History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 15

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams
Number of Pages: 726

USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 15
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 15

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 were two Jacob Simons, Jacob, the son of Michael, being known as "Schoolmaster Jake" -thus distinguishing from "Mill Creek Jake," who settled farther to the westward. All of the Simons brought up large families, and many of their descendants still reside here.

George Zedaker and his son John came from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1802 or 1803. J. P. Zedaker, a son of John Zedaker, now lives upon the farm where they located. John Zedaker was a soldier in the War of 1812, and was the last survivor in Boardman of the soldiers of that war. He died several years ago.

Isaac Hankins, an early comer, settled on Benjamin McNutt's farm, in the northern part of the township. About the year 1815 he sold his farm to "Preacher " Hewett and moved away.

George Pope, an early settler, also located on a part of the McNutt farm, which he bought from Hankins. Later he moved to the north- western part of the township, and settled near

Mill creek. He attained the age of ninety- eight years. He was a native of Virginia.

Other early settlements were made in the Simons neighborhood by a man named Feester, Martin Dustman, who settled near the north line of the township, and Henry Dustman, on the farm now owned by Samuel Mover.

Andrew Hull settled quite early on the farm now belonging to Thomas Matthews.

John Northrup came about 1811. He was a carpenter by trade. He resided at the center for a short time, then moved south of there, and afterwards went West.

John Twiss came in 1818, Charles Titus in 1819. The latter is still living.

Amos Baldwin, a native of Connecticut, moved here from Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, in 1811, and settled on Mill creek. His son, Asa Baldwin, born in 1798, still resides in Boardman. Amos Baldwin moved to Trumbull county, where he died in 1850 at the age of eighty-six. He brought up seven sons and two daughters. Three of his sons, John, Garry, and Asa, settled in Boardman.

Asa Baldwin, a brother of Amos, came in 1811, or perhaps a year or two before. He set- tled on the Agnew farm.

Thomas and Elizabeth Agnew settled on the farm where their son, Ralph Agnew, Esq., now lives, in the year 1824, coming here from Penn- sylvania.

Henry Foster, a wheelwright, was a resident of the township for many years. He came here with his father previous to 1808.

Elijah Deane, an early settler, settled near Foster.

Philip and Catharine Stambaugh settled in the northeastern corner of the township in 1811, where their son Philip is still living. He was born February 16, 1796, and is the oldest man in the township. Mr. Stambaugh, Sr., took up about two hundred acres of land in the four townships, Boardman, Youngstown, Coitsville, and Poland, paying for it at the rate of $7 and $8 per acre.

Eli Baldwin came from Connecticut in 1801, being then about twenty years of age. He acted as the agent of Elijah Boardman, who owned the greater part of the land in this township. Mr. Baldwin was a very prominent man, active in all public affairs. He was the first captain of

TRUMBULL, AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

militia, the first justice of the peace, and, it is believed, the first postmaster in the township. He represented this district in the Legislature several terms, and served as associate judge one term. He settled in the northern part of the township in 1809 or 1810, where he passed the remainder of his days.

About 1801 came the DeCamps, the Shields and Woodruff families, elsewhere mentioned. All these settled in the northwestern part of the township.

Abraham Osborn settled near DeCamp at an early date.

Josiah Walker settled on Yellow creek in 1803. His sons live on the same farm now.

Nathaniel Blakely was one of the first set. tlers, a schoolmaster, and a justice of the peace in early days.

Isaac Newton settled at Boardman center in 1811.

William and Pamelia Fankle came about the year 1816, and settled in the southeast of the township, one mile from the Poland line. Three of their five children are yet living, Silas in this township, and Edward and Della F. in the west.

David Porter, and his wife, Mary Walker, both natives of Adams county, Pennsylvania, settled near the southern line of the township, about one mile from the southeast corner, in 1815. The log house where they lived is still standing- one of the few remaining mementoes of early days. They had five children, three of whom are living-David, their youngest, in this town- ship, Mrs. Martha M. Slaven and Harvey Porter, in Kansas. David Porter, Sr., was killed by a falling tree, June 19, 1819, thus leaving his wife and little children to provide for themselves, and undergo the harsh experiences of pioneers. David occupies a portion of the original farm.

FIRST ELECTION.

