USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio and representative citizens > Part 46
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cated. In 1905 Rev. Thomas Reisch was pas- tor of the church, which had a membership of over 100.
St. John's German Lutheran Church was organized in 1870, and built a frame house of worship valued at $2,500. Rev. J. H. Graf was pastor of the church in 1905.
The Leetonia Roman Catholic Church was organized in 1866, and very soon was a flour- ishing society. In 1868, in the time of Rev. E. W. J. Lindesmith, a neat frame house of worship was built, and soon afterward a par- sonage was acquired. At the time Father Lindesmith became pastor, there were but 26 families ; in 1879 the number had increased to 209 families. In 1905 the society was still a flourishing organization, Rev. D. B. Kirby being in charge. They had built a large brick church, with parochial school building.
The society of Mennonites had a brick meeting house in the eastern suburbs of Lee- tonia, where a small congregation gathered for public worship.
The Christian Scientists had a small so- ciety in Leetonia, organized some time prior to 1905.
Leetonia has two well-kept cemeteries, Oakdale and the Catholic cemeteries, both south of town.
Washingtonville is situated partly in Salem township and partly in Green township, Mahoning County. It was laid out in 1832. The first hotel was opened by Michael Fred- erick in 1833. In 1905 it had a population of about 800 and a number of good stores and small industries. The first Methodist meeting was held in the dwelling house of Philip Houtz, in 1844. Rev. John M. Murray was the first pastor. The congregation grew and by 1873 were worshiping in their second house of worship. The membership in 1905 was nearly 100 and they had a flourishing Sunday- school. For many years Hart's church and those of Washingtonville and Franklin Square were united in one pastoral charge. In 1905 Johnathan Lorrybottom was mayor and Rich- ard Wilkinson, clerk of Washingtonville.
Franklin Square was laid out on the north- east quarter of section 22 by Frederick Best.
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Best conducted a tannery in the early days. The first store was kept by Henry Dixon. The first postoffice was established in 1844. The village has always been well supplied with small stores, and from time to time small in- dustries have flourished. The Franklin Square Methodist Church was organized in 1828. The last house of worship built by the congregation was erected in 1872.
In 1830 Robert Phillips donated land in section 22 on which a Disciples Church was built. In 1859 the original building was re- placed by a new one. Rev. Mr. VanVorhis was the first minister. The Disciples Church in the town of Salem was an outgrowth of the Phillips church.
The Highland Christian organization, on section 33, which occurred in 1860, was large- ly due to the efforts of Rev. William Tee- garden. Joel Johnson donated an acre of land, and Rev. D. B. Hyde organized the church.
In 1812 the Lutherans and Reformed Lutherans united in the erection of a log church building. Thirteen years later a larger house was built, and this was remodeled in 1867.
Prior to 1840 a Reformed Lutheran society had been organized which, in that year, erect- ed a frame house of worship on the southeast quarter of section 34. The first pastor was Rev. Peter Monosmith, who was succeeded by Revs. John Keller, Henry Sonedecker, E. V. Foeght, Henry Hess, Aaron Warner, S. N. King, G. N. Allright and others.
About 1824 Garrett Hart, who had then lived for some vears on section 31, in Salem township, took the initiative in the organiza- tion of a class of people who were inclined toward Methodism. In 1826 a log church was built on the ground on which was after- wards (in 1866) erected what has since been known as Hart's church. In 1905 and for many years previous it had been in the same charge as Washingtonville and Franklin Square.
THE TOWNSHIP OF UNITY.
Unity is the northeastern township of the county, and contains 36 full sections. Its sur-
face in the north is comparatively level, but the southern portion is broken up into hills and valleys. Coal and fire-clay abound in por- tions of the township. The township is ex- cellently drained by streams of water which in the early days furnished good power for the "mills of the pioneers," which are men- tioned in another chapter. Adam Rupert, a soldier of the Revolution; Michael Baker, Robert Simison, David McCalla and Richard Dildine were among those who settled in the township in 1800-02. Conrad and Matthias Yarian settled early on sections 7 and 8. Rich- ard Beeson, John Sands, Aaron and Isaac Chamberlain, James Armstrong, John Ben- nett, Stephen Ogden, Benjamin Reeves and Joseph Taylor all settled in the township about '1806. Jacob Greenamyer and sons and William Harrah settled on sections 1 and 2 in 1803. The Blackburn brothers, four in num- ber, and James Early settled on section 3, and Henry Forney's six sons settled on section 10, also in 1803. Frederick Sheets with six sons and two daughters took up section 23 in 1802. Isaac Early on section 15 and Charles Long on section 13 entered in 1803, while Peter Eyster located on section II about the same time, as also did John Taggart upon section 25. The Boatman, Crum, Martin, Kees, Cress, Mendenhall, Justison and Hatcher fam- ilies came between 1805 and 1810.
