History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 74

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 74

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).

There are eleven districts, and every one of them is pro- vided with a commodious and handsome brick house, with belfry, inside blinds, and modern furniture, costing from $2700 to $3500, whose attractive appearance reflects great

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TOWNSHIP OF BEAVER.

credit on the people of the township. The clerks of the several sub-districts, and the youth enumerated in 1879, were as follows : No. 1, Noah Sprinkler, 62; No. 2, Lewis Gleckler, 60; No. 3, Isaac B. Culler, 77; No. 4, David Harman, 85; No. 5, Henry Thoman, 85; No. 6, Gustavus Snyder, 70; No. 7, C. T. Stafford, 99; No. 8, Daniel Gei- ger, 54; No. 9, Ephraim Gleckler, 53; No. 10, D. M. Ziegler, 58; No. 11, Wilson S. Hadley, 16. The latter is a fractional district, being chiefly in Springfield. The ap- propriations for schools in 1877 amounted to more than $3000.

In the village of North Lima a select school was opened in the public hall in the summer of 1878. Two terms were taught by G. W. Love. The school has at present 22 students, in charge of James W. Calvin.

RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.

The missionary labors of the Rev. John Stough extended to Beaver township, and, as early as 1808, a small log meet- ing-house was built by the united efforts of those adhering to the Lutheran and Reformed churches, with a view of affording a place of worship for future congregations of both these sects. This house stood in the old grave-yard at North Lima, and was replaced by a frame building, which also accommodated both societies until 1860, since when separate interests have been maintained.

Some time about 1810 the Rev. John Peter Mahnne- smith, a Reformed missionary, began preaching at North Lima, and formed what now constitutes

THE MOUNT OLIVET REFORMED CONGREGATION.

This embraced among its original members the Mowen, Fasnacht, Crouse, Dutterer, Coblentz, and Metz families, with later additions from the Thoman, Greenamyer, Flick- inger, Elser, Mentzer, Coler, Rapp, and other families. It has had a flourishing existence, and at present numbers more than 200 members.

In 1860 the corner-stone for a new church edifice, to be used exclusively by the congregation, was laid, and the fol- lowing year was completed the handsome brick church which is now their spiritual home. It will seat 450 per- sons, and cost to build $5000. In 1877 the congregation purchased three acres of ground in the neighborhood of the church, on a hill overlooking the village, on which was erected a very comfortable parsonage. At present the temporalities of the congregation are in a most excellent condition.

Its Consistory in 1879 had as Elders, Solomon Elser, M. E. Dutterer, George Buzard ; Deacons, Samuel Mentzer, David Lower, Noah Rapp; Trustees, John Flickinger, George Coler, Solomon Elser.

Rev. Mahnnesmith was succeeded in the pastorate by the Rev. Henry Sonnendecker, who was for many years the faithful minister of the church. He was followed by the Rev. John F. Englebach, Frederick Wahl, James Reinhard, who served the congregation the last time, Aug. 1, 1870, closing his earthly career at Columbiana, Aug. 20, 1870.

In October, 1870, the Rev. Henry Hilbish became the pastor, continuing in that relation four years. The pulpit was vacant about two years, but in September, 1876, Rev.

Hilbish was recalled, and has since filled the pastoral office. His charge embraces the Paradise congregation.

A flourishing Sunday-school, having 175 members, under the superintendeuce of Ezra Sonnendecker, is maintained by Mt. Olivet congregation.

PARADISE CHURCH.

In the summer of 1849 a number of members of the Lutheran and Reformed congregations at North Lima severed their connection with the parent societies for the purpose of establishing a place of worship nearer their homes. A joint committee, composed of George Messer- ley and Jacob Beard, was appointed to build a meeting- house on an acre of ground which had been secured for this purpose from the farm of George Messerley, on section 9. In August, 1849, the corner-stone was laid, and the same season a plain frame house was completed, 32 by 40 feet, which, in a repaired condition, is yet in use, according to the terms of agreement when the house was built.