The first township meeting for the election of officers was held April 7, 1806. Haynes Fitch was chosen chairman, Henry Brainard and David Woodruff clerks. The following officers were chosen for the year : Eli Baldwin, township clerk ; Henry Brainard, George Stilson, and Adanı Simon, trustees ; Eleazer Fairchild and Michael Simon, overseers of the poor ; James Hull and Abner Webb, fence viewers : Nathaniel Blakely, lister and appraiser ; Jedediah Fitch, appraiser ; Isaac Hankins, Nathaniel Blakely,

and David Fitch, supervisors of highway ; David Fitch, constable ; and James Moody, treasurer.

Previous to the above date the township had been included in Youngstown. It was organized as Boardman township in 1805.

JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.

The first justice was Judge Eli Baldwin. His successors have been Nathaniel Blakely, James Moody, Asa Baldwin, John Woodruff, Parkus Woodruff, Shelden Newton, and Ralph Agnew, who holds the office at present.

PRIMITIVE TAXES.

The amount of taxes levied in Boardman, in 1803, was $17.47. Taxes could not have been very oppressive that year. We give a list of the taxes and tax-payers for 1803:

BOARDMAN, RANGE TWO, TOWN ONE.

Amount

of lax. of tax.

Brainard, Sinas. .$ 0 40

Dusiman, Henry .. .. $ 0 IO

Brainard, Solomon .. . 15

Fisher, Benjamin. . 20

Blakesley, Ebenezer . .

Fairchild. Eleazer. .

1 83

Blakesley, Nathaniel . 62 McCorkle, Archibald. . 20

Baldwin, Caleb,

3 33

Stephens, John. 47

Baldwin, Eli.

Scroggs, Allen.

Cook, Isaac.

Simon, Michael, I 77

Canada, James.

Stilson, George. 07

Comyns, Joseph.

20 Stilson, Peter. 16

Chamberlain, Noah. .

41 Stall, James. 62

Davis, Ebenezer

40 Simon, Andrew 50

DeCamp, Lewis.

62 Somers, Beach.

Dice, Edward.

56 Thornton, John, Įr. 81

Dice, William.

McMahan. John. 16

Detchon, Oswald

1 30

Total.

.$17 47

EARLY INCIDENTS AND ADVENTURES.

From the writings of Shelden Newton, Esq., for whose assistance in preparing this township history the writer desires to express the heartiest thanks, are gathered many of the facts and inci- dents which follow.

Seventy years ago Boardman was wild and desolate ; there were no good roads, and all of the low ground was covered with logs, or cordu- roy crossings. Sugar was worth forty cents per pound, and was a luxury to be used sparingly or not at all. The crop of maple sugar in 1811 was almost a total failure; but the following season about forty thousand pounds were made in the township, as was ascertained from figures gathered on election day-the first Monday in April-of that year.

In December, 1805, George Stilson and a boy name Whitney were at work in the forest getting

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

out timber with which to build Stilson's tavern, when suddenly they heard the sharp report of a hunter's rifle, and were astonished to see a bear rushing almost directly toward them. Stilson had a worthless cur lying on his coat near by. Now, he thought, was excellent opportunity for training his dog. According the dog was urged on, and ran directly in front of the bear and at- tempted to seize it. But he soon found himself in the close embrace of the huge animal. The dog gave two or three sharp yells, and then his voice was heard no more. Stilson seized his axe and advanced toward the bear. As he came within a few feet of him, the bear, no doubt divining his intentions, dropped the almost life- less dog and started for his assailant. Stilson took to his heels, dropping his axe in the excite- ment of the moment, and soon bear and man were making lively circles around a large poplar tree. The boy Whitney stood on the fallen tim- ber and shouted, " Run, Uncle George ; run or he will catch you." Just at this moment, when the case looked hopeless, and Stilson's breath became quite short, the hunter's dog came up and seized the bear by a hind leg, thus diverting bruin's attention from his intended prey. The hunter, Donaldson, soon arrived upon the scene and shot the bear. A teatu was brought to the place, the dead animal was hauled to the center and dressed, his meat weighing three hundred pounds. Everybody who wished could obtain a piece of the meat.

Boardman was considered the best of hunting ground for deer in those early days. Curtis Fairchild, a noted huntsman, killed one hundred and five deer in one season, besides trapping thirteen wolves. The skin of a deer was worth seventy-five cents; the meat, nothing. A bounty of $6 each was paid by the county for the scalps of wolves.

