USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 58
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 58
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
In 1854 the trustees transferred the control of the institution to the Erie annual conference of the Methodist Episcopal church, on the condi- tion that they should maintain a first-class school, in which all sects and denominations should have equal rights and privileges. At this time the name of the institution was changed to Western Reserve seminary and a faculty em- ployed that would compare favorably with any in the country. In 1868 two commodious board- ing halls were erected and furnished, which have been a great benefit to the school in enabling students, by means of club boarding, to reduce their expenses to the lowest possible cost. The control is vested in a board of trustees. The laboratory is supplied with large and well se- lected apparatus for the elucidation of the natural sciences, and the library is well filled with the
works of standard authors in the various depart- ments of literature. The courses of study are comprehensive, and the charter gives the institu- tion power to confer the highest academic hon- ors on those who complete the course success- fully.
The faculty consists of Rev. E. B. Webster, M. A., president ; assisted by Ernest Moench, M. A., Mrs. E. B. Webster, Professor A. Tru- man, B. A. Norville, C. W. Harshman, H. L. Steves, and H. B. Steele. There are three structures in the campus. The seminary is a substantial brick, has served for many years, and although old and too small for their increasing demand, yet it is in good repair and presents a very respectable appearance. Its many friends are talking earnestly of erecting a larger one in the near future.
Cory hall, erected by Rev. and Mrs. J. B. Cory for the accommodation of lady students, is 84 x 30 feet, three stories high, and presents a fine ap- pearance. The principal and family reside in it and have general supervision. A large dining- room and kitchen are provided where students are boarded at cost.
Young Men's hall is a building 70 x 34 feet, two stories high. It will accommodate fifty young men. One professor lives in it.
Two well organized and successful societies, the Philomathean and Lumæan, afford excellent opportunities for literary exercises. The presi- dent, Rev. E. B. Webster, yet a young man, is a graduate of Mt. Union college, Ohio. He took charge of the institution in the year 1877 under the most adverse circumstances, the school having been run down to the insignificant num- ber of only fifteen students. He summoned his energies, threw himself into the work, and suc- ceeded in opening his first terin of school with that number just doubled. By close attention to the duties then devolving upon him he suc- ceeded in regaining the confidence of the former adherents of the institution and opened the first term of his second year in the work with one hundred and thirty students. Since that time the seminary has been increasing its numbers until now the daily average attendance is about three hundred. He is devoted to his work and is assisted by his wife and a well chosen corps of professors.
42
330
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
JOEL AND ELIZA PECK.
Joel Peck was the son of Jesse Peck and was born in Pompey, Canandaigua county, New York, December 22, 1801. His father, Jesse Peck, was a lad during the Revolution and at the age of sixteen joined the patriot army, in a company commanded by his father. He re- moved to Farmington, Trumbull county, in the year 1821, and settled on the farm now owned by Mrs. Eliza Peck. The family consisted of four children-Charles, Benjamin, Polly, and Joel, the subject of this sketch.
Joel Peck married January 23, 1822, Eliza Hyde, daughter of Joseph and Eunice (Hall) Hyde. Her father, Joel Hyde, was born Jan- uary 24, 1773; was married in 1793 to Eunice Hall, in Huntington, Fairfield county, Connecti- cut, whence they removed to Montgomery coun- ty, New York. They had four daughters and one son (who died in youth), viz: Hannah, born in 1794; Sarah, 1796; Mary, 1798; and Eliza, born September 26, 1800. In the year 1818 Joel Hyde with his family in company with his brother Ira and Abijah Lee left their New York home and after a journey of six weeks ar- rived in Farmington. The three youngest daugh- ters taught school, Sarah in Southington, Mary in Bristol, and Eliza in Champion. Eliza also taught the first summer school in east Farmington. Hannah married in 1818 Levi Abrams, Sarah in 1822 Comfort Hurd, Mary in 1830 Azra Brown, a Methodist minister, and Eliza, as above noted, Joel Peck.
Joel and Eliza Peck had a family of three children-Delia, Allen F., and Fletcher W. Delia was born in 1825, was married to James C. Howard, then of Kentucky, in 1851, and re- sides in Butler county, Ohio. Allen F. was born in 1829, studied medicine and practiced in Far- mington ; was married to Cordia Fuller in 1865 ; was assistant surgeon during the war in a cavalry regiment and afterwards located in Cleveland, where he died in 1878. He was six feet seven inches tall and acquired a good reputation as a practitioner of medicine.
