with a contract made by him with one Tom Camp- bell. Paulin possessed a farm at Steamtown worth $10,000. Campbell had a berry patch on Paulin's farm and it was agreed between them that Campbell should raise the berries and that he and Paulin should share equally in the proceeds. When the patch had been planted and was in good shape Paulin ignored

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the contract and ordered Campbell off his farm, the latter thereby losing from $1,200 to $1,500. This act, which took place about 1880, was, it is said, the beginning of the final phase of the Morgantown trouble, which re- sulted in the final incarceration of the guilty parties. The town of Morgantown, which was named after John Morgan, the raider, was the place of residence and headquarters of the criminal gang who for a score of years kept the community in terror by their midnight dep- redations, barn burnings, and other criminal acts of revenge. So well organized were these lawbreakers that for a long time, though they were well known, few could summon up cour- age to proceed against them, and when any one did so the systematic perjury of the ac- cused and other members of the gang always resulted in acquittal, while the one who had complained was made to feel the vengeance of the conspirators. A German farmer who was put upon the witness stand in connection with one of these cases declined to give evidence tending to conviction on the ground that he "didn't want to have his barn burned." About 1883, the situation became so intolerable that some resolute county officials, backed by the local press, made at last a determined and suc- cessful effort to bring the offenders to justice. Indictments were found against a number of the lawbreakers, some of whom fled the county, Several convictions, however, were obtained. George Paulin, a son of the "Old Fox," and Delmar Little received each a sentence of six years in the state penitentiary for perjury. Among those who disappeared were Azariah Paulin himself, his sons, William Henry and Charles, and his nephew, Simon Paulin. The last named, who lived on a part of Azariah's farm at Steamtown, and who was indicted for arson at the May term of court, 1884, with Jacob Paulin and Bill Cluse, after absenting himself for a considerable time, returned March 6, 1885, and going to the jail in Youngstown at 2 o'clock in the morning, gave himself up. He was a very large stout man, weighing about 225 or 230 pounds, and had a wife and four small children. He was a son of Jacob Paulin, who was convicted of

arson at the May term of court 1884, and sentenced by Judge Arrel to three years in the penitentiary. Those inter- ested in the prosecution, however, were determined to have the chief conspirator, Az- ariah himself, who had been indicted on four charges-concealing stolen property, corrupt- ing witnesses, perjury and arson. His bail was placed at $2,200 and the bond signed by Attorney P. F. Gillies, Mrs. Paulin securing. Gillies by executing a mortgage on their farm of ninety-six acres in Morgantown. Aza- riah's disappearance took place about January 5, 1885. As near as could be ascertained, he went first to Columbiana, and thence to East Liverpool, remaining in that vicinity until January 13th. From there he went to Alex- ander, West Virginia. It was at this place that ex-Sheriff Lodwick got track of him and spent several days trying to get him, but failed. He was next heard of in Pittsgurg, where he claimed to have remained three days. On February 24, 1885, Sheriff Walker, who had received a clue as to his whereabouts, arrived with a requisition from Governor Hoadly. The sheriff left the city going directly to Harris- burg, Pennsylvania, where he found that Paulin had remained there for several days, but had left for Shippensburg on the Cumber- land Railway. While in Harrisburg, the lat- ter had passed himself off as a tramp and got free lodging one night in the jail, going under the name of "A. Summers."

From that place he went to Shippensburg on the Cumberland Railway. Here he took refuge with one Jacob Stoffer, whom he had formerly known as a resident of Poland. On arriving at Shippensburg, the sheriff found that Azariah had received mail at the post- office. In leaving the building he saw him sit- ting on a horse across the street and immedi- ately placed him under arrest. When arrested Paulin had but $7 or $8 in his possession.

The sheriff conveyed him to Pittsburg and thence to Youngstown. His bail bond in the meanwhile had been forfeited, but on his ar- rival the forfeiture was set aside.

