USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 23
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 23
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able home. The children of those days had small advantages for gaining an education. As the schools were all conducted on the tuition plan, only those parents who were able to pay could send their children.
One of the first school-houses was situated near the spot where the Disciple church now stands. It was made of hewed logs, and con- tained a huge stone chimney. Asa Dillon and Ehas Wick taught there years ago. Few of their pupils are now living.
A school was taught in a log-cabin on the Shively farm at an early date. Mr. John Grove, born in 1813, says that John Fullerton was the first teacher he remembers.
The spelling-book and the Bible were the principal text-books used. School-boy nature was then much the same as now, but mischief was not so openly carried on, for the rod was used unsparingly.
In 1812 there were several schools taught in log-cabins in various parts of the township. Isaac Alley was an early teacher in a cabin on the farm of Jacob Parkus.
TAXES LONG AGO.
We give helow a list of the tax-payers of Aus- tintown in 1803, and the amount of their taxes for that year. The whole amount ($9.22) could not have been enough to pay the expenses of assessing and collecting, unless, as was probably the case, county officers were content with a less salary than those of the present day.
AUSTINTOWN, RANGE THREE, TOWN TWO.
Amount of Tax.
Amount of Tax.
Bayard, William . $ I5
McCollum, John. $ 33
Bayard, Benjamin 25
Musgrove, John .. 32
Britton, Nathan .
20
Moherman, Frederick. 30
Duncan, John
52 Packard, Thomas .... 69
Ewing, John.
60
Packard, Daniel.
20
Ewing. Archibald
32
Roberts, Gilbert.
20
Grove, Wendell.
40 Sanford, Georgc. 64
Guy, Matthew
40 Sisco, James. 12
Hayes, William, and
Sisco, Benjamin . 20
Samuel Ferguson ....
60 Sisco, William. 32
Kirkpatrick, Robert.
32 Templeton, William. . 48
Moore, Samuel.
16 Walker, Nathaniel. .. 30
McAllister, Alexander. 40 Withington, William. 40
Morgan, Thomas.
40
Total. 9 22
CHURCH HISTORY.
The inhabitants of Austintown have always held various religious beliefs. On account of death and removals the membership of the dif-
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ferent churches is now quite small. There are, however, many earnest and sincere Christians in the township who have labored long and bravely to keep alive the religious interests.
THE DISCIPLES.
Elder Bently, of Warren, Walter Scott, of Pittsburg, and William Hayden, of this town- ship, started what was known as the reformation, which resulted in the building of this church. The Disciples organized in 1828, and soon after- wards erected a church building in the north- eastern part of the township on Four-mile run, which was used until the present house was built, in 1860 or 1861. John Henry and William Hay- den were the first elders. Ira McCullom, Mrs. Jane Henry, the Hayden family, John Lane, and several of the Lantermans, Dillons, Lanes, and others were among the earliest members. Wil- liam Hayden and John Henry were among the first preachers. Alexander Campbell often preached in the church. The Disciples have now about one hundred and twenty members, and hold services regularly.
THE BAPTISTS
were formerly quite numerous in this part of the township. They had an organization and held meetings in the Osborn school-house in Youngs- town, also in a log church situated at the four corners between Austintown, Canfield, Board- man, and Youngstown townships. Many of them became members of the Disciples, and soon after the latter denomination built their church they disbanded.
THE PRESBYTERIANS
also had an organization and a church quite early. It was known as the Rehoboth Presby- terian church. They built a house one mile north of the center, which was afterwards moved to Ohltown on the north line of the township, where it remained until recently.
THE COVENANTERS,
or Reformed Presbyterians, built a house at Austintown center in 1844. The building was erected by the combined subscriptions of citi- zens of all denominations, with the agreement that it was to be used by any denomination when the Covenanters did not want it for their meetings. Among the principal subscribers were James Jordan, Abraham Jordan, Scott Jor-
dan, Caldwell and William Porter. James Trues- dale and John Truesdale were both elders and prominent members. The first regular preacher was Rev. McCrackoran. Since his time the preaching has been by various ministers sent by the presbytery. Formerly the church was quite large, there being about one hundred members shortly after the house was built.
EVANGELICAL.
The Evangelical church, West Austintown, was organized about 1841, and the house erected about 1853. The first meeting was held in Jacob Harroff's barn. The first prayer-meeting was at the house of Mrs. Catharine Gilbert. Meetings were held in private houses, barns, school-houses, groves, etc., for some time. Among the early members were Valentine Boley, Christina Gil- bert, George Ohl, Conrad Lodwick, George Shaffer, Mary Kisner, and Betsey Ripple.
