USA > Ohio > Columbiana County > History of Columbiana County, Ohio, with illustrations and biographical sketches of some of its prominent men and pioneers > Part 80
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contingent expenses of the company are defrayed by a small membership fee of ten cents per hundred on the amount insured. Thus far all claims against the company have been promptly and satisfactorily met; the assess- ments for the past twenty-two years having been only about $3 for every $100 of property insured.
The present officers are: President and Director, Ben- jamin Lentz ; Treasurer . and Director, Solomon Paulin ; Director, Levi Hisey; Secretary, Frederick W. Kohler.
VILLAGES.
The oldest and most important village in the township is located chiefly on section 36. It was founded before 1810 by Peter Musser, and from him received its name.
PETERSBURGH.
As the growth of the place demanded, village lots were platted as additions to the original survey by Bean and others. At present it has a number of stores, hotels, a good school-house, three churches, and about 500 inhabitants.
It is said that Jacob Musser sold the first goods in the place, in the building which is now the J. P. Swisher residence, which is the oldest frame house in Petersburgh. James Wallace opened a store where is now the post-office building, and was the first to engage regularly in trade, some time about 1815. He converted that house into a hotel, and opened a store on the north side of the street, where he was in trade about thirty years. W. C. Dunlap was a contemporary merchant at the stand now occupied by Lipp & Miller, but first had a store where is now S. Ernst's residence. Among the principal merchants that followed them were Robert Forbus, Spaeth & Swisher, J. G. Lesslie, O. H. P. Swisher, David and John Shearer, James Mathews, Ernst & Hahn, Hoover & Seidner, etc.
The place has three excellent general stores, kept by Lipp Bros. and Miller, Ernst & Son, and Henry Myers.
Drugs have been sold by Shotwell, King, Swisher, Wal- lace, and at present by G. & J. Schiller.
Since 1835 Jacob Musser has carried on the furniture business. W. A. Cozard dealt in harness, and R. Schpabel in boots and shoes.
The post-office here was first established with the name of Musser's Mill, and had, in 1811, John Musser for post- master. It subsequently received the present name (that of the village), and has had the following officials : Peter Musser, Frederick Spaeth, Col. James Miller, Martha Mil- ler, O. H. P. Swisher, Robt. Wallace, C. C. Swisher, Lewis Sholl, Gideon Schiller, George Herr, T. S. Guy, and, in 1879, Henry Myers. The office is on the route from Enon, Pa., to Youngstown, and has two mails per day.
As near as can be determined Dr. Luther Spellman was the first permanent physician located in the village. Dr. B. F. Adams died in the place. Others in practice were Doctors Jehu Stough, John D. Coffin, John Wise, John McCook, and Ferdinand Casper. At present there are Philip H. Swisher,-since 1828,-George W. Pettit, and P. W. Welker as practitioners.
Richard Smith was here as an attorney a short time. Jacob Musser was the justice from 1845 till 1875; and Wm. F. Stoll is the present magistrate.
The first public-house was kept by Peter Musser, on his farm, now owned by A. Kneasel ; the next was kept in the J. P. Swisher residence, by Kinneman, Douglas, Pontius, and others. James Wallace was for many years a well- known landlord. Messrs. Boyd, Keith, and Fitch there followed in the business. Where is now the "Lochiel House," kept by George S. Veow, Henry Kale opened a public-house, and was succeeded by Messrs. Kelley, Mathews, Conrad, and by George Kneasel, who changed the house to its present comfortable condition.
As early as 1803, Peter Musser got in operation saw- and grist-mills, a little north of the village, on the site of the present old mill. John Musser, John Pontius, and D. Whitmeyer were among the subsequent owners. The latter removed to Pittsburgh, where he became a famous miller. Maury & Edler were the last to operate the mill. The building was used for a cheese-factory in 1878, but is now idle, the power of Honey Creek here being insufficient to operate machinery advantageously.
On the stream below, near the State line, about 1825, John Miller put up a grist-mill, which was operated by him and his family until a few years ago, employing in the last stages of its existence both water- and steam- power. Between these sites John Musser put up a saw- mill, which was operated until about 1860.
In 1874 a steam flouring-mill; having three runs of stones, was erected near the centre of the village by Maurer & Edler Bros., and is now operated by Welker & Shaefer, and has a large patronage.
About 1870 a steam saw-mill was gotten in operation, west of the village, by Ernst & Ranch, and is yet operated by Rauch & Unger; and in the village a saw-mill, planer, and machines for making bent-work, were gotten in opera- tion in 1875 by Failer Bros. & Miller.
