USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 76
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 76
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
twelve, to which he removed his family from Washington county, Pennsylvania, in 1800.
Archie Ralston emigrated from Virginia in 1802, and settled on the northwest part of lot nineteen, the same lot on which his grandson, James Nelson, died.
John Ramsey removed from Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1800, and settled on lot num- ber nine, south of Mr. Stull, and known after- wards as the George Herring farm. George Campbell, a native of Ireland, but for some years a resident of Lancaster county, Pennsyl- vania, came to Liberty as early as 1800-1, and settled on the north part of lot number seven, where he lived until his death in 1847. He was the father of eight sons and six daughters, all of whom lived until mature age. About this same time James Applegate came and settled on lot number five in the southeast part of the town- ship, on the west side of the road where William Watson now lives, and who for some unknown reason committed suicide by hanging himself.
John Thorn, whose wife was a sister of James Matthews, came soon after his brother-in-law, and bought a lot of forty acres on the north side of the Mahoning river, on which he bullt a tan- nery. He was the father of James Thorn, who afterwards became a noted teacher in Liberty and Youngstown. It is related of this teacher that when a child he was twice rescued by his mother from drowning in the vats of his father's tannery, near which their dwelling was located.
William Stewart came from Huntingdon coun- ty, Pennsylvania, when his son Robert was nine years old, and cut his way through the trackless wilds of Liberty from Youngstown and settled where John B. McMurry now lives. They arrived in time of heavy rain and flood and were com- pelled to live in their wagons for some time.
Some time after their buildings were erected, the forest around them was so dense, the roads unbroken, the places of human habitation so few, and the marks of civilization yet so unde- fined that when any of the family were out at night but a little way from the cabins they would soon become lost and their cries would be an- swered by those in the house rapping on the roof for signals.
John and Abram Nelson came from Vir- ginia about 1804 and settled in the northwest part of the township-lot twenty-one-where
432
TRUMBULL, AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
Abram Storms now lives, and Abram Nelson built his cabin where Samuel Beemer now lives.
William Stewart's father settled near Sodom in very early times.
Samuel Dennison settled north of William Stewart on lot number fifteen, west part.
Neil McMullen settled near the farm residence of the late James Clark, west of Stewart.
The marriage of William McCombs, of Poland, to a sister of John Nelson, was (as is believed) the first wedding in Liberty.
James Nelson, brother of Abram and John, was accidentally killed by the fall of a tree while cutting a road from Painesville to Warren, and on the same day of his death Abram was en- gaged at work in the valley of Squaw creek, in Liberty, and he has often related that at this time he heard the voice of his brother James calling his name-Abram-three times in suc- cession, when he left his work and went to his house expecting to find his brother James there, and was astonished to find that he had not been there. In a few days the news came of the ac- cident that ended his brother's life, which hap- pened on the day and hour that the voice was heard by Abram in the valley. This incident is sufficiently authenticated by undoubted authority and is here recorded for either an item of history or an illustration of wonderful hallucination.
Andrew Boyd came from Huntingdon county, Pennsylvania, and settled about one-half mile east of Church Hill, and started a tannery on the north side of the road, opposite the present residence of Mr. Leslie, which he operated about nine years.
James Anderson, a native of Ireland, removed with his family from Chester county, Pennsylva- nia, about 1804, and settled on the farm adjoin- ing Valentine Stull on the north, where he lived until his death, In 1848.
William McClellan came with his family from Greene county, Pennsylvania, in 1805, and set- tled on land in lots numbers seven and eight, where he lived until 1843, when his decease oc- curred.
Nehemiah Scott came from Long Island in 1805 and made a settlement west of the present residence of Peter Kline, in a log cabin. He was a hatter by trade and carried on his trade at his shop, about one-fourth mile from the main road.
Robert Walker came in 1807-8 and settled near the present residence of Homer Walker, where he kept store until he moved to the center. His son, Dr. Robert H. Walker, kept the first store at Church Hill in 1832-33.
These were the early settlers of Liberty, or as many of them of whom anything can now be found. Others there may have been and doubt- less were, but the memory of their names with the records of their history have passed into the grave with them, save what they may have left written not with the pen, but in the cleared farms and the early planted germs of civilization now blooming in full fruition in Liberty. Many of their graves are still kept green in the old burial grounds at Church Hill. Some of them in after years bade adieu to the scenes of early conflicts of pioneer life and found homes else- where. While time has crept on and changes have come, early footprints have long since been worn away, and the new generations are fast covering them deeper and deeper as the years bring wealth and prosperity. The log cabins have given way to many fine residences and beautiful rural homes, and the lightning express dashes over the blazed route of the pioneer. Mines of wealth that slumbered beneath the feet of the hunters and axmen of 1798 now give forth their hidden treasures to the giant power of steam and the cities of swarthy workmen gath- ered about the deepening tunnels.
