History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 64

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 541

USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 64

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).

Near the depot, in New Waterford, Christ & Roos built a water-power grist-mill about 1848, which became the property of the Sillimans several years later, who added steam-power. In August, 1862, it was destroyed by fire, and the place was unoccupied until 1873, when James C. Scott put up the present " Tip-Top Mills," a frame structure 50 by 56 fect, having three runs of stones. The motive power is furnished by water and steam.

A steam saw-mill was put up on the south side of the creek, in 1852, by Thomas Chess, which was burned. Another mill was built by Fisher & Co., which is now operated by Jonah Metz and James Boies. Cider is manu- factured here on a large scale in the fall of the year.

Below this mill Fisher & Butz have had a planing-mill in operation since 1875. Wilhelm & Martin are extensive lumber-dealers at the depot.

In 1877, John M. Ott erected a well-appointed carriage- factory, in which ten men are employed, and a large quan- tity of fine work manufactured.

The village has had a steady growth, and now contains, besides the interests named, two churches, a good school- house, and about sixty dwellings.

EAST PALESTINE,

the largest and most prosperous village in the township, and one of the most flourishing in the county, is located

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on the east half of section 26. It is a station on the Fort Wayne Railroad, has important coal interests, and a large and increasing trade, drawn from the rich surrounding coun- try. The village contains a magnificent school-building, four churches, and the interests detailed below.

A village was first platted here in 1828 by Thomas Mo- Calla and William Grate, which received the name of Mechanicsburg. This title was changed by the Legisla- ture in 1832, and the present name bestowed upon the place. In 1835, Robert Chamberlain platted an addition north of the original survey, on which the greater part of the village has been built. The first building was put up in 1828 by William Grate, and is yet standing, being the home of L. A. Paxson. It is a log structure, and has never been weather-boarded. In it were sold the first goods in the place, by Edward Allender, some time before 1831. In this locality . William Paxson opened the second store in 1832, A. Craig soon after engaged in trade, and in a few years Robert Chamberlain commenced merchandising, con- tinuing many years. The trade thus established has been carried on to this day, the present firm being Chamberlain & Co. Its sales are said to aggregate more than $100,000 per year. Among others who were actively engaged in trade, but have retired, may be named John Crum, J. T. Brewster, and B. Young. Young & Co., an old firm, are still in trade.

A. Higley opened a drug-store in the village about 1860, the first in this branch of trade. The village has at present about twenty places of business, representing the different interests of trade.

George Fought had the first public-house in the place, in the building occupying the corner opposite Paxson's shoe shop, some time about 1830. The second tavern was kept near by, the landlord being J. C. Taggart. His suc- cessor was George Crum. About the same time R. Barr and J. Hall opened inns, making three in the place, and even then the accommodations were insufficient to entertain all who applied. The latter had the corner now occupied by John R. Book. Other landlords were James Hartman, J. Anderson, Obadiah Allison, William Patterson, and Robert Ramsay. The village has at present half a dozen public-houses.

The post-office was established about 1836, with Robert Chamberlain postmaster, who kept it in Paxson's store. The mail was carried on horseback from Unity. The office has also been held by A. Craig, Joseph Young, Hannah Hamilton, Enos Goble, W. C. Chamberlain, and is at present in charge of Henry Sutherin. Since 1878 it has been a postal money-order office.

The first settlers of the village relied on the services, in case of sickness, of a Dr. Edmundson, living several miles away. Dr. Robert Chamberlain was the first physician to locate in the village. Soon after, Dr. T. C. Miller and Dr. Abraham Sheets became practitioners, the latter continuing many years. Others who have here followed the healing art have been Drs. J. A. Sampsell, D. R. Lyon, - Poppenaugh, - Eichert. Drs. Haas, Wallace, and Mc- Donald are the present physicians.

The present attorney, S. H. Vanwal, is the only one who has located permanently in the village.

