USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 85
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 85
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
CORTLAND.
This is the only town in Bazetta township, and is pleasantly situated on the New York, Pennsyl- vania and Ohio railroad, in the northeastern part of the township. It is now a thriving town of six hundred and fourteen inhabitants, and con- tains three churches, two newspapers, stores, mills, and other industries and business opera- tions and enterprises. Two hotels and two livery stables provide for the wants of the travel- ing public. H. G. Bacon in the principal dealer in groceries of all kinds, and C. C. Clawson is largely engaged in a dry goods and general mer- cantile business. J. A. Bradford deals in all kinds of furniture. These are a few of the prominent business firms of the village.
INCORPORATION.
The town was formally incorporated in 1874, and at the first election under the incorporation the following officials were chosen : Asa Hines, mayor; W. W. Post, elerk; E. A. Faunce, treas- urer; Joseph Young, marshal; A. S. Gilbert, R. D. Larned, J. H. Post, M. Bacon, M. Craft, and A. G. Miller were elected councilmen.
NEWSPAPERS.
The Cortland Gazette was established May 19, 1876, and is devoted to general and local news, and has for its motto "One country, one currency, and a credit based upon coin." The
483
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
paper was first started by W. A. Craft, publisher, and John Johnston, editor. The latter has since become sole proprietor.
The Cortland Era is a sprightly little paper, and has for its object " the greatest good to the greatest number." It is independent in politics and is issued by Caldwell & Hardy.
SCHOOLS.
Cortland is more noted for its educational advantages, her citizens having made special efforts in securing the location of a large and commodious union school-building, fitted with all the modern facilities for educational pursuits.
CORTLAND HIGH SCHOOL.
Cortland high school was cstablished by a special act of the Legislature, and was opened for the admission of students September 3. 1877. The aim and scope of the school is, in many of its features, distinctly different from that of the ordinary high schools. The aim of the board of education is to furnish, not only to the citizens of Cortland, but also to the citizens of Trumbull and adjoining counties, a school of high standing, in which thorough preparation may be made for college, for the important work of teaching, or for the duties of active life. A liberal patronage and an increased interest in the great cause of education has rewarded their efforts.
The high school building stands upon an ele- vated plat of ground overlooking the village of Cortland and many miles of the surrounding country,affording scenery of great natural beauty. The building is new and commodious, consist- ing of five well heated, lighted, and ventilated rooms, furnished with comfortable sittings, and with charts, globes, and other apparatus neces- sary for the school-room. Attendance (1881), ladies 28, gentlemen 14, and non-residents 21.
EARLY SCHOOLS.
The pioneer school-house of Bazetta was built in the valley immediately above the present Cortland Cheese factory, on Walnut creek. This was a small, rude structure of unhewn logs, and as rudely furnished. The windows were made by cutting out a part of a log here and there, and over the apertures thus made oiled (real bear's oil) paper was pasted. The paper, however, had previously been used as copy books, and hence the windows of the pioneer academy were well
decorated with those hieroglyphic characters commonly known as "pot-hooks," and such familiar mottoes as "Honesty is the best policy."
The writing desks were constructed by boring holes in the wall, or logs, in which wooden pins were driven; on these boards were laid, and the desks were complete.
The course of study and supply of books were exceedingly limited, and embraced in the furthest advancement the well known acme of mathemat- ical knowledge called the "single rule of three," now known as proportion.
When the old school-house was abandoned another one was built somewhat better, but after the same plan, and was erected about 1814. The cause of education soon received special and earnest attention from the people of this township, and as it became more settled and the population increased the various localities, as soon as circumstances would allow, were supplied with the usual common school facilities.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The first meeting appointed for this society in Bazetta was held March 10, 1841. Morris Headley was appointed moderator, and J. W. Peck clerk. At the election which ensued J. A. Root, Constant Rowlee, and Lucius Peck were chosen as trustees; Silas Leonard and Joel Cas- terline, collectors; J. W. Peck and Joel Caster- line, choristers. At this meeting the subject of building a house of worship was discussed and decided upon favorably. Nathan Latin pre- sented a proposition to donate the site of the new church on his land at the center, and an- other was presented by Ezra Marvin for the erection of the house on the corner near his present residence.
A vote being taken it was decided to build the church at the center, which they immediately proceeded to carry into execution. The society was afterward incorporated under the act of the Legislature of the State, passed January 21, 1842.
The society was then incorporated as the First Presbyterian and Congregational church society of Bazetta, in which Lucius Peck, Joseph A. Root, and their successors in office were elected a body politic and corporate, known by the name above mentioned. The present pastor is Rev. R. A. Davis.
