History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 4

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 4
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 4

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THE GERMAN REFORMED LUTHERAN CHURCH.

This church was organized a few years prior to 1810. The first meetings were held at the houses of Peter Lynn, George Lynn, and other members. Among the first members were John Neff, Conrad Neff, Peter and George Lynn, John Lynn, Jacob Ritter, Philip Borts, John Harding, Herry Ohl, Jacob Frank, Simeon Gilbert, Ben- jamin Butt, Philip Stitel, Charles Gilbert, Philip Arner, Martin Dustman, Henry Neff, David Ohl, Henry Brunstetter, Henry Crum, and others, for the most part with their wives and families. The first pastor of the Lutheran congregation was Rev. Henry Stough. His successors have been Revs. Henry Hewett, Becker, Fixeisen, Long, Smith, Allbright, and Miller. Of the German Reformed the pastors have been Revs. Peter Mahensmith, Charles Zwisler, Henry Son- nedecker, J. B. Ruhl, G. M. Allbright, and J. B. Zumpe.

The first church building erected in Canfield was the German Reformed and Lutheran, built in October, 1810, of hewn logs, 40x50 feet in dimensions. It was situated one mile north of the village. The house remained in an unfin- ished condition three or four years. It was then completed and continued to be occupied by the

two congregations until April, 1845, when it was destroyed by fire. A new and more substantial house was built during the summer and autumn on the side of the road opposite the site of the old one. In 1857 the congregation placed a pipe organ in this church at a cost of $800, which is believed to be the first organ of its size ever placed in a country church in this county.

Father Mahnensmith and Father Hewitt min- istered in the church for many years. Father Becker also served a long term. In the early years of the settlement the Canfield church was the religious home of the church-going Germans for miles around.

For fifty years or more the services were con- ducted exclusively in the German language. The needs of the rising generation have caused change, and of late years the services are half the time in English.

The membership originally was probably about fifty. Hundreds have been members, many of whom are now dead, and many more in other parts of the country. The present number of members is one hundred and ninety.

Mrs. Barbara Kline, a member of the society, bequeathed an endowment fund of $500 to this church, the interest of which can be used annu- ally in making repairs about the cemetery or church building. Another member, Philip Lynn, bequeathed $680 to be used in repairs or in building a new church.

Thus the congregations can make all ordinary and necessary repairs for years without resorting to a tax upon the members.

ST. STEPHEN'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

Previous to 1834 Canfield, Poland, and Boardman Episcopalians formed but one church. In that year a subscription paper was headed by Curtis Beardsley with $100 and circulated by him for the purpose of obtaining funds with which to build a church at Canfield village. Alson Kent, Stanley C. Lockwood, and Curtis Beardsley were chosen as building committee. Work was commenced in 1835, and the house completed in 1836, at a cost of $1,450. The land on which it stood was donated by Hon. Judson Canfield. September 27, 1836, the church was consecrated by Bishop Charles P. McIlvaine, of the diocese of Ohio, by the name of St. Stephen's church, Canfield, Ohio. The Icading members of this church at the time of its

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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

organization were: Curtis Beardsley and family, Stanley C. Lockwood and family, Joseph Bassett and family, Azor Ruggles and family, Mrs. Mary Tanner, Mrs. Kezele Wadsworth, Miss Olive Landon, Abiram Squier and wife, Lyman War- ner and wife, Miriam Squier and her mother, Mrs. Galetzah Hunt, Joseph R. Bostwick, Mrs. Mary Mitchell, and others.

The ministers were the same who officiated at Boardman. The church continued in a pros- perous condition for several years. A large number of members were lost by death and re- movals, and the church building being considered unsafe, on account of defects in its architecture, in 1866 it was sold at auction and torn down. Since that time the church has had no regular preaching, though several ministers have of- ficiated here occasionally.

A Sunday-school was organized in 1829 by Curtis Beardsley, superintendent, who continued to act in that capacity thirty years.

METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.

