USA > Ohio > Mahoning County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 95
USA > Ohio > Trumbull County > History of Trumbull and Mahoning counties with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches, Vol. II > Part 95
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In 1875 the Lordstown Educational society was formed, of which A. G. McCorkle, James Wilson, Jr., D. K. Woodward, George W. Harsh- man, John C. Pew, and L. C. Longmore, are the working members. This organization proposes to engage teachers for a graded school and pay from their own treasury the amount necessary to employ competent teachers over and above what the township trustees will allow to be paid for teachers from the public fund. The board of education this year made this a graded school and has been very successful. The building is well adapted for the school and for the various purposes of public necessity for which it is used, and especially is the school a credit to the township and speaks well for the citizens, es- pecially those who have labored so long and
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faithfully in behalf of education and intellectual improvement in this township.
FIRST ELECTIONS.
On the 21st day of June, 1827, the qualified electors of this township were notified to meet at the house of James Kennedy, in said town- ship, for the purpose of electing the first township officers. Peleg Lewis, Ira Lovell, and Alex- ander Campbell were appointed judges of the election; Moses Haskell and James Kennedy, clerks, "who being severally sworn on the duties of their respective offices; whereupon the electors forwarded by ballot to elect the follow- ing officers," viz: Peleg Lewis, Samuel Crum, and Thomas Pew, trustees; James Kennedy, treasurer; Moses Haskell, township clerk; John Lewis, constable; James Preston and Alex Campbell, overseers of the poor; Ira Lovell and David Lewis, fence viewers. The bonds of these officials were signed by Roxwell M. Mason, justice of the peace.
On the 7th day of January, 1828, the qualified electors met at the house of John Gordon, in said township, for the purpose of electing the first justice of the peace. The same judges were appointed, with Moses Haskell and James Cole, clerks. "Whereupon the electors (again) for- warded by ballot " and elected Peter Snyder; and in subsequent years, until 1848, Samuel Crum, William Packard, Leonard Woodward, M. G. Weisell, John Woodward, and Thomas Duncan have served in this office. The trustees met on the first Monday in March, 1828, and selected James Kennedy to serve as grand juror the ensuing year; and John Gordon was selected as petit juror, October 19, 1828. The first supervisors were elected April 7, 1828. They were Peter Snyder, Alex Campbell, Samuel Crum, John Gordon, John Patton, and William Thorne. The following year these officials re- ported poll tax collected to the amount of $53. At this same election the following officials were chosen: John Gordon, Peleg Lewis, and Alex Campbell, trustees; Moses Haskell, clerk; James Kennedy, treasurer; John Lewis, constable; William Thorne and James Kennedy, overseers of poor; Alex Campbell and Moses Haskell, fence viewers.
TEMPERANCE AND MORALITY.
The initial step in a positive temperance
movement outside the several churches, was ta- ken by C. G. Beardsley at the raising of his barn in 1845. It was customary at such meetings to supply the men liberally with whiskey, and pub- lic opinion generally approved of the time-hon- ored custom. On this occasion it seems that it was not expected that the custom would be set aside, as it was thought no one would jeopardize his own interests by risking giving offense to the friends who had come together to assist in rais- ing his building, and upon whom he must de- pend for his assistance. But as Mr. Beardsley was a man of strong convictions on this subject he bade his carpenter to announce that he was ready and willing to furnish anything to eat that the men might desire, but that he would let the building material rot where it was rather than to furnish whiskey to have the building raised. The building was raised, but it was the first one in Lordstown in which the late "King Alcohol" did not take a prominent part. The cause of temperance has many supporters and hard-work- ers in Lordstown, and there has been no small struggle in the cause here, because there was a time when strong drink ran riot, and as else- where did its worst work. But the fact that to-day there is no place within the bounds of the township where intoxicating liquors are sold must be regarded as a great victory for the right in the great moral contest. Since then not more than two warrants have been issued for assault and bat- tery, and for Lordstown it is said that no citizen of hers ever served a term in the penitentiary or was ever incarcerated in the county jail, or was sent to the county infirmary as a pauper. But many who received their education here have gone to other places and have risen to dis- tinction, though not one has ever received a county or State office from this township.
EARLY MEETINGS AT OHLTOWN.