The township of Unity was organized in 1805. The villages platted and established subsequently, and the only ones in the town- ship up to 1905, were East Palestine, New Waterford and Unity.
VILLAGE OF EAST PALESTINE.
The first plat of what afterward was known as the village of East Palestine was probably made by Thomas McCalla and Wil- liam Grate, in 1828.
Within the easy memory of many residents of East Palestine in 1905, this section of the township, upon which the town was located, was a large body of rich farming land; com- prising 640 acres, which had been entered by John Taggart. The home of R. F. Taggart, east of the present town, is in the original part
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of East Palestine, as is another portion of the homestead to the west. The original name selected for the growing hamlet was Mechan- icsburg, but the wife of Dr. Robert Chamber- lin desired a more euphonious appellation and desired it called "Palestine," the quiet beauty of the little town, and the earnest, virtuous, simple life of its people suggesting to her a name recalling holy memories. On account of there being already a Palestine in Ohio, the government, in granting a postoffice, gave the prefix "East" and East Palestine was the name adopted.
After settling permanently in Ohio, Dr. Robert Chamberlin served several years as surveyor of Columbiana County, and he was also the surveyor for the Ohio & Pennsylvania Railroad, which culminated in the Pittsburg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago line, from the Ohio River to Salem. Dr. Edmunson, living sever- al miles away, furnished medical treatment for the early settlers, but Dr. Chamberlin was the first resident physician. In addition to an ex- tensive medical practice, which extended over a period of 30 years, Dr. Chamberlin estab- lished one of the first stores, and the only one of importance for many years; and when the Legislature changed the name of the little hamlet to East Palestine, and the government established a post office, he was chosen post- master. He laid out one of the early additions to the town, and, in fact, for many years was intimately associated with all its leading busi- ness interests.
The first building in the town is said to have been put up in 1828 by William Grate, which near the close of the century was still standing and occupied by L. A. Paxson. It was a log structure, and in it were sold the first goods in the place, by Edward Allender, some time before 1831. The trade established by Dr. Robert Chamberlin, as heretofore mentioned, was continued up to the beginning of the new century, in the later years the firm being Chamberlin & Company. Among those who were actively engaged in trade in earlier years were: John Crum, J. T. Brewster, B. Young and Young & Company. George Focht opened the first public house of the town about 1830.
The second hotel was kept by J. C. Taggart, about the same time R. Barr and J. Hall open- ed inns.
Hon. James Martin, deceased, was the first Republican to be elected probate judge of Co- lubiana County. He served from 1854 to 1859. He came to East Palestine in 1861. His farm house was located where North Market and Martin streets now intersect, the latter be- ing named in his honor. Where the barn stood is now located a modern home. In 1905 the old dwelling house was still standing at the street corner. Mrs. Martin was still living in 1905, in her 87th year. She had lived in her present home for 44 years, and here her daughter and only child, Mrs. C. P. Rothwell, was born.
The house where, in 1905, Mrs. J. W. Hum, resided, in the center of section 10; was built, at least the old portion of it, in 1804. That portion-still occupied-was built of logs, the modern portion being built of brick made on the place. The kitchen floor is of split boards. This was originally the living room. The plastering of the house is of pure clay in its native form, taken from the ground where the house stands. The old log barn, smoke- house and spring-house were still standing in 1905.
Ensign's history says: "The most import- ant manufacturing interest at the village was organized, some time about 1854, by a party from Philadelphia, to extract oil from the can- nel coal mined in the vicinity. The furnace was superintended by Loyal Case, and the en- terprise was deemed successful until the dis- covery of petroleum made its longer continu- ance unprofitable." The grist-mills, coal min- ing, pottery and other clay manufactories and other leading industries of East Palestine, of earlier and later years, are treated in appro- priate chapters elsewhere in this work.
The town was incorporated in 1875. The first election for village officers was held April 3, 1876, when the following were elected : Mayor, Enos Goble; clerk, Daniel A. Correll; treasurer, John J. Bushong; Council,- Charles Beyer, James Morton, Joseph Young, T. H. Elser, John Sutherin and B. F. Sheets.
