USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 25
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 25
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99
John Miller, Jr., was born September 14, 1816, in Canfield township. He was educated in the common schools and early began farming, which
142
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
has been his lifelong occupation. He staid with his father until the age of twenty-three, when he began farming for himself on the same farm on shares for a time, and then bought half of it, upon which he still lives. February 11, 1845, he married Maria Lanterman, daughter of William Lanterman, of Austintown township. She was born June 28, 1822, and died February 18, 1878. She was an estimable Christian woman and a member of the Disciple church. Five children were born to them, viz: Austin, born May 31, 1846; Sophia, December 21, 1847; Joseph, October 13, 1849; Laura, April 2, 1852; John, March 29, 1854. Mr. Miller is a member of the German Lutheran church.
Oen Naff, farmer, Austintown township, Ma- honing county, was born in Lehigh county, Penn- sylvania, March 12, 1827. His mother died when he was about six weeks old, and he was brought up under the care of his grandfather, Christian Meassamer. When Oen was about six years old his grandfather moved to Jackson township, and resided there until the time of his death. Oen is the only child of George and Eva (Meassamer) Naff. His father still resides in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania. When Mr. Naff was eighteen years of age he began learning the cabinet maker's trade, at which he worked many years. Since 1850 he has been engaged in farm- ing. He moved upon the present farm in 1860, and has a pleasant home. Mr. Naff was mar- ried January 3, 1850, to Madelina Hood, daugh- ter of David Hood. She was born in Mahoning county, June 5, 1828, and died February 17, 1859. She was the mother of two children, whose names are Mary Magdalene and John Wallace. Mr. Naff was again married, March 4, 1860, to Maria Buck, who was born March 5, 1825. She was the daughter of David Buck. They have two children: George Oliver and Lucy Alice. Mr. Naff is an active member of the Republican party.
Michael Ohl was a native of Northampton county, Pennsylvania. When a young man he came with his father, Henry Ohl, to Mahoning county, and settled in Canfield township. The family of children were Michael, Jacob, Henry, David, John, Abraham, Eve Hood, Maria Wag- goner, and Mary Shatto. Shortly after their ar- rival Michael married Eva Moyers, who came to Mahoning county with her husband's family.
They first settled in the southwest corner of Aus- tintown township, where they lived some twelve years, and then moved to that part of the town- ship where Ohltown is now located. He was a cooper by trade, and worked at this some in the new country, but his principal occupation was farming, in addition to managing a saw- and grist- mill. He owned the land which is now occu- pied by Ohltown, which he laid out over fifty years ago, and to which he gave his own name. He was the father of the following named chil- dren : Charles, Catharine Hood, Elizabeth Dustman, Henry, David, John, Eve Campbell, Aydelott, Michael (who was killed at Warren during the building of a bridge), Samuel, Abi- gail, McDonald, Andrew, Mary Kraus, and Julia Rose. Mr. Ohl was hotel-keeper at Ohltown, and also engaged at distilling. He died October 21, 1857, at the age of seventy-four. His father, Henry Ohl, died September 7, 1849. Eve Ohl died July 11, 1860.
David Ohl was born in Austintown township, Mahoning county, December 22, 1818. He re- ceived his education in the common schools and aided his father until he became of age, when he began learning the millwright's trade with his brother Charles. After working with him three years he began building mills. He was engaged at this business for thirty-five years. Directly after his marriage he began farming where he now lives. January 15, 1846, he married Eliza- beth A. White, daughter of James White. She was born in Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, April 29, 1828. They have had seven children-Ezra, Albert, Julia Ann, Michael, James, Olander, and Jennie (Samantha Jane). Mr. and Mrs. Ohl are old-time members of the Methodist church.
Wesley Ohl, merchant, West Austintown, Ma- honing county, was born in Austintown township, June 19, 1843. He is the oldest child of George Ohl, son of David Ohl, a Pennsylvanian by birth, who came to Mahoning county, then Trumbull, in an early day, and was a prominent farmer and stock dealer in his day, and was en- gaged in driving stock to the East over the mountains. George Ohl acquired a good edu- cation at the public schools, and for a number of years was engaged in teaching, attending to his farm at the same time. Farming was his chief occupation through life. He was born in
143
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
Austintown township; married Lydia Graber, a native of Bucks county, Pennsylvania. This union resulted in two children, the eldest dying in infancy. He was a member of the Evangeli- cal Association, and a Republican in politics. He and his wife are both dead. Wesley Ohl remained upon the farm until 1872, when he en- gaged in the mercantile business with D. B. Blott. This partnership continued two years, since which time Mr. Ohl has carried on the business alone at West Austintown. He married Miss Carrie, daughter of William Hauser. They have one child, Elva Irene, born October 7, 1878.
