USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 89
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 89
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fragments, which descended over the townships of Hubbard and Coitsville and as far into Pennsyl- vania as New Castle, a distance of thirty-five miles from where the storm began. Way-bills from Braceville station, shingles, pieces of boards, etc., were scattered profusely over the whole country, where the fallen rubbish marked the path of the storm.
It commenced with the width of about ten rods, rising and falling as it advanced, vary- ing the width and lessening the violence, being about forty rods in width where it left the earth. In 1823 a similar tornado visited this locality, commencing near Jesse Benedict's, overturning a barn, rooting up an orchard, and going north towards Champion, but confining its ravages to the forests.
CEMETERY.
The burial grounds at Braceville center were first laid out on grounds donated by Hervey Stow, to which his son, Franklin E., afterwards made valuable improvements, and beautified the grounds. The grounds were laid out in 1812, and the first interment was that of Sa- ber Lane, wife of Isaac Lane, who died January 27, 1813. The cemetery is now under the juris- diction of the township trustees, and is at present a well-kept and beautiful resting place for the dead, and many of the names of leading men and the old pioneers, who have ample mention in this history, may be found on these marble slabs. "Men die but their works live forever."
RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS.
The first religious organization of this town- ship was called the Bible Christian church, that for a few years held religious services in the old log school-house at the center, which was pre- sided over by Father Ross, and his followers were locally denominated Rossites. Among those who belonged to this organization as zealous workers were Hervey Stow and Edman Oviatt. Barney C. Allen was here baptized- " in the faith of his father and mother " -- by the venerable Ross, when but a small boy, but he yet remembers that he knelt on the floor and was copiously showered with water ; he remembers also that he had a very strong mental objection to the quantity of water thought to be necessary for his case. In 1812 Rev. William Penn, a Presbyterian, preached in the log school-house
and organized a society. This organization con- tinued for many years, built a church, and, no doubt, effected many moral reforms and accom- plished much good, but was finally disorganized, and the building which they erected now serves as the town hall at the center.
In 1814 the Congregational church of Brace- ville was organized, and was composed at this time of five members-Comfort Stow, William McWilliams, Rachel and Theda Stow, and Mary Oviatt. For seven years the responsibilities of committeeman, clerk, and deacon devolved upon Comfort Stow. Meetings were held in the school-house, now town hall, at the center, under the ministration of Revs. Joseph C. Curtis, Benjamin Fen, William Hanford, Joseph Treat, and others. In 1834 a society was formally or- ganized, auxiliary to the church, and a house of worship was erected in 1835. The church has had several seasons of revival-notably among these was the one held in 1836, at which time twenty-seven were added to the church. In 1837 a call was made to Rev. Selden Haynes, who served one year, and was succeeded by Rev. Perry Platt in 1839, who did much to unite the church, endeared himself to the people, and at his death was buried in the Braceville cemetery. At this time the church numbered seventy-two members, but dissensions having already crept in were inflamed by the agitation of the slavery question, and the church in 1876 voted to sell its property and loan the funds to the American Missionary society.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
In 1816 an itinerant Methodist preacher in the person of John McMann, found his way to this locality, and succeeded in organizing a class of that denomination. As remarked elsewhere, Hervey Stow and Edman Oviatt about this time were working together to effect a permanent or- ganization of the Bible Christian church, but failing in this, Mr. Stow united with the Method- ist, and his name appears first upon the church record. He was class-leader, steward, and trus- tee of the new church organization, and his house for twenty years was the regular preaching place, and for sixty years the itinerant preacher's home; and the public singing of the congrega- tion was led by him for twenty-five years. The circuit to which the Braceville church belonged
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was called Mahoning circuit, and embraced what now constitutes several districts.
In the early days such men as Elliott, Finley, Eddy, and a host of well-known pioneer itiner- ants threaded the wilds in the cause of the Master, and found ready welcome at the Brace- ville charge. The first church building was a large log house of hewn logs, substantially put together, and strong puncheon floor, of well- known pioneer architecture. Hervey Stow and Hervey Allen made the trip to Pittsburg in a road wagon, camping out on the way, to procure the glass and nails for this building. This house was occupied as a place of worship until the present house was built in 1838, which was re- modeled in 1874.