The Reformed Congregation has at present 80 members, and the following Consistory :

Elders : Daniel Fink, George D. Messerley, David Heinzelman. Deacons : Samuel Thoman, Samuel Rupert.

The pastors of the congregation, from its organisation to the present, have been the Revs. Henry Sonnendecker, John F. Englebach, J. B. Ruhl, Carl Twissler, James Reinhard, and the present, Henry Hilbish. The Reve. Kendig and Seump supplied the pulpit for a short period.

George D. Messerley is the superintendent of a Sunday- school having 75 members.

The Lutheran Congregation was organized by the Beard, Wonseller, Miller, and other families, in 1849. Preaching has been supplied usually by the same pastors as those of the North Lima church,-namely, Revs. Bachler, Kronts, Guinsett, Kramer, and Rauher. The present Consistory is composed of Elders Christian Sourwein, Joseph Freese ; Deacons, Elias Beiber, Elias Cannerich. The Lutheran congregation at North Lima was formed by Rev. John Stough, in 1804. His successor was the Rev. Henry Hewitt, and those named above. They worshiped in the same house as the Reformed until 1860; afterwards they erected a fine house of their own.

THE OVERHOLTZER MENNONITE CHURCH.

As early as 1815, Mennonite meetings were held in a log school-house in the western part of the township, Jacob Overholtzer being the preacher. The settlement here was soon augmented by other members of that faith, and, in 1825, a hewed-log meeting-house, 30 by 36 feet, was built on a lot of ground given for this purpose by Mr. Over- holtzer. George Bachman and Jonathan Overholtzer served as a building committee. This house was used until 1871, when the present neat brick house was erected in its stead by Jacob Yoder, Daniel Zeigler, and Melchor Mellinger, acting for the church as a building committee. Its dimen- sions are 40 by 50 feet. Connected with the house is a large grave-yard.

Those who preached here have been, from 1815 to the present, Jacob Overholtzer, Henry Stouffer, John Shank,

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Mathias Dinsman, Jacob Nold, who was a bishop, Jacob Christophel, Rudolph Blosser, Jacob Wissler, Samuel Good, John Bloeser, and the present, Peter Baysinger, Jacob Culp, and Joseph Bezler, each of whom serves occasionally.

The interests of this congregation are connected with

THE METZLER MENNONITE CHURCH,

near North Lima, and the two societies have about 150 members. At the latter place the first meeting-house was built of logs, about 1835, on a lot set off from the farms of Jacob Metzler and Jacob Snyder, and was used until a few years ago, when a brick meeting-house was built by John Metzler, John Burkholder, and Samuel Witmer.

Among the early Mennonites of Beaver were the Over- holtzer, Mellinger, Boyer, Blosser, Snyder, Shank, Lehman, Metzler, Stouffer, Yoder, Wissler, Hoover, and Witmer families, most of which have descendants who now consti- tute the membership of the above congregation.

THE ZION HILL MEETING OF THE BRETHREN OF MA- HONING DISTRICT.

Meetings of this sect (Dunkers) were held in the south- ern part of Beaver township as early as 1825, but no house of worship was erected until 1872, when the present church was built, on a lot of ground long ago set aside for this purpose by Messrs. Krumbacher and Myers. It is a plain but substantial frame, 30 by 40 feet, and cost $1400. The meeting is connected with the Bethel meeting, in north- western Springfield, and has the same officers and ministers. The latter have been Henry Kurtz, James Quinter, Daniel Summers, Richard Brenneman ; and those officiating at present, Jacob H. Kurtz and Jonas Hoke.

The present deacons are Frank Longanecker, Alfred Longanecker, Frederick W. Kohler, Solomon Esterley, Eli H. Ruhlman, and Levi Summers.

This office has also been held by Jacob Summers, Jacob Longanecker, Mathias Haas, John B. Summers, George Grove, and others.