From a historical sketch of this church in Canfield, prepared by Dr. Jackson Truesdale in 1869, the following extracts are made:

No early records of the society are known to exist. Canfield, as well as the whole Northwest Territory, was embraced in the boundaries of the Baltimore conference up to the formation of the Ohio conference in 1812, when it formed a part of that and so continued until 1825, when it fell within the limits of the Pittsburg conference. It is now one of the appointments of the Erie con- ference. It is not known who first preached a Methodist sermon in Canfield, but the honor doubtless belongs either to Rev. Henry Shewell or to Dr. Shadrach Bostwick. The former set- tled in Deerfield in 1802 and the latter in 1803, and made and filled many appointments through- out the new settlements. Whether Methodist preaching was regularly sustained in Canfield from 1803 to 1820 cannot be learned; but it is probable that ministers sent to labor on the Western circuits preached more or less statedly here. As nearly as can be ascertained, the names of these early preachers were as follow: Revs. Shadrach Bostwick, David Best, J. A. Shackleford, R. R. Roberts (afterwards bishop), James Watts, C. Reynolds, A. Daniels, T. Divers, Job Guest, William Butler, J. Charles, I. M. Hanson, J. Decellum, James Ewen, 4*

Thomas J. Crockwell, J. Somerville, James Mc- Mahan, John Solomon, Oliver Carver, Lemuel Lane, John Waterman, Shadrach Ruark, Curtis Goddard, John P. Kent, D. D. Davidson, Ezra Booth, Calvin Ruter, and John Stewart.

In 1820 James McMahan and Ezra Booth were sent by the Ohio conference to the "Ma- honing circuit." This year the first society was organized in Canfield, consisting of Rev. S. Bostwick, wife and sister, Comfort Starr and wife, Ansel Beeman and wife, and Ezra Hunt. In 1821 the well-known Rev. Charles Elliott and Dennis Goddard traveled the circuit. In 1822 it went for the first time by the name of Youngs- town circuit, and was traveled by William Tip- ton and Albert Richardson; in 1823 by Samuel Adams and Sylvester Dunham ; in 1824 by John Somerville and Alfred Brunson; in 1825 by Ed- ward H. Taylor and W. R. Babcock; in 1826 by Robert C. Hatton and Robert Hopkins.

Up to this time preaching and society meet- ings were held in a little frame school-house which stood a little east of the center. In 1826, with some outside help, the society erected a commodious house of worship at an expense of about $1,200. It was located near the site of the present building on the land of Dr. Bost- wick. The building was of brick with galleries on three sides, and was known as the "Bethel chapel." The principal contributors towards the erection of the house were Dr. Bostwick, who gave something over $350; Edward Wadsworth, $180; Elihu Warner, Philo Chidester, John Moore, Ezra Hunt, Josiah Wetmore, Erastus Chidester, Mabel Scoville, Elisha Whittlesey, Eben Newton, George Wadsworth, J. R. Church, and several others who contributed sums of $75 and under.

The ministers who served the society from 1826 to 1836 were R. C. Hatton, Samuel Adams, Billings O. Plympton, Edmund W. Seehon, Richard Armstrong, A. Brunson, T. Carr, Cornelius Jones, John Luccock, Philip Green, Caleb Brown, David Preston, John L. Holmes, John W. Hill, B. Preston, Thomas Stubbs, and H. Elliott.

In 1836 the Erie conference was formed, and Canfield included within its limits.

In 1837 Dr. Shadrach Bostwick died at his residence in Canfield, having lived here thirty years. He is mentioned in the History of the

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

Methodist Church as a good man and a useful preacher.

From 1836 until the present time Canfield has at different periods been a part of Youngstown, Poland, and Ellsworth circuits, and at times has given name to the circuit in which it was em- braced.

In 1860-61, the old Bethel chapel having be- come somewhat dilapidated from age, the so- ciety, after some misgivings as to their ability, concluded to tear down the structure, and partly with the same material erect a new one. The first cost, exclusive of labor performed by mem- bers gratis, was from $1,600 to $1,700. The building committee were Hosea Hoover, Horace Hunt, and Jackson Truesdale. The principal contributors were Hosea Hoover, Jackson Truesdale, Samuel, William, and Abram Cassi- day, Chester Hine, Hon. Eben Newton, Horace Hunt, Abram Kline, Fanny Church, and others. The new church was dedicated with appro- priate ceremonies in June, 1861, by Rev. Sam- uel Gregg, the presiding elder of Ravenna dis- trict. A good cabinet organ was purchased in the winter of 1865-66. Mrs. Rhoda Hine was mainly instrumental in procuring the means with which to purchase it. In the summer of 1869 a dwelling house was purchased for a parsonage at a cost of $1,500. The society is now in a prosperous condition. There are about one huundred members.

THE DISCIPLES.

