USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 6
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 6
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Mr. Beardsley was remarkable for firmness of purpose, and integrity and uprightness of prin- ciple; yet, more than this, he was an exemplary, unobtrusive Christian. He was ever animated and sustained in his true and useful life by the partner of his toils and fortunes, who having pre- viously become interested in the Episcopal church, united herself after coming here, with that little band afterwards known as the St. James' church, Boardman, though including Poland and Canfield, which they found already organized; and in 1822 he himself became a member and was soon after chosen a vestryman of the same.
In 1829 Mr. Beardsley organized a Sunday- school in Canfield and continued as its superin- tendent thirty years. In 1834 he became the
leader of a movement which resulted in the building of a church edifice in Canfield; and it was to his efforts more than to those of any other man that St. Stephen's church owed its origin. He was elected junior warden of this church, became its senior warden, and for more than thirteen years previous to his death, as its only male communicant, the whole burden of the temporal affairs of this church rested upon this aged and declining servant of God. Residing at a distance of three miles from town, and more infirm in health than he was willing to acknowl- edge, he was seldom absent from services when held in Canfield, and when there were none here often rode eight miles to attend those of the church in Boardman.
Mr. Beardsley was a man of deep convictions, and although never obtrusive, was inflexible in maintaining them. He united great strength of character with the most scrupulous integrity, and during all his years sustained a high standing in the community. 1164477
Mrs. Sophia Beardsley, one of the few surviv- ing old residents of Canfield, was born in Nor- walk, Connecticut, May 12, 1798. She was the only child of Joseph Whitman Hanford and Elizabeth (Smith) Hanford. She is descended from an old New England family, her great- great-grandfather having emigrated from England to Connecticut in the early years of its settle- ment. His name was Rev. Thomas Hanford. In 1648 he began preaching in Norwalk and was the first Congregational minister in that town, where he continued to preach forty-one years.
Left an orphan by the death of her mother when less than two years of age, Sophia Hanford was brought up by her grandmother. Her father was a merchant and a seafaring man and died in 1824, aged sixty-two years. Though married young and surrendering the pleasures of culti- vated society for a home in the wilds of Ohio, Mrs. Beardsley never repined at her lot and nobly co-operated with her husband in his efforts to gain a home. Faithful in her outward life as well as in her deep religious life, she has always acted up to her convictions of duty, and numer- ous friends testify to her worth. She has borne eight children, only three of whom are now liv- ing. Mrs. Beardsley is now spending the even- ing of her days with her daughter in the village of Canfield, with which she has been familiar
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almost from its infancy. She is now in her eighty-fourth year and seems as cheerful and bright as a youth. For sixty-four years she has been a communicant of the Episcopal church and ever one of its most active female members.
We append a record of the Beardsley family :
Philo Beardsley, born 1755, died 1826 ; mar- ried Esther Curtis, born 1764, died 1856. Chil- dren : Birdsey Beardsley, born 1785, married Sarah Mecuen. Anna Beardsley, born 1787, married John Taylor. Josiah Beardsley, born 1789, married Mary Merwin. Sarah Beardsley, born 1791, married Milo Stone. Philo Beards- ley, born 1794, married Lois S. Gunn. Curtis Beardsley, born 1797, married Sophia Hanford. Almus Beardsley, born 1799, married Amanda Cogswell. Agur Beardsley, born 1801, married Eliza Bennett.
All are dead, Curtis Beardsley being the last. Four of the brothers settled in Mahoning coun- ty, Josiah in Boardman, Philo and Curtis in Canfield, and Almus in Ellsworth.
Descendants of Curtis Beardsley and Sophia Hanford. Children: Henry H., born May 1, 1818, died May 4, 1818. William Hanford, born December 13, 1819, married Mary Edsall June 10, 1846; children, Nelson S., Edwin H., Charles R., Henry E., and Hattie M., all living, two married. William H. Beardsley resides at East Ciaridon, Geauga county ; Nelson S., pro- fessor of penmanship Delaware Normal school, Ohio, married Esther O. Hulin, two children, Willis Reed and Emmett Hulin. Edwin H. married Carrie Dana, two children, Nelson Ver- non and Minnie. Mary L., born November 13, 1821, married Augustus L. Van Gorder May 12, 1847, died at Warren, Ohio, July 18, 1859, hus- band also dead ; children, Anna S., Henry L., William C., George Dubois, Charles M., Frank B .; Anna, George, and Frank are deceased ; Wil- liam C. Van Gorder married Ella Crane, two children, Edgar C. and an infant daughter. Anna S., born August 26, 1824, died May 4, 1844. Eliza M., born March 19, 1827, died January 7, 1879. Sarah M., born July 22, 1832, married Pratt Allen Spicer, April 26, 1854, died December 25, 1857; one child, Ella I., resides in Marshall, Michigan. Lucy E., born Novem- ber 5, 1834, resides at Canfield. Henry C., born March 12, 1838, married Mary J. Hine July 4, 1863; two children, Rhoda Hanford, and Ed-
ward Henry, residence old Beardsley homestead, Canfield.
