USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 45
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The children of Rev. John and Emeline H. (Bowman) Clement are Odessa, Cora, George, Francis, William, and John and James, twins. After the. death of his first wife Rev. John Clement married Ella Cayler, by whom he had one child, Ada Bertha. The children of Samuel and Mary L. (Bowman) Stoffer are George S., Leslie A., and John, who died in 1878.
Jacob Kuntz, of Union Co., Pa., with his wife and son Robert, settled in North Georgetown in 1836. Since his residence in Knox they have had children,-John, who died in 1875; Catharine, who died aged eighteen; Sarah, who died in infancy ; Jacob, now living at North Georgetown ; Isaac, now living in Indiana ; George, who died in infancy ; William, who lives at home; Annie, who married Manuel Underwood ; and Eli, who died aged five years.
There should be mentioned among the early settlers of the township the family of Benjamin Anderson, who entered land on section 30. He died in 1875, having raised a family of four children,-William, Thomas, Abigail, who married Henry Estep; and Jane, who married James Hazard.
Jacob Stoffer and family, Henry Keister, Daniel Shively, George and Adam Wolf, George and John Mountz, Stophel Miller, Obadiah Crew, Thomas Stanley, Pleasant Cobbs, Adam and Michael Falor, are names deserving of mention as among the early settlers of the township. Of these and possibly others no accurate date of settlement can be ob- tained.
James McLaughlin, an old Revolutionary soldier, who had served under the immediate command of Gen. Wash- ington, came to Columbiana County from Northumberland Co., Pa., and settled near the village of Calcutta, St. Clair township, in the year 1797. In 1830 he removed to Knox township, and settled upon section 18, where he re- sided a few years, when he removed to Wayne township, where he died about 1834, having passed his ninetieth year.
ORGANIZATION.
Knox was organized as a township June 14, 1808, in which year the tax levy was $39.54. William Gilson was appointed to collect the tax. Benjamin Anderson and Jacob Cruinbacker were appointed the first trustees ; Jacob Gissleman and Andrew Whiteleather, Overseers of the Poor; and James Estep and Joseph Ruder, Fence-Viewers. In 1809, Waddy Cobbs was elected Clerk, and Jacob Stoffer, Treasurer. There being no election in April fol- lowing (1810), the township officers were appointed by the Board of Trustees, as follows : George Reamer, Samuel Gibson, and John Thomas, Trustees; Anthony Miller, Isaac Davis, Adam McGowan, and George Mountz, Super- visors ; Jacob Crumbacker, Clerk ; Jacob Sanor, Treasurer ; James Estep and Adam Wolf, Overseers of the Poor; and John Gilson, Lister of Property. On April 11, 1811, Moses Gilson and Lewis Cobbs were elected Justices of the Peace. The old record book from which this compila- tion is made is partially destroyed, rendering it impossible to procure the list of town officers from 1821 to 1829, in- clusive. Assessors were not elected until 1842. Since
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MR. DAVID JOHNSON.
MRS. DAVID JOHNSON.
DAVID JOHNSON.
This gentleman was born in County Down, Ireland, in 1823. When but eight years old he was brought by his father, Mr. James Johnson, to this country. The family started from Belfast, Ireland, and after being at the mercy of the winds and waves for seven weeks landed at Boston, thanking a kind Providence who had protected and brought them safely over the great deep. As soon as Mr. J. Johnson could get his family located he commenced weaving for a live- lihood, working at this business for one year. In 1823 he moved to New Lisbon, Ohio, and worked in the iron manufactory ; remained about three years. Moving from there to Knox township, he entered a quarter-section of land and carried on farming until his death, which occurred May 11, 1859. James Johnson's family consisted of ten children,-five sons and five daughters,-viz .: Sarah, James, Christ- opher, Samuel, David, Jane, Elisa, William, Nancy, and Margaret, all born in Ireland except the last two. At the age of twenty-one David Johnson left his father and commenced life for himself, choosing the carpenter trade, which he learned and worked at for fifteen years.
In 1845 he married Lydia, daughter of Jacob and Nancy Shaffer. He was the father of eight children, viz. : Margaret J., Nancy A., Eliza E., James, Jacob, Hannah M., Joseph, Clement L. V. Four only are living.