CHURCH HILL
is located near the central part of the township, and derived its name from the eminence on which it stands and the location of the church at this point. The name was first selected for the post- office. Since then the name seems to have been very appropriately chosen, as there are now five churches located here: Old-school Presbyterian, Methodist Episcopal, Welch Methodist, Welch Baptist, and Welch Independent-the three lat- ter are of recent origin. The village now has a union school, one dry goods store, drug store, book store, barber shop, wagon shop, blacksmith shop, shoemaker shop, ten saloons, and one hotel. Though the saloons outnumber the churches two to one yet the force and influence of the latter are amply strong, and the commun- ity of Church Hill, from all appearances, is a quiet and pleasant neighborhood.
The post-office was established in 1833, and
433
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
Matthew Walker was the postmaster. The office was first known as Liberty, but the official de- partment at Washington, District of Columbia, sent back word that there was another office by that name. The Presbyterian church was then in course of erection, and as the location is on something of an elevation Church Hill was sug- gested and accepted.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The pioneer religious organization of Liberty was effected by the Associate Presbyterian con- gregation. The history of this congregation begins with the early records of Liberty town- ship, and indeed is one of the oldest organiza- tions in this, part of the Western Reserve. The last pastor, David Goodwillie, D. D., having voluntarily resigned his pastorate of fifty years in the year 1875, is now living in Girard, and kindly furnished the following history of the congregation : About the beginning of the present century a number of families located in this neighborhood while as yet it was an un- broken forest. Among these were William, James, Joseph, John, David, and Robert Stewart, from Marsh creek, Adams county, Pennsylvania. They were members of the Associate church. They settled in the northwest part of Coitsville and the southeast part of Hubbard. James Davidson, from Ireland, settled in the east part of Youngstown; James Applegate, from the Forks of the Youghiogheny, Pennsylvania, John Deni- son, from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and Alexander McCleery, from Ireland, in the east part of Liberty, and Samuel Ferguson, from Ire- land, William Ralston, from Scotland, John Ramsey, from Washington county, Pennsylvania, and William McKinley, from Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, in the west part.
These men and their families did not leave their religion behind them when they came to this wilderness, but in their log cabins they re- membered the Lord God of their fathers, and in 1803-1804 they invited Rev. James Duncan, pas- tor of the Associate Congregations of Mahoning, Little Beaver, and Brush Run, to preach for them occasionally, which he accordingly did with great encouragement, holding the meetings in the log cabins, and in the woods.
In the year 1804 he organized a congregation in Poland, and during the same time preached one third of the time in Liberty, where in the
winter of the following year, 1805, he organized Liberty congregation. The congregation was then under the jurisdiction of Chartier's presby- tery, but the records of the presbytery make no mention of any authority given Rev. Duncan to organize the congregations at Poland or Liberty, and it is supposed that he did this altogether on his own responsibility, and he seems to have regarded them as branches of the Mahoning con- gregation.
The organization was effected by the election and ordination as elders of William Stewart and James Davidson, the number joining in the or- ganization supposed to be about thirty or forty.
One of the first things to engage their atten- tion was the selection of a lot as the site for a meeting-house and graveyard. Their attention was first directed to a lot in the woods near the southeast corner of Liberty, offered by James Applegate, and now owned by his son Calvin. This was an elevated and beautiful site, and so confidently was it expected that it would be ac- cepted that the remains of some persons were buried there, and the graves are yet to be seen. But at a meeting of the congregation at the house of Alexander McCleery, it was resolved to accept a lot offered by him, which is now occu- pied by the church and graveyard.
The deed for this lot was not made until March 15, 1828, twenty-five years after the pur- chase was made, and was given by Alexander McCleery to "Matthew Mitchell, James Boys, and William Geddes, trustees of the Presbyterian congregation of Liberty, belonging to the Associ- ate Synod of North America."