Concerning the deceased members of this family we make the following extract from obitu- ary notices published in local papers :
Died, Warren, Ohio, July 18, 1859, Mrs. Mary L. Van- Gorder. She was the oldest daughter of Curtis and Sophia Beardsley, of Canfield. For twenty years a communicant of the Episcopal church, during that time she adorned her pro- fession by a consistent walk and conversation. In her last illness she exhibited a meek and patient disposition, and un- der all suffering appeared resigned to the will of her Heavenly Master. She calmly awaited death without fear of the dread messenger, and fell asleep in Jesus repeating the words of the beautiful hymne.
"There sweet be my rest till He bid me arise To hail Him in triumph descending the skies."
Anna S. was a lovely and sweet dispositioned daughter, who had a large circle of friends, both young and old. Speaking of her death the local paper says :
Seldom has the hand of death made a more painful breach in the hopes and enjoyments of a family, or given a more affecting warning to an extensive circle of relatives and acquaintances, and to all in the joyous period of youth, that " we know not what shall be the morrow."
Eliza M. possessed a quick and scholarly mind, and at a youthful age began teaching school, in which occupation she continued more than thirty years. She was a remarkably effi- cient and successful teacher, possessing the rare talent of imparting knowledge in a manner that at once enlisted the attention and commanded the respect of the pupil. From the age of eigh- teen until her death she was a communicant of the Episcopal church and a devoted Christian.
Mrs. Spicer was, from a child, of a serious and contemplative mind. She early united with the church, became a zealous member, and found in Christ the sweet peace which passeth all under- standing. Though compelled to part from earth in the morning of her married life, she accepted her fate with resignation and died with calmness of spirit, leaving her sweet babe in the care of Him who hath promised to protect the orphan.
JOHN SANZENBACHER AND FAMILY.
John Sanzenbacher was born in the kingdom of Wurtemberg, Germany, May 5, 1827. His parents were Jacob and Barbara (Schuger) San- zenbacher, both natives of Wurtemberg. Jacob Sanzenbacher was born August 1, 1799, and is
-------- - -- -
John Sanzenbachers
1
Ons J. Sangenbacher.
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still living, a resident of New Springfield, Ma- honing county. Mrs. Barbara Sanzenbacher was born February 12, 1804, and died Decem- ber 24, 1878. She was the mother of five sons and two daughters, but of this number only two children remain-Jotmn and his brother Jacob. The latter resides in Southington, Trumbull county. John was the second child and the oldest son.
In 1833 he emigrated to the United States with his parents, and lived near Unity, Colum- biana county, Ohio, until 1836, when the family moved to Beaver county, now Lawrence county, Pennsylvania. There his boyhood was passed upon a farm until August 19, 1844, at which date he was bound out to Mr. R. Fullerton for three years and six months to learn the trade of tanning and currying. At the end of this period he came to Mahoning county, and worked at his trade for William Moore, in Boardman, for ten months. He next went to New Middleton, in this county, where he worked about nine months, then returned to Boardman, and was employed by Mr. Moore for six months.
In the winter of 1849-50 he purchased of .F. A. Brainard his tannery in Canfield. April 9, 1850, he came to Canfield, and commenced business with a capital of about $500, out of which he made a payment to Mr. Brainard of $40. Six hundred dollars was the price paid for the tannery.
December 24, 1850, having got a little start in his business and having concluded to take a wife, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Oswald, of Canfield township.
March 3, 1862, in company with Pierpont Edwards, he engaged in the drug and grocery business but continued to carry on tanning. About the year 1865 he formed a partnership with F. Krehl, of Girard, In the tanning and cur- rying business. In 1867 he sold out to Mr. Krehl, and also disposed of his interest in the drug store. The same year he purchased a farm one mile east of Canfield, to which he moved June 20, 1867. In 1868 he erected a fine large barn and made other improvements upon the place.