The power of Lesslie's Run, formerly a much larger stream than at present, was improved, before 1835, to operate saw-mills for Thomas McCalla, George Allender, and James R. Hamilton, grist-mills for Hamilton, John Crum, and William Paxson, and distilleries for Crum and Hamilton.

The most important manufacturing interest at the village was organized some time about 1854 by a party from Phila- delphia to extract oil from the cannel-coal mined in this vicinity. The furnace was superintended by Loyal Case, and the enterprise was deemed successful until the discovery of petroleum made its longer continuance unprofitable.

The East Palestine grist-mill was built, in 1864, by Failor Bros. & Co., 40 by 40, three stories high, with a room attached containing a twenty-eight horse-power engine. It has three runs of stones. Lewis Failor is the present proprietor.

The Mineral Valley Mills were erected, in 1873, by Goble, Hum & Co. The building is a frame, 36 by 80 feet, two and a half stories high, and is supplied with modern machinery, operated by an engine of sixty-horse power. The present owners are Goble, Throne & Co. In the western part of the village is a steam saw-mill operated by Benjamin Seusenbacher.

The carriage-shops of Jacob Unger, embracing three large buildings, were established in 1874, and give employ- ment to seven men. Hiram Wherry's carriage-works were established about the same time. They consist of several large and well-appointed buildings.

The publication of the Valley Echo, a weekly four-col- umn quarto, was begun at East Palestine, April 12, 1878, by E. J. Roberts & Co., by whom it is continued. May 8, 1879, the paper was enlarged to a seven-column folio.

Municipal Government .- The propriety of securing the incorporation of the village was agitated early in 1875, but no action was taken until the fall of that year. Sept. 21, 1875, a petition, signed by seventy-eight persons and accompanied by a plat of the proposed corporation, was sub- mitted to the commissioners of the county, who ordered it granted in December. The bounds embrace the greater part of section 26 and a little more than half of section 25, the limits being about a mile and a half from east to west, and one mile from north to south. The western boundary is irregular, and is determined by the course of the old highway.

The first election of village officers was held April 3, 1876, at which nearly one hundred votes were polled and the following elected : Mayor, Enos Goble; Clerk, Daniel Cor- rell; Treasurer, John J. Bushong ; Marshal, Henry Ber- rick; Council, Charles Beyer, James Mortin, Joseph Young, T. H. Elser, John Sutherin, B. F. Sheets.

In 1877, S. C. Palmer was elected to fill the vacancy in the mayor's office. David Morris, Richard Lake, and John T. Chamberlain were chosen councilmen.

In 1878, Wm. M. Saint was elected Mayor; J. W. Smith, Clerk ; John J. Bushong, Treasurer ; and James Martin, Arthur Smith, Hugh Laughlin, Councilmen.

In 1809 those elected to office were : Councilmen, Charles Beyer, J. T. Chamberlain, Joseph Ward ; Street Commissioner, Thos. Sherry ; Marshal, Jas. McMillan.

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TOWNSHIP OF UNITY.

Since the village has been incorporated, its appearance has been considerably beautified, and the general welfare of the place greatly advanced.

The East Palestine Union School .- On the 30th of March, 1865, the Legislature of the State constituted all of sections 25, 36, and all that part of sections 26 and 35 lying east of Lesslie's Run, a special district, with the powers and privileges usually attaching to such districts, and au- thorizing the selection of three persons as a board of edu- cation. This board was organized the following spring, with J. T. Chamberlain, President; Hugh Laughlin, Sec- retary ; and William M. Saint, Treasurer. These gentlemen yet constitute the board, although performing different func- tions of office.

In September, 1875, a school-building was begun on an elevated lot in the southern part of the village, and com- pleted the succeeding season. It is a handsome brick structure, 68 by 84 feet, two stories high, and is surmounted by an attractive tower containing a finely-toned bell. It contains six spacious recitation-rooms, and a lecture-hall whose dimensions are 33.by 80 feet. The building is handsomely furnished throughout, at a cost of $14,000.

It was opened for school purposes in the fall of 1876, under the principalship of A. Y. Taylor, who yet remains in charge, assisted by four teachers.