In 1858, the Associate and Associate Re- formed branches of the church having united, the congregation accepted the terms of said union and consequently became the United Presbyterian congregation of Liberty. In 1859 the congregation at Youngstown was formed from Liberty, eighteen or twenty members being disjoined for that purpose. The lot when pro- cured was heavily covered by timber and the first thing done was the erection of a tent for preaching, which was built about where the northeast corner of the present church stands. It fronted to the east and the people were seated before it on temporary seats or on the ground. It was here the first communion of the Lord's supper was dispensed, on a table of rough
55
434
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
boards, extending from the tent eastward. Here, under the shadow of the ancient trees of the forest, did the forefathers of Liberty assemble together from their cabin homes in the woods to celebrate for the first time in this wilderness the dying love of our great Redeemer; here, under the wide canopy of Heaven did they lift up their song of praise and their voice of prayer.
But it soon became necessary to clear the ground for the purpose of burying the dead, and the tent was moved to a piece of woods on the north side of the road, directly opposite the lot. Some time afterwards the ground was wanted for clearing, and the tent was removed to the woods, a short distance southeast of the crossroads, and afterward carried back to the church lot, where it finally gave place to the first meeting-house. This house was constructed of round logs with clapboard roof, and stood on the northwest corner of the lot. It was a small building and not much used, as the private houses and the tent were yet used for preaching services. The second house was commenced in 1811 but the war came on the next year and the men were called away, so the house remained unfinished until the close of the war, being used, however, occasionally, in its unfinished state, the people sitting on the sleepers. It was constructed of very large hewed logs, many of them being nearly two feet through.
In 1825 the house was enlarged and other- wise improved, and in 1836 the present house of worship was built, which in 1869 was remod- eled.
The ruling elders and deacons who from time to time exercised their office in the congregation were William Stewart, James Davidson, John Denison, James Applegate, John Abercrombie, James Stephenson (or "Steen " as he was usually called), Alex. Stewart, William Geddes, Samuel Denison, Joseph Stewart, John Milligan, William Smith, Robert Stewart, James Nelson, James Kennedy (Vienna), William Denison, John R. Kennedy, David Stewart, Armstrong Stewart, D. B. McGeehan, Stewart Denison, Joel K. Apple- gate.
The first pastor, Rev. James Duncan, preached for many years with acceptance and success, but at length days of difficulty and trouble came. HIe was charged before the presbytery at Can- nonsburgh, Pennsylvania, in May, 1815, for
preaching several grievous errors in relation to original sin, Christ's atonement and interces- sion, and publishing a book in their defense. He acknowledged his errors before the synod and received censure; but on his return to the congregation he denied his acknowledgment of error save in one particular. For public mis- representations of his case he was suspended hy the presbytery from the ministry and communion of the church. In personal appearance he was robust and corpulent; possessed a strong mind and great argumentative powers, and in private conversation was agreeable and instructive. He was careless in the management of his worldly affairs, and made poor provision for his family, and grossly addicted to tobacco. It was no un- common thing for him while preaching to take a bite from his plug of tobacco, twisting it off in his hand. On one occasion, at least, he was known to have stopped in the midst of his dis- course, go to one of the elders and borrow a chew of tobacco, and, returning to the tent, go on with his sermon. After his suspension little is known of his subsequent life. During the vacancy which occurred the congregation was supplied until 1820, when Rev. Robert Douglass was installed, who died in 1823, to whose mem- ory the congregation erected a monument over his grave at Poland center.
On the 26th of April, 1826, Rev. David Good- willie, D. D., was installed pastor of Poland, Liberty, and Deer Creek congregations. In 1833 he resigned the pastorate of Deer Creek, and for twenty-six years served Poland and Lib- erty. In 1859 he resigned Poland, and from that time until 1875 he was the pastor of Liberty alone. During his pastoral charge he has re- ceived into the church seven hundred and twenty-one ; dispensed and assisted in dis- pensing sacraments three hundred and eighteen times; baptized thirty-six adults; soleninized two hundred and twenty-nine marriages, and preached no less than five thousand sermons. He was born at Barnet, Caledonia county, Vermont, August 28, 1802. His father was an able minister of the Associate church. He attended school at Cambridge academy, New York, four years, and then entered the sophomore class at Dartmouth, New Hampshire, and graduated there in 1820. He then attended the Eastern Theological sem- inary of the Associate church in Philadelphia,
435
TRUMBULL, AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
and was licensed to preach in 1823 at Ryegate, Vermont, and after some very extensive mission- ary work in various places he was called to the pastorate of Liberty, as above mentioned. On April 20, 1826, he was married to Francis Hamill, daughter of John Hamill, of Mercer county, Pennsylvania. Their eldest son is the Rev. D. H. Goodwillie, of Commerce, Michi- gan. The youngest son, Thomas, is a merchant of Cleveland, Ohio. The only surviving daugh- ter is now Mrs. Rev. A. F. Ashton, of Monroe, Ohio. Dr. Goodwillie has formally retired from the pastorate, but in compliance with the wishes of his devoted people he has determined to end his days with them in quiet and peace.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, CHURCH HILL.