Mr. Sanzenbacher began the manufacture of leather belting in 1865 and carried it on for one year in connection with his other business. In 1866 he quit tanning, and in the spring of 1867
disposed of his tannery and machinery. But in 1869 he again resumed the manufacture of belt- ing, and October 20th of that year took P. Ed- wards as a partner under the firm name of J. Sanzenbacher & Co., which is still the style of the firm. During the summer of 1872 this firni erected a large building, where they still continue the business. From the time their new establish- ment was erected until the present they have been doing a large business both in tanning and in belt making.
Mr. Sanzenbacher is a man of quiet, social, and agreeable manners, and enjoys the highest esteem and confidence of the better portion of the community. He is regarded as the friend of every worthy canse, and is never backward in matters of public interest.
Mrs. Sarah A. Sanzenbacher, the worthy help- mate and companion of the subject of this notice, was born in Canfield township, November 25, 1832. She is the youngest daughter of Charles and Sarah A. (Harding) Oswald, of Canfield township. Her father died September 20, 1862, in the fifty-eighth year of his age. Her mother is still living in her seventy-sixth year, and makes her home with Mr. Sanzenbacher's family. Mrs. John Sanzenbacher is the youngest daughter of a family of three sons and three daughters. She has but one sister living, Mrs. Amanda Mahnen- smith, Gilman, Iowa, and no brothers.
To Mr. and Mrs. Sanzenbacher have been born six children, all of whom are living in Canfield. Following is the family record: Harriet Louisa, born October 26, 1851; married March 31, 1870, to John Neff, of Canfield ; has five children viz: Sadie, Ensign, Martin, Calvin, and an infant son. Rebecca Caroline, born August 30, 1856; mar- ried Irvin Callahan May 20, 1875. Charles J., born August 25, 1860. John H., born Decem- ber 16, 1864. David L., born November 11, 1869. Martin L., born July 14, 1871.
THE TANNER FAMILY.
Tryal Tanner was one of the first settlers of Canfield. He was the son of William Tanner; his father died when Tryal was eleven years old, and thenceforth he lived with his uncle, Justus Sackett, in Warren, Connecticut, until he became of age. He then went to Cornwall, Connecticut,
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and engaged in farming. He served five years in the Revolutionary war, holding the rank of lieutenant, but resigned shortly before the close of the war. For his services in behalf of his country he was paid in Continental currency, and as an illustration of the value of that money it will be sufficient to state that he once paid $80 for a tea-kettle.
Soon after leaving the army he married Hul- dah Jackson, purchased a farm in Cornwall, set- tled there, and remained until his removal to Ohio. To Mr. and Mrs. Tannci were born three sons and six daughters, whose names were as fol- low: . Archibald, Edmund Prior, Julius, Nancy, Peggy, Laura, Bridget, Panthea, and one daugh- ter who died in infancy.
In 1801 Mr. Tanner exchanged his farm with Judson and Herman Canfield for four hundred acres of land in the new settlement of Canfield, four hundred acres in Johnston, and $400. This proved a good bargain. In addition to this land Mr. Tanner took an eight-acre lot in one of the divisions of the center of Canfield. In the spring of 1801 he visited his new property, built a log-house on the center lot, and com- menced work on his farm by clearing thirteen acres and sowing it to wheat.
In 1802 Mr. Tanner and family came to Can- field and moved into the house which he had erected the previous year. They journeyed with William Chidester and family, making up a company of twenty-two persons in all. Mr. Tan- ner had one wagon drawn by two yoke of oxen and two horses; also two extra horses, one with harness to be used in the team when necessary, the other with a side-saddle for his wife to ride. The party started from Connecticut April 22, 1802, and arrived in Canfield on the 13th of the following May.
During his former visit Mr. Tanner had en- gaged two men to fell ten acres of timber and get it ready for logging. They, however, com- pleted but six acres, and it was the summer job of Mr. Tanner and his sons to finish this clear- ing and sow the land to wheat. They began operations immediately. The three sons, who were aged respectively sixteen, fourteen, and twelve, assisted their father. He could han- dle the butt-end of a log alone, while all three of the boys united their strength to lift the smaller end. They worked "with a will," and
with eagerness, and soon had the satisfaction of seeing the forest show the results of their labor. During the summer they girdled thirty- five acres of trees, thus preparing them for future destruction. The winter they employed in cutting out small trees and underbrush.
In 1803 they sowed wheat among the trees which were still standing and raised about half a crop. They sowed grass seed with the wheat and the following year raised an abundance of hay. Thus they lived and labored, and soon their farm began to assume a comparatively im- proved appearance. In those days in the wild woods plenty of work and very little time for pleasure were the rules.