The first preacher was Rev. Joseph Long. Revs. Staley, Stofer, and Swartz were also early preachers in this church.
The society is small at present, as the most of the old members have died and their places have not been refilled.
THE UNITED BRETHREN,
West Austintown. A class was formed about 1859, comprising about ten members, among them being Sylvanus Pennell and wife, Leah Shaffer, Ira Wilcox and wife, Matthias McMahan and wife, and others. The first pastor was Rev. J. Knight. Other pastors -- J. K. Sweihart, H. F. Day, David Kosht, and others. First pre- siding elder, El Schlutz. The house was built in 1863. The church now has about forty-five members, and maintains regular service.
THE EVANGELICAL EBENEZER CHURCH,
at Smith's corners, was organized in 1861, and the house of worship erected in 1861-62. John Gilbert, Henry Smith, and David Strock were the building committee. The principal sub- scribers were : J. P. Snyder, David Strock, Michael Buck, Jonas Naff. Number of mem- bers in 1862, seventeen. The church was dedi- cated December 21, 1862, Bishop Joseph Long, Presiding Elder J. L. Sibert, Revs. G. S. Domer and S. Wantersal being present. The first preachers were G. S. Domer and S. Wantersal for the years 1862 and 1863. Other pastors- J. D. Hollenger, Abraham Leohnar, J. J. Barn-
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hart, Isaac Roller, John Domer, - - Weaver, John Carmony, and Mr. Haupt, the minister now in charge. The church is small. Services are held every two weeks.
WEST AUSTINTOWN.
This thriving little settlement, a station on the Niles & New Lisbon railroad, has been built since the completion of that road in 1869. The first store was kept by D. B. Blott. He was afterwards in company with Homer Williams, and later with Wesley Ohl. Calhoun & Hard- man kept store, in the building now occupied by Wesley Ohl, for about four years, commencing in 1871. The Anderson block was built by Robert McClure in 1871. The hotel was built the same year by James Kane, of Youngstown. He run this as a hotel until 1875, and still owns the property, but rents it. Wesley Ohl's store was built in 1871 by Calhoun, Hartman & Baldwin. The store occupied by Mr. Booker was built by him in 1871-72, but has been enlarged twice. He has been in business as a hardware dealer since 1872 ; has carried a stock of drugs during the past year.
The post-office was established in 1870, Win- sor Calhoun postmaster, succeeded by Wesley Ohl, the present incumbent.
The stores in West Austintown are now as follows: Wesley Ohl, J. T. McConnell, general merchandise; Anderson & Brother, groceries; James Booker, hardware and drugs.
The physicians of West Austintown have been many, considering the short time since the village started. Dr. J. T. Mckinley, now of Niles, opened an office here about 1870. He did not reside here, but in Jackson; had a drug store in West Austintown, and considerable practice, much of which he still continues. Dr. G. E. Rose, who had been a student in the office of Dr. Mckinley, bought out the drug store and practiced here some five years, then moved to Birmingham, Erie county, having disposed of his stock of drugs to B. F. Phillips, of North Jackson. Dr. Kline was the next physician, for a short time. Dr. L. B. Ruhelman, of Green, next practiced about two years, then moved to North Lima. Dr. S. T. Keese, of North Jack- son, has practiced in this place three or four years ; he opened an office here last spring. Dr. I. W. Bard, of Mineral Ridge, located here in 1881.
AUSTINTOWN CENTER
is a thriving little country village or "cross- roads," pleasantly and prettily located. It was not settled so early as other parts of the town- ship, although more than sixty years have elapsed since the first house was located here.
The first store was kept on the southwest cor- ner by Alexander Thompson, probably as early as 1822. Soon after him Dr. Alfred Packard started a small store on the corner where Corll's tavern stands. Dr. Packard sold out to James Hezlip, who started Caldwell Porter in business in 1830. Caldwell Porter afterwards moved to the southwest corner, where he continued busi- ness until about 1848. He came here a poor Irish boy, but by his unwavering industry, energy, and scrupulous attention to business, he became quite wealthy. A few years after he settled here he returned to Ireland and married, and then came back to his store. He was widely re- spected during his residence here, and his suc- cessful business career may well be pointed out to the young as an example of what pluck and strict attention to business are able to accom- plish. From Austintown he went to Cincin- nati, and there, too, he prospered. He is now dead. Few country merchants can point to a more prosperous record than that left by him on the minds of the people of Austintown.