A flourishing Sunday-school is maintained in the Zion Hill church. Solomon Esterley is the superintendent.

CALVARY CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION AT NORTH LIMA.

About 1836 the preachers of the denomination began their labors in the neighborhood of North Lima, and soon succeeded in forming a class, which embraced among its members Michael Kick, Adam Wieland, Gabriel Erb, John Mentzer, and J. Paulin. Meetings were first held in pri- vate houses and in the school-house; but some time after 1840 a small church was built at North Lima, nearly op- posite the village-hall, which was used a number of years, when it was burned, it is supposed by an enemy of tem- perance, to prevent the continuation of a series of meetings

then being held in that house. It is said that the opposi- tion to the temperance movement was so strong that the speakers were treated with personal abuse and violence.

Shortly after, a new house was built, which was used until 1876, when it was sold for a village-hall and the present attractive edifice erected. It was built by a committee composed of Amos H. Selb, C. Metzler, J. Kreutzer, S. Rau, and W. Creps, and cost $4000. It has a shapely tower, & ves- tibule, and a gallery, and is well finished throughout. On the 21st of January, 1877, it was formally dedicated by Bishop T. Bowman, assisted by Rev. G. S. Domer, presiding elder, and the preacher in charge, Rev. H. B. Summers. The church has a membership of 88, forming two classes, led by N. Feucht and J. Ludwig. A Sunday-school of 100 members has W. Crepe for superintendent.

Originally, the appointments in this part of the country formed the Columnbiana circuit ; but in 1870 this church and the appointments in Springfield were constituted the North Lima circuit, having the parsonage at North Lima.

The preachers on these circuits, in the order of their connection, from 1837 to 1877, have been Revs. Elias Stoever, S. Vangundy, George Dussel, C. G. Koch, Joseph Truby, Abraham Loehner, Joseph Dick, D. L. Miller, A. Stahley, A. Long, S. F. Crowther, G. W. Reisinger, Jacob Rank, G. S. Domer, J. D. Hollinger, A. Loehner, J. J. Bernhart, J. Q. A. Weller, C. W. Davis, W. Houpt, H. B. Summers, and J. D. Domer.

Rev. S. A. Miller, of the Illinois Conference, was origi- nally from this circuit.

NORTH LIMA METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Methodist meetings were held in the village as early as 1840, the preaching being supplied by the ministers of the Columbiana appointment. Among the members were Sam- uel Crouse, John H. Donald, Martin Hasness, Solomon Clinker, Henry Buzard, George Buzard, John Sparron, David and Jacob Shanefelt, Solon Painter, and J. G. Leslie.

In 1847 the society built a small frame meeting-house on Boardman Street, which was used for religious meetings until 1870, when it was sold for a mechanic-shop. Death and removals had so much weakened the Methodist 'inter- ests here that meetings were discontinued before 1865. The house was thereafter occupied by the Lutheran con- gregation. Among the first Methodist preachers were Revs. James M. Young and Wm. B. Blackburn; the Rev. Cunningham was the last.

THE CEMETERIES

of the township, with one exception, are maintained by the several church societies, and are generally located in close proximity to their buildings. They are well kept, and some of them contain costly and artistic monuments. Many of the early stones bear German inscriptions.

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MRS. DANIEL P. STRAWN

RESIDENCE OF DANIEL P. STRAWN, GOSHEN TP., MAHONING CO .. O.

DANIEL P. STRAWN.

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GOSHEN.

IN 1785 provision was made by Congress for the di- vision of the Northwestern Territory into ranges and town- ships, to facilitate the sale of public lands. The township of Goshen is No. 17, in range 4, and is bounded on the north by the townships of Berlin and Ellsworth, in the " Western Reserve;" on the east by the township of Green; on the south by Butler and Perry ; and on the west by Smith." It was originally in Washington County, and in 1803, upon the organization of Columbiana, was in- cluded in the territory which comprised that county. In 1846 the northern tier of townships in Columbiana, in- cluding Goshen, were set off, with other territory, to form Mahoning County. " Goshen contains an area of thirty-two square miles. The principal streams are the middle fork of Beaver Creek, which rises in Perry, flows through the eastern part of Goshen, and passes out of the township across the east line of section 12, and a branch of the Mahoning River, which rises in section 19, and flows in a general course northerly through the western portion of the township, which it leaves about a mile east of the northwest corner.