Margaret J. was married to David Weaver; is living in Knox township. Hannah M. was married to Oscar McClain; living in Carroll Co., Ohio. Joseph and Clement are living at home with their parents. David Johnson having spent the early part of his life assisting his father on the farm, learned to like his employment, and while working at his trade his
mind often reverted to the pleasures of his early life and caused him to wish for the scenes of other days. This desire grew until he finally decided to return to his first love. No sooner was the decision made than tools were dropped and a suitable location for farming selected. This place was a farm of eighty acres in Knox County, but casting about him he saw what he thought a more desirable spot in Knox township, Columbiana Co .; so he made the trade of his eighty acres for forty acres, giving one hundred dollars in money. After some time had elapsed he found he could sell this farm at a good profit, which he did, and again bought eighty-five acres in the same township. This farm was nearly all timber land, with no improvements. Owing to his untiring energy, the small space then cleared rapidly enlarged until the forest became fertile fields, and he can now enjoy the fruits of his industry. Mr. Johnson has held several offices of trust in his township, all of which he has filled to the satisfac- tion of the people and with personal credit. He is at this time trustee of Knox township.
Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have been active members of the Presbyterian Church for thirty-six years. In politics he has been a life-long Democrat. He is a good neighbor and a kind friend. The labors of his energetic life have been crowned with success. His strict integrity in all business transactions commands the respect and esteem of all who know him.
Mrs. David Johnson was born Jan. 18, 1825, in Knox township, Columbiana Co. Her father, John Shaffer, was born in Pennsylvania in 1791; died Jan. 7, 1845. His wife, Nancy, was born in the same State in 1804; is still living at the advanced age of seventy-five years.
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TOWNSHIP OF KNOX.
1812 the township officers, with the exception above men- tioned, have been as follows :
CLERKS.
1812, Waddy Cobbs; 1813, Jacob Crumbacker; 1814, Waddy Cobbs; 1815, Henry Estep; 1816-17, Thomas M. Anderson ; 1818, Moses Gilson ; 1819-20, Joseph Hoiles ; 1830-31, Henry Estep ; 1832, Elijah Cranford ; 1833, Robert N. Buck ; 1834-35, Daniel Borton ; 1836, Detrich Hoffman; 1887, Daniel Borton; 1838, Samuel L. Sturgeon ; 1839-42, Daniel Borton; 1843-49, John Hoffman ; 1850-51, Henry Fox ; 1852, B. F. Burchfield; 1853, Christian W. Dellenbaugh ; 1854-57, John Hoffman; 1858, A. J. King; 1859- 66, John Hoffman; 1867, John A. Clements; 1868-69, John Hoffman; 1870-71, B. F. Sturgeon; 1872-73, John Hoffman ; 1874-76, George A. Ruff; 1877-78, H. H. Hahn; 1879, G. W. Sturgeon.
TREASURERS.
1812-14, Jacob Sanor; 1815, Obadiah Crew; 1816-17, John Gilson ; 1818, James Estep ; 1819-20, John Stanley ; 1830, G. W. Ritchie; 1831-41, John Stanley ; 1842-52, Jacob Diehl ; 1853, Joseph Estop ; 1854-55, Daniel W. Shively ; 1856-57, William Shitzley ; 1858, Peter Keplinger; 1859-61, John Crisinger; 1862-64, Wil- liam Anderson ; 1865, Samuel Fox ; 1866, P. W. Taylor; 1867, Joshua Lee; 1868-71, John McGary; 1872-75, James Pilmer ; 1876, A. J. Little; 1877, Andrew Little; 1878-79, D. A. Ruff.
ASSESSORS.
