USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 79
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INDUSTRIES.
The chief occupation of the people of Smith township is farming and stock-raising. The excellent grazing and pasture lands have, however, led to the establishment of several cheese-manufactories. These are four in number, the principal of which is on " Beech Ridge," so called, in the easterly part of the township, and is owned by John Stanley. A saw- and flour-mill at Westville, owned and operated by Somers & Co .; and three saw-mills, one at Be- loit, owned by Samuel P. Coppack ; one on section 13, owned by Joshua Reeves; and one on section 20, owned by George W. Martin, comprise the special manufacturing interests of the township.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
JAMES M. DOBSON.
Jam . Dobson was born in Alleghany Co., Pa., on the
war . ( wartier's Creek, about ten miles from Pittsburgh, March 27, 1807. Mrs. Dobson was born in the same State, Nov. 19, 1807. Mr. Dobson emigrated from there to Ohio in the early part of his life, and settled in Columbiana County, and commenced life for himself by purchasing a farm. This farm had but little improvement on it, but Mr. Dobson went to work, as all early settlers did who found a home here, to improve his place, clearing, burning brush, log-rolling, and building. He married Margaret, daughter of John and Martha Bevingston. Eleven chil- dren were born of this union, six boys and five girls, viz. : John, Elizabeth, Thomas, Martha, Jane, Henry B., Mar- garet, Cynthia, James K., Robert (deceased), and Joseph
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(deceased). They are living in Ohio, with the exception of Martha, who resides in Michigan. James M. Dobson came from Columbiana County to Smith township, Mahon- ing Co., about 1833, where he bought a farm of sev- enty acres. By hard labor and strict economy he added from time to time to this farm, until he owned one hundred
above his support. Mr. and Mrs. Dobson were Presbyte- rians, and of Scotch and Irish descent. Mr. Dobson's edu- cation was limited; he attended school just long enough to be able to read and write. He was a truly kind and indul- gent man in his family, and in his intercourse with all true and friendly. As he had lived peaceably and quietly, 80
MRS. JAMES M. DOBSON.
JAMES M. DOBSON.
and forty acres. He managed his farm during his entire life-time. At his death he left this land to be divided among his children, giving to John two shares, and leasing him the farm for five years at one hundred dollars per year. John lived at home with his father twenty-five years after his majority, working and receiving no equivalent
peaceably and quietly he passed away, departing this life Jan. 6, 1879, leaving a reputation for honesty and upright dealings.
Mrs. James Dobson died Dec. 22, 1875. The portraits of Mr. and Mrs. James Dobson are inserted in this work by their son, John, as a tribute of respect to their memory.
WILLIAM JOHNSTON.
William Johnston was a native of Beaver Co., Pa., and was born on the 20th of May, 1809. In the year 1843 he left his native county and came with his family to Smith township, Columbiana Co., now Mahoning Co. He there settled on a farm which he had bought three years before moving to this State.
In the month of March, 1834, he was united in marriage with Phoebe, daughter of John and Sophia Morris. Mr. Johnston's family consisted of eight children, viz. : A. C., Sophia A., Mary W., J. M., E. J., Sarah, William F., and P. S. Three of the children are deceased. Sophia A. died Oct. 19, 1840; Mary W. died Feb. 13, 1842; J. W. was killed at Stone River Dec. 31, 1862.
Mr. Johnston bought his farm with but little improve- ment on it, there being at the time only a hewed-log house. As soon as he could get to work he commenced the improve- ment of his place, and before the end of the first year he had erected a large frame house, a view of which can be seen on another page of this work. Mr. Johnston filled offices of trust both in the township and county in which he lived, having been commissioner of the county for six years. He
ever discharged the duties of these trusts to the entire sat- isfaction of the people. He always took a lively interest in all public affairs. Mr. Johnston died Feb. 4, 1877.
Mrs. Johnston is still living with her youngest son, Wm. F. Johnston, on the farm first settled by the father. This sketch, also the portraits of his father and mother, are in- serted by Wm. F. Johnston.
MOSES OYSTER.
Moses Oyster was born in Columbiana County, Feb. 4, 1822. He and his wife are both of German descent: His father, Samuel Oyster, was born in the State of Pennsylva- nia. Mr. Samuel Oyster was a very energetic, hard-working man. During his life he purchased one thousand and fifty acres of land which he divided among his children, giving to each eighty acres. His death occurred in 1847; his wife died in 1836. Moses Oyster received an ordinary English education in the common schools of this State, engaging much of the time in manual labor. His first purchase was sixty acres of land in Smith township, Co- lumbiana (now Mahoning) County .. He owned this farm
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MRS. JOHN THOMPSON
JOHN THOMPSON
"CLOVER NOOK FARM." RES. OF J.J. THOMPSON, FORMERLY RES. OF JOHN THOMPSON, SMITH TP. MAHONING CO.O.
