USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98
About 1820, Messrs. Morse & Trunick erected and carried on an iron-foundry on Beaver Street near where Jesse Wilson lives. Mr. Morse died in a few years, and his partner, Mr. Trunick, removed the foundry to Market Street near where he yet lives, but the business has not been car- ried on by him for many years. Several squares east of Mr. Trunick's residence the Root Brothers carried on an iron- foundry successfully a few years, but, unfortunately, about 1843 or 1844, the building was destroyed by fire, and the proprietors removed to Indiana. Joseph Watson nearly forty years ago erected and carried on a small iron-foundry near John Arter's tannery, but it did not prove a success, and long since ceased to do anything.
About 1849-1851 the Tinker Brothers carried on a sort of general iron-works in what was then called the Long Row, at the north end of Jefferson Street. They worked in cast and wrought iron, using steam for propelling power. One day the boiler burst, causing the death of one man and seriously injuring another.
* Prior to 1859.
t Some time after 1854 the board of village officers was reorganized,
according to the provisions of the new Constitution of the State. # Between 1838 and 1859.
¿ Wm. Detchon was employed as a laborer about the furnace, prior, and probably also subsequent, to the year 1812. He removed to Trumbull County, now Muhoning, and later in life became there a wealthy farmer.
Digitized by Google
109
TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE.
About 1816, perhaps a little before, Joseph Carroll and Jolin Hessin carried on the manufacture of nails on Market Street. It was a slow process, as each nail had to be cut off by one operation and then taken to another machine, where the heads were hammered on.
Among the early blacksmiths were Jacob Shawk-grand- futher of Joseph S., who continues the same business where his father worked on the anvil near half a century-and a man named Stonehill. Joseph Lamborn, William Steel, John Stokesberger, and Isaac Townsend were among the old craftsmen in the pioneer smithies. Henry Boyle made salt-pans, and John Underwood was an axe-maker. At present the iron ore is shipped to other points to be manu- factured.
Distillery and Brewery .- In the early settlement of this vicinity, and for some forty years after, whisky (the real old rye) was a prominent article of manufacture, use, and traffic. Twenty-five cents a gallon at retail was long a standing price, and many times it was even cheaper. The carly makers of this article were George Duck, Frederick Galehouse, John 'Thomson, Edward Pettit, Benjamin Hahn, John Reese, and William, Jacob, and Daniel Har- baugh. It is said that some of the whisky was so pure that it did not remain in a liquid condition after the frosts of November.
A Mr. Morlege erected and carried on a brewery, which was operated after he quit the business by other persons whose names are not now remembered. In 1850, John Schowlder. also established a brewery, but did not continue iu the business long. It is nearly thirty years since liquor- making by distillation and brewing was discontinued in New Lisbon,-at least, out of rye and barley.
Tanneries .- John Arter and Daniel Harbaugh came to New Lisbon as early as 1805, and established tanneries,- the first-named at a location where John, a grandson, con- tinues the same occupation, and Mr. Harbaugh on the premises where his successors still reside, the business having ceased there long since. Nearly sixty years ago Joseph Richardson started the tannery on Market Street, which is continued in active operation by Simon Spiker .. Daniel Hostetter located a tannery on the northeast corner of the public square some time about 1835. It was carried on by George Garrettson afterwards, then by Simon Spiker, and when discontinued was owned by George Nelson.
Mills and Woolen-Manufactories .- A few years after the village was laid out, the first grist-mill, known as " Clapsaddle's Mill," was erected on the site, in the south- east part of the town, now occupied by the flax-mill. In 1812 or '13 a Mr. Hollingsworth started the first carding- machine, immediately north of the Canton bridge. Near the same place, Caleb Whitacre erected grist- and saw-mills, the site of which was afterwards occupied by Mathew Elder for a fulling-mill and carding-machine. These were destroyed by fire many years ago. A company called the " New Lisbon Woolen-Factory Co." was incorporated by act passed Jan. 30, 1818.
About where the stone mill now stands Edmund Hays erected a grist-mill,-one among the early works of that kind in this vicinity. To the northeast of and adjoining the corporation, William Harbaugh erected a grist-mill, perhaps
about 1815 or 1830,. which, in following years, was con- verted into a distillery. Ou the same stream, some rods below, C. F. Helman built an oil-mill, about 1840, which was destroyed by fire after a few years. Lewis Kinny about 1815 built a woolen-manufactory where Jacob Roller's saw- mill is at present. For many years it was operated by Orth & Straughn, two Germans, and about 1831 or '32 it came into the possession of Godfrey Beaumont, an Englishman. In 1834 or '35 the works, having been destroyed by fire, were temporarily rebuilt, and ran for some time.