1842-44, Samuel L. Sturgeon ; 1845, James Gilson ; 1846, David Eck- stine; 1847, Robert W. King; 1848-51, Isaac Weaver; 1852-53, Levi Fox; 1854, D. H. Eckstine; 1855-57, Isaac Weaver, Jr. ; 1858, D. H. Eckstine; 1859-60, John A. Clement; 1861-62, Jason Fox ; 1863, John C. MeLaughlin ; 1864, Isnao Weaver, Jr .; 1865, Aaron Diehl; 1866, A. J. Diehl; 1867, Daniel W. Firestone; 1868- 69, B. F. Sturgeon ; 1870, S. S. Dice; 1871-72, George A. Ruff; 1873-74, Frank Weaver; 1875-76, I. H. Weaver; 1877-78, Frank Saffell ; 1879, B. H. Randolph.
HAMLETS AND NEIGHBORHOODS.
NORTH GEORGETOWN,
a pretty little hamlet of about 200 inhabitants, occupying an elevated position at the intersection of two highways, on sections 24 and 25, was laid out in the year 1830. George Stiger platted the north and John Whiteleather the south portion. The first building erected on the site was a log house built by John Weaver, in 1828, two years before the town was laid out.
In 1833 a hotel was opened by Jacob Ritter, who kept it in operation several years. George Wolf, Alexander Crump, David Eckstine, David Summers, and Samuel Sturgeon, respectively, succeeded to the proprietorship. At the death of Mr. Sturgeon, the house went into disuse. The present hotel was started in 1874, by Jacob Kuntz.
HOMEWORTH,
a post-office station on the line of the Cleveland and Pitts- burgh Railroad, was laid out and platted Aug. 28, 1851, under the proprietorship of Jonas Ruff, Samuel Fox, and Jacob Williams. This place owes its existence mainly to the railroad, although a collection of buildings, under the name of " Winchester," was known as carly as 1840. The post-office prior to 1869 was known as " Sundy Post-Office," but at that time the more pleasing title of " Homeworth" was adopted. The first hotel was built by Jonas Ruff, in the year 1852, on the main " four corners" of the town. Over the door of the hotel for several years was displayed the words, " Call and see Jonas Ruff." Mr. Ruff kept the
hotel until about 1863, when Reuben Shadler took charge. In 1871, P. W. Taylor bought the property, and conducts the hotel in connection with his duties as postmaster.
READING
is a small and almost extinct borough, situated midway be- tween North Georgetown and Homeworth, on what is known as the "old Thomas road." The original plat was made about the year 1840, and several houses built. It was confidently expected that this would be the centre of trade for the residents of the township. The current was, however, setting strongly towards the other places, and the hamlet of Reading never extended beyond its original plut of forty acres.
CHURCHES.
MIDDLE SANDY PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The first divine service held in Knox township was iu the summer of 1816. Rev. Robert Semple, of the Hart- ford, Conn., Presbytery, officiated. The service was held in the woods, near where the church-edifice now stands. Ou the 10th of November, 1821, the church was regularly organized by Rev. John Core, of the same Presbytery. The original members were nine, comprising six families. Moses, Thomas, and John Gilson, Henry Estep, Benjamin Anderson, and Cornelius Sheehan were among the first members. Moses Gilson and Henry Estep were chosen ruling elders.
On the 2d day of June, 1822, the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered for the first time, by Rev. James Robertson, assisted by Rev. Joshua Beer. This ser- vice was held in the woods, during which a furious storm suddenly burst upon the worshipers, and a falling tree killed Mrs. Jacob Shaffer and her infant child. The text on this memorable occasion was taken from Zechariah iz. 12: "Turn you to the stronghold, ye prisoners of hope."
No record exists of the time of building the first meet- ing-house, but it must have been about 1825. The pres- ent edifice was erected in 1853. The several early pastors have been as follows : Revs. Robert Semple, James Robert- son, supply, Joshua Beer, James Galbraith, Jehial Talmadge, In 1843, Rev. Joshua Beer was called to succeed Mr. Tal- madge. While in the midst of a discourse from Rev. iii. 20,-" Behold, I stand at the door, and knock,"-he was suddenly attacked with illness, from which he died in a few days.
GERMAN BAPTIST CHURCH.