Davis Randolph, Esq., Austintown township, Mahoning county, was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, July 25, 1810. He is a brother of William Randolph, of Windsor, Ashtabula county, and a son of John and Mary (Davis) Randolph. His mother was of Welsh descent. The old stock of Randolphs came from Virginia. Davis received but a limited common school education. He learned the shoemaker's trade with his brother, with whom he came to Austin- town and commenced business, in which he continued about twenty-five years. Mr. Ran- dolph is an influential member of the Democratic party. He has held nearly all of the township offices, and since 1859 has been justice of the peace. He married Elizabeth McCarter, of Ma- honing county, November 30, 1837, by whom he had one child, Elizabeth McCoy, October 21, 1841. His wife died February 14, 1842. On January 16, 1843, he married Caroline Russel, of Austintown, daughter of James Russel, a soldier of 1812. They have seven children born as follow: James Clark, January 19, 1844; Mary Jane, February 12, 1845; Jonathan Russel, October 28, 1846; John Clayton, May 30, 1848; Charles, November 6, 1854; Cornelia Emeline, May 6, 1856; Luella C., May 4, 1862. Each of the oldest three of the sons served two years in company E, Twelfth Ohio cavalry, enlisting be- fore they were of age. Mr. Davis is a member of the Disciple church and is a man who has gained honor from a long life of steadfast in- tegrity.
Thomas Reed, farmer, Austintown township. Mahoning county, was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, September 24, 1789. His father, James Reed, was an old time resident of Poland town-
ship. He married Hannah Gilbert, born Sep- tember 11, 1807, daughter of Charles Gilbert, a native of Pennsylvania. Her mother was Mag- dalene Miller, a native of the same State. To Mr. and Mrs. Reed were born seven children : Peggy, born June 27, 1825 ; Betsy, December 1, 1826; Polly, March 9, 1829; Stephen, Novem- ber 26, 1830; Nancy, October 10, 1832; Han- nah, November 3, 1835; and Amos, May 27, 1839. Peggy, Nancy, Hannah, and Stephen, still make their home with their mother on the old farm. Mr. Reed was a Covenanter in relig ion, and in politics a Republican. He was a practical farmer and a worthy citizen. His death occurred February 18, 1865.
James Raver, a native of Allentown, Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, was born April 2, 1823. He was the son of William Raver, who came to Austintown township when James was thirteen years of age. After living here a few years he removed to Lordstown township. James and his father were both coopers by trade, but were principally engaged in farming. William Raver was the father of seven children, Lovina, James, Eliza, Lewis, William, Catharine, and Maria, all living at the present time. He married Catha- rine Bailey, who was born in Canfield township, May 13, 1821. Their children, Levi, Lewis W., Sarah A., and Mary Sophia, are living, with the exception of Mary. After the death of his first wife he married Clarinda Dustman, a native of Canfield, by whom he had one child, Henry F., who died at the age of six years. In 1852 James Raver moved into Canfield township, where he has since been engaged in farming.
L. W. Raver was born in Lordstown township, Trumbull county, May 11, 1849. He is the second child of James Raver. When seventeen years of age he was apprenticed to learn the plasterer's trade, serving two years, and during the winters he also learned harness-making. He worked at the former of these seven summers and at the latter six winters. He then with Abraham Forney engaged in mercantile busir.ess for three years, when he sold out and soon after- ward went into the drug business with Dr. C. B. White. This partnership lasted but one year. He then for a few months went into the furni- ture business. He is now keeping a general store with J. H. Fitch and Joseph Smith. March 16, 1873, he married Melvina Wilson,
144
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
daughter of William Wilson, born December 5, 1848. They have three children, James O., Allen Thurman, and Harry Rush.
Robert Russell, Austintown township, Mahon- ing county, was born in Loudoun county, Vir- ginia, August 23, 1784. When he was two years of age his father, Robert Russell, Sr., moved in- to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and in 1802 into Lake county, Ohio. In 1806 or 1807 he came into Austintown township, Mahoning county. At this early date there had not been a road laid out in the entire township. He was a farmer by occupation, and lived to see the wilderness converted into fine farms possessing the comforts and refinements of civilized life. He married, May 17, 1809, Rachel Hampson, who was a daughter of Robert and Jane Hamp- son, and was born in New Jersey, October 24, 1786. They reared nine children, all living to celebrate their parents' golden wedding, and even their sixtieth anniversary. Mr. Russell lived an exemplary life, and was a member for fifty years of the Disciple church at Four-mile run. He was ever a friend to the poor and needy. His useful life closed January 31, 1879, and his wife died February 20, 1872.