Fletcher W. Peck was born in 1831, was mar- ried to Coresta Smith, of Farmington, in 1856, and resides on a farm two miles north of the
center. The past, in this timbered country, was a generation of hardy, resolute men, strong both in muscle and courage. The work required to maintain life was an effectual barrier against the weak and timid. It thus occurs that simple truth requires us to say of almost every pioneer that he was industrious, iron-muscled, and a hard worker. Particularly was this true of Joel Peck. He was six feet two inches tall, compact and symmetrical and was never sick until shortly before his death, though for ten years or more his eyesight was seriously impaired by cataract. During his life-time Mr. Peck improved more than three hundred acres of land. Early in life he united with the Methodist church and became one of its most steadfast supporters and valuable assistants to the itinerant clergy. He was an earnest exhorter, and being a licensed local preacher, often conducted the service. When money was wanted he was the main standby. In politics Mr. Peck always voted and co-operated with the most radical anti-slavery sentiment. He was a Whig, Free-soiler, and Republican. He never sought or desired office, and was conse- quently free to support his convictions with his vote. He died September 25, 1869, in his sixty- eighth year.
Mrs. Peck is a woman greatly esteemed in Farmington, because of her sincerity, kindness of heart and sympathy of feeling. Her church association has always been with her husband. Simple, unquestioning, confident belief is the conforting angel of her declining years. She often spoke fervently and earnestly in religious gatherings. In the home she was always honest and truthful, and has left upon her children the impress of an excellent character. Since the death of her husband Mrs. Peck has managed the farm.
REV. WILLIAM KINCAID.
The grandparents of Rev. William Kincaid were John and Martha (Hill) Kincaid, of Scotch descent, who emigrated from Ireland to this country, and settled near Chambersburg, Penn- sylvania, in the last century. From their first lo- cation they emigrated to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and settled near Williamsport. About the year 1800 they came to Youngstown, and remained until the end of their days.
33I
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
John Kincaid was the father of three sons and four daughters, all of whom lived to marry and have families. Robert, the second child, was about twenty-one when the family came to Ohio. He married Margaret Erwin soon after. She was a native of Virginia, daughter of Christopher and Mary Erwin. She reared a large family, ten children in all, seven sons and three daugh- ters. Of this number, four sons and two daughters are still living. William, the fourth child of Robert and Margaret Kincaid, was born April 15, 1812, and passed his early life in Youngstown, his native place. He received a common school education ; was brought up a farmer, and has made tilling the soil his business. Mr. Kincaid was married in 1833 to Mary Er- win, daughter of Joseph and Margaret Erwin, of Youngstown. She was born in 1815; died June. 15, 1872. This union was blessed by nine chil- dren, seven of whom survive. The family rec- ord is as follows: Margaret, born October 29, 1834; Sherman, born September 20, 1835; Mary, born June 9, 1837; Robert, born March 4, 1839, died March 10, 1841; Ammiel, born February 27, 1841; Martha J., born December 26, 1843; John W., born March 5, 1845, died September 16, 1864, at Washington, District of Columbia, was in company D, Second Ohio cavalry; Caro- line M., born December 27, 1850; William A., January 12, 1855.
The children are all married, and with the exception of Martha, who lives in Ashtabula county, all reside in this county.
In 1831 Mr. Kincaid joined the Methodist Episcopal church, and has since been one of its most devoted adherents. His wife was also a member ; she lived a pure, useful life, character- ized by Christian benevolence and good works.
In 1845 Mr. Kincaid was licensed as an ex- horter in his church, and labored in that capacity nearly four years, when he was licensed as a local preacher, and continued almost constantly to keep regular appointments up to about four years ago. On account of poor health he was compelled to relinquish regular preaching, but he still officiates occasionally. During his work in the ministry he has filled appointments through- out this region-from the Pennsylvania State line westward into Portage and Geauga counties, and north into Ashtabula. His labors have been blessed by the Master. Mr. Kincaid can look
back over the long period of years in which he has been a preacher with the satisfaction of knowing that he has been the instrument of pro- moting the cause which he so dearly loves. He is held in high esteem by a large circle of ac- quaintances.
SETTLEMENT NOTES.