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The officers in 1905 were : Mayor, W. J. Fo- ley ; clerk, J. W. Knaub; treasurer, Simon Boltz; city solicitor, C. P. Rothwell; chief of police, W. H. Bowen ; Board of Public Affairs, -M. W. Beyer, H. D. Sutherin and J. S. Early; Council,-H. Lawrence, Thomas Atch- ison, D. H. Mackintosh, Z. H. Irwin, S. K. Lowry, Ralph Charleton; Board of Health,- S. D. Stewart, James Van Fossan, Grant Re- gel, James Ellis, Levi Miller, Mayor W. J. Foley (president ) ; School Board, -- Charles Ward, H. J. Fraser, W. S. George, B. F. Todd and W. J. Fisher.
In 1890 the population of East Palestine was 1,816; in 1900, 2,493, and in 1905 (es- timated), 3,000.
Chamberlin Brothers & Company opened a private bank for business in 1884. The house was still doing a banking business in 1905, with W. C. Chamberlin, president and C. A. Lentz, cashier.
The first National Bank of East Palestine opened for business March 2, 1903. In 1905 the officers were: President, W. C. Wallace; vice-president, William Johnston; cashier, D. W. McCloskey ; assistant cashier, M. W. Bey- er. Capital stock, $25,000.
The East Palestine Building & Loan As- sociation organized March 30, 1891, with a capitalization of $100,000, which was later in- creased to $500,000. In 1905 its assets were over $191,000, and its annual business about $100,000. The officers were: President. S. J. Lowry; vice-president, L. D. Overlander ; secretary, D. H. Mackintosh ; treasurer, W. J. Fisher.
The Unity Township Telephone Company was incorporated in March, 1905, with a cap- ital of $8,000, its headquarters being East Palestine. President, William C. Wallace ; vice-president, A. R. Campbell; secretary. and manager, William Johnston; treasurer, Ever- ett E. Lyon. This company was organized with the purpose of giving farmers as well as town-people the advantages of a complete sys- tem of telephone exchange, with arrangements to connect with other systems, and long dis- tance service. By the time the equipment was completed it was expected 200 telephones would be in operation.
A military Company, first known as the "East Palestine Grays," was organized August 23, 1875. The first commissioned officers of the company were: Hugh Laughlin, captain ; J. A. Sampsell, Ist lieutenant ; and John Flow- ers, 2nd lieutenant. They afterwards be- came Company E, Eighth Regiment, Ohio National Guard; and after keeping up the or- ganization for about 20 years the company disbanded, the men being honorably discharg- ed from the State service. Company E, Eighth Regiment Ohio National Guard, was afterward organized as a new company at East Liverpool, and served in the Spanish- American War in 1898, of which service an account is given elsewhere in this work.
Bernard Boatman, a pioneer of Colum- biana County, is the only Revolutionary sol- dier buried in East Palestine Cemetery.
A special school district was formed for East Palestine in 1865. The first Board of Education was: J. T. Chamberlin, president ; Hugh Laughlin, secretary; William M. Saint, treasurer. In 1875-76 a public school build- ing was erected in the southern part of the vil- lage. It was a brick structure of two stories, containing six large rooms, recitation room and a lecture hall, and cost $14,000. It was opened for school purposes in the fall of 1876 with A. Y. Taylor as principal. About 1895 a four-room addition was built, and in the summer of 1905 a handsome new school build- ing was completed at a cost of $22,000. C. E. Oliver was superintendent of schools in 1905.
RELIGION IN UNITY TOWNSHIP.
Religious meetings were held as early as 1802 at the house of Adam Rupert, Rev. John Stough being the preacher ; and at the sugges- tion of Rev. Mr. Stough the people of the north- ern part of the township united to build what was afterward known as the Salem or Union Church, to be used by the Lutheran and Re- formed congregations. Accordingly, in 1803- 04 a log meeting house was built on the south- west corner of section 10. It was displaced in 1823 by a brick church. This building was, in 1861, taken down, and the house built, which at the beginning of the new century was
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still used by the Lutheran and Reformed con- gregations. In 1839 St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church was formed and a building erected on section 2, which afterward housed a flourishing congregation. Originally ser- vices were held wholly in German, but latterly the German and the English languages were used, each about half time.
About 1830 Rev. Mr. Prosser began hold- ing Methodist meetings at the house of Joseph Taylor, and soon after regular preaching was held in the Unity School house. A small meeting house was built soon after in the vil- lage of Unity for the use of the society, which flourished for a time, but in a few years the appointment was suspended by the conference. In 1860 the work was reorganized, a new building was erected and some time later the society became the joint pastoral charge with the East Palestine Methodist Episcopal Church.