In 1806 Mr. Tanner built a frame house on his eight-acre lot, in which he lived until his death. He died November 22, 1833, aged eighty-two. His first wife died December 31, 1803. The following year he married Mary Doud, who survived until July 13, 1843, when she died at the age of eighty-seven.
Tryal Tanner was a good specimen of the hardy pioneer, tall and sinewy, and capable of great endurance. Toward the end of his life his sight failed by degrees and he became almost blind. He was a man of strong will and great determination, very tenacious of his own views. He was a member of the Episcopal church, and one of the leaders in founding the first church of that denomination on the Reserve. Through his life he sustained a high social standing and was much respected and esteemed.
Archibald Tanner, the oldest son, was a man very much like his father,-hardy, bold, and energetic. He was engaged in boating on the Ohio for several years, then settled in Warren, Pennsylvania, where he became a prosperous merchant and prominent citizen.
Edmund Prior Tanner, the second son of Tryal Tanner, and the longest survivor of the entire family, was born in Cornwall, Litchfield county, Connecticut, in 1788, on the 22d of February. He received all of his schooling in Connecticut; for after coming to Ohio his life was the busy life of a pioneer farmer's son.
November 16, 1809, he was united in marriage with Fanny Chapman, daughter of William and Sylvia Chapman, of Vernon, Trumbull county. He lived with his father for a time, but in the spring of 1810 moved into a house of hewed
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logs, which stood on the site of the present dwelling of his son, Julius Tanner.
Soon after the breaking out of the War of 181 2 he was called into the service and was absent from home two months and eighteen days.
Mr. Tanner was always deeply interested in everything that concerned the educational, moral, and religious status of the community. He was a friend to those deserving sympathy and never refused his support to worthy objects. During the exciting days when slavery was under discus- sion he did not hesitate at all times to denounce the infamous traffic in human lives and became noted as a strong Abolitionist. He lived to see that word of reproach become one of honor, and to hear his actions spoken of as noble, whereas they were once bitterly denounced. The underground railway received from him as- sistance and encouragement.
For nearly sixty years he was an earnest and devout member of the Congregational church. He held the office of deacon many years, and was earnest and faithful, full of Christian spirit and prayer for the welfare of the church. His worth and benevolence endeared him to a large circle and his character was a model worthy of imitation. For several years he was so crippled by rheumatism as to be unable to walk without crutches, but he loved the house of God and Sunday usually found him in the sanctuary.
Sixty-three years of happy wedded life had passed before Mr. and Mrs. Tanner were called upon to part from each other. Death removed the aged and honored husband October 24, 1872, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. Of his life it can truly be said that it was one of usefulness. He was a keen observer and took a heartfelt in- terest in the topics of the day. Fond of read- ing and study he continued until the last to keep well informed upon current affairs. During his last illness he appeared cheerful and hopeful and fell asleep firm in the faith and hope of a blessed immortality.
His widow survived until September 24, 1875, when she went to join him. She was born in Barkhampton, Litchfield county, Con- necticut, March 5, 1791, and was, therefore, also in her eighty-fifth year at the time of her de- cease. Early in life she united with the church, and ever continued a zealous and confiding dis- ciple of the Lord. She was a woman of be-
nevolence and a faithful helpmate to her worthy husband. She was the mother of eight children, four of whom are living. The family record is as follows: Mary, born August 30, 1811; mar- ried Lyman Warner, September 11, 1832. Hul- dah, born December 5, 1812; married James Jones, September 11, 1832. Jane, born Febru- ary 15, 1814; married David Hollister, Septem- ber 11, 1832; died March 19, 1834. Bridget, born September 26, 1816; died September 22, 1833. Julius, born October 6, 1818; married November 4, 1840, to Mary Wadsworth; mar- ried Fidelia T. Sackett, December 12, 1855. Electa Chapman, born August 6, 1820; married Pierpont Edwards, October 31, 1838; died in September, 1840. Sylvia Smith, born July 31, 1822; married Charles E. Boughton, March 22, 1843. William Chapman, born July 12, 1824; died March 26, 1825. Mrs. Warner resides at Lowell, Massachusetts; she is a widow and has one child, a daughter. Mrs. Jones resides in Canfield; has three children living, one deceased. Mrs. Boughton resides in Canfield. One son is living, and one was killed in the war.