The township of Goshen, like most of the townships in this portion of old Columbiana County, has an undulating surface, and yields to the landscape outlines of quiet beauty in infinite variety. . The northern portion has the greatest development of these characteristics, though few elevations and depressions even there can properly be termed hills and valleys. These names suggest more of abruptness,-greater heights and depths than are found within the township borders. The soil is fertile and well adapted to grazing and the raising of small fruits.

FIRST SETTLEMENTS.

Anthony Morris came in 1804, and settled on part of the southeast quarter of section 31. His family then con- sisted of his wife and three children. Nine children were born to them afterwards, of whom four survive,-Mrs. Es- ther Bolton, of Salem ; Mrs. Sarah Bruff, of Cedar County, Iowa; Mrs. Mary Bolton, of Morrow County, Ohio; and Anthony Morris, of Butler. His wife was Hannah French, sister of Thomas, James, Robert, John, and Barzilla. Mr. Morris was overseer of the poor in 1812. His daughter Sarah married James Bruff, who came in 1822. Col. Joseph Bruff now lives in the old homestead, at Damascus.

Barzilla French settled on that part of section 31 not taken up by Mr. Morris. He was trustee in 1818-19.

Thomas French first came to Damascus in 1805. He bought part of the southwest quarter of section 31 ; Elijah Freuch settled on the remainder. Thomas married a daughter of Jonas Cattell, who located half of section 36, in Salem. In 1814, Mr. French took charge of his orphan

nephew, Jonas D. Cattell,-son of Enoch, his wife's brother, -and in 1820 moved to Salem and occupied Enoch's farm. He was one of the early school-teachers in Damascus, and an appraiser of property in the township in 1812.

Horton Howard entered several sections of land in the southwestern part of the township and in Butler as agent for a man by the name of Hoopes. It remained in posses- sion of Mr. Hoopes and his family until 1847, when it was sold, Joseph Edge acting as attorney for the heirs. It was bought by Benj. Wright, who appointed commis- sioners to divide it among his five daughters, by whom it was sold to different persons. Isaac Stanley owns a farm in this section. A part of section 29 was of the Hoopes tract.

David Venable came to Goshen about 1805, and settled as a tenant on the farm of Jonas Cattell. He lived there about five years, and then bought land in the northwest quarter of section 22, where he now resides.

Isaac and Thomas Votaw, brothers, came from near Winchester, Va., about 1806. Isaac purchased 240 acres on section 19, where he died about 1820. He had two sons, Benjamin and David, and was trustee of the town- ship in 1812-18.

Thomas Votaw settled on section 6. He had three sons. Thomas, Samuel, and Isaac. He was supervisor in 1812, and trustee in 1814.

Samuel taught school in 1813 at Goshen. The de- scendants of both Isaac and Thomas live in the township.

Robert Armstrong was an early settler. In 1812 he was fence-viewer, and from 1820 to '25 was treasurer. His descendants are living in the township.

Stacy Shreeve, with his wife, came from New Jersey about 1806, and settled on section 19. He was supervisor of the township in 1812. His descendants live in the township, and have held town offices. John, his son, lives on the homestead.

Joseph Kindele, a brother-in-law of Stacy Shreeve, also settled on section 19 in 1806. His children have located in the township.

James Brooks came from New York State in 1806, but was originally from Maryland, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 7. A daughter of Mr. Brooks married Dr. James Hughes, and resides at Berlin.

Isaac Ellison came from Virginia in 1806, and settled on the southeast quarter of section 7. He married a daughter of James Cattell, and was trustee of the township in 1827- 28 and 1838. Joseph, a son, lives at Damasous.

