USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 12
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 12
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POLAND FARMERS' DEPOSIT AND SAVINGS BANK.
This institution was chartered in 1875, and opened for business October Ist, the same year, with a capital of $50,000, increased now to $100,000. The first officers were: R. L. Walker, president; Clark Stough, cashier ; Dr. Eli My- gatt, vice-president, succeeded by Samuel Hine, and later by C. F. Kirtland; directors, R. L. Walker, C. F. Kirtland, Eli Mygatt, Clark Stough, Alexander Walker, James Smith, Samuel Hine, Samuel McClurg (deceased), and William Arrel (deceased). C. N. Kirtland and Walter Arrel have been appointed in place of the two deceased.
FOUNDRY.
An iron foundry was built on the east side of Yellow creek in 1843 by Colonel Robinson Truesdale and George Kirtland. A part of it was carried away by the freshet of 1844. In 1860 the building was removed to the hill where it now stands. It was run by Allen, Woodruff & Co. until 1846, then by Allen & Woodruff until about two years ago. They manufactured stoves and various kinds of castings.
DISTILLERIES.
A large number of small stills were run by farmers in various parts of the township. John Hunter has quite a large distillery in the village, situated just below the bridge. This did quite a large business for a number of years. A great deal of the "ardent" was made and used in early
times, yet the people were never noted for in- temperance.
VARIOUS ENTERPRISES.
Elkanah Morse, from Wallingford, Connecti- cut, settled at Poland village in 1815, and was the originator of several manufacturing enter- prises, which largely contributed to the prosper- ity of the town. In company with Henry T. Kirtland he built and managed an oil-mill, a saw- mill, a cloth-dressing and fulling-mill, and later a grist-mill. In company with Mr. Botsford he was engaged in the manufacture of combs for a number of years on Water street. He had a broom factory at the house where H. K. Morse now lives, and was the proprietor of a tin-shop where spoons and various kinds of German-silver- ware were manufactured. In connection with his other business he had a large farm, a store where four or more peddlars received their sup- plies, etc. The various industries mentioned afforded employment to from thirty to forty men and helped to make business lively.
John McConnell built the first tannery at the village and run it for some years. It was after- wards owned by James Shepard, and later by Robert Hartley. It was run by steam for some years, but is no longer in operation.
HOTELS.
Jared Kirtland erected and kept the first tavern. It was built in 1804. Many are living now who recollect the quaint old sign with the picture of a bull's head upon it, and the date 1804 painted beneath. It was a large house for those times and did a big business before the days of canals or railroads.
Jonathan Fowler built the stone hotel, now known as the Sparrow house, the same year. After his death it was run by Mr. Reed. It is now kept by Mrs. Jane Sparrow, who with her late husband took possession twenty-one years ago.
On the ground where the Union house now stands John McGill kept a small tavern for some years; after him Chester Bidwell.
STORES.
Probably the first store keeper in the village was James Hezlep. He kept in a corner room of the tavern when it was owned by Reed. He continued to do a good business here for some years, and became sheriff of Trumbull county.
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After leaving Poland he was in trade at Youngs- town for a while.
Morse & Hall had a store in a room of Tur- hand Kirtland's house at an early date.
Henry T. Kirtland became a proprietor and afterwards built a frame store, and later a brick store on the ground where Stough's store is now situated. The old brick store stood there some fifty years.
Mr. Stough does a successful business in the same place, and is now one of the leading bus- iness men of the village.
Joseph McCombs opened a store on the creek near the bridge as early as 1812. He was in business here several years.
Richard Hall set up as a store-keeper about the same date.
The Duncans were also among Poland's early merchants and did quite an extensive business for some years.
Morse's store was situated on the corner op- posite the store now occupied by Mr. Haynes. Later he built the Haynes store.
The first store-keepers got little money. Whiskey was perhaps the nearest thing to legal tender. They were obliged to take produce, grain, cattle, horses, and almost anything else that they in turn could use for buying goods.
Hezlep built the store now occupied by Z. P. Curry.
THE FIRST STORE
in the township was built and run by the pro- prietors of the old Montgomery furnace, near the mouth of the Yellow creek. It was there that the first settlers went for their supplies long before a store was started at the village.
MILLS.
The first grist-mill in the township, and one of the first on the Western Reserve, was built by John Struthers on Yellow creek in 1800. He also built a saw-mill there early.
