USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 92
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 92
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Charles May and family remained for a time in the township, then removed.
The foregoing families were all from Connecti- cut, and for some years constituted nearly all of the inhabitants of "Bollestown."
The Waldens, Joys, Haughtons, Frisbies, and other families came during the early years of the settlement. The growth of Southington was very slow.
Henry Haughton. of New York State, made a permanent settlement in 1818. His two sons, Samuel and Aretus, had been here and com- menced improvements two years before. Henry and Lucretia Haughton were the parents of four sons, all of whom settled in Southington and reared families, excepting Aretus, who married but had no family. The sons were Samuel, Are- tus, Alonzo, and Chauncy B. Alonzo is still living in Michigan. The daughters were Mary Ann (Curtis), Lois (Osborn), and Lovisa (Os- born). One other daughter remained and died in New York. All of the daughters are dead with the exception of Mrs. Curtis, who went west and is living.
Perhaps we have followed the history of the settlement sufficiently far. But we cannot close this article without some allusion to the German families which now form a most important indus- trial element among the inhabitants of this town- ship. They are superior farmers, and their work has been largely instrumental in developing the eastern half of the township.
The first "Pennsylvania Dutch" families came to Southington about 1834 or 1835. We men- tion the names of the heads of a few of the earliest : David Palm, Jonas Hoffman, Georgc Flick, Samuel Stroup, Isaac Strock, Jacob
Houck. Many others might be added if space allowed.
SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL-HOUSES.
The first term of school in Southington was taught by James Nutt in a log house situated about three-fourths of a mile southeast of the center, and perhaps a half mile south of the center road. This was about 1814. Mr. Nutt, afterwards 'Squire Nutt, is mentioned as having been a good, faithful teacher. A few of his pu- pils are yet alive, but the teacher has long "slept the sleep that knows no waking."
William Knowlton was another of the early teachers of this township.
The first building erected solely for school purposes was built in 1825 east of the center. It was of logs, and stood where the old brick school-house was built some years later. Both have long since disappeared.
The following ancient papers in reference to the erection of the first school house in South- ington are in the possession of Homer Norton, Esq., who has kindly furnished the writer with a copy. The first is as follows :
We, the subscribers, being desirous ol having a school- house erected in one of two places-said places are, one at the center of Southington township, the other at the corner of lots east of Asa Walden's-it is hereby agreed that the place which gains the greatest amount of assignment shall be deemed most convenient for the erection of a school-house, and that the several sums annexed to our names be paid to the committee who shall be appointed by said signers as they or a majority of them shall direct.
SOUTHINGTON, November 23, 1824.
This is signed as follows :
Days Labor.
Days' Labor.
Comfort Hurd 6
Comfort Hurd
3
James Nutt.
3
James Nutt. 3
Elisha Brunson
8
Elisha Brunson 2
Caleb Brainard
2
Caleb Brainard 2
Smith Hurd.
2
Smith Hurd. 3
Joy Hurd
4
Joy Hurd. 2
Elisha Walden
3
Asa Walden
5
Henry K. White
I
Martin Rexford.
1
Ephraim Joy 4
Ephraim Joy
4
Jesse Rice
I
Tesse Rice.
2
Luke Viets
4
Luke Viets.
4
James Chalker
6
James Chalker. 6
Roderick Norton 2
Roderick Norton 6
Horace Norton I
Horace Norton 6
Isaac Hurd
2
Orrin Chalker 2
Apparently the subscriptions in the first column were deemed insufficient, and the ma-
Asa Walden 3
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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
jority of the signers were induced to increase, at a later date, the amount of their subscriptions.
The second petition reads thus :
We, the subscribers, do hereby agree to pay unto Elisha Brunson and Roderick Norton, or either of them, the follow- ing sums annexed to our names, for the erection of a school- house at the center of Southington township, or as near as a convenient place can be obtained to erect the same; said house to be a frame of sufficient size to contain any number of scholars that may be taught by one master; said sums or articles to be delivered at the place on the order of said Elisha Brunson and Roderick Norton, who are appointed to act as a committee and see that said house is erected.
Witness our hands, Southington, November 24, 1824.
Signed :
Roderick Norton. $10 00.
Elisha Brunson. . . $IO 00.
James Chalker
1, 500 ft. of siding
Smith Hurd. 5 days' work.
Joseph Rice. $10 00
Caleb Brainard.
5 days' work.
James Nutt Io days' work.