The school has primary, intermediate, grammar, and high- school departments, thoroughly graded, and is attended by 250 pupils. The cost of maintaining the school is $2000 per year.

In most of the other districts of the township good schools are maintained, but we have been unable to gather any reliable statistics concerning their present status. In 1823 there were three districts, and in 1826 six.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

It is stated, on the authority of some of the old citizens of the township, that religious meetings were held as early as the latter part of 1802 at the house of Adam Rupert ; that Rev. John Stough was the preacher ; and that, acting on the suggestion of Mr. Stough, the people of the northern part of the township united to build what has since been known as

THE BALEM, OR UNION CHURCH,

to be used by the Lutheran and Reformed congregations then existing or about to be formed. Accordingly, in 1803 or 1804, a log meeting-house was built on the south- west corner of what was known as the Forney section, No. 10. This house was about 30 feet square, and was very plainly furnished. It was displaced in 1823 by a two- story brick church, built after the fashion of that day, with a high pulpit, gallery, etc., and had a very large capacity. In 1861 it was taken down, and a part of the material used in building the present house, which has accommodations for three hundred persons, and is under the joint control of the societies below named.

The Salem Lutheran Congregation had, besides the Ru- pert family, already named, among its original members, persons belonging to the Forney, Myers, Mollenkopf, and Metz families. It enjoyed the labors of Rev. J. Stough, probably, part of the time as pastor, until after the first

brick church was built, when a Rev. Shaefer became pastor. Since that time the principal clergy have been the Revs. Hoffman, Haelsche, Ellinger, Schlutterman, Siegler, Nouffer, Kramer, Schillinger, and Humberger. This congregation is one of four served by Mr. Humberger, who became the pastor in 1876. Owing to the formation of other churches, the membership is not very large at present. Its Consistory is composed of George Mollenkopf, Benjamin Lenta, Jona- than Rukenbrod, and Levi Meckley. Other members of the Consistory have been John Sheets, Johu G. Miller, Adam Rupert, Jacob Rupert, John May, Conrad Yarrian, George Kale, Louis Wernwag, John Kale, Gottlieb Kucebler, George Yarrian, G. Wilhelm, Moses Sitler, and Jacob Beight.

The Salem Reformed Congregation was formed at a somewhat later period than the foregoing, but the exact date cannot be determined. Rev. Peter Mahnnesmith was the first pastor, serving the congregation in connection with other appointments in the surrounding townships. His successors in the pastoral office have been Revs. Henry Sonnendecker, J. F. Englebach, F. Wahl, James Reinhard, and John Neille. A few others served as supplies. Since 1870, Rev. John Meckley has been the pastor, filling that position for the congregation of Springfield also.

The present members of the Consistory are Daniel Metz, John Mollenkopf, William Metz, and Omer Rouch. Among former members of the Consistory may be named Solomon Rouch, Daniel Heek, Jacob Buheeker, Jacob Unger, Andrew Forney, Daniel Rouch, Benjamin Unger, John Heek, Jose Wetzell, David Peters, Samuel Rupert, and Peter Miller.

ST. PAUL'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH.

During the pastorate of the Rev. Jacob Haelsche a dis- affection occurred in the Salem congregation, which caused the withdrawal of about sixty persons, and the formation, in 1839, of the above church. It was determined to build a church on section 2, on a lot purchased from George Kale, and among those foremost in promoting this object were Jacob Hoffman, Martin Koch, Gottlieb Baumgardner, Fred- erick Wagner, Christian Faas, Israel Schiller, John Wag- ner, Christian Eli, John Greiner, and Jacob Sensenbaugh. It is an attractive frame, and was placed in good repair in 1873.

Rev. Haelsche became the pastor of the church, and con- tinued with it about four years. He was followed by Rev. Henry Miller, for about the same length of time. The next pastor was the Rev. Wm. Sigelin, during whose connection the interests.of the Lutheran churches were united, and St. Paul's became a part of the old parish. This arrangement is yet continued, and from that period this church and the Salem congregation have had the same pastors, viz. : Revs. Schlotterman, Nouffer, Kramer, Schillinger, and Hum- berger. Formerly the services were wholly in German, but since Rev. Kramer's connection they have been in English about half the time.