Jonathan Fowler built the first grist-mill at Po- land village in 1801. It was a small log build- ing and was situated in the middle of the creek, reached by a foot bridge. He had also a saw- mill upon the same stream, built the same year. The log grist-mill was replaced by a good frame structure. After Fowler, Turhand Kirtland, John Reed, and later John Hunter, owned both the saw-mill and the grist-mill.
Peter Shoaf, on the Pennsylvania line, had a saw-mill and grist-mill on Spring run at quite an early date. It was run by his sons for some years, then sold to John Hunter of Poland.
James McGill had the first mill at Lowellville.
James Stewart built a flouring.mill on the north side of the Mahoning, where the village of Newport was laid out. The building, a substan- tial stone structure, was torn down by the Penn- sylvania and Ohio Canal company.
The building now known as the Poland Flour- ing-mill was built by William Little in 1844.
North of the village, on the creek, Kirtland & Morse built a grist-mill, which, after running for a time, was found not a paying investment by the owners. It was sold, removed to Youngs. town, and was the predecessor of the Diamond mills in that city.
COOPERS.
John Hineman was probably the first cooper in the township though he did not do a large amount of work. John Arnold settled near Po- land village and was engaged largely for several years in making barrels and doing other kinds of coopering. Probably he made as many whiskey barrels as any man in this part of the country. His sons followed their father's trade.
POLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The congregation was organized May 3, 1802, by Rev. William Wick, pastor of the congrega- tions of Youngstown and Hopewell, and a mem- ber of the Erie presbytery. The following named persons were present at the organization : William McCombs, Josiah Walker, William Campbell, Thomas Love, John Gordon, Wil- liam Buck, Thomas Gordon, James Adair, Jesse Rose, John Jordan, William Dunlap, John Hineman, John Blackburn, John Truesdale, Robert Smith, John Arrel, John McCombs, Isaac McCombs, and others whose names are not now remembered.
October 23, 1804, Mr. Nicholas Pettinger was installed pastor over the congregations of Poland and Westfield. March 20, 1810, Mr. Pettinger obtained leave of the presbytery to resign his charge of the congregation of Poland.
October 25, 1810, Rev. Alexander Cook was appointed to supply Poland one-third of his time. He continued to supply the congregation until April, 1812. In June, 1815, the congrega-
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tions of Poland and Westfield obtained leave of the presbytery to prosecute calls for Mr. James Wright, a licentiate of the Ohio presbytery, and on the 26th of June, 1815, Mr. Wright was or- dained and installed pastor over these congrega- tions. January 10, 1832, Mr. Wright accepted a call for the whole of his time from Westfield. January 16, 1834, Mr. John Scott accepted a call for two-thirds of his time from the congrega- tion of Poland. April 3, 1834, he was ordained and installed pastor of the Poland and Liberty congregations. Mr. Scott was dismissed from these charges April 13, 1836. Mr. William Mc- Combs supplied the congregation of Poland dur- ing most of the year 1837. June 25, 1839, the presbytery of New Lisbon met, ordained and in- stalled Mr. Edward Nevin pastor of the congre- gation of Poland. He was dismissed April 20, 1840. The Rev. Jacob Coon supplied the con- gregation the most of the time from 1841 to 1843. Rev. Joseph Kerr, a member of the Steubenville presbytery, was installed pastor over the congregations of Poland and Liberty No- vember 21, 1843, to be two-thirds of his time at Poland. In 1854 Mr. Kerr was dismissed from the Poland congregation. Rev. Algernon S. McMaster entered upon the duties of pastor of the Poland congregation November 19, 1854, and filled the position most acceptably until his dismissal, April 24, 1878. Rev. Samuel H. Moore, the present pastor, was installed Septem- ber 25, 1879.
A flourishing Sabbath-school has been main- tained for many years.
Soon after the congregation was organized a log-house, on the common in front of the present location of the church, was erected and used for several years. It was then replaced by a frame. The present church, a fine brick structure, was erected in 1855.
The number of members in 1811 was sixty. In 1881 it was two hundred and eighteen.
POLAND METHODIST CHURCH.
A society was formed in 1832 with eight mem- bers, a majority of them being ladies. Of these there are yet living Mr. and Mrs. William Logan and Miss Sarah Blackman. The first sermon preached in the village was by Rev. Charles Elliott, at the school-house. Mr. Elliott came there one wintry Sabbath, dug the wood out of
the snow, built the fire himself, and waited for his hearers to collect. The church was organ- ized by Rev. Mr. Preston, a converted sailor be- longing either to the Pittsburg or the Erie con- ference.