Harmon Hurd. 6 days' work.
Orrin Chalker 4 days' work.
Jesse Rice 1,000 shingles.
Joy Hurd 8 days' work.
Horace Norton
Io days' work.
Luke Viets. 8 days' work.
Newton Rice.
2 days' work.
This subscription failed to bring about the desired object. But on the strength of the first a good, substantial log school-house was built at the corners, one mile east of the center of the township. This was the first school-house in Southington. Schools had previously been taught in one apartment of Joseph Rice's double log-house.
CHURCH HISTORY.
The first meeting-house stood on a spot where the Presbyterian church now stands. In 1817 Mr. Ely came on and gave the township two acres of land a short distance north of the cen- ter, and furnished nails and glass for building a union house for public religious exercises. The church was put up and partially finished, and used by the Presbyterians, Baptists and Method- ists until it was torn away to make room for the Presbyterian house now standing.
The Presbyterians and Baptists no longer keep up organizations. At present the churches of Southington are four in number-the Method- ist and the Disciple at the center, the German Reformed and Lutheran east of the center, and the Evangelical at Bowmansville.
METHODIST CHURCH.
A class was formed in about 1820 consisting
of a few members. In 1838 the neat and sub- stantial church at the center was built. The first meetings were held at the houses of Luke Viets and Joseph Rice, and later in the old brick school-house. Among the first members were James Chalker, Sr., Orrin Chalker, Joseph Chalker, James Nutt, Joseph Rice, Joy, Com- fort, and Isaac Hurd, Luke Viets, Sterling Os- born, and others with their families. Joseph Rice was class leader. The eccentric Lorenzo Dow is mentioned as being among those who preached at Rice's house.
THE BAPTISTS.
Very soon after the settlement of the town- ship a Baptist church was formed, and a log- house erected where the Presbyterian church now stands. Years later a house was built a mile and a half north of the center, which was afterwards moved to the northwestern part of the township. Many of the early Baptists be- came Methodists, and the few remaining joined the Disciples and other churches. Dennis White was a Baptist deacon and a zealous sup- porter of the church many years.
THE PRESBYTERIANS.
As this organization is extinct and its mem- bers all either dead or out of the township, little of its history is known.
Presbyterian missionaries held meetings here very early, and under their labors a church was formed. Deacon Daniel Maltby and his large family of fourteen children, all of whom resided here, were its mainstay and support. Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer and David Hatch and wife were early members. The house at the center was erected about twenty-five years ago, but has not been used for ten years.
THE DISCIPLES' CHURCH.
The writer has made many efforts to obtain the facts concerning the history of this church, but without success. The following from Rev. A. S. Hayden's writings is all the information obtained : This church was formed in 1828 mainly from the old Baptist church, under the labors of Revs. Thomas Campbell, Scott, and Applegate. Samuel Haughton was converted and baptized by Campbell, and was one of the most prominent of the early members. In 1865 the church had a membership of one hundred. A costly church edifice has been erected during
525
TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
recent years, and the congregation is prosperous. THE EVANGELICAL CHURCH.
The church of the Evangelical Association at Bowmansville was the result of the labors of Dr. J. C. Bowman, who, with his wife, was the first member. It was founded in the spring of 1852. About the same time Revs. Leonard and Hampy began preaching here. In 1853 the first protracted meeting was held by Rev. Staley, and at its close the church was fully organized. Jonathan Oswald was admitted to membership by letter, and was chosen class-leader. Dr. J. C. Bowman was appointed exhorter. Dr. Bow- man, William West, and Jonathan Oswald were among the most active and influential members for several years. The first meetings were held in an old school-house.
Mr. Staley's protracted meeting was held in a log house south of the corners. The first church edifice was erected in 1854, and Rev. J. Dick held the first protracted meeting ir. it. The new church was built in 1872. The project of build- ing it was started under Rev. H. B. Summers, then presiding elder, and completed under Rev. J. Garner. The house was dedicated in Novem- ber, 1872, by Bishop R. Dubs, of Cleveland. Samuel Craig, William West, and David Kiefer were the building committee.
The Sabbath-school has always been a leading feature in this society. In 1870 quite an impetus was given by the labor of Rev. H. B. Summers, and since that time it has been continued throughout the year. At present Eli Stine is superintendent of the Sunday-school, and also class-leader.
Rev. C. F. Hartung is the present pastor. The church is in quite a flourishing condition, with sixty members.
GERMAN REFORMED AND LUTHERAN CHURCH.