Julius Tanner, only surviving son of Deacon Edmund P. Tanner, has resided in Canfield all his life. His residence is the old homestead farm. His first wife died April 15, 1855, leav- ing three children living and one dead-Edward Wadsworth, William Henry (deceased), Henry Archibald, and Mary Ida. All are married. Edward married Kate Shaffer ; resides in Mead- ville, Pennsylvania. Henry married Carrie Har- rison; resides in Pittsburg; he has two children. Ida married John Delfs, and resides in Canfield; has two children, one living.
By his second marriage Mr. Tanner is the father of three children-Fanny Chapman, died at the age of seventeen; Edmund Prior, and Horace Boughton. The sons reside at home. M.s. Tanner had one son by her former mar- riage, Myron W. Sackett, now residing in Mead- ville, Pennsylvania.
DR. A. W. CALVIN.
In the full strength of vigorous manhood, in the midst of a successful professional career which was rapidly raising him in the esteem of a community where he was already trusted and
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honored, Dr. Calvin was suddenly prostrated by a dread disease, and after an illness of brief duration, died on the 18th of December, 1881, in the thirty-fifth year and seventh month of his age.
Of his boyhood it is perhaps sufficient to state that it was like that of most farmers' sons.
Aaron Wilbur Calvin was born in Green township, Mahoning county, May 18, 1846. He was a son of Robert and Jane Calvin, who were well-known in this vicinity, and both of whom have been dead less than two years, the husband preceding the wife about three weeks. Nurtured by Christian parents by whom the seeds were sown which subsequently developed into the character which gave him such a hold upon the affections of all who knew him, he with the rest of the children was accredited with a good name.
His education was begun in the district school at Locust Grove, and afterwards prosecuted at the old academy in Canfield. After acquiring an ordinary amount of learning, he turned his attention for a brief period to the profession of teaching. He was married, February 15, 1866, to Miss H. J. Fowler, a daughter of Dr. C. R. Fowler. After his marriage he resided in Can- field until 1868, when he removed to Crawford county, Illinois, where he remained two years. In 1870 he returned to Canfield, and began the study of medicine with his father-in-law, Dr. Fowler, and in 1873 graduated from the Cleve- land Medical college. After graduation he began the practice of his profession in Canfield, and continued the same up to the time of his death. During his married life he was blessed with three children : Mamie, Emma, and Flor- ence, who are now aged respectively fifteen, eleven, and six years. These, with the bereaved wife and three brothers and four sisters, are left to mourn his loss.
As a citizen and a man Dr. Calvin received the respect and confidence of all. Always gen- erous and obliging, he made hosts of friends, and was able to retain them. As a student he applied himself with more than usual vigor, and completed his course of study in much less time than is usually allotted to the ordinary pupil. As a physician he was learned in theory and skilled in practice, yet he was a constant student, searching in every field for means of increasing
his knowledge and usefulness. He was a faith- ful and tender nurse, and to this fact owed much of his success. But above all he was a consci- entious man. He took no unwarranted risks; none of his patients were ever troubled with the fear of being experimented upon at the risk of life. He had begun to gather about him, just prior to his death, circumstances of prosperity above the ordinary man of his age. He had just reached that period of life where he might begin to enjoy the fruits of his faithfulness and industry, when he was smitten by the hand of death.
The above statements are gathered from a discourse delivered by Rev. C. L. Morrison on December 25, 1881, and they present a fair and impartial view of one who was beloved, hon- ored, and esteemed by a large circle of intimate acquaintances.
JUDGE FRANCIS G. SERVIS.
A man of noble and genial nature, charitable, and friendly toward all who needed friendship and sympathy; never failing to extend a helping hand to those in distress ; full of enthusiasm him- self, he gave, both by example and precept, aid and encouragement to the struggling and aspir- ing; endowed with an honorable ambition, labor- ing manfully and unceasingly to make his influ- ence widespread and useful, he was snatched away just as he had reached the goal of his hopes.
Judge Servis was born in Hunterdon county, New Jersey, August 1, 1826, and died in Can- field, Ohio, March 6, 1877. His father, Abram P. Servis, was born in Amwell township, Hun- terdon county, New Jersey; he died in Berlin township, Mahoning county, Ohio, February 28, 1858, at the age of seventy-four. He married Sarah Pegg, a native of the same county and State as himself. They came to Palmyra town- ship, Portage county, arriving May 29, 1827. Mrs. Servis died the following August. She was the mother of two children, Mary A. and Francis G. The former survives in Deerfield, Portage county.
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