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about ten years. Selling it to his brother Eli, he again bought sixty-six acres in the same township; on this farm he now lives; he has since added to this until he now has a fine farm of one hundred and thirty-five acres. When Mr. Oyster first commenced life for himself he
1852, death entered .the family circle and removed one of the children. Few families can surround the hearthstone and not find some " vacant chair." In religion, Mr. Oyster is a liberal, believing the highest type of Christianity and the truest religion consists in doing right. His wife is a
MOSES OYSTER.
MRS. MOSES OYSTER.
worked at such work as he could at that early day find to do, farming and ditching for his neighbors when they needed help, working for the sum of fifty cents a day. In the year 1845, June the 19th, he married Elizabeth, daughter of George and Mary Kimes; they have had a family of twelve children. On the 20th day of October,
member of the Disciples church, which he attends. He is in politics a Republican.
It is the earnest wish of the many friends of Mr. Oyster that he may live long to enjoy the many comforts and blees- ings of life, well earned by upright industry and honest dealings.
MRS. J. J. THOMPSON.
advantages of education as his neighboring school then pro- .vided ; being desirous of having a good education, he spent much time outside of school with his books, and .by this application secured a fair English education.
J. J. Thompson was thoroughly trained in farm work,
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J. J. THOMPSON.
J. J. THOMPSON
was born in Washington township, Columbians Co., Sept. 23, 1843. John Thompson was brought up on his father's farm, where he remained until he was twenty-seven years old .. During this time he availed himself of such 40
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and, preferring this to any other business, he now owns and lives ou the farm formerly owned by his father. A repre- sentation of this home, as also portraits of his father, inother, wife, and himself, muy be seen in this work.
May 5, 1870, Mr. J. J. Thompson married Mary J., daughter of John and Phoebe Armstrong. They have two children,-John B. and Hallie O. Mr. Thompson and his amiable wife are now in possession of a pleasant home and many friends, which they fully appreciate and enjoy. They are in the full vigor of life, and we hope they may have many years of usefulness before them.
NATHAN HEACOCK
was born in Rockhill township, Bucks Co, Pa., April 16, 1783. He was the son of Jeremiah and Sarah Heacock. Jonathan, the grandfather of Jeremiah, emigrated from Staffordshire, England, to America about the year 1711, and settled in Chester, Delaware Co., Pa. He and his wife, Ann, brought with them from England a certificate of their rights of membership in the Society of Friends, which has been continued in a direct line to the present generation. William, the son of Jonathan, was born in Marple, Chester Co., Pa., Jan. 13, 1716. He subsequently settled in Rock- hill township, Bucks Co., Pa., where he married Ann Rob- erts, a lady of Welsh descent. He and his son, Jeremiah, were both millwrights, and were owners of a saw- and grist- mill in Bucks County. Sarah Heacock, the mother of Nathan, was the daughter of James and Ann Morgan, also of Welsh descent. Her father, while on the road with his team, was forced into the service of Gen. Braddock, and was at Fort Duquesne (now Pittsburgh) at the time of the memorable defeat of the British in 1755.
About the year 1790, Nathan's father, Jeremiah Hea- cock, sold his property in Bucks Co., Pa., and removed to Northampton Co., Pa., where he remained some seven years. In that rough back woods region was the boyhood of Nathan spent. His father, Jeremiah, died Jan. 1, 1797, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. This event produced an entire change in the course of his son, whose career we are briefly depicting. With a brother younger than himself he went on foot forty miles from their late residence to the neigh- borhood of his grandfather's place, in Richland township, Bucks Co., Pa. Remaining in the family of Joseph Cus- tard for three years, he was apprenticed to John Trum- bower to learn the wagon-maker's trade.
Sept. 9, 1806, he married Dinah Dennis, daughter of Amos and Jane Dennis, and settled with her mother, who was a widow, in Richland township, Pa.