The membership increased rapidly for several years. Services were at first held in the school- house, and in pleasant weather in orchards, groves, etc. The first church edifice was built in 1834. Among those who assisted most in building it were the Logan, Wallace, and Detch- on families, Josiah Beardsley and his wife. The latter was a host in herself, ever active in getting funds and assistance with which to build up the kingdom of Zion. About 1863 the church was rebuilt and much improved. It is now a large, well-furnished, and comfortable building. Until about 1850 all of the preachers were circuit ministers. The church had generally been sup- plied with men of good ability, who were faith- ful and efficient workers-of course with some exceptions. About 1850 it was made a station, and Rev. William F. Day became the pastor for two years, that being then the limit of time al- lowed by the conference for remaining in one place.
There have been several series of revival meet- ings, the most of them quite successful in adding members. Owing to deaths and removals the membership is not at present as great as it has been. There are now about one hundred and fifty members, and the society is in a prosperous condition.
A good Sabbath-school has been maintained since the church was organized. Of course the society has had its periods of prosperity and ad- versity ; but it has always contained many faith- ful ones who would never give up or desert.
The relations between the Presbyterians and the Methodists are now harmonious and friendly, and both are doing good work in adding to the kingdom of the Master.
CEMETERIES.
The oldest graveyard in the township is that adjoining the Presbyterian church at Poland. It was established in 1804, and in it repose the bodies of many of the first settlers and a large number of their descendants.
The graveyard at Poland Center is also quite ancient.
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The new cemetery at Poland is prettily situ- ated and tastefully laid out. It was established through the efforts of an association of the citi- zens formed January 14, 1865.
These three, with the new one commenced at Lowellville, are the only public burying places in the township.
LOWELLVILLE.
This thriving village is situated on both sides of the Mahoning, which is here spanned by a large and strong iron bridge. Its site is pleasant and even picturesque. High hills are on either hand, and from their tops can be ob- tained a view of some of the richest and most attractive scenery of the Mahoning valley.
The history of this place does not run back very far. Its growth may be said to have begun with the completion of the Pennsylvania and Ohio canal. The Lawrence branch of the Pitts- burg, Ft. Wayne & Chicago railroad runs along the south side of the river, and on the north side is the Pittsburgh & Lake Erie road.
Lowellville has two churches, a good school building, three dry goods stores, five groceries, a hardware store, a drug store, two wagon shops, three blacksmith shops, one hotel, a harness shop, two shoemaker shops, besides the mills and the furnace. In 1880 it had a population of eight hundred and seventeen. Business is brisk, and there is plenty of work for everybody. Property is constantly increasing in value, and with the large amount of limestone and coal in this vicinity, no reason can be assigned why the place may not continue developing year by year. With two railroads now and the speedy prospect of another it looks as though the future of the town were assured.
INITIAL ITEMS.
The village was laid out about 1836 by Mr. Wick and others. The first store was opened about the same time by Calvin Bissel. Other store-keepers, coming in soon after, were S. H. McBride, Hugh Wick, Davidson & McCombs, Hunter & Watson, Brown & Shehy.
The post-office was established as early as 1840 with S. H. McBride postmaster. His successors in the office have been Dr. John Butler, John D. Davidson, Henry Smith, and J. B. Nessle, the present incumbent.
John McGill built the first grist-mill at Lowell-
ville. It was run by his sons until the canal was built. Robert McGill had the first saw-mill in the place.
Wilson & Crawford started a tannery about 1844, which was sold to William Moore in 1850. He rebuilt and refitted it and carried on the business until 1874. It is not now in operation.
In 1838 William Watson and John S. Hunter bought a water privilege of George Hunter and erected a large grist-mill which they operated until 1866 and then sold to Anderson & Co. They operated it for a short time and sold to C. McCombs & Co. The mill is at present owned by Mr. McCombs.
THE LOWELLVILLE FURNACE.