The original organization of this society was effected in 1821, under the ministry of Rev. Dillen Prosser. The first class numbered about sixty members, among whom were: Edward Moore and wife, Edward Mahan and wife, Peter Kline, wife and family (including his son Zenas, now one of the leading members), William Trotter and wife, John and Naomi Scott, Caro- line Scott, William B. and Eliza Leslie, William Smith and wife, Matthew and Mary Trotter, Al- exander Wright and wife, John and Miss Wright, John Hindman, William Henderson and wife, Jerome Monroe and wife, Irvin, William, Thomas, and Eliza Moore, Maria Wannamaker, Salome Henderson, Edward Irvin, John Clark, and William Trotter -the latter was the first class-leader and was succeeded by John Clark. The first building was erected the following summer, and is now used as town hall, and stands a short distance east of the original site. In this building the congregation worshiped until 1873, when the present church edifice was com- pleted and dedicated. Among the ministers who have served this congregation were: Revs. Lane Plant, Ira Norris, William Day, Dr. Reeves, William Folgum, Peter Horton, Foutz, George Maltby, Holmes, Martin, Hurd, John Vance, Thomas Guy, Wesley Hill, Keller, Hub- bard, Ezra Wade, William Hayes, Ely, Clark, C. F. Kingsberry, J. H. Starrett, T. Hodson, and Rev. McCleary, present pastor.
When first organized it belonged to Youngs- town circuit, now known as Girard and Liberty.
As before stated the present church was dedi-
cated under the ministry of Rev. Thomas Guy, Rev. Ives preaching the sermon.
The building is a frame of modern style of architecture, and cost $13,000; has an audi- ence room with a seating capacity of four hun- dred, also lecture and Sabbath-school room, all heated by furnace and registers.
Soon after the society was organized the Sab- bath-school was instituted by William Trotter and John Clark.
Special revivals were held by Revs. John Vance, Ely, and others ; special accessions under Thomas Guy.
SCHOOLS.
The first school-house was located near Church Hill, at the west side of the cemetery. This house was rudely constructed after the well-known style of early times. The school was first taught by John Taylor, an elderly man about sixty years of age. Another house was then built about one-half mile east of Church Hill. Where William Samp- son's barn now stands the principal school-house of the neighborhood was built in 1818. It was a huge log house covered with clapboards which were held to their places with weight-poles. Eli- as Grover was the first teacher. He came to the neighborhood as a stranger, announcing himself as being from the District of Maine. His school was very successful, and well attended. Many pupils came from a distance and boarded in the neighborhood for the purpose of attending this school. This teacher first made the advance in educational matters beyond the speller and "single rule of three," which then comprised the highest degree of pioneer education, and introduced grammar, geography, and surveying, which he successtully taught for some years.
A graded school .was afterwards held in the house built for that purpose, now occupied by the Welsh Methodist church.
The present union school building was erected in 1871, and is a commodious building of three departments, and located at Church Hill.
The school was organized under the superin- tendency of William Barrett, and is supported by the union of three districts, which now enumerates from five to six hundred children, of which, however, not more than one-half attend school.
436
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO
The township besides supports nine school districts in which there are the usual provisions for ordinary schools.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (OLD SCHOOL).
This congregation was originally organized from the congregation at Youngstown, where the original members first attended services. The organization was effected in 1832, in the fall of which year the frame of the present church building was erected. The presbytery of Beaver first sent Rev. James Satterfield, who succeeded in organizing the society. The first elders were John Nelson and James Anderson. The first settled pastor was Rev. John W. Scott, who after- wards became president of Washington college, Pennsylvania. He preached about four years and was followed by Rev. Joseph Kerr, who re- mained about ten years. He was followed by Rev. N. B. Lyon, who served the congregation three or four years, and was followed by Rev. T. C. Stewart, who preached about six years. The present pastor, Rev. J. H. Wright, resides in Hubbard and preaches at the latter place and Liberty. The membership now numbers about thirty-four.
GIRARI).