Judge Rayen started a store here-date not known, perhaps 1830-on the corner where the Doncaster house is, and employed Cornelius Thompson to keep it. About 1834 he built the brick store on the northwest corner. The busi- ness changes have been so many that it is not very easy to trace them. John Cotton kept store on the southeast corner in 1831-32. Joseph McCaughtesy kept a publie house, and later a clothing store on the same corner. He put up the greater part of the present hotel, and was quite a successful business man for several years. William Porter was in company with his brother a short time, then bought him out, and con- tinued as a merchant here until 1857. Austin Corll kept a tailoring and clothing establishment for several years. Isaac Hoover and Levi Crum, who acted as clerks for William Porter, were merchants in this place a number of years. John Lanterman kept in brick store a short time.
Who kept the first tavern we are unable to learn. Alexander McKinney, Snyder, Whitsal,
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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
Robert Fullerton, and others, have kept the house now owned by Corll.
The business of the place at present is rep- resented by the following : Meander house, Eli Corll; Doncaster house, J. P. Hill; Fitch, Smith & Co., and Abram Forney, general stores; E. Creps, undertaker and furniture dealer. There is also a blacksmith and wagon-shop, a shoe- maker's shop, and a harness shop.
The post-office was probably established as early as 1820. Theophilus Cotton was the first postmaster. His successors' names cannot be learned.
The first physician was Dr. Peer. Dr. Alfred Packard was the only one who resided here for any great length of time. He was a son of Thomas Packard, an early settler in the south- eastern part of the township.
COAL MINES.
The first mine opened at West Austintown was the Harroff slope, where operations were begun in 1870 by John M. Owen, John Stam- baugh, and others, under the name of the Har- roff Coal company. The Harroff slope having become exhausted, in the fall of 1880 this com- pany sank a shaft and commenced mining on the Jordan farm. The shaft is one hundred and seventy-one feet deep. They employ about sixty-five men and produce about one hundred and thirty tons of coal per day.
In 1871 the New Lisbon Coal company opened the Pennell mine and are still working it successfully. The slope is about four hundred and fifty feet and the coal of prime quality. This company employs about seventy-five men and mines about two hundred and fifty tons per day.
The Anderson Coal company opened a bank on the Anderson farm in 1878, which they worked for a short time, but as it was not suc- cessful the mine was abandoned.
Dalzell & Co., of Niles, have commenced work on a new bank just north of West Austin- town during the present summer of 1881.
The Tod, Wells & Co. bank, on the farm of Henry Kyle, near Mineral Ridge, was opened and a shaft sunk about 1858, and has been quite suc- cessfully and largely operated up to the present time. Morris, Robbins & Co. leased the mine and operated it for some time, but it is now in the hands of Tod, Wells & Co.
The Ohltown bank, Harris, Maurer & Co., was opened about 1868, and worked quite ex- tensively until 1880, when it was exhausted.
The Mckinney shaft on the Tibbetts farm near Mineral Ridge was begun in 1871 by Henry Smith & Co., and afterwards worked by Powers & Wick, and Warner, Arms & Co. During the last five years it has not been in operation.
The Thornton bank was on the old Cleveland farm. Operations were commenced in 1870 by Case, Thornton & Co., under the name of the Ohltown Coal company. Some of the bank is still worked by the John Henry Mining company, who sank a shaft about three years ago. They employ about sixty men and produce about one hundred tons daily.
The Leadville shaft on the Lanterman farm was commenced some eight years ago. A great deal of capital has been expended upon this mine, but the water in it has always been trouble- some. During the summer of 1881 a fire in this shaft caused great damage.
The mines just mentioned are only the most important. There are many small banks which have been operated on a small scale. The min- ing interest in Austintown is of great importance. The supply of coal will doubtless continue to hold out many years.
OTHER BUSINESS INTERESTS.
The township contains many deposits of iron ore, both of the kidney and black-band varieties. Before the days of railroads ore was taken out and hauled to the furnaces in consid- erable quantities.
Limestone of good quality has been quarried in many parts of the township, and the supply is almost inexhaustible. Several lime-kilns have been in successful operation. There are also quarries of sandstone and of flagstone yielding good ınaterial.
A mill for crushing and grinding limestone, to be used as a fertilizer, has recently been set up in the southern part of the township by Calhoun & Co.
The first and only furnace for the reduction of iron ore in this township was the Meander furnace, built by William Porter and others near Ohltown.