Wilkes, Wilkison & Co. started the furnace in 1846. They had a hundred and fifty-six acres of land in one lot and forty acres in another, as well as considerable capital invested. It is believed that the Lowellville furnace was the first one in the valley that produced iron from uncoked coal, making use of the coal from Mount Nebo. They obtained a great deal of iron ore from Mount Nebo, the Graham and Galloway farms, the James Dickson farm, and the Robert McGill farm. About 1853 the company sold their works to Alexander Crawford & Co., of New Castle, Pennsylvania, who continued the business until 1864, then sold a hundred and fitty-six acres of land and the furnace to Hitchcock, McCreary & Co., for $100,000. In 1871 Hitchcock, Mc- Creary & Co. sold to the Mahoning Iron com- pany, which run the works a short time, then they passed into the hands of McCreary & Bell. February 11, 1880, these gentlemen sold to the Ohio Iron & Steel company of Youngstown, who now operate the works, doing a larger business than ever before. The officers of this company are Thomas H. Wells, president; Henry Wick, vice-president ; Robert Bentley, secretary and treasurer. The amount of capital stock is $35,000. About forty men are employed. The company makes a specialty of the finer grades of foundry iron. They have their own beds of limestone near by, from which they secure the limestone necessary for use in the works.
It should be stated that in 1872 the furnace was built over and improved. Changes and im- provements are also contemplated by the present owners.
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HOPE MILLS.
James Brown built the mill which now bears this name. It was situated a few rods above the bridge and was run by steam for about two years. In 1859 it was moved to its present site and run by water power. The mill is now owned and run by Mr. Brown's heirs. They do a large amount of custom milling, grinding wheat and corn. They also put up and ship flour. Fre- quently thirty barrels per day are produced.
PLANING-MILL.
This mill was started by Lewis & Drake in 1871. In February, 1872, it was leased by J. D. Dickson & Co., who run it until November, 1880. Since that time Mr. Dickson has man- aged it. He is engaged in manufacturing all kinds of house finishing lumber.
' COAL.
A great deal of coal has been taken from the banks in this township first and last. The most important was the Mount Nebo mine. About 1828 this was opened by Elijah Stevenson and worked on a small scale for some ten years. John Thomas and William James workcd it after him for some years. John Kirk then bought the mine and commenced shipping coal in 1845. Kirk sold to a company which failed, and the property reverted to him. He again dis- posed of it to Doan & Howells, of Philadelphia, who did quite an extensive business for six or eight years, shipping the coal by canal to Cleve- land. This firm also purchased a coal bank from the Adairs which they worked at the same time. George Smith was their manager. They gave employment to fifty or more men. The coal was found to be of a superior quality.
The Lowellville Furnace company also worked the Mount Nebo mine quite extensively to obtain coal for use in their iron works. The mine was finally abandoned because the water had become too deep for successful operations. Other coal mines have been worked in the vicin- ity of Lowellville, but there is no great amount of business in that line in the township at pres- ent. It is believed, however, that an abundance of coal remains, and may be mined successfully when desired.
QUARRIES.
Limestone has been quarried quite extensive- ly. The Pence quarry was the largest and did a
big business for the past ten years, but is now worked out. The Moore and Arrel quarries contain a large amount of stone of excellent qual- ity. A brisk business has been done in this line for some years past. The quarries having been operated to a greater or less extent for the last twenty-five years. McCombs & Johnson were quite extensively engaged in the business. The Moore quarry is now in operation.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Free church people, who differed from the Presbyterians on the question of slavery, withdrew from neighboring congregations, and in 1850 succeeded in erecting a church building at Lowellville. Among the leading members were John and William McFarland, Andrew Mc- Farland, James S. Moore, John S. Hunter, and John Book.
After the slavery question was settled the most of the Free church returned to the sects to which they originally belonged ; so that the Lowellville congregation is now entirely Presbyterian. Those who preached here after the organization of the church were Revs. J. D. Whitham, Bushnell, James Bingham, George McElhaney. The mem- bership is quite small.