In early times religious meetings were held three times a' month at Ohltown, in Michael Ohl's mill. The young people in the neighbor- hood of the center would form in parties to at- tend church. The young men, if able, were dressed in blue swallow-tail coats, bell-crown hats, fur an inch long, and red bandanna handker- chiefs. Some, however, wore "home-spun" with pewter buttons-old Frazier's make. The ladies dressed in garments of their own manufacture, with high back-combs, and thus adorned would
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start to Ohltown church with shoes and stock- ings under their arms. When near the church they would stop at the creek and put on their shoes, attend the services, after which as soon as they reachcd a convenient distance they again took off their shoes, returning home bare- footed. The merchants of Warien at one time brought on a stock of paper bonnets, stamped to imitate Leghorn, and gave one to each of those who bought goods at the store. Many of the girls in the Lordstown settlement got these bon- nets, and on the following Sunday, all arrayed in their new spring bonnets they started for Ohl- town mill church; but on the way they were caught in a shower of rain, and such a motley picture of beauty adorned in slouched paste- board bonnets was never before or since seen in Lordstown.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, LORDSTOWN CENTER.
Many years ago a Mr. Ashburn, whose wife was a good Methodist, lived in the southeast part of the township, and the itinerant ministers of the church who often visited the family were induced to preach in the old log school-house in that locality. Meetings of irregular appointment were held here for some years until in 1834 the first Methodist Episcopal church in the town- ship was organized in the school-house of dis- trict number seven. Rev. J. W. Hill was the first minister to this class, which at that time be- longed to the Youngstown circuit. In 1835-36 a new circuit called Ellsworth was formed which embraced Ellsworth, Berlin, Jackson, and Lords- town under the pastorate of Rev. Dow Prosser.
In 1842 the present church building was erected at Lordstown center. The dedication sermon was preached by Rev. Robinson. The Sabbath-school was organized in the spring of 1843, and was superintended by Thomas Pew.
The usual revival seasons, so popular with this branch of the Christian church, have from time to time visited this congregation to the strength- ening and building up of the society. One now es- pecially remembered occurred in 1839-40, when many were brought into the church and the mem- bership greatly revived and encouraged. In 1855 Rev. Tagg conducted a meeting in which thirty- two were added to the church; and many other important revivals have been held, not now re- called. Among the ministers who have served
this charge are J. W. Hill, Dow Prosser, Dillen Prosser, Peter Burress, - Gilmore, Ira Norris, Lewis Clark, Samuel Leach, S. W. Ingraham, Ira Eddy, Swayne Freer, W. F. Day, William Sampson, H. Elliott, John H. Tagg, - Mc- Comb, T. B. Tate, S. Wilson, Charles Reeves, Stephen Hubbard, J. B. Grover, S. Nye, J. Mc- Laine, Albert Vancamp, C. C. Hunt, S. Hol- land, H. A. Cobbledeck, M. Moses, J. H. Meek, J. Excell, James Shields, George Crook, G. W. Anderson. The society now belongs to Jackson and Ohltown circuit, Youngstown district; Rev. Seeley, presiding elder.
THE UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, EAST LORDS- TOWN.
This church building is located about two and a half miles southeast of Lordstown center, and was erected under the ministry of Rev. Excell in 1860. The land on which it was built was donated by Charles Ohl, and the property of the church includes a small cemetery lot near by, where the deceased of this congregation are laid in their last resting place.
The first organization was effected about 1855 by Rev. Hiram Knight, and among the original members were William Hood and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John Robb, Eve Dustman, Elizabeth Ohl, and others.
The ministers are as far as can now be ascer- tained were John Excell, - Bolster, Jacob Swihart, H. F. Day, - Evans, W. Miller, D. Traver, I. Moody, A. Berzee, R. Smith, J. G. Baldwin, and D. Landaw, the present minister in charge.
Much of the important history of this church lives now in the lessons taught in the moral lives and Christian character of many who have long since gone to rest in the little graveyard, and who were nurtured in holy things within the humble and unpretentious walls of the United Brethren church.
THE DISCIPLE CHURCH, LORDSTOWN CENTER.
The pioneer religious organization of Lords- town township was effected by that branch of the Christian church known the Disciple or Christian. The great revival of January, 1828, under Revs. Walter Scott and James P. Mitchell, held in Warren, was, no doubt, the beginning of the religious fervor that spread throughout the country in the neighborhood of Warren, and crystalized in many distinct organizations in the
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various townships. Among the special conver- sions during that remarkable meeting was that of John Tait, who afterwards became one of the leading members of the Lordstown society.
He was baptized in the Mahoning river in the month of January, and at the hour of midnight. The hymn sang on this occasion, as the congre- gation marched from the church to the river, is one long familiar to the pioneer members of this church ; and begins-
Come and taste along with me Consolation running free.