Methodism was introduced into East Pal- estine by the members of the old Burt Church in Middleton township, and in 1865 meetings were held in the United Presbyterian Church at East Palestine, In a few years the interests of the Burt Church were transferred to the village, and the Methodist Episcopal society formed, and a commodious building erected, which was still in 1905 the home of the so- ciety. However, in the summer of 1905, a handsome new church building was in course of erection, to be completed in the autumn of that year. The membership at that time was about 400, and Rev. George W. Orcutt was pastor.
The New Waterford Methodist Episcopal Church was organized May 16, 1858, in Joseph Taylor's barn, by Rev. G. D. Kinnear. In March, 1859, a frame meeting house was built, and dedicated by the presiding elder of the district, Rev. D. P. Mitchell. This house was still occupied in 1905. The membership of the church was over 200. Rev. J. H. Wil- son was pastor of the joint charge embracing New Waterford, Fairfield and Kemble.
About 1902 the organization of the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of New Water- ford built a new house of worship. Rev.
George Uber served the congregations of New Waterford and Columbiana.
About 1816 a Sunday-school was organ- ized where New Waterford now stands by Richard Dildine and John Roos. Two Pres- byterian home missionaries named Kohr and Rudibaugh secured an appointment and held services which were continued by others and not long after Rev. Thomas Hughes, of Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, was secured to preach to the settlers, the services being still held in the schoolhouse. In 1823 the building of a small meeting house was commenced, which was used for a year or two in an unfinished condition. Occasional services were held, but it was not until August 20, 1826, that the church was formally organized. Andrew Martin, Robert Martin, David Scott and David Hanna were the first ruling elders. Mr. Dildine continued pastor until 1850. In 1873 a new church edifice was built, which building was still in use in 1905. The Rev. Mr. Kirk- bride of Columbiana was serving this church in connection with his home charge. The mem- bership was about 200.
The Presbyterian Church of East Pales- tine was organized March 5, 1842, Joseph Curry, Ralph Martin, R. J. Robinson and Thomas Hamilton being chosen members of the first session. For some years ministerial supplies were furnished by the presbytery. The original house of worship was built about the time of organization, and remodeled in 1875. About 1895 an entirely new building replaced the old one. In 1905 the church had a mem- bership of 350. Rev. W. P. Hollister had been pastor about three years. The elders were: W. C. Wallace, D. H. Mackintosh, D. S. Smith, Enos Yoder, W. M. Koch and J. S. Billingsley.
An Associate Reform Presbyterian con- gregation was organized in August, 1842, the total membership at the organization being nine persons, viz : John Taggart, David Luke, Robert McFilamy, the Johnson family, Maria Vance, and Benjamin and Elizabeth Black- burn. Benjamin Blackburn and John Taggart were the first elders. The meetings were held in the old Presbyterian Church until 1853,
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when the society built a church of its own. In 1858 it became the United Presbyterian Church. The first settled pastor was Rev. Samuel Patterson, who gave one-third of his time-from 1849 to 1858. Other early pastors giving from one-half to two-thirds of their time were : Revs. Hugh Sturgeon, A. Y. Hus- ton, and W. W. Curry. About 1900 the con- gregation built a commodious and substan- tial new church. In 1905 the congregation was in a flourishing condition, Rev. E. E. Douglas being pastor.
A class of the United Brethren in Christ was formed in the southeast part of the town- ship about 1855. In 1857 a small frame church was built west of the village on a lot given by Thomas McCalla. A new house of worship was built by the congregation, in the village, in 1879. The church has been con- nected with the Middleton and Fairfield circuits.
UNITY TOWNSHIP'S HAMLETS.
The village of Unity was platted in 1810 by John Augustine. Before railroads diverted the trade to East Palestine and New Water- ford, it was a place of greater importance than during later years. Robert Veon had one of the pioneer stores, and the following were among the early merchants: Harrison Powers. John McClymonds, John Harrah, David Au- gustine, Hoffstead & Young, Joseph Taylor, Eleazer King, Jesse Thomas & Brother, John McKerahan and Thomas Keener. Henry Forney, Daniel McCarter and Christian Keen- er were early tavern keepers. Dr. Hugh Mar- tin was the first prominent physician. He practiced from 1828 to 1840. Other early physicians were: Drs. William W. Heinman, Isaac Snyder. John Thomas, Samuel Ball, J. L. D. Hindman and Nathaniel Dustin. In the '50's and early '60's William Hoffstott manufactured shoes quite extensively, employ- ing a number of hands. Brickmaking was car- ried on for a number of years by Benjamin Younger. The old mills and tanneries are mentioned in another chapter.