When the class was organized at Newton Falls, the same ministers that served Braceville also preached there, and among the names of the ministers the following are those who are now remembered : Father Davis, Arthur M. Brown, T. B. Tate, G. W. Maltby, Lewis Clark, J. W. Lowe, E. B. Lane, Milo Butler, J. M. Plant, H. M. Loud, R. W. Crane, G. W. Chesboro, J. K. Hallock, H. B. Henderson, J. B. Grover, John H. Tagg, John Graham, Hiram Kellogg, E. D. McCreary, H. M. Chamberlain, C. C. Hunt, C. R. Waters, J. K. Shaffer, N. C. Brown, E. M. Nowlen, C. V. Wilson, and J. B. Corey.
Among the presiding elders were Ira Eddy, B. O. Plimpton, Hiram Kingsley, H. N. Stearns, Moses Hill, John Graham, J. Tribby, and A. D. Morton.
On June 15th, 1878, a reunion of the minis- ters of this circuit was held at Braceville, and was a meeting of great interest, and continued from Saturday until the next Tuesday evening. The programme consisted of special discourses, addresses to young people, memorials, reminis- cences of early times, of pioneer members and pastors. This was was an occasion long to be remembered by the members of the church and the community in general.
Among the ministers who returned on this occasion to the scenes of their past labors, to renew pleasant memories of the past were T. B. Tate, W. H. Wilson, J. Tribby, H. P. Hender- son, C. V. Wilson, J. B. Corey, H. M. Cham- berlain, J. B. Grover, S. Graham, A. D. Morton, Stephen Heard, F. A. Archibald, R. M. Bear, J. Crum. Letters of regret at not being able to
attend were received from G. W. Chesboro, D. Prosser, J. H. Tagg, J. K. Shaffer, and C. C. Hunt.
The meeting was held under the ministerial management of C. R. Waters, the pastor in charge.
The church at Braceville is now enjoying a good degree of prosperity, and bids fair to long continue to bear a good share in the moral and religious work in this community.
THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH.
The church building of this denomination is located on the center road in the north part of the township. The class was organized in 1857 and was composed of Eli Smith and wife, John Weaver and wife, Henry Fuhlwaler and wife, Benjamin Roberts and wife, Samuel Simpson, and others.
The first meetings were held in the old school- house that stood where the new school-house now stands, on Eagle creek. The following min- isters have served this congregation: William Miller, Benjamin Smith, J. Noel, David Traver, I. M. Moody, J. Excell, Ebons Hotchkiss, Rufus Smith, C. Casterline, H. F. Day, and J. Shreffler. The present building was erected in 1875, under the direction of Jason Heard and Eli Smith, building committee, and was dedicated June 4, 1875, by Bishop Glossbrenner.
THE DISCIPLES (CHRISTIAN) CHURCH, BRACE- VILLE CENTER.
The members of this congregation in appre- ciation of the importance of preserving the his- tory of the church, lately appointed a committee consisting of Rev. J. S. Ross, Mrs. Lucinda A. Smith, and Mrs. Oliver M. Benedict, to gather the important facts connected with the early his- tory of the congregation, and have them properly recorded. Free access to these records was cheerfully granted by Rev. Ross, and from the labors of this committee the following facts are noted.
During most of the year of 1867-68, Rev. J. N. Smith was employed one-half his time at Newton Falls; the remaining portion was secured to the District Missionary society of the denom- ination. Eliab W. Bosworth, of Newton Falls church, was corresponding secretary of the so- ciety district, and was authorized to direct the labors of Rev. Smith. In January, 1869, he
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arranged with Rev. Smith to hold a series of meetings in the town hall of Braceville center; which began early in the month, lasting over three Lord's days, and resulted in the conversion of the following persons: David Hagar, Julia Benedict (wife of George), Nancy and Martha Joy, and Mary Matthews; also Heaton and Eliz- abeth Joy were reclaimed.
The converts were baptized in the Mahoning river opposite the residence of George Benedict. While the meeting was in progress the question of organizing a church at this place was talked of among those interested, at various times, and as the meeting was still successfully protracted the feeling in favor of an organization grew stronger and definite action was finally resolved upon, when it was announced that Edward Shaffer, of Southington, and Solomon Brown, of Newton Falls, had declared their intention of uniting with the new organization at Braceville.
On the following Lord's day-January 31, 1869-the church was organized with the follow- ing charter members: Edward S. Shaffer and wife (Sarah), Belle and Louiza Shaffer, Seth and Susan Lee, David and Eleanor Hagar, Ezekiel and Elizabeth Woodward, Morley H. and Eliza Wirls, Heaton F. and Mary E. Joy, Julia A. Smith, Nancy and Martha Joy, Julia and Olive Benedict, Lucinda A. Smith, Lavina L., Mary E., and Salome Matthews, Maggie Austin, Lauris- ton Lane, Lucy (Woodward) Lane, Mary Levings, and Mary Wilson. Immediately after the organ- ization John S. and Martha A. Myers, Frank Poreman, and A. Smith, were received into the church. At the first election the following offi- cers were chosen: Edward Shaffer and Solomon Brown, overseers ; Seth Lee and Ezekiel Wood- ward, deacons.