In 1835, Dr. John McCook (father of Anson MeCook, now member of Congress from New York ), in company with others, erected a large brick building in the southeast part of the town as a woolen-factory. Not long after its completion it was rented by Godfrey Beaumont & Sons, and continued in active operation for many years, but it is now idle.
In 1850, Samuel Thompson put up the woolen-factory in the southern part of town, and operated it for a number of years. He sold it to a Mr. Watson, who continued the business a few years, when from some financial trouble the establishment went down, and was idle for a considerable period. In 1864, John Ogden became proprietor of the building and put its dilapidated portions into good condi- tion. Business was carried on till Feb. 1, 1874, by John Ogden & Co., when an incorporated company was formed under the style of " The New Lisbon Woolen Manufactur- ing Company," of which Mr. Ogden was chosen President ; Nicholas Way, Secretary ; Ezra Frost, John Burns, and Jacob Harbaugh, Directors. Originally, the machinery was propelled by water-power from the canal, but now it is operated by a forty-horse-power steum-engine. The main building is 43 by 90 feet, to which an addition for a dye- house has been annexed. The best improved machinery is used, consisting in part of two sets of cards and feeders, eight hundred and sixteen spindles, and fifteen looms, all worked by thirty-seven operatives. One ton of wool per week is manufactured into fabrics of best quality, including flannels, cloths, yarns, cassimeres, and blankets. Under the present management the establishment is in the best con- dition, is running with few or no stoppages, and its products stand as fair in market as any goods in that branch of in- dustry.
Some time during the late war, James Burns and H. W. Briggs erected a planing-mill near the woolen-factory, which is now conducted under the firm-name of Briggs & Green.
The grist-mill built by Edmund Hays was destroyed by fire in 1845 while owned by the late Daniel Harbaugh. It was rebuilt by him several years thereafter, and in 1870 passed into the hands of John S. Hunter, of the present firm of Hunter & McCord. It has been greatly improved and does a prosperous business.
Ohio Cement- Works .- When the canal was begun in 1836, large quantities of cement were discovered along the banks of the middle fork of' Little Beaver, and in the construction of locks a great deal of it was used. Engi- neers and contractors pronounced it of the best quality ; and, as one proof of its excellence, when it became neces-
Digitized by Google
110
HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.
sary to remove one or more of these locks some thirty years afterwards, the mortar or grout was often found more solid than the stones, which it held together with the firm- ness of rock. Several mills and other machinery were constructed to manufacture this article for building pur- poses, and, although much has been thus used, there re- mains a sufficient supply for many years to come. In 1875 these rich deposits attracted the attention of capitalists, and during that year the Ohio Cement Company, of Cleve- land, erected extensive works, which were set in operation in July of that year, and have since been running to a greater or less extent, producing about one hundred and fifty barrels of cement per day. The company has several large kilns, a cooper-shop, store-room, and a main build- ing, in which a fifty-horse-power steam-engine operates a crusher and one run of stones for pulverizing the cement. The building is sufficient for four runs of stones, which will enable the proprietors to produce six hundred barrels of cement daily, ready for market. Many operatives are employed in mining the crude article,-often found in the shape of huge stones,-while others attend the machinery. The productions of these works have a good reputation and extensive sale.
New Lisbon Salt- Works .- When the great oil interests of the country were arresting so much attention, the fever for sinking wells attacked some of the people of New Lis- bon. Borings were effected at different points, and at one place, just south of the west end of the Canton bridge, strong hopes of success were entertained, as gas rushed from the well with tremendous power for a short time; but that and a contiguous well, each hundreds of feet in depth, soon proved failures, and were abandoned. Not so, however, with another well, a little to the northwest of the town. In 1866, when a company were boring there for oil and had reached the depth of six hundred and eighty- seven feet, the drill struck a stream of salt water, which burst upwards, carried away everything movable in its pro- gress, and ascended to the height of about one hundred feet, continuing thus for two days. Having ceased its flow, the well was sunk thirteen feet deeper, the search for oil aban- doned, and the manufacture of salt begun. For two years the well yielded a supply of water at the surface sufficient for the manufacture of fifteen barrels of salt daily. A steam- engine was applied at this time, when the product was much increased. In 1870, R. G. Eells became the lessce of the works for a term of years, and has since then been producing about thirty barrels of very superior sult daily, which finds a ready sale. About a dozen men are em- ployed in and around the works in the different branches of the business. Coal for fuel is being mined from a bank near the establishment. In the early years of its operations sufficient gas issued from the well to keep the fires. These salt-works constitute one of the profitable industries of the vicinity, and the business will undoubtedly soou be extended.