Bears and wolves were numerous and trouble- some. One night in December, 1811, Eliakim Stoddard was aroused about ten o'clock by the squealing of his hogs. Seizing his axe he went to the pen and there saw a huge bear attacking his best hog. Stoddard was intending to creep up unnoticed and strike the bear with his axe, but the bear was on the alert for intruders and at once rushed at him. Stoddard retreated to the house, while the bear returned to the pen, seized the hog, drew it across the road and

across a small stream to a point about ten rods from the house and there proceeded with his meal undisturbed. The hog was a long time in dying, and of course its cries were hideous. Stod- dard did not wish to leave his wife and children alone while the bear remained in the vicinity. What was to be done? Nobody lived within a mile of him. He resolved to await events; and, about twelve o'clock, was rejoiced to see the bear depart into the forest. He then fastened up the house as securely as possible, and proceeded to the center to arouse the neighborhood. As soon as it was daylight a party of men with dogs and arms started in pursuit of the bear, which they chased all through the day, and until after sun- set. The hunters took lodging at the nearest house, and the next day commenced the chase anew. After leading them a long race the bear was finally treed and despatched, though it took three shots to bring him down.

THE WAR OF 1812

drew from Boardman every man able to do mili- tary service. Few, if any in the township, volun- teered, but all were drafted.

Three drafts were made, each taking one-third of the militia. Regarding these times, Shelden Newton, Esq., writes as follows concerning the second draft :

The company was again called out. Captain Bissel and a Government officer were present. The orderly sergeant, Isaac Blackman, with his spontoon-its handle stained red with poke-berry juice-paraded the company, marching them around in single file, calling on the members to fall into ranks. When he had them all in, he brought them up be- fore the tavern "front face." The officers of the company and the Government officer held a few moments' consulta- tion. The captain then ordered the company to call off in the usual form, "right, left; right, left," to the end. Then the Government officer told them they must march the next day at two o'clock, with three days' rations in their knap- sacks. In this draft were David Noble, Asa Baldwin, Thomas Moody, and a score of others.

From that time until the hour of starting there was no sleep in the neighborhood. It required the constant vigi- lance of all to get the men ready. Cooking had to be done, knapsacks made, clothing prepared, etc. All were ready and left at the appointed time. In a few short days came another express, saying that the enemy were then crossing the lake, and were in sight of Cleveland. This was on Sat- urday, and every man must start on Monday. The captain and all other officers had gone in the second draft. Thus for two nights Boardman was left entirely destitute of men. Not an able-bodied man was left. I now recollect of only two men who were too old to do military duty. They were John Davidson and Henry Brainard. However, the scare on Lake Erie proved a false alarm, and the last draft were ordered home.

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

Charles A. Boardman went out as adjutant under Colonel Rayen. He was afterward trans- ferred to another regiment. William Ingersol, a chum of Boardman, went with him, and was soon appointed forage master, and proved to be very efficient in obtaining supplies.

At the battle of the Peninsula, near Sandusky, three of Boardman township's soldiers were volunteers : Jacob Frank, George Moherman, and John Dowler. Frank was a stout, courage- ous man, ready to deal blows right and left, regardless of his own safety. Moherman was as reckless a warrior as ever aimed at an Indian. Dowler, a William Penn in principle, would not choose to harm any living being ; but when the shrieks of the women and children of the fron tier almost reached his ears, he did not hesitate about the rightfulness of his action, but shoul- dered his rifle and started. These men were under Captain Cotton, of Austintown, an efficient officer. There were two hundred men, all volun- teers, in that skirmish with the Indians. When they had entered the peninsula, it was found that they had plenty of business on their hands. Indians rose from the grass on all sides, fighting became general, and still more Indians appeared. Moherman was then in his element. Frank proceeded too far from his companions, and found himself alone and surrounded by savages. He was shot through the arm and commenced to run. There was a large block-house on the peninsula, which was the means of saving many lives. The captain ordered a retreat, which had already become quite general, and was being carried out in a very straggling manner. Mo- herman, a leader in the fray, obeyed quite reluc- tantly. When he had retreated a few steps he found a dead Indian, and determined to have his scalp ; but other Indians dashed toward him, and he ran into the high grass and escaped. When a few rods away he stumbled over the body of a wounded red man not yet dead. Now was his opportunity ; he seized the Indian by the hair, and with one circle of his knife cut loose the scalp, caught it in his mouth and tore it from the head, and hurried on as rapidly as possible. When some distance further on, he came across Abraham Simon, one of his neigh- bors from Youngstown, mortally wounded. Moherman offered his assistance, but Simon told him to take care of himself. Moherman,

however, resolved to save his comrade, and, stooping down, placed the arms of the wounded man about his neck, took his own gun in his hand, and hastened again toward the block- house, bearing Simon upon his back. Near the house he came to a fence, and while he was climbing it an Indian shot Simon through the head, killing him almost instantly. Moherman gained the retreat in safety, still carrying the scalp, of which ever after he was very proud. He brought it home with him, and afterward sold it to a Philadelphia merchant for ten dollars.