Solomon Brown did not become a member of the Braceville church, and Seth Lee was elected in his place as overseer. The following minis- ters have served this congregation: Rev. J. N. Smith, who organized the church, lived at New- ton Falls, and moved from here to Lanark, Illi- nois; Rev. A. W. Olds, very soon after the organ- ization was employed here for afternoon services, preaching in the morning at Newton Falls, where he resided; Rev. I. A. Thayer held services every fourth Lord's day from some time in 1869 to April, 1870. He was then just beginning his ministry, and offered to serve the congregation
for what they might be able to pay or raise for him. During the winter the church gave him a donation in addition to what was paid him from time to time. The donation party was held at Dr. Rice's, where William Oliver now lives. The following year he held services in the morning and evening every alternate Lord's day, and received another donation aggregating $70 and over. He resided in Southington, where he labored half his time, and also practiced medicine, being a physi- cian of the Eclectic school.
Rev. Morgan P. Hayden, a student of Hiram college,was engaged the following year each al- ternate Lord's day, and was paid $6 per visit. During this fall Rev. N. N. Bartlett held a pro- tracted meeting, which resulted in nine additions to the church. Afterwards he was engaged here one-half his time until 1872. He lived at Niles, where he also preached. In the fall of 1873 Rev. D. P. Thayer was engaged for services each alternate Lord's day, mornings and evenings.
At an early period Rev. Bartlett had suggested the building of a church, and about March, 1874, a meeting was called to decide the legal status of the organization, which met at the house of Augustus Elwell, and selected the following trustees : James Burnett, Seth Lee, and H. F. Austin. Efforts were made to pur- chase the old Presbyterian church, but were unsuccessful, and a purchase was made of the north side of the present lot for $200, to which, afterwards, an addition was made. The present church building was erected in the summer of 1874, and Rev. D. P. Thayer served the con- gregation the first year in the new building until 1875, when he was succeeded by Rev. O. C. Hill, a professor in Hiram college, who held ser- vices here until the following August.
The present pastor, J. S. Ross, began his work here in the fall of 1875, preaching his first ser- mon September 5th. He was at this time em- ployed in the United States railway mail service, and the congregation engaged Elder Lyman Streator to hold a series of meetings which re- sulted in two accessions. In 1877 Elder D. C. Henselman held a meeting, with ten acces- sions; and in the winter of 1877 78 the pastor began a series of evening meetings, resulting in sixteen accessions to the church. Other special efforts have been made from time to time, espe- cially during the last winter, with the assistance
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of Elder O. A. Richards, when twenty-five were received into the membership of the church, and the congregation is now enjoying a commendable degree of prosperity.
PHALANX FLOUR-MILL.
In the year 1811 Eli Barnum erected the first flour-mill on the site of the present Phalanx flour- mills on Eagle creek, in the northwestern part of the township. It afterwards passed into the hands of the Phalanx company, then to William Bail, of whom W. P. and A. E. Goodrich pur- chased. In 1865 A. G. Rood & Co. came into possession and operated about eight years, when the present company, F. A. & A. G. Rood, be- gan operations. The capacity of the mills is about sixty bushels of wheat per day; has two run of stone-one for wheat and the other a chopper. They also have a saw-mill attached, and both propelled by water-power received from Eagle creek.
THE TRUMBULL PHALANX COMPANY.
In 1846 a company of about one hundred and fifty persons settled in the northwestern part of the township, and was known as the Trum- bull Phalanx company. This company pur- chased the Eli Barnum flour-mill and five or six hundred acres of land, built a tannery, repaired the mill, erected a wooden bowl factory, wagon- shop, shoe-shop, and operated various other in- dustries.
They erected one very long frame tenement house and several log dwellings for the accomo- dation of their families, and built a large school- house for educational purposes, and in which they held religious exercises and the free discus- sion of religious beliefs. The company was or- ganized on the " mutual " plan, each one shar- ing equally from the dividends made from the proceeds of the various industries, and each per- son receiving credit for work done.
The company continued in operation here for about four years, when for some reason not now known was disbanded. But while herc this was a place of considerable business activity as well as a resort for neighborhood social gatherings and other popular amusements common to rural neighborhoods.