Hampson Russell, farmer, Austintown town- ship, Mahoning county, son of Robert Russell, the pioneer, was born August 24, 1822. His education was received in the pioneer schools of his native township. He early began the work of farming upon the home farm, and at the age of twenty-five moved upon the farm where he now resides, two miles southwest of the center of the township. In May, 1849, he married Elizabeth Reed, daughter of Thomas Reed, of Austintown township. She was born December 1, 1826. This couple have hut three children : Charles Warren, born May 24, 1852; Amos Cal- vin, May 14, 1856; Thomas Robert, June 20, 1860. Mr. Russell is a member of the Disciple church and his wife is a Covenanter. He is a Republican in politics.
Abraham Strock, farmer, Austintown town- ship, Mahoning county, was born in Perry coun- ty, Pennsylvania, April 7, 1813. He is a son of John Henry Strock and a twin brother of Zach- ariah R. Strock. His father was born in Nor thumberland county, Pennsylvania, October 14, 1781. He married Catharine Rice, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom he had eleven children :
Benjamin, Elizabeth, Mary, Isaac, Abraham, Zachariah, Catharine, Anna, Susan, Joseph, and Julia. Of these the sons are all living and the daughters all dead. John H. Strock was a Presbyterian and a Democrat. He died in the forty-ninth year of his age, December 14, 1830. The father of John H. Strock was Joseph Strock, a native of France, who came to this country an orphan boy nine years old. After coming here he was bound out to pay for his passage. He was married in Pennsylvania and had seven sons and four daughters. He came to Mahon- ing county and settled in the southern part of Austintown township. Abraham Strock has re- sided here since his father came in 1815. He began learning carpentry and joining when four- teen years old and worked at those trades forty- seven years. He has erected so many churches that the title " the old church-builder " is often applied to him. September 7, 1834, he married Sophia Wetzell, who was born in Pennsylvania, December 18, 1807. They had seven children : Sarah, William H., Eliza, Caroline, Benjamin, Lucy, and George. Mrs. Strock died August 11, 1869. Mr. Strock was one of the first Abo- litionists in this county and is now an earnest Republican. Since retiring from active business he has studied a variety of subjects, upon each of which he is well informed.
Joseph Smith, a native of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, was born May 27, 1853. When he was about two years old his father, Henry Smith, moved into Jackson township. After re- maining here a few years he moved to Smith's corners, Austintown township. Joseph received his education at this place, attending school winters and working on the farm summers. When eighteen years old he began clerking for J. H. Fitch & Co. He remained here for one year and then worked for J. H. Fitch until April 1, 1880, when he bought an interest in the stock of goods and the firm of Fitch, Smith & Co. was formed. He married Elizabeth Wetzel, daugh- ter of Jacob Wetzel, an old-time hotel proprietor of Austintown.
Daniel Thornton, who was a native of Long Island, came to Youngstown township, Trum- bull county, now Mahoning, in the year 1817. After remaining here five or six years he went back to his old home, but not being satisfied there returned to this county. He served in the
145
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
War of 1812 before he was eighteen, first three months as substitute and afterward a time for himself. At the close of the war he began learn- ing the ship-carpenter's trade, serving an appren- ticeship of three years. He followed this trade in the Island until his removal to Ohio. Just before leaving Long Island he married Hannah Rogers, a native of that island. She became the mother of three children-Jesse A., merchant of Germantown, Pennsylvania; Mary, who died in infancy; and Hiram, of Austintown. He was a Democrat through early life but eventually be- came a Republican.
Hiram Thornton, third child of Daniel Thorn- ton, was born in Youngstown township, Trum- bull county, now Mahoning, January 18, 1823. His school advantages were very limited as there was no school in his district until he was of age. But by reading and observation he has become well informed. He is a natural mechanic, un- derstanding several different trades. His early life was spent upon the farm. At the age of seventeen he began making whiskey, at which occupation he continued for five years, at the end of which time he began carriage- and wagon- making, which he carried on for about eleven years. Since then he has been engaged in va- rious pursuits, among others that of operating in coal. He is now superintending mines for H. Baldwin, of Youngstown. He marned, August 5, 1849, Matilda Smith, daughter of William Smith, of Austintown. She was born in Eng- land, August 31, 1830. To them have been born fifteen children-Daniel, Mary, Stephen, Joseph, Henry, Elizabeth, Sarah, William, Wal- ter, Lovina, Ida, George, Myron, Ella, Edward, of whom Daniel, Ida, and George are dead. He is a Republican and a worthy and respected citizen.