The prisoner, who was partly disabled by a disease of his feet, which were much swollen,

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was sure of conviction, but claimed persecution by his family. He had previously made charges of immorality against his wife, which were declared to be false by every reputable witness who was acquainted with the family, . and in his disagreement with her he had threat- ened to commit suicide. In court he presented a grizzled and unkempt appearance. He pleaded guilty to subornation of perjury, and to the second count in the charge of arson (the first count being nolled by the court) whereby he was accused of procuring William Chuse to burn Blosser's barn.

In so doing he said : "I'm not really guilty of this crime, but I discover that I am so sur- rounded with witnesses who will swear my liberty away and whose statements I cannot contradict, except by myself, that I have con- cluded to save the county expense and the court trouble by pleading guilty. I am satis- fied that upon a trial I would be found guilty, although I am perfectly innocent of the charge. I take this step by the advice of my attorneys."

The cases against Paulin for receiving stolen property and corrupting witnesses were also nolled.

I. A. Justice, A. Paulin's counsel, made an earnest plea for judicial clemency, urging his client's age and the crusade that had been in- cessantly made against him.

His sentence was three years on each in- dictment-for arson and for subornation of perjury.

BERLIN TOWNSHIP .

Berlin is one of the most picturesque town- ships in Mahoning County, the beauty of its western portion being enhanced by the wind- ing Mahoning river, with its woody banks and verdant valleys. In the southwestern quarter is Mill creek, with its tributary of Turkey Broth, and other small streams and runs that empty into it, and add variety of scenery to a well-watered landscape.

The surface of Berlin is almost level with a few gentle undulations here and there. The soil is a good strong loam, fertile and well adapted to fruits and cereals. With such in-

ducements for the pursuit of agriculture, Ber- lin has naturally developed into a farming community. There are no large villages, Ber- lin Center, a somewhat straggling settlement with a population of about sixty, being the most important.

ORGANIZATION.

The township was formerly a part of Ells- worth and was not separately organized until March, 1828, when it was erected into a town- ship and made an election precinct by the county commissioners.

The township officers first elected were as follows, the election taking place April 7, 1828: Trustees, Nathan Minard, Thompson Craig, Samuel Kauffman; treasurer, Salmon Hall; clerk, Joseph H. Coult; constable, John Stuart; overseers of the poor, William Kirkpat- rick, Christian Kauffman; fence viewers, Jo- seph Davis, Joseph Leonard; supervisors, Ed- ward Fankle, Benjamin Misner, Abraham Craft.

The first justice of the peace was Peter Musser, appointed in 1828.

SETTLEMENT.

The first white settler of Berlin was Gar- ret Packard, who came from near Winchester, Virginia, to Austintown in 1803. After re- maining there about two years, he removed to Deerfield, but six years later came to Berlin and settled on a farm on Mill creek in the southwestern part of the township. Soon af- ter his arrival, he had a son born, Thomas, who was the first white child born in the town- ship. For a number of years his family was the only one here. In the war of 1812, being then the only man in what is now Berlin, he was drafted, and served three months. He died in 1820 at the age of about forty-five. His wife, whose maiden name was Eleanor Hen- drickson, survived him ten years, dying at the home of her son-in-law, John McCollum, in Austintown, May 13, 1830, she being then about fifty-four years of age. They were the parents of ten children.

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The second settler in Berlin was Jacob Weldy, who located with his family in the southwestern corner of the township. He had a large family.

Other early settlers were: George Baum, whose father emigrated from Germany, set- tling in Salem, and who in 1815 married Bet- sey Packard; Joseph H. Coult, who was the first settler at the Center, and who was land agent for Amos Sill, proprietor of the greater part of the township; Abraham Hawn, who came about 1820, and located about two miles north of the center; Matthias Glass, who set- tled in the northwestern part of the township about 1822, and Reuben Gee, Joseph Davis and David Parshall, who came about 1824. Many of the early as well as the later settlers came from Pennsylvania, and were for the most part "quiet, unobtrusive and progress- sive people."