From this company the locality received the name by which it is known and which it has transmitted to the railroad station and post-office.
The station known as Phalanx is located on the Cleveland & Mahoning railroad, and has but one store ; it is a point for transferring coal and other railroad business. Phalanx post-office, of which Mrs. Samuel Barnum is postmistress, is located in convenience to this community.
THE CHEESE-BOX FACTORY.
This manufactory is located in the northern part of the township on the center road, and on the farm owned by the proprietor, Michael Tem- pleton, who has operated in this locality for twenty nine years. He first began making cheese boxes by hand, then horse power until 1870, when he began at the present location, where he is now extensively engaged using steam power, propelled by a forty-horse power engine. The capacity of the mill is about two hundred boxes per day. The saw-mill is used in connec- tion with the factory, and also in doing general custom work.
EAGLE CREEK CHEESE FACTORY.
This factory is located near the Phalanx Flour- mill, and was first operated in 1872 by Charles Prentice, who continued about two years, when he sold to Mr. Peck, who worked the factory but one season, and sold to Walter Morton, who op- erated here until the past fall, when George Bear took possession, who operated with consid- erable success, using in the best season six or seven thousand pounds of milk per day, and re- alizing good prices for his product. There is another factory in the township located east of the center, but it is not now in operation.
SETTLEMENT NOTES.
The second family in Braceville was that of Samuel Oviatt. He removed from Goshen township, Connecticut, in 1805, and built a log- house across the river from where his grandson, Henry H., now lives. His father, Samuel Oviatt, Sr., came out a few years afterward and located where his son had settled, the latter then build- ing the home west of the river, where he always lived afterward. He built, in 1808, the first frame barn in the township, which is still on the place, and in good preservation. His brother, Stephen Oviatt, and his young bride, they having been married the day they left Connecticut, came out at the same time. They lived in Braceville a short time, and then moved to Milton. Lucre- tia Oviatt, daughter of Samuel Oviatt, Jr., was
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the first female child born in Braceville, born about 1807. Samuel and Lois (Beckwith) Oviatt were the parents of nine children who grew to maturity of whom but four are now liv- ing, as follows: Mrs. Joseph James, in Charles- town, Portage county; Mrs. Thomas Douglass, of Warren, Ohio; Mrs. Nathan Wilson, of Ra- venna, Ohio; and Mrs. Lucina Mitchell, living in Wisconsin. Moses L., the second child, who occupied the homestead until his death, was born in Connecticut, March 30, 1802. He married July 26, 1825, Lovina Purple, of Parkman, Geauga county, born July 25, 1803. They first settled at Newton Falls, where he operated a saw-mill and also engaged in farming. He after- wards settled on his father's place, which he purchased and occupied until his death, April 20, 1869. His wife survived him ten years lack- ing four days. They were the parents of twelve children, all of whom lived to reach manhood and womanhood, except one. The following are the survivors: E. L. Oviatt, of Marshall- town, Iowa; Mis. Harriet L. Stow, of Brace- ville; Julia L. Humphrey, of Paris, Portage county; Ancil P., in Ravenna; Cornelia, wife of Comfort Ernest, of Warren township; Henry H., occupying homestead in Braceville; and Jemima (unmarried), in Ravenna. E. L. served in the Union army in the war of secession, and was a prisoner one year at Belle Isle and Anderson- ville. Henry H., born in August, 1844, married Esther A., daughter of B. C. Allen, and has three children living and two deceased.
Comfort Stow was born in Middletown, Con- neeticut, June 27, 1762. In 1783 he was mar- ried to Rachel Goodwin and in 18ro with his wife and oldest son, Hervey, removed to Brace- ville, Trumbull county, Ohio. The most promi- nent member of the family in this county was Franklin E. Stow. He was born in Braceville January 2, 1813. His father was Hervey Stow and his mother Lucretia Oviatt, who came to Braceville as early as 1805. Mr. Stow learned surveying, and in April, 1834, was appointed deputy county surveyor, and in 1835 was elected county surveyor, and re-elected in 1841. In 1842 he was elected justice of the peace, serv- ing four terms; appointed postmaster in 1845, which office he resigned in 1850, when he was nominated for State Representative. In 1856 he was again appointed postmaster which
position he held until his death. In 1851 he was elected a representative to the State Legisla- ture and served with fidelity and ability. In 1847 he was appointed district assessor for the purpose of valuing real estate. His district com- prised six townships. His valuation was not changed by the board of equalization but was taken by them as a standard for the remainder of the county. In the fall of 1861 he raised a company of infantry which was attached to the Nineteenth regiment as company G. At the battle of Shiloh he distinguished himself for gal- lantry. He was subsequently prostrated by sick- ness as a result of that battle, and died on board the steamer Shenango, Tennessee river, April 30th. His remains were brought home for burial. He was married on the 15th of May, 1837, to Miss Mary Amy Heath, of Sandisfield, Massa- chusetts. One son was born in 1844. Mrs. Stow still resides in Braceville.