Joseph Chauncey Hart, Sr., was born in Avon, Connecticut, in 1804; married Hannah Goff, born in West Springfield, Massachusetts, Sep- tember 11, 1807. They came to Ohio with their family in 1840, and settled in Farmington where they resided until their death. They raised a family of thirteen children, as follows : Hiram S., a blacksmith, of Gustavus; Sarah L. (deceased); J. C., Jr., a farmer, of Southington; Frances (Mrs. Fries), Sarah J. (Taft), Ann Jean- ette (Mrs. Maltbie), all of Farmington; J. O., of the clothing firm of Hart Brothers, Warren; A. L., insurance agent, Warren; C. O., of the firm of Hart Brothers, and now county treasurer; V. M., now engaged in stock raising in the Indian Territory; Adelbert M., who was in the army dur- ing the Rebellion, taken prisoner, and confined in a rebel prison for sixteen months, died on his way home December 11, 1864, and was buried at sea; M. C., an attorney, of Cleveland; and Arlington M. (deceased). J. C. Hart, Sr., died in Farmington March 19, 1867, aged sixty-three years. Mrs. Rosannah Hart died at West Farm- ington January 4, 1880, in her seventy-third year. Mrs. Hart, or " Aunt Rosa," as she was familiar- ly called by her acquaintances, was a woman of more than ordinary endowments, both of mind and heart, the religious element being predomi- nant in her nature. She was energetic and per- severing and being blessed with a good physical organization she was well equipped for life's duties. The poor and needy were often made the recipients of her benefactions, and when she died her loss came as a personal bereavement to every one within the circle of her acquaintance.
Dr. Allen F. Peck was born in Farmington, Trumbull county, Ohio, February 5, 1828. He studied medicine and graduated at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York city, and also at the Western Reserve Medical college, Cleveland. He practiced his profession in Springfield, Illinois, and in Omaha, and also in Santa Fe, New Mex-
332
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
ico. While in the latter place he enlisted in the First New Mexico cavalry, Colonel Kit Carson's regiment, and served three years, being surgeon of the regiment. He was mustered out in the fall of 1864, on account of physical disability. October 19, 1865, he married Miss Cordie A., daughter of Ephraim and Mary Fuller, who was born in Farmington, February 6, 1845. Her father was a native of Massachusetts, born in 1798, and removed to Ohio in 1825, settling in Farmington. He was a major in the militia, and postmaster at Taftsburg, Farmington. He died in 1874. Dr. Peck continued to reside in Farm- ington after his marriage, engaged in the practice. of his profession until the spring of 1871, when he removed to Cleveland, where he resided four years. In 1875 he went to Akron, but returned again to Cleveland in 1877. He died February 21, 1878. Mrs. Peck now resides in Warren with her family, which consists of two children: Frank J., born September 7, 1866, and Cora M., born April 25, 1871. Her second child, Flora L., died in infancy.
CHAPTER VI. BRISTOL.
INTRODUCTORY.
Bristol is geographically situated as follows : with Bloomfield on the north, Mecca on the east, Champion on the south, and Farmington on the west. The Ashtabula and Warren turn- pike runs through the township from north to south, west of the center. The Ashtabula, Youngstown & Pittsburg railroad crosses the eastern half of the township in the same direc- tion, and has two stations for the accommoda- tion of the public-Bristolville and Oakland. The former is a mile east of the village of Bris- tolville, and the latter an equal distance from North Bristol.
Bristolville, or in local parlance "the center," is pleasantly situated about half a mile from the geographical center of the township, and is a neat, quiet country village of some forty houses. In the center of the village is a tasty little public square, with ornamental shade trees. In the center of the square is the soldiers' monument,
erected to the memory of the patriots of the township who died in their country's service. Two fine churches, well built and well furnished, and a good school building, speak well for the intelligence of the community.
North Bristol is a smaller village, on the turn- pike, a mile north of Bristolville, and contains one church, one store, a mill, etc.
The people of the township are industrious, economical, sober-minded, and thrifty. Mixed agriculture, dairying, and sheep and cattle rais- ing are the principal occupations. Good build- ings and well-improved farms abound.
The soil is generally a clayey loam, with some sandy or gravelly ridges. The surface is gen- erally very nearly level. The northern and northwestern portions have a few small hills in the vicinity of streams.
The drainage is carried northward by Center creek and Baughman's creek, tributaries to Grand river. The chief source of these streams is in the northern part of Cham- pion. Deacon creek, which rises in that township, flows northward through the east- ern part of Bristol until within about half a mile of the Bloomfield line, when it joins a small stream flowing west and northwest, which is thenceforth known as Baughman's creek. All these streams are small and unimportant.