The settlement about the present village of Girard was later than the general settlement of the township, and was no doubt first made near the early mills located on the river. Special interests began to center here more extensively on the construction of the old Pennsylvania & Ohio canal, from Girard to Niles, in 1837.
About this time the original Girard plat was made by a company formed at Warren, among whom was Governor David Tod. Since then many additions have been made, principally along the lines of the railroads and bounded on the east by the State road. The Hartzell plat lies immediately north of the old Girard plat; north of this is the Stambaugh and Bush plats. The Osborn plat lies immediately south and Morris plat south of this. Between the latter and the Mahoning river Arms, Morris, and Tod made an additional plat, and across the river is Rayen's plat.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH (GIRARD).
The first society of the Methodist Episcopal church in Girard was organized by Rev. Dillon Prosser in 1843. It consisted of Peter, Hannah,
and Mary Carlton, Mary and Mrs. Hollings- worth, Abigail Osborn, Betsey McLean, and Samuel McMillan-the latter was appointed class-leader. The place of worship was a log school-house built on the ground now occupied by the residence of Obadiah Sheadle. Soon afterward they removed to a room in the store of Mr. Hollingsworth, afterwards the residence of George Spray, where services were held until the completion of the new frame school-house in which the meetings were then held. In 1852, after a great struggle to secure the necessary funds, a small chapel of very plain style was built without steepte, belfry or other mark to dis- tinguish it from the surrounding buildings, ex- cept, perhaps, the two doors in front and windows above.
This was their home for twenty-seven years. The following have served this congregation : Dillon Prosser (1843), Ira Norris and Allen Foutz (1844), W. F. Day (1845), A. Norton, and J. L. Holmes (1846), A. Keller and S. Hubbard (1847), A. Keller and H. Kellogg (1848), W. N. Reno (1849), A. Reeves and W. N. Reno (1850), D. C. Wright and J. H. Vance (1851), J. H. Vance (1852), J. W. Weldon (1853), S. K. Paden (1854), N. C. Brown (1855), S. Heard (1856-57), J. W. Hill (1858-59), R. M. Bear (1860), E. Wade (1861-62), F. Vernon (1863), W. Hays (1864-65), J. H. Vance (1866-67, L. W. Ely (1868-69), W. A. Clark (1870), T. Guy (1871-73), C. T. Kingsbury (1874-76), J. H. Staratt, (1877-80), and Thomas McCleary, the present incumbent. The present house was dedi- cated January 18, 1880, by Rev. C. H. Payne, president of the Ohio Wesleyan university, from II. Chronicles, VI., 18, " But will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth?" This edifice is of Gothic style, with main audience room 40 x 50 feet, with transepts, right, left, and in front, 10 x 28 feet, cut off on the inside by fold- ing doors which throw all the rooms together when required, with a seating capacity of four hundred, and costing about $4,500. The total indebtedness was discharged at the dedication exercises, and the building is certainly a fit temple for the purpose to which it is dedicated.
THE DISCIPLES CHURCH (GIRARD).
The first meetings of this denomination were held in the school hall, and among the ministers who preached during that time were Walter Hay-
437
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
den, Gideon Applegate, Orin Higgins, and others. The organization was effected February 5, 1867, by Orin Gates, who was sent by the missionary society of the church for that pur- pose. The original officials were Charles C. Fowler, James Shannon, and Ambrose Mason, elders; William Shannon, S. H. Miller, and John Patton, deacons. The original members of the church were Lucy Shannon, Laura Gilbert, Alice Harper, Louisa D. Fowler, Nancy Reel, Eliza- beth Reed, Malinda and Minerva Phillips, Eliza- beth Stanbaugh, Cynthia Young, Collins At- wood, Elizabeth Gantholtz, and Florence Mc- Lain. The present number of members is about sixty. The present church building was erected in 1871 at the time of Rev. N. N. Bartlett's ministry, and was constructed by William and James Shannon and John Reed, building com- mittee, and Charles Fowler, contractor and car- penter. Among the ministers who have served this congregation from time to time were Henry Camp, James Van Horne, E. D. Wakefield, T. S. Hanselman, N. N. Bartlett, and S. S. Bartlett. The society is now in a good, prosperous condi- tion, with a Sabbath-school of about fifty mem- bers. The present officials are James Shannon, Alanson Miller, and C. H. Stanbaugh, elders; William Wallace, and Frederick Coonly, dea- cons, and A. Wayne Kennedy, treasurer.
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.