Ezra Roper was born in Connecticut in 1784; came to Ohio in an early day, and settled two miles west of the center of Braceville. He served in the War of 1812, and was wounded. He was twice married, first, to Abigail Lawson, by whom he had two children-Mary and Lo- rinda. His first wife died March 15, 1834, aged thirty-seven. He married for his second wife Lois Bristol, of Nelson, Portage county, and by this marriage had five children-Charles, living in Nelson; Lois (Doty), in Cleveland; George, at Braceville center; Aaron, in Youngstown, and Francis, in Cleveland. Ezra Roper died June 7, 1850. George Roper was born in 1841; mar- ried in March, 1862, Emeline Tousley, and has three children. He located at Braceville center twenty years ago, where he has carried on gen- eral blacksmithing and carriage and wagon-mak- ing for the past thirteen years.
Samuel Craig, son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Baxter) Craig, born January 18, 1811, in county Monaghan, Ireland, came to the United States in 1836, landing at Quebec. He came to War- ren in July the same year, and worked on the Pennsylvania & Ohio canal as stone-cutter, which occupation he followed many years. He purchased the farm in Braceville now owned by William Anderson, about 1839, and erected the first house in that part of the township, which was then entirely a wilderness. He resided in Warren two years, afterwards purchasing where
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he now lives. He married in Pennsylvania in 1841, Margaret Darling, born in New York State in 1822. They are the parents of nine children, of whom five survive, viz: Samuel B., Benjamin, Josiah W., Maggie (Daugherty), and Charles F.
Robert A. Walker was born in Baltimore, Maryland, December 27, 1790, and went to Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, where he mar- ried Abbie Griswold, removing afterwards to Beaver county, where he resided until 1832, when he removed to Warren township, Trumbull county, Ohio. He had purchased land in Weathersfield and Warren a number of years before his removal. He resided in Warren, where he first settled, some twelve years, then moved to Braceville, and settled where George Benedict now lives. He afterwards moved to the north- east part of the township, where he spent the balance of his life. He died May 20, 1868. In the early part of his life he followed the trade of stone-mason. His wife died three years previ- ous to his own death. Their family numbered nine children, all of whom grew to mature age. The survivors are Susan (Bartman) in Canfield, Mahoning county; Rachel Ann (Regal) at Bald- win's corners, Mahoning county; Elisha in Brace- ville, Trumbull county; J. P. in Cass county, Michigan; Abby (North) in Braceville; Robert A. in Jackson county, Michigan; William H. in Brookfield, Eaton county, Michigan.
Elisha Walker was born in 1822, July 4th, in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and married in 1834, Lucy Ann Humphrey, who died in Octo- ber, 1867. He again married in March, 1868, Maria Clark (Richards), born May 14, 1832. By the first marriage four children were born, viz: Franklin D., Abbie S. (Benedict), Robert Norris, Mary E. (Woodward). The result of the second marriage is one daughter, Effie B. Mr. Walker first settled in Warren township west of Leavitts- burg, afterwards removing to Wyandot county, but after a short time returned to Trumbull county, locating in Braceville, where he has since resided.
John G. Gretzinger was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, April 28, 1811, and came to America about the year 1839. He went to Pittsburg, Baltimore, and other cities, following his business, which was that of butchering. He came to Trumbail county about 1842, and after residing
in Warren township purchased a farm in Brace- ville, on Eagle creek, where he resided until his death, which took place October 2, 1880. Mr. Gretzinger was a hard-working and industrious man. He was sick and helpless the last twenty years of his life. He was first married in 1842 to Mrs. Rebecca Fry, who died in 1853. By this marriage he had six children, of whom five are living. He again married in 1856 Paulina Crouse, of Columbiana county, born in Wurtem- burg, Germany, February 21, 1832, and coming to this country in 1855. Four children were the result of this marriage, three of whom are living -Paulina (Brown), Henry W., and Mary A. In the spring of 1882 Mrs. Gretzinger left the farm and removed to the center of Braceville, where she now lives.
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