In 1813, he removed to Columbia Co., Pa .; but three years later he came to Ohio, and settled in Goshen town- ship, Columbiana (now Mahoning) Co., about two miles northwest of Salem. Here for several years he battled with the forest, and by perseverance and frugality earned a living, but his limited means becoming involved, in 1821 he sold his farm and sought another location " further in the woods." At the Steubenville land-office he "entered" the southwest quarter of section 28, in Smith township, Columbiana (now Mahoning) Co. The parchment deed,
which gave him title to this tract, was signed by President James Monroe, and is now in the possession of his son, who retains the old home. This land was in what was then known as the " beech woods," and was considered by the early residents as scarcely worth possessing. But good cultivation and careful management have made it one of the finest farms in the county. The following incident, which occurred at the time of their removal to their new and forest home, will illustrate some of the hardships of the pioneers: Nathan and his two eldest sons went the first of the week to their place to chop, taking a week's provisions with them; the early summer weather, warm and showery, caused their bread to mould, and to make their allowance hold out the allotted time they concluded to eat the worst portions first. As it moulded as fast as they consumed it, their fare consisted of mouldy bread through the entire week. When ready to return home, they went to the house of their only neighbor, Daniel Barton, a mile distant, to get a meal to sustain their strength for an eight-mile walk. And the good wife gave them plentifully of corn-cake. Mr. Heacock often remarked that he thought this was one of the best meals he ever ate.
After building his log cabin, he moved his family to the wilderness home April 3, 1825. By diligent labor they soon had a comfortable home.
Mr. Heacock was one of the few who, in 1829, erected a building and opened a Friends' meeting (Hicksite) two miles south of the centre of Smith township.
His family consisted of eleven children,-eight sons and three daughters,-namely : Jane D., born in Bucks Co., Pa., Aug. 12, 1812; married Ezra Barton, 1832 ; died January, 1837. Edwin, born in Bucks County, April 19, 1811 ; married Hannah Barber, 1836; is a farmer, located near his father's place. Milton, born at Fishing Creek, Pa., Dec. 23, 1815; is a carpenter by trade, and built the house shown in the illustration of Mr. Heacock's farm ; was twice married,-to Rebecca Thomas, 1838 (deceased), and Hannibah Passmore, 1846 ; he now resides in Oregon. Barton, born in Goshen township, Columbiana Co., Ohio, Jan. 13, 1818 ; married Rachel Barber, 1839 ; a farmer. Asenath, born at Fishing Creek, Pa., June 26, 1814; married Nathaniel Thomas, 1841; at present living in Iowa. Amos D., born in Bucks Co., Pa., Oct. 27, 1808; died at his father's house, in ColumbianaCo., Ohio, Nov. 18, 1841. Uriah A., born in Goshen township, Colum- biana Co., Ohio, June 14, 1819; married Sarah Barber, 1843; died May, 1854. Elias H., born in Goshen town- ship, Jan. 6, 1821 ; married Eliza T. Thomas in 1843, and settled on his father's place; was killed, by being thrown from a wagon, January, 1850. Josiah W., born in Goshen township, July 8, 1824; died January, 1852. Tacy, their third daughter and youngest child, was born in Smith town- ship, Mahoning Co., Ohio, April 22, 1827 ; married Mil- ton Coffee, 1852, and now resides in Williams Co., Ohio.
Enos Heacock, the present proprietor of the old home- stead, and son of Nathan and Dinah Heacock, was born in Goshen township, Mahoning Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1822. When he was three years old his parents removed to the neighboring township of Smith. His opportunities for obtaining book-knowledge were limited; but, growing up
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in the midst of the forest, he became a great lover of nature. In 1830 the first school was established in his neighborhood, and this he attended. At the age of ten he went to live with a married sister, in Lexington town- ship, Stark Co., Ohio, and while residing there witnessed the remarkable meteoric shower of the fall of 1833. In 1835 he returned to his father's house, and thenceforward was a diligent laborer on the farm, in the days when scythe and flail held sway, and before reapers and mowers had won the field. In 1851 he obtained, partly by purchase and partly by bequeathment, a portion of his father's land, and thus became possessed of the old homestead. In that year
the Ohio and Pennsylvania (since merged into the Pitts- burgh, Fort Wayne and Chicago) Railroad was opened through his farm. He was married Sept. 30, 1852, to Ann Taylor, daughter of Jacob and Anna Taylor, of Chester Co., Pa. To them were born three children,- Jacob T., Nov. 11, 1854; Addie, June 27, 1860; and Nathan E., Aug. 21, 1866; the former deceased 1864. Addie was married May 1, 1879, to William Tombaugh.
Dinah Heacock, mother of Enos, died from a stroke of palsy, Jan. 29, 1854. His father, Nathan, departed this life in 1866, the 26th day of the sixth month, in the eighty-fourth year of his age.
SPRINGFIELD.