As the Disciples of Canfield were originally an off-shoot from the Baptists, it is necessary, in writing their history, to take a glance at their predecessors. January 12, 1822, a Baptist church was formed at the house of David Hays. Thomas Miller was the officiating clergyman, and Deacon Samuel Hayden, William Hayden, and John Lane, of Youngstown, and Elijah Can- field, of Palmyra, were present as council. The church was moderately Calvinistic, but progres- sive in spirit. For some years meetings were held in a small log building near the spot where the Disciples afterwards built a church. The principal members were David Hays and family, William Dean and family, Myron Sackett, H. Edsall, James Turner, and Mr. Wood. William Hayden became a preacher and ministered to this church. In the winter of 1827 -- 28 Walter Scott came into the community and in a memor-

able sermon, preached at the house of Simeon Sackett, set forth the plea of the ancient Gospel and gained many converts to his then new and novel doctrines. The most of the Baptists be- came converted, and during this winter were or- ganized into a Disciples church. A comfortable frame building was soon erected in the north- western part of the township, and the new church increased in members and influence. In 1830 a large addition was received by the ad- mission of several who had hitherto styled them- selves Bible Christians.

As many of the Disciples resided near the village this church gave permission to them to form a separate organization. Therefore, in 1847, about twenty associated together in that relation, and soon built, at the center, the neat and comfortable little church which is still their place of worship. J. W. Lamphear organized this church. J. M. Caldwell and Andrew Flick were chosen elders, and Walter Clark and John Flick deacons. Among those who have labored here we find the names of Elders Pow, Apple- gate, Belton, Phillips, Errett, Hillock, White, Green, Van Horn, Rogers, Morrison, and Baker.

In 1867, the most of the original members of the church in the northwest of the township hav- ing gone to their reward, after struggling in feebleness for a while the remaining members united with the church at the center. This union took place October 6, 1867.

The church is now prosperous and is receiving many additions. It has some very earnest mem bers whose efforts have been of great service in securing harmony and promoting the welfare of the organization.

SCHOOLS.

The first school taught in the township was in the winter of 1800 and 1801, Caleb Palmer, teacher. The term was three months. The school-house stood about a mile and a quarter east of the center.

Miss Getia Bostwick was an early school- teacher and taught in an unfinished room in the house of Judson Canfield. Benjamin Carter was also one of the early teachers.

Miss Olive Landon, for many years a faithful laborer in the schools of Canfield township, taught in early years in a small log building about two miles south of the center. She was

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

a very efficient teacher, well versed in the art of governing and educating.

In 1806 Elisha Whittlesey taught school in the house where Caleb Palmer taught the first school in the township.

For many years schools were few and the ad- vantages of the rising generation for obtaining education were consequently small.

The Mahoning academy while in existence did much to advance the condition of the com- mon schools by providing them with competent teachers,

The village schools were often conducted in a slip-shod manner, and not until 1867 was grad- ing carried out in any systematic manner. Up to that year the village school had been for a long period in two divisions, and, of course, good work could not be done, no matter how faithful the teachers were, while there was so large a number of classes that but a few minutes could be given to each recitation.

A meeting was held July 27, 1867, to consider whether the district would adopt the union school law or not. The question was decided in the affirmative by a unanimous vote. A board of education was elected, as follows: J. W. Canfield and J. Sonnedecker for three years; W. G. Marsh and I. A. Justice for two years; G. R. Crane and P. Edwards for one year. At the next meeting W. G. Marsh was chosen pres- ident of this board, J. W. Canfield treasurer, and I. A. Justice secretary.

September 9, 1867, S. B. Reiger was chosen principal of the high school, Miss Sarah E. Ed- wards assistant, Miss Amanda Wilson to take charge of the second grade, and Miss Paulina Test teacher of the primary department. It was voted that tuition be charged pupils attending the school when they resided outside of the dis- trict. The academy building was occupied for school purposes until a new house could be erected.

In 1870, plans for a new school building hav- ing been completed, work was begun upon it. In the spring of 1871 it was ready for occupancy. The building is of brick, two stories, large and well-furnished, and forms an ornament to the town. The structure, grounds, and furnishings cost about $30,000, including interest upon bonds.

The principals of the school have been as fol-

low : S. R. Reigel, 1867-68; W. R. Smiley and Ashael Cary, 1869; Milton Fording, 1870-75; Charles J. Fillius, 1875-78; E. C. Hitchcock, 1878; B. E. Helman, 1879-80. In the fall of 1881 H. S. Foote took charge and is making the school interesting and profitable. His assistant, Miss Ellen Scobie, who has labored in this school several years, has won golden opinions for her work. Messrs. Fillius and Helman did much to raise the standard of the school and improve the course of instruction.

When the new normal school begins its work, it would seem that Canfield's educational advan- tages will be great.