484
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
THE DISCIPLES CHURCH.
The pioneer religious organization was effected by the Baptists about 1818. The members of this pioneer society held their meetings at private houses and in the school-houses. Edward Scho- field was the leading member of the society and frequently officiated as minister. Mrs. Ann Davis is the only person now living who belonged to this pioneer band. This organization was afterwards merged into what is now known as the Disciples church, and the well-known leaders in the new faith Adamson Bentley, Walter Scott, Hayden, Headley, and others, often min- istered to the members of this society.
The society is now in a flourishing condition in the village of Cortland.
The present church building was remodeled in 1875 and now has a baptistry and prayer- rooms, with ample seating capacity for the present membership of about two hundred. Rev. D. P. Thayer is the present pastor, and the present board of elders is composed of the following per- sons, namely: N. A. Cowdery, S. Hulse, and Aaron Davis; deacons, E. Barnes, H. McHanah, and H. G. Bacon. The Sabbath-school num- bers about one hundred pupils.
This denomination also has another society at West Bazetta, which was organized December 16, 1848, by Calvin Smith. The official board is composed of Levi Bush and Alden Faunce, overseers; and Ellis Pierce, Joseph Sage, and Jacob Dice, deacons.
In 1853 this society was constituted an incor- porate body, of which Stephen Mott, Hiram Wilber, and Joseph Dilley were chosen trustees, and John Diehl clerk.
The Disciples in the east part of the township met on September 7, 1852, and an organization was effected. At that time the association was called "The Church of God," and the official board was composed of Hervey Post, Moses Bacon, and Aaron Davis trustees, and Leman Palmer clerk.
These societies are now in a flourishing con- dition, and with commendable zeal bearing their respective part in the moral and religious work in this township.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
From the best authority, in the absence of the records, the date of the organization of this soci-
ety was about 1830. At this time the first build- ing was erected, but the rapid growth of the so- ciety soon necessitated the building of a new edifice, and the old church was abandoned, and was refitted for a hall. The new building was begun in 1879, and is now (1881) finished. It is a large and commodious brick structure of mod- ern architecture, with audience rooms having a seating capacity of over four hundred, also lecture room, basement, and other chambers, eight in all. The society now has a membership of about one hundred and twenty, tormed into four classes, of which C. C. Clawson, Mahlon Craft, and F. A. Richards are the leaders. The board of trustees is composed of Solomon Cline, Mahlon Craft, C. C. Clawson, A. J. Larned, August Hayden, B. F. Meek, and F. A. Richards; and the present pas- tor is Rev. J. H. Starrett.
THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
This denomination has organized several societies in the township. The one in Cort- land was organized in 1869, when the church building was erected. Rev. W. H. Millar was the first pastor. He came from Portage county, and took charge of this congregation, and the one in the south part of the township. The board of trustees, elected at the quarterly confer- ence at the time of the organization, was com- posed of Rev. W. H. Millar, Rev. Silas Caster- line, Thomas Kennedy, James Hulse, and I. P. Hayden. The latter was steward and David Wilson leader. The membership at that time numbered about twenty-seven, and was scat- tered over a great extent of territory. The church building was dedicated in January, 1870, and the dedicatory exercises were presided over by Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner, of Virginia. The present membership numbers about fifty, under the pastoral charge of Rev. D. A. Bonewell. The present officials are Silas Casterline, James Hulse, Thomas Kennedy, Fitch Mapes, and Or- ville Hayden, trustees. The latter is also class- leader and William Roberts steward.
THE TEMPLE, OR WEST BAZETTA CHURCH,
is located in the southwest part of the town- ship, and was organized by Rev. W. H. Millar in 1856. The membership at the first organization exceeded one hundred, but at present is very much diminished in number.
Haion Lavis
485
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
THE INDEPENDENCE CORNER CHURCH is located in the northeast corner of the town- ship. The society was organized about 1840.
THE BAZETTA, OR KENNEDY CHURCH, was established about 1840. Rev. I). A. Bone- well is the present pastor.
THE RIDGE CHURCH.
This church building was erected in 1842.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
AARON DAVIS.