THIS township formed the northeastern part of the original Columbiana County. It is bounded on the north by the south line of the Western reserve; on the east by the State of Pennsylvania ; on the south by the township of Unity, now the northeast part of the county; and on the west by the township of Beaver. It is designated in the government survey as town 9, in range 1. It was one of the oldest townships in the county, having been organ- ized for civil purposes in 1803. In 1846 Springfield was attached to Mahoning County, and has since been a political division of that body, its later history, consequently, not being intimately connected with Columbiana County.
The general surface of the township is broken by hills of moderate height, between which are intervales and lowlands, originally somewhat swampy. The whole township was covered with a fine growth of the common woods, and a liberal supply of timber yet remains. Building-stone may be obtained in various localities, and coal is unusually abundant.
The principal streams are Honey Creek and several small brooks, flowing southeast from the central and the western parts of the township ; and the Little Yellow Creek in the northwest, having a northerly course. Numerous springs abound, and the natural drainage is generally suffi- cient to afford an arable surface. The soil varies from a sandy loam to a heavy clay, along the streams being more or less of an alluvium. The whole is fertile and well adapted to the products of mixed husbandry. The people are chiefly engaged in agriculture.
PIONEER SETTLERS.
The early history of Springfield is somewhat obscure. None of the original settlers remain, and what little re- corded history they had has been destroyed. The recollec- tions of the descendants of those who came to the township as pioneers are not clear, and their statements concerning that period are contradictory. It appears, however, that the township was permanently settled about 1801, and that Peter Musser was the first to establish himself in what is
now Springfield. He came from York Co., Pa., and having considerable means purchased the four sections in the southeast corner of the township, living a little north of the present village of Petersburgh. Here he built small grist- and saw-mills, and made other desirable improve- ments. He died in 1808, leaving a family of four sons and two daughters. The oldest son, John, succeeded to the mill property, but after a few years removed to Missouri. Peter was the proprietor of the village site, and the founder of Petersburgh. He removed to the northern part of the State. The third son, Jacob, lived in the village, selling there the first goods. He enlisted in the army in 1812, and afterwards in the regular army of the United States, serving as drum-major ; he finally settled in Missouri. His son Jacob now lives in Petersburgh, and is one of its oldest citizens.
One of Musser's daughters was married to Israel Warner, who came with his father-in-law in 1801, and settled on the farm now occupied by his son Ellis. Other sons of Warner were John, George, Peter, David, Israel, William, and Jacob. Some of these yet live in Springfield and the ad- joining towns. Israel Warner was a captain in 1812. The other daughter of Musser married Jacob Rudisill, and lived north of the Warner homestead.
In later years, among the prominent settlers on the Musser purchase were John Maurer, on the farm now occu- pied by his son, William, the only member of the family living here. He had, also, sons named Jacob, John, and Moses.
James Wallace was one of the first and foremost settlers, and is yet well remembered as a merchant. Having been elected judge of Mahoning County, he removed to Can- field. To that place, also, removed Hosea Hoover, one of Petersburgh's early settlers, who was elected county treasurer.
On the farm now occupied by C. B. Wilson, John Pon- tius was the original settler, and was followed by his son, John. East of the village, on the farm yet occupied by his family, Henry Miller settled at an early day ; and north o
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this place the Rock, Beight, and Dressel families may be regarded as among the first settlers.
In the western part of the township, Daniel Miller, from Adams Co., Pa., was the carliest settler, coming in 1802, and settling on section 18. His oldest son, Henry, aged ninety-one years, is yet living on section 30. His brothers, Jacob and John, are among the oldest citizens in the north- ern part of the township.
South from Miller, the same year, settled C. Seidner and his son-in-law, C. Mentzer, coming from Hagerstown ; and a few years later there were added to the settlers. here Jacob Shaefer, sometimes called Doctor, and George Mack- lin. Descendants of the latter yet live in that locality. Other early settlers here were Jacob Christ, John May, Hugh Chain, John Robinson, and Peter Shreiver. The latter joined the community at Economy, Pa.
Section 6 was settled the latter part of 1801, by Adam Hahn, who soon after put up a saw-mill there. He had Bons named Adam, Andrew, and Peter.
On section 4 George Stump, with his sons, George, Henry, Abraham, and John, settled before 1803; and on the intervening section, No. 5, John Summers, of York Co., Pa., made a settlement in 1802. His sons attaining mature age were Samuel, Jacob, Daniel, David, Joseph, John, and Solomon. Some of his grandchildren yet live on this section. In April, 1806, George Elser, one of Sum- mers' sons-in-law, came from Lancaster, Pa., with a family of three sons, John, George, and Jacob, and settled on the northeast quarter of this section, where he died in 1847. The son George yet resides in Springfield. Jacob removed to Columbiana, and the oldest, John, settled on the north- west quarter of section 25, in Beaver township, in 1827, where he yet lives, a hale man, at the age of eighty-one years.