The congregation has about 180 communicants, and the following Consistory : William Wernwag, William Greiner, Eli Harman, Tobias Beight, John Heinle, and Benjamin Hoffmaister .. Other prominent members of the Council have been David Mollenkopf, Martin Fetter, John Hoff-

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HISTORY OF COLUMBIANA COUNTY, OHIO.

maister, Lewis Failor, Philip Lipp, John Wagner, Jacob Sensenbaugh, and Bernhart Sauders.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF UNITY.

Some time about 1830 a Rev. Prosser began holding Methodist meetings at the house of Joseph Taylor, and soon afterwards, a class of members having been formed, regular preaching was maintained in the school-house. This embraced among others Joseph Taylor, Jehu Stough, Melchor Mellinger, Elias Eyster, and William Lewis. A small mecting-house was built soon after at the village of Unity for the use of the society, which flourished for a time, then becatne so much weakened by removals and other causes that the Conference suspended the appointment.

A few members remained in the place, and, about 1860, the Rev. D. Hess, who preached to them at that time, was induced to hold a series of meetings, which resulted in so many con- versions and accessions that the place again became a regu-

lar appointment. So encouraging was the future that a meeting-house was built nearly opposite the site occupied by the old house. This church passed under the control of a society, which received corporate powers from the State, Nov. 12, 1862, and had the following trustees : Charles Shook, Levi Forney, Samuel Earley, Perry Zeigler, and Benjamin Forney.

The church at present numbers about fifty members, who are under the pastoral direction of the Rev. O. W. Holmes, also in charge of the East Palestine church. Among others who preached here are remembered the Revs. Whar- ton, Roller, Bray, Blackburn, Moore, Hess, Houston, Kin- near, Borbidge, Ingram, Castle, Ruyter, Hamilton, and Cunningham.

The church maintains a Sunday-school having 75 mem- bers, of which Charles Shook is superintendent.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PLEASANT VALLEY, AT NEW WATERFORD.

About 1816 a Sunday-school was organized in the school- house where New Waterford now is by Richard Dildine and John Roos, who were requested, one Sabbath, by sev- eral strangers passing by, to announce a religious meeting to be held at a certain date, when they would return and preach to them. So anxious were the people to hear the word proclaimed that, at the appointed time, many were assembled to listen to the strangers, who proved to be mis- sionaries, named Kohr and Rudibaugh, laboring in the interests of the Presbyterian Church. Other meetings fol- lowed, and, not long after, Rev. Thomas Hughes, of Mt. Pleasant, Pa., was engaged to preach to the settlers of this part of the township, the meetings being still held in the school-house. As it now appeared possible to form a society, a small brick meeting-house was begun in 1823, but was used in an unfinished condition several years. In the spring of 1824, Rev. Robert Dilworth began preaching in this house, using the carpenter's work-bench for a pulpit. The trustees at this time were Richard Dildine, John Roos, and John Heinman, but the formal organization of the church does not appear to have followed until a few years later.

Rev. Dilworth continued preaching at stated times, and

on the 20th of August, 1826, Andrew Martin, Robert Martin, David Scott, and David Hanna were ordained the first ruling elders.

Since that period the elders have been Robert Leonard, Samson Dilworth, Abraham Scott, Nicholas Eckes, Jehu Dildine, Robert Jenkinson, John C. Dilworth, Samuel Silliman, Joseph Martin, Peter Smith, and Oliver Phillips.

The labors of Mr. Dilworth were enjoyed by the church until 1850, when he was succeeded by the Rev. John B. Miller, who was the minister until 1867. Then the pulpit was supplied several years by the Rev. James S. Park, who was followed, in 1871, by the Rev. Wm. C. Smith as pastor for two years. His successor was the Rev. R. S. Morton, who served eighteen months.