The only grist-mill, so far as is known, was built by Wilham Irvin on Four-mile run, near the northeastern corner of the township. Al-
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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
though it was a small affair, it did considerable work for several years.
There were no saw-mills at an early date. The first one was built some thirty-five years ago in the eastern part of the township, south of the center road. It was built by Andrew J. Brick- ley. A few years later Harvey McCollum built a saw-mill on the same stream or "run," near the township line. These, with the steam saw-mills of recent date, are believed to have been the only ones in the township.
John Justice, recently deceased, operated a tannery north of the center on the Ohltown road for many years. Robinson Young also had a tannery in the southwestern part of the town- ship for some years.
Many of the early settlers operated small cop- per stills, which they turned to account by using up their surplus grain, and putting it into a more salable form.
Henry Ohl built a mill upon his land at an early date for the manufacture of linseed oil. It was upon a small stream on the D. Lawrence place. There was a dam and a mill race some eighty rods in length. A part of the latter is still visible. This oil mill was one of the first built in this part of the country, but it was not a success.
Robinson Young settled in the township in 1826, and soon afterwards built a tannery, which he operated in company with his brother Wil- liam. They boarded at Archibald Ewing's for seventy-five cents per week each. The tannery contained about twelve vats. The Youngs cut and closed boots and shoes and had them bot- tomed, and in this way disposed of their leather. Robinson Young used to work on the shoe- bench with the Bible open before him, diligently studying its pages. It is said that he learned the book almost by heart in this way.
GRAVEYARDS.
Of these there are five in the township. That known as the Brunstetter graveyard is the old- est, and was laid out as early as 1823. The first burial made there was the body of John Doane, a grandson of Robert Russell, one of the earliest settlers. Doane died when quite a young man. William Truesdale was the next person buried there, probably in 1823. The next year twenty- two children were carried off by dysentery in less
than two weeks, and all were buried in this graveyard.
The graveyard adjoining the Disciples' church is probably the next oldest.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
WILLIAM PORTER.
William Porter, Austintown township, Mahon- ing county, was born in county Donegal, Ire- land, May 22, 1801. He was educated in the common schools. In 1837 he came to Mahon- ing county, and was a merchant for twenty years. In 1857-58 he built the Meander furnace, and was engaged in smelting for two years. Through unfortunate endorsements, in less than three years he lost his fortune, and since that time has engaged in no active business.
In September, 1843, Mr. Porter was married to Mary Nesbat, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. They have had four children, the youngest dying in infancy James N., superin- tendent of a coal company in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania; Charles W., druggist, Niles, Trumbull county; and Isabella, who married Robert McCordy, president of the First National bank, Youngstown.
In politics Mr. Porter is a Democrat; in re ligion a Presbyterian. His wife is a Covenanter. During the past year, though over eighty years of age, he assessed Austintown township. Mr. Poter is a hale and hearty old man, enjoying the respect of all who know him.
DAVID ANDERSON.
David Anderson was born in Londonderry, Ireland, August 12, 1816. He was the youngest of three children of David Anderson, farmer. His mother died when he was a boy, and after that event finding home life distasteful, he left his father, a well-to-do citizen, and his two sis- ters, Margaret and Jane, and started alone for the land of the free. To one accustomed to the refinements and comforts of home, never having been away from home a day in his life, crossing the broad Atlantic to gain a living in a strange land was an undertaking of great moment. He
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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
landed in Philadelphia in 1832 and remained there seven years. His first work was setting curb-stones; next he went into a wholesale grocery, in which he remained several years. In April, 1839, he came to Youngstown, Ohio, and engaged in a general merchandise store with a partner, the firm being Anderson & Wick. The firm in a few years became somewhat involved and the partnership was dissolved. Mr. Ander- son, by reason of his known integrity and busi- ness capacity, was enabled to go into business for himself, which he did, and he afterward paid every dollar of his indebtedness. He carried on his business for one year at Austintown, and then for thirty-seven years kept a general assort- ment store at Jackson, Mahoning county. This store he closed out April, 1881, being then the oldest merchant in the valley. Some twenty years ago he traded his stock of goods for a fine farm in Lordstown township, Trumbull county, and sold his interest in a foundry he had pur- chased and commenced business again with his previous success and with his old patrons. April 10, 1842, he married Julia Phillips, who was born in Warren township, and was a step-daughter of 'Squire Robert Carr. About sixteen months after her marriage she died-August 8, 1843. February 10, 1847, he married Hannah L. Shaw, a native of Lawrence county, Pennsyl- vania, the result of which union was four chil- dren, viz: W. S., an attorney of Youngstown, Ohio; Julia E .; Margaret J., who married Charles K. Phillips, who was killed three years ago by a hay-fork falling upon him, and David Fitch, resides at home. The wife and mother died October 14, 1879, aged sixty. Mrs. Anderson was a daughter of Dr. William Shaw, a leading physician of New Castle, Pennsylvania, and was born and brought up in that town, where she resided until her marriage. She was a member of the Presbyterian church, a good and faithful wife and mother, highly esteemed by all who knew her.