This well and favorably known citizen of Bazetta township was the oldest son and third child of William Davis, who was born in Wash- ington county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1782. His wife, Ann Luce, was a granddaughter of General Stark, of Revolutionary fame. She was born in 1783, and is yet living, being about ninety nine years old, probably the oldest person living in the county. The extreme old age to which Mrs. Davis has lived will appear all the more remarkable when it is known that she has been the mother of fifteen children, named as follows : Mariah, Susan, Aaron, Matthias, Reu- ben, Mary, Permelia, Eliza, Sidney, William, Stockton and Judson (twins), Mariah, Lucy, and Elijah. Mr. Davis was a lieutenant of militia when the news of Hull's surrender of Detroit reached the Reserve, and at the first alarm pre- pared for action. The wildest confusion pre- vailed among the settlers, who seized all kinds of arms and had a volunteer army on foot in a miraculously short time, under command of General Perkins. Lieutenant Davis urged the necessity of guarding against an Indian incur- sion, and also made provision for the safety and support of the families of volunteers. After the war he engaged in the manufacture of potash on his farm. While thus employed he one winter suffered undue exposure to severe cold, and in consequence lost his native power and steadiness of mind. During the remaining years of his life he was at times demented and suffered con- stantly from feeble health. His death occurred in 1860.
Aaron Davis, the subject of an accompanying illustration, was born April 23, 1809. His early
life was spent on his father's farm. He was mar- ried September 13, 1832, to Alvira C. Knox, whose death occurred March 25, 1848. She left a family of six children-Lavina C., wife of Horace Detchon; Byron, resident of Mecca township; Theodocia, deceased; Newton, Mecca township; Mary, wife of Oswald Totton, John- ston township, and Marshall, Cortland.
Mr. Davis married for his second wife Mary Johnston, daughter of Colonel Walter Johnston, and granddaughter of James Johnston, a mem- ber of the Connecticut Land company and origi- nal proprietor of Johnston township. She was born March 4, 1824. The family by this mar- riage consisted of three children living-Ransom W., of Cortland ; Eliza A., wife of Henry Day, of Gustavus township ; Burritt, of Bazetta, and Jane M., deceased. Mr. Davis has held various local offices. He served two terms on the board of county commissioners, having been first elected in the year 1860. He was a competent and faithful officer. For more than two score of years he has been an active mem- ber of the Disciple church. He was selected one of the first board of trustees of Hiram in- stitute, and was a member of the committee which located and purchased the ground. He served as trustee for a period of fifteen years, a part of the time with James A. Garfield, with whom he became well acquainted. He was a member of the board when Garfield was first employed as a teacher in Hiram. The follow- ing anecdote was related to Mr. Davis by the late President :
When I was a pupil in school in Geauga county I was, 1 suppose, an ungainly looking lad, at any rate 1 was the sub- ject of a great many tricks and jokes. Once they sheared off my hair. I told the fellow who did the cutting that if I ever became able 1 would give him a sound thrashing. A year or two afterwards I fulfilled my promise. Several years later. while I was president of Hiram college, I was out lecturing, and one night saw this same fellow in one corner of the house. 11 was with difficulty I could keep from laughing out loud.
Mr. Davis has many other pleasant reminis- cences of the Nation's late chief.
Mr. Davis is a ready hand at almost anything; while farming has engaged most of his attention, he has also worked at carpentering, cabinet work, etc. He is a quiet citizen, but always ready to respond to the call of duty. He has been over- seer of the Disciple church for forty years, and is a practical Christian.
486
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO
JAMES HERVEY POST.
The sons and descendants of Munson Post are among the most prominent and influential citizens of Bazetta township. The name is of Welsh origin. Joseph Post was one of the earliest settlers of Washington county, Pennsyl- vania, where Munson was born January 24, 1785. He was married February 7, 1811, to Elizabeth Cooper, who was born March 17, 1792. They lived in Washington county until the year 1826, the date of their settlement in Bazetta. Mr. Post was a man of quiet disposition, regular habits, and good business qualifications. He was universally respected, and died lamented, March 17, 1870, being eighty-five years old. Mrs. Post died July 18, 1874. Their family consisted of ten children, viz: Sarah, born De- cember 27, 1811; Henry H., May 23, 1813; Joseph, August 20, 1815 ; Mary, February 22, 1818; James H., December 24, 1819; Moses C., May 23, 1822; Marcus, October 23, 1824; Elizabeth, November 15, 1826; Ephraim, No- vember 13, 1828, and Emeline, December 7, 1832. All the daughters are dead. Three of the sons live in Cortland, and one near the village -- all successful men and respected citizens.
James Hervey Post built the first mill in Cortland while it was yet known as Baconsburg. With the exception of an interval of three years he has been connected with the milling industry ever since. Since 1856 his brother, Moses C. Post, has been in partnership with him. The firm purchased the saw-mill in 1867, and in that branch have been doing an extensive business in sawing and prepared lumber, house-finishing materials, etc. Further particulars are given in the township history.