The number of sugar orchards in this town- ship is large. Many acres of apple orchards are also found. Sager's nursery for raising fruit and ornamental trees deserves mention.
SURVEY.
This township was surveyed early in the pres- ent century by Alfred Wolcott in behalf of the Connecticut Land company, from whom he re- ceived as payment for his services a grant of three hundred and fifty acres of land in the township. He built a cabin at the center during his stay here, which was the first building erected in the township.
THE PIONEERS.
Abraham Baughman was the first actual set- tler. In 1804 he brought his family and settled on the creek which bears his name. His cabin, the first one erected excepting that of Wolcott, the surveyor, stood about one mile east of the turnpike and about three-fourths of a mile from the north line of the township. The land is
333
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
now H. Satterlee's farm. Baughman and family removed to Richland county in 1816.
William Sager visited this township in 1802, or perhaps previously. In company with three other men he started from Shenandoah county, Virginia, to find in Ohio a suitable spot on which to settle. On reaching the Ohio river two of his companions refused to proceed farther in- to the wilderness and deserted him. The other came on with him and in due time both arrived within the present limits of Bristol. They camped one night in the forest, and after select- ing a site for Mr. Sager's future home, started on their return trip. They went to Youngs- town and from that place followed an Indian trail to the Ohio. Mr. Sager purchased of Wol- cott, the surveyor, a piece of land on which he afterwards settled. On the 4th day of June, 1805, Mr. Sager and family arrived in the town- ship. Stopping over night with his brother-in- law, Abraham Baughman, the next morning Mr. Sager, Mr. Baughman, and his two sons, Jacob and Abraham, proceeded to cut a road through the wilderness a mile and a half to Mr. Sager's land.
For a month or more, until a cabin could be constructed, Mr. Sager and his wife, with their one child, slept in his wagon. There was no sawed timber to be procured nearer than at War- ren, therefore the cabin was built without the use of boards, as was generally the case with pioneer dwellings. Soon he succeeded in getting his logs together and had a cabin r8 x 20 feet in size. As soon as the lower floor was laid the family moved in. Mr. Sager hewed out a large plank for a work-bench and proceeded to finish off his dwelling. Thus its one room served all the uses of kitchen, sitting room, dining room, parlor, and work-shop. Mr. Sager was by trade a mill-wright, but here he found it necessary to act as carpenter, cabinet-maker, cooper, etc.
William Sager had married Mary Hammon, of German descent, before coming to Ohio, and they had one child, Joseph, born in 1802. Their son Jacob, born in 1805, was the first child born in this township. The names of the six other children were Sarah, John, Solomon, Anna, Re- becca, and William. John, Solomon, and Anna are dead. The others are all living: Joseph, Jacob, William, and Sarah in Bristol, and Re- becca (Hyde) in Farmington. All lived to rear
families excepting Sarah, who remains single.
Gabriel Sager, William's father, emigrated from Germany about 1758, first settling in Bucks county, Pennsylvania, and thence removing to Shenandoah county, Virginia, where he reared a family of four sons and four daughters. His certificate of naturalization, issued by the Com- monwealth of Pennsylvania in 1765, is now in possession of his grandson Joseph, and is as quaint and old fashioned as any document we have ever seen. Supreme court is printed "supream court," and other deviations . from modern standards of orthography are numerous. Mr. Sager being in religion a Mennonite would not take an oath of naturalization but affirmed instead, and was given a paper similar to those issued to Quakers. In 18ro he removed to Bris- tol, and settled on the farm now owned by Ed- ward Kibbee in the northern part of the town- ship. His son Samuel settled on the same farm about 1811 and remained until 1816, when he removed to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and lived the remainder of his days there. Gabriel Sager died about 1816 but his wife survived him several years. Their children who came to Ohio were William and Samuel, and the four daughters, viz: Elizabeth, wife of Abraham Baughman; Barbara, wife of William Barb; Mar- garet, wife of Henry Baughman ; and Mary, wife of John Barb. The Baughmans remained but a few years, but both Barb families were perma- nent residents.