William Tibbit (deceased) was born in Mary- land, June 25, 1805. When he was still an in- fant his father, Jerry Tibbit, moved to Youngs- town, Here he lived until he was eighteen, when his father, who was a saddler and harness-maker in Youngstown, moved to Austintown, where he resided until his death engaged in farming. Wil- liam Tibbit received his education in the Youngstown schools. He remained with his father until he was twenty-four, assisting in the shop and on the farm. He then bought the business and carried it on for about seven years,
meanwhile purchasing the farm on which his widow and family now reside. He moved upon this farm in 1836, and engaged afterwards at farming. November 28, 1833, he married Thank- ful Almyra, daughter of Judge Camden Cleave- land, a native of Connecticut. Judge Cleave- land emigrated to Liberty township, Trumbull county, about 1800, and when his daughter, Mrs. Tibbit, was about four years old moved to Youngstown, where he taught school for several years. He afterwards operated the Cleaveland mill on Mill creek. He married Elizabeth Adams, daughter of Asahel Adams, who was also a pioneer in this region. Judge Cleaveland had a family of two boys-Camden H. and Mason A. (who died young), and five girls: Eliza P., Thankful Almyra, Olive A., Charlotte M., and Harriet M. Judge Cleaveland was a brother of Moses Cleaveland, after whom the city of Cleveland was named. William Tibbit was a member of the Presbyterian church, and a mem- ber of the Republican party. He was an un- assuming man, a conscientious Christian, a kind father and husband, and a good citizen. He died October 14, 1856. He was the father of eight children, six of whom are living-Nancy E., Charlotte M., Asahel C., Laura E., John Ferris and Mary Ann.
Jacob Wolfcale, farmer, Austintown township, Mahoning county, was born in the same town- ship October 23, 1819. He is the third of the children of Abram Wolfcale, a native of Vir- ginia, who, with his brother John, and his father, John Wolfcale, Sr., came into this country at an early date, and bought tracts of land on part of which their children are now living. Abram Wolfcale was a cabinet-maker and carpenter by trade. He also carried on a farm, He was born January 14, 1785. He married Elizabeth Brooks, who was born in Maryland October 6, 1792. They had five children-Margaret, Jona- than, Jacob, Polly, and Elizabeth. Of these Polly died in infancy, and Jonathan when about forty years of age. Margaret married Roswell Matthews, and lives upon the old homestead. Jacob Wolfcale is a blacksmith by trade, but is engaged in farming. He was married July 17, 1843, to Lavina Oatstein, a native of Mahoning county. They have seven children living, three deceased. The names of those living are : Owen, Abram, William, Milo, Elizabeth, Filena,
19
146
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
and Mary. Mr. Wolfcale is a Democrat. He has surrendered the care of his farm to his sons and is now enjoying the quiet which a life of ac- tivity has earned him.
Ira Wilcox, farmer, Austintown township, Ma- honing county, is a native of that county, born March 9, 1816. His father, Isaac Wilcox, was a native of Maryland, and was in the War of 1812. Isaac Wilcox was married to Catharine Kussurd, and shortly afterward came to Canfield township, now Mahoning county. About twenty. five years later he removed to Virginia. He was a class leader in the Methodist church, and for a long time a justice of the peace in Canfield. He had four children: Ira, Reuben, Eli, and Han- nah. Eli died when but fourteen years old. Hannah married Jacob Umstardt, and died many years ago. Reuben is living at Rootstown, Ohio. Ira Wilcox, when about twelve years of age, was apprenticed to the shoemaker's trade, at which he served until he was eighteen, in the meantime working upon the farm of his employ- er. He followed his trade some eighteen years. After his marriage he resided in Jackson town- ship for a short time, then returned to his former home. In 1839 he bought a small part of his present farm, which was then in the woods. He has since added to his first purchase until he now has a fine farm. April 11, 1835, he married Rebecca Gilman, who was born in (now) Mahon- ing county, November 16, 1816, and is a daugh- ter of Jacob Gilman. Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox have nine children, as follows: Christina, Dan- iel, Isaac, Sarah, Ira, Jr., Mary, Cecilia, Anson B., and Ella. Their church relationship is with the United Brethren in Christ.