Mr. Post married in 1846, Miss Eliza Abell, daughter of Lewis Abell, of Bazetta township. She was born March 26, 1823. Their family consists of three children : Louis M., Florence E., and Calvin S.
Mr. Post is a man of good standing in his own community, but has never aspired to a wide popularity. He has been busily and successfully occupied with his business, and never aspired to public positions, though he has frequently been honored with local trusts. He has been treas- urer of his township five years, and was formerly trustee for several terms. He also served one term on the county board of infirmary directors.
He is clear-headed and enterprising in business transactions, and upright and liberal in all his dealings. He is an active member and liberal supporter of the Disciple church in Cortland.
WILLIAM B. KENNEDY.
Samuel Kennedy, father of William B. Ken- nedy, was of Irish stock and was born in the year 1764. Jane Kennedy, his wife, was born in 1772. They lived in Northumberland county, Pennsylvania, until the year 1814, when with their family they removed to Howland township. Mr. Kennedy died two years later at the age of fifty two years. Mrs. Kennedy died in 1844. They had a family of eleven children, who at one time all lived within four miles of their mother's residence on the old homestead. Their names were as follows: Robert, Montgomery, Jane Maxwell (Mrs. D). B. King), Nancy (Mrs. Samuel King), Mary Barber (Mrs. William King), Tabi- tha (Mrs. Samuel Kennedy), James, Maxwell, Thomas, William B., Ann (Mrs. M. I. Iddings), and Elizabeth (Mrs. Montgomery Anderson). James, Nancy and Ann are living in Howland, Thomas and William B. in Bazetta. The re- maining members of the family are deceased.
William B. Kennedy was born in Northumber- land county, Pennsylvania, September 21, 1812, and was consequently two years old when his father removed to Ohio. In the year 1837 he was married to Eliza Davis, who was born in the year 1818. They have had a family of five chil- dren, the two youngest of whom, Ellen and Jud D., are deceased. Anthony Wayne, the oldest son, has been engaged in teaching since his eighteenth year, during the last ten years as principal of the schools at Girard. He has trav- eled extensively, having spent four years on the Rocky mountains. He is married to Eunice Kellogg. Ann, the only daughter of William and Eliza Kennedy living, is the wife of Ken- nedy Andrews, of Warren. Cassius Clay, third child of William and Eliza Kennedy, is married to Alice Kellogg. He owns one of the best farms in Bazetta township, and is a man of con- siderable local prominence. He has taught dis- trict school since the age of eighteen years.
Mr. Kennedy gave his children an early start in life, and has the satisfaction in his old age of
I. A Post
187
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OIHO.
seeing them in prosperous circumstances. He has lived on the same farm since 1837, and has devoted himself industriously to agricultural pur- suits. He has lived for himself and family and by diligence, sobriety, and honesty has made himself a representative of that class of society known as the substantial common people, which gives soul and permanence to all industrial, moral, and political institutions.
NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.
Lebbeus Beach came from Hartland, Connecti- cut, and settled on a farm in Hartford township il: 1812. He was born in the year of Inde pendence-1776-and was married to Hope Spencer (who was born same year) in June, 1799. The children were-Harry, Seneca (de- ceased), Julia, now Mrs. M. Scott, of Gustavus; and Laura, now Mrs. Hulburt, of Ashtabula county. The family, with the exception of Laura, he brought with him; he was also accom- panied by the aged father of his wife (Frederick) who was eager for the conquests of the new country. He lived in Hartford until 1855, eventually moving to Gustavus, where he lived with his daughter Julia until 1859, when he died. He was known as a farmer but held the office of justice of the peace for twenty-four years.
Dr. Harry Beach was born May 20, 1800, and was married to Mary Chew (born in 1805) in 1823. To them were born the following chil- dren : Emily, now Mrs. Ephraim Post; Leo- nora, deceased; Francis, of Meadville, Pennsyl- vania; Allison, of Wisconsin; Curtland, member of company A, Forty-first Ohio volunteer infan- try, died at Nashville, Tennessee, in 1862. The doctor was, as is seen by the above, a farmer's son, but was given the advantage of the common school, of which he made the best use and was fit to begin the study of medicine, which he did in the fall of 1820, under Dr. Wilcox, of Hart- ford. There he remained two years, after which he studied under Dr. Fowler, of Brookfield, and commenced practice in the latter place in 1824, continuing two years. He then settled in Fowler, where he continued a successful practice for fifty years, until now at the age of eighty years he has retired from active life and lives with his daughter, Mrs. Post, in Cortland. He is widely
known for a life of great usefulness in his pro- fession, and also as the oldest living physician in Trumbull county.