MAHONING ACADEMY.

This was a flourishing institution, which per- ished in the time of the war. An organization was effected in 1855, the academy building erect- ed in 1856, and the school incorporated in 1857. David Hine, A. M., a graduate of Williams col- lege in Massachusetts, was the leader in estab- lishing the school; he became its principal, and continued in that position until the institution was abandoned. Mr. Hine was a native of this township, and a man of fine literary attainments. He proved a popular and faithful instructor, and some men who are high in professional ranks re- member with gratitude their early teacher. As- sociated with him for a time was Mr. P. T. Cald- well, a young man of ability and scholarship.

From a catalogue issued in October, 1860, it is learned that the number of pupils in attend- ance during the year was two hundred and forty. Connected with the school was a literary society known as the "Adelphic Union."

The old academy building is now owned by Judge Newton, and occupied by Richard Brown as a dwelling.

NORTHEASTERN OHIO NORMAL SCHOOL.

A corporation was formed in 1881 after much discussion of the subject by a number of the friends of education, and it is expected that the school will be put in operation during the year 1882. A board of nine trustees has been elected, viz: Hon. G. Van Hyning, Hon. J. R. John- ston, Rev. William Dickson, Dr. A. W. Calvin, H. A. Manchester, Esq., David Clugston, George F. Lynn, Hiram N. Lynn, and Russel F. Starr.

Hon. Eben Newton, to whom the court-house and the land it occupies reverted when it ceased

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

to be used by the county, has generously donated the property to the trustees. It is the intention to have the building thoroughly repaired and fitted up in a manner suitable for the wants of such a school. Canfield is an excellent location for an institution of learning, and no doubt this institution will be grandly successful.

NEWSPAPERS .*

The first printing office in Canfield was estab- lished May 9, 1846, by James and Clate Her- rington, of Warren. They were practical printers, and when the county seat of Mahoning was lo- cated here, the Mahoning Index, a Democratic newspaper, was started. In January, 1849, the Index office was sold to John R. Church, a lead- ing man in the Democratic party. Under Church's administration, the paper was edited by several prominent persons, among whom were: J. M. Edwards, H. H. McChestney, and A. T. Walling, the latter now being a congressman from the Pickaway district. The Index office was run by John R. Church until September, 1851, when it was burned and nothing at all saved from the ruins.

In the winter of 1852 the Mahoning Sentinel was established by an association, Ira Norris edi- tor. The Sentinel was also Democratic in poli- tics. Mr. Norris continued as editor until 1854, when a change in the ownership of the paper took place. H. M. Fowler had printed the Sen- tinel for the association up to the time of this change. John Woodruff purchased both the office and the materials, but in 1855 John M. Webh became sole editor and proprietor of the paper and continued the publication until 1858, when W. B. Dawson purchased it. Mr. Dawson continued to publish the Sentinel until the spring of 1860. John M. Webb then re-purchased it and moved the office to Youngstown.

In the spring of 1860 Hon. Elisha Whittle- sey induced John Weeks, of Medina, to come here and start the Herald. The Herald was a small sheet, subscription price $1 per year, and Republican in politics. Its publication was con- tinued with a number of changes until 1865. At one time it was owned by John Weeks, then by Thomas Menary, Menary & Musser, John S. Roller, and others. In 1865 Weeks re-purchased the paper and look as a partner Ed. E. Fitch.

Mr. Fitch finally purchased Mr. Weeks' share and changed the name of the paper to the Can- field Herald. He enlarged it in 1870, and in 1872 sold out to McDonald & Son. They changed the name to the Mahoning County News, and after running the paper eighteen months disposed of it to W. R. Brownlee, who made the News Democratic. In the spring of 1875 Brownlee sold the establishment to Rev. W. S. Peterson, who soon afterward removed to Warren.

Canfield was then without a newspaper from Au- gust 3, 1876, till May 1, 1877. At the latter date H. M. Fowler started the Mahoning Dispatch, an independent family journal, devoted to the interests of the working classes. The Dispatch is a five column eight-page paper. It soon attained to eight hundred regular subscribers. In May, 1880, C. C. Fowler became its local editor, and from that time until January, 1882, the circulation was increased to twelve hundred and thirteen subscribers, the largest number of bona fide subscribers ever on the books of any newspaper in Canfield.

THE ONION SOCIETY.

What a name for an organization of any sort! Yet the objects of the society were as original as its title, as will be seen from the following, which is copied directly from the secretary's book :

CONSTITUTION OF THE ONION SOCIETY IN CANFIELD.