Very soon after this revival a congregation sprang up in Lordstown. The new converts, fruits of the revival, with some members already here and others who had been gathered to- gether by Revs. John Henry and Marcus Bos- worth, about forty-one in number, proceeded to organize a society in their own locality, thus giving practical expression to their desire to bring the Gospel to their neighbors, and plant in the midst of their own homes a branch of their own church, to which they were devoutly and devotedly attached.
This organization was effected March 20, 1830, by Rev. John Henry, in the old log-cabin school-house that stood on the northeast corner of David Lewis' farm (lot number twenty-eight).
The officials elected at this meeting were Robert Tait and Moses Haskell, overseers ; David Lewis, and John Tait, deacons. The original members were John Tait and wife, Thomas Tait and wife, Robert, Catherine, and Mary Tait, Peter Wilson and wife, Clementine Wilson, Peleg, Fanny, and Rachel Lewis, Betsy Snyder, Moses Haskell and wife, Ann Haskell, David Lewis and wife, Peter Snyder and wife, Samuel Bassett and wife, Sylvester Roberts and wife, David Finn and wife, William, John, and Mrs. Prior, Christopher Wannemaker and wife, Catherine Wannemaker, Charles, Enoch, Elijah, and Jane Van Wye, Joseph Earle and wife, Mary Earle, and Mrs. Hixson.
Among the early ministers were the well-known names of Walter Scott, John Henry, Adamson Bentley, Jonas Hartzell, Marcus Bosworth, John Applegate, Matthew Clapp, Harvey Brockett, William Hayden, Jacob Asburn, - Sanders, -- - McCleary, - Perkey, --- Webb, and Calvin Smith.
In 1844 the first church building was erected
at a cost of $800, and was located near the Gor- don corners, on the northwest corner of the Gordon farm. Rev. John Henry preached the dedication sermon. This distinguished minister was a musical composer, and on this occasion sang a hymn set to a tune of his own composi- tion, to which at this time he had given no name; and at the suggestion of Robert Tait he gave this tune the name of "'44" in memory of the year in which the Lordstown church was dedi- cated, and this once favorite tune is now known by that name and is so designated in the early collections of sacred music. Rev. Henry was a very popular preacher, was uncultured but not rude, free and hardy, strong and ardent in the cause to which he had given his life. It is related of him that he was a leader among the strongest men at the log-rollings and moved among the pioneers to whom his work called him as a man amongst men, bearing to them a message of gospel peace, not a declaration of glittering generahties. He had some striking peculiarities, and it is related of him that once on his way to church he met a poor man in the way and invited him to church. The man made the excuse that he had no shoes to wear, where- upon the preacher pulled off his own shoes and gave them to the man and preached his Sunday sermon in his bare feet. Soon after the dedica- tion of the Lordstown church he passed away May 1, 1844.
Many able and efficient ministers have served this congregation, and from the only records the following names are gleaned: Christie Burns, Rowe, - Teagarden, - Wakefield, -Southmaid, S. A. Griffin, Madison Monroe, F. M. Greene, A. B. Greene, Harrison Jones, Philander Greene, D. P. Thayer, E. A. Bos- worth, H. 1). Niles.
The present church building at Lordstown was erected in 1868, at a cost of $2,200, under the ministry of S. A. Griffin, and the dedication ser- mon was preached by Madison Monroe. The first revival meeting was held by F. M. Greene, the next by A. B. Greene, followed by Harrison Jones, but altogether with few additions to the church.
In 1868 Rev. Philander Greene was employed, who moved his family to the place, and served the society seven years, dividing his services, however, with other charges. He was followed
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by D. P. Thayer, under whose ministry the church received a new impetus, receiving fourteen ac- cessions to membership. His labors with this society closed in 1877. He was followed by H. D. Niles (to whom the society is largely indebted for the preservation of its history) as the first stationed minister to this congregation. Serving the society two years, he left them at the close enjoying higher degrees of spiritual and temporal prosperity. He was followed by the present pastor, Rev. L. H. Bush, who is assisted in the management of the society by the following officials : James Wilson, Jr., and Philip A. Beil, elders; A. G. McCorkle, D. K. Woodward, L. C. Longmore, and Z. K. Jones, deacons; Rachel Dean, Miranda Jones, and Mary Tait, deaconesses. The society at present enjoys a good state of prosperity.