Moses Cooper Post was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, May 26, 1822, and came to Ohio with his father when about five years of age. He lived on the farm with his father until he was about twenty-one, when, May 28, 1843, he was married to Elvily C. Freer, who was born April 26, 1823. They are the parents of the following children : Olive Cornelia, born March 20, 1844, who was married to J. W. Hathaway, and moved to Marietta, where she died; Harriet Orissa (deceased), born March 26, 1846; Orpha Amanda, born September 29, 1848, now Mrs. Burt Swager; Wills Watson, April 10, 1851; Ella Ophelia, August 6, 1854, now Mrs. Lewis Hut- ton, of Bristol; Cora Estelia, August 16, 1857, now Mrs. Homer Smith; Jennie E. (deceased), born July 22, 1860; Alta B., born May 21, 1864; and Candace E., born March 13, 1867. Soon after his marriage Mr. Post began life for himself, but with very little capital, in the milling business, having built his first mill on Walnut creek. He is now engaged with his brother Hervey in the milling business, operating the only flour-mills in Bazetta. He was captain of the Independent Rifle company that existed here in former years, whose musters occurred twice in the spring and once in the fall. His business relations have precluded his service in any pub- lic office except that of town trustee, which he held two terms; was elected to other offices, but for the above reasons he declined to serve. By hard work, industry, and economy, he has arrived at his present well-known position of affluence in this community, in which he has spent the quiet, but busy years of his manhood.
Ephraim Post was born November 13, 1828, and was married to Orpha Hawley, who was born February 14, 1826, and died September 2, 1870. He was again married September 11, 1872, to Emily (Beach) Trowbridge, who was born March 16, 1830. His children are Jay, born October 7, 1856; Viets C., born Octo- ber 25, 1858, now living in Warren; Loren E., born May 3, 1861; Harry S., born August 28, 1864; Lizzie May, born November 5, 1867. Mrs. Emily Trowbridge, present wife of Mr. Post, had a family of four children, two now liv- ing : Charles A., born July 20, 1848, living in
488
TRUMBULL, AND, MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
Fowler; Edward M., deceased, born November 19, 1850; Frank B., deceased, born January 21, 1854; Nora, born December 11, 1857, now Mrs. C. C. Craft. Mr. Post, with whom the venerable Dr. Harry Beach (father of Mrs. Post) now makes his home, was born on the Post home- stead farm, where he now lives, and where his youth and manhood years have been spent, and where he row expects to remain during life. He is a farmer by occupation, has held the office of councilman of the village of Cortland, and he and his wife are members of the Disciple church.
Deborah Latin came from New York in 1829 and settled in Bazetta. She was accompanied by her two sons, Eli and Shepherd, she being a widow. In 1831 her son Nathaniel came from the same State and settled on the present Latin homestead farm (lot fifty-five). He was a cab- inet-maker by trade, which occupation he fol- lowed for some time, but subsequently gave it up and began farming. He frst built a frame house on the site of his present residence, in which he and his tamily lived until 1840, when the present residence was erected. Laura Latin, his wife, engaged in tailoring and made the first ready- made gentlemen's clothing sold in Warren. She furnished the prominent men-the lawyers and doctors-with clothing, having in her employ several apprentices. Fifty years ago, when the Latin family came to Bazetta, there were no clearings or roads on the farm, and the wild ani- mals were plentiful. The "whistle " of the deer was often heard from the door-stoop of the pio- neer home, as they would come at night to the deer lick only about forty rods in front of the house. At this lick Nathaniel Latin killed a deer weighing over two hundred pounds. What was then known as Bristol swamps abounded with bears and other wild animals that commit- ted many depredations on the stock of the pio- neers. Nathaniel Latin, deceased, was born Au- gust 25, 1801, and married May 30, 1822, to Laura Lonsberry, who was born March 15, 1802. To them were born the following children : Martin Hawley (deceased), boin March 1, 1824; Warren A., February 1, 1826, now in Arizona ; Susannah M., July 4, 1829, now Mrs. Samuel Bissel, of Pennsylvania ; Lura C., August 30, 1831, now Mrs. O. B. Bissel, of Iowa; Sarah J. (deceased), born July 28, 1833; Oliver L., De- cember 9, 1834, of Kansas ; Delilah, February
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.