Mr. Anderson is at present largely engaged in farming and stock raising. He has the manage- ment of about nine hundred acres of land. But his enterprising business spirit will not admit of his devoting his entire attention to agriculture, and he intends to again engage in mercantile business. For many years Mr. Anderson has been a member of the Presbyterian church.
NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.
Charles Gilbert, farmer, Austintown township, Mahoning county, was a native of Pennsylvania. About the year 1821 he came to Mahoning county, where he remained four years, and then bought a farm north of Warren, on which he lived until his death. He was of German de- scent, his grandfather having come from Ger- many. His father, George Gilbert, came to Ohio several years in advance of him. Charles Gilbert married Magdalene Miller, a native of the same State, by whom he had nine children- Mary, Hannah, Benjamin, Elizabetlı, Manly, Susan, Margaret, David, and Catharine. Han- nah, widow of Thomas Reed; Benjamin, who resides in Warren ; Susan, who married Martin Bear and resides in Hicksville ; and Margaret, who married James Morgan, and now lives in Western Ohio, are still living. Mrs. Gilbert's parents were also from Germany.
William H. Burford, undertaker, Mineral Ridge, Ohio, was born in Swansea, Glamorgan- shire, Wales, March, 1813. He was educated in the Swansea academy, and the Carmarthen academy, also at the Academy of Bristol, Eng- land. At one time he studied with the inten- tion of entering the ministry, but afterwards gave it up. He was apprenticed to a linen draper at Carmarthen, and after thoroughly learning the trade, he procured a situation at London, and worked in that and other places for a num- ber of years. He had determined to emigrate to this country and locate in Texas, but did not at that time. Preferring some other trade to the one he had adopted he learned that of cabinet-making. He finished this trade when about twenty-seven, and for about three years subsequent was engaged as a teacher in the country schools, and was usher in the grammar school at Swansea for a time. February 6, 1849, he was married to Mary E. Jenkin, by whom he has three children-William R., born February 5, 1850; Sarah Louisa, November 27, 1859; Maggie E., June 17, 1862. Two years after his marriage he emigrated to America, finally settling in Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he resided some six years. In the fall of 1856 he came to Mineral Ridge. Here he engaged in his busi- ness of the manufacture of furniture, and under- taking, in which he still continues. He is a member of the Episcopal church and of the so-
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TRUMBULL, AND) MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
ciety, "Temple of Honor." In politics he is a Prohibitionist. Mr. Burford is the pioneer busi- ness man of Mineral Ridge.
Stephen Anderson (deceased) was a native of Ireland. He was born June 21, 1799, and came when a small child with his parents to America. His parents were among the early pioneers of Trumbull county, having settled in Liberty town- ship about 1802. Stephen was raised upon the farm and after he became old enough he was given the management of a large farm and a saw- mill. He married on his nineteenth birthday -June 21, 1818-Elizabeth Mckinley of Trum- bull county, and had a family of ten children : James, Eliza, Margaret, William, Nancy, Han- nah, Mary, Silas, John and Alvin. James and Mary are deceased. He was a member of the Presbyterian church, as was also his wife. In politics he was a Democrat. He died July 9, 1872, and his wife December 7, 1879.
Silas Anderson, grocer, West Austintown, Ma- honing county, son of Stephen and Elizabeth Anderson, was born in Liberty township, Trum- bull county, February 2, 1836. He worked upon the farm and in the saw-mill until he was about twenty years of age, the last two working for himself. He then engaged for two years in the livery business at Austintown. During the next few years he operated in coal, engaged prin- cipally in prospecting, leasing and drilling. He then moved upon the farm where he now lives, near West Austintown. Some four years ago he started a grocery store at West Austintown, and soon after purchased the brick block in which his business is located. May 7, 1861, he was united in marriage to Mary, daughter of William Hawser, who was born March 24, 1843. They had five children, three of whom are living, viz: Edward, born January 18, 1865; Manning, born February 1, 1867; Laura, born July 9, 1880.
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