·
Wagon- and Carriage-Makers .- Michael Stock, who came in 1806, was probably the first wagon-maker to start that business in the place. John and Samuel, his sons, followed the same trade as long as they lived at New Lisbon. John Burns also worked at that occupation. Wm. Myers, successor to Rowland & Eells, and again successor to Eells
& Myers, is now the proprietor of a large carriage-making establishment where John Burns (long since deceased) made wagons fifty years ago. G. F. Adams, a German, almost half a century ago began the wagon-making business in the village, which, as a well-known local industry, is now conducted by his-sons. Mr. Adams died a few years ago. John Q. Adams, as wagon-maker, began in a small way some years ago. He and his partner, Mr. Wagely, are now turning out a large number of vehicles, from the finest carriage to the plainest.
Cabinet- Mukers .- Of cabinet-makers, John Hoffman, Jucob Helman, and Joseph Leslie were the first. John Kinney, son of Lewis Kinney, learned the trade with Mr. Leslie, and carried on the business until 1829, when be died. Erastus Eells was another of Mr. Leslie's appren- tices, and has followed his trade from 1828 to the present time. He and his son, Leonard H., are also undertakers of the village. Other early cabinet-makers were A. Hasness, James Coulter, John Fugate, Joseph, Henry, and Horace Hessin. Ezekiel Moore and Joseph Gillingham were the first chair-makers. About fifteen years ago William Put- terson combined furniture and chair-making, and ultimately became a furniture-dealer. He sold to J. B. Britton, who was followed by James Dorrance & Son, who are yet in business. James S. Shields came here as a chair-maker in 1827, and followed that occupation for a long term of years.
Carpenters .- Among the first carpenters appear the names of John Blecher, Peter Spiker, Matthew Adams, John L. Thompson, John Ritz, Abel Lodge, John Arm- strong, James McLaughlin, Jacob Cumpbell, Jacob Coblentz, Joseph Powell, John Reese, and William Kearns. In later yeurs Thomas Starr was an active contractor and builder, and has had many successes.
Gunsmithing .- John Small, gunsmith, came to New Lisbon in 1800, and followed his occupation many years. Barclay Salterswaith aud John White also worked at the trade. Mr. Small was succeeded by his son David, and he in turn by his son Samuel, so that for more than seventy years gunsmithing has been the occupation of the Small family at New Lisbon. Samuel continues the business.
Clock- und Watchmakers .- Jacob Hostetter, a native of Switzerland, who came to New Lisbon in 1805, followed the vocation of his countrymen many years,-that of clock- and watch-making. Several of our old citizens yet have his clocks in their homes, and they continue to mark time satisfactorily. Charles D. Hostetter, after the death of Jacob, continued the business till about 1840. John Watt and George Williams carried on the same occupation for many years, as did John Scott afterwards. The active workers in horology now here are Joseph Custard, J. F. Benner & Son, and S. Cox.
Tin- and Coppersmiths .- The first tinner in the village was William Clapsaddle, about 1810. Mahlon Briggs began that business in 1820, and is yet connected with it. Joseph Morris was in New Lisbon in 1825, or near that date, Belas Lownsberry in 1828, and William Cary in 1830. John Morrison began coppersmithing in 1820. James McElroy followed that business and tinning from 1830 until his death. Lately-now 1879-the place has had no active coppersmith.
Digitized by Google
111
TOWNSHIP OF CENTRE.
Hatters .- More than forty years ago the hat-maker's trade was one of the active pursuits in New Lisbon. The pioneer in that line was Samuel Holland, who had a com- petitor named Jacob Clapsaddle. They were soon followed by William Hilderman, and subsequently by Michael Sey- del, Frank Cope, Nathan Shafer, Joseph Way, David Shultz & Co., James S. Seaton, and S. S. Clark. Some- times there were as many as three shops in the village. All these parties " fixed hats upon blocks for blockheads to wear ;" but that occupation has long since gone out of ex- istence at New Lisbon.