William Barb removed from Shenandoah county, Virginia, in 1801, to Bristol, Trumbull county, Ohio, and located where William Sager now lives. He subsequently exchanged this farm with the owner, Mr. Sager, and settled per- manently on the place now owned by Martin J. Barb. He was the father of six children, five boys and one girl, named as follows: Gabriel, William, Jacob, Peter, Abraham, and Mary, all now dead. Abraham, who succeeded to the place after his father's death, was born there in 1809. He married Lydia Ann Curlin and raised a family of seven sons and six daughters, of whom four (sons) arc deceased. He died January 7, 1868. Mrs. Barb is yet living and is now in her seventieth year. Their son, M. J. Barb, occu- pies the homestead where his grandfather settled so long ago and where his father always lived.
John Barb settled on the present Thayer farm
334
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
in 1816. He had a family of eight children, three of whom are still living. The names in order of age were: Abraham, Margaret, Elizabeth, Solomon, Polly, Jonathan, Barbara, and David. Those living are Margaret (Parker), Bristolville ; Jonathan, Indiana; and Barbara (Thayer), North Bristol. Solomon and Elizabeth (Norton) passed their days in Bristol.
John Fansler settled north of Bristolville in 1806. His family was a large one. Two chil- dren died before reaching mature years. The following lived to marry and have families: Michael, John, Solomon, Moses, Samuel, Anna, George, David, and Margaret. Samuel and David now live in Bristol, George in Fowler, and Margaret in Iowa.
John and Sarah Hammon settled in 1806 where their son Jacob now resides. Statistics of their family have been mislaid and we are un- able to give them.
Abraham, John, Jacob, and Isaac Kagy came at different dates, Abraham as early as 1820, and located on the east and west road in the eastern part of the township. Samuel and John, sons of Abraham, still reside in the township. Jacob, another of his sons, died in the service of his country. John, Jacob, and Isaae settled in the same neighborhood. Isaac never married. Some of John's children are still living here, viz: John, on the old homestead; Joseph, Jacob, and Michael. The latter lives on the old Abraham Kagy place.
Jacob Norton in 1806 settled in the northeast of the township. His children were Barbara, Henry, Catharine, Zachariah, George, Sally, Michael, David, and William. All lived in this vicinity and reared families. None are now liv- ing. Their descendants are numerous, influ- ential and respected. The above were born after Mr. Norton's second marriage. By his first wife he had two sons in Virginia, John and Jacob, who afterwards moved to Ohio.
All of the families above named were of Ger- man origin and came to Bristol from Virginia. The township was but sparsely settled until after 1820.
Lyman Potter settled on a farm just south of the present village of Bristolville. After several years' residence he and his family removed from the township. He was the first justice of the peace in Bristol and was well qualified by nature
and education for the position, having received a liberal education with the intention (afterward abandoned) of entering the ministry.
Aaron Fenton, as early as 1805, settled on the farm now occupied by his son Aaron. His chil- dren were Daniel, William, Mary, Aaron, Abra- ham, Lydia, and Enoch. Daniel, William, Abra- ham, and Mary are dead. William spent his days in Bristol.
John Cox settled in the western part of the township in 1805. In 1816 William Cox came and settled opposite the road from him. Wil- liam had no children, but John had enough for both. The most of his large family after marry- ing moved away. Following are the names of his children: Betsey, Abigail, John, Hannah, Peggy, Polly, Amy, Susan, Catharine, Japheth, and Martha. Of these only one, Mrs. Peggy Barb, now lives in Bristol. Timothy resides in Mesopotamia.
Captain Benjamin White was an early pioneer of the northwestern part of the township. He died during the War of 1812. His children were Samuel, Elijah, Patterson, Benjamin, and Polly (Smith). Samuel, well known as 'Squire White, still resides in Bristol.
John Lloyd located in the northwest of this township in 1814. He owned five hundred acres of land in Bristol and one thousand in Kirtland township, which he divided equally among his three children, Thomas, Lester, and Roxana. The Lloyds were from Massachusetts. The farm on which they settled had been im- proved to a small extent by John and Thomas Martin, who came here about 1807, but re- mained only a few years.
Emmor Moore settled in 1805 or 1806 on the present Curtis farm, on the turnpike, south of Bristolville. He died of consumption in 1810, and was buried in the township burying-ground at the center, it being the first interment of an adult person there made. The tombstone mark- ing his grave has the oldest date of any in the cemetery. His son William married and settled in Bristol, but deserted his wife and left.
William, John, Thomas, James, and Joseph Cummings, with their sisters, Betsy, Anna, Polly, and Sally, were one of the very first families that settled in the township. They took up a farm near the southwest corner of Bristol. Several of the name still remain in the township.
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.