When the retreat commenced Dowler caught an Indian in the act of taking a scalp from one of his comrades. The man was dead and the savage was proceeding to scalp him before load- ing his gun. The Indian ran at once, directly away from Dowler, who fired upon him, and, not wishing to know that he had killed an Indian, turned and fled in safety to the block-house.

Times were hard, and the soldiers and their families were obliged to undergo many bitter ex- periences and privations, even after the close of the war.

From 1814 up to 1820 money was exceedingly scarce. Wheat brought twenty-five cents per bushel in paper money. Butter was five cents per pound, and eggs four cents a dozen in "store pay." Three year old steers sold for $10 per head, cash. People drank rye coffee and had no tea. They manufactured every article of clothing except leather for shoes. This had to be bought, consequently many went barefooted a large portion of the year. Deer skins were good, serviceable articles, and half of the men wore buckskin breeches. Charles A. Boardman made a fine pair of pantaloons from this ma- terial. After the skins were prepared and dressed he obtained some kind of blue liquid with which he stained them, thus making the best and most showy garments in the country. He wore them for two years or more, and during that time taught school for $2.40 per month and " found himself."

CHURCH HISTORY.

At this date (1881) there are four religious so- cieties and three church edifices in the township, two of them being at the center, and the other in the northern part. The Universalists held meetings in 1820, but never built a church. A

Sheldon Moutons

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

dozen years ago there were four churches at Boardman center-Protestant Episcopal, Pres- byterian, Methodist and Disciple. Now only the Methodists and the Episcopals maintain their organizations. The buildings which be- longed to the other denominations are devoted to other than religious purposes.

ST. JAMES' CHURCH, PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL.

This church, the oldest in the diocese, dates back to July 20, 1809. At that date was issued a petition urging that the inhabitants of Board- man, Canfield, and Poland meet August 12, 1809, for the purpose of forming a regular Epis- copal society, and the organization was effected the same year. We give below the names of the signers of this paper :

Turhand Kirtland, Ensign Church, Charles Chittenden, Josiah Wetmore, Samuel Blocker. Joseph Platt, Ethel Starr, Francis Dowler, John Liddle, John Dowler, Eleazer Fairchild, Zıba Loveland, Arad Way, Eleazer Gilson, Russell F. Starr, Eli Platt, John Loveland, Lewis Hoyt, Joseph Liddle, Jared Kirtland. For a time only laymen officiated in the church, with occasional assistance from traveling missionaries. In March, 1817, the society was organized as a parish, ac- cording to the canons, and received the name St. James' Episcopal church. Following is a list of missionaries and rectors who have labored in this church: First, Rev. Jackson Kemper, 1814, afterwards bishop of Wisconsin; succeeded by Revs. Jacob Morgan Douglas, Roger Searle, Philander Chase, afterwards bishop of this dio- cese and later of Illinois, M. T. C. Wing, after- wards a professor in Kenyon college, John L. Bryan, Joshua L. Harrison, Intrepid Morse, Joshua T. Eaton, William Grandville, C. F. Lewis, Joseph Adderly, C. S. Doolittle, A. T. McMurphy, Abraham J. Warner (longest service of any, 1864-78), C. F. Adams. The last named served but one year, and left on account of illness. At present the church is without a rector. It numbers fifty-six members, twenty- four communicants.

The school-house and private dwellings were used as places of worship until 1828, when the present church edifice was completed. In 1824 the church had sixty members. In 1853 a movement was made to build a parsonage, and successfully carried out a year or two later.

There has also been connected with this parish

a Ladies' Missionary society, the organiza- tion of which dates back nearly fifty years.

BETHLEHEM CHURCH.

This is a union church belonging to the two societies, the Lutherans and the German Re- formed. Through the efforts of the Simons families and others a log house was built at a very early date and used as a place for worship for many years. The first preacher was a man named Stough. Later Rev. Henry Hewett, who married a daughter of Michael Simon, was the pastor. This church is located on the north line of the township, one mile from the eastern corner.

The first graveyard of the Germans was on the farm of Adam Simon. After the first church was built a cemetery was established near by, in which the remains of Henry Dustman were the first to be interred.