The early meetings of this society were held in log houses, informally and without any organization, as early as 1810. The families, of course, were few. Peter Sum- mers, John Niswander, Samuel and Henry Thomas and their families, and a few from Stark County comprised the original society. These meetings from place to place were continued until 1860, at which time a house of wor- ship was erected on section 27. Lewis Glass was the first preacher. In 1878 the church-edifice was remodeled and enlarged to its present proportions, 40 by 90 feet. This is the largest church-edifice of the township, and will com- fortably seat 600 persons. The church has a membership
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.
of 278, under the pastoral care of Revs. John Clements and Lewis Glass, both of Knox.
DISCIPLES' CHURCH.
The Disciples' or Christian church, of Knox, was never a regular church organization. The early meetings com- menced with the settlement of families of this faith in the township, about 1830. In 1860 the society, numbering about 14 members, purchased the school-house on section 10, and removed it to lands of Daniel Borton, on section 9, where the society has since worshiped. No pastor is em- ployed, the services being conducted by the members alter- nately.
BETHEL CHURCH.
Bethel church (Lutheran and German Reformed) was organized about the year 1830. The house of worship is situated on section 15, on lands deeded in 1838 to Jacob Cronig and Jacob Miller, for the society, and was built in 1839-40. Among the first members were Jacob Monk, David Ramsayer, and Samuel Hoffman. Among the carly pastors were Rev. Peter Hasbrouck and Revs. Miller and Quigler, the latter remaining with the society twenty-one years. The early records are so imperfect that a more com- plete history cannot be given. The present church was built in 1860.
EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church is located at North Georgetown, and traces its origin to the old society of the same faith in Butler township, organized about 1813. In 1830 the church on the hill cast of Georgetown was erected, and occupied in common by those who are now of the German Reformed and the Evangelical Lutheran societies. A discussion which arose concerning the form of service to be employed -English or German-resulted in the withdrawal of those who preferred the former. They organized the Evangeli- cal Lutheran church, under the direction of David, George, Andrew, and John Whiteleather, Peter Zimmerman, Rev. Peter Harrington, and others. This was in 1861. Mr. Harrington held the charge for several years. Rev. Mr. Seachrist is the present pastor.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The society of this church meets for worship in the church-edifice situated on the hill east of Homeworth. It was organized about the year 1840; but no reliable infor- mation of its carly history or records is obtainable.
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the township was opened in a log house, or cabin, built by Samuel Thomas, on section 29, in the year 1806. Thomas Anderson taught this school. In 1826 the township contained four school districts. About this time the school-house on mid-sections 8 and 9 was built, and was taught, first by Daniel Borton, subsequently by John Thomas. In 1852 the township was divided into eleven school districts, which number was increased to twelve in 1860 by the division of number eleven. These twelve districts are all provided with good, commodious, and comfortable buildings. In the summer season twelve teachers are employed, in the winter fourteen.
Section 16, reserved and set apart to the township for school purposes, has been sold in several parcels, and the avails thereof permanently and securely invested, and the interest regularly applied to defray the current school ex- pense. The amount so received annually is $465.54. The amount received from the State authorities for school pur- poses, in 1878, was $1207.50, The average cost of main- taining the schools is about $2700 per annum.
INDUSTRIAL PURSUITS.
The township of Knox comprises thirty-six square miles of land, containing in the aggregate 23,040 acres. Each section has 640 acres, and is divided into farms or parcels containing an average of about 75 acres, by estimate based upon the subdivisions of 1873. By this it will be ob- served that the owners of farms are more than 300 in number. Agriculture is the chief occupation of the people in this township, although the unusually good water-priv- ileges have led to the erection of several mills.
The first mill erected in the township-a saw-mill-was on section 29, and was built by the pioneer John Thomas in the year 1806. This saw-mill was operated by Mr. Thomas until 1815, when he was, by an accident, severely injured. John Dean succeeded to the ownership, and ran the mill three years. In 1818 the property and 50 acres of land adjoining were purchased by Rev. Joshua Beer. This old pioneer structure wus long since destroyed, and removed to make room for modern improvements.
Prominent among the manufacturing interests are the " Homeworth Agricultural Works," built in the year 1858, and operated by George W. Lee and Herbert Thomas, under the firm-name of " Geo. W Lee & Co." In 1861 the works were enlarged and improved by Mr. Thomas, successor of the late firm, and named " Homeworth Agri- cultural Works." Here are manufactured grain-drills, corn-shellers, mowers, and agricultural implements of various kinds.