This church was organized in 1837 with the following members: Andrew Stroup, Lambert Camp, Jacob Houck, Jonas Hoffman, Gideon Moyer, William Salem, Henry Crumb, - Ash- bauch, John Mahnensmith, Reuben Fusselman, with their wives and families, and perhaps others.
Distinctions between the Lutherans and the Reformed were not closely drawn, and of some families a part belonged to one denomination and others to the other. They built a house the same year they organized, but did not finish or
paint it. In 1855 or 1856 they erected the pres- ent house on the site of the old one.
Peter Mahnensmith was the first pastor ot the Reformed congregation and F. C. Becker of the Lutherans. Rev. Mahnensmith was succeeded by Revs. Rauhauser, Ruhl, and Zink. Father Becker labored in this church from the first until about 1870. Since that date Revs. Grether and Otting have been pastors, both belonging to the Reformed church. Rev. Enghurst, the present pastor, is a Lutheran. The church is well sup- ported, and a good interest is manifested.
CEMETERIES.
The oldest graveyard in the township is at the center. Before it was laid out, interments were made, in some cases, on the farms of the settlers. From an old paper we copy the following in reference to the center graveyard :
Agreeable to a vote of the township of Southington, a burying ground has been purchased by the trustees of the said township. It is therefore necessary that money be raised to pay for a burying ground, and it is thought to be less expensive to pay it by subscription than by tax. The sum will amount to about sixty cents for each family. Those that are rich, are requested to sign accordingly, as a tax must be the consequence if this subscription fails.
We, the subscribers, promise to pay the several sums an- nexed to our names six months after date. Witness our hands, Southington, November 23, 1820.
This paper is signed as follow :
Roderick Norton. .50
Seth Hurd .. . .50
Leonard Osborn ... .25
Gilbert Osborn .25
Joshua Osborn .50 Stephen Osborn. .25
Milton Osborn. .25 Stephen Crofford. .50
Horace Norton. .25
Chauncy Taft. .30
Eberander Crofford .50
Comfort Hurd . .50
Ephraim Joy .60 James Chalker .50
Isaac Hurd .25 Chauncy Curtis. .50
Ira Rose.
.25
Daniel Maltbie .30
Luke Viets. .50
The land, an acre and a half, was purchased of Joseph Rice for the sum of $13.75, and deeded to the trustees of the township, Roderick Norton, James Hatch, and Comfort Hurd. The spot selected is a knoll of slight elevation a few rods east of the center. For a country burying ground, it is very tastefully kept, and is beautified by a number of small evergreens.
The graveyard adjoining the German church was laid out about the time the church was built. There are two other burying places in the town- ship-one in the northwest, near the old Baptist church, and the other in the southeast at Bow- mansville.
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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS.
Dr. Porter was the first practicing physician.
James Nutt was the first justice of the peace. He was an upright, honorable man, and led a pure and useful life.
A man named Knapp was the first blacksmith. Ephraim Joy was the first carpenter.
The first store was kept by Mr. Ackley. Chap- man was the next merchant.
James Hatch was probably the first postmas- ter. Southington had no post-office for fifteen or twenty years after its settlement, but obtained its mail at Warren.
CHEESE-MAKING.
This branch of industry receives considerable attention in Southington. William Chalker has a cheese factory and carries on the business suc- cessfully. Mr. A. Kincaid had a cheese factory east of the center in which he did an extensive business for several years. He then sold out. In 1878 the building was burned and has not been rebuilt.
EARLY INDUSTRIES.
Luke Viets built a small tannery on his farm in early times and operated it a number of years.
The first manufactory or mill of any kind was a turning shop erected by Benjamin Viets about 1815 in the eastern part of the township. It stood about one-half mile south of the center road, and was run by the water of a small stream. Here he made trenchers or wooden plates, wooden bowls, mortars, and other articles for the use of the settlers.
On account of a lack of sufficient water power there never was any grist-mill erected in the township. Samuel Haughton had a small saw- mill in the north of the township, and Wanne- maker & Camp built another three-fourths of a mile east of the center, on Dead branch. The latter mill was afterwards run by Isaac Hurd. These were built many years after the beginning of the settlement.
THE SETTLER'S CABIN.
There being no saw-mills in or near the town- ship in very early times, every part of a cabin was made with timber fashioned by the aid of an axe. The floors, both the lower and upper, were of puncheons. Split shingles of oak, usu- ally from three and a half to four feet in length, were used for roofing. They were held in place
by weight poles, as nails-could not be procured without great expense. Chimneys were built of sticks and mortar until years later, when the clay of the township was utilized in the manufacture of bricks.