Zachariah Ellison, father of Isaac, came in 1816, and settled on the northeast quarter of section 19. He married Mary, sister of Isaac Votaw; was treasurer of the township in 1818-19, and trustee in 1820-21. He died aged eighty

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years. Mrs. John Crew, a daughter, is living in Butler, east of Damascus.

William and James Cattell came before 1810. William settled about a mile west of Goshen. He was trustee in 1813-16, and justice of the peace in 1812. James had a large family of daughters, and settled on part of the north- east quarter of section 19. His daughter, Mrs. Isaac Elli- son, lives with William Cattell in Butler township, near the Valley.

Samuel Davis, of Salem, entered section 20 as early as 1804, receiving a deed from the government dated Nov. 1, 1808. He gave the southeast quarter of the section to his daughter, Rachel, who married Lewis Townsend, a brother of Mrs. Dr. Benjamin Stanton, of Salem. Descendants of the family are now-1879-living on a part of the land. The northeast quarter was given to William Davis, a son, who was killed on the mountains a few years after, when the property passed to his children.

Joshua Morris came in about 1810, and located a farm a little north of Wm. Fawcett. He sold it in 1818 to James Hemingway, from'New Jersey, whose son James was clerk of the township from 1827 to 1842. The farm is now in the possession of David Park, a grandson of James Hem- ingway.

Aaron Stratton, elder brother of Michael and Stacy, came from New Jersey in 1808, and settled in the north- west corner of section 23, on Beaver Creek, where he soon after built a grist-mill, which well accommodated the country round. The property was sold in 1834 to Emor F. Weaver, and afterwards to Samuel Mathers. It is now owned by Davis Brothers, and is run by steam. Mr. Stratton was township treasurer in 1815. He had a son, Aaron, who lived in Perry township. He married Hannah, daughter of Joseph Townsend, and sister of Mrs. Dr. Benjamin Stanton.

Henry Hinchman came from New Jersey about 1808 with a large family of children,-John, Henry, Aaron, Hannah, Elizabeth, Grace, and Mary,-and settled on the northwest quarter of section 36. His son, Henry, lives in the township. Aaron published a newspaper in 1842, which he printed in his father's house. He afterwards removed to Salem.

Benjamin Butler, Hannah, his wife, and their chil- dren,-Lawrence, Ellen, Hannah, John, Meribah, Ann, and Sarah,-came from near Philadelphia, by the way of Lan- caster, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh, in a two-horse wagon, and were about four weeks on the route. They arrived at Salem in April, 1811. Mr. Butler was poor, and settled on the farm of Robert French, in section 36, where he lived a year. He then moved into the present township of Goshen, and occupied land owned by Aaron Street, near the western boundary, and lived there two years. A Friend gave him an opportunity to buy and build, and he purchased 160 acres on section 18, where Elihu Cobb lives, and moved into a building of round logs which he there erected. He lived in this until August, 1828, when he died. He was trustee of the township in 1815-16. Of his living children, John resides in Goshen, Mrs. Saml. Street in Salem, Lawrence near Alliance, Stark Co., Mrs. Meribah Farmer in Cleveland, Mrs. Ellen Child in Iowa.

John Butler, son of Benjamin, purchased a farm adjoin- ing the Friends' meeting-house, and in 1825 built a two- story cabin, of hewn logs, in which he began housekeeping in August of that year. His wife was Driscilla Fawcett, whom he married at the Friends' meeting-house in Salem. In 1829 he purchased the farm he now occupies, which was at that time all woods. Here he built, in 1830, a log house with shingle roof, but, his wife dying in that year, he changed his plans, and did not remove to the farm until his second marriage, in 1834. While living with his father on the farin in section 18, it fell to his lot to do the " milling." He generally carried to mill about two bushels of grain. The mill was nearly due east from the farm, on a branch of Beaver Creek, was known as the "Stratton mill," and was probably built about 1809.