Jacob Wise, deceased, was born in Lehigh county, Pennsylvania, January 21, 1786. He came to Trumbull county in 1810, and bought one hundred acres of land at $3 per acre. Several years later he purchased what is now knownas the Peters farm, one hundred and thirty- three acres, and afterwards he bought one hun- dred and twelve acres on the tract where the Tod mine was opened. Coal was mined there over fifty years ago. In 1810 Jacob Wise mar- ried Susanna Weitzel, who lived only about one year after giving birth to a child named Jacob, born June 24, 1813. In 1815 Mr. Wise mar- ried Priscilla Pyle, who was born in Little York, Pennsylvania, in 1797. They had thirteen chil-
dren-John, Mary, Eliza, Sarah, Hannah, Pris- cilla, Lydia, Solomon, Jonathan, Rebecca, Ada- line, Rachel, and Elias, who died when quite young. Priscilla, Rebecca, Mary, and Solomon are also deceased. Jacob Wise was a soldier in the War of 1812. Both he and his wife were members of the Presbyterian church. He died October 24, 1854, and Mrs. Wise September 7, 1862.
John Wise, farmer, Austintown township, Ma- honing county, was born in Trumbull county, August 13, 1816. He is the second son of Jacob Wise. He was married October 1, 1844, to Mary Carn, who was born in Canfield, Febru- ary 18, 1820. Her father, a tailor by trade, came from Pennsylvania. The union gave them two children, Zenas, an attorney at Pine Bluff, Kansas, and Thomas Jefferson, a coal operator at Canfield. Mrs. Wise died May 24, 1854. Mr. Wise was married a second time February 1, 1855, to Rachel A. Morris, born in Monmouth- shire, England, February 26, 1828. They have two children, Lucy, born February 7, 1856, the wife of E. Grover Marshall, Weathersfield town- ship, Trumbull county,and David, born May 30, 1865, now residing at home. Mrs. Wise is the seventh of fourteen children of William Morris, who emigrated to America in 1839, and settled in Schuylkill county, Pennsylvania, where he was a coal operator some years ; he then moved to Weathersfield township, Trumbull county, and was there a superintendent of mines.
CHAPTER VII. JACKSON.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION.
This township, named in honor of Andrew Jackson, is township two of range four of the Western Reserve, and is bounded on the north by Lordstown, Trumbull county; on the east by Austintown; on the south by Berlin; and on the west by Milton. The Meander creek drains the eastern part of the township, pursuing its zigzag course northward partly in this township but mostly in Austintown. A number of small streams enter the creek from the westward, ren-
147
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
dering the surface broken and uneven. There are no long or very steep hills, but quite a num- ber of undulations such as may be found in prairie countries. The western half of the town- ship may be briefly described as level. Many broad fields, acres in extent, are apparently as flat and even as the surface of a calm lake. Likewise in the southern part of the township, the fields which have been formed from the an- cient swamp-land are almost uniformly smooth.
There is a large average of woodland inter- spersed with acres of cultivated fields, this com- bination producing an effect very pleasing to lovers of natural beauty. When the green man- tle of spring is spread over all, or when the magic painter, Autumn, with divinely skilled hand has touched the forest trees, transformed their foliage with countless tints of crimson, gold, and scarlet, these groves assume a beauty which is indescribable.
The soil is generally deep and rich, and is well adapted to wheat and corn. But little of the land is stony and all is easily cultivated. The farm-houses are good and comfortable, though by no means large or imposing in ap- pearance.
There is but one village in the township,- North Jackson, which is not north geograph- ically but situated at the very center. The post- office has been called by this name to distin- guish it from the many other Jacksons in this country.
Farming is the principal business. There has never been a railroad through the township, but one is now in process of construction and other lines have been surveyed. The Alliance, Niles & Ashtabula road will pass diagonally through the western and northern portion of the town- ship, and with its completion there may be an inception of other industries.
TIMBER.
The western and mnuch of the northern part of the township were originally covered with a dense growth of hard wood, principally oak and hickory. On the Meander there were many sugar-maples. In the southern part of the town- ship there were several kinds of soft wood found in some tracts including considerable poplar. Beech and ash grow in various parts of the township.
COAL.
A fair quantity of surface coal has been mined in several places, but the deposits are not ex- tensive. As yet no banks containing paying quantities have been opened.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.