Regular services are held alternately by the two societies, but the membership of each is quite small. The present house was erected in 1845. The log house was erected as early as 1810, and was the first house of worship built in the town- ship.

THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH,

called also the Presbyterian church, was estab- lished by Rev. John Field, a missionary from Connecticut, May 28, 1813. In 1849 the organization ceased to exist, on account of re- movals to other parts of the country and the death of several of its members. The first offi- cers of this church were Samuel Swan and Charles A. Boardman, church committee, and Charles A. Boardman, deacon.

Rev. Warren Taylor was the only settled min- ister. He was installed in 1844 and remained one year. Other preachers were either mission- aries or pastors of other congregations who preached here a part of the time.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

At what date this organization began the his- torian is unable to learn. Oswald Detchon was one of its prime movers and most prominent members. The first meetings were held in a log school-house upon his farm. Dr. Adams, of Beaver, was among the early preachers. The present house of worship at the center was prob- ably built about 1835. Among those whose means and influence contributed largely toward

12"

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

building. it may be mentioned the following names: Thomas Agnew, Major Samuel Clark, and Josiah Beardsley.

THE DISCIPLES.

A church of this denomination was organized about the year 1854 by Herman Reeves, an evangelist. A church building was erected some two years later. The membership was never large, and through deaths and removal of mem- bers, the organization ceased to exist some ten years ago. The house was sold to the township and is now used as a town hall. The preachers in this church were Revs. Reeves, Ephraim Phil- lips, John Errett, D. J. White, and James Calvin.

AN EARLY SOCIETY.

An organization known as The Female Tract Society of Boardman, Canfield and the Western Reserve, held its first meeting February 18, 1818. It contained a large number of members in all parts of the Reserve, but has been extinct for many years.

CEMETERIES AND BURIAL PLACES.

The first burials in the township were made upon the farm of Adam Simon. The German cemetery was soon afterward laid out.

One or more interments were made near Po- land, at an early date, opposite where the house of William Hultz now stands.

The cemetery near the center was laid out in 1805, and the first burials there were in that year or the year following.

THE FIRST SCHOOLS.

About as soon as the pioneers were established in their new homes, preparations were made for the education of their children. A log school- house, the first in the township, was built a few rods west of the center, probably in 1803 or 1804. Nathaniel Blakely was the first teacher. Mrs. Mitchell, wife of Simeon Mitchell, who settled at the center in 1810, also taught several terms. Boardman was favored with excellent teachers in early days. In place of the log building a two-story frame school house was erected in 1809. This was called the academy, and was used for school, church, and other meet- ings for thirty years or more. It is still stand- ing one and a half miles east of the center, where it was moved years ago, and is now used as a stable.

A log school-house was built by the Simons almost as early as the one at the center. Ger- man alone was taught for several years, but Eng- lish was gradually substituted. Jacob Simon taught this school for some years, and was after- wards succeeded by his sons and the sons of Adam Simon. The house was situated on the farm of the latter.

The first schools were all private, or tuition schools.

TAVERNS.

George Stilson built the first frame house in the township in 1805, on the spot where Jesse Baldwin's house now is. Here he kept tavern for about twenty-five years. He was succeeded by Perry Baldwin, Herman Crane, Samuel Elliot, Alex. Mckinney, and Arthur Patrick. Since the death of Mr. Patrick in 1860 Boardman has been without a hotel.

Joseph Merchant came from Connecticut in 1804, and soon afterward settled one-half mile south of the center. About the year 1814 he began keeping tavern about eighty rods east of the center. In 1823 Asa Baldwin carried on the same business at the same place for about one year. Mr. Baldwin's sign was an original one, and had the merit of attracting attention and customers. One side read as follows :

Nothing on this side, Not much on the other;

and the opposite side,

Nothing in the house, Or in the barn either.

The house was quite popular; from which it may be inferred that the "advertising dodge" didn't tell the exact truth.

POST-OFFICES.

The first, and until recently, the only post- office in Boardman, was that at Boardman center. The exact date of its establishment can not be ascertained, but it was in existence in 1810. . The first postmaster and his successors were as follows: Eli Baldwin, Major Samuel Clark, William Ingersoll, Samuel Swan, H. M. Boardman, Arthur Patrick, S. O. Stilson, and Ed- ward Davidson, the present incumbent. Board- man now receives four mails, one from each direction, daily.

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History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 15

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams Number of Pages: 726

Author: Williams (H.Z.) & Bro., Cleveland, Ohio, pub
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Cleveland : H. S. Williams
Number of Pages: 726