The foundry here was established before 1870 by R. C. Bean, and is now carried on by Reinhard, Robbinreath & Sons in the manufacture of plows, light castings, and in re- pair work.
The village has two tanneries, both employing steam- power, which thoroughly dress and finish all kinds of leather, except sole. The oldest in the early history of the place was first carried on by John Embrie. Subse- quent proprietors were- Peter Fusselman, James Wallace, Seeger, Houser, Auer, and Beidler & Sons. Rudolph Brenchle is the owner of the other tannery. It has also been carried on by Robert Forbus and Wm. Cunningham.
Carriage-shops are carried on by W. F. Stoll and the Witter Brothers. The place has also the usual mechanic- shops, and its united interests give it a busy appearance.
NEW SPRINGFIELD
is a village of about 350 inhabitants, and has a pleasant location in the southern part of section 29. It was founded some time before 1825 by Abraham Christ, who platted twenty-eight lots around the present square or " diamond." To this additions have been made by Jacob Fulgerson, Christian Harker, John Wagner, and David Spitler, and the village now spreads over a considerable area. There are two churches, a good school-house, and the interests detailed below.
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Joseph Davis opened the first store in a building near Shale's distillery. On the square, Thomas Knight erected a building for a store about 1828, which he conducted about twenty years. Nicholas Eckes, Jacob Spaeth, William May, Wm. Phillips, Schillinger & Ruckenbrod, Eckert & Peters, Tobias Elser, George Smith, and George Slutter are among those who have been here actively engaged in trade. The present merchant is John Tritt, who also holds the office of postmaster. The office has also been held by Nicholas Eckes, George Smith, S. F. Hadley, John Peters, Tobias Elser, and George Slutter. A daily mail from Co- lumbiana is provided.
Among the keepers of public-houses are remembered John Peters, William May, S. F. Hadley, Joseph Thomp- son, and a few others who sometimes entertained travelers without having regular inns.
The first practicing physician was Dr. Louis Zeigler ; the present are Drs. William Stafford and R. E. Warner. Doctors A. King, Dustin, Hamilton, and Heinman have practiced in the place.
Hiram Macklin is the only lawyer practicing in the village.
Among the ministers originating from this locality have been the Revs. Isaiah, Eli, and Aaron Miller, sons of George Miller, all of whom belong to the Lutheran Church.
On the brook, southeast of the village, have been saw- mills operated by Christian Seidner and John May ; below, on the same stream, Solomon Crouse had an early grist- mill. Here are now saw- and grist-mills operated by steam- and water-power by Henry Welk.
In the village, a steam saw-mill was put up before 1860 by Diser, Shale & Felger; it is now operated by Jacob Snook.
Joseph Davis was a distiller at the village many years ago; Andrew Shale has at present a grain distillery, and John Seeger a fruit distillery. Tanneries were formerly carried on by Conrad & Showacre.
In 1872, William May and Adam Seidner put up a foundry in the lower part of the village, which was removed to its present location in 1878. It is here carried on by Ruel N. Wright, in buildings well adapted for this purpose. Steam-power is employed, and stoves, plows, and agricultural implements are produced.
The New Springfield Bent-Works, George Felger & Sons, proprietors, are the outgrowth of a small business established by these parties near the square. In August, 1877, their shop was consumed by fire, causing a conflagra- tion which destroyed also the houses of J. S. Shearer and S. F. Hadley. A large and well-arranged building was then erected in the outskirts of the village, in which the works have since been successfully carried on. Steam-power is used, and five men are employed.
In the village are a job-work shop by Adam Seidner ; carriage-shops by Conrad and Franklin Peters, Solomon Pfau, and Benjamin Felger; a tin-smith shop by Ira Smith ; a harness-shop by Henry Sitler ; and half a dozen other shops where ordinary mechanical trades are carried on.
NEW MIDDLETON,
a pleasant country village, having about 250 inhabitants, is located on section 10, chiefly on the Youngstown Street.
It was laid out before 1825, in the neighborhood of the present mill, by Samuel Moore, and has been enlarged by additions made by William Brotherton and John Miller.
David Shearer put up the first frame house, just north of the mill.
A small store was opened about 1830 by Joshua Dixon, in a house now occupied by D. Metz. He was followed in trade by Adam Powers and David Shearer. Later came Brungard & Davison, at the stand where was afterwards Tobias Hahn. The store was burned in 1851, and was rebuilt by Hahn. It was afterwards occupied by Henry Miller, Tobias Hahn, and at present contains the store of John F. Smith. South of this building, Henry Miller put up and occupied a good business house, which was burned in 1870, when occupied by Brungard & Bro. Seven years later, Tobias Hahn opened a large store near by, which, in August, 1878, was robbed, and burned by the burglars to prevent detection. Besides the store mentioned, there are in trade J. G. Smith, H. A. Whelk, and R. L. Floor, the latter having a drug-store.
The establishment of the post-office cannot be clearly determined. Among the postmasters have been David Shearer, T. Hahn, David Johnson, Henry Miller, and the present, Abraham McCurley. The office has a daily mail from Youngstown.
As physicians are remembered Drs. Elisha Murray, Greble, Connor, Henry, Zimmerman, and Frank Floor. The present practitioners are Drs. R. L. and John Floor.
The first public-house was kept by Samuel Moore, before 1830, in a building which stood on the site of J. G. Bacher's residence. In the old house Adam Powers, John B. Miller, Wm. Forbus, and David Johnson were among the keepers. The latter built the present house after the destruction of the old one, in 1851. At this stand Oliver Stanford was the last landlord.
South of this place was another public-house, in which Shearer, Dixon, Cox, etc., kept entertainment. At one time the village had four taverns. John Welker is the present innkeeper.
About the first attempt at manufacturing in the village was made in 1841 by Welker, Pease & Co., who put up a carding-mill which was operated by horse-power. In after- years there was a distillery in this building ; and still later, machinery was supplied to carry on the manufacture of linseed oil. Steam-power was then employed. In 1871, while the property of T. Hahn, the building was burned to the ground.
In 1849, Welker & Brungard put up a steam saw-mill, which is at present operated by Martin & Coller.
In 1870 a stock company of twenty members was formed to build a steam grist-mill in the village. After the lapse of several years this property passed into the hands of Fred. Fouser, and was destroyed in the conflagration of Ang. 27, 1878. The present mill was soon after built by Mr. Fou- ser, and is now successfully operated by him. The village has a full complement of the ordinary mechanic-shops.
On section 6, Adam Hahn, the original settler there, had a saw-mill on Yellow Creek before 1805; later, his son Andrew had a mill, and at present the Prints family have here in operation a steam saw-mill.
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In 1845, Daniel Summers established a tannery on the south line of section 5, which has been carried on, since 1848, by Simeon Summers. It has about twenty vats.
On section 9 a steam saw-mill was erected in the fall of 1869, by Schiller & Ruhlman, which is at present operated by Schiller & Good.
There may have been other small manufacturing inter- ests in the township, but the foregoing embrace the princi- pal enterprises.
SPRINGFIELD SCHOOLS.
There being no records, but little can be said about the schools of the township. The subject of education does not seem to have received as great attention here as in some other localities ; and the appropriations for schools have not been as liberal as in the surrounding townships. Lately, however, several fine school-houses have been built, and there appears to be an increasing disposition to advance in this respect.
The sub-districts had the following clerks in 1879: No. 1, Richard Warner; No. 3, Obadiah Peters; No. 5, S. Hassness ; No. 6, W. C. Trucksess ; No. 7, Solomon Paulin ; No. 8, Uriah Schillinger; No. 9, Richard McCon- nell; No. 10, Daniel Miller.
RELIGIOUS SOCIETIES.
The pioneer of Springfield was quickly followed by the self-sacrificing missionary, who was imbued with a strong zeal to plant the banner of the church on the very verge of the settlements. One of the foremost of these was the Rev. John Stouch, representing the interests of the Lu- theran Church. He came as early as 1803, and preached in the German language in this and the adjoining town- ships, traveling many miles on his circuit, and everywhere being made welcome. As a result of his labors
THE OLD SPRINGFIELD CHURCH
was established. In 1804 the people of that section of the township united to build a log meeting-house, which should be consecrated to the use of the members of the Lutheran and Reformed Churches, to which most of the inhabitants adhered. This house was located in the then centre of the population, on the southeast corner of section 14, on a lot of ground which was, in part, devoted to burial purposes. This lot has been enlarged, and is yet used for its original purposes. The log house was displaced in 1842 by the present commodious church-building, which was erected under the trusteeship of Jabob Elser, Joshua Hahn, and others. The property has always been controlled by a board of trustees, elected by the Lutheran and Reformed con- gregations worshiping here, the present members being Noah Burkey and David Smith.
The Lutheran congregation flourished beyond the ex- pectations of its founders, and from its fold have gone many members to form the other congregations of this faith in the township. Among those who originally be- longed to the congregation were the Elser, Ilgenfrits, Lousher, Kale, Hahn, and other families. The church council contained among others Jacob Elser, Joshua Hahn, Henry Kale, John Beight, Philip Hoffmaster, Wm. Maury,
John H. Miller, David Miller, Frederick Mack, John II- genfritz, Christian Seidner, Jacob Wolf, Gottlieb Dressel, and Ludwick Mack. The latter and Leonard Gerring are the present elders; and Jacob Reider and Moses Beight the deacons.
The congregation has at present about 100 members, and is under the spiritual tutelage of the Rev. John Hum- berger, who also ministers to other churches in this town- ship and Unity. Other pastors, from 1803 till the acces- sion of Mr. Humberger in 1877, were the Revs. Stouch, Hewitt, Shaefer, Harter, Haelsche, Hoffman, Ellinger, Baechler, Seiglan, Schlotterman, Nuffar, Kramer, and Schillinger.
The Reformed congregation was gathered together some time about 1810 by the Rev. Peter Mahnesmith, a mis- sionary, who also became the first pastor, continuing many years. He was followed in that office by the Revs. Engle- bach, Wahl, Reinhard, and Naelle; and, since 1870, the congregation has been under the direction of the Rev. John Meckley, residing at Petersburgh, and being also the minis- ter of the Salem congregation in Unity. The charge has 240 members. Among the older and more prominent members of the Springfield congregation were Jacob Greenamyer, John Musser, Peter Smith, Henry Raub, John Myers, John Kuver, Jacob Seip, David George, John Horner, and John Seip.
The present elders are John Myers and David Smith ; the deacons are Noah Burkey and David Myers.
ST. PETER'S CONGREGATION OF THE EVANGELICAL LU- THERAN CHURCH IN SPRINGFIELD
was organized about 1841, with 60 members, formerly belonging to the congregations in Unity and the old Spring- field church. Rev. A. Haelsche was the first pastor, and his successors were the Revs. Miller, Sieglan, Schlotterman, Nuffar, Kramer, Schillinger, and Humberger.
In 1842 a plain but neat meeting-house was built on the southeast quarter of section 21, which has been used as a place of worship by the congregation ever since. It is locally known as the "Shroy Church." Connected there- with is an attractive grave-yard.
The congregation at present has about 120 members and the following council : Elders, G. Geiger and Christian Marks; Deacons, D. Koch and G. Brickman.
ST. JOHN'S CHURCH OF LUTHERAN PIETISTS.
About 1827 a number of German families residing around New Springfield built a small log house on section 28, in which was established a German school, taught by a man named Widmeyer. Shortly after, religious meetings were held in this house, and, with some interruption, were continued until about ten years ago. Among those who preached were men named Stephens, Hoffman, and Reutz, none of whom were ordained ministers. The members all strove to make the study of the Scriptures the rule of life, and all were privileged to expound them according to their understanding. They were simple in their habits, and strove to live pious, devout lives. Among the members were John Myers, George Schillinger, John G. Bacher, Jacob Hoffman, John Schiller, Jacob Mackenfoos, Solo-
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mon Rukenbrod, David Rukenbrod, and David Heffner. Nearly all are dead or have removed, and the church is practically extinct.
ZION'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF NEW MID- DLETON
was organized early in 1849, and was composed chiefly of members who had become disaffected because of the con- duct of some of the members of the old Springfield church, in refusing to concede to the pastor, the Rev. J. G. Ellinger, the liberty of holding revival- and prayer-meetings. His adherents united, and chose David Miller and Frederick Ilgenfritz a building committee, and the same summer a comfortable meeting-house was built on the southeast corner of section 11. It has since been repaired and otherwise beautified.
The congregation has about 70 members, under the pas- toral care of the Rev. John Henry Houseman. 'Other pastors have been the Revs. John G. Ellinger, Guenther Wagner, Miller, Roller, and Smith. The church council is composed of John F. Miller, Eli Faust, John Ilgenfritz, Benjamin Metz, Levi Hoffmaster, and John H. Miller. The Sabbath-school is superintended by Eli Faust ..
THE EMANUEL EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF NEW SPRINGFIELD
was formally constituted Dec. 29, 1854, with the following members : Henry Miller, George Miller, George Mentzer, Samuel Miller, John C. Lower, Jacob Smith, Jr., Elias Paulin, Hannah Paulin, Catharine Sprinkle, Elizabeth Miller, and Mary Lower.
The Rev. J. G. Ellinger became the first pastor, remain- ing until 1863. His successor was the Rev. Wm. B. Roller, who ministered until April, 1876. After a few months the Rev. Wm. M. Smith became the pastor for a year. Another vacancy followed, but since October, 1878, the pastorate has been filled by the Rev. John Henry Houseman, this church and the one at New Middleton forming a charge.
The first elders were Elias Paulin and Henry Miller, the present ones are Jacob Spait and Jacob Shaffer. The first deacons were George Miller and George Mentzer, the present are Wilson S. Hadley and John Pfau. These offices have also been held by L. F. Hadley, Michael Mil- ler, John Spait, Solomon Paulin, John Lower, Adam Har- man, Samuel Miller, John P. Sonnendecker, Henry Sprinkle, and Adam Seidner.
In 1854 a small brick meeting-house was built for the use of the society, on the north line of section 30, on land procured from John C. Lower. This was demolished in 1871, and a neat edifice erected in the village of New Spring- field. It is of brick, 40 by 60 feet, and is crowned with a steeple. On the same lot is a comfortable parsonage. The church has a vigorous membership, and supports a Sunday- school, superintended by Leander Hoffman. It has about 75 attendants.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF PETERSBURGH.
About 1835 a class of this faith was formed in Peters- burgh, having among its members David Shellenberger
and wife, George Bartlett and wife, Abraham McNutt and wife, James Wallace and wife, John Pontius and wife, John K. Swisher and wife, P. H. Swisher and wife, Mrs. Mellin- ger, Susan Wallace, and D. Coffin. Only one of these is now connected with the society, viz, Mrs. P. H. Swisher. The meetings were first held in private houses, but in 1836 a meeting-house was built in the village by a board of trus- tees, composed of James Wallace, John K. Swisher, and Abraham McNutt. In 1872 this house was enlarged and improved, being now an inviting church, 40 by 62 feet, having a steeple and bell.
The present trustees are Daniel H. Adams, Jesse Smith, George Kneasel, E. K. Swisher, and R. C. Bean.
The church numbers 130 members, under the pastoral care of the Rev. J. B. Wright, appointed to this charge in October, 1878. The winter following, his labors were crowned with many conversions, from which source the membership of the church was increased by 40 additions. Another notable revival occurred in 1872, under the pas- toral labors of the Rev. William Branfield, the accessions being 80.
Other ministers preaching to this people have been Revs. Parker Stubbs, Houston, Monks, Hurd, Crowell, McCreary, Thompson, Wick, and Morse.
The church has a Sunday-school of 100 members, which is superintended by H. R. Myers.
ST. JOHN'S EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH OF PETERSBURGH. .
This body was organized in 1873, while the Rev. B. F. Schillinger was the pastor of the old church, on section 14, to which most of the constituent membership belonged. At the time of its formation the congregation had about 60 members; at present the number is 120. Mr. Schil- linger supplied the church with preaching until October, 1874, when the Rev. J. L. Trauger became the pastor, and still continues that relation, ministering in the English language.
In 1813, David Maneval, John Schnabel, and Christian Sitler, as a building committee, erected a very handsome church, 40 by 52 feet, at a cost of $3600, in which services are regularly maintained. The church council is at present composed of Trustees S. H. Hahn, Samuel Koch, John F. Maurer ; Elders, John Schoable and Philip Auer ; Deacons, Conrad Thum and C. F. Winter.
The pastor superintends a Sunday-school having 125 members.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PETERSBURGH.
This society was organized in 1872 by the Rev. Robert S. Morton, with a dozen members. The meetings were first held in the Methodist church, but measures were 8000 taken to build a house of worship. In 1873 a committee was appointed, composed of Samuel Wallace, Jacob Museer, and Andrew Kneasel, who erected, on Market Street, an attractive and well-appointed edifice, at a cost of $3700. It was dedicated in June, 1874, and has been the home of the church ever since. In connection with the congrega- tion at Little Beaver, Pa., Mr. Morris has served this church as pastor ever since its formation. There are at
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present about 50 members. The ruling elders are Samuel Wallace, A. L. Martin, John Kerr, and Albert Bonnett ; and the trustees, Andrew Kneasel, James A. Davison, and Jacob Musser. The congregation maintains a Sunday- school which numbers 60 members, and has A. L. Martin for superintendent.
THE CHURCH OF THE EVANGELICAL ASSOCIATION AT NEW SPRINGFIELD.
Before 1850 members of this faith had occasional preach- ing by the ministers of the Columbiana County circuit, and a class was formed embracing the Schade, Felger, and Sny- der families. Worship was held in private houses and in the school-house until 1870, when their present church- edifice was erected, and was the first in the village. The building committee was composed of Rev. J. Q. A. Weller, John Peters, and Jesse Smith. The house has respectable proportions, and was dedicated by Bishop Dubs. The pres- ent bourd of trustees are Benjamin Felger, Philip Felger, John Peters, Daniel Diver, and George Koous.
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