New Waterford was laid out about 1851 by John and Robert Silliman. Several additions have since been made. The village now lies on both sides of Big Bull Creek. It was origin- ally known as Bull Creek. John Silliman kept the first store. Samuel and James Spen- cer, William Chidester, John Nevin, James Creese, George Crawford and Charles B. Fish- er were also early tradesmen. Early inn keep- ers were Fred Kauptman and Fred Mitchell. Drs. Frank Cox and D. M. Bloom were among the earliest medical practitioners. The water power has always been excellent in this part of the township, and the grist and saw mills in the early days were numerous. And so the flour mill, first run by the primitive water- wheel and later by steam, has always been a leading industry. But this business has been referred to extensively in other chapters.
In 1877 John M. Ott embarked in the car- riage business, and for a number of years em- ployed ten or a dozen men. In 1883 George J. Koch established the carriage-making busi- ness on a larger scale. In 1889 Jacob H. Koch became a partner, and the business was con- tinued on a yet larger basis. In 1904 the out- put of the Koch Brothers' establishment was given at over 1,500 vehicles, and it had in 1905 come to be the leading industry of the village.
New Waterford has always been well sup- plied with schools. In 1899 the Union school building was struck by lightning and burned. But immediately it was rebuilt. The new building contains four rooms and an auditor- ium. In 1905 Ellis W. Erney was superin- tendent. The school enumeration was 180.
The population of New Waterford in 1905 was a little under 800. The village officials --- Mayor. M. S. Ward; clerk, W. C. Cutchall; treasurer. John Koch; marshal, B. T. Walker ; Council,-Jacob H. Koch, C. F. Jamison, Thomas Baker. John B. Eyster, J. W. Bretz and Simon Unger.
The New Waterford Building & Loan As- sociation was organized in December, 1904, and in 1905 had deposits of $3,000. Presi- (lent. Peter F. Vollnogle; vice-president, J. C.
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Williamson; treasurer, Jacob H. Koch; sec- retary, W. T. Cutchall; attorney, J. F. John- son.
The Enterprise Planing Mill, established about 1885 in New Waterford, was still in 1905 operated by the H. E. Bretz estate. It did a general lumber business and manufactur- ed berry baskets.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
Adjoins Jefferson County on the south, and is township 12 in range 3. The Cleveland and Pittsburg Division of the Pennsylvania lines passes through the township diagonally from northwest to southeast, tapping the many coal mines located in and about Saline- ville, which in 1905 was still the only station on the road within the township. Yellow Creek, receiving at Salineville the waters of two of its forks, flows southeast through the township. The township was first settled in 1803. George Clark settled on section 4 in that year, James Sharp locating on section 35 in the same year. Cornelius McLeest came over from Ireland and settled in the township in 1804, while William McLaughlin sailed from Greenock, Scotland, in 1807, and coming into Washington township settled on section 6. Daniel Swearingen entered the tract which was years later occupied by Theophilus Cox, and in 1812 Alexander McLaughlin purchased the land and lived on it for some years. McLaugh- lin was mayor of Wellsville after the town was incorporate 1, and lived there to be about 90 years of age. John Farmer, a member of the Society of Friends, and an early settler in Hanover township, moved into Washington township about 1814, and engaged in the salt business. Mr. Farmer and his son- James became later the leading men in the industrial enterprises of Salineville and Washington township. George Clark undertook, for a consideration of $60, to "blaze" a road from Yellow Creek to New Lisbon,-a distance of 15 miles. This was a part of the State road from Steubenville to New Lisbon. Thomas Patterson located in the north and John Hart in the eastern part of the township. Hart
reared a family of 14 children of whom seven sons served in the Civil War. In the west end of the "Scotch Settlement" Angus MeDonald, Angus Noble and Evan McPherson, with oth- er hardy Scots, were early settlers. McDon- ald laid out on a part of this plat the hamlet of Highlandtown. McPherson, who had brought with him a wife and six children, lo- cated on the northwest quarter of section 6. Later he disposed of one-half of his holdings to Angus McDonald. Alexander Dallas and David Rose came over in 1812 and settled in Washington township-Dallas where William Garside lived years afterward and Rose on the Rose place, as it was known almost a cen- tury later, as Highlandtown.
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