THE ENGLISH LUTHERAN CHURCH - (BAILEY'S CORNERS.)
The first church building in this locality was erected as a union church about one and one- fourth miles northeast of Bailey's corners, near the north township line. The two societies thus uniting were the German (or the old school) Lu- theran and the German Reformed, and the or- ganization was effected in 1832 by Revs. P. Mahnenschmid and H. Huett. The original members of the organization were John Kibler and Henry Wolford (Lutheran), and John Tiby (Reformed). The first officials elected were Philip Becker (Lutheran) and Daniel Marburger (Reformed), trustees. Among the ministers who served the early organization were Rev. T. C. Becker (Lutheran, since 1835), and Revs. Mah- nenschmid, Rahauser, Ruhl, Renter, Fair, Gre- ther, Perkins, Hess, Ellinger, Keller, Stoner, and Paltzgraff. The first house erected was a log building, but was soon replaced by a frame, in which services were held until 1848, when the house was destroyed by fire. The German Lu- therans and Reformed then built a house of worship in Warren township, but near the site of the former building, where they still continue to hold services. From the dissolution of the above organization, which followed after the burning of the church building, four different denominations were originated-the two already mentioned, and the General Synod Lutherans and Methodist Episcopal. The latter societies united and erected a church building on the
present church lot, donated by Isaac Bailey, at Bailey's corners. The house was completed in 1849 and dedicated by Revs. Chapman and Stoner. In 1878 the interest held by the Meth- odists was purchased by the Lutherans, and they continued to hold services until 1880, when the old house was removed and steps were taken for the erection of a more commodious house of worship. By earnest effort and wise and effi- cient management, the present English Lutheran church edifice was completed at a cost of $3,200, and dedicated January 30, 1881, by Rev. H. L. Wiles, D. D., and Rev. I. J. Miller, the pastor in charge. The building committee was com- posed of A. D. Bailey, William Salen, and L. F. Kistler. The two former were also the trustees, in which capacity they still continue to serve.
The building is a frame structure, 35 x 50, of modern architecture, and has a cupola, seventy- five feet high, which is covered with slate. The interior walls and ceiling are elegantly frescoed in a very tasteful design, and the floor richly carpeted. The pulpit is of walnut, and the other woodwork is of natural, native wood- butternut and chestnut-beautifully finished.
The colored-glass windows lend their softening shades of various hues, and withal make a fit temple for holy purposes, comparing favorably with any other country church edifice in Trum- bull county.
Among the pioneer members of this denomina- tion were Isaac Bailey and wife, Christopher Sowers, John Lewis, Michael Weaver, John Stahl and wife, of whom Mrs. Bailey and Mrs. Stahl alone survive.
Isaac Bailey and C. Sowers served as elders; and Michael Weaver, John Lewis, and C. Sowers as trustees of the original organization.
The following ministers have served this society since its organization, namely: Revs. Stoner, Paltzgraff, Seachrist, Sloan, Grether, Roll, Reinoehl, Ritz, Moore, Smith, and the present pastor, Rev. 1. J. Miller, who has served the congregation more than five years (1881).
THE LADIES AID SOCIETY.
The ladies of this congregation met in the old church on March 29, 1879, and organized an aid society for the purpose of obtaining funds to furnish the new church building, and also in various ways to assist in the support of the society.
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After formulating and adopting a constitution and by-laws, the following officials were elected, namely : Mrs. George Longmore, president ; Mrs. William Salen, vice-president; Mrs. A. H. Lintz, secretary; Miss Mary Simmons, treasurer.
The meetings were held bi-weekly at the resi- dences of the members, the first being held at the residence of the president, which was well attended.
From the first meeting the interest of the society has been increasing, and the community at large has been generally enlisted in the cause and has given generous assistance and patronage, thus meriting the cheerful acknowledgment of many obligations, by the members of the society.
The work of the society usually consists of quilting, sewing, knitting, and fancy work ; also in giving suppers of various kinds. "The little brown money jug " system was introduced, from which $42.30 was realized, also a " memorial quilt," containing five hundred and thirty names the proceeds of which were $61.75. By this time the new church building was ready to fur- nish and the society had accumulated $428.30 for that purpose, to which it was generously given.
The work of the society did not cease, how- ever, but still goes on with commendable zeal and enterprise under the control of the following officials : Miss Mary Simmons, presi- dent ; Mrs. A. D. Bailey, vice-president ; Miss Lottie Kistler, secretary; Miss Libbie Cunning- ham, treasurer.