INCIDENTS OF PIONEER LIFE.
Elisha Brunson had traded his farm in Connec- ticut for a large tract here. But upon reaching it, he found that it was situated in the midst of a then almost impenetrable swamp. He was dis- heartened at this discovery and sat down almost overcome with disappointment and melancholy. But becoming convinced that repining could do no good, he at once entered upon his labors with earnestness. Having no home to return to necessity nerved him to the task before him and vigorous work soon made his land equal to the best in the township.
In early days wolves were very numerous here and very audacious. They sometimes came even to the doors of cabins and ate the cast-out remnants of food which they could pick up. One instance is reported of a wolf approaching near a burning brush heap and snatching a sheep that had fled there for safety.
When Mr. Hurd was on his way hither he stayed over night at the cabin of a man named Bacon, on the Mahoning river. They heard wolves during the night, and running out found that a cow had been attacked by them. The animal was so much injured that it was necessary tò kill her.
Bears were troublesome and often encount- ered. Soon after the arrival of Joseph Rice he heard a great noise among his hogs one night. Going to the sty he found a bear with a hog down. The beast was shot and proved to be a large one, weighing over four hundred pounds.
Still later, when hunting "coons," people were often driven from the woods by wolves or bears. The dogs would start a coon, the wolves would be attracted by the barking, and by the time the "coon trec" was reached, the wolves would have the advantage of the hunters and dogs, who, in such cases, were obliged to give up the pursuit.
Dennis White and others had an adventure with a bear which is, perhaps, worth recording. A she-bear and a cub had been molesting stock for some time, and it was at length determined to hunt down and destroy the marauders. Dogs were put upon the trail and followed it for some
coulon
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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
time without encountering the bears. Sunday came and some of the men did not desire to search longer. But Mr. White knew that if the day was allowed to pass, the old bear would be pretty sure to make her escape ; so, with one or two others, he continued the hunt. The man owning the best bear-dog in the township would not join him, and did not wish his dog to go; but White called the dog away from his master and set him again upon the trail. At nightfall they came up with the bear, but she at once plunged into the swamp and was lost to view. One of the hunters at length discovered her in the twilight, and discharged his rifle, wounding her in the neck, then the dogs came and attacked her. She soon fell over, and White cut her throat. The cub was searched for, but the ap- proach of night rendered it impossible to find it. Building a fire, the hunters dressed the bear, and after slicing off steak for themselves and the dogs, they cooked and ate their supper. They remained by the spot all night, and in the morn- ing returned to their homes with the bear skin, leaving the carcass in the woods as food for the wolves.
Henry White, while hunting, once treed a bear instead of a 'coon. He at once commenced calling to obtain assistance, and at the same time keep the bear in the tree. Some fifteen men soon collected. The bear was killed, skinned, quartered, and divided up among those who had assisted in slaying her.
Hunts were often undertaken, in which all the men and boys of several townships joined. Great sport resulted, and often many deer, bears, and wolves were captured. But those days are now gone forever, and the present generation till the fields upon which their fathers and grand fathers hunted. If boyish hearts should yearn for a return to those sports in which their an- cestors indulged, let them remember that modern civilization has abolished them and be content.
It is stated that Dennis White traveled from Southington back to Connecticut seventeen times, making several of the trips on foot.
TEMPERANCE RAISINGS.
In early times a raising was an event more talked of and more interesting than almost any other occurrence. It was to the early settlers what the launching of a ship is to the inhabitants of some of our seaboard cities.
It had long been the custom to furnish liquor to those who assisted on these grand occasions. Dennis White, however, determined to make a new departure, and when about to raise his house told his neighbors that no liquor would be furnished. The people of Farmington had promised to help him if his own townsmen re- fused their assistance. He had no difficulty, however, and the raising passed off quietly with- out the usual scenes of drunkenness.
Rufus Rice, when about to build a barn, de- termined to proceed upon White's plan, but he encountered opposition. One temperance rais- ing was deemed sufficient by some of his neigh- bors. So when the first side of the building started about one-third of the men present tried to hold it down. But the temperance element was too strong for them, and the disturbers of the work, seeing that they were likely to be raised with the building, joined in and helped the rest.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES,
HOMER NORTON.