The early name of Berlin township was "Hart and Mathers," from the names of two men who were originally proprietors in it. It was named Berlin at the instance of one of the early German settlers, Matthias Glass, who wanted the name of the township to remind him of his fatherland.

Berlin was settled somewhat later than the other townships, and was for a number of years a great hunting ground for the settlers for miles around, game being most abundant.

EARLY INDUSTRIES.

A sawmill was built by Matthias Glass, who also built a grist mill, both on the Mahon- ing, a short distance above Frederick. The grist mill was afterwards burned and the site purchased by Isaac Wilson, who built thereon a flouring mill, which was subsequently opera- ated for some years by his sons. It was later purchased and conducted for a while by George Schilling.

Another sawmill was erected by Joseph H. Coult on Turkey Broth creek, in the southwest part of the town, and afterwards passed through a number of hands. In the same year David Shoemaker built a sawmill on Mill creek, which mill was subsequently purchased 10

and carried on for several years by Jacob Sheets. There are now no manufacturing in- dustries in the township.

Among the early store keepers were Joseph Edwards, who commenced business at the center in 1833; Garrison & Hoover, Daniel A. Fitch, David McCauley, John Ward, Warren & Webber, Hughes Bros., and several others. For a time there were two stores at the center. In the early fifties there was also a black- smith's shop, a little west of the town house, and opposite was a store kept by Joel Booth. About 1836 or 1837 a man named Mckean established a tannery at the center, and also carried on a shoe making business.

A number of years previous, about 1839, a store was built at Belvidere by Isaac Wilson, who afterwards bought the mill privilege there. The store was carried on for some years by his sons, who afterwards sold it to Jacob Glass. It subsequently passed through a number of hands and finally ceased to be used as a store.

POSTOFFICE.

The first postoffice in the township was es- tablished about 1828 and was called Amity. The postmaster was Peter Musser, who kept a tavern on the old stage road in the northern part of the township. After he moved away the office was discontinued. The postoffice at Berlin center was established in 1833. Joseph Edwards being the first postmaster.

The first wedding at Berlin center was that of William Ripley and Miss Allen. It took place at the house of Joseph H. Coult, on a cold night in December, the guests coming from Ellsworth, Benton and other places, and carrying torches in order to intimidate the wolves, which were numerous and bold, owing to the severe weather.

After the abolition movement began there were occasional disturbances in the township. owing to the discussion of the slavery question, and on one occasion, in 1837. a Presbyterian minister, Rev. M. R. Robinson, who came from Salem to deliver a lecture against slavery. and to vindicate the Bible from the charge of supporting it, was mobbed, stripped, and tar-

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red and feathered, after which his clothes were put on again. Twelve of the perpetrators of this outrage were arrested, and compromised the matter by paying Mr. Robinson $40 each.

SCHOOLS.

The first schools in Berlin were not dif- ferent materially from those in other parts of the county, the buildings being log structures. At first the German language was taught alter- nately with English. About 1824 a log school- house was erected on Turkey Broth creek, near the center, in which Sarah McGee was one of the first teachers. Martha and Eliza McKel- vey were among the first teachers in the south- · eastern part of the township. In the northern part Alexander Hall taught school at an early period.

There are now five school districts, in which is included the Berlin High School or- ganized in 1905. All the school houses are frame buildings. J. R. Campbell is superinten- dent, and there are about 125 pupils enrolled.

CHURCHES.

The Methodist society was formed pre- vious to 1830, and a church built at the center in 1839. The present church edifice was erec- ted in 1886 at a cost of $3,500, a parsonage being added in 1905; the church has a mem- bership of about one hundred; both buildings are frame. The present pastor is Rev. M. Moses.

The Lutheran church is situated two miles north of the center and now has for its pastor Rev. A. J. B. Kast.