EDEN GRANGE NO. 1,294, LORDSTOWN CENTER.
The organization of Eden grange was effected by the State deputy, O. P. Laird, November 4, 1876. The officials were elected as follows: James Wilson, Jr., master ; J. C. Pew, overseer ; D. K. Woodward, lecturer ; L. C. Longmore, steward ; G. W. Simons, assistant steward; A. D. Bailey, chaplain ; William Salen, treasurer ; A. G. McCorkle, secretary.
The organization began with thirty-two mem- bers, and was increased during the first year to fifty-one, embracing in its membership a majority of the leading farmers of the township.
The first year the grange rented the town hall from the trustees; refitted and furnished the room completely, and purchased an organ. They immediately put in practice the principles of the organization by electing A. G. McCorkle
purchasing agent, through whom the purchases of family supplies were made by special order from the members designating the articles desired; the general purchases were made of the general agent, located at Cleveland. They contin- ued under the plan for about two years, when James Wilson, Jr., was made purchasing agent, and a fund was borrowed, purchases made, and kept in store at the town hall, and sold to the members. This plan is now in operation under the management of C. G. Beardsley. The sec- ond, but most important feature of the organiza- tion is the social and literary. The first part of the evening meetings is devoted to business, then after an intermission the regular programme of literary exercises follows, introduced with music, followed by essays, select readings, and lectures, etc. The lectures introduce subjects concern- ing agricultural interests, which are taken up by the members for general discussion. These questions generally are arranged to embrace the practical operations on the farm in their proper seasons so that the ideas advanced may be im- mediately utilized. This organization has also what they call the Children's grange, in which special meetings are arranged with exercises suit- able for the children. Also during the year they have suppers and other social meetings. From these meetings has grown up a brotherhood among the farmers of this community, linked to- gether by social ties arising from pleasant and social intercourse with each other, growing out of which, imperceptibly to the casual observer it may be, but nevertheless strongly and truly, are neighborly bonds of fraternity and good social feeling not to be soon obliterated. At present, though not so strong numerically as at first, the substantial members who fully appreciate the important features of the organization are found earnestly engaged in the work.
BAILEY'S CORNERS.
Isaac Bailey came to Lordstown in the spring of 1829, and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Abram D., situated in the northwest part of the township. He built his first log cabin home on the site of the present cooper shop, near the crossing of the Miller and Newton Falls roads, and thus originated the corners, which have since been known as "Bailey's corners." At this time there were but two houses between his house and Warren ;
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one was the cabin of Alexander Longmore, and another stood near Warren. At one time there was a blacksmith shop here and subsequently a cooper shop, school-house and church.
NOTES OF SETTLEMENT.
Thomas Duncan, an old resident of Trumbull county, was born in Austintown township, Trum- bull county, now Mahoning, July 5, 1805. His father, John Duncan, was a native of Washing- ton county, Pennsylvania. Mr. John Duncan's father, George Duncan, came from Scotland with his brothers, William and Alexander, all three of whom were in the war of the Revolution. After the war George settled in Washington county, William located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and Alexander in Chester county. Mr. John Duncan came to Ohio in 1799, and settled in Austintown township, being one of the first set- tlers in the township. He passed through all of the trials and hardships incident to pioneer life, beginning in the wilderness when a dense forest was presented to view in all directions, by untir- ing industry and perseverance he built up a fine home, living here till 1837, when he moved to Lordstown, locating on a farm north of the center, and lived here till his death, which occurred April 13, 1855, aged eighty years and six months. Mrs. Duncan died March 10, 1857. She was born April 21, 1780. They had eleven children : Rachel, Isabella, Margaret, Thomas, Mary, Robert, Nancy, Martha, Elizabeth, John, Josiah. Rachel, Isabella, Margaret, Mary, and Martha are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Duncan were faithful Christians of the Presbyterian church, and were highly esteemed by all. Mr. Thomas Duncan, the subject of this sketch, came to Lordstown in 1832, and located upon the farm where we now find him most pleasant- ly situated. There were few families in the township at this time. Mr. Duncan learned the carpenter's trade, which he followed till he came to Lordstown; since then he has been engaged in farming. He has lived to witness many changes ; has seen what was a dense wilderness change to a most thriving community. He was married January 21, 1830, to Miss Susan Leech, daughter of Benjamin Leech, of Morris county, New Jersey. She was born in 1809. Ten chil- dien have been born to them, eight of whom are living. Mr. Duncan has held many of the town- ship offices; has been justice of the peace nine
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