Article 1.

SECTION I. The oldest person who is, or shall hereafter be, a member of this society, shall be president; and in case of his absence the next oldest shall be president pro tem.

SEC. 2. There shall annually be elected a clerk by the members of the society at their first meeting after the cook- ing of the new crop, which election shall be by ballot.

SEC. 3. There may be an officer appointed by the presi- dent when he shall deem the interests of the society require it, known and to be called the cup-bearer, whose duty is sufficiently made known by the title of the office.

Article II.

SEC. I. The president shall preside at the meetings of the society, preserve order, and see that all the members are duly refreshed.

SEC. 2. The clerk shall record in a book to be kept for that purpose all the votes and proceedings of the society, and such miscellaneous matters as the society or the presi- dent may direct. He shall take and keep an accurate roll of the members of the society, which, together with the records shall be produced at each meeting.

Article III.

SEC. I. Fully persuaded that all well-regulated societies must depend upon a voluntary association of its members, we adopt it as a fundamental principle that no person shall be compelled to become a member of this society.

*Prepared by H. M. Fowler, editor of the Dispatch.

C" AV. Calvins

TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.

SEC. 2. Any member of this society may be at any time suspended or expelled for unbecoming conduct, as a plurality of the members shall deem proper.

Article IV.

SEC. I. As the object of this association is to feast on the delicious vegetable the name of which stands prominent in the entitling of the society, onions, with their grand help- mate, pork, shall form the principal bill of fare, except that in case of emergency fresh beef or other meat may be sub- stituted for the pork.

SEC. 2. The time of inviting the members shall be op- tional with the member giving the entertainment, unless for good cause. The president or the society may appoint a meeting, in which case he or they may warn a meeting when- ever they please.

SEC. 3. Notice shall be given at least fifteen minutes to each member to repair to the table.

SEC. 4. The members are to be prepared when the lady furnishing the entertainment announces the supper to be ready.

Article V.

SEC. I. Knowing that on the cultivation of the onion the prosperity of the society much depends, and feeling de- „sirous to give all reasonable encouragement to industry and a suitable tribute to merit, it is ordained that the member who shall first entertain the society on onions of his own raising shall be entitled to a seat for that evening at the right hand of the president.

SEC. 2. Honorable mention shall be made at our meet- ings of the member who shall raise the largest onion; and on any member requesting a view of his garden, it shall be the duty of the president to attend; or he may appoint a com- mittee, or he may summon the society en masse.

We recognize the Onion society in Danbury, Connecticut, as our parent institution.

July 23, 1818. At a meeting of the Onion society of Can- field, at the house of Cooke Fitch, the foregoing constitution was adopted by a unanimous vote of the members present.

The following is a roll of the members of the society with their ages in 1818: Eleazer Gilson, 65; Judson Canfield, 57; Comfort S. Mygatt, 55; Shadrach Bostwick, 49; Herman Canfield, 45; Cyrenus Ruggles, 42; Roger Searl, 42; Cooke Fitch, 42; Joseph Coit, 35; Elisha Whittlesey, 35; John H. Patch, 33; Frederick Wadsworth, 33; William Stoddard, 31; Eli T. Boughton, 31; Eli Booth, 27, Edward Wadsworth, 26.

It would appear that the society had been in existence some time previous to the adoption of the above constitution, as in the roll of members the following note is found: "Elijah Wadsworth, former president of this society, deceased De- cember 30, 1817, aged sixty-nine years in No- vember preceding."

The Onion society grew rapidly, and its repu- tation became wide-spread. All the leading men of the town came to have a share in its pleasantries and social festivals. Sober judges, busy merchants, merry doctors of law, medicine,

and divinity, captains, majors, colonels, generals, as well as untitled farmers, met frequently to feast upon the savory esculent, and enjoy an hour of genuine hearty fun. Meetings were held at the houses of various members more or less fre- quently, and the utmost good-will and hilarity marked the proceedings. Distinguished visitors from neighboring settlements were often in at- tendance. Upon the records may be found the names of Joshua R. Giddings, Judge Tod, Colonel Rayen and other prominent men.

The proceedings were characterized by the ut. most outward decorum, if we may judge from the records, but with a deep vein of humor un- derlying all. Committees were frequently ap- pointed to decide who carried off the honors of the table-i. e., ate the biggest supper, and their reports soberly (?) recorded. A seat at the right hand of the president was the reward for a brilliant gastronomic feat.

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History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II, Part 4

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