Mr. Butler is a prominent member of the Society of Friends, and was appointed one of the Associated Execu- tive Committee of Friends of the Central Indian Superin- tendency of the United States,-a position he still holds.

William Fawcett, with his wife, came from Virginia in 1811, and purchased 164 acres on section 32, where - Cooper now lives, adjoining John Butler's present residence. He was a Friend, an elder in the church, and was an honest, straightforward man. His death occurred in 1848. One son lives in Columbiana County, and one in Kansas. He was trustee of the township in 1815 (with Benjamin Butler and Joel Sharp), also in 1823, and clerk in 1818.

Samuel and Thomas Langstaff in 1812 settled, one on the northeast quarter of section 18, the other on the south- east quarter of the same section, and where now is a hamlet called " Boswell."

Joseph Wright came from New Jersey in 1810, settled first on section 13, and moved therefrom to the northeast quarter of section 14, which is now occupied by his grand- sons. He lived to old age, and served the township in various offices almost continuously until the time of his death. He was the first township clerk, in 1812-13; trus- tee in 1813; clerk from 1819 to 1822; and treasurer from 1826 to 1857. He was much esteemed by his townsmen.

Benjamin Malmsbury came from New Jersey with his wife and children about 1812, and bought 160 acres on section 36. He was supervisor in 1815. His children are living on the old farm.

Bazel Perry and his wife came from Maryland in 1811, and settled on the northeast corner of section 5, east of Thomas Votaw. He was not an aspirant for position evi- dently, for in 1813 he declined the honor of an election to the office of constable.

Benjamin Lloyd settled on the southwest quarter of seo- tion 21, where he has since resided.

Caleb Shinn settled in the township very early, where some of his descendants remain.

Richard Templin, from Lancaster Co., Pa., a moulder by trade, settled in the southeast quarter of section 13, about 1825. His son John moved to Patmos about 1831, and settled on the southwest quarter of section 3.

John King, from the same place, and also a moulder, settled on the southeast quarter of section 1, in 1831, where Joshua Bowman lives. His son Joseph lives in Patmos.

Jesse Straughn, in October, 1820, came from Bucks Co.,

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RESIDENCE OF S. H. D. R. L. ARMSTRONG , GOSHEN TP., MAHONING CO., OHIO.

MRS. JOEL ARMSTRONG

JOEL ARMSTRONG

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ISAAC CARR.

Isaac Carr was born in New Jersey, Nov. 4, 1796. He married Ann, daughter of George and Elizabeth Crew, in 1815. The same year he moved to Ohio. . His family then consisted of his wife and three children; the others were born in this county. Their children were Samuel, George W., Isaac R., R. F., Thomas, Elizabeth, and J. M .; three only are living. Mr. Carr's opportunities for an education from books during his minority were limited, as those of our early settlers who still survive remember well the rude log school-house and its meagre appointments. Mr. Carr was a very successful farmer, and by strict economy, industry, and good management he added from time to time to his first purchase of land in this county until he owned two hundred and twenty acres of finely-improved land, which he divided into three farms, giving one to each of

his sons, one of whom now owns the old homestead. It must indeed be a great pleasure, at. the close of a long and useful life, to be able to transmit to our children a comfortable fortune, more especially if it has been acquired in an honorable manner. Mr. Carr died June 3, 1873; Mrs. Carr died Aug. 27, 1859, at the age of sixty-five years. She was a good woman, and many friends deeply regretted her loss.

Isaac R. Carr, third son of Isaac Carr, married Isabella, daughter of Obadiah and Mary Crew. Mr. Crew was among the first settlers of this county, emigrating from Virginia in 1808. Mr. and Mrs. Crew were married in 1799. Mrs. Crew died Oct. 10, 1841; Mr. Crew died Oct. 10, 1845.

The above portrait was contributed by Isaac R. Carr in memory of his honored father.

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History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers, Part 74

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