Homer Norton, the oldest son of Roderick and Olive (Miller) Norton, was born July 23, 1812, in Southington, Trumbull county, Ohio. Roderick Norton was a native of Suffield, Con- necticut, born in 1783. He was one of the younger boys of a large family, and was left an orphan to take care of himself. He came to Ohio in June, 1805, in company with his brother- in-law, James Chalker, and Luke Viets, and their wives, David Viets, father of Luke, and Horace Norton, his brother, then seven years of age. These were the first settlers in the township of Southington, and Roderick Norton is credited with the honor of having struck the first blow for permanent improvement. He married in Connecticut October 8, 1810, Olive, daughter of Job Miller, and they immediately removed to their new home in the western wilderness, spend- ing the first winter with Luke Viets. In the summer of 1814 he was drafted into the army, War of 1812, and served as first corporal in Lieutenant Hezekiah Hines' company, Ohio militia, until the close of the war, being dis- charged February 23, 1815. The following ex- tract is taken from a sketch previously published :
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TRUMBULL AND MAHONING COUNTIES, OHIO.
It was during the time of his absence that his adventurous young wife realized pretty severely the hardships of early pioneer life. With an infant, a few months old, and her lit- tle son Homer, she spent the winter alone in the wilderness, in a rudely constructed log cabin, half a mile through the wood to her nearest neighbor. Her faithful dog, Tiger, frequently warned her of the approach of wild animals, or possibly the more dangerous aborigines; and she occasional- ly burned gunpowder in a spoon through a crevice in her cabin to scare the wolves away. On receiving his discharge, he crossed the ice on Lake Erie, and again assumed the re- lations of civil life. He was modest and unassuming; was a prominent citizen of his township, and generally among the foremost in matters of enterprise. He would never accept the office of justice of the piece, though often requested to do so. By his strict integrity and upright dealing he ac- quired among his neighbors the sobriquet of "Old Honesty." In politics, a Whig. For many years a true and faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church. Had three sons and six daughters, viz: Homer, Albert, Hannah, Rod- erick, Samantha, Olive, Fanny, and Mary and Martha (twins); all are living except Albert, Fanny, and Mary.
Roderick Norton died on the homestead farm March 15, 1849. Olive (Miller) Norton, his wife, was born December 14, 1787, and died October 25, 1860. Albert, the second son, was a Meth- odist minister, and died at Berea February 22, 1880. Hannah was married to Rev. William S. Pond, and resides in Carey, Ohio. Roderick, Jr., is a Methodist minister of prominence in lowa. Samantha was married to Dr. Joseph McFarland and resides in Corsica, Morrow county, Ohio. Olive was married to Charles F. Weed, of Windham, Portage county, Ohio. Fanny was married to Joseph A. Tift. Mary was married to Frederick A. Bond. Martha married Charles Wannamaker and lives in Southington.
Homer Norton enjoyed but meager advan- tages for the acquirement of an education, receiv- ing his first instruction from his mother. At the age of sixteen he was afflicted with a serious ill- ness which affected one of his legs, unfitting him for heavy farm labor, and making further atten- dance at school impossible on account of the long walk. He then learned the shoemaker's trade. He finally recovered his strength, and in 1834 he built the second frame school-house in Southington. The same fall he went to Wellington and conducted a shoe shop for a man named Case for some five months. Being am- bitious to obtain an education he returned home and entered West Farmington seminary. About this time Platt R. Spencer, of Harpersfield, Ash- tabula county, was attracting considerable atten- tion as a teacher of penmanship, and in the fall of 1836 Mr. Norton left the seminary and placed
himself under Mr. Spencer's instruction. He made rapid progress in penmanship, and soon acquired great proficiency in that art. During the following winter he taught successfully in various townships in Trumbull county, and was one of the first teachers of the Spencerian sys- tem of penmanship in the county.
In the spring of 1837 he made a trip to Fort Wayne, Indiana, on horseback, stopping at De- fiance, Ohio, on the way, and teaching a writing school for two terms, which netted him about $100, and also formed a class at Fort Wayne. Land speculation was running high in Indiana at this time, and he invested his entire capital, con- sisting of his earnings as writing teacher and his horse, in two eighty-acre lots, one in Lagrange and the other in DeKalb county. This subse- quently proved a profitable investment. Tired of adventure he returned to Ohio, making a journey down the Maumee river to Toledo, a distance of over one hundred miles, with six other young men in a canoe made out of a pop- lar log forty feet in length.
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