The old Redmond saw- and grist-mill, built about 1830; the Georgetown mill, built in 1848, by John Dellenbaugh ; a steam suw-mill on section 15, one on section 30, and another on section 3; and the grist-mill owned by Andrew Whiteleather, at Georgetown, built in 1868-69, comprise the principal milling industries of the township.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
ENOS COOK.
In another part of this work may be found a view of the home of Enos Cook, accompanied by the portraits of him- self and wife. Caleb Cook (father of Enos Cook) came from Pennsylvania to Knox township, Ohio, in 1835, bring- ing with him his family, which consisted of his wife aud ten children,-eight girls and two boys. Three girls and one boy are deceased, leaving one son only (Enos). Caleb Cook died in 1870; Mrs. Caleb Cook died iu 1864. This family are of Scotch descent.
Enos Cook was born in Chester Co., Pa., May 13, 1821.
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MRS. ENOS COOK.
ENOS COOK
RESIDENCE OF ENOS AND ANN E. COOK, KNOX TP. COLUMBIANA CO.O.
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TOWNSHIP OF LIVERPOOL.
Mrs. Enos Cook was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Jan. 8, 1827. Enos Cook has been a farmer all his life; lives on the farm which his father bought when he came to this State; has helped to clear and to improve it, until it is now one of the finest in that section; and he is one of the thriftiest and best farmers in that part of the county. Everything about his premises is kept up in the best style. His barn is a model of convenience and neatness. Over the door of his barn may be found these words, " What you
do, do well,"-a sentiment which he has practiced to the fullest extent. Some of. the heaviest stock which has been weighed at Beloit has been raised upon his farm. April 24, 1844, Enos Cook married Ann, daughter of James and Eliza Michener. Three children have blessed this union, viz. : Eliza, Howard, and Leander. One is deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Cook belong to the Hicksite Quakers. Mr. Cook has always been called a Republican, but he does not vote at all times with his party, his last vote being cast for Greeley.
LIVERPOOL.
LIVERPOOL township, numbered 5 and 6 in range 1, occupying the southeastern corner of Columbiana County, lies upon the north bank of the Ohio River, and has upon the north the township of St. Clair; upon the south, the Ohio River, which separates it from the State of Virginia ; upon the east, the Pennsylvania line; and upon the west, the townships of Yellow Creek and Madison. The Cleveland aud Pittsburgh Railroad, skirting the entire southern border of the township, follows therein the course of the Ohio, which at East Liverpool describes a crescent.
Apart from the village of East Liverpool the township has no concentrated settlement, nor has it, outside of that place, any industry of consequence, except farming. Near the river the soil is stony, and not generally richly pro- ductive; but farther north the region is fruitful, and con- tuins many excellent farms.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
That portion of St. Clair township known at first as the " fractional section," and afterwards incorporated as Liver- pool township, received its first settlers shortly before the year 1800,-perhaps 1795. One of the carly settlers in the neighborhood was Joseph Mckinnon, father of George D. Mckinnon, of East Liverpool, who, with his father, Daniel, emigrated from the Isle of Skye to America, and landed at Philadelphia about 1774. Daniel was called upon to take the oath of allegiance to the colonics, but, declaring that he was true to King George and proposed to remain 80, refused to take the oath, and returned to the mother- country. Joseph, his son, took the oath, however, and settled in Abbottstown, where he followed the business of tanning three years; he subsequently removed to Washing- ton, Pa., and to Virginia ; returning, he located, about 1799, upon the " fractional section" in St. Clair township, upon a place in section 33 now occupied by John Connell, two miles northwest of G. D. Mckinnon's residence. George D. Mckinnon was born there, and claims to have been the first white child born in Columbiana County. Mr. Mc- Kinnon still lives in East Liverpool, hale and hearty, at the age of eighty. He says that for forty years he has never worn shoes from the time of the departure of frost in the spring until its coming in the fall. His father, who was a
hardy pioneer, and fought, under Gen. Anthony Wayne, against the Indians, died in 1809.