Since the fall of 1874 the church has been supplied by the Rev. D. H. Laverty, and a membership of 94 is re- ported.

In 1873 the present neat church-edifice was erected by a building committee composed of Richard Dildine, Homer Earley, Oliver Taylor, Isaac Heck, and Robert Kief- fer. It is a brick house, and will seat 225 persons. The present trustees are John Rupert, Oliver Rupert, Richard Dildine, and Enoch Rupert.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF NEW WATER. FORD

was organized May 16, 1858, in Joseph Taylor's barn, by the Rev. G. D. Kinnear. Twenty persons associated them- selves as members, and W. B. Campbell was chosen class- leader. The church has at present about 50 members, under the leadership of John Kane and John M. Rudibaugh.

In March, 1859, a plain frame meeting-house was dedi- cated as a place of worship for the society by the presiding elder of the district, Rev. D. P. Mitchell, and placed in charge of the following trustees : Joseph Taylor, John Baker, John King, W. B. Campbell, and T. S. McCalla.

Rev. Kinnear was followed in the pastoral office by the Revs. D. Hess, L. Keagle, John McCarty, A. J. Rich, James Burbidge, John J. Jackson, J. J. Hayes, J. Z. Moore, W. Darby, Thomas Hodgson, A. E. Ward, and C. H. Edwards. Rev. W. B. Campbell is a local preacher.

A Sunday-school was organized soon after the formation of the church, and had James P. Silliman for superintendent. This school at present has more than 100 members, under the superintendence of J. M. Rudibaugh.

THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF EAST PALES- TINE.

Methodisin was introduced into this locality by the mem- bers of the old Burt church, in Middleton township, and in 1865 occasional meetings were held in the United Pres- byterian church at East Palestine. In a few years the in- terests of the Burt church were transferred to the village, and the present society formed. A board of trustees was chosen, having as members Isaac Eaton, Mark Burt, Mi- chael Shaefer, John Curry, William M. Saint, John Suth- erin, and William Meek, and a commodious frame meeting- house built at East Palestine, which is yet the home of the society.

The church has 180 members, under the pastoral care of

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the Rev. O. W. Holmes. Other pastors have been Revs. Houston, Moore, Jackson, Gogley, Kessler, and Ingram.

A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained, and has Mark Burt for superintendent.

THE UNITED BRETHREN IN CHRIST OF EAST PALESTINE.

A class of this faith was formed in the southeast part of the township, about 1855, by the Rev. George Fast, which had among its members persons belonging to the Paxson, Low, Piper, Hartsough, Leonard, and other families. In 1857 a small frame church was built west of the village, on a lot given for this purpose by Thomas McCalla. This was used until the summer of 1879, when a new house, erected in the village, on the lot of L. A. Paxson, was occupied. It is a plain frame, 30 by 40 feet, and was built by a committee composed of L. A. Paxsou, Charles Hall, Samuel Eaton, William Alcorn, Jacob Todd, George Ren- shaw, and Robert. Patton.

The church has 50 members, and is connected with other appointments in Middleton and Fairfield in forming a cir- cuit. The church is at present in charge of F. P. Sanders.

Among the clergy who were on this circuit since the church was formed were Revs. Fast, Crayton, Waldorf, Turner, Bonewell, Traver, Dilley, Booth, Bowers, Perkins, Slusser, Deihl, Randall, Lower, Faulk, Law, Begley, and Singer. Joseph Paxson is a local preacher, and L. A. Pax- son is superintendent of the Sunday-school.

THE OLD SCHOOL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF EAST PALESTINE.

In September, 1841, a number of persons residing in this locality petitioned the Presbytery of New Lisbon, at its session with the Clarkson congregation, to organize a church in their village. The Presbytery appointed the Rev. William Stratton for this purpose, and on the 5th of March, 1842, members of the Hamilton, Curry, Martin, Mckean, Hassan, and other families, to the number of 20, were associated in church fellowship, and Joseph Curry, Ralph Martin, Robert J. Robinson, and Thomas Hamilton ordained as ruling elders.