Clothiers .- Among the early tailors were John Frazer, Joseph Orr, Thomas Corbett, and Samuel Hoover. The latter carried on the manufacture of clothing somewhat ex- tensively for those times,-fifty years ago. Elias MeLaugh- lin, James Savacool, and F. F. Beck came at a later day. The latter plied his trade nearly forty years, and for about the same length of time was the bell-ringer at the court- house. Daniel and William Dorwart came in 1836, and John Pitcairn in 1839; both continued business for a long time, and were followed by many others.
Shoemakers .- The names of Mathias Springer, John Fries (father of Dr. George Fries, M.C.), John Blecher, David Gowes, William P. Morris, and Joseph and Robert Estill are remembered as among the pioncer shoemakers of the place. H. P. Hessin and Samuel Reeder are at present the proprietors of shoe-stores.
Harness- Makers .- William Hostetter, an old citizen of New Lisbon, says that Frederick Shultz was the first sad- dler in the village. John Alexander & Co., Henry Eeler, Philip Houtz, William Watson, Frank Lewis, Jacob Arter, and Charles Hillard also had shops. Alpheus Arter and John Scott were each carrying on shops started by them- selves several years ago.
Bookbinders .- About 1829 or '30 a man named Ware had a little drug-store on Market Street, but his principal business was that of bookbinding, which he followed two or three years, and then moved away. Ten or twelve years afterwards John M. Williams began the bookbinding trade, but continued only a few years, when he left. At present J. Frost, who has been in the business a few years, is car- rying on that occupation.
Various trudes .- Within the last fifty years a number of trades were pursued by different parties. James Giles man- ufactured weavers' reeds, for which there was considerable demand, as many farmers had looms. He afterward became tallow-chandler. Henry Kroh made horn- and tortoise- shell combs; Henry Nold made pianos, and did what was regarded admirable work in those days; George Hinshel- wood built small organs, and in after-years was succeeded by John W. Scott ; Ira Dibble wus a saddletree-maker from 1820 till within the last thirty years; John Paul pro- ceded him a few years in the same business ; Peter S. Fra- ser began the manufacture of soap, which business he pur- sued some time, when he sold to Frederick Flugen, who continued a while, or until twenty years ago.
For many years James Starr, Sr., followed the business of making planes and other wood-work requiring skill and ingenuity. Since his death, which occurred some ten years ago, his son James hus continued the business.
About 1808, Nicholas Kurtz commenced making spin- ning-wheels, reels, spools, and other articles needed by the farmers' wives and daughters for manufacturing flax and woolen clothing. Henry Stock learned the art of making these articles, and followed it for some years. Since the removal and death of these two men their occupation is one of the lost arts.
The first potter in the place was John Roontz. Philip Brown, Oliver Griffith, Zachariah Cox, Henry Springer, Samuel Watson, and Taylor Boyne engaged in the same business, all of them making red earthenware.
The first brickmakers in New Lisbon and vicinity were Maurice E. Morris, George Willets, Philip Deemer, two of the Albrights, Horatio White, Jack Hamil, and Auzey White. Brickmaking is now carried on by the Eagle Brick- Works, which also produce fire-brick and terra-cotta.
George Nelson, Henry Morrow, and George and Jacob Growl were among the first bricklayers and stone-masons.
MERCANTILE INTERESTS.
The first dry-goods merchants were Joseph Stibbs, David Graham, and Thomas Cox, who conducted business on or near the corner of Washington and Jefferson Streets. Da- vid Arter, an old citizen, says that he remembers seeing such crowds of Indians trading there sometimes as to render that part of the town almost blockaded. They were made up of various tribes,-Senecas, Wyandots, and others. Not long afterwards Martin and William Helman and John Street engaged in trade; and subsequently came George Endley, Holland Green, Benjamin Hanna, John Briggs, David Begges, und Joseph Richardson. The fol- lowing document indicates how the merchants had their stock conveyed from the Eastern cities in 1818:
" Memorandum of agreement made this 7th day of March, 1818, between George Endley and D. Begges on the one part, and Harmon Brown, Moses Votaw, Philip Grey, and Isaiah Williams, of the second part. Witnesseth, the said Brown, Votaw, Grey, and Williams engaged to be in the city of Philadelphia against the 24th or 25th of April next ensuing, and drawing four loads of merchandise from Philadel- phia to New Lisbon, at the rate of eight "dollars and fifty cents per hundred pounds. In witness whereof we have signed our names. " ENDLKY & BEGGES, " HARMON BROWN, " MOSES VOTAW, hi " PHILIP X GREY, mark ISAIAH WILLIAMS."