Noah Grant, a shoemaker, the grandfather of Gen. U. S. Grant, settled upon a place in Swamp Meadow, two miles and a half above Fawcettstown, in April, 1799, and mar- ried Annie, daughter of John Kelly, also an early settler. An autographic letter from Jesse Grant, now in the pos- session of Col H. R. Hill, relates that he was six years old when his father settled near Fawcettstown, and that he recollected hearing Robert Dobbins preach there Christ- mas day in 1799. The Grant family removed from the county four years after their first settlement, to Wooster, Ohio, from whence they had come.
Thomas Fawcett, migrating from Pennsylvania with Robert Boyce, halted at what is now East Liverpool, about 1798 or 1800, and there purchased a tract of 1100 acres of land, fronting ou the river, and reaching from where Union Street now is to Jethro. Fawcett made a clearing and built a log cabin, the first in that vicinity, on a lot now owned by James Gaston. Robert Boyce settled on the uplands near the present Spring Grove camp-ground, east of Little Yellow Creek.
Among the settlers who were located in what is now Liverpool township, about the year 1800, or shortly there- after, were the following: John Rauch, who came over from Germany, settled between Yellow Creek and Fawcetts- town, aud was a shoemaker as well as farmer ; Thomas Ashton, a Quaker, who is supposed to have kept the first store in Fawcettstown or the neighborhood, lived near Rauch ; Angus MeBane, a farmer and tanner, lived on the hill above Jethro, where James McBane afterwards lived ; Joseph Hamilton, a farmer, lived near his father-in-law, Thomas Fawcett, who was a Quaker, and worked at his trade as carpenter, as well as on his farm ; Edward Devoe, a colored man, lived in 1800 upon the place now known as Spring Grove camp-ground.
Thomas Fawcett was the father of Fawcettstown, which occupied a portion of his tract of 1100 acres. He luid out the town, and called it first St. Clair, after the township, by which name it is known upon the county records where reference is made to Fawcett's land deeds, but the inhab- itants christened the place Fawcettstown, in honor of its
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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.
founder, and by that name it was known until its rechris- tening as Liverpool. Fawcett erected on Carpenter's Run, at the foot of the hill, on the New Lisbon road, the first flour-mill it. the county, and, near what is now Jethro, the first saw-mill in the township. The second grist-mill was built by Aaron Brooks, who used horse-power, and who put up also the second carding-machine, the first having been operated by Thomas Fawcett and John Barcroft where Croxall & Cartwright now have a pottery. The second saw-mill was probably erected by John Beaver and Thomas Moore on the Little Beaver.
Continuing the list of early settlers, note may be made of Abraham Wellington, a farmer, who located near where Knowles, Taylor & Knowles' pottery now is. Then there was Wm. C. Larwell, of Baltimore, who was the first lawyer to locate in the place, and Harvey Heath, the first black- smith, whose shop was where Gaston's drug-store now is. Wm. Moore carried on the business of a carpenter and un- dertaker on the site now occupied by Nath's bakery. Rich- ard Taggart, who lived where Croxall & Cartwright now have a pottery, was drowned while fishing in the Little Beaver. Joseph Smith operated the grist-mill built by Thomas Fawcett, and back of the town, near where Geo. Gaston now lives, was Griffith Williams, a Welsh tanner, who bought fifty acres of land there, and started a tannery. North of his place was Michael Mckinnon. East of the town was John Babb, a blacksmith, who put up on Babb's Island the first blacksmith-shop in the county, and so on up the river, Mr. Wise, a farmer, Adam and Geo. Miller, and Peter Wells (the latter living at the mouth of the Lit- tle Beaver). Up the creek were Adam Burdeaux, Peter Hyatt, James Burns, and Thomas Moore, who managed the mills built by John Beaver on the creek, and gathered a small settlement, known as Moore's Mills, Beaver's Mills, and Little Beaver Bridge. Moore kept here, besides a grist- and saw-mill, a tavern, store, and blacksmith-shop. John Beaver, who erected the mills, came from Georgetown, and wus a sturdy, industrious, and enterprising pioneer.
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