For many years the Presbytery supplied the congregation with preaching, the ministers being Revs. James Robertson, Thomas McDermott, and A. S. Billingsley.

The church has also had as pastors Revs. Martin, Smith, and Gilmore. Since 1873 the Rev. D. H. Laverty has been the stated supply.

The congregation numbers 102 members, and has as ruling elders James Smart, B. D. Sheets, C. W. Hamilton, and Seth Meek. The Sabbath-school has Hugh Frasier for superintendent.

The meeting-house was erected about the time the church was organized, and placed in its present condition in 1875.

In 1867 the church became a corporate body and organ- ized a board of trustees, having J. R. Hamilton, President; Joseph Young, Secretary ; James Boies, Treasurer; and Adam Palmer, J. W. Fronk, and T. S. Hamilton associate members.

The present trustees are Enos Goble, Charles Beyer, James Boies, Joseph Young, J. W. Fronk, and T. S. Hamilton.

THE EAST PALESTINE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. In August, 1842, the Rev. Thomas L. Spear organized an Associate Reformed Presbyterian congregation at this place, under the auspices of the Monongahela Presbytery of Pennsylvania, which had as members John Taggart, David Luke, Robert McFilamy, the Johnson family, Maria Vance, Benjamin and Elizabeth Blackburn,-nine in all.

Benjamin Blackburn and John Taggart were the first ruling elders. This office has also been held by John Wal- lace, James Nevin, Sr., James Smiley, Clement V. Souder, Samuel Wilson, Thomas H. Davidson, Abraham S. Nevin, Robert Taggart, Joseph Britton, David W. Hartshorn, W. C. Chamberlain, and James Nevin. The four last named are the present elders.

The meetings were held in the old Presbyterian church until 1853, when the present edifice was erected. It has since been improved and beautified to render it very attrac- tive and comfortable. Since 1858 the congregation has been known by its present title, in consequence of the union of the different Presbyterian interests; it has about 70 members.

In May, 1849, the Rev. Samuel Patterson became the pastor for one-third of his time, and continued until 1858; in 1862 the Rev. Hugh Sturgeon became pastor, and gave half his time to this congregation. He resigned in 1866. The next pastorate was begun March 1, 1867, by Rev. A. Y. Houston, who gave two-thirds of his time, and served until April, 1872. After a few years of vacancy, the Rev. W. W. Curry became pastor, and gave the con- gregation all his time from Jan. 1, 1875, and remained until April, 1879. The pulpit is at present. vacant.

The congregation supports a well-organized Sunday-school having 120 members, of which W. C. Chamberlain is super- intendent. There is also a Ladies' Missionary Society, whose efforts have been a great blessing to various charita- ble objects, which receive from its treasury about $100 per year. The trustees of the church are R. C. Taggart, W. C. Chamberlain, and Robert Young.

EAST PALESTINE COAL INTERESTS.

Before 1840 small quantities of coal were taken out from the side-hills in the neighborhood of East Palestine, by far- mers and others for home use. In succeeding years mining was carried on to a greater extent, but no organized effort was made to develop the mineral wealth of this locality until about 1860, when a New York company secured an interest in the coal-lands of section 35, known as Carbon Hill. A vein was opened and a railway built from the main line of the Fort Wayne road, when they disposed of their interests to Tucker, Brown & Co., who made further developments and commenced shipping coal. In 1865 the property passed into the hands of the " Carbon Hill Coal Company," of Chicago, who placed their interests in charge of James Mullins. Hugh Laughlin was employed as superintendent, and under his direction work was actively carried on, from 70 to 90 miners being employed. In 1871 the company abandoned this mine, the supply being too small to render it longer profitable. Soon after was formed

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 64

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co. Publication date: 1879 Publisher: Number of Pages: 541

Author: D. W. Ensign & Co.
Publication date: 1879
Publisher:
Number of Pages: 541