" M. COULTER, witness.
On the 26th and 28th of March, Endley & Begges paid the teamsters $50 to $60 each, and it is supposed they started on the trip East about that time. A teum then consisted of six horses, and when an owner wished to be stylish he had each horse well harnessed, while, attached to his mane, two or three small bells hung to an iron bow. Sitting very erect on his suddle-horse, having a long whip ornamented with a fine silk cracker, used to give emphasis to his commands, the owner of such a " rig " often felt as though he would not exchange places with Julius Caesar. Coming into town, a team so caparisoned was often met by a crowd of admiring boys and men.
Among the prominent merchants who succeeded those mentioned were Henry Springer, Frank and William Skin- ner, George Garretson, Henry Endley, and others. At
Digitized by Google
112
HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.
present the dry-goods trade is carried on by M. H. & D. Shultz. The senior member of the firm has been longer in the business than any other in New Lisbon,-a period of not less than sixty years. S. M. Shultz, H. Booth, John Way, George W. Nelson, B. F. Miller, John Burns, and J. D. Eukin are also in trade.
About 1814 a German named John Weistling estab- lished the first drug-store in New Lisbon. Its contents might have been contained in a common dry-goods box. Jacob Helman next carried on that business on a somewhat larger scale. About 1836, Martin Heltnan and his son Charles F. established a good drug-store, which was con- tinued by them many years. The subsequent owners of the store were Robert Scott, G. S. Vallandigham, A. J. Blocksom, Hostetter & Hamilton, and the present M. N. Hamilton. About 1837, Dr. George McCook began the drug business, and was followed by Gregg & Nace, who continued it many years. Mathias Nace, Jr., is the present owner of this store. Another drug-store was opened about 1855 by R. B. Pritchard, which is at present the property of King & Young.
George Graham was one of the first to open a grocery- store. The oldest firm in that trade is John S. Morrow & Son, who have followed the business about thirty years. Ezra Frost has conducted a similar establishment about twenty-five years. J. W. Brown, J. Bowman & Son, C. L. Frost, and William Kently are all doing a legitimate busi- ness as grocers.
The first regular hardware store was opened by Samuel Small about 1842. The Pritchard Brothers established a trade in 1854, which is now carried on by King & Young. Muhlon Briggs' hardware business was begun twenty years ago, and is yet continued by himself and son. In 1842, A. D. Cushman opened a hardware-store, which was dis- continued after a few years.
Bookstores are kept in New Lisbon by D. S. Guiley, M. P. Springer & Co., and Jumes K. Frew.
HOTELS.
Long ago what are called hotels were denominated tav- erns, and they were numerous on every road of importance, -as many as a dozen, sometimes, in the distance of fifteen miles. The first hotel at New Lisbon was in a story-and-a- half log building on Washington Street, which was put up in 1803 by Christian Smith. Near by, in 1805, Smith put up the stone building for a hotel which is yet standing in that locality. It was the favorite stopping-place of the at- torneys of that period, and it is related that on one occa- sion, when Judge Pense, of Warren, presided over the courts of the county, he was assigned to the post of honor at the head of the table to do the carving. The chicken being unusually tough, after making repeated efforts to sever the bird, he dropped the knife and fork, and, looking over the table, exclaimed, " Well, this must have been the chicken that crowed when Peter denied his Lord and Mas- ter !" The landlady uever forgot this caustic remark.
In 1806, John Watson built a very primitive log house on Walnut Street, having a loosely-laid floor and windows hung with bed-quilts, which served to admit a little light and kept out much cold. This house had the first brick
chimney in New Lisbon. Tradition says that David Wat- son was the first male child born in New Lisbon, and that the event transpired in the cellar of this building. There being no cradle, a maple-sugar trough was used instead. In this building Mr. Watson kept tavern until his death, in 1815, when his good wife continued the business. The place is remembered by Western travelers as one of the best on the road to Philadelphia. After Mrs. Watson's death, Samuel Watson became proprietor, and erected the sign bearing the cross-keys. The large three-story brick build- ing which now occupies the same site was erected by the Watsons in 1836. For nearly sixty years the Watson family kept a public-house on that spot. When Gen. Har- rison visited New Lisbon he stopped at this hotel, which he highly commended. Until it passed into the hands of Andrew Cowan, it was headquarters for the Whigs, after- wards for the Republicans, and many of their prominent men were here entertained. In a renovated and much improved condition, it is now kept as the Central Hotel, by H. H. Bowman.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.