SOCIETIES.

Ashur Kirkbridge, G. A. R. Post, located at Berlin Center, where it owns its own hall, was organized August 19, 1886, through the efforts of Martha T. Hughes, wife of Dr. Wallace K. Hughes. Its first commander was Francis White. Mahlon Kirkbridge is the present commander.

Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 235, orga-

nized at Berlin Center in 1886, has seventy- three members, and is a flourishing society.

MISCELLANEOUS.

Berlin township owns its own hall, which is located at the center. There are two ceme- teries known respectively as the North ceme- tery, which is situated two miles north of the center, and the West cemetery, situated one mile west of it.

The present postmaster at the center is La Rue Hawkins. There are three general stores, conducted respectively by Stanley & Hawkins, E. O. Carlin, and George Muskrey. C. F. Fifer is proprietor of a hardware store. The medical profession is well represented by Dr. W. K. Hughes and Dr. Frank Carson.

BOARDMAN TOWNSHIP

The natural aspect of this township is one of beauty, with just enough of hills and valleys, fields and woodlands, to please the eye by presenting to its gaze a varied and lovely landscape. The western and northwestern parts of the township are watered by Mill Creek and its tributaries. Yellow Creek flows for over two miles through the southeast of Boardman, thence entering Poland township near the vil- lage. The surface is in general undulating and in some portions nearly level. The town- ship is essentially a farming community, there being no villages of any considerable size.

SETTLEMENT.

The township derived its name from Elijah Boardman, who, accompanied by six compan- ions, among them Nathaniel and Ebenezer Blakely and a man named Summers, settled here in 1798. Mr. Boardman who was a member of the Connecticut Land Company, came from New Milford, Connecticut. He spent his time during the summer in making surveys and establishing landmarks, the men who came with him being engaged in making clearings. Five of the six, leaving behind the

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two yoke of oxen they had brought with them, returned to Connecticut on foot, the other one of the Blakelys settled permanently in the town. A stone which Mr. Boardman set up to mark the center of the township was un- earthed about 1878 or 1879, and his initials, E. B., discovered on it.

During the next ten or twelve years set- tlers from Connecticut, with a few from Penn- sylvania, came in rapidly, so that in 1810 the population was about 850. In a list of pro- perty holders contained in the township rec- ords for the year 1806 appear the following names : Abner Webb, William Drake, Joseph Merchant, Linus Brainard, Eli Baldwin, Haynes Fitch, George Stillson, John Davidson, Oswald Detchon, Elijah Boardman, Eleazer Fairchild, with his sons, John Amos, and Daniel Francis Dowler, Richard J. Elliott, Samuel Swan, Peter Stillson, Warren Bissel, and David Noble.

Major Samuel Clark, who came in 1810, was one of the first postmasters, and used to bring the mail from Poland once a week in his pocket. About 1829 he served as justice of the peace, and he was also commissioned lieuten- ant, captain and major of militia. He was a native of Connecticut, as was also his wife Anna, whose maiden name was Northrup. He died in 1847, and his wife in 1860.

Richard J. Elliott, who came in 1804 or 1805, was a member of the legislature in 1808 and 1809, at his last election receiving every vote in his district. Henry Brainard came in 1800 and settled about a mile from the center on the road running west. One of his sons, Dr. Ira Brainard, was probably the first set- tled physician in the township. After practic- ing here a few years, however, the doctor moved to Canfield. Oswald Detchon, a native of England, was one of the very first settlers; he located three-fourths of a mile east of the center.

Eleazer Fairchild was another early set- tler, and located on what was later the farm of Eli Reed. Among those who came between 1801 and 1810 were several families by the name of Simon from Washington county, Pennsylvania. They all brought up large

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Century history of Youngstown and Mahoning County, Ohio, and representative citizens, 20th, Part 22

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1074

Author: Sanderson, Thomas W., comp
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Chicago : Biographical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1074