In the northeastern part of the township the early settlers were John Shoemaker, about 1804; Henry Myers, on sec- tion 12, in 1803; Peter and Henry Raub and Peter Ben- edict on section 11 about the same time; and here were, also, before 1806, men named Empie, Taylor, Barnard, Parsons, and Messerly.
In the neighborhood of New Middleton were the Burkey, Kahn, Schillinger, Gray, Cublin, and Schiller families, some time before 1810; and after that period Joshua Hahn, Simon Martin, the Welker, Beard, and Ilgenfritz families took place among the prominent settlers. Immi- gration was so great from 1805 to 1815, that it is impos- sible to gather up the names of all who became pioneers in Springfield. Many came with small means, and having ac- cumulated a little more property, after a few years fol- lowed the Star of Empire in its westward course, and, in many instances, all remembrance of them, as former citi- sens of the township, has passed away.
CIVIL LIST.
The records of the township from its organization-in 1803-until 1868, a period of sixty-five years, have been destroyed or mislaid, making the compilation of an accurate civil list an impossibility, and necessitating the omission here of much valuable matter which can be obtained from no other source.
Since the last-mentioned period the principal officers have been the following :
TRUSTEES.
1868 .- John H. Miller, John P. Sonnendecker, George Leibert. 1869 .- Israel Schiller, George Miller, Thomas Mccullough. 1870 .- Samuel H. Hahn, George Miller, Solomon Gleckler. 1871 .- Wilson S. Hadley, George Miller, Gottlieb Lipp. 1872 .- John Peters, Gottlieb Geiger, Gottlieb Lipp. 1873 .- L. H. Ruhlman, Gottlieb Geiger, Hiram Macklin. 1874 .- L. H. Ruhlman, John H. Miller, Hiram Macklin. 1875 .- John C. Lower, John H. Miller, Gottlieb Dressell. 1876 .- Samuel H. Hahn, W. S. Hadley, Gottlieb Dressoll. 1877 .- John Showalter, Daniel Peters, John Hoffmaster. 1878 .- Christian Marks, Daniel Peters, John Hoffmaster. 1879 .- Christian Marks, Solomon Ernst, Thomas MoCullongh.
CLERKS.
1868-69, J. G. Justice; 1870-71, George W. Penn; 1872-74, Perry L. Musser ; 1875-77, Christian Beck ; 1878, Jonathan Hoffman; 1879, Henry Sitler.
TREASURERS.
1868-69, John Brungard; 1870-71, David Houk ; 1872-74, Solomon Ernst; 1875-77, Reuben Lipp; 1878-79, J. F. Miller.
THE COAL INTERESTS
of the township deserve a brief mention. Although that valuable mineral generally abounds, but little effort has been made to develop its riches outside of the territory, along the Little Yellow Creek, in the northwest part of the town- ship. East of that stream mining is carried on to some extent on the Ruhlman, Kurtz, and Heine farms, but the principal product is on the west side, and chiefly on section 7. Here are in successful operation three mines, whose united product is about 2500 tons per year.
The Summers family was one of the first to engage in mining,-some time about 1845. The oldest mine is at present worked by J. W. Heindle. His coal is elevated by means of a shaft and horse-power. Farther down the gulley Solomon Paulin carries on horizontal mining, and directly south from him is Jeremiah Brown's mine. This was first opened in 1847 by Daniel Summers, and more thoroughly operated by Wm. Cook and Solomon Paulin at a later day. Since 1873 the present owner has carried on the business of mining, employing about five hands. The vein is about four fect thick, one-third of the quantity being excellent cannel coal. He has a horizontal main entry 400 yards long, and four side entries from 50 to 100 yards in extent.
INSURANCE COMPANY.
THE SPRINGFIELD AND ADJOINING TOWNSHIPS MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE COMPANY
was organized in the spring of 1857, with about 200 mem- bers and the following officers : President, John Warner ; Secretary, J. Geo. Bacher; Treasurer, George Smith ; Directors, Jacob Cublin, Jr., Adam Harmon, John War- ner. The company has carried on its business successfully for twenty-two years, and at present has in force 930 policies, representing about $1,500,000 of insurance on farm property and detached buildings. All risks are limited not to exceed $2000, and policies are operative five years. Losses are paid by pro rata assessments, and. the
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