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
Rev. John Prosser created the revival which resulted in the building of this church. Dr. John Butler and John Bissel were also active and leading members. The building was erect- ed about 1840. The membership has always been quite small. Preaching and Sabbath- school are maintained regularly.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. John Butler settled at Lowellville in 1838, and practiced until his death, some ten years later. The next physician was Dr. Joseph Cowden, who removed West and died. Dr. Scroggs practiced a few years, then removed to Beaver, Pennsylva- nia, where he now resides. Dr. Amberson prac- ticed four or five years, moved to New Castle, Pennsylvania, and died there. Dr. Foster prac- ticed here about five years. He went to Alle- gheny City, Pennsylvania. Dr. John Kirker practiced in Lowellville four or five years. Dur- ing the war he served as a surgeon, and at its close located in Allegheny City. Dr. Cloud was in Lowellville a short time, moved to Columbus, and is now deceased. The present practitioners
James L. Brown
William Brown, the father of the subject of this sketch, was born in Pennsylvania, Septem- ber 28, 1788 ; came to Trumbull county (now Mahoning) in an early day and located on the farm now occupied by his son, James S. He married Miss Ann Porter, April 15, 1813. Their children were James S., born January 4, 1814; David, born June 30, 1816, and died March 7, 1824; Martha, born June 24, 1822, married
Wyoming N. Fry, and resides in Suffield township, Portage county. William Brown served in the War of 1812. He died April 20, 1833. James S. Brown was married to Mary Ann Printz, who was born in Canton, Ohio. Her parents were Joseph and Susan (Blosser) Printz, who were united in marriage September 23, 1830. They had the following children : Henry, born June 21, 1831; Mary Ann (now Mrs. Brown), August 20, 1832;
:
Heary A. Browns
Barbara, January 29, 1834; Isabel, September 22, 1835; Jacob, March 17, 1837; Samuel, No- vember 27, 1838; Ambrose, February 3, 1843. Mr. Brown is a Democrat in politics, yet he rec- ognizes a higher duty in the use of the ballot than mere attachment to party, and endeavors to vote for the best candidates. He has resided all his life on the old homestead, having been born there. From actual experience he knows what
pioneer life is, and his memory carries him back to the days when the present beautiful and thrifty neighborhood where he lives was covered with the original forest, interspersed here and there by small clearings and rude log cabins. He has always been a hard-working and indus- trious man, and is now, in his old age, blessed with a comfortable home. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are Presbyterians in their religious faith.
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of the place are Dr. R. H. Stewart, Dr. R. W. Weller, Dr. J. N. Cowden, and Dr. Reynolds Cowden.
GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC.
Reno Post No. 87, Grand Army of the Re- public, was organized June 28, 1881, with the following officers: William Leggett, commander; Porter Watson, senior vice commander ; T. E. Grist, junior vice commander; J. W. Van Auker, adjutant; W. C. Rowland, quartermaster ; Dr. R. W. Weller, surgeon; Rev. Snyder, chap- lain; I. J. Nessle, officer of the day; J. C. Mapes, officer of the guard.
An organization of the Grand Army of the Republic was in existence some years ago, but it went down.
CEMETERY.
In the spring of 1881 ground for a cemetery was purchased on the hill on the north side of the river, which is being laid out into lots, and otherwise fitted for a burial place.
POLAND CENTER UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
A society of Seceders was formed in 1804, and some years later, probably in 1810, a large meet- ing-house of hewn logs was erected. Among the early members were: William Cowden, Reynolds Cowden, Joseph Cowden, Isaac P. Cowden, Robert Lowry, Johnston Lowry, Wil- liam Strain, Richard McConnell, Thomas Mc- Connell, and others.
About 1826 a brick church was erected. Squire David Houston took the job of building it. In 1849 the present house was built. Nearly twenty years ago the church was merged into the United Presbyterians.
The first preacher was Rev. James Duncan, a farmer, from below Lowellville. Rev. Robert Douglas was the next pastor. Rev. David Good- wille preached in this vicinity, though not in this church alone, fifty years. He was succeeded by Rev. James M. Henderson, Rev. T. W. Winter, and Rev. W. T. McConnell, the present pastor. There are now about sixty-six members. A Sab- bath school has been kept up a number of years.
NEWPORT
was laid out for a village about the same time as Lowellville. Lots were sold at one time as high as in the latter place. But Newport did not grow and no village marks its site.
STRUTHERS.
This little village was laid out about sixteen years ago. Its growth commenced with the ad- vent of the Lawrence railroad in 1867. It now has a railroad station on each side of the river, and perhaps a third railroad will soon be added.
The village contains the large furnace of the Struthers' Iron company, a hotel, two stores, and a saw-mill. A post-office was established about the year 1866, Richard Olney postmaster. His successors have been Rufus Parker and A. G. S. Parker, the present incumbent.
Mr. Olney kept the first store. The saw-mill, built about the time the railroad was completed, was erected and is now owned by Thomas Struthers. Mr. Struthers also built the hotel in 1873.
The Catholic church was erected about the time the furnace was built.
THE FURNACE
of the Struthers Iron company was built in 1869. The casting-house and smoke-stack were blown down in July, 1881, but have since been rebuilt. The furnace when in active operation produces about sixty-five tons of iron per day, and affords about fifty men employment. It is owned by Thomas Struthers, T. W. Kennedy, John and H. T. Stewart, and John and Daniel Stanbaugh. Mr. Kennedy is manager, and